Yardbird,
Why is it you want to call me out. What is with “That millionaire PG”? Do you know my personal financial situation?
Let me leave you with this… We help more kids who can’t afford to play at a high level in one year, than you have in your entire life. It is well documented and you can start with Carl Crawford who was as poor as you get growing up in Houston. BTW, It all started for Carl over the Christmas Break in Ft Myers, FL. This is a fact that the Scouting Director for Tampa Bay at the time has openly stated many times in various publications.
Our #1 reason for getting involved in high level travel ball was to get kids more opportunities. Due to NCAA rules we can only do so much for kids at individual events (Showcases). However, we have no problem finding quality teams for high level prospects that cost the player and his family nothing. That is how we get many of the top players to our events.
You mentioned SVG as an exception to what we do and they are greatly appreciated. Listen, we also appreciate what SGV is doing. They play in our events including last month in Jupiter. I don’t know if you just jumped in on this or read the entire thread.
I have nothing against Coach Milburn and he is entitled to his opinion. There is no doubt that he is a true American Legion booster. I am too, but times have changed. Yardbird, what you are doing has to be considered a big change in thinking.
Above all, it is YOU that is entirely set in your ways. You simply fail to hear the other side. I have always tried to be as honest as possible when discussing opportunities for baseball players. This includes many times when I have stated it might be better to NOT spend money on PG. Many times I’ve stated that it would be best for certain players to get instruction in the off season. Now you are saying it, yet I’m not sure you totally agree with that based on your training thoughts.
You seem to want to paint a picture of some greedy A hole that just wants everyone’s money. Everyone, and I mean everyone, that truly knows me would tell you my passion revolves around other things than money. I’ve never tried to shove anything down someone’s throat as being the “only” way to succeed, just the opposite in fact. You on the other hand, seem to go with the one way approach and portray yourself as a person with ALL the answers.
Anyway, here is the last post by SGV (who you stated admiration for) in this thread. Note the Jupiter event is one his team plays in would be considered travel ball by many and it is in late October each year. The other he mentiones is the National Showcase, look up the “results” from those events. Once again, it is well documented!
Coach Milburn,
quote:
By SGV
I would take PGstaff on the offer of visiting Jupiter or The National showcase in June. Our players who had attended some of the PG events had said some positive things about their experience. I had not attended any events myself. We had quite a few guys that went a few years ago and traveled with them to the National Showcase the last year it was in Cincy. I even had a kid stay with is us I did not know. We were asked if we could help him out. Our players knew him and said he was a good kid. He did not have the money to for hotel so we took him in. I was totally taken aback of what I saw at the National showcase. I had never seen so much talent in my entire life. This past year in Minnesota the event was even more outstanding. The players in my program that attended stepped up their game even more after the event. They were able to gauge where they stood on a national scale. I hope to attend the National Showcase at Tropicana this June.
I agree with you on different avenues to reach different destinations....the question is where is each players destination?
http://www.sgvbaseball.com
Here are some of the posts I made in this thread.
quote:
Coach,
I believe these are worthwhile discussions, but it does appear that your motives might go a bit beyond simply trying to save people money and to educate them.
That's OK, but it appears you are very much an American Legion guy. I was too, many years ago. IMO, I think that is the main reason you have brought up the subject. And if it is, that's perfectly OK. I love Legion baseball, too.
Whenever I see posts that are written based on just wanting to help people save their money, I find it odd. Do you really care what people spend or where they spend it? I really like this site and the people involved. Yet, not once have I ever been concerned with how anyone here spends their money other than they should donate some to this site. Are there really people who post here that care how I spend my money? Does anyone care how much I spent on my kids when they were young? If so... The answer is very little because I didn't have much to spend.
I would much rather discuss the positives and negatives about Legion Baseball and/or travel baseball without worrying about how much money someone is spending. Obviously cost would then be an item for discussion. Then we could all chime in on the best way to get to the next level and any costs associated with that. Then rather than receiving an education, it would feel more like an open discussion.
The way I see it is like this... A Legion person is educating us on how to spend the least amount of money getting to the next level. I would be willing to bet that nearly everyone here already knows that playing Legion Ball is less expensive than playing Travel Baseball. I know you didn't exactly say that, but it's obvious which side you would be on. One thing to debate is which one is most likely to produce the best results. Which has the best competition and which has the most MLB scouts and college coaches in attendance? Then there are many other differences to debate, as well.
So the only thing I see wrong about all of this, if anything, is the fact that you mention wanting to educate others. I would like to invite you to Georgia in July or Jupiter in October, so you would be even more prepared to educate others. I think seeing the best of both would be very educating in itself. You will even see some very good teams with players that play for free or at a low cost.
I do think you have brought up some very valid points, I just think there's more to it than simply wanting to help people save money. I could be wrong.
BTW, It would be great if American Legion baseball had more people like you involved. If they had more people like you, maybe we wouldn't have so much to discuss these days.
Note: I'm not much of a testimonial type person.
quote:
DoverDAD,
Legion baseball or any other baseball provides an opportunity. Do whatever is possible to play baseball at the highest possible level and overcome the odds. Ask for help and help is likely to appear. I think this is exactly what Coach Milburn means. Talent is talent, if people know about a player who is extremely talented things are likely to work out. All of the best players don't appear on Area Code, East Coast Pro or Perfect Game rosters. But there are many people who want to know who the best players are. It might be a bit more difficult, but far from impossible. The best players always seem to end up with opportunities.
quote:
Coach Milburn,
If your sole purpose is to help others save money, I'm all for it! Everyone knows what we do, but I too have seen people who waste their money. This is especially troublesome when it is someone who can not afford to waste money. The problem is that we never know until after the fact whether the money was spent wisely.
We also know there are talented players whose families simply can't afford what we do. Heck, I would have been one of those when our kids were young. Everyone knows the biggest expense involves the travel rather than the fee a tournament or showcase charges.
The NCAA rules make it very hard to help these kids who need it the most. However, we always try to find help for those kids we know of who have talent. One way that we can help is to find someone else (Like a high level travel team) to cover these kids and give them a chance. The thing that hardly ever gets mentioned here is just how many talented kids have been and are helped by some of the best travel/club programs that you seem to be against. Some of the players that they have helped are now starring in the Big Leagues.
Lastly, I don't think the people who need your help the most are posting here on HSBBW. However, as a group I do believe those involved here could be extremely helpful to those who do need it the most. I would guess there are some wealthy posters here who could be the major reason certain young kids get an opportunity to make it big. I know from past experience that no amount of money can replace that feeling of helping someone. I know I'm not alone in experiencing that.
Unfortunately, most of those who really need our help are without computers and video cameras. These talented kids are left to hopefully be found the old fashion way. Some are found because there are people/coaches who care at their high school and other organizations. Others fall by the wayside in academics, athletics and life.
My invitation to Georgia and Florida still stands. I think you might see some things a bit differently if you spent a few days in that environment.
This one was in response to coach Milburn claims that it is difficult to go unknown.
quote:
Coach Milburn,
Read this article. This is a player who would have been missed in the old days. In fact, he was nearly missed anyway. There are others. Many more were missed in the old days. I could provide much more info if you're interested.
Last Chance
So now enters you, Yardbird into the discussion that started nearly a year ago. And you write this…
lets hope that that millionaire PG wants to show up does because it sound like with his answer that they aren’t going to help in this regard, there is no questioner on your ability to pay.(not just you PG)!
And this
So, the problem that is being glossed over here with no real answers other than this is the way it is, is not good enough and should be talked about and solved and guys like PG are the only ones that can really make a difference. More honest dialog please!
Yardbird, I believe you are not looking for any "real" discussion, you want much more than that! I know you once again will pick apart every word like some lawyer and only use the ones you want in order to make your point.
If I am your target, then get on the phone and call me. You’re more likely to accomplish things that way, if it really is that important to you.
Here is my question to you? I do think what you said you did while running Connie Mack teams is great. Do you know that there are travel teams in this country that don’t charge a dime? Not even the $220 you used to charge. And they do it now, not 20 years ago. They do play in the fall and their success stories are undeniable! Really I think that is your biggest issue (off season baseball) rather than what Coach Milburn was trying to explain.
I know this is way too long and I apologize for that, but I didn’t ask to be mentioned. We get lots of emails from parents and players.
Here is one I got today. I will blank out any names because it was a private email, but will gladly produce the entire email to Julie or any other administrator here if proof is needed.
Mr. Ford. I wanted to thank you for the wonderful organization you have created. Until last year My son ****** ****** was a relatively unknown pitcher from ******. We always thought he could compete against the best players, but couldn't prove it. After he attended your underclass session in December and your scouts saw and graded him we began getting offers from summer teams. He joined the ********** organization for their big Tournaments. He had already commited to the ******* ******* for the summer so we honored our commitment. They allowed him to play with ******** for those Perfect Game tournaments.As we suspected he was able to compete against the top level players. This in turn brought the college offers. I'm happy to announce he has verbally commited th the University of North Carolina.He also became great friends with a player from ******* named ******** ******** and have become best of friends and have both decided to return to play for ********* full time next summer. Mr ******** also attended this past weekend we spent at North Carolina and also verbally commited to UNC. This would have never happened had he not gone to that first PerfectGame event and for this I thank you.
**** ********
In ending, I have always maintained there is more than one way to success in baseball. Players have experienced success by taking so many different paths. I just don’t understand why anyone would argue against any of those ways that have “proven” to work with such great numbers.
