Oriolelanders?

Great opportunity. Even if you don't make the team the tryout at Camden Yards is a highlight. Didn't cost anything to tryout in years past. Highly attended by both pro scouts and college recruiters. Staff is well connected and their goal is get you into a college program that will suit your ability.

Advice -- if your kid plays varsity for a high school teamand the team has a summer team --- have your kid play for the high school team versus the Oriolelanders -- especially if he is a pitcher. The biggest mistake kids make is playing for a team that does not have an investment (long-term) for your kid. That is one of the reasons for so many Tommy-John arm problems. Bottom-line - if your kid has any talent -- you do not have to market him through out-side teams.. Use the Perfect Game and Blue Gray in order to be seen by colleges and you will be fine.

Trepfan, I have to strongly disagree.

Lions10, I would suggest you get on the best travel team that will give you the role you are looking for.

(Meaning, it does no good to join a premier team if you're not going to play.)

These travel teams are stronger than your high school teams. They attract scouts (college and pro) that your high school team will not attract, even if you're both at the same events. You can benefit from being on the same team with a stud or two or four. Scouts may turn out to see them, and "discover" you in the process. Or who knows, maybe you're the stud everyone's looking for? Be where you can be found easily.

There are teams that abuse pitchers. You need to investigate whether this is an issue on a team you're considering and either steer clear or have a heart-to-heart with the coaches about it up front. You and your parents have to put your foot down on that kind of thing. But that's not a reason to avoid all travel teams.

Also, check out where these teams are planning to go. Some teams will go to college-specific showcases at schools you have no interest in. Think about where you want to be and make sure the team you're looking at will get you there.

As for the Orioleanders, they are a highly reputable team and they are run by an Orioles area scout. There's nothing to lose and a lot to gain from attending the tryout. Go there and see for yourself what it's about. Ask a lot of questions, and get to the point of things that are important to you so you know whether it's what you want.

I would suggest if you have the chance to play for the o'landers to definately to it. I do not know about the costs, but Dean is a class guy and I know he does not tear up arms.

Ok, I am going to try out and hey, if nothing else then I get a day of playing baseball at Camden Yards

my son pitched for the Oriolanders a few years ago and Dean didn't come close to overthrowing his pitchers. they threw enough to be "seen" by the schools attending, but they certainly didn't overthrow (3-4 innings per game). Dean is a class act and I'd highly recommend anyone playing for him in the fall.

Dean Albany treats all the kids well. But he is especially light on the pitchers he also doesn't make them hang around before or after they pitch. He let's them know what game and how many innings.

At least that's what he used to do.

For the Oriolander's, how do you get an invite? Are there any other high-caliber summer teams in the area that offer tryouts?

Have your high school coach contact Dean Albany, he is an area scout with the Orioles. Also, the Mid-Maryland Red Sox are a scout team and have had a large number of kids go DI.

My son pitched for the oriolelanders last year and will again this. Dean Does not overuse his pitchers they pitch 3-4 inn. a weekend. Dean is also well conected in the baseball world. His main goal is to help you get a baseball scholarship. Since playing for Dean my son has received a lot of intrest from some great baseball schools. One D1 school has already offered him a fullrideand he is only a junior. None of this would have happened if he wasn't on the Oriolelanders. If you get an invite go !!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Trepfan:
Advice -- if your kid plays varsity for a high school teamand the team has a summer team --- have your kid play for the high school team versus the Oriolelanders -- especially if he is a pitcher. The biggest mistake kids make is playing for a team that does not have an investment (long-term) for your kid. That is one of the reasons for so many Tommy-John arm problems.[QUOTE]

Terpfan, you are entitiled to your opinion but I have to disagree on a number of fronts.

Others have made the point of the Oriolelanders being a strong program so I need not go there.

Telling a player to stay with his HS team and just do PG events and a BG showcase may be limiting a players opportunities. There are so many stories on this site of players worried about their limited contact from schools as well as success stories of others I would not try to put all players into one recruiting option. For what its worth the more exposure (to a degree) of a player with ability to play at the college level, the more opportunities they will have. That doesn't mean pitching every other day.

I do agree that you need to be careful with pitchers but I disagree that a HS coach has a players long-term (investment) health as first concern (this is not a bash of HS coaches but you have to look at each situation individually). Every Spring or should I say March in low 40's weather you can go out and watch a HS team and watch a pitcher throw too much early in the season in weather that is too cold. Towards the end of the season you will see some teams ride a pitcher as far as they can in the playoffs.

Lastly in regards to TJ surgery, you are correct that there are alot of surgeries, but it probably isn't from just playing on a Good Summer team at the age of 17 or 18. It probably has it roots going back to Daddy ball where coaching in town leagues and AAU with limited coaching ability and the desire to win the BIG ONE at age 14 that has caused more damage, not to mention having kids starting at 10 years old throwing curveballs with the proud parents beaming at their marvel. (Ok so maybe I'm being a little over the top).

Anyway thats my soap box and I'll put it away for now.

Novice,
You are absolutely correct. I have seen way to many times HS coaches completely dog a young mans arm... Easlry in the year 30-35 degrees and kids throwing 100-120 pitches. With that said I have seen Deans' team and have had kids play for him, he truely has the young mans interest at heart.

Not that Dean Albany needs my support in the least, but you can add me to the list of those who think he is a true professional and has the players best interest ahead of all else. He has proven that to us time and time again.

Also I don’t think this has anything to do with showcases vs club teams vs high school. Dean has always shared with us, his opinions of players and if he thought it was good for a player he would get them to one of our events.

He would receive the biggest compliment a baseball person can ever receive... He is good for the game!