What Just Happened?

If he's a Birddog, he's an old one.

@Shoveit4Ks posted:

If he's a Birddog, he's an old one.

The old ones are the best ones. Almost all the old guys played the game and often at a high level. I see a lot of young guys at games that are with one scouting service or another (not MLB scouts) that obviously have no playing experience in their history. These guys know a lot more about posting on social media than how to identify a prospect.

Instruct your son to ask for a business card if something like this happens again.

Did the individual with the "logo" ask permission from the Head Coach to enter the dugout?  Did the individual wear a mask?

There is the code of mutual  "respect" with the MLB Scouts and Coaches.

Bob

Dunno Bob. But it was an open dugout with no fences, easy to approach from the sides.

I've never seen scouts come up during a game.  Some have asked to see guys when the game is over.  That seems odd.

Very odd.  I'm surprised one of the umpires didn't chase him.

@JCG posted:

Very odd.  I'm surprised one of the umpires didn't chase him.

FWIW, this umpiring crew didn't seem too interested in anything going on at the field, if you follow me.

@baseballhs posted:

I've never seen scouts come up during a game.  Some have asked to see guys when the game is over.  That seems odd.

Might be just because the dugout were totally open on both ends and no fencing whatsoever. Literally anyone could have approached them discreetly and without any hassle.

Real deal would never talk to a kid during the game.  He may ask a parent or ask who his parents are but would never talk to a parent.

@baseballhs posted:

I've never seen scouts come up during a game.  Some have asked to see guys when the game is over.  That seems odd.

Exactly.  99% likely to not be a legit affiliated scout.

I’ve never seen or heard of players being approached by scouts in the middle of a game.

I didn't think bird dogs were affiliated or had any real legit connection to a team? More so, I thought that they were buddies of actual scouts who would sometimes mention a name and maybe get a bottle of wine or some swag if one of the names actually turned into something. This not true?

Associate scouts get paid when the player is signed by the team they’re affiliated. They report to an area scout. I think Coach May is/was an associate scout for an AL East team.

@Francis7 posted:

I didn't think bird dogs were affiliated or had any real legit connection to a team? More so, I thought that they were buddies of actual scouts who would sometimes mention a name and maybe get a bottle of wine or some swag if one of the names actually turned into something. This not true?

Nobody credible would approach a kid in the middle of a game.  Most likely, it’s a wanna be scout that the real scouts kind of laugh about behind their back.

There is  a certain segment of the population that, because of something lacking in their own life, try to bring attention to themselves by living through someone else, or trying to be something they are not.  For whatever reason, the sports world has more than its share of that element, between the Baseball Dads and the other fringe elements surrounding the game.

@RJM posted:

Associate scouts get paid when the player is signed by the team they’re affiliated. They report to an area scout. I think Coach May is/was an associate scout for an AL East team.

I think the Rays.

I have seen scouts approach a parent but never a player at a game.

Francis, just tell your son to ask for biz card.

I became a baseball parent by pretending to be one.

@TPM posted:

I think the Rays.

I have seen scouts approach a parent but never a player at a game.

Francis, just tell your son to ask for biz card.

FWIW, my son just answered his questions and walked away because the game was going on.

@Francis7 posted:

FWIW, my son just answered his questions and walked away because the game was going on.

You were ASKING folks what just happened. Who could it be, your son, you, we, don't really know who it was so NEXT time if it happens, tell him to ASK for a business card.

Then you will know what just happened.

My reference to the Rays was in response to RJM about Coach May.

I was at a HS game today. 2 pitchers that pitched were each sitting low 90s, 14 D1 commits on one team. Tons of talent. As Adbono mentioned, there were a couple of social media “scouts” and film crews.

Your kid is a minor so you should be interacting on his behalf. I don't think it would be awkward to ask this person for his affiliation or card. I am surprised he was allowed to be that close to the game.

The guy that approached him was his grandson. From the future. Hopefully he passed him some sweet stock tips, super bowl winners, etc.

If your son will reveal, please PM me so I can redistribute my portfolio.

Was he driving a 80s Delorean with a flux capacitor in the back?

Sorry for the thread Jack, my son plays ball with, went to the wedding of and is friends with Biff’s son Tommy. Ryley met Biff at the wedding a year or so ago.

I have coached my fair share of players who were drafted.  I have never seen a scout approach the dugout.  They always waited until after the game and they always approached me first to introduce themselves.   

"Common Courtesy" and respect for the game of baseball.

Bob

@Shoveit4Ks posted:

Sorry for the thread Jack, my son plays ball with, went to the wedding of and is friends with Biff’s son Tommy. Ryley met Biff at the wedding a year or so ago.

Thread jack part deux. What was the back to the future impersonation count at the wedding? The open bar must have made for some hysterical banter.

@Shoveit4Ks posted:

Sorry for the thread Jack, my son plays ball with, went to the wedding of and is friends with Biff’s son Tommy. Ryley met Biff at the wedding a year or so ago.

Biff Pocaroba?

He actually gave sound advice on filming and producing as Ryely recorded the wedding festivities for Tommy and put it on his YT channel.  I'm not sure about any impressions or quotes from the movies but I know he was real and easy to talk to and Ryley enjoyed meeting him.

Funny story, last night son was at a pitching lesson.  A coach approached him and asked if my son would come play for him.  I asked my son who he was and what else he said.  My son said, I don’t know who he was and I was working out so I don’t know what else he said.

Morel of the story, approach kids when they can focus on you.  Not during a game or workouts.  I’m sure this guy was just some travel coach.