sunday

Fungo:

The fifth-annual Super 60 Showcase is this Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at MVP Baseball Center.

Here's the list of players who have filled out their paperwork and/or verbally committed to attend (in no particular order):

Casey McMurray Lyons Township
Nick Chmielewski Sandburg
Brian Stroud Providence Catholic
Kevin Crane Crete-Monee
John Ruettiger Joliet Catholic
Pete Cappetta Montini Catholic
Cameron McConnell Deerfield
Casey Crosby Kaneland
Dominic Patterozzi Edwardsville
Chris Chojnowski St. Rita
Austin Wright Conant
Daniel Jimenez St. Charles North
Elliot Soto Dundee-Crown
Mike Recchia Shepard
Jordan Sivertsen Carmel
Luis Diaz Von Steuben
Tyler Newsome Marist
Paul Duncan New Trier
Kyle Hunter Galesburg
Kyle Ayers Oswego
Sam Franklin New Trier
Jake Smolinski Rockford Boylan
Dominic D'Agata Schaumburg
Andrew Trepel Minooka
Leeland Greenley Highland High (Ind.)
Drew Golz Oak Park-River Forest
Kasey Ourada Hinsdale Central
Austin Smith Harlem
Jack Edwards Oak Park-River Forest
John Williams Niles North
Josh Tolan Highland Park
Jake Thornton St. Charles North
Tony Bucciferro Minooka
Tony Zych St. Rita
Jack Havey Loyola
Eric Wyman West Chicago
Cody Scarpetta Rockford Guilford
Dain Hall Barrington
Albert McCormick De La Salle
Ryan Faidley Crystal Lake South
Walker McKinven New Trier
Mike Bolger St. Patrick
Brett VanAsdlen Minooka
Trey Frahler New Trier
Will Hebard New Trier
Ian Goldberg Lake Forest
Greg Bennett Providence
Jim Pipolo Sandburg
Joey Pudlo Carmel
Jordan Rosenberg Highland Park
LaFringe Hayes University of Cincinnati
Derek Graham Naperville Central
Willy Caldwell Libertyville
Steve Godawa Buffalo Grove

Fungo Master, what "ahem" possible confusion are you referring to??

This was what I was asking about. Thank you.

Very impressive list.

Plus it is done in time for that football game

Football game?

I'll be where I've been every Sunday since the second week of September. Coaching The Thunder Program. This after I take my girl to Pitching Lessons. Football? I haven't been able to watch a game on Sunday since I don't remember what year. There is a slight chance that the last group won't come in because the dads want to watch the Super Bowl. If so, I get to go home early and watch.

Scratch Havey. I understand he sustained a basketball injury yesterday. Get well soon, Jack!

Many of the kids on this list are already committed to college. Why are they doing this showcase?

I heard that there is another showcase going on Sunday morning at PCA in Huntley. Has anyone else heard about this?

I have.

I also heard a bunch of the kids listed above are actually going to the PCA one.

Strange...

I have 4 or 5 players going to the PCA event and none going to the Super 60. I am not sure who else is going where. It should be interesting to see how this plays out. Where will the scouts be????

Anyone want to try to predict the final score of THISparticular competition on Sunday?

Now we have two things to look forward to on Sunday

Last year my son attended the Super Sixty showcase and there were area scouts for most of the mlb teams in attendance. I would assume you will see alot of the area scouts at this showcase again this year. It will be their first look at the players for this upcoming year. This showcase is by invitation only - and tries to get the top players in the area to attend.

Good luck to all the participants this Sunday.

why all the confusion? i dont get it.

So is the pca event a prairie ridge event?

Shouldn't be much confusion ...

The only thing that is confusing is that some other party would schedule the same event, with the same times, on the same ill-advised date. Makes you wonder ...

As far as players are concerned, the kids posted have confirmed they are coming. That's all we can do. If they don't want to come to an event with a representative from most MLB teams, then ahh-well. The event over the last five years has always been heavily attended by scouts. We've spoken to many who are coming Sunday.

We know at least one MLB team who won't be there Sunday: the White Sox.

To be honest, I'm actually embarrassed this is viewed as a kind of competition in some people's eyes. This event has always been for the kids and the scouts, and the overall promotion of Illinois baseball. The people running the other event should know; they were at the 60 last year.

the PCA lists nothing on their web site about a showcase?? is there any info on this one anywhere?

I am sure whoever is running the other event is reading these posts.

Please post something here to enlighten us on what is going on at your event.

I guess my confusion and I would imagine some others is, how can you call this the "Super 60" when you don't even invite the 60 best players in the region. I see a few names that don't come close to qualifying for that distinction. Then there are others that are already signed to go to some really nice D1 colleges and they aren't listed? How does that work?

I would think that someone who wanted to call a showcase something like the Super 60 would want the TOP talent in the region to attend not most of the players from a certain program. I mean come on, to me that is just being petty and takes away a lot of legitimacy of calling it the "Super 60". Is that logical or common sense to others as well or am I just crazy? When you are a publication that supposedly covers the state, wouldn't you think that instead of alligning yourself with a certain program and then run your showcase at their facility and invite a majority of their roster, you would want to be an unbiased entity and and give THE BESTplayers that respect. But instead some players will be allowed to ride others coattails. I know of one longtime scout who isn't snowed by this yearly attempt to highlight a certain program and not be legitimate by excluding players from another program. That is petty and low class, but not surprising. It also takes away legitimacy of a publication.

JMO

I agree with you on this one seedthrow. I have reviewed the list and there are many quality players missing. Is this a tryout for a certain program. That is what I have been told by my sources. Are they wrong?

Seeds,

You have been pretty much a straight shooter with reasonable opinions.

What I don't know and maybe you don't either is how many other "Top 60's" were asked to attend but chose not to or have let it be known that they don't want anything to do with MVP/Full Package/Top Tier/PBR if there is such an animal. In fairness, any bad blood between some of these "certain programs" runs both ways. As for us, I'd say that my son's experience playing for Top Tier a couple years ago had a little less than a happy ending, but The PBR nonetheless did a nice feature on him and even put him/his work on the cover, so I can say that it isn't all about promoting their own kids all the time.

Everyone knows that there is no defined "Top 60" or any other designated ranking of players. The great news is that if a kid gets noticed by a ML Team at either of these or other events it helps him. I think most ML Teams could give a rat's rear end about which organization put a kid in front of them, they just want to see as many players as they can before the draft next year.

Everyone points fingers at each other regarding their own true interests, but when you see two of these events on the same day it isn't in the best interests of the kids. If one knew of the other's showcase and then scheduled for the same day it tells me they are thinking of themselves and not the kids.

I don't even know who is putting on the other showcase besides "The Super 60" but even if you guys are good guys, I don't think it was a good idea to schedule the same date. Have your showcase and invite the kids you want...they probably deserve it....but maybe another date would ahve been better?

Seedthrower,

I have to agree with you on this one. Although many of the players on the list are definitely worthy of the Top 60 label, there are some on the list who did not even make "all conference" for their high school team, while the conference player of the year and other players who were all conference are not on the list that was mentioned. These players apparently are being invited due to their connections and team affiliations. I definitely think that there is no problem with promoting players that are associated with a particular program, I would imagine that you or I would do the same thing. Maybe it is just not proper to call it the "Top 60" event. Whatever the case, I am sure that it is a great event for those players who are fortunate enough to attend.

I am siding with FB on this one. No list is going to be perfect and someone is going to feel left out or that others don't belong. The bottom line is that the top players will get noticed for their play on the fieldwhether they attend this showcase or not. There are several opportunities for a kid to get exposure. And, on the other hand, I have to believe that the scouts attending these type of events have enough experience and savy to recognize those that are not "top" players.

As for Full Package/Top Tier/PBR...let's give them some credit too. While many don't necessarily agree with some of their activities, they always try to get many, many Illinois (yes, mostly Chicago area) kids exposure opportunities. If they want to showcase certain kids (or call a showcase by a certain name), who are we to tell them how to run their business. Again, if it wasn't worth it, scouts and coaches would know it and not bother to attend.

At practice today, I mentioned to Tony Zych's father about the list of the kids attending this Super 60 showcase. He said that he was surprised that Tony's name was on the list because they did not commit to attending this event.

Again, I'm embarrassed this is viewed as a kind of competition in some people's eyes. This event has always been for the kids and the scouts, and the overall promotion of Illinois baseball.

I do the rankings in the PBR, so obviously I know it's not the "best" 60 kids in the state. Many of them are, some aren't. Next year, the event will be called: "Darn Good Players Performing in Front of Scouts." Is that politically correct enough?

As far as Tony Zych is concerned, he's a great player and a great kid. If he's not coming, then fine. If he is, that's fine, too. But his dad did fill out the paperwork on December 10 at a PBR 2008 event. I'm not trying to falsely advertise anything here. In fact, this event hasn't been publicized at all until all this "confusion" happened.

Yeah PBR...that'll work...besides being politically correct, it has a nice ring to it also...

DGPPFS '08...a marketing stroke of genius...no confusion at all!

PBR,

You can call your showcase anything you want. But if you are going to advertise it as "Super 60" don't you think inviting the top 60 might be a great place to start? This scout I spoke of earlier told me PBR is just an extension of TT, is that true? If it is, you already have a bias and there is no denying that. Have you ever done a write up on any Cangelosi kids or kids from down south or is it mostly TT kids? I think if you are going to put out a publication for the state you ought to at least be unbiased and cover ALL travel teams, not just one you might be in bed with. It helps take away suspicians people have and gives more legitimacy to your publication, maybe thats just my way of thinking though. If you are an independant entity why wouldn't you have this showcase at say Fox Valley Academy in Elgin to make it more centrally located for all? I bet ElginKLU would love that opportunity.

Please don't insult me or others saying this is for the kids and scouts. Whose kids? Certainly not most kids from other programs, there is no disputing that. Period. Obviously, I would venture to guess roughly 90% of the kids attending your showcase are all signed, sealed and delivered to their respective colleges, if a verbal is considered signed, sealed and delivered in some cases. But wouldn't you agree that this showcase is basically for the pro scouts? If that is the case, why wouldn't you invite maybe the top 60 kids that have a chance to be drafted this June, say in the top 25 rounds, now that would make this event extremely legit. Again, there are some names there that won't get drafted in ten blue moons. I guess I'm trying to understand it all.

Again, call your showcase whatever you want, but if thats the way things are you should at least advertise it as "The Super 60 sponsored by MVP and inviting mostly TT players." Looking at TT's roster you have every one of them listed except for 5. So do you put out your own invites on what you have seen or do you have to have clearance from TT's heirarchy to do your invites? I know the scouts could care less, but legitimacy to your customers, ball players and parents throughout the state should be something to be thought about.

Since my kid was not invited we'll have to call it the "Super 2nd Thru 60" Showcase, More or Less."

Things like this only matter if you make them matter.

Seedthrower, you know how good some of those Cangelosi Kids are including your son. I know of a few kids from that organization who are no doubters as far as being in the top slice of talent from the area. I also know some of those folks wouldn't attend a PBR Event no matter what. The thing is that it really doesn't matter.

I've been to a Super 60 Showcase and I thought it was great. Hopefully the PCA Showcase is every bit as good.

One more thing....
I run a business and I think it is unlikey I'm going to call it anything less than "Top Notch." I'll leave it up to my competitors to disagree.

Didnt Sean have to go thru all of this stuff last year ? I say whoever is going to put all the hard work into putting together a showcase event has the right to call it whatever he so desires .

Seedthrower:

Shame on me for responding to you ... but obviously you haven't seen a PBR recently. Funny, I've been accused in recent weeks of being on the McHenry Hurricanes "payroll" because so many of their kids are ranked. Whatever. Seed, there are about twenty kids on a team, about 800 kids mentioned in the magazine. Do the math.

Seedthrower, with all do respect, you are spouting off without knowing all the information. You obviously haven't read through the magazine on a consistent basis, because if you have, you will know that a great deal of players from all other teams are featured in the magazine -- and, for that matter, evaluated higher than players from TT.

Seed, you write: "Please don't insult me or others saying this is for the kids and scouts. Whose kids? Certainly not most kids from other programs, there is no disputing that. Period. Obviously, I would venture to guess roughly 90% of the kids attending your showcase are all signed, sealed and delivered to their respective colleges, if a verbal is considered signed, sealed and delivered in some cases. But wouldn't you agree that this showcase is basically for the pro scouts? If that is the case, why wouldn't you invite maybe the top 60 kids that have a chance to be drafted this June, say in the top 25 rounds, now that would make this event extremely legit. Again, there are some names there that won't get drafted in ten blue moons. I guess I'm trying to understand it all."

Seed, for the most part, all the "top players" are/were invited. Some coaches have insecurity issues and won't let them come. Fine. As for you, well, I believe you're not from Illinois, so what's the matter anyway? And the scouting report is it's not worth the hassle anyway.

Thats ok, I understand. I finally understand what this is all about and unforunately it isn't about the kids like most people would like to claim. I recently found this out about a certain scouting service as well. I just think it is pretty sad when adults get involved and use kids to promote their wares or ideals. Not every program is like that.
This showcase isn't about inviting the 60 best kids at all, that has become crystal clear. I would just like to propose that adults start acting like it and start getting along for the benefit of the kids, all the kids. I don't care who you support or what program you are from. Don't get me wrong, I think a showcase of this magnitude is awesome, kudos to you for putting it on. At least you aren't trying to sock families for $500 in the name of exposure. Amazing that you can get this showcase done for no cost to the kids and yet a scouting service has to charge $500 for their's. Again, if you want to call it the Super 60 at least do the kids that have worked the most or have the most talent a favor and invite them. When you don't do that how can you be cosidered credible? Even the village idiot can understand that. Yes, I am looking in the mirror. I'm probably getting the same scouting report as you and you are right, it isn't worth the hassle and I have never flipped through the pages of your publication. Have heard enough from people in the know and very reliable sources that know what its about.

I'm done on this issue. Good Luck to all the kids tomorrow no matter which place they show up.

PBR, you have a pm!

I don't get the controversy. If a private coach takes money for lessons, is he doing it for the kids or himself? Any body that works with kids and takes money can be questioned. But, does someone have to work for free to "be doing it ofr the kids". Of course not. If you are in business, you are entitled to promote your company and try to make a profit, unless you are fraudulent. No one here is suggesting that. Finally, I was just reading about the football hall of fame vote. It is controversal. Every one has seen all these players on film countless times and thousands of newspaper articles have been written about these players. Yet there is no firm consensus. EVERY sports list is debateable. There is a show on ESPN that has a countdown of "Top 20" this or that and part of the show is critisim about the list. How can PBR or ANYONE post a list that is NOT without other valid opinions. People see a kid once or twice, get input then do the best they can. NO ONE ranking baseball player can be 100% "right" in everyone's opinion. So give it a rest.

SeedThrower is from Wisconsin - too bad we don't have a Wisconsin forum for him to post in. His son played for the Illinois/Cangelosi Orioles last year and he has an axe to grind with anything related to Top Tier, MVP, Full Package etc. That's real mature SeedThrower.

Seedthrower is a jerk and really doesn't know anything about the showcase today. It may be called the Super Sixty but who cares? Do you really think anybody thinks that the best 60 players will be at this showcase? There will be some kids who won't travel for various reasons: too far, playing another sport (basketball, wrestling etc) or just don't feel like they are baseball ready to show for the mlb scouts that will be in attendance.

This showcase has been put on for several years now without so much contoversy. Although our friend from WI was complaining last year at the same time about the same things.

As I stated earlier, my son attended this showcase last year. IMO the promoters are really in it for the players and is a way for them to get an early look from mlb scouts at a very reasonable cost. I think the fee was $30 or $35 last year. There isn't a hidden agenda to sell services that I am aware. For SeedThrower to infer that the purpose is for a certain scouting service and isn't for the kids is completely inaccurate. A scouting service for mlb teams - that's a good one Seed.

SeedThrower, You seem like a very intelligent open minded individual. Whose knowledge of the game and everything else is top notched. You seem to have insight above and beyond anyone else on this sight. Your truthfulness, honesty is of the highest integrity. You stated last year your son was being recruited by EVERY major college in the country. Where did he end up signing? FSU? ASU? Miami? Texas? USC? With your knowledge and integrity you surely you would not settle for anything less?? Where did he commit to? Good Luck....

I'm sure both events went smoothly. Anyone care to comment on the talent at either event?

We went to Huntley. Lots of talent there but I would like to pose a question. Why are we asking kids to light it up for the scouts and their radar guns on Feb 4? Can someone please explain to me the logic behind that before everyone starts "number dropping?"

nc42,

I think you asked a great question. I can only speak about the event that I was present at. Both opening speakers, a MLB national scouting director, and Joe Benson stressed that none of the 25 or so scouts in attendance expected to see the boys in mid-season shape. He kind of explained it as just another step in the process where these scouts can see what a player looks like physically, see how he carries himself and get a look at how they're swinging the bat, making their infield and outfield throws and how they look on the mound. It also gave them an opportunity to speak with the boys and their Dad's in a non-stressful situation. There was SPARQ testing also, so there was another piece of information that the scouts could take with them.

Again, I don't know anything about your event but I've got to say that the pitchers I saw looked, for the most part, in unbelievable condition for a February 4th. Considering that the showcase was basically free for all the players I don't think there was any complaining.

Pitchdoc24, I'll let someone with a more trained eye give up some names of those that looked especially strong.

Itsy-

I can say that when someone tells my boy to "show him something" and asks him if his arm hurts, because he is not throwing max effort, now I have a problem. Bottom line, the guns should not be "out" in the first place. It will be August and the kids will have tired arms and now they start their college careers like that. I must be missing something? I was not under the impression that my two kids were going to be put in a position to do this, or, I would have stayed in bed.

I think that anyone that puts an event together does have the right to call the event whatever they choose. If the so called "showcase" is what it is intended to be. I think many people are catching onto the hidden agenda of some of these events. If it's a real showcase. GREAT! That means some of the top players and scouts will be there. If it's not a quality showcase and more of just a tryout for a certain program then that will be discovered quite quickly. Fastball, your last post was right on the money!