Triple Crown Wood Bat World Series

KD: Took a look at the TC site today and had to take a double look to make sure I saw the championship game correctly. To have double elimination throughout the tourney except for the championship game seemed a bit odd, so I had to make sure I was reading it right...never seen it played out that way, but heck what do I know......

Congrats on a GREAT season! Isn't it great when it all clicks and that means "all" clicks not just a winning record but having a truly great team/family experience..... those are the memories that remain with us for years.

Good Luck this Fall!!!! Lots of eyes will be following those Heat Boys. And well deserved.

Thats why no teams go to triple crown at this age.....

It's bootleg.



A good place to go for the younger kids though.

KD, give our congrats to your son and his team.

Ken, there are lots of reasons to go the Triple Crown route versus Mickey Mantle.

There are positives on both sides as well as negatives.

To simply say that Triple Crown is bogus, well, is bogus.

Plus, why spend all your time and effort all summer beating your heads against the same teams over and over and over? Then at the end of the year, you play them yet again?

KDad,

Nothing wrong with wanting success for your kids. Facing the top competition makes your boys better, but going a different route, playing some new teams, and trying to string together a successful tournament run can really build confidence.

Congratulations on your success and tell your kids to take pride in the accomplishment.

I support a team's decision to end the season any way they choose -- against the top teams in the state or against new teams that provide their own challenges.

Some might argue that this year's AABC tournaments were "bootleg" as well.

KD, thanks for unashamedly posting about the Heat -- I, for one, was interested. And thanks for refraining from using the term "underachieving" this week.

Just in case,

I was trying to joke. Hince the smiley face. But thats ok, I should of know you guys would take it seriously.

Sorry.

Ken -- I knew you were joking. we're all just poking at each other a little because the season is winding down.

I'd like to hear more about your weekend as well....it sounds like there were several good games.

My weekend was a little frustrating but all in all the summer was successful.

We gambled in the first game against Cherry Creek and lost. Then we got a second round bye which is why we took the gamble. Then we beat two average teams in Topeka and Rio Grande which set the stage for the show down against the all mighty Premeir Mustangs Carpenter. ******* ******** seriously hit 99 on the stalker in the fifth inning. Needless to say, Tim Matthews came in and closed the door. We beat the Mustangs.


Next we played tournament winner Lake Highlands. We were able to handle them pretty well except in the 6th when we tried to give it away with errors. Lake Highlands is a real "team". No superstars, but guys that get it done together. Tim Matthews pitched a gutty performance to get us the 6-5 win.

So now it's us, the Tigers, and Lake Highlands for the championship. All teams with one loss in double elimination tournament. We draw for the bye and Lake Highlands gets it...their second one. The Tigers also had two bye's to our one. Sometimes luck is better than skill.

So we play the Tigers and they beat us 4-0. Our bats went cold once again. Then Lake Highlands beat Tigers to go to Farmington. What a surprise but a refreshing story. Good to see teams like this have success. Congrats Lake Highlands and Rusty Hill.

Oh, on a side note. All-State ***** ******** left for Cape-Code showcase for entire week. Finally showed up 15 minutes before our final game. Obviously the late arrival effected his performance due to the fact I have never seen him give up 3 runs in the first much less in a game. Regardless, we would have lost with Nolan Ryan on the mound with our offense that day. Point being, not sure what kind of message it sends when you leave your team for a east coast showcase when you are one weekend from Farmington, the grandest stage for amatuer baseball.

My future posts on this board will rub people wrong and some may enjoy them. Reason being, I have nothing to lose and I don't have to be politically correct anymore.

My days of coaching are over. For many reasons. Mostly, my wife and I are trying to start a family and build our dream home at the same time. That in itself is crazy.

Second, I don't think I can take another summer with today's type players. Self-promotion takes priority over team to parents and players today. As hard as I have tried to change this, I fear nothing will change and it will only get worse. Well, not with me around. I am done.

I want to personally thank Cade and Kyle with DBAT for allowing me the opportunity to coach. I have learned so many lessons in life that hopefully will help me as a coach to my on children. Not on a baseball field but to coach them in life. Cade and Kyle work so hard and donate so much that their efforts could never be repaid. Cade and Kyle, you guys are good men. Thanks.

As for me, the sun sets on my days in baseball for a while. Unless I have a son who wants to play catch. I can't wait till that day so I can be the parent who calls the coach and say......

"Why ain't my son playing as much as Johnny?'
"My son is going to this showcase, he will miss a week. When he comes back he still has his starting spot right? If not, we quit"

Anyways, I'll try not to bash anyone too bad. But if you want to know the truth, just ask. I can speak my mind now.

Probably no one really cares.

P.S.

My last post should go on another thread.

Don't want to take away from the Triple Crown thunder thread.



If someone knows how and wants to do it, be my guest.

My son went to the Triple Crown as a 13 year old and it was a blast. It was at Steamboat Springs and the best games to watch were the older guys. At 7800 feet the ball really carried. lol We also finished runner-up to a team called the Michigan Wolves. What a blast!

Ken, times are changing and being on the best team with the best competition is no longer a priority unless you will accomodate their personal agendas for showcasing. The funny thing is that all the showcasing will not help a known quantity from a baseball hotbed like the one you "use" to coach in. There is no need to go to any showcase other than the fall tournament in Florida by PG (which is team oriented) and a visit to the area code after your season has ended. Wes Bankston went to Area Code after his team got eliminated from Farmington and still got a couple of games in. He still got drafted in the 4th round and dropped a couple of rounds because he had a subpar senior season by his own standards. The pro scouts will watch you in these showcases, but the judge you by your hs season. Period. Produce and they will come.

A top prospect that showcases too much gets picked apart by the scouts. I have had scouts tell me that they don't like to see a player too much because they lose sight of why they liked him to begin with and start looking for flaws and flaws are easy to find with a hs kid.

Sorry to hear that it was painful for you. Some of the parents need to realize that they are not doing their kid a favor. I still cannot believe that parents are calling and talking to you at this age. Shouldn't the player be doing the communicating at 17 and 18? jmo Wait til they get scouted by pro scouts who will take their overbearing bs and eat them alive, spread rumors about them and use their own words against them. All the while they think they are helping their kids and they are not. Then if they get drafted or go to college and the parent tries to make demands on a coach or an organization after signing they will learn real fast. Too bad, too sad.

Bighit, what you mentioned I must of said a thousand times to parents and players.

I even went to lengths as to bring in a MLB Beareu scout in for a parent/player team meeting for question and answering. Pro scouts came in our dugout everyday this summer and said the same thing. To no help.

It don't work. Whatever you do. Perfect game events are perfect for the team concept and self promotion combined. We enjoyed our time in Atlanta this summer and the Ford's got it going on.

Why ******** went to Cape Cod...I don't know. Maybe he wanted to get recruited by Rhode Island University or something. Kid could chose any school. Seriously, any school he wants to go to. Why go to another showcase? I certainly can't explain it.

What it will take is an organization to accept nothing less than what is right by the team no matter what the consequences. I did this last summer with success. This summer was a different story. It will be tough for a team to do this and get good players at first, but time will prevail.

I coached a team in Steamboat also. One of the best weekends I have had around youth baseball.

Ken,
I think all eyes were watching Dbat put this dream team together, We were all interested on how things would work out for ya all. I myself understood you could not keep players and parents happy in todays spoiled world of I first. One question I have for you? Why would these particular kids feel the need to showcase their talents? They are already projected CAN'T MISS PROSPECTS.

I am not knocking the East Coast Pro. I think that it is fine for the guys playing legion ball in the middle of nowhere, but for a high profile program.........not needed. Just my opinion.

This is a sad day. Another baseball guy tired of the beating from parents and players. For those of you that never played, you have no idea what was lost when Ken Guthrie decided not to coach DFW kids anymore. That's ok, you can find a man that never put on a jock strap but grew up watching the MLB game of the week and teach your kids everything he learned from Vin Scully, Keith Jackson or Howard Cosell. Good luck with all that. Ken, I feel your pain but don't lose sight of the fact that when those kids play their last game, and they will, they will start to get what you were trying to teach them. And when they have just made their 7th job change in 3 years maybe just one of them will say "now I get it".

Ken,

I understand your feelings, but hope you reconsider for the future. Baseball needs as many qualified people like you as possible.

We have found that the DBAT organization and you are among the classiest people in the game. I believe that opinion is shared by many.

I wonder if the DBAT players even know how hard you guys worked for them this year. Your pitching staff is probably the most recognized in the nation. I’m sure some of the things we and others do, get in the way. Let it be known that I for one agree with the “team first” concept, despite some of the things we are involved with. Believe it or not, I’ve always told that to any player who would listen.

We also know that you and DBAT have made adjustments in order to help your players attend individual events. Many clubs would not even consider making these same adjustments to help their players. We share your opinion regarding the Connie Mack World Series in Farmington. High draft picks like Chris Nelson, Cameron Maybin, Brandon Snyder, and many others have called it the highlight of their amateur career.

Maybe it is time for someone with baseball knowledge to lay out the honest truth. We have never had a problem dealing with the truth. Sometimes it’s hard to find though.

No matter what happens, we wish you and your family the very best. I sure hope our paths cross again.

Ken,
First off your decision is a loss in the baseball community ......

second, I wish you and your wife much luck building your dream home (what an experience that is) and much joy, happiness and most of all patience with starting a family it will be the most rewarding and most humbling thing you and your wife will be part of.

After reading your post on the showcase issues and some player's needs to satisfy their egos it hit me that what you speak is truth in the fact that when a team, such as yours, can attract the talent it does then exposure is gtd and the need to choose individual exposure over a team committment should be something that is taken very seriously and thoughtout to great extent before committments are made and teams suffer. Bottom line, as said before, committments, goals, team requirements must be laid out prior to the season's start by both the coach and player and hopefully by the season's end these committments have been upheld by both......and both the team and the individuals receive the exposure and success they desire.

Like it has been said on the board many times this year it seems to be a sign of the times, but guess what it isn't limited to sports/baseball, I see it daily in other areas. The resume fillers and the need to have one's son/daughter in every AP/Leap class that is offered, the need to have one's son/daughter asked to be in every high profile club/organization offered, the need to attend every social event to secure popularity, the need to go to every camp/clinic/trip offered by the school/church/sporting venue. It is all about what the parent's can provide and what the child has been "awarded" with. What are we/they trying to make up for?

When I was a youngster, mannnnnny moons ago, the goal was to get a degree and that would set you apart when it came time to get a job and hopefully the brass ring was if that job came with a business card and expense account. The next goal was to get a "cool" car, some toys and then to buy your first house/condo those were successes and resume fillers. Then it was taking great vacations, more toys, having 2.5 kids and so on. But, these accomplishments didn't come while our parents were in control they were things that didn't occur until we were out of our homes, on our own and making a name for ourselves. Prior to that our parents were there to make sure we attended school, they worked hard to make sure we could get an education and sometimes they were there to cheer us on from the stands.

This need today to push these kids and be the "involved" parent starts as young as pre/pre school age. It started lonnnnnnng before you got them as a coach. Getting into the best mother's day out group, gymnastics/karate/art classes before they even enter kindergarten. It starts with the parents and then by the time you get this kids as a coach the kids are used to having it all, the best equipment/lessons/uniforms because mom and dad have made sure of it because we all know it is the newest/best bat that creates the best hitter . The kids usually are not the ones asking for and wanting it all because they really don't have the capability of knowing what they want it is still driven by the parents needs.

Now instead or getting little johnny invited to the best parties it is to the best and every tournament/showcases/camp/high profile team. The parents are still in the drivers seat trying to secure it all.............it is our generations way of getting the brass ring, it can be paid for, it can be manipulated for it can be argued for and in the end sometimes it can be earned. Of course we all know that it is much better if/when it is earned, and by the player not by the parent, but that is lost in all the "have to haves".

Maybe it is fear and the parents are trying to make sure thatthey are providing the "successes" now in anticipation of future uncertainties. Every generation had it's problems and successes but it seems the generation of us parents with teens had a golden time in our early careers and some still do. But our generation had a major hickup midway through and it was economic instability, career stability is unknown (you age you are out, there is no loyalty-job hoping) so it is unstable and the parents are trying to create this happy/happy success story with their children and in the end the coaches and the teachers are witness to this parental push and the sons/daughters are pawns to the parental driven chess game.

We have worked hard, been stressed out and our kids are our pride and joy and sometimes our own insecurities in child rearing, in dealing with stress and corporate success/stability has trickled down into the manipulation of our kids futures. I am not speaking for all as this is just an observation after many years of being a parent, a coach, a manager, working in a school. I hope that the next generation becomes less pushy with their kids and future coaches will be in the drivers seat with parents as the spectators loving and enjoying the game.

It truly is an amazing thing to know you have earned something on your own. That the trophy in your room isn't just another one of a 100 but it is something special, that your parents love and support you no matter what and that your coach believes in every player on the team and the coaches goal year in and year out is to develope each and every player to their potential. That is the measure of success.

Parenting is the hardest thing in the world, full of joy/disappointment/stress/emotion and hopefully in the end we haven't done too much damage along the way.

Congrats again to the Heat as this post started with that topic, Good Luck to Ken and his wife in this new stage and to all much success this upcoming 2005-2006 season.

Sorry for the soapbox.

oldbat-never,

There is a huge difference between pushing your son/daughter in AP/Leader classes (academics) and in athletics. Most colleges require or look at those kids who have excelled (and that means AP/Leader courses)academically before they even consider anyone else. For most, academics are reality. Athletics are a dream!!

Ken,

Like I said in a previous post and was ridiculed by bighit,Glory Days (Pal) and a few others. Maybe taking the backups and seeing if you can help them become better players and people might have been just as rewarding. Maybe there would have been more parent and player appreciation. JMO!

PG Staff,

I appreciate the kind words. I can't begin to tell you just how much I respect your program. Even though the rain messed things up for all, your WWBA in Atlanta was first class. I would suggest that tournament for any top notch program.

Old-bat,

You consistantly mention that communication is key. If you know me, which some do on here, you would understand that I am as "to the point" as it gets. After numerous meetings and letters, well before the summer started, I laid my and the teams expectations out in black and white. But when families allow players to do as they choose regardless of rules it puts a coach in a tough situation.

The way I would chose to handle a player if he decided to abort from rules is to remove that player from the situation. Sometimes though, that may not be whats best for the rest of the team as far as chemistry or other factors. I did things a little different this year that I would have done different, but regardless I don't think amatuer baseball is in a good situation as a far as teaching ethics and responsiblity.

Clemente,

You ask why do kids feel the need to showcase their talents being a part of a high profile team...

That question has many answers.

1. Parents that don't know push them in that direction.

2. "Advisers" who don't know do it also.

3. Showcase, camp, an organization leaders convince players for the promotion of their own benefit. $$$$$

4. The old "this good player did it so I should too" reason.

5. The grass is greener theory.

Personally, I think every kid on the DBAT team had more than enough exposure this summer. If anyone wants to personally answer all the phone calls from colleges and pro scouts that I have recieved this summer and continue to recieve........Please, be my guest. My company will S*#T when they see my phone bill for the last two or three months.

But no..........some still chose to do their own thing for reasons I don't know. I guess it's because I don't know anything or something.

Ken you've got the parents living the "Major League" dream. And you've got plenty of businesses, showcase operators, training facilities, and personal coaches feeding the monster (and making a good living off of it).

Unfortunately this trend is in it's early stages - it has only been gaining momentum since the late 80's. The focus of amateur baseball has changed over the past 20 years. In the parent's eyes amateur baseball is to prepare their kid for MLB!

It is even openly talked about now (see the Dallas Morning News from two Sundays ago). These 16 year old kids are not playing for the fun of it or even to prepare for college - they are playing to prepare to make a living and to take care of Mom and Dad! A partial college scholarship would be not be considered a "success" anymore.

Unfortunately I do not see this direction of amateur baseball doing anything but gain momentum.

quote:

Ken,

Like I said in a previous post and was ridiculed by bighit,Glory Days (Pal) and a few others. Maybe taking the backups and seeing if you can help them become better players and people might have been just as rewarding. Maybe there would have been more parent and player appreciation. JMO!

Disagreeing with you is not ridicule. Taking second rate talent and trying to develop it just won't cut it at elite levels. That is why they call it elite. If you want to start a league for players that cannot play at the elite level so that they can get better and move to the elite level, then go ahead. i don't think that you would get very good talent. That is my opinion.

Ken,

I am familiar with a player who was all everything. He was over-exposed, went to everything, etc. His father was overbearing and the kid fell in the draft. I was told by more than a few scouts that the kid was talented and not a team player and that his father was a problem. A couple said that college was best for him to matuer and get away from his dad. He went on the second day of the draft and did not get to live his dream. One of the reasons was his me first attitude. I felt that the should be a top 5 rounder. That is what it has come to.

quote:

Originally posted by Bighit15:
Ken,

I am familiar with a player who was all everything. He was over-exposed, went to everything, etc. His father was overbearing and the kid fell in the draft. I was told by more than a few scouts that the kid was talented and not a team player and that his father was a problem. A couple said that college was best for him to matuer and get away from his dad. He went on the second day of the draft and did not get to live his dream. One of the reasons was his me first attitude. I felt that the should be a top 5 rounder. That is what it has come to.

Professional baseball needs to take some blame for this too.

Today, prospects are taken and babied due to the amount of money invested. Sooner or later, it bites them in the butt though. Scouts tend to turn their cheek on players with exceptional talent but sub-par attitudes and values. So really, it's the "trickle down" theory again.

New York Yankees. Everyone complains that they win because of money. Partially true. But I would put more stock in that they win because they are a class act and do what is right. Look at the coaches and players. I know some on a personal level. The Yankees have first rate personel. First rate people make first rate decisions.

This is what amatuer baseball needs.

Ken -- I wish you success in whatever you do -- and I hope we have a chance to meet one day. This is obviously an eye-opening issue for many and I've learned much from your contributions here. I follow these players and know that they have many "I" opportunities...it's unfortunate that all this stuff can't fit together better. I hope you continue to provide honest opinions on this subject. Despite the mutual respect between your group and PG, I have the impression that their AFLAC games does interfere with your season.

I think you know that it is difficult whenever egos are involved -- parents, kids, coaches, "baseball men"......and I think it is important to realize that there is no one right way to do things. And, when you become a parent, I think you'll understand that many of us do "crazy" things for our kids.

To an extent, I resent all the recent news coverage on select baseball -- painting us (broadly) as pro-baseball wannabes...or scholarship-crazed wackos...as for me, I love the game and watching my sons play it. The investment is a family decision. Ok, so I've never taken a $5000 vacation to the Bahamas or a $3000 ski-trip to Aspen -- are those "good" investments? For some perhaps.

Ken, God's speed!

Why in the world would you ever call out any player or players on your team! Maybe the players had the same motovation displayed by the coach. If you gave 2 cents about your players you would not have done what you just did. Walden ( high draft pick next June) maybe he has other goals for himself than winning a meaningless 18U tournament. If he and other DBat players don't get hurt then they will get a top flight education or maybe more. Hey GUY what does your team sell? Exposure? Play the highest level of competition? For what? So some of them can live their dream. You have compiled some great talent, what did you expect was going to happen? I hope all of your players get the education that they are looking for, I also hope those that are projected as #1 high school prospect throwing 99 mph stay healthy so they can live their dream.

Sorry you didn't have your full compliment of players so the DBATS could advance, but there will be more baseball for all your players at the next level.


I has been a rule that we don't bash players on this site. WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS!

quote:

Originally posted by txdad06:
Why in the world would you ever call out any player or players on your team!

Have to agree with that.

For what it is worth, this is not the last time these kids' names will be put in print in a less than flattering manner. If they are 18U, they will be going to college/minor leagues and if the performance isn't what the local scribe(s) think it should be, the players will read about it.

In the big scheme, sacrificing a team's 18U tournament chances to take care of their individual showcase desires may not be life or death, but it certainly speaks to one's character. While no one may fault them for leaving to showcase, the players that were left behind will remember it.

In the case mentioned none of these players will be left behind. They will however be seniors in HIGH SCHOOL. Except for one pitcher who will be a soph in college.

quote:

In the case mentioned none of these players will be left behind. They will however be seniors in HIGH SCHOOL. Except for one pitcher who will be a soph in college.

What I meant is left behind at that tournament, not left behind in their baseball development.

This site is about KIDS, not adults who feel the need to name HS kids to make themselves look better.

Ken should remove the names from his post.

I also agree that the names should not be posted here.

However, the DBAT team has continually told everyone in baseball this year just how good this player is. And he is... very very good!

We have three DBAT pitchers, all ranked among the very best in the country. A fourth one is also ranked highly. Actually one of them is ranked the #1 high school prospect in America, by us, when the new rankings come out.

These players are all good kids and top line talents. Their future is extremely bright. They haven't done anything that will hurt them in the future. However, I do understand the frustration that teams have to deal with at this level.

Regarding the conflict mentioned with the Aflac game. We always know the possibility of losing players because their team made the Connie Mack Championship game. That is the only conflict as the Championship game is on the 12th and the Aflac game is on the 13th this year.

DBAT had at least 3 pitchers who could easily have been selected. We thought they had an excellent chance to win it all in Farmington. So at least a little bit, potentially losing 3 pitchers was a consideration in selecting the Aflac Team. We did select the guy we ranked #1 in the nation.

There are a few Aflac players who are on teams that made the Connie Mack World Series. In fact, the Midland Redskins have two players who are on Aflac Rosters and East Cobb has one. While it's always up to the players, I fully expect those players to stay with Midland and East cobb right to the end. Then get across the country to Maryland and the Aflac game. Doing both might be tough, but it is possible. Aflac works very well with the players.

Anyway, I will say this… No one in the World has promoted these DBAT players more than Ken Guthrie and Cade. Perhaps they didn’t need it, but it sure hasn’t hurt them.

PGStaff,

I will not argue that the DBATS organization has done a great job promoting their players, (they have) but when a coach from any organization comes on this or any website calling them by name and telling everyone (scouts included) that this high school player has wronged them, then the said coach was NEVER in this for the right reasons (PERIOD)

I do agree that what the players chose to do was wrong, but what is the coaches motive by dragging them through the mud?

you already know the answer to that question (EGO) they have hurt me so I will hurt them back. Like Ken said he has received tons of calls about his players, after seeing his post would you as a parent want your kid playing for him? Knowing that at any time if he get mad then maybe he would do the same thing to your kid. Ken is not GOD but does have a GOD complex, he is well connected in the baseball community and is now throwing his weight around BECAUSE HE CAN.

This makes me sick! Ken you were promoting your players because they are good VERY GOOD! Now because you are mad you are going to quit coaching and are trying to drag your better players down with you. Please do all the future players a favor and stay away, they can't take the chance of you throwing another temper tantrum.

txdad06 -- I have no idea who you are and that's probably a good thing -- but you are obviously close to this situation. Why don't you call Ken and work this out over the phone? I think Ken cares about his players. I don't think he meant to hurt the two that were mentioned here -- maybe I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt.

From my perspective, no one has done anything here that will hurt their future. If a player is ranked #1 by Perfect Game AND has played for Cade's organization AND he performs in '06....ummmmm....is there a better situation to be in?

JMO.

Thanks PG for your input as well.

The fact remains, you do NOT call a high school player out by name on this site.

It is THE number one rule.

theygrowupfast:

Tend to agree partially on difference between AP vs athletics but I have seen many a parent push a child/young adult into many an AP/Leap course just to have it on their resume, not to up the grade point for college, but because they had unrealistic expectations academically as some parents do athletically for their children. And, I have also seen parents push for these classes because it may be a case of keeping up with the Jones, they don't want their child/young adult to be viewed as "average" or "normal". When did those words average and normal become bad words? So I do see similarities in the academic and athletic world.

Ken: when talking about what should occur with a coach/player/family prior to a season's start I know you well enough, I think, to know you would have your i's dotted and t's crossed. That statement was a general statement that was made to include any team(s) that are in the same situation with individual goals/needs vs team goals/needs and a point for all of us to remember. Our number 1 goal as a parent is to take care of our kids and sometimes we have to remind ourselves that another goal is to learn to honor committments that in itself is a big lesson and maybe it will help in the future when it comes to employment stability vs job hopping......

KD: I agree on not using a player's name in a thread. I have to remind myself on that one as well when on these boards as sometimes the fingers type to fast and I forget........

Why is naming a player wrong when the fact still remains it happened?

It is the truth and the truth will be spoken by me always. Thats why I list my name. To leave no doubt.

The reason it's so touchy to some, because the truth hurts sometimes. If one did not want the blame, they should think before acting.

To accomidate the moderators wishes, I will refrain from using exact names from now on. But, you better believe, you will know exactly who I'm talking about.

As far as coaches and scouts knowing what happened. To late. They find things out quickly.

Also, there are some bright spots. Some players have learned lessons from this. No player owes me anything but they owe their teamates everything. That is what this is about. Some think it is to satisfy my ego. Those folks know nothing about me obviously. It's not worth the time to prove them wrong. Just the folks who add fuel to the fire of amatuers and our poorly guided youth.

Ken -- Can I move from assistant coach to head coach now? I use my real name also. Telling the truth has never bothered me either!

Ken: Welcome to the real world so to speak. And I am not trying to be trite here. You're not the first good one, nor will you be the last, to take a hiatus because of the reasons you mentioned.

It's a game.

We talk about a scholarship here and a scholarship there, who's getting looked at and why,showcase, showcase, showcase.

In reality, aren't we talking about "partial" scholarships. Books and tuition is a GREAT ride these days, but it's still considered a half scholarship by the old standards.

We have way too many players and parents that just don't realize this. It is naive to think that 99% of the players we are talking about will receive much more than a 60%-70% ride and that will be for a very select few. Then guess what....After the first season at BASEBALL U, that 60-70 percenter will be asked to give up a portion of his ride to accomodate the next rising star.

It's 11 point 7. That's all there is.

The new eligibility rules going in to effect should make this next December quite interesting.

And Big - I agree with you. A good baseball prospect can go to one or two showcases and the word will be out. I said GOOD here.

I am seeing a rise in the Div III opportunities. A good kid, who makes good grades and can play and wants to play has a great opportunity at these schools over say the next 4-5 years.

That's just an old timers two cents so to speak.