NH Legion

I don't get your point.  Scott is happy to pick up kids from all over the country to get them exposure if they are legit.  I know the roughnecks have been to East Cobb but they clearly don't have the history that NE baseball does. I'm not shitting on them, just don't get your angle.

Show Baseball Academy out of Lawrence, MA is a top-flight organization. Former Red Sox catcher Steve Lomasney, who runs the program and coaches the 17u Showcase team is one of the very best. Their list of coaches/instructors is impressive. (including pitching coach Jeff Allison and Chad Epperson, Red Sox minor league catching coordinator)

They have a full range teams 16, 17, 18 Showcase as well as AAU.  The Showcase teams play all the tournaments.  The 17u played about 45 games last summer.  Show is a relatively new program, 4-5 years, but their commit list is impressive. That speaks to Coach Lomasney's reputation and his tireless work getting his players placed in appropriate colleges and universities.

My angle is pretty simple.  Northeast is a great organization.  However, there are plenty of "legit" kids playing in a few places in New England, and they are getting placed in the top conferences.  Perfect Game has East Cobb New England in their Top 80 17u programs.   The only other northern team was Syracuse Sports Zone.  Mikes point about The Show is good as well.  Since you mention the Ruffnecks, they go back about 8 years and have placed kids in every top conference, including the ACC and SEC last year.  A lot of high academics in that list too including quite a few Ivy's.  I believe they have had about 10 kids drafted.  I think that is sufficient history.

i'm glad you had a good experience with Northeast.  I think they are great, and do great things for their kids.  However, they don't play in more or better tourneys than any of the others I've mentioned.  Yes, their list of alum is long and impressive, it should be with 3 17 teams and an 18 team.  That's a lot of kids to give attention to when most programs focus on one team of kids at that level.

Thanks for all of the feedback. 

it is no surprise that the ruffnecks and neb have been mentioned along with the show and east Cobb. Not sure i believe the top 80 ranking as the relationship east Cobb has with PG is a key factor to consider in this ranking. 

My 2018 will stay the course this year with what we believe is a strong schedule for travel (55+ games - all weekends) plus Jr legion during the week once school is out. We'll reach out to Scott Patterson with the hope of playing there next year.  

Just to interject...both NEB and Ruffnecks are fantastic programs and they should be applauded for all they do to get NE players on the radar and recognized. I don't think there needs to be a debate between programs - both have helped to achieve success for NE players. My son is entering his 3rd season with Ruffnecks and he also has good friends that play for NEB, who have nothing but good to say about the program and coaches. Ruffnecks have a more intensive travel schedule beginning earlier. My 15U LHP will only be home for 8 days max between June 13 & Aug 3. Most of it in the South. And they will be opening a $20M facility this summer. But, as stated, NEB rosters more teams at the older ages so there is more opportunity to join a team than Ruffnecks who only roster one team at each age group. There are some other programs: Show, Legends, East Cobb NE that may in a few years be in the mix - but in the short term, I do agree that if you have a prospect DI-DIII,these 2 programs are the best option.

My son played for NEB and was recruited at all three Division levels.  That said, all were confined to New England which honestly is what we preferred anyhow.  I will say that playing at East Cobb and the other popular showcase venues often involve playing in front of empty bleachers at High School and Community College fields as many games aren't at the primary facilities during these so called tournaments.  I'm not sure all the travel is really worth it in the end.  I guess to each his own and how much you feel like paying.

Ultimately we were pleased with NEBs involvement.  At least for the D1 and D2 schools, NEB was typically contacted about my son by the colleges before my son was so Scott and company could give us a heads up as to what they were interested in.  One D1 school even floated the offer by Scott first before my son which Scott passed along and then he pulled himself out of the middle of it to let us deal with the school directly.

At the end of the day they're all running a business.  If you want your son to get more exposure this will help but not as much as a lot of talent will.

I agree that Scott and NEB do a fantastic job. I know several alumni and current players who are very pleased.

In terms of "what you're willing to pay", the Ruffnecks tuition includes all travel, expenses, hotels & meals as well as complete uniform, helmet and equipment bag. So, parents don't need to travel with players. At $3000 with all that is included I don't feel it is out of line with what many AAU teams charge that stay local for most of the season with maybe one tournament in the South. Additionally, they provide over $20,000 in financial aid to players each year.

And - totally agree that talent is the most important factor. Without that it doesn't matter where you play or who you play for.

I agree, that's a fabulous price for playng all summer away from home.  Plus they include their meals!  Sounds like a great deal for you as I agree most AAU teams charge close to that for just playing a local schedule. On the flip side I'm not sure how much scouting of 15 year olds is going on.  I think I'd miss my son if he was gone that long.  Of course, it might've been kind of nice to have a quiet house all summer too.