We had approximately 5-6 major league scouts at our scrimmage last night. Just curious... how do your sons handle the additional pressure of performing?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
mom...,
I am guessing they were there to observe your son?
If that is the case, I would tell your son to just forget about scouts and play the game the "normal" way he would. Just do his thing.... that is what they want to see, not a "special" performance for them.
It has been quite a few years since our son had this experience, but the less your son does to place added pressure on himself to "perform", the better off he will be.
Here is to a great Spring!
I am guessing they were there to observe your son?
If that is the case, I would tell your son to just forget about scouts and play the game the "normal" way he would. Just do his thing.... that is what they want to see, not a "special" performance for them.
It has been quite a few years since our son had this experience, but the less your son does to place added pressure on himself to "perform", the better off he will be.
Here is to a great Spring!
Pro scouts and their college counterparts, recruiters, are present at so many venues these days that they ought to be viewed as part of the landscape. The game should be fun and be played at one's best, regardless of their presence. My advice: Tune 'em out and enjoy the game.
I am with prepster--- just play your game--if they are there and they like you they will contact you--you can count on that
I have witnessed two high profile high school athletes struggle through this, these two kids were first round draft picks.
My son played with both kids. The first kid was Matt Bush {1st pick first round}. Matt's senior year was crazy in terms of the amount of coverage. Matt got off to good start but started struggling midway through the season. I believe the day in day out amount of coverage got to him. Matt used to leadoff and if he did not get a good qualtity at bat he would try even harder to make up for it his next time. This seemed to happen more often when the regional and national guys were there. I think there is a huge amount of pressure on these kids to perform when these guys are present because they are not there everyday and how you perform that day can and does have a big impact on how you are viewed by organization. Later in season Matt started playing lights out again and of course went 1st pick first round.
The other kid was another first rounder {Sanchez}. He had pressure because he was one of the most powerful HS kids I have ever seen. I am not sure where he graded in power but he had to be 65/75 on MLB scale. When the cross checkers flew out to watch Henry I am sure he felt like he needed to mash. I think in retrospect it was tougher on Matt because he was high profile pitcher and position player.
The really high profile kids have a lot of pressure on them when the guys fly out to watch. It's easy to say just relax and play your game epecially when most of us have never been in that situation. I surely do not have the answer but I have seen firsthand how crazy it can get for the top kids.
Great topic
My son played with both kids. The first kid was Matt Bush {1st pick first round}. Matt's senior year was crazy in terms of the amount of coverage. Matt got off to good start but started struggling midway through the season. I believe the day in day out amount of coverage got to him. Matt used to leadoff and if he did not get a good qualtity at bat he would try even harder to make up for it his next time. This seemed to happen more often when the regional and national guys were there. I think there is a huge amount of pressure on these kids to perform when these guys are present because they are not there everyday and how you perform that day can and does have a big impact on how you are viewed by organization. Later in season Matt started playing lights out again and of course went 1st pick first round.
The other kid was another first rounder {Sanchez}. He had pressure because he was one of the most powerful HS kids I have ever seen. I am not sure where he graded in power but he had to be 65/75 on MLB scale. When the cross checkers flew out to watch Henry I am sure he felt like he needed to mash. I think in retrospect it was tougher on Matt because he was high profile pitcher and position player.
The really high profile kids have a lot of pressure on them when the guys fly out to watch. It's easy to say just relax and play your game epecially when most of us have never been in that situation. I surely do not have the answer but I have seen firsthand how crazy it can get for the top kids.
Great topic
MomandCPA - I think you've received some good advice. However, IMO there's no denying the pressure on a team when faced with overwhelming scouting and publicity. I know that certain draft picks feel it and their teammates feel it. I think it's unavoidable.
When you can't get out of the stands to go get a bottle of water because there are so many scouts that they can't all fit behind home plate, it's distracting to players and parents. That kind of attention WILL place that player and the team at the mercy of other people's jealous comments and actions. That kind of attention does change the atmosphere and complexion of your year.
I think the best thing is to get a few games under their belts where hopefully they can adjust somewhat. Also, I hope that the possible draft pick is a down to earth "team" player because that helps to keep the team focused and feeling like a "unit" instead of just kids on the periphery.
Best of luck to your son and all his teammates!
When you can't get out of the stands to go get a bottle of water because there are so many scouts that they can't all fit behind home plate, it's distracting to players and parents. That kind of attention WILL place that player and the team at the mercy of other people's jealous comments and actions. That kind of attention does change the atmosphere and complexion of your year.
I think the best thing is to get a few games under their belts where hopefully they can adjust somewhat. Also, I hope that the possible draft pick is a down to earth "team" player because that helps to keep the team focused and feeling like a "unit" instead of just kids on the periphery.
Best of luck to your son and all his teammates!
quote:It's easy to say just relax and play your game epecially when most of us have never been in that situation.
No one who's posted said that applying our advice would necessarily be easy. But, we were asked to advise, and we did.
In my case, I responded in accordance with the comments my son has made to me about the situation; and, I suspect O.P.P.'s son has made the same sort of remrks to him, as well. In TR's case, I would imagine that you heard what he's told hundreds of top players that he's coached.
Prepster:
I was not at all trying to be critical or sarcastic when stating that "many of us have never been in that position". Rather, all I wanted to convey was that while the advice was very sound and logical it was not necessarily that easy for the kids to implement. Sort of like when you are on the hill and lost the zone and everyone is saying "just throw strikes". If only it was that easy
Sorry that my comment may have been misconstrued, when it comes to writing "I am a few french fries short of a happy meal"
I was not at all trying to be critical or sarcastic when stating that "many of us have never been in that position". Rather, all I wanted to convey was that while the advice was very sound and logical it was not necessarily that easy for the kids to implement. Sort of like when you are on the hill and lost the zone and everyone is saying "just throw strikes". If only it was that easy
Sorry that my comment may have been misconstrued, when it comes to writing "I am a few french fries short of a happy meal"
It IS very distracting, for the player and the team, parents, no one said it wasn't. Some perform well under the pressure, some don't.
When you are a top first round possible prospect, that's how it is going to be. There are a lot of players out there that are unable to enjoy their last year of HS ball because of the distractions. They aren't prepared for how to handle the situation. Being a top possible pick, you get chances, they are out there all of the time. Sometimes a scout will show up once to see a player, one chance, that's pressure also. The top considerations have MANY chances. It happens to college players as well, only some of them have gotten used to 3-4 years of it. Showcases and tournaments somewhat prepared our son for it, but he still hated it. We told him to do the best he could and enjoy his game. That's all you can do.
When you are a top first round possible prospect, that's how it is going to be. There are a lot of players out there that are unable to enjoy their last year of HS ball because of the distractions. They aren't prepared for how to handle the situation. Being a top possible pick, you get chances, they are out there all of the time. Sometimes a scout will show up once to see a player, one chance, that's pressure also. The top considerations have MANY chances. It happens to college players as well, only some of them have gotten used to 3-4 years of it. Showcases and tournaments somewhat prepared our son for it, but he still hated it. We told him to do the best he could and enjoy his game. That's all you can do.
You would think it would have to be distracting. In some ways it may be more distracting for players who are not the focus of the scouts. The one(s) being looked at may be more use to being watched than some of the other players who think this is their one chance to be seen.
I be interested in knowing how some of the coaches on here handled or addressed it, since it something that probably carries on through most of the season.
I be interested in knowing how some of the coaches on here handled or addressed it, since it something that probably carries on through most of the season.
quote:"I am a few french fries short of a happy meal"
LOL!!
Your apology is readily accepted, and I apologize for having misconstrued it.
momandcpa: Best of luck to your son and his team this season!
They are showing up this year to my son's practices at school and at every game so far. Two very high profile kids on the team this year.
My son looks at as an opportunity to showcase his own skills.
My son looks at as an opportunity to showcase his own skills.
I'd suggest that any "pressure" is controlled around the dinner table by adults close to the player
if the player is repeatedly reminded his performance will have a HUGE AFFECT on the rest of his life and that of his family - pressure will be magnified
if the player is repeatedly reminded to relax, "play his game", have fun & let things play out - pressure will be diminished
jmo
.
if the player is repeatedly reminded his performance will have a HUGE AFFECT on the rest of his life and that of his family - pressure will be magnified
if the player is repeatedly reminded to relax, "play his game", have fun & let things play out - pressure will be diminished
jmo
.
I know several ballplayers that deal with the mega-attention in different ways but they all seem to deal with it well. They've developed a thick skin to the pressure and try to just do what they do. IMO, sometimes it's just living up to the hype that surrounds them that can be more overwhelming than the number of scouts that are in attendance.
As an aside, I know it's one thing to play in front of droves of scouts and college coaches, but what about the abundance of potential 'advisors' that show up at the games to smother the parents of potential prospects? That's gotta make it hard to just enjoy the ballgame.
As an aside, I know it's one thing to play in front of droves of scouts and college coaches, but what about the abundance of potential 'advisors' that show up at the games to smother the parents of potential prospects? That's gotta make it hard to just enjoy the ballgame.
I agree with Dbat GM. I think the pressure on potential high draft picks of "living up to the hype" is the toughest thing for them to deal with. If they are being seriously scouted at scrimmages then they've probably had scouts watching them at showcase or other big event. But...a prospect goes to a showcase so scouts can see him...along with the other few hundred kids that are at event. When a bunch of scouts show up to see prospect...I think it puts a little extra pressure to perform on player, because they aren't there to see the team. They are there to see him.
We've had around thirty at each our first couple scrimmages and it's definitely added a little more excitement to the games.
My son has been fortunate to pitch at both games and has done well. He is only a junior so he isn't the one being scouted. But, as KellerDad said, it's a great opportunity for everyone on both teams to be seen.
We've had around thirty at each our first couple scrimmages and it's definitely added a little more excitement to the games.
My son has been fortunate to pitch at both games and has done well. He is only a junior so he isn't the one being scouted. But, as KellerDad said, it's a great opportunity for everyone on both teams to be seen.
I recently spoke to a stud pitcher that I train between innings. In the first innng, with about 50 scouts and there guns pointing at him, he became really wild and obviously very nervous. I went to the dugout, as I was invited in by the coach, and told him to give those scouts a big wave as he was starting the next inning. He just laughed and said, they're making me nervous, coach. I said, then turn around and moon them. He really liked that one. The next inning out, everytime he looked in for the sign, he had a big smile on his face. He was perfect for the next 2 innings. I hear they liked what they saw.
The pressure of a big situation that involves a kids future can be overwhelming for some. If theres anyway to make light of the situation, try it. It has usually worked for me.
The pressure of a big situation that involves a kids future can be overwhelming for some. If theres anyway to make light of the situation, try it. It has usually worked for me.
Both of my boys and the kids on their team loved all the scouts being at the games last year. It was a welcomed change from no one being there. Even the kids on the other teams were pumped. I guess it's how you look at it.
quote:Originally posted by momandcpa:
I should point out that the mother of the player being scouted so heavily thinks she is developing ulcers!!!
One of the things you realize with exposure to the draft and MLB is the fact that you can be overwhelmed. Whether you are a player being scouted, involved in the draft, or playing professional baseball, you usually have very little actual information. You see a lot of things go on around you but you have no real idea what it means.
Our son, assisted by his college coach and the scout who eventually signed him, came to realize that you cannot control what goes on off the field, but you can allow what goes on off the field to affect how you perform on the field. One aspect of whether a player is ready to play at the professional level is the ability to play their very best, and avoid distractions.
I think Prepster is exactly right on this issue. The only thing the player can control is his preparation and his performance on the field. That should be the focus and the only thing that matters.
If a scout and major league team feel strongly enough, then they will take action. By and large, a parent and player can make themselves sick paying attention to a process they cannot control and information to which they have little or no access...and that sounds like what is happening here, possibly.