Summer Travel Teams - Who's playing for whom?

Tuzigoot,

I am all for PG events and the exposure they bring. Understand that a showcase when your not ready can hurt you just as easily as a great one when your playing well. It seems as if all this talk of showcase and camps have detoured the things that make you better. Like instruction, like great competition to push you, I don't know maybe I'm in the dark on this.

I can only talk of my experiences and if look back at what got me to the next level, it was the fact that I played for great coaches,(tried to learn as much as I possibly could) and we played great competition, locally in the Chicago area and then at the end of the season , on the National level.
If I am a College coach it is part of my job to find you, not you find me. For the marginal player , it might be a little different, send some emails hit a camp or two where you want to go, but don't forget the part about getting better.

Again, Perfect Game is something that is very good, I am just saying we as Summer teams can hit those and still play some good ball right here.

Has anything developed regarding a local Chicago Metro shindig this summer?

Had a conversation with a disappointed father recently.

He related a "problem" that came up when his son and a couple of his high school teammates were working out together in the off season as part of a competitive summer baseball team.

Check the IHSA rules on more than one or two kids from any one team working out for a "summer team" in the off season, i.e., the fall and winter.

Might put your own eligibility in question. Those kinds of matters seem to "crop up" after someone wins something.

There could be a few disappointed players, I will never understand the ihsa, sure wouldn't want the guys to improve or anything.

well, if this is the case, you should just cancel the spring season. there are plenty of players working out during the off-season with their summer program. the IHSA needs to get a life.

Cancel the spring season? I guess a kid can just skip it if he wants to....it would be too bad because it would mean missing playing with his freinds. But remember that the vast majority of kids playing HS Ball do not play on an AAU or elite summer team....you could easily forget that hanging around this site.

Check out rule 3.111. It pertains to coaching schools that do not culminate in competition. Also rule 3.100 says you can participate on a team outside of a school team as long as that sport is not in season. I have yet to hear of a s****r, volleyball, softball, swimmer etc suspended under this rule. Has anyone?

Agree IL2008, but why risk trouble when a short wait will suffice.

I know OPRF coaches are proactive in this regard.

As you said il2008, it has to do with players from the same team working out with the various adademies and receiving instructions. This has nothing to do with the summer programs. They can workout with the various summer teams up until the H.S teams are selected. Once that is done they must stop until the season is over and then they are free to go where they want.

quote:

They can workout with the various summer teams up until the H.S teams are selected.

Dragon....Where did you hear this, please?

What I heard....Off season workouts for a summer travel team or other such all-star team by more than two (2) players from any high school team is apparently prohibited by IHSA Rules.

Best way to protect yourself is to get something in writing from your high school coach or the IHSA.

Most travel teams don't have more than 2 players from any one school. So, I don't think this is a problem. Of course their are exceptions. But, I can speak of our White Sox 18's, we don't have more than 2 players from any high school. So, we work out until Feb 25th I think. Then we don't see one another til June something.

backinill,

welcome back. I believe Monroe is with Top Tier, Biela and Gailey were with the Hurricanes and I heard Allen played with the Blues during the fall. However, things could be different based on where they choose to play next summer. When did you see these players?

Backinill

Allen is going to run with the Orioles this Summer.. He is progressing and has a good body to grow into..

backinill, you have a PM

Dragon, you are right that they can work with the summer team until the IHSA baseball season starts. Where you are wrong is that no more than two players from the same high schoool, no matter what grade level can not participate at the same time. It is something that we have to talk to the kids about every year because not many kids understand the rule. It's crazy. but it is the IHSA rule. If they get caught, the IHSA will step in.

ballfan, can you clarify your comments. this ihsa rule applies about not more than two players participating from a single highschool, when the highschool baseball is not even in season?

tuz, yes that applies even in the off season. I dont agree with the rule but it is there.

Top Tier has just announced it's 17u roster and is finalizing its summer schedule.
Any word on putting together an elite tournament in Illinois?

tuzigoot, Yes that is how the rule reads. I was first intorduced to the rule 5 years ago when three of my players signed up for the ASU winter camp and they wanted me to check to make sure it was legal. I called the IHSA for claification and was told that since the ASU camp was a instructional camp and didn't have competition tied to it, it would be illegal. Thank God that the coach at ASU refunded the one kid his money because of the rule. Some of the state schools have started having more than one section for the winter camps so more than two kids from one school can go. This goes for all sports, not just baseball. IHSA.org has a complete list of the rules. I hope this sheds a little light on a crazy rule.

ballfan, thanks.

I am not much of a self-promoter, but I can't let other teams get mentioned without talking about the 17 year old Sparks. They were the 2005 CABA State champs, Sparks Classic champs, and were invited to play at Notre Dame, Purdue, and the University of Illinois last summer. Our fall season was very successful, ending with the team going undefeated in the Lombard Lightning Fall Showcase. Team members include T.J. McFarland and Nick Rossi from Stagg, Mark Ahern (H/F), Brain Stroud (Providence), Tyler Newsome, Mike Vucsko, and Nick Pappas from Marist, Chris Chojnowski, Louie Soto, Diego Martinez, Dan Jilek, and Pete Balsam from St Rita, Tim Norman (Minooka), Dan McConlogue, Rich Forkin, Kyle Fraser, Trevor Willis, John Pastwa, and Matt Shilney from Lockport, Brian Bajer (Oak Forest), Robert Scumaci (De La Salle), Jon Merrick (Chicago Christian), Philip Wunderlich (Downers Grove South), Miguel Amesquita (Brother Rice), and Carter Kopach (Mount Carmel).

The Sparks train at their own 25,000 square foot facility located in Tinley Park. It has six cages with machines, three mounds, and 15,000 square feet of turfed infield area. The ceilings are 30 feet high. Players have access to the facility virtually 24/7 365 days a year. Team coaches include former pros Tim Newsome (hitting), Kirk Vucsko (pitching), Erik Pappas (catching), as well as Rich Forkin (Ultimate Sports Academy).

From top to bottom, from ages 10 up, the Sparks have firmly established themselves as one of the top youth baseball organizations in Illinois. Our reputation with college and pro coaches continues to grow, and we work as hard as anyone out there to get a player exposure to the right college for them.

If you have any further questions about the Sparks, their website is http://www.orlandsparks.com.

Gus21,

Phil played with my oldest son last year on the 2005 regional championship D.G.S.H.S. team. Phil's contribution at the plate was one major reason for their success last year all while playing up as a sophmore.

Assumes a leadership role this year on the team and would be surprised if he does not emerge as
one of premier hitters in the state. Deserving, as I am sure the others are, in a little exposure and recognition. Plus and most importantly, Phil is a good kid.

Isc59

I got to see a lot of Phil in Cangelosi's Fall league. He really drives the ball and from the left side. He is going to be a good one. Has the right mind set too.

Ditto on the post.

LSC and Deuce Doc.....your kind words are right on the money. Phil is a definite Division 1 talent. The one thing that gets overlooked with Phil is that he is turning himself into one heckuva defensive third baseman as well. Let's see now....great kid, fantastic left handed hitter, good hands, a cannon for an arm, I think that there are a few colleges out there that might be able to use Phil.

Looks like a lot of good talent for the upcoming season. Are there anymore updates on teams finalizing their rosters? I see a few have completed this process, just wondering if others have done the same.

I hope we have ours finished this weekend. We have a meeting and a few guys are coming who havent decided yet.

Same with us Bullet. We will run with a 17-18 mix and a straight 18. Go to the same places though. Looking forward to seeing you guys this Summer.
DD

thanks Bullet and Deuce for the update. Loooking through this thread, Deuce it looks like you are with the Oriole program? Are you guys going to post your final roster? or do you have a website. Bullet, it looks like you have one...good luck to both

We are going to be alot younger this year. We have some 08's that are going to be very good as well as some 07's. We will definetly be better at the end of the year as compared to the beginning. Hopefully some of our older guys will step up early. Deuce, so you are bringing two teams down this year? Thanks 78.

has anyone heard if the Hurricanes have named their roster? I heard that they have made some changes

SIB,

We will have two. one will be 18s and one 17s and 18s. We are close to done or as close as I want to be from being done. I leave a couple spots open for late changes and so forth.

1978
We are having our site done now. Cangelosi has one http://www.cangelosi.com but it is bad and we are upgrading. The new one has player profiles and is pretty nice.
I will post the guys we have involved with us a little later tonight.
If it is allowed.

O's so far........

Billy Boockford Glenbard West- ND
Deven Foreman Hales Fransican -UD JC
David Reynolds Sandburg -NIU
Brian Lambert Pontiac HS- Indiana U
Louie Johanns Naper Central -SIU
Tommy Cerven Monooka- SIU
Joey Dispensa Rita- UD JC
Lennel Mcgee Mt Carmel - UD JC
Andrew Hagins OPRF -UD
Tyson Blazer Rockridge- U of Iowa
Bobby Simmons Driscoll - U of Dayton
Mike Kaszmarek Andrew- 07
Brad Allen Geneva 07
Scott Sexton Oak Lawn 07
Seth Blair Rock Falls - 07
Nick Herrera Geneva UD
Anthony Maziur Oak Forest UD
Steve Crnkovich DOwners South UIC
Cedrick Redmond Joliet Township- UD

There are some others we are looking at.
Could use a couple 07 outfielders still too.


We will start our first workout in Tinley Park at the Sparks Travelers facility this Sunday. I beleive the 17 yr old Sparks team will also be there. Between the 3, there is a couple nice players going to be there.

deucedoc, it looks like the o's will have a real nice team!

Thanks Corky, There will be a half a dozen real strong teams out there from our area and about the same down south by SI Bullet.
Starting Sunday, Cangelosi will have our hitters and I will have the Pitchers. Looking forward to another productive season.
Forgot to mention 2 pitchers
Pat Kirchoffer Wheaton North UD
Luke Vail St Pats UD

deucedoc,

you have a PM

Gus21, I've seen the Sparks play many times... A good team.. I saw them win the CABA 16u Illinois State championship LY. They also went 4-0 at an elite tourny at ND. Their pitching is deep...
I don't think the players are getting enough credit... Good Luck this year!

Hope everyone has a peaceful, safe and happy holiday. 2006 should be a lot of fun.
Below is the 2006 Top Tier 17u Roster:

Bradarich, Michael - P
Niles North 2007

Burch, Matt - 1B
Carl Sandburg 2007

Cappetta, Pete - OF/INF
Montini Catholic 2007

Chmielewski, Nick - P
Carl Sandburg 2007

Crane, Kevin - OF
Crete Mone 2007

Godawa, Steve - P
Buffalo Grove 2007

Goldberg, Ian - OF
Lake Forest, 2007

Graham, Derek - INF/OF
Naperville Central 2007

Kennedy, Ryan - P
Libertyville, 2007

Levi, Jared - OF
Glenbrook North, 2007

Martinez, Gerry - P
Grayslake, 2007

McConnell, Cameron - C
Deerfield, 2007

McMurray, Casey - OF
Lyons Township, 2007

Monroe, Grant - P
Schaumburg, 2007

Rosenberg, Jordan - 1B/3B
Highland Park, 2007

Tolan, Josh - 2B
Highland Park, 2007

Trepel, Andrew - SS
Minooka, 2007

Van Asdlen, Brett - C
Minooka, 2007

Williams, John - 3B/P
Niles North, 2007

Two other impact pitchers will be transacted shortly.

Congratulations to all the players for being selected.

Let's get some games scheduled before everyones calendar fills up (Coaches - PM me if you would like to schedule some games).

Can't wait for those magic words, "PLAY BALL"

Warm wishes for a happy and healthy.

Soxfan.,

I think just the opposite. Anyone in this rat race knows how good those guys are. They better when they play them at least. If they dont, done deal.
The guys giving the credit when quite time ends are the only important ones anyway.

34/33, I had a question for you with these team like top tier. Please don't take it the wrong way. 1How much does it cost? Is it like the sox where they chagre you 2200 to play? 2. How much practice do these guys really get for ex, Monroe with his b-ball schedule does he make any or just show up for the games, Looking over the list I have seen most since 12 or so and know they are fine athletes and assume more play additional sports, they also have a long way to drive to your facility. I know thye practice with their hs I meant with the top tier group. 3. Do you think this really increases their exposure, don't know all but many Nick, Monroe, McMurry and so on are pretty well reconised from their hs play. 4. Looking over your game results from last year I was suprised by how much local playing your guys do, will that change at 17?
I am not trying to knock what people are doing just thought I would ask the questions. It came to me as I saw Monroes name and realize that heplays a lot of basketball and also I think went to Italy last summer for basaeball and I just wondered how all that worked out for say your team or is that why the number of players since you don't know who shows up? Thank for letting me know.