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I will have an 18 yr old '04 high school grad, who probably has maxed out on Legion summer baseball in our area. He will be playing D-1 baseball next year. We are trying to research and find a travelling team for him to play on this summer that will challenge him further. Distance/cost is not an issue. Any suggestions about how to begin? Thank you.
thurber, there is a great select program a few hours down the road from you in Memphis called Dulin's Dodgers. Not too sure if the carry an 18U team during the summer time, but I do know that much of the top talent in the greater Memphis area has played in the program and gone on to do VERY well at the D-I level. I'll see if I can find some more info on them for you, but it wouldn't hurt to see if you can find them on the web. Best of luck.
If we lived in a bigger metropolitan area, then we might have more than 1 option for competitive baseball for an 18 year old "in our own back yard." American Legion has been a great fit for 3 summers. I am just not so certain it will continue to be this summer, before he goes away to school to play competitive college ball. Thank you for your interest.
Thurber, Don't give up on the possibility of playing with your local Legion team. Remember that your son will have played a spring high school season, play some level of summer ball, then jump right into fall baseball (individual workouts and usually about 4 weeks of fall scrimmages). He'll then have a few weeks off for the Holidays (not really because the spring season begins at many schools in late January). The jump into the spring season again.

The first year is particularly difficult at the D1 level. Adjusting to the level of competition, speed of the game, and intensity. It wears you down, mentally and physically.

Many college coaches will encourage players to stay local between their Senior year in High School and first year in college, working on their individual skills and most importantly increasing their speed and power.
Itsoutofhere,

I have to respectfully disagree on the statement that most college coaches want their players to stay local and work on individual skills.

The top colleges send their players to play for the top 18-under programs in the country. In fact, many of the colleges have already recruited said player from the top 18-under team and will have them keep playing for that same team in the summer.

Programs like the Central Florida Renegades, Florida Bombers, Coral Spring Pokers, East Cobb Yankees, Dallas Mustangs, and there are just too many more to write here get players ready to play college baseball. Those programs play the type of competition that you would see at the Division I level - thereby it gives those players a headstart when they hit college.

Remember, college teams and roster and positions are mostly decided in the fall. There is not much time for a freshman to be able to adjust to the higher level of play before the word "redshirt" starts getting passed around. Players that play for the top national travel teams are more ready to play as freshman when they head into college than players on local squads. Of course, there are exceptions to this, but they are few and far between.

Just a thought.

Bob Pincus
Head Coach
Central Florida Renegades
www.eteamz.com/centralfloridarenegades
RobPincus@aol.com
Bob,

Most importantly, I do not disagree with your post- for many players the high profile summer team between their senior year in high school and the beginning of their college career is important and necessary. There are however situations that require a different approach.

The summer "high profile" experience is costly ($$$) and does take a toll physically and mentally. There are student/athletes that can best use the time getting a head start in the classroom or the time to get 100% physically.

Over the last three years, our summer baseball program has placed a dozen players at the Division 1 level....six of the players participated in Regionals this year and one played in the CWS. Four of the Juniors were drafted this spring. Many, not all or most, of their college coaches encouraged them to stay close to home for their final summer after high school. Some to rest their pitching arms, some to get ahead in the classroom, some to get stronger and faster.

It's impossible for anyone to play with intensity 12 months a year. Even the young pros get a two or three month break between Instructional League or Winter ball and Spring Training. The most important time for the player to be mentally and physically ready will be during the short span of fall ball in college. You are absolutely right- they will have to earn a roster spot and playing time in this short window....and if they earn a starting spot the 56 game (minumum) college season is a physical challenge.

Is staying local right for everyone?- absolutely not. I simply wanted to
express another viewpoint and reasoning for Thurber to consider.
My thoughts and mine alone--not looking to debate or say anyone is wrong--you can agree or disagree

01-- a "good" high level travel team at the 18U level is there to gain exposure for the kid who is seeking a college situation not to be winning titles--

02-- a team with players already set for college is not going to draw college scouts to see toe underclassmen on the team.

03-- the kid who is already set for college might well want to just stay "sharp" by playing in a local "adult" league, some great competition there and something to be learned by playing with ex college guys and pros, and getting in some 40 games plus. At the same time he can be working out

04-- it was stated above that the college frosh who come sin out of shape and notm sharp gets redshirted--it may well be he gets cut.

For many it is just cool to play ball in a competitive setting, get their reps and work out-- they no longer need the high level exposure and competition--they just want to be "sharp' when they come on campus at the end of the summer

And then there is the "pocketbook" aspect-- why spend the money on a high level travel team when the deal is already set--save that money for pocket change for the trips during the coming years of college ball--perhaps even pay for a trip or two for Mom and Dad to travel and see him play when you might not otherwise.

Like I say--just my thoughts

TRhit
Just a thought for consideration: Some teams do not try to "win big". They want their players to "win big" by getting the exposure necesssary to advance their careers and challenge their level of play. Some summer programs are "showcase" teams and while winning is important, it is not the primary focus of the program. Just for your consideration.
Just found this site...great conversation. I run the 18U Columbia Reds (MD), and feel that top level competition on the national level is imperative for the top 5-10 players from each state every year. However, what is more important, and I truly believe this, is for a player about to enter college to have an opportunity to play and lead a team. If this is at the Legion, Babe Ruth, etc... level than so be it. We attract many of the top players in MD, and some from out of state (sent to us by college coaches). But our focus is on player development. We want to win (only 1 National Title in 15 years), but we want each player to get better (physically and mentally) after playing with us for a season. I have seen some great programs mentioned in this thread (ie. Bayside, Cent. Fla, Dulins, East Cobb, etc...), and they are awesome. We have taken our lumps from these programs over the years. But I truly believe that only the exceptional player can play at this level and handle the pressure. For the above average player, stay closer to home and enjoy yourself!
im not sure that playing such a long and demanding schedual right before you leave for school is the best thing. But I do think that you have to play some and train. And surrounding yourself with the best player you can will only make you better. Of course I have noticed that many of the teams that you guys have mentioned (though they are good) do not put large emphasis on training off the field.
NC05,

quote:
im not sure that playing such a long and demanding schedual right before you leave for school is the best thing. But I do think that you have to play some and train. And surrounding yourself with the best player you can will only make you better. Of course I have noticed that many of the teams that you guys have mentioned (though they are good) do not put large emphasis on training off the field.


I believe that playing the best competition possible is very important. I also believe a demanding schedule is beneficial for a kid going off to college. I feel that it is important to be ready for fall. That is when most coaches start to get a "feel" for teams. Those summer teams get you ready for a college type schedule.

It is also important to find a team that is a good fit for what your needs are. A staff that acts professionally is very important. Nobody needs a lot of drama.

Florida Bombers
"I love the HSBBW"

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