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Plainfield Showcase, July 29-31

NR NCHS Redhawk10+ posts
My son got invited to a showcase at Plainfield South high school on July 29-31st. Described as similair to the Stevenson showcase but with teams from different states not just Illinois kids. It is advertised as drawing as many scouts as the Stevenson event.

Reportedly this event has been going on for 8-10 years. The cost is $125 which is reasonable.

My question is, does anyone know anything about this event? Is it really worth it? If it gets close to as many scouts as Stevenson it would be well worth it.

Anyone been to this event in the past and willing to comment on it?
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Playball2Playball2100+ posts
The Tournament is organized by Harvey Foster. Harvey created and organized the Stevenson and Plainfield showcases that have had tremendous success. The Plainfield South Showcase is a Multi-State Tournament that includes: Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Nebraska, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Maryland, West Virginia and 2 Teams from Illinois. Each team will play 5 seven inning games. Illinois Tan representing the Northern Chicagoland Conferences will be coached by Paul Belo of Palatine, Glen Pecoraro of Prairie Ridge and Dave Haskins of St. Charles East were selected by players who participated in the Stevenson Showcase. Illinois White representing the Southern Chicagoland Conferences will be coached by Jim Hall of Lockport and Phil Fox of Downers Grove South. Rosters are currently being formulated. I believe the tournament is in it's 8th year, originating at Barrington HS and moved to Plainfield South for the last 4 years.
BH1031BH1031Member
NCHS Redhawk
This event is a must for your son to participate in. My son a 2010 participated for the Northern Chicagoland Conference last year. I thought the tournament was a great experience for my son, it was well run and increased his exposure to the many college coaches in attendance. The players and teams represented from several other states were great competition for the Illinois teams.
Good luck.
NR NCHS Redhawk10+ posts
Unfortunately what I am finding out is that the scouts only care about one thing when they look at pitchers, mph on the fastball. The following questions are not asked

Does the kid throw strikes?
Can he get anyone out?
Can he throw a breaking ball?
Can he throw a change up?
Can he get clutch outs in the seventh inning after throwing 100 pitches in a game against good hitters? How about the same situation in the playoffs?

Let me assure you, the state championship thing was surreal. I'm still checking to make sure that it really happened. But this recruiting thing has been frustrating. And you are right, there certainly was no other team that drew the fans and scouts than the Redhawks did this year.
Last edited by NCHS Redhawk
N nc42dad500+ posts
Get used to it. The mph thing matters less for lefties than righties so consider yourself lucky.

When they watch these kids at Showcases and they go back and compare, a radar gun reading is "black & white." What you mention is much harder to compare.

Greg Maddux would be lucky to make it past AA today with the stuff he had his last 4 years in the Majors.

Don't worry it'll work out.
N nc42dad500+ posts
NCHS Redhawk-

There is a lefty Kyle played with in FL (Graham Taylor)you should look up. He was a senior sign a few years ago. Look up his numbers at www.thebaseballcube.com. I watched him throw versus the Cubs a few years back - 83 to 85 mph. Great numbers in the minors, trouble at the top but heck, he at least got there!!! Just keep plugging away...

I am no expert on recruiting, believe me, but I do know this. Be cautious of anyone who tells you they are giving you a 4 year deal. These deals are all 1 year no matter what they say. Ask them this. If 5 guys on 70 percent scholarships get hurt, they are still going to honor those injured kid's scholarships? Remember they only have 11.7!

Many kids get hooked into programs, and then the coach starts telling them they need part of their scholarship to recruit some star prospect who will help the team. They know juniors/seniors will not sit out a year - no leverage, they are stuck. Ultimately, if the coach don't win, they don't keep their job.

I don't like the new system. Advantage - coach/school/ncaa. It isn't there to protect the kids IMO.

Have a great summer.
B Brickhouse100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by NCHS Redhawk:
NC42dad:

We do have one very good offer on the table, and I am having a hard time seeing why he should not take it. The coaches at this un named school do not care that his heater is only 82-83 mph, only that he gets kids out and only walked about 1 batter every 9 innings. They made him a very nice offer and guaranteed it for 4 years. I have a feeling that just about anyone else who has contacted him (and there have not been many) have him on the list "we might offer him something if the guys we really want go somewhere else". There is something to be said about going to a school where you are on the "A" list!

Also, there are definitly advantages to winning the state championship. It's certainly easy to spot the form letters that went out to at least 200 others. To me, any letter that doesn't start with "congratulations on winning the state championship" goes right in the trash. Especially when its an invitation to their summer camp (at $300-500 a week). Seems to me they are after my $$ and not my son, but my wife labels me as a kill joy for feeling that way.

So all is not lost, however this facination with mph on the fastball does amaze me. I guess the feeling is that you can't coach mph, but everything else can be taught. You're right, Greg Madox and Jamie Moyer would never make it if they were 18 right now.


Please understand that there is no such thing as a 4 year guarantee scholarship. They will promise you that during the recruiting process but if they do not want you back, they will let you know that.
L longshot3410+ posts
I remembered that Baseball America had published an original scouting report on Greg Maddux (from 1984) in an issue about 7-8 years ago.. I found it again online here: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c...outingreport.maddux/ Go to the bottom of the page to see the scans of the report... Pretty interesting, 86-89 mph with fb and 79 with cb. Lots of movement (go figure)...but, struggled with control back then. Looks like he had the big out pitch with the cb but the fb wasn't earth-shattering.
Playball2Playball2100+ posts
Mid West Classic Baseball Tournament
Roster for Illinois Tan

Asmann, Parker Lake Zurich HS
Bailey, Drew Neuqua Valley HS
Benjamin, Wes St. Charles East HS
Bergren, Jake St. Charles North HS
Bobbit, Cody Palatine HS
Ciango, Anthony Downers Grove North HS
Colburn, Kevin Warren HS
Forde, Trevor Evanston HS
Gatto, R.J. Benet HS
Harris, Josh Streamwood HS
Haze, Dan Palatine HS
Josupait, Eric Waubonsie Valley HS
Lowden, Kenny South Elgin HS
Ludwig, Dan Naperville Central HS
Mahar, Ben Mundelein HS
Murphy, Michael Waubonsie Valley HS
Panek, Matt Cary-Grove HS
Polley, Will OPRF HS
Riccardi, Tom Buffalo Grove HS
Vilardo, Michael Cary-Grove HS
Wietlispach,Jack Notre Dame HS

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