scouts will be there - but not to see jr.

Welcome to the hsbaseballweb nmfixed!

As a freshman (2015), I really think the main thing for your son to concentrate on is to contribute to his HS team. If he is thinking too much about who is watching, I don't think he will be as able to absorb all he can...to learn each and every outing...to get better at as high of a rate as he could.

Being a freshman on a varsity HS team, especially if it is an established one such as La Cueva (if that is where he is?), his teammates will watch to see if he's there for the better of the team or the better of himself. And I believe its important that he gains the respect of his teammates. His coaches will notice this too.

I would give this advice to any freshman on varsity...or even freshman on a college team. Emphasize contributing and being a team player.

As for the scouts...they will notice a young kid with promise. There really isn't anything extra to do beyond the obvious. Work hard, play to win (i.e. compete!) and behave like you belong there.

Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by justbaseball:
As for the scouts...they will notice a young kid with promise. There really isn't anything extra to do beyond the obvious. Work hard, play to win (i.e. compete!) and behave like you belong there.

Good luck!

My HS had a very high profile quarterback.....very highly recruited ....and who eventually went on to a Hall of Fame career in the NFL.....

a good number of his teammates went on to collegiate careers...and some because when the scouts were there to see him, they had to see the others who played as well.....

Good advice from justbaseball.....

My son got some very good advice in a similar situation. These scouts - college and/or pro - will be watching everything - not just how the game is played. You might not stand out as an underclassmen for your on field prowess - and that is fine (there is plenty of time) - but be certain that you do not stand out in a negative way for antics or attitude. It could take a large number of stellar games to overcome an over the top show of temper or disrespect. I do not know you or your son - but it might be worth a reminder - particularly given his relative youth. Good luck and make the best of it!!!

All good advice. The scouts are usually pretty good at what they do and talent will show up pretty much regardless of how well he happens to perform that day.

The important thing is for you to use the opportunity to stress that this is his opportunity to hustle and be the guy who helps pick up balls without being asked, who cheers on team mates, etc.

It only matters if the talent is there, but the great attitude, someone who loves to play the game, can make a difference between two equally talented players.

Very good advice in this thread. Your 8th grader is 6-3?

My advice is to never play differently. You play exactly the way you do if there is no one in the stands versus 1000 scouts in the stands. You always hustle and remain completely focused on the game. Pay no mind to what is going on in the stands.

As a parent, I would never bring the subject up. I would never say something like, "You know, there will be lots of scouts there today, it would be a good idea to bring your A game!" Planting that seed in someone's mind alone could easily ruin them for that game. Encourage them to respect the game and be the hardest workers on the field with the best attitude. Pay absolutely no mind to what is going on in the stands. Always play the SAME regardless who is watching.

Someone will let you know if they like what they see. You can't control that however. You can only control your attitude and effort. Control those two things and let everything else take care of itself.

The freshman should go about his business and not worry about the pro scout. He's there for the 2012, not anyone else. He should play each game the right way regardless who shows up and always have it in the back of his head that every time he goes out there, he never know who's watching. The last thing the player wants to do, as mentioned previously is to attract negative attention. Even if the pro scout is only zeroing in on the 2012, the last thing you want to do is have an attitude issue in front of the scout or anyone else watching the game for that matter. If he starts worrying or is concerned on who or who he thinks is watching, then it will take focus off his job as a ballplayer resulting in playing under undue pressure or trying to do more than capable resulting in poor play.

Just play the game the right way and don't worry who's watching. It'll serve the player well down the road if once he becomes the upperclassman and is being scouted himself. He will already know how to deal with the attention.

great advice, esp that a freshman can't really help himself, but sure can hurt himself. First, do no harm. Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by nmfixed:
great advice, esp that a freshman can't really help himself, but sure can hurt himself. First, do no harm. Thanks

That's not true. A freshman can certainly help themselves. The key is to not worry about it and focus on the task at hand. Someone will let you know if they see something. It is out of your control so focus on the things you can control.

I wouldn't worry about getting on the radar as a Freshman. He needs to worry more about actually making and staying on the team. Spring is a long ways away and there are a lot of things that can take him from being a 'can't miss' varsity starter to a kid that plays JV or even lower. Maybe your son is the exception but I've seen few incoming Freshman that are automatic varsity players.

While getting him on someone's radar seems pretty important remember that this is a whole new experience for him and let him enjoy playing at the high school level. If he continues to progress and plays well there will be plenty of notice.

I seriously doubt the 2012 prospect that you touted was looked at seriously as a Freshman. There are too many variables that crop up during the next four years that can derail even the most talented kid.