Sports Ambassadors

I don't know much about the Sports Ambassadors, but if you are going to spend the money to send him to Australia, you might want to check out the Goodwill Series at www.goodwillseries.org. Bob Williams runs a top notch program.

Thank you for the info.

Jenny

I am familiar with the program, but I have to take off for a little bit and don't have time right now.

I'll send you a PM as soon as I can.

Jenny...

Ohbaseball24 provided you with an excellent link of information.

Mr. Williams, the founder of Area Code Baseball, is one of the most respected baseball vip's to be found. His son Rob, a pro scout, also fits the same mold as his father.

Our son travelled with Area Code Goodwill Series to Australia in the past and he continues to this day, telling us the fun he had on that trip and all the things he learned from Mr. Williams and his staff of instructors.

Highly Recommend this program as they have been around for many years. If you do some research, you'll find that many, many families feel the same about their program(s) as we do.

Good luck to your son...

Count me as another parent who is very glad that his son was able to play baseball in Australia with Bob and Rob Williams of Goodwill Series. My son played in December '04, along with a close friend and both boys are seriously hoping to be able to play "down under" again this coming December.

If you're considering having your son participate in any overseas (Australia, China or Japan) baseball, you'd be well served to consider goodwill series. They are also going to operate a baseball camp in California this June that would be worth considering. IMO
www.goodwillseries.org

If you are talking about People to People Sports ambassadors, and your real purpose is to travel internationally and play baseball, then you should definitely contact Bob and Rob Williams of the Goodwill Series. My son had the opportunity to travel to Beijing last summer to play with their 16u team. He also traveled to Australia in 2002 with People to People, so we have a point of comparison.
Rob and Bob Williams are the real deal and great people. You really can't compare the two organizations if your purpose in making the trip is to play baseball. Their Australia trip is terrific also. The memories are priceless.

Bob, if you read this post, I hope you are well.
R.P.

If the real purpose is for exposure to college and pro scouts then your money would be better spent on a couple of good showcases

Another endorsement for Bob and the Goodwill Series........Check it out.

Here is another endorsement for Rob Williams and the Goodwill Series. Great experience for my son.

NJBB, you are correct. You go on one of these trips for enjoyment and the chance to go to Australia or China or Japan, not for exposure. This is a vacation and probably a once in a lifetime trip.

Thank you all for your feedback. I don't know what a "showcase" is all about. I'll read more about them in this site.
I am the person who is trying to help my son with his baseball career. I told him to try out for the AAU team last summer. He ended up loving it and he never played better baseball. He got the letter about Sports Ambassadors, and I told him that he should go for it. He wants to go. He actually has the interview today with the coach. I think we are in too deep to switch programs at this point.
He is 14 and in the 9th grade. He is a day student at a boarding school where I work. The sports are not the best, but
the education is very good. I don't know where he should be "going" from here. He can't play AAU this summer because he can't make the
Saturday practices in May. The AAU requires you to make all practices. Sometimes last summer he had 5 AAU games a weekend. Then we all went to Myrtle Beach for the championships. Sometimes it was a drain on the rest of the family. His coach at school wants him to play JV this year to keep the freshman together for the 1st year. My son should probably be playing Varsity. I won't argue with the coach.
About this summer - is 14 too young for a showcase? Other than Sports Ambassadors,would a summer baseball camp be a good idea? I don't know what to do if he can't play AAU this summer. Any ideas/help would be greatly appreciated! We are in Rhode Island. Thanks!

The Sports Ambassadors program isn't about the baseball. It's about the travel experience, cultural events, even the possibility of getting some HS and/or college credit.

The baseball is a solid notch below other programs. The coaches are generally very good HS coaches from around the nation. They will do a good job of teaching, but not nearly what you would get at a College Summer camp.

The competition varies. It's not as good as the Goodwill Games. The College scouting is non-existant, but that's not what the program is about. It will look very good on a college application and give you something to put on your National Honor Society application, but it's long term benefits are personal mainly.

As I said, a trip with the Sports Ambassadors isn't about the baseball. Once you make that realization, then look at the program again and see if it fits into your childs wants/desires. Not every young man is motivated entirely by baseball (shock!!!!).

We did the Sports Ambassadors program at the age of 12. Once you hit the HS age, if it's about the baseball, virtually any other move you would make would be better. If it's about the education, culture, sightseeing and other experiences, it's very enjoyable and will build a great memory for the future. It is a rewarding and enriching experience for a young man, particularly traveling without his parents for the first time.

I personally don't recommend it for anyone of HS age who desires to play baseball at the next level unless money isn't an object. It's a short 2 week commitment which allows you to fill the summer with other, more effective venues of getting your son seen.

If you are on this site, I would venture a guess that baseball is EXTREMELY important. If that's the case, check out the Goodwill Games. It's a much better venue for the future.