Thanks to all who've posted with stories and advice on this thread. This info is priceless!!! 
Suggestion for the folks, read the book License to Deal. You get a glimpse of how competitive the business is, and how problems usually arise from the agents themselves vying for the same clients. And remember, that if perhaps you and your son DO make an agreement with someone and change your minds later on, that may cause problems.
This sometimes happens when a relatively unknown suddenly rises to the top and has more options. Or a player out of HS works with an advisor for years and goes with another agent thinking that he can get him more money. That's why, IMO, sometimes it's good to get advice and not decide anything until closer to draft day, for some that may be senior fall, for some not until late spring. All situations are different.
As far as some of the questions or things being discussed here, write down a list. DO NOT BE AFRAID to ask those questions of the advisors who might call upon your son. Remember, just like the coach courting your son, if it doesn't feel right, then look further.
Some people go out looking for advisors, an agent (not his) told my son once that he gets over 300 requests a year, but takes only a few. Most advisors (including those contacting mine in HS) that will make contact with players are those looking to get into the business further and need clients and need MONEY. The more milb players he gets signed the more $$ he makes. If your son really has the talent, those who do not need the milb bonus dollars will be knocking on the door. That is a strong indication of where your son may fit in the scheme of the pro draft. My philosophy, if your son's advisor needs his bonus walk away. It's not taking the bonus, but what that agent can do later on for your son for teh bonus $$. If he can't do anything, has no MLB experience, cannot even deal with MLB, why the need for his services, your son will undoubtable make a change later on, so essentially you wasted that money.
Remember, the good agent gives advice freely, hoping that your son will use his services later on as an agent, and someday, maybe even after sticking it out 0-8 years together he will make some money, only if your son does.
This sometimes happens when a relatively unknown suddenly rises to the top and has more options. Or a player out of HS works with an advisor for years and goes with another agent thinking that he can get him more money. That's why, IMO, sometimes it's good to get advice and not decide anything until closer to draft day, for some that may be senior fall, for some not until late spring. All situations are different.
As far as some of the questions or things being discussed here, write down a list. DO NOT BE AFRAID to ask those questions of the advisors who might call upon your son. Remember, just like the coach courting your son, if it doesn't feel right, then look further.
Some people go out looking for advisors, an agent (not his) told my son once that he gets over 300 requests a year, but takes only a few. Most advisors (including those contacting mine in HS) that will make contact with players are those looking to get into the business further and need clients and need MONEY. The more milb players he gets signed the more $$ he makes. If your son really has the talent, those who do not need the milb bonus dollars will be knocking on the door. That is a strong indication of where your son may fit in the scheme of the pro draft. My philosophy, if your son's advisor needs his bonus walk away. It's not taking the bonus, but what that agent can do later on for your son for teh bonus $$. If he can't do anything, has no MLB experience, cannot even deal with MLB, why the need for his services, your son will undoubtable make a change later on, so essentially you wasted that money.
Remember, the good agent gives advice freely, hoping that your son will use his services later on as an agent, and someday, maybe even after sticking it out 0-8 years together he will make some money, only if your son does.
You can call the commissioners office and they can tell you if the agent is registered with MLB
Agents have to be reg. with their office in order to do business with them
Agents have to be reg. with their office in order to do business with them
Becoming an agent is as easy as applying to be an agent in most cases. I've never heard of anyone who was turned down. MLB has thousands who have applied, however will only tell you about those who have represented someone who has made it to the Major Leagues. That is the final step in being recognized by MLB.
I kind of agree with going with experience, but everyone has to start somewhere. Some are former players who have been through the process. Some are young guys with law degrees that studied sports law. Then some are just plain bad. Just because a guy doesn't yet have a major leaguer doesn't mean he's no good. Most important are honesty and caring.
Every single agent including the very best had to start somewhere.
I kind of agree with going with experience, but everyone has to start somewhere. Some are former players who have been through the process. Some are young guys with law degrees that studied sports law. Then some are just plain bad. Just because a guy doesn't yet have a major leaguer doesn't mean he's no good. Most important are honesty and caring.
Every single agent including the very best had to start somewhere.
Some states require agents to be registered. The requirements vary and it appears there is little enforcement, at least in Maryland. It is another resource and another avenue to check out someone's credentials.
Yes! More questions answered today! Gotta tell ya folks, it has been a real blast coming home to read this thread each day. . .
I hope you will continue to share, as this is really a premier account of information that is very hard to find yet begin to decipher!
Thank You! A Million times Thank You, and by all means keep 'em coming if there is more!
All perspectives are welcome, and just as everyone says this topic prolly covers as many/ or more variables (reminds me of college algebra
trying to solve for "X") and each family must decide what exactly their "X" involves. . .
Great Stuff! Rock ON!
I hope you will continue to share, as this is really a premier account of information that is very hard to find yet begin to decipher!
Thank You! A Million times Thank You, and by all means keep 'em coming if there is more!
All perspectives are welcome, and just as everyone says this topic prolly covers as many/ or more variables (reminds me of college algebra
trying to solve for "X") and each family must decide what exactly their "X" involves. . .Great Stuff! Rock ON!
" baseball is a big business, disguised as a little boy's dream. that is a statement you don't ever want to forget."
This is very true. It is very big business!!!! We hear about the MLB pay rolls$$$$$$, signing bonus$$$$. but I never really thought about the cost of developing players to get 1 MLB baseball team.It must be staggering!
My point is all the research a parent does about slot money, reading over standard contracts (in my opinion) really doesn't prepare you to represent your son against a Multi million dollar business
Remember you can always deal with advisers, some say 4% above slot or 4% over $100,000. Some want 5%,or 0% of baseball card deals.
This is very true. It is very big business!!!! We hear about the MLB pay rolls$$$$$$, signing bonus$$$$. but I never really thought about the cost of developing players to get 1 MLB baseball team.It must be staggering!
My point is all the research a parent does about slot money, reading over standard contracts (in my opinion) really doesn't prepare you to represent your son against a Multi million dollar business
Remember you can always deal with advisers, some say 4% above slot or 4% over $100,000. Some want 5%,or 0% of baseball card deals.
quote:" baseball is a big business, disguised as a little boy's dream. that is a statement you don't ever want to forget."
That is a powerful statement and SO TRUE! That needs to be etched somewhere on the walls of the HSBBW!
Fungo
good post njbb.
To hire or not to hire an advisor.. that was the question. The answer lies in what your son wants, if he truely wants to play pro ball out of hS, you need to sit down with him and discuss with him what it will take for him to sign, that is the determination on whether he needs an advisor (who will be his agent later on that he needs) or not.
When my son was in HS, this advisor/agent thing wasn't so popular. Nowadays a scout comes to watch a player and the parents feel the need for them to have an advisor. You don't need an advisor because scouts show up at a game. You need an advisor if scouts show up at all of his games along with possibly their bosses, their scouting directors or their GM's and your son is projected very early rounds and has a good scholarship at a good baseball program he may have to consider giving up. that is someone who needs an advisor.
Getting advice is a very good thing, most parents and players do need advice, but you don't need an advisor to give that advice, you have coaches, friends who have been there, scouts, MLBSB guys to give you advice.
Do players need an advisor in college, no. Do they choose an advisor because they know they most likely will be drafted and turn pro and need an agent later, yes.
To hire or not to hire an advisor.. that was the question. The answer lies in what your son wants, if he truely wants to play pro ball out of hS, you need to sit down with him and discuss with him what it will take for him to sign, that is the determination on whether he needs an advisor (who will be his agent later on that he needs) or not.
When my son was in HS, this advisor/agent thing wasn't so popular. Nowadays a scout comes to watch a player and the parents feel the need for them to have an advisor. You don't need an advisor because scouts show up at a game. You need an advisor if scouts show up at all of his games along with possibly their bosses, their scouting directors or their GM's and your son is projected very early rounds and has a good scholarship at a good baseball program he may have to consider giving up. that is someone who needs an advisor.
Getting advice is a very good thing, most parents and players do need advice, but you don't need an advisor to give that advice, you have coaches, friends who have been there, scouts, MLBSB guys to give you advice.
Do players need an advisor in college, no. Do they choose an advisor because they know they most likely will be drafted and turn pro and need an agent later, yes.
quote:Originally posted by njbb:
" baseball is a big business, disguised as a little boy's dream. that is a statement you don't ever want to forget."
I agree this is a statement that says so much! Thanks njbb!
I still don't know who the advisors are talking to when obtaining the "inside info" on the son? Is that acting as a professional in the players behalf?
I know sons agent talks to director of scouting and player development
Just wanted to say thank you to everyone! I hope this topic has been as helpful to others as it has to me, and as always. . .feel free to update if you think of something! 
I htink that njbb menat her son's agent talks to those she mentioned now, not before the draft.
Yes, big part of an agents job is to talk to player development and scouting directors. That's why it's important to ask if the advisor as an agent has relationships with MLB clubs. It's also important to find out if when he talks to them he knows what he is talking about.
PG brings up some good points, that every advisor/agent has to begin somewhere. Some agents are former players, some attorneys, some just business majors some both or all three. My sons agent is a former player, with lawyers and former MLB organization guys in his agency who all work together. One may be better at finding talent, one at reading contracts, one better on the business end.
Yes, big part of an agents job is to talk to player development and scouting directors. That's why it's important to ask if the advisor as an agent has relationships with MLB clubs. It's also important to find out if when he talks to them he knows what he is talking about.
PG brings up some good points, that every advisor/agent has to begin somewhere. Some agents are former players, some attorneys, some just business majors some both or all three. My sons agent is a former player, with lawyers and former MLB organization guys in his agency who all work together. One may be better at finding talent, one at reading contracts, one better on the business end.
gobig,
I don't know the answer to how advisors obtain "inside info". But common sense (or my version of it) tells me that there is a great deal of communication going on, and the NCAA would frown on much of it. Why does that happen?
So, if you buy the above assertions, or imagine that an advisor does, what the likely outcome? Again, I don't know, but my strong guess is that well connected advisors do talk to pro teams.
I don't know the answer to how advisors obtain "inside info". But common sense (or my version of it) tells me that there is a great deal of communication going on, and the NCAA would frown on much of it. Why does that happen?
- The rule is vague. The term agent isn't defined, and the concept of an advisor is only mentioned once in the manual, and then in reference to a college coach's actions. If the dad of a fellow travel team member is well connected to a pro team, and mentions your son, is he acting as your son's agent?
- The rule is, for the most part, unenforceable. Who else is listening to a convesation, and who would tattle?
- The rule is clearly disadvantageous for the player, for the pro team, and for the advisor. But it provides no substantial advantage to the NCAA or colleges. Put another way, most people think it is a bad rule, and have little scrupple in ignoring it.
So, if you buy the above assertions, or imagine that an advisor does, what the likely outcome? Again, I don't know, but my strong guess is that well connected advisors do talk to pro teams.
Ahhh who would tell on you?
Perhaps an advisor/agent who helped negotiate for you in HS, but you went off to college and now a bigger prospect?
Perhaps an advisor/agent who helped negotiate for you in HS, but you went off to college and now a bigger prospect?
quote:Originally posted by 3FingeredGlove:The rule is, for the most part, unenforceable. Who else is listening to a convesation, and who would tattle?
The Andy Oliver answer would be...the disgruntled advisor/agents. Just another example of lack of player leverage.
TPM and CPLZ,
The question I was answering is: "..... obtaining the "inside info" on the son. Is that acting as a professional in the players behalf?"
Obtaining inside info is very different to the Andrew Oliver situation where the advisors sat in on negotiations. In that case there are at least 3 parties involved, and it is not so easily denied. One of the denying parties would have to be the player. In many cases, there would have been written documentation of the negotiation. The particular rule against that is not vague. It's (IMO) a bad rule, but it is clear.
On the other hand, for an advisor getting inside info, the player is not involved, and he can plausibly deny participation or knowledge. It would be the advisor's word against the player's. If the advisor tattles, he's tattling on himself, with no obvious way to implicate the player. And the player really isn't implicated-- he didn't do the talking.
The question I was answering is: "..... obtaining the "inside info" on the son. Is that acting as a professional in the players behalf?"
Obtaining inside info is very different to the Andrew Oliver situation where the advisors sat in on negotiations. In that case there are at least 3 parties involved, and it is not so easily denied. One of the denying parties would have to be the player. In many cases, there would have been written documentation of the negotiation. The particular rule against that is not vague. It's (IMO) a bad rule, but it is clear.
On the other hand, for an advisor getting inside info, the player is not involved, and he can plausibly deny participation or knowledge. It would be the advisor's word against the player's. If the advisor tattles, he's tattling on himself, with no obvious way to implicate the player. And the player really isn't implicated-- he didn't do the talking.
i would think an advisor would gain inside info. by asking. since he probably has players in the system,it wouldn't be the same as mom and dad calling. lol, that's just what i think.
quote:
Who else is listening to a convesation, and who would tattle?
My post...... responding to this part.
In this thread there was a statement by OnePlayersPop:
If you are expecting scouts to be attending some of your son's games this spring, the advisor should be able to tell you what to be aware of when dealing with them....i.e. what to tell a scout and what NOT to tell a scout.
What exactly does that mean? What do you NOT tell a scout? Thanks.
If you are expecting scouts to be attending some of your son's games this spring, the advisor should be able to tell you what to be aware of when dealing with them....i.e. what to tell a scout and what NOT to tell a scout.
What exactly does that mean? What do you NOT tell a scout? Thanks.
