Unsigned TJ '07 RHP, 85-87 MPH

Thank you to all that have responded to this post by my son, Chris Barnett.
He is looking for a great coach, good team members and a quality education. I know they say parents have an elevated opinion of their son's talent; judge for yourself. I believe the accomplishments he has made this season, after TJ surgery (5-30-06) and a year of daily rehab are miraculous.
Thanks again for all the words of encouragement and I hope you will continue to post or pm to give your advice- good, bad or indifferent. It really means a lot to him. Let's hope C Barnett can soon post "signed".

MSGrits, I have corresponded a bit with your son and can vouch for his politeness and how bright the young man is. I wish your player the very best.

I sent you a PM as well. Thanks.

College Coaches you are invited to:

Ohio All District All-Star Game on Monday, June 4th
in Chillicothe, Ohio at the VA Memorial Stadium.
(Selected by the Coaches Assoc. in each District)

11:00 - Showcase for unsigned players

1:00 - Division I and III Game

I am in Division III- First Team - #19 - Pitcher, LF, 1B

Hope to see you there!

Chris,

You may also want to take a peek at some D-II schools.

There is some good baseball there - and some woodbat conferences - which would have many benefits for you as a pitcher recovering from TJ.

Dont rule anything out.

And when you get your chance - which I am sure you will - blow all the hitters away. That will end the speculation about your arm.

We had All-District Games and Showcase in Ohio Monday. It was great. I was one of three, with the fastest 60 yd. time at 6.8, threw the ball from deep outfield to home and to 3rd base, all in the showcase.

I started the game playing LF, pitched- struck out two, with no hits (one inning) and batted twice, scoring the only run for the south team.

There were 6 coaches scouting me that I know of D-I, D-II and NAIA. They talked to me afterwards and the D-II talked to me for an hour and a half in the parking lot. He is one of the winnest coaches in D-II- around 850 wins. He has my attention.

I had to prove to them that I was ok mentally and physically. It was the best day I have had in over a year. It was one year ago since surgery last week.

Pics from 6-4-07 http://new.photos.yahoo.com/chrisbarnett07/albums

Thanks for believing in my come back. CB

ATTA KID!!! Way to get after it!

Chris,

What a fun report! Way to go, and keep after it ... things are going to turn out just fine for you!

Julie

Any goal starts with belief. You obviously are okay in that department. Great job, kid!

Great to hear Chris!!

Chris that is outstanding! That gives my son alot of encouragement. He is a Junior in HS (2008) and had TJ surgery in March. (1st game he pitched). Please keep us updated on your success!

keep working with the same passion and good things will happen...

Thanks guys. Piratefan- your son will be fine. Tell him to hang in there- the best is yet to come.

Two more good things happened. The D-II coach is putting me a offer together and we will meet him next week.
The D-I that saw me at the All-District Games said he "liked watching me pitch" and he is "definitely interested, but needs to see me throw some more".
I told him I would be playing in Cincinnati this weekend and he said he will be there!

Suggestion from an old warhorse and do not take this wrong:

Stop trying to impress us here on the site---impress the coaches and scouts---writing about it here does nothing to help your cause---

Time is NOT running out.
Even if you do not play this year. Go to a CC or 4 year and take some hours, keep working hard and trying for the dream hook-up. Then if nobody wants to recruit you, just go to a small NAIA or CC and tell them you are there to play baseball. If you are good enough they will love to have you, you'll get to play and get your education too... good luck

In a rare and unusual move TR did qualify and soften his response...even admitting to being an old warhorse...and his advice is solid.

We can offer you advice, but it is you that must impress the coaches as TR so diplomatically stated.

TR...this one's for you!

I have to disagree. I think this is unnecessarily unkind: "Stop trying to impress us here on the site---impress the coaches and scouts---writing about it here does nothing to help your cause---" I feel that it was impolite to make that comment to a very nice and polite young man who has asked us for help in finding a place to play, and has updated us on his progress. This is a 17-yr-old kid who has taken a chance by sharing his dilemma publicly and asking for help. That's difficult for even us adults to do.

I agree with MN-Mom. Today, all he did was post a sad sign . Was this an attempt to impress us????
All of us can be discouraged at times and start wondering if things will work out. I know that when I have been discouraged, others on this site have been quick to offer advice, support, and encouragement.

Hang in there, C Barnett, and keep contacting those coaches. We are rooting for you!

Thanks MN-Mom and Infield08.
I edited my post. it said: The D-II offer money didn't work out and the D-I didn't either. (my brother is in college too)
I also added a BTW: (that I was proud of,after TJ) I pitched my first complete game since surgery and got 11 K's. I would hope other TJ pitchers, and parents of kids like me would have hope.
If I messed up. I am sorry. I am just trying to live a dream out.
My Dad was recruited by Ole Miss to pitch, but couldn't because of time conflicts and my brother made the choice not to play in college, even though he could have. A pitcher too.
I took his # in 9th grade and told him I would take #19 to college.
That's it. Wanna play, got hurt, rehabbed, time is going fast. Working hard.
Appreciate your positive comments.

11 K's? That is outstanding! Feel free to "impress" me any time!

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
Suggestion from an old warhorse and do not take this wrong:

Stop trying to impress us here on the site---impress the coaches and scouts---writing about it here does nothing to help your cause---

man come on. hes not trying to impress people here, he keeping everyone updated, and come on this is awesome to hear about. hes not going around bragging, its an awesome underdog story to hear about. I know u werent trying to offend him, but if u dont care u dont need to say anything

Hang in there CB and simply disregard the naysayers. It's usually part of the landscape.

ChrisBarnett,

You have to want this for yourself.
Not for anyone else.

You may reach it - and you may not - but if you really want it - you will keep charging in a straight line. A relentless charge.

And if it doesnt happen - you can still be very very proud of yourself.

It is about the challenge - and the struggle. And the refusal to stop.

It isnt about a Deion Sanders mentality - it is about a Joe Frazier mentality.

I hope this message isnt too cryptic or sappy for you.
Because I mean every word of it.

Keep going after it until you get it - or you drop.
If someone says "You cant" - do everything you can to run right over them.

If you do that - you will have done well - regardless of the final outcome IMO.

The trouble is that all too many people do not want to hear the truth---they want the PC gibberish---Again I say posting stats on a site does not get it done--what gets it done is doing it on the field in front of the college coaches and pro scouts--the people that matter---you have to SHOW them !!!!!

quote:

what gets it done is doing it on the field in front of the college coaches and pro scouts--the people that matter---you have to SHOW them !!!!!

TRhit, isn't that what he's been doing? Below are quotes from 2 of his recent posts:

"We had All-District Games and Showcase in Ohio Monday. It was great. I was one of three, with the fastest 60 yd. time at 6.8, threw the ball from deep outfield to home and to 3rd base, all in the showcase. I started the game playing LF, pitched- struck out two, with no hits (one inning) and batted twice, scoring the only run for the south team."

"The D-I that saw me at the All-District Games said he "liked watching me pitch" and he is "definitely interested, but needs to see me throw some more".
I told him I would be playing in Cincinnati this weekend and he said he will be there!"

In other words, he's not just "posting stats on a site."

Seems like this young man is interested in getting feedback on his progress..is giving feedback and saying "good job" considered "PC gibberish"?

What good does feedback from this site do for him?

Perhaps I live in another world but at least it is realistic

quote:

What good does feedback from this site do for him?

The answer is.....PLENTY!

Plenty -- in the form of encouragement, advice, help, hope, suggestions, referrals, and connections.

Why are we becoming so soft that we need encouragement from a website--- and I have been here for years---I have no problem with info helping but encouragement---that is another thing---he needs to gett eh JOB DONE


Are we back to the politically correctness thing again ? There is truth to be heard not "I am afraid to hurt his feelings"

I give up!

But with a little "encouragement" from you, Trhit, perhaps I'll reconsider!

infield08

I only speak my mind---love it or leave it---at 65 I am not changing what I am

I know this is the wrong area to post this but to give other Tommy John pitchers hope- and to end the UNSIGNED thread that I started:

I have SIGNED today (July 5, 2007) with a NAIA college in southern Ohio that is close to my home. They offered me their top scholarship. It is the right fit.

College coaches do not seem to be afraid of TJ pitchers when it was an over-use thing.
It is all about timing, opportunity and yes; showing them what ya got.

I ended up with 10-11 offers, from all divisions - D-1, D-II and NAIA. I wanted to play right away and that appealed to me.

Thank you to all that helped me, made comments and kept me going through a difficult process.
There are many GREAT people on here that know the game and make helpful, caring remarks. You helped me more than you know....

Thanks- Chris Barnett

WV Newspaper Article on SIGNING

OH Newspaper Article on SIGNING

quote:

It is all about timing, opportunity and yes; showing them what ya got.

I ended up with 10-11 offers, from all divisions. I wanted to play right away and that appealed to me.

Chris - huge congrats and it sounds to me you have made a wise decision. We look forward to hearing your expertise on things as they play out during your college years. All the best to you. It is indeed the best of times.

GREAT JOB KID!!!!!
Atta way!!!
Much continued success!!!

Chris - Congratulations!!!!! I knew you would find that perfect fit! Please send me or have your mom send me where you're signing. Thanks and a big congrats again!!

Chris: I'm really happy for you. I hope it all works out. Good luck and I hope you have fun, too.

Oh, by the way, don't forget to study really hard.

And even though you are going close to home, phone home once in a while!!!!!

Way to go kiddo! Good luck!!

Chris,

Now that you got that recruiting thing over with - go out there and strike them all out.

Congrats!

Way to go!! I've been wondering what's been going on in your quest - now I know! Got get 'em!!