Prep Baseball Report

Stevenson was very good.

You have to be invited to Area Code, which is apparently very hard to do.

Stevenson does generate quite some interest. The food is good.

And no one has said that PBR doesn't get people onto coach's radar.

I thought the area codes were okay if you were a pitcher as many of the scout/coaches were gone by the time the infield/outfield players hit and did the field. JMO

Stevenson has a solid showcase for selected conferences. I'd say that there are between 40-50 colleges and not just D3's either. I've seen some big time schools outside of the midwest show up from year to year. Along with 10-15 pro scouts who sometimes through their relationships with certain colleges will give out names of those that impressed them.

Plainfield I believe also has a similiar showcase for a different set of conferences.

Both of these showcases are better than showing up to some indoor facility on Saturday afternoon in the middle of January and paying $125. So that college coaches who the majority just sleep walk through this and are only there because their head coaches are making them be there can watch and wonder what local tavern they will hit after they get out of there. I know that sounds harsh but it's the truth.

Slidepiece,

Not sure who your little plug is for or against but a college coaches job is to recruit. PERIOD..

I am going to speak for the several college coaches who may read this type B S and can't say anything.

It matters not , who is putting on what, if there are players there they will be there. If there are no players, you will see no college guys. Thats how it works pal. To insinuate (hows that for a big word PBR) that the college guys are coming in to drink at a tavern is ludicrous and is relative to much of the junk going on in the area and the site.
So your telling me that Mchenry, TT/PBR , Cangelsoi/Sparks, all these different groups that also do some things for their kids are bad because they are indoor? With all due respect , and I cant speak for the other groups, because we don't speak..lol. Its a quiet period and the charge is most likley to pay the coaches to run the camps. In our case its to fly guys in and pay them.


So what your telling me and a ton of parents of High School players that may actually come to this site for legitimate information is that the coaches yours sons will be spending the next 4 years of life with at school are more concerned with drinking at a tavern then working and personally getting to know the makeup, character, and skills of the boy?

The Associate Head Coach at Stanford called me up and said, coach , I would like to leave Southern California(Wine Country) at the end of January and come to Chicago, need to throw back a few in your sub zero temps. Find me a good tavern... I think not.. Hes coming because there is value for them, players will be there. And personally I can't wait to hear him speak to the kids on the importance of Academics and the procedures needed prior to your Sr year.

And as good as Stevenson is there is a charge there as well.
GET A CLUE!!

Well said Sparky. The other thing that most ill-informed people do not realize is that MOST asst. coaches ARE the recruiting coordinators, who decides which player gets what money! Not the head coach!

We went to Spark's/Sparky's/Cangies indoor showcase/workout last year and it was well run and they did plenty with many college's in attendence. They players all did the sparq routine, 60, shuttle, verticle and such. All the pitchers had a nice workout, the position guys showed what they could do in both infield and outfield. They were radared in both. When they hit they had live, soft toss and machine if I remember correctly. It was all done well with input from the college guys. Yes it was indoors in Jan or feb but they did everything you could possibly ask for. I have heard tt does the same way. Some things I liked at some of the showcase circuit were as follows. Stevenson/Plainfield, cost was only about 45$. It lasted 2 days, you not only had games but also extended infield and outfield. they did run a 60. If you were walked or hbp, the put a runner on first and you stayed in and hit. Scouts, many from jc to pro. Area codes, long day, 10 swings and 10 ground balls or 6 throws from the outfield. They ran a 30, and some of the rest of the sparq. There was however many scouts in attendence. It was free.
Just my obsevations.

Someone correct me if I am wrong - but I think the Stevenson and Plainfield showcases are done by invitation and the players are usually selected by the high school or conference baseball coaches. Each conference is basically a team that competes against other conferences and the teams our limited to around 20 players or so.

I don't think just anyone can fill out an application and attend. You are also subject to the coaches recommendations and possibly space limits based on who else from your conference is attending.

bballfan, yes that is correct

Sparky,

Obviously I hit a nerve with you. Some of the things you're suggesting I said are a little disturbing.

I wasn't aware that you were the official spokesman for college coaches on this site who would rather not voice their opinion. I'll keep that in mind when I have a question, or better yet I'll talk to them myself.

I'm usually pretty laid back on this forum and listen to opinions, but your outburst deserves a response. I never said that indoor facilities are bad but I know college coaches would much rather watch a kid play outside than inside when evaluating them. College recruiters would much rather watch a kid play when they're in mid season form rather than the winter months. Watching a kid pitch in January adds another element to their assessment of the prospect. They are having to project more; does there 84mph FB translate to 87 or 91 come June? How much more bite will they get on their CB once they've been throwing off the bump on a regular basis. Things like that. My tavern comment was said tongue in cheek and obviously lost in translation with you. I am very comfortable in believing in what I posted as being true at times. I'm not going to sit here and paint this pretty picture for everyone if it's not true. Isn't that what this forum is about? People informing people of their experiences good and/or bad. Nobody wants to throw out money, but if they have their choices between a summer showcase and a winter one I'd go with the summer showcase that has a history of bringing out the colleges/scouts.

I never said that college recruiters are more interested in going to taverns than helping your son become a better person/student/ballplayer. I said that alot of them will come to these showcases and not have their mind completely on the task at hand. Translation: Meaning that they are indoors in the middle of January trying to evaluate players that might be difficult to get a read on because they are not in the shape they will be in come May or the previous August/September.

Lastly, we're not pals and Stanford is located in northern California. Obviously you weren't a geography major in college.

Happy Holidays!

I have been to Palo Alto and would say Northern California with some really fun taverns for baseball coaches to visit.

blah, blah blah

Your Pal
Bill

Slidepiece,

As a former Division I coach, I can tell you with out a doubt that winter camps like the one last year that was run are just as important if not better than summer showcases.

Here is why:

In the winter camps that you are employed at you can actually talk with the kids and instruct them. This gives you a better understanding of the young man's character and coachability. With the summer, you have to sit up in the stands and watch some kid who probably through 6 innings with his high school team and then 5 innings with his travel team in the last 5 days try and light up the radar gun.

The reason why winter camps like the one that we are running provides a good service for college coaches like I was, are that you can get some evaluations started on kids and maybe get some leads on kids during a time where you can get out and actually see them practice and play. Colleges cannot start practicing as a team until February 1st so this makes life a bit easier for the spring because you saw them in summer.

I never frequented too many taverns in my college coaching career because there is just no time and that would have made the next day pretty tough. And realize this, from January 6th till the end of the season, you might get 1 or 2 days off.

I will say you have some good points but at the same time, if you knew anything about the person that you were writing to, you would steer clear of any of the shots you were taking at him. Sparky is a coach that has always and will always act in the best interest for each and everyone of his kids.

If the college coaches you know would rather go get on the sauce instead of doing their jobs, I would examine the coaches you surround yourself with. I also would like to invite you to come out and check our camp out and watch it for two days and then at the end of it, tell me if you think it is worth it. Dont make judgements on something you know nothing about or have not experienced. Especially to a guy that helps dozens and dozens of young men every year.

Steeley,

I wasn't referring to college camps compared to summer showcases. I was comparing the summer showcases to the winter showcases where the coaches are not in contact with the players or instructing them. What you are referring to is a great way to get to know the prospect more importantly as a person. Are they a good human being?

As far as you suggesting I'm making comments I know nothing about that's not correct. I'm very well versed in the recruiting process and college coaching. Mr Bill came after me first and did I question what he has done for dozens of kids on a yearly basis? Don't take that route with me. He and you obviously don't understand where I stood in the whole Summer vs Winter thing. I made an off the cuff comment about taverns and coaches and you two blew a coronary! lol

If you haven't seen or heard about your share of coaches "saucing" it up then you haven't coached anywhere.

If you want to sit here and massage Sparky it's better you do it via PM.

Happy Holidays to you as well.

Blah, Blah, Blah,

I'm not a geography Major,nut I can read!

Merry Christmas Pal..

Obviously you didn't minor in English either!

Just stick to baseball Bill.

Happy Holidays to you to!

You like how I left that second 'o' off? That's sparky language.

How about you add some actual input instead of just acting like an idiot?

sorry for the typo pal,

I'm smart enough to know that skunks run together, only problem is , once they spray, you can smell them all!


BBdad, for a guy who doesnt like to get into the PBR converstaions, I read all of your posts and seeing that you and your son have been going to Pbr events since he was a Frosh in 2005, well, it was a nice try..

Merry Christmas Stinky ones..

My son went to ONE PBR showcase before high school to see what showcases were like. It was in 2005. So?

I don't weigh in on how Sean rates players, which is an annual slugfest on this site. I don't weigh in on the affiliation between TT, MVP and PBR, which is also argued about here.

I stand by what I said. A DI coach suggested to go to a PBR event to get his numbers in their magazine. I was a little surprised by it, but I thought it was worth sharing with the site members since the purpose of this site is to share knowlege to help kids and parents make good decisions.

Since I don't know or care who you are, have said one thing for or against your organization, I wonder why you took a shot at me. Go through my posts and see if I have been a shill for any group or organization. I think you will find nothing. You obviously think I have an agenda. I am not sure what you think it is.

bballdad you're 100% right. (For those interested in contributing to the silliness, please ignore this post.) If you look at the bio info put
out by major D1 midwestern schools (Illinois, Louisville, Mich., ND come to mind) you'll note the kids from Illinois have their ranking mentioned. It doesn't say PBR but that is the source. The facts are the facts. Thanks for the headsup bballdad.

As said by Ben D. "why cant we all just get along?". I too am not sure how this came back to BBDad.

slidepiece,

I agree with your assessment. My son did garner some attention from indoor showcases but ultimately, it was being seen in game action that got him to the next level.

Also, when my son attended the Northwest Suburban Baseball Tournament, the event was free of charge. Donations were encouraged but noone twisted your arm and required you to donate. It may be different now but that's how it was about 4 or 5 years ago....

quote:

So that college coaches who the majority just sleep walk through this and are only there because their head coaches are making them be there can watch and wonder what local tavern they will hit after they get out of there. I know that sounds harsh but it's the truth.

I never said that college recruiters are more interested in going to taverns than helping your son become a better person/student/ballplayer. I said that alot of them will come to these showcases and not have their mind completely on the task at hand.

Slidepiece, I am pretty sure you are not a literary major either.

Sparky..I dont understand the shot at bballdad . Why does he even have to defend himself for taking his kid to a PBR event , and now mentioning in his post the possible benefits for his kid ( according to a D1 coach ) as far as getting into the magazine to get his name out there ?

Sully,
I never said anything about attending a PBR event. I said he claimed not ever get involved with the PBR talk and yet he starts another thread on it. It just gets redundant to hear the same ole stuff. I am happy his and your son are in a good spot. The best of luck to Mike.

I understand what you are saying ..it just seemed a bit out of character for you . I dont think bballdad was trying to stir up the same old arguments about pbr, etc , etc . It seemed to me his intentions were good .

The Cangelosi winter camp in january looks like a winner . We will be considering it .

thanx

BBdad, my apoligies. Wife had me on dish detail again. Gets me every time...

This is so, so sad. Where are the adults on here? The kids are suppose to act like this.

No the kids got run off by all the b s

Ha, Ha . . . .LOL

hey Sparky-

I got some dishes at home that need tending. Interested? My wife will leave you alone.

I've got dishes too, but no guarantee about the wife, I'm still a terrible predicter of her actions.

Sparky, apology accepted.

This gives me a chance to actually promote something.

My son has never been involved with MVP or Top Tier. He will go to a PBR Showcase in the near future (he was signed up for this Saturday, but he had a conflict).

He does have friends very involved with MVP and Top Tier and they love it. My friend Sulltiger's son plays there. Also Robbie Goldstick (on his way to Eastern Illinois) and someone not on the radar yet but will be, Jason Cohen. Jason projects as the #2 Starter at Deerfield, and he is an excellent lefty hitter.

If I was going to promote anyone, it would be North Shore Baseball Academy. Two ex head coaches from Niles North coach there, and they are great coaches and great guys to be involved with.

Jim Sakas is a pitching coach who has been instrumental in developing most of the studs New Trier sends out each year. He not only is a great pitching coach, he reaches out to help them get to the next level.

Tony Tichy is a hitting coach who has coached Sean Kennedy and Jimmy Risi (who signed at K State). Tony not only is an excellent instructor, but a guy who sets a great example for his students.

MVP and North Shore both are good places for kids to learn baseball. But North Shore is where my son and my money goes.

BballDad,

Couldn't agree with you more. Tony and Jim work with both of my high-schoolers, and they are both very much a part of their successes. I would recommend them both, and have.

So glad to see Tony & Jim get the recognition they deserve. Great coaches; great role models. They've coach a number of the outstanding players in the area.

The way I see this, if your son is playing ball at any showcase he may learn something from all the different coaches he meets. We all have to pick and choose what showcase we go to. All I see for the most part is us adults giving all the options. Ask the kids which one they liked or what they learned from any given showcase no matter what the cost. You never know who will spot your son. I know their was one I didn’t feel was that great but you know what my son enjoyed it. And that’s what matters. Thanks to all the coaches for the time they gave my son.

I've never met Tony Tichy but have to agree on Jim Sakas. Great guy, incredible pitching knowledge, and most importantly can get kids to understand things in terms they can relate to. He's certainly one of the best along with others who've been listed before.
That said, he is a die-hard Packers fan???????

A PACKERS FAN?!?!? I withdraw my recommendation(s).