What is the purpose of Scout Teams?

I would think it would be hard to hide a player on a scout team unless he didn't play. My sons scout team played against other scout teams in the fall,the scouts and college coaches were there to watch the players. The coach seemed very willing to provide information on the players

I know it seems like kind of dumb question, that scout teams are self explanitory. But, I really would like someone to explain what they are looking at. Say there is a double header, the team brings 14 different pitchers, one inning each. What does a scout see in just that one inning? Obviously they will probably see the pitchers more than once over the course of the "scout season".
Probably different teams do things their own way.
Just intrigued by the whole process.

I'm no expert here however especially with pitchers I think most pro scouts can see what they need to in a very short time. (Set up, movement, velo, mechanics, where the ball comes out of the hand...) Most of the "pre-draft" workouts my son attended had the pitchers throw bullpens and less than 25 pitches. (about the same number of pitches as iheartbb mentions in one inning of work)

I also think it's a chance to get the cross checkers, scouting directors and top brass in to see someone after the local and area scouts have already seen the player numerous times.

Is there a difference between a good scout team and a good travel team. We didn't have teams called "scout teams" when my son was in HS, I think it's just a new buzz word to get people excited that something special might happen.

No there are some very good scout teams at least here in Ca. Most of the ones here are in the FAll. The coache of the one my son played on is a scout for a MLB team. They play other scout teams from all over. Belive me there are more college and pro scouts at those games. The ones around here charge NO MONEY. It is all free. Now if people are starting up teams they are calling scout teams that are not sponsored by anyone I dont know about that. My sons team every senior on that team is playing at the next level and many got seen during the scout fall program.The scouts pick the teams. You have to be recommended by someone. and they go around and watch players from their designated area in which they scout from. There is no parent involvement. I thought it was a very great experience.

So, you are saying that in Cali., you don't pay to play on scout teams. Are coaches donating their time? Is MLB footing the bill for uniforms & tournament entry fees & coaching, umpires, field maintenance/rental, equipment, etc?
There is this new "league" just started up in Texas... Houston area & another in DFW, being advertised as the 108 best players in each market, yada, yada, yada...
How is this any different than the fall ball league that's been around for years?

It's amazing and sometimes humorous how they put a new spin on "off season" teams each year.

When will it ever stop? lol

Come play for us! Our team name is All-American Elite Pro-style Select Blue Chip Next Level ball team.

In So Cal (at least), there are several (maybe two dozen?) Scout ball teams. Yes, they are coached by MLB area scouts - and very well known scouts, too. Some teams charge (like my son's team last year) small amounts to cover things like hats, shirts, socks, water/Gatorade. Some teams charge nothing (like his team this fall) because the players turn their uniforms in and don't keep them, and they bring their own drinks, etc. Some Scout games don't have umps - the catchers call the pitchers in a kind of honor code (if you call it wide on them, they'll do the same on you kind of thing). Some scouts run two teams - a morning session team, and an afternoon session team. My son's team has 5 scouts coaching different aspects on the team. The talent level is very high - we feel lucky he's there. There are numerous scouts - college and pros - watching every Sunday. Very well worth it to play with such talent - to face the best pitching, etc. You must be recommended or invited to play on any team. These teams play on Sunday. Then there is an Elite program, which plays on Wednesdays - they play JCs in the area. There are only two of these teams that I know of.

I dont understand the comments about the scout teams. In Ca. they are pretty legit. There is only one in our area, then there is one in the bay area. one in stockton Lodi area. there are not a lot of them. The one in our area is the colorado rockies. The coach is a scout for that team. He has an excellent reputation. No they do not charge. They use college fields gladly donated by the colleges, some of the JCs around here, Saint marys in moraga had a big day last year. There were four teams and they played games. There were at least 50- 60 college coaches. I saw coaches from cal, cal poly, UC davis,etc etc, and pro scouts. It is a very high caliber baseball. I belive it must be sponsored by MLB from where the scouts come from. They return the unis at the end and keep their hats. It was a great experience and very good caliber baseball, as good as any showcase we have been to. Most of the better players that go to showcases are on these scout teams as well. Many area code players etc. It isnt a joke thats for sure.

Up in the Northwest, the Mariners have the Mariner's Cup team, they play in August just after the Area Code games. Most of the players have been on the Area Code team, but a few are chosen who are not. They are all invited to play on the Mariners Fall Scout team. They play on Sundays against JC programs, it is no charge to the players, uniforms are turned in at the end of the program.

My son was also on a select summer team that was listed as a scout team, however it was not run by a scout.

I agree with f o game - my son played on the Pirates Scout team last year and we went to the St Marys day games too. We also played JC's - Fresno, Merced, and other Scout teams on weekends. It was a great opportunity to be seen and play high level baseball. No cost - wear your own grey pants, buy your own socks. Turn in your Jersey. It was wood bat and the Pirates scout provided them and the hats. Would have given catchers gear too but we had our own.
Super program - no fluke!

Scouts Teams;
today my son and I journeyed 2 hours from Santa Rosa to stockton Delta College [astro turf infield] to view the Giants, White Sox and Rockies Scouts team. With the over 50 scouts and college coaches, I thought this was an Area Code alumni meeting.

Fortunately I have access to the dugouts to promote our Australia trip [25 years] and listen to the teaching by the pro scouts to the young players. This is and has been the secret of the Scouts teams in the Fall.

My son was selling the SSK pro bats to the players and as for the past 25 years I visited with the scouts, college coaches and parents.

Shortstop Mom; I visited again with Coach Smith at Sac State a great "human" coach and a friend.

Also recalled the time when I coached the Cubs scout team in 1986 with Kenny Williams as a player, now White Sox GM.

"This is what baseball should be "learning and developing your skills.

Bob

Consultant-
Sounds like you had a good time there.
So, the "purpose" of the scout team is to learn and develop your skills. Are the scouts then determining or evaluating these players as to potential draftees.
The fact that college coaches and proscouts both attend these games, are they then seperated through crosschecking as to who is college material, and who is a pro prospect? And again, do they all share info and compare notes? As I said earlier, I am ingrigued by this process. Or are these questions unanswerable due to the "mystery" of baseball
I would like to hear from someone like you what it is all about. Thanks!

IheartBB;

you have great questions. It depends on the individual scouts and college coaches.
Several scouts and college coaches have been friends for over 20 years. The experienced pro scouts have known each other and the college coaches for many years.

There is a mutual "trust", which is developed
with the years of association at high school, college games and our Area Code tryouts and games.

They will compare notes in a "poker" style of discussion. When I talk with the scouts and college coaches, I usually will ask about the
number of games they have seen this year.

It is important to remember they are professionals and they do not miss many players. Their opinions are well respected.

The teaching during the game that the scouts/coaches of the "scouts team" is truly the best.
The individual player should ask questions.

Today, I reminded the players after the game
"what did you learn today"? I also talked with the parents to always be "positive" in the car on the drive home.

Bob

Scout ball is not about winning or losing games. No stats kept, runs may score, but most often kids are told to run around - no sliding into home, etc. Sometimes kids are told to stay on first, even if they were technically out on the play, just to show what they can do on the bases. If the pitcher walks a player, then they put another runner on first, and the batter stays up, to have an opportunity to hit the ball. It is a day to learn from your talented coaches and also to show what you can do for those scouts watching. Not only do the scouts all know each other, but many players know each other on the other teams. It is definitely a great experience.