Need Advice

my son was invited to an area code tryout about 4 or 5 years ago.it sounds by your description he is a twin to your son. i was told at the time by other bb people that it was very rare to get an invite as it was the whole northeast. so we went to harrisburg pa. for the event. honestly i have never seen so many coaches in one place. i don't know if you have to pay for the area code tryout. but i'm sure it's worth it. maybe the consultant will answer any questions about it since it was his showcase or tryout. either way sounds like a win.

Send him to the A/C tryout and miss a day at Stanford camp. It's only money right? I stopped worrying about how much money everything was costing very early in the recruiting dance. It made life so much easier. Don't spend money you don't have, but if you have it don't be afraid of losing a little along the way. From what I understand the Stanford camp is very prestigious, but I've heard the Area Code Games are the Grand daddy of them all.

I think the decision should be left up to you, your son and your budget. There are three different ways to look at high profile events such as the Area Code games and to an extent even the Area Code tryouts. You could look at them as a means to reach a goal of college or professional ball (exposure) or you could look at them as a goal with bragging rights or possibly a combination of both. Unlike most parents I looked at ALL the showcases, events and teams as nothing more that “exposure tools” and ignored the actual accomplishment of being invited to attend or join. When my son was invited by a MLB scout to the area code tryouts while in high school --- I declined because of the cost involved in travel and lodging for the tryouts and the Area Code Games. The event itself is free but the travel and lodging are not. I also felt it would be redundant and exceed my recruiting budget to attend both the MLB’s East Coast Professional Showcase on the east coast (which he did) and then attend the Area Code Games on the west coast. Don’t take this in any was as negative toward Area Code because they as I understand are first class. I also know my approach was more “practical” than most and I forced myself not to get caught up in the hype of all the different events.
Fungo

Bum, I would try to do both.
Is your son only doing pitching?
Bbscout is running the NW area code tryouts I believe.
Maybe you could set up an early bullpen?
EH

Bum;
Is the invitation for the June 27? This is the AC Camp where you pay a fee.

If it for the June 28, then there is no fee.

On the June 27, I have been invited to speak at the Stanford Camp. My discussion will be "INternational Baseball".

Over 40 players [Australia, Japan, China, Latin America and USA] in the recent "World Games" have played in the Goodwill Series events.

Bob

Wow, what a BIG help!

Consultant ( aka Bob Williams ), I know that I have told you before. But thank you for what you have done for youth baseball over the years.
Not only starting the Area Code Games back in the 80's.
But being ahead of your time concerning the International game. The Goodwill Series.
Going International can only help all are players to strive to be the best they can be.
So thanks again and keep up the good work.
EH

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One man's opinion....

We had a similar dilemma with cadKID#2, only it was Sunbelt vs Area Codes. Sunbelt was a once in a lifetime, and he went there.... but we contacted the Area Code folks and they let him move his tryout to SoCal, instead of in our own hometown, and he got to do both Sunbelt and Area Codes.

As far as Stanford Camp, if your son is not planning on going to an Ivy League, Stanford, a Service Academy, or "a Georgetown", then the coaches there are not going to be too interested. I know a lot of posters here will disagree with this thought, but that's why I started the post as I did.... one man's opinion.

cadKID#1 didn't go to AC's or Stanford. He was seen by USAFA at the Cal Poly Camp, and later by UCSB at Brea (Christmas Tourney before the Blackouts started). cadKID#2 had a very good AC, but didn't make it to Round 3 (they took some 6'5" kid who's already washed out), but many coaches told me they "put him on the radar" as a result of AC's.

Both boys are playing at the next level.


cadDAD


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Hold on Academy Dad - a 5'10" LHP with good grades/test scores is perfect for the Stanford Camp. Those Ivies want him.

But I agree with the majority of the Board - do both, but with this caveat: Our son, also a LHP, threw at the Area Code tryouts last year. Pitchers don't do much until the afternoon, then will pitch to 5-6 batters. If he's got good velocity and movement, it will be worth it to throw in front of college and pro scouts - if not, then skip it and stick to the Stanford Camp.

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Agreed... good grades, good player, Stanford Camp is a winner.

But I guess I should have gone further than just saying "unless you are headed to Stanford/Academy/IVY", for a whole lot of other reasons.

Academy route is for a very limited number of kids for many obvious reasons... but along the same vein, so is the IVY route, in that, sure, baseball might help get you in, but with no athletic scholarships, how many can really afford that route? FAMSA? My experience is that if you are a homeowner and gainfully employed in the state of Calif (also WA & OR), that you're going to be paying through the nose, with little help. The criteria for assistance is just stacked against us on the West Coast (speaking about the equations used for personal income, personal equity, et al).

I realize I have opened a can of worms here that takes the discussion in a myriad of directions.

Probably should have just left it with... "I think Area Codes is the best venue to get seen".

Now go do the right thing...

cadDAD

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quote:

Originally posted by Bum:
I need some serious advise. For those that don't know, my son is a 5'10", 160lb, 17 y.o. LHP. He is having a great season and recently he was invited to and accepted in the Stanford All-Star Camp. He has been receiving interest from a number of DI colleges...I'll be honest, I really didn't expect it (the invite) because of his size. I was under the impression the Area Codes were mostly interested in the bigger kids.

While some scouts would never look at your son (or anyone under 6'5") given his height, others (especially Moneyball guys) would given that he's a LHP, he's effective, and there have been many great pitchers who have been relatively short.

- Mike Marshall 5'8"
- Pedro Martinez 5'11"
- Bob Feller 6'0"
- Greg Maddux 6'0"
- Juan Marichal 6'0"
- Jamie Moyer 6'0"
- Warren Spahn 6'0"
- Bob Gibson 6'1"
- Tom Glavine 6'1"
- Tom Seaver 6'1"
- Don Sutton 6'1"
- Sandy Koufax 6'2"
- Nolan Ryan 6'2"
- Johnny Sain 6'2"

Tim Lincecum was only 5'11" and he was taken early in the first round.

Like Consultant said make sure it's not the camp the day before the actual tryout. One of my son's friends a freshman in high school got invited to the camp.If it is an invite to tryout that's a real honor. The list of kids invited to the camp must be quite a bit longer.

Thank you, everyone. Yes, it is an invite to the 27th camp. So now that I understand the process it seems sticking with the Stanford camp is the way to go. If any of you disagree, please let me know!

Bum, I believe the Area Code camp and Tryout in N. Cali. is early June not sure the location.
Might be worth talking to the Area Code people about??
EH

Thanks, EH. He's playing on a well-known Summer team here in Spokane and while he's good (clocked 85 recently at a college camp) I'm pretty sure the Area Codes are mostly looking for high-80's+ pro prospects. Just being realistic about his chances. On the other hand, he keeps getting better every year and I think some of the colleges there at the Stanford camp will like what they see.

Bum;

we are organizing a team of Australian players
for the July 1-6 Tournament at the MLB Baseball Academy in Compton, California. We could provide an opportunity to your son to join this team from Perth, Western Australia.

He could join our SSK/Australia team after the Stanford Camp. Please complete a "players profile" on the Goodwill Series web site.
<www.goodwillseries.org>.

Bob

The N. Cali Area Code tryout is also heavily recruited.

Bum, being that your son is a junior this is a good time to be seen.

Bob your a busy man, I wish I had half your energy.
Keep up the good work.
EH

Having received the list of coaches that will be 'working' the Stanford camp, sure the Ivies and Academies are well-represented, but there are a good number of other schools that will be represented...and, from what I understand, a lot of guys hanging out in the stands that are 'unofficials'..... This year, HeadFirst is sort of piggy-backed onto the Stanford dates, so you can bet those guys will also try to make the most of their time while in northern Cali.......

I am looking forward to it. I was totally blown away last week when my LHP son clocked in at 87 on the Jugs in a playoff game. I had two pro scouts approach me afterwards. It definitely took me by surprise and made me think what if?. I had no idea he was throwing that hard. And he K'd 13 with no walks. This is getting to be fun!

Good job, Little Bum!!