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I can't say that I know a lot about baseball in GA, but if I were you I might take your son and go to the East Cobb baseball complex and talk to anybody who'll listen about your son and his predicament. Surely someone there will have some advice on who to talk or where to look.
You could also look here and start calling coaches.
http://www.eastcobbbaseball.com/teams/
Last edited by spizzlepop
URXLNC

I may not tell you what want to hear but it will be the truth---and yes I am sweet and loveble once you realize "sugar aint what you want"


Is everyone afraid of hearing the truth ??---you are going to try and hook on with a top travel team and what will you tell them---"He didn't make the HS team?"--- I am trying to be real here---to make a top travel team he is competing with a multiude of kids who made their HS team---get the picture?---back to the drawing board and try to improve--he needs to find a local team where he can get his reps on a regular basis

He is no position to take the high road at this time---he needs the low road and reps
URXLNC,

The first part of your original post is much different from the last part. You mention you just want him to play HS baseball and understand how long the odds are to play in college.

The last part mentions he is 15 but can play with any 16 year old team. I suggest you go watch the 16 & U East Cobb Astros play. That will give you an indication of the highest level at 16 & U.

Anyway, I don't know which high school your son attends, but I do know there are high schools in your area that are absolutely loaded with talent. It is very possible you might be a big contributor at most high school teams in the country and still don't make the cut at your school. So it is very possible that you can play on a very good summer team within your age bracket.

We happen to know most all the summer teams around the Atlanta area and most of Georgia. If you want a list and contact numbers please email taylor@perfectgame.org He will help you. Tell him that Jerry told you that he would help you out.

On a promising note: We know of kids who were drafted in the first round that didn't make there high school team at 15.

Best of luck
Last edited by PGStaff
URXLNC,
Welcome to the HSBBW.
There are quite a few websters with talented sons here who have had the same issue you are facing and what PG posts. There are so many talented players in your area, it is very hard to make the HS teams. But most that I have known found good summer teams to play on and have commitments to college.

Good luck.
I believe questioning how a player who didn't make his high school team (even the freshman team) could get on a top 16U team to be a legitimate position. My advice would be if your son can't get on a top 16U team, get on a team that plays against them.

If your son is turning fifteen this summer, he's actually 14U eligible. Don't be ashamed to get him on a top 15U team. Whatever the team, whatever the level, he needs coaching and mound time.
quote:
I have a son who just loves the sport of baseball. He will be 15 this summer, already has a fast ball in the mid 80's, has a mean slider, curve, sinker and change up. He is a versatile player that can play every position on the field. Many Andruw Jones type diving catches in the outfiled, great throws from 3rd to 1st, etc. He isn't a show boat, he doesn't try to coach on the field as I have seen other boys do, he is a team player, always the one shouting encouragement to the other players, always the kid that never gives up on a game no matter how down they are and always the kid who without encouragement from me will go to a player on the opposing team after a game and tell them what a great play they made, or hit they had, etc. Year after year when the books are tallied he is always the kid with the best batting average and least erros on the field, but you would never know it because he just is not a kid that is full of himself.


Welcome to the HSBBW. First of all I see no problems. He sounds a lot like a fourteen old phenom. I smell a D-1 scholarship already. Really ---- if he went to a quality showcase and his evaluation came back as you say: "can throw in the mid 80's at 14 and has great stuff on 4 pitches, can play every position on the field and can hang with the best 16 year old players in the Atlanta area" then he has NO problems. Follow PGStaff's advice and send that email. You are located in a hornet's nest of quality teams.
Fungo
URXLNC:

Welcome there are cases where kids did not make their HS teams and went on to success much beyond what would have been considered reasonable. One of the Weaver brothers out here did not make his JV team and went on to obvious success. So it is possible. There are lots of teams USSSA is one place, eteamz also has lots of team listed. Look and you will find a team. I would also ask your HS coach for (have your son do this not you) what he can work on and also if he can play on one of their summer teams. If he is as good as you say the more he sees them the better it is.

Now to reality. We all have inflated opininions of our kids (TR included) Try to be realistic and get an unbiased opinions. The reality is that ANY kid throwing mid 80's with any kind of reasonable form WILL make his HS team. Trust me I have gunned many kids this year and it is very unusual for HS Varsity kids to be working in this range. Most are low 80's and many are high 70's.

Good luck.
quote:
Any tips or interest out there? I feel like I am running out of time.

Welcome, also. There is plenty of time to get better and get noticed. Take a look at some PG showcase profiles of 15 year olds. Your son's arm is not very common. If he plays regularly, maintains good mechanics and works out, he should be significantly better by the time recruiting begins. He would probably be in the high 80's by his senior year. He just needs proper care and feeding to blossom. Get him on a summer team. Get him some lessons. The rest should fall into place.
Last edited by Dad04
URXLNC:

Cutting to the chase... what to do?

First, make a brutally honest assesment of your sons talents...particularly his shortcomings (because thats what got him cut). For example, can he hit or not?

Second, you are 30 minutes or less from amature baseball mecca ...call anyone at East Cobb and ask to have your son evaluated and reccomendations for a team that could use him.

Third, if it is feasible for you, send your son to the Sunshine East perfectgame showcase in Fort Myers the first weekend in June. You will surely know where your kids talents stack-up after that.

I know you think some of these folks were rude ... but you have to know that it would be rare and outside of the norm for a 15yo throwing mid 80's to not make his HS team ...even if that was ALL he coudld do. But it is possible ...and so now, he needs to be reevaluated.

Last, if he can't hit or lacks poor fielding mechanics...the easiest invetment is a bucket of baseballs and a steady diet of fungos and soft toss.
Last edited by Estone28
1. TR I don't dislike you.

2. WE ALL have inflated opinions on our kids. Just human nature.

Back to URXLNC. It is possible for a kid to not make his team for many reasons. In a large try out over a short period it is difficult for coaches to make the final cuts. He has got some good advice here and there are lots of opportunities for his boy to improve outside of his HS baseball team. Someone pointed out potential hitting as an issue, as the old saying goes "if he can hit they will find a place in the line up for him"
quote:
Originally posted by TripleDad:
OH My, 15 yr old mid 80's. Doesn't make high school team ?

Plays all positions, even catches!

Andrew Jones-ish in the outfield??????????????

Oh, not on HS team!

Good kid though!

Sorry for the sarcasm, it gets old

I think the criteria for "HSBBWEB Old Timer"
should change. It should be based on good helpful advice or meaningful constructive criticism instead of how many posts you have. Some of you are just not worthy!
URXLNC,

I just wanted to say Hello and Welcome to the site. And also I want to apologize that some of the posts above are a little tough on a newcomer. I hate it when that happens.

As you noted, you received some helpful feedback from several members. And actually the seemingly less helpful posters probably meant well. Those who questioned the situation seem to find it very unusual that a 14- or 15-yr-old throwing mid-80s would not make his HS team. Thus they may have wondered if you were being truthful.

In my personal opinion, you seem sincere, and your son sounds like he has excellent potential. You have several years for your son to progress and see how things work out for him with his HS team. But if he hopes to play beyond HS, it is a good idea to try to get him to an event such as a Perfect Game showcase to get an unbiased evaluation of how his abilities compare to other college prospects.

Best wishes, and keep us updated!

Julie
URXLNC,

Gwinnett HS's are pretty decent with some very good programs. What HS are are you talking about as Gwinnett is a big county. Will say that anything above 80 mph usually is varsity level so I'm curious what the problem is that caused your son to be cut and not even make a JV or Freshman team.

Some of the private schools like Wesleyan and GAC can be tough as they are only JV/Varsity but I know those teams and only Wesleyan varsity's staff has good enough stuff to turn down cocnsistent 80 mph.

GGBL is an option but isn't against the elite level kids playing alot of national tournaments although several GGBL teams do very well in some national/regional tournaments. Most of the better instructional facilities have their own teams that you could check out.

Also check out the Wood Bat Association of Georgia as an option. East Cobb baseball compares with anywhere in the country...get ready to get your eyes opened a bit if you see the elite teams.

My son plays in HS ball in Gwinnett and there are some programs that have worked real hard in building themselves up to be a consistent playoff contender. Some such Meadowcreek and Berkmar just don't have a good feeder program (that and being in the same region as Brookwood and Parkview doesn't help). Others simply reload every year. North Gwinnett, Mill Creek and Peachtree Ridge will be tough in a couple of years, particularly North Gwinnett.

Why did your son get cut...most coaches sit down with the kids that are cut late and tell them areas they need to work on and encourage them to try out next year. I'm confused.
quote:
Originally posted by Infield08:
At my son's high school, where over 100 try out each year, a list of those who made the team is posted on a bulletin board. It's pretty impersonal and I doubt that those who are cut would feel comfortable approaching the coach for feedback.
Our high school's first level of cuts was on the bulletin board. The kids were told they could approach the coach regarding the decision.

The second set of cuts was about which team a player would be placed. JV players had a face to face with the coaching staff on where they stood, what's to be expected of their JV season and what they need to improve to make varsity. Freshman players got the same process about making JV's.
Man, I can possibly see the first cut from a huge tryout being posted but not for the last few kids cut not being talked to by the coach.

Only posting cuts says to me the coach can't pinpoint why he cut the kid or he's just clueless as a coach. Not sure as a player I'd believe or trust that type of coach.

If I have to cut a kid late because he is almost good enough but not yet, as a coach I'd want to talk to the kid about he needs to work on. You never know what a year of teenage growth will bring about with kids. Seen too many scrubs get a growth spurt and start the next year.

Our HS is similar to what RJM describes. Communication always takes place...sometimes the kid might not like the message but he'll know where the coaches are coming from. No exceptions to this...period. Making the team gives the kid the right to sit on the bench, then it's up to him to earn the field time.
.URXLNC

I have two sons who have played travel ball in GA for a few years now. I know it is hard for some here to believe, but I've heard many similar high school stories.

The only bit of advice I have is to do as PG suggested and email for the contact list. Unfortunately, the area is so loaded with teams and talent, you really need a connection to get attention. A cattle call tryout may or may not result in a position. My oldest son went to the open East Cobb open tryout at 15, but didn't get a look by the top EC teams. He was an unkown among many. A year later he was invited to tryout, after a year playing with another team at East Cobb tournaments. My point is, it's hard to get on a good team without a connection, until you've proven yourself at that level of competition. There are too many players in this area touting similar qualities, many of which are inflated, but many justified also. Talk to players, parents, anyone playing on a summer team. Also, don't play up, just find a team in his age. If he stands out in his age group, you won't need to go looking for a team again, they will come to you.

You also need to consider a PG showcase. Not only does the honest evaluation carry a lot of weight, but coaches do rely on word of mouth when looking to pick up players. And most importantly, if you have not already, I highly recommend you go to East Cobb and watch some of the top games. At 14 my son saw the Astros 16 team play. After the awe subsided (several hours later) he decided he wanted to be there at 16. He knew how good they were, and what it would take to make that a reality. A little reality never hurts, sometimes it sets the bar higher.

Good luck.
Very good advice, I agree.

As I stated in my first post, many don't understand the amount of players in the Atlanta metro area that are very, very good and have to compete for a few spots on a HS or top prospect team. Sometimes it's just a waiting game.

We have the same situation here. Many good players with few spots available. I know of many players here who didn't play on top travel teams, only to be first, second round draft picks or receive good college scholarships to top teams in the country.

The object is to find a team and play, that is the only thing that makes you better.
I'm starting to really doubt the quality of baseball in the Northwest. A 14 year old throwing in the mid 80's would not get cut from any HS team that I know of, period.

I guess we are late bloomers here in the PNW. Elswhere, throw 85 and get cut as a 14 year old. Here in the PNW, we just win consecutive NCAA championships with kids who couldnt break a pane of glass til they were in college.

I must be missing something.
.

I'd switch glass suppliers Rob...their product is just too tough! The young hurlers don't have a chance!






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Last edited by gotwood4sale
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
I guess we are late bloomers here in the PNW. Elswhere, throw 85 and get cut as a 14 year old. Here in the PNW, we just win consecutive NCAA championships with kids who couldnt break a pane of glass til they were in college.


Rob, too funny. But you've got some thick glass in Corvallis. P.S., Oregon State is passing the baton soon. Smile
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
I'm starting to really doubt the quality of baseball in the Northwest. A 14 year old throwing in the mid 80's would not get cut from any HS team that I know of, period.

I guess we are late bloomers here in the PNW. Elswhere, throw 85 and get cut as a 14 year old. Here in the PNW, we just win consecutive NCAA championships with kids who couldnt break a pane of glass til they were in college.

I must be missing something.


Rob,
This is how I see it, where I am from. Lots of really top talent playing, pitching, 365 days a year. This gives pitchers a chance to develop arm strength early. Mine was throwing mid eighties consistantly as a sophmore and hit 90 early junior year and cruising low 90's in his senior year. He wasn't alone.
The only thing different, I think, is that we watched his innings and pitch counts very early and he took time off, where others continued all year long to pitch or when tehy pitched it was long outings. By the time it counted, lots of injuries and lower velocities and many top pitchers in our area who dominated with high velocity have lost time in college due to injuries or struggling in pro ball. The pitchers not on the scouting radar early in HS and were healthy come draft time senior year, are now playing pro ball and doing quite well.
Here in Eastern Washington we have about seven months of playable weather. I think that's perfect--no one should be playing baseball 12 months, anyway. The five "off" months we just keep throwing and training, but not pitching. Those kids in Florida that are pitching year-round.. what are their parents thinking???

In our town of about 200,000, there is exactly one kid topping 90, and exactly one kid close (Bum, Jr.). There have been a lot fine pitchers from Spokane in MLB but I agree with Rob.. mostly late bloomers.
Last edited by Bum
RK,
Yes he made his HS team.

He sat alot that year as a varsity pitcher. He played for a coach that played older players, he was frustrated and actually I am glad now (and I htink so is he) as we look back, they could have over used him. He took advantage of other options that summer to improve and be seen. He came out of HS healthy, that's a big goal, IMO, nowadays.

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