For the last 5 years I have been all around the Dallas metroplex baseball circles and seen some pretty amazing things. Reflecting back on the last 5 years here are some of my thoughts for you aspiring parents to think about (these thoughts pertain to high school players and above):
1. Baseball training facilities are springing up everywhere in Dallas/Fort Worth these days. You need to be real careful who you take lessons from - there are many instructors out there who should not be teaching baseball mechanics to high school players and above. I would venture to say that the old 80/20 rule exists - 80% of the so called teachers should not be giving lessons. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure this one out - when an ex pitcher is teaching you how to hit a baseball, something is wrong. Here is a general rule I would follow: I would only invest in lessons from a player who had ATLEAST been through the minor instructional league in the last 5 years. This would be my minimum standard.
2. There is alot of discussion about how it is fine for baseball organizations and showcase events to make money, etc. I do not disagree with this. What I do disagree with is when the primary motive is money and not baseball. There is a difference. We should not confuse the two.
3. College camps are way for college coaches to make money for their programs and themselves. I would suggest not wasting your time if your primary goal is to get recruited by a specific college program. Most of the high DI colleges in Texas goes through the high level select baseball organizations: Mustangs, Tigers, ect. They have a pretty good clamp on the DI market. You can get there through national showcasing (like Perfect Game) - but it is pretty tough (easier for pitchers vs. positional players).
4. The only national showcase organization I would trust today is Perfect Game. There is no one even close. Do not be fooled.
5. Aspiring players must play, play , play ... to get to the next level. However, just playing all the time is not enough. Players must take time to learn the right baseball mechanics. Baseball is alot like the game of golf - I can play golf everyday and if my mechanics are not right then I will NEVER shoot par golf. Two other overlooked areas is learning the mental side of baseball and spending time training to be an athlete. Colleges want the athletes.
6. All high school administrations need to start holding their coaches more accountable for winning - like they do for their football programs. If they did - alot of the politics, etc. would begin to disappear in our high school baseball programs. They need to also quit treating their baseball programs like stepchilds.
7. SMU needs to get a baseball program - they would have alot better chance of winning a national championship vs. trying to do it with their football program. Baylor, TCU and UTA - there is a new person in town now and their name is the University of North Texas. SMU needs to pay attention.
8. The Dallas/Fort Worth high level select programs are starting to smell a little. One organization merging with another, ex coaches jumping from one organization to another, and other things I will not mention on this website. Needless to say that this is beginning to sound like the Fortune 500 and Wall Street.
9. I would like to see the major leagues in the Dallas/Ft Worth (BBI, Lonestar, etc.) and some of the major teaching facilities (DBAT, Baseball Institute, etc.) do some charity work to give something back to baseball in the community. There are alot of kids in the DFW area who cannot even afford a bat or a glove. Baseball needs these kids.
10. My final thought - just be careful of how you spend your time and money. There is alot of at stake and alot of money on the line. Usually when you have these two things in any part of life - there exists the good and the bad. Be sure that you can tell the difference.
Just some of my thoughts.
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