My son just received invite to this Perfect Game event in Jupiter, October 25-29. Is it a real invite or can any player attend. Should he go? Is the exposure as good as I have heard from some? He is an 08' pitcher.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
PGStaff can answer your questions better than I can, but here is the web site for PG Tournaments.
http://www.perfectgame.org/schedule/2007/tournamentschedule.aspx
The only way to know if it is a real invite is to check with either the team that sent it or PG if they sent it.
http://www.perfectgame.org/schedule/2007/tournamentschedule.aspx
The only way to know if it is a real invite is to check with either the team that sent it or PG if they sent it.
In my opinion it does not get any better than Jupiter. Is is the one you do not want to miss if you get the opportunity to play in.
It came from Perfect Game. He attended a PG event earlier in the summer.
They can give you all the specifics involved. (Cost, Lodging, Team Placement)
Then he is been officially invited to attend the event by PG. He will get to opportunity to play with some really good players against some really good players. He will play in front of every ml team and tons of college coaches. I cant think of any reason a kid would not want to attend this event. I know it is not cheap to fly down and then get a motel , food etc. But if you can swing it , it does not get any better.
What are his specs?
If they sound good, maybe some team will see them and offer an invite to play on their team in the tournament.
If they sound good, maybe some team will see them and offer an invite to play on their team in the tournament.
For this tournament, do the boys have to miss three days of school? When do the games begin and end? My son's HS coach is going to try to get get my '09 son a spot on someone's team. He too said it's the best event to go to if you can get invited. Is it typically the same cost as attended one of PG's showcases?
http://www.worldwoodbat.com/TournamentDetails.aspx?id=284
Here is the tournament page
Look for articles on teams from last year's tournament
http://www.worldwoodbat.com/News.aspx
Here is the tournament page
Look for articles on teams from last year's tournament
http://www.worldwoodbat.com/News.aspx
This event in Jupiter is absolutely the biggest event of the year in my book. All the top teams and players from around the country will be in attendance. It will draw over 900+ college scouts, pro scouts and agents from every MLB team and every top D1, D2 and even some top D3, Juco and NAIA schools as their budgets allow. If any player has the chance to attend this event, don't pass up the opportunity. This year will be my player's 3rd and final year to attend the event and every year I'm amazed at the talent on the fields. The visibility is second to none. I hope to see everyone down there !
If you attend as a player for one of PG teams then I believe there is a cost to play. If your team attends at least in the case of ours "The Dirtbags" the cost is travel lodgeing and food. Most teams are always looking to pick up pitchers for the event. This will be my 08's third and final time at this event. It is absolutely the best event of the year. Every team is outstanding and you will see the best players in the nation. Its nothing but outstanding baseball. It starts on Friday and ends on Monday. So last year my son missed school on Friday and Monday. We flew down thursday night and flew back Monday night. If there are any "Stud" arms out there looking for a team to pitch on you can PM me asap. I look forward to this event more than any every year.
I think I've been everywhere except PG National, which we had to miss this year. With that one possible exception, Jupiter was the most heavily scouted event of them all, and by far.
I think PG provided something like 120 golf carts for college and pro scouts to rent to scoot from field to field. The biggest complaint I heard from scouts was, "I wish I'd gotten me one of those carts before they were all taken."
The number of contacts that came out of that event for my son was phenomenal. One of them was the school he ultimately chose (Wake Forest).
I think it is easier to get noticed at this event if you are a pitcher. Catchers maybe also have a chance to show their stuff. Beyond that, if you're hot with the bat that weekend, great. If you happen to have an off weekend at the plate, I don't know how it would work out. I do know that it's a great opportunity, and you can't take advantage of it if you don't go.
I think PG provided something like 120 golf carts for college and pro scouts to rent to scoot from field to field. The biggest complaint I heard from scouts was, "I wish I'd gotten me one of those carts before they were all taken."
The number of contacts that came out of that event for my son was phenomenal. One of them was the school he ultimately chose (Wake Forest).
I think it is easier to get noticed at this event if you are a pitcher. Catchers maybe also have a chance to show their stuff. Beyond that, if you're hot with the bat that weekend, great. If you happen to have an off weekend at the plate, I don't know how it would work out. I do know that it's a great opportunity, and you can't take advantage of it if you don't go.
Midlo maybe we should pitch in and get one of those golf carts! I did see one dad with a golf cart last year. There have been numerous kids walk away from this event with offers. We had one last year on our team. He pitched 2 innings and before he could pack up his stuff he had an offer. I agree with Midlo pitchers have to do this one if you get the opportunity. And I also agree that catchers help themselves alot as well. Showing you can handle those kind of arms never hurts. And if you have a great weekend with the bat they never hurts either. This is one of those events that you have to see to really appreciate. I can tell you I plan on attending next year as well. It is like baseball heaven.
I posted something in the recruiting thread regarding my son's first time at Jupiter. Although known in Florida, it did put him on the map to schools outside of our state. That is where Clemson first saw him and the relationship began.
Back in 2002, I was amazed at all of the scouts and coaches that attended, it doubled the next year and last year while just visiting, it was apparant every scout, advisor and college recruiting coach in the US was there!
Ironic, those fields out in Jupiter have been for my son over the years the place where he played many games in competition, USA trials and PG woodbat tournies. Now coming full circle, will be where he will participate in fall instuction. We've come full circle.
Back in 2002, I was amazed at all of the scouts and coaches that attended, it doubled the next year and last year while just visiting, it was apparant every scout, advisor and college recruiting coach in the US was there!
Ironic, those fields out in Jupiter have been for my son over the years the place where he played many games in competition, USA trials and PG woodbat tournies. Now coming full circle, will be where he will participate in fall instuction. We've come full circle.
Also, as to the cost:
The PG teams are put-together teams specifically for this tourney. They are vehicles to get individual players to the event. But they are usually pretty competitive and put a lot of talent on the field. I think the charge in the past has been in the neighborhood of $600/player but it wouldn't surprise me if it goes up year to year.
When you add that to the travel burden this event is a pretty high priced one, so you want to make sure you get into a situation where you will definitely get a chance to show yourself.
You can often jump onto a team -- what I call the "cameo appearance" -- if you can link up with a team that has a need at your position. Some teams will charge a modest fee, others nothing at all in terms of team fee.
Everyone is always looking for arms, so if you're an elite pitcher, you can probably get your 3-4 inning outing done and head home. For others, though, you run the risk of being promised the moon by some coach and then finding out you were nothing more than an insurance policy on the bench. I always hate to see that happen but it does happen. If you're a non-pitcher you have to make sure that the team has a need at your position before you commit. It might be worth the extra money to join a PG squad to make sure you get your innings in the field and your AB's.
The PG teams are put-together teams specifically for this tourney. They are vehicles to get individual players to the event. But they are usually pretty competitive and put a lot of talent on the field. I think the charge in the past has been in the neighborhood of $600/player but it wouldn't surprise me if it goes up year to year.
When you add that to the travel burden this event is a pretty high priced one, so you want to make sure you get into a situation where you will definitely get a chance to show yourself.
You can often jump onto a team -- what I call the "cameo appearance" -- if you can link up with a team that has a need at your position. Some teams will charge a modest fee, others nothing at all in terms of team fee.
Everyone is always looking for arms, so if you're an elite pitcher, you can probably get your 3-4 inning outing done and head home. For others, though, you run the risk of being promised the moon by some coach and then finding out you were nothing more than an insurance policy on the bench. I always hate to see that happen but it does happen. If you're a non-pitcher you have to make sure that the team has a need at your position before you commit. It might be worth the extra money to join a PG squad to make sure you get your innings in the field and your AB's.
As to missing school:
Last year, most teams had 3 games over Friday and Saturday, and a 4th game Sunday morning. The teams that made the playoffs continued play Sunday afternoon and evening. It's single elimination, so only a handful of teams are still playing on Monday.
Depending on your school's schedule and availability of planes, you can come down Thursday evening, play through Sunday a.m., and catch a flight back Sunday evening. That misses only 1 day of school. The downside is that if your team actually does well in the playoffs, you might have to scramble to stay, or else you could miss out on those games.
I wasn't there at the end of Jupiter last year, but I did notice at East Cobb this summer that a lot of the scouts went home when the playoff rounds started. The draw of these events is not the few elite teams, but the large number of prospect-stocked teams.
Once the numbers dwindle in Jupiter, I would bet a lot of folks do head home, because it's close to the early signing period, even closer to the "dead period" before that, and they have a lot of work to do in those last few days. But someone who was actually there in the past might have to check me on that.
Last year, most teams had 3 games over Friday and Saturday, and a 4th game Sunday morning. The teams that made the playoffs continued play Sunday afternoon and evening. It's single elimination, so only a handful of teams are still playing on Monday.
Depending on your school's schedule and availability of planes, you can come down Thursday evening, play through Sunday a.m., and catch a flight back Sunday evening. That misses only 1 day of school. The downside is that if your team actually does well in the playoffs, you might have to scramble to stay, or else you could miss out on those games.
I wasn't there at the end of Jupiter last year, but I did notice at East Cobb this summer that a lot of the scouts went home when the playoff rounds started. The draw of these events is not the few elite teams, but the large number of prospect-stocked teams.
Once the numbers dwindle in Jupiter, I would bet a lot of folks do head home, because it's close to the early signing period, even closer to the "dead period" before that, and they have a lot of work to do in those last few days. But someone who was actually there in the past might have to check me on that.
Sorry if this hijacks the thread, but I do have a question that maybe some of you like Coach May can weigh in on and enlighten me.
I've always thought that the purpose of the WWBA events was to showcase players, moreso than to win the tourney. I mean, baseball is always played to win, and you want to see players who play the game right. But as one example, I have learned that the coaches of one fairly established elite travel baseball program are currently rounding up as many AFLAC All Americans as they can to put them on one roster for Jupiter. Can someone tell me, what is the point of that?
Does it burnish the reputation of the travel program? Given that they are ditching many of the players who toiled for them all summer in favor of more "famous" players, I can't see how.
Is it just that they want someday to publish a brochure that brags about how a lot of future 1st rounders played for them?
If they win the whole shootin' match, what will that have proved?
I guess I could bring the New York Yankees in and whup up on the kids, but I don't think it would prove that I was some sort of baseball genius. And it would do nothing to help anyone with their college recruiting or pro scouting. So what's the point?
I've always thought that the purpose of the WWBA events was to showcase players, moreso than to win the tourney. I mean, baseball is always played to win, and you want to see players who play the game right. But as one example, I have learned that the coaches of one fairly established elite travel baseball program are currently rounding up as many AFLAC All Americans as they can to put them on one roster for Jupiter. Can someone tell me, what is the point of that?
Does it burnish the reputation of the travel program? Given that they are ditching many of the players who toiled for them all summer in favor of more "famous" players, I can't see how.
Is it just that they want someday to publish a brochure that brags about how a lot of future 1st rounders played for them?
If they win the whole shootin' match, what will that have proved?
I guess I could bring the New York Yankees in and whup up on the kids, but I don't think it would prove that I was some sort of baseball genius. And it would do nothing to help anyone with their college recruiting or pro scouting. So what's the point?
Someone wrote to me telling me they thought it was more of a senior event.
For clarification, players are made up of all HS grades.
As committed senior, my son only put in 3 innings, it was more of a scouting event for him. During his 3 innings about 70 were watching. He had not pitched much that fall, so his velo was down, I am not sure how much he gained from it, but living close by it was worth the one day trip.
You have to analyze each and every event and it's importance to the player. Uncommitted 08 players should definetly try to attend if their exposure has been limited in the past, you will get it there.
Pitchers with committments playing all summer with high exposure should give arms a rest. JMO. If you want to be drafted, your senior season is the important one, with May the most important month for your performance. If you are on the radar, scouts will be out in full force each game you pitch.
Midlodad,
I know what you are talking about as that senior fall my son was asked to play on what was then the "elie" of elite teams. He declined as his loyalty was to the team he traveled with all summer.
It's still a big tourney.
Some coaches still want to win the trophy. For others, it's just a chance to get their kids seen.
I don't like the team stacking, but that is just my opinion.
For clarification, players are made up of all HS grades.
As committed senior, my son only put in 3 innings, it was more of a scouting event for him. During his 3 innings about 70 were watching. He had not pitched much that fall, so his velo was down, I am not sure how much he gained from it, but living close by it was worth the one day trip.
You have to analyze each and every event and it's importance to the player. Uncommitted 08 players should definetly try to attend if their exposure has been limited in the past, you will get it there.
Pitchers with committments playing all summer with high exposure should give arms a rest. JMO. If you want to be drafted, your senior season is the important one, with May the most important month for your performance. If you are on the radar, scouts will be out in full force each game you pitch.
Midlodad,
I know what you are talking about as that senior fall my son was asked to play on what was then the "elie" of elite teams. He declined as his loyalty was to the team he traveled with all summer.
It's still a big tourney.
Some coaches still want to win the trophy. For others, it's just a chance to get their kids seen.
I don't like the team stacking, but that is just my opinion.
This event is the Cherry on Top of the Cake at the end of the season---great exposure--great competition-- great way for us to end the fall season---it seems that every year at least of one our players gets a deal because of being there
Probably the greatest baseball event for HS players that I have ever been to---it is not all about winning but it sure feels nice when you get out of pool play and don't tell me the kids do not ewant to win
Just a great no lose event !!!
Probably the greatest baseball event for HS players that I have ever been to---it is not all about winning but it sure feels nice when you get out of pool play and don't tell me the kids do not ewant to win
Just a great no lose event !!!
This event is primarily Jr.'s-Sr's, however there will be some underclass players.
My son went to his first WWBA Underclass as a sophomore, missed a Fri of school. The following year, his summer/fallball team went to Underclass. No sooner had we gotten home, then I got a call from a team going to Worlds, which was held 2 week later. He /we went...We were totally amazed!! So, the summer of Jr. year, several of these same teammates attended Nationals.
Bottom line, it is very highly recruited, scouted!
Absolutely the best!!
My son went to his first WWBA Underclass as a sophomore, missed a Fri of school. The following year, his summer/fallball team went to Underclass. No sooner had we gotten home, then I got a call from a team going to Worlds, which was held 2 week later. He /we went...We were totally amazed!! So, the summer of Jr. year, several of these same teammates attended Nationals.
Bottom line, it is very highly recruited, scouted!
Absolutely the best!!
Good Topic 
Normally prefer to stay out of PG discussions, but this event is much bigger than PG. It has survived two hurricanes and it's just plain different than any other event I've ever seen.
To reply to a few of the comments and questions.
First, we try to get the very best players to the WWBA Championship in Jupiter. It’s very much geared towards scouts and recruiters, they come there because of the talent. It’s the biggest scouting event in baseball, even bigger in some ways than the WWBA Summer tournaments in Georgia. If someone received an invite, they are a good player. Even if you don’t attend, it’s a feather in your cap to be invited.
There are several teams that recruit hard for this event. There will also be the Braves, Reds, Yankees, Rangers, Brewers, White Sox, Orioles, Twins, etc. Scout Teams all loaded with talent from all over the country. Then there will be teams like East Cobb, Chet Lemon Juice, ABD Bulldogs, Midland, Houston Heat, Dirtbags and many other top national level teams. Then there are some outstanding programs that produce high draft picks every year that attend this event ie. Mike Manning All Star Academy. Most all the teams have a lot of talented prospects.
Regarding resting or playing, that is an individual decision. The list of pitchers and players who have played in this event is very impressive. In recent years those who pitched in the WWBA includes pitchers who have appeared in the Major Leagues already. Scott Kazmir, Jeremy Bonderman, Joel Hanrahan, Homer Bailey, Jeremy Sowers, Yovani Gallardo, Clay Buchholz, Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton, Matt Cain, Matt Capps, Matt Chico, Tyler Clippard, John Danks, Kyle Davies, Zack Greinke, Craig Hanson, JP Howell, Zach Jackson, Ian Kennedy, Scott Mathieson, Brandon Morrow, Micah Owings, Troy Patton, Mike Pelfrey, etc.
The list of position players now in the Big Leagues is even larger. The number of draft picks is well over a thousand and includes most of those drafted in the first round out of high school in the past 8 or 9 years.
Regarding scouts leaving early, before the championship. There are many who do leave early, but there were still well over 100 who watched last years championship game on Monday between The Reds Scout Team (Midland) and Houston Heat. This included the MLB Scouting Directors of several clubs who ended up selecting the players who played in that game. There were 18 players in Jupiter last year that became first round picks this June. 7 or 8 of them were pitchers. The winning Reds Scout Team (Midland) had four first round, one second round, two third round and one fourth round pick. And the Houston Heat had a first rounder and several other draft picks, too. When there are 5 future first rounders playing, the highest level scouts tend to hang around for that game.
The opening game last year played on Thursday night drew around 500 scouts, the day before the tournament actually started. East Cobb played the Florida Pokers. East Cobb threw 3 lefties in that game… Josh Smoker (1st rd), Nathan Vineyard (1st rd) and Jack McGeary who signed for more money than either Smoker or Vineyard.
Back when we used to put together a team trying to win the championship, we had these players on one team. Chad Billingsley, Jeff Allison, Andrew Miller, Scott Kazmir, Jeremy Sowers, Delmon Young, Ryan Sweeney, Lastings Milledge, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Ian Stewart, Matt Bush, Trevor Plouffe. There was once a single game in this tournament that had 16 future first rounders on the two teams. We (PG) have no desire to put together that type of team any more.
Hope this doesn’t sound like some kind of promotion because it really doesn’t need any promotion. There are 80 teams who get in and hundreds who want in but there is not enough room. I know it’s our event, but it’s very unusual and the talent is just amazing every year. I wish more people who are simply baseball fans would go and watch some games. On any field at any given time you could be watching a future Major League All Star… Like Scott Kazmir, David Wright, Brian McCann, Carl Crawford, Prince Fielder, etc. Or the #1 overall draft picks, like Delmon Young, Matt Bush or Justin Upton.
I have to be there each year, but so long as the health holds up, I’d never miss one of these. It’s really that interesting if you enjoy watching the best high school pitchers against the best high school hitters in the country. Yes, it’s a showcase type thing, but it’s the competition among the best players, playing for keeps, that college recruiters and pro scouts like the most. You learn a lot about a player in this setting.
Normally prefer to stay out of PG discussions, but this event is much bigger than PG. It has survived two hurricanes and it's just plain different than any other event I've ever seen.To reply to a few of the comments and questions.
First, we try to get the very best players to the WWBA Championship in Jupiter. It’s very much geared towards scouts and recruiters, they come there because of the talent. It’s the biggest scouting event in baseball, even bigger in some ways than the WWBA Summer tournaments in Georgia. If someone received an invite, they are a good player. Even if you don’t attend, it’s a feather in your cap to be invited.
There are several teams that recruit hard for this event. There will also be the Braves, Reds, Yankees, Rangers, Brewers, White Sox, Orioles, Twins, etc. Scout Teams all loaded with talent from all over the country. Then there will be teams like East Cobb, Chet Lemon Juice, ABD Bulldogs, Midland, Houston Heat, Dirtbags and many other top national level teams. Then there are some outstanding programs that produce high draft picks every year that attend this event ie. Mike Manning All Star Academy. Most all the teams have a lot of talented prospects.
Regarding resting or playing, that is an individual decision. The list of pitchers and players who have played in this event is very impressive. In recent years those who pitched in the WWBA includes pitchers who have appeared in the Major Leagues already. Scott Kazmir, Jeremy Bonderman, Joel Hanrahan, Homer Bailey, Jeremy Sowers, Yovani Gallardo, Clay Buchholz, Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton, Matt Cain, Matt Capps, Matt Chico, Tyler Clippard, John Danks, Kyle Davies, Zack Greinke, Craig Hanson, JP Howell, Zach Jackson, Ian Kennedy, Scott Mathieson, Brandon Morrow, Micah Owings, Troy Patton, Mike Pelfrey, etc.
The list of position players now in the Big Leagues is even larger. The number of draft picks is well over a thousand and includes most of those drafted in the first round out of high school in the past 8 or 9 years.
Regarding scouts leaving early, before the championship. There are many who do leave early, but there were still well over 100 who watched last years championship game on Monday between The Reds Scout Team (Midland) and Houston Heat. This included the MLB Scouting Directors of several clubs who ended up selecting the players who played in that game. There were 18 players in Jupiter last year that became first round picks this June. 7 or 8 of them were pitchers. The winning Reds Scout Team (Midland) had four first round, one second round, two third round and one fourth round pick. And the Houston Heat had a first rounder and several other draft picks, too. When there are 5 future first rounders playing, the highest level scouts tend to hang around for that game.
The opening game last year played on Thursday night drew around 500 scouts, the day before the tournament actually started. East Cobb played the Florida Pokers. East Cobb threw 3 lefties in that game… Josh Smoker (1st rd), Nathan Vineyard (1st rd) and Jack McGeary who signed for more money than either Smoker or Vineyard.
Back when we used to put together a team trying to win the championship, we had these players on one team. Chad Billingsley, Jeff Allison, Andrew Miller, Scott Kazmir, Jeremy Sowers, Delmon Young, Ryan Sweeney, Lastings Milledge, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Ian Stewart, Matt Bush, Trevor Plouffe. There was once a single game in this tournament that had 16 future first rounders on the two teams. We (PG) have no desire to put together that type of team any more.
Hope this doesn’t sound like some kind of promotion because it really doesn’t need any promotion. There are 80 teams who get in and hundreds who want in but there is not enough room. I know it’s our event, but it’s very unusual and the talent is just amazing every year. I wish more people who are simply baseball fans would go and watch some games. On any field at any given time you could be watching a future Major League All Star… Like Scott Kazmir, David Wright, Brian McCann, Carl Crawford, Prince Fielder, etc. Or the #1 overall draft picks, like Delmon Young, Matt Bush or Justin Upton.
I have to be there each year, but so long as the health holds up, I’d never miss one of these. It’s really that interesting if you enjoy watching the best high school pitchers against the best high school hitters in the country. Yes, it’s a showcase type thing, but it’s the competition among the best players, playing for keeps, that college recruiters and pro scouts like the most. You learn a lot about a player in this setting.
PG,
You are correct that to send a player is a personal decision.
I've had a lot of people pm me to ask about the event, I just direct them to your website if they have no team to play on.
One thing I have learned over the past several years. Once a player goes beyond the HS game, he is called upon for lots of work, maybe 100 innings or more in college and maybe 140+ in pro ball. It adds up. The key to making the list you have posted, is to remain healthy.
I hope someday my son will join in the list that you provide of PG players who make it to MLB. That would be awesome for me.
Recruiting and scouting has changed since my son was in HS, with many more events during recruiting summer. Pitchers pitch much more innings now during their HS summers than ever before, and players play many more games than ever before.
I agree that PG in Jupiter is very important, and do often advise that if someone is contemplating this event to give up something else instead.
You are correct that to send a player is a personal decision.
I've had a lot of people pm me to ask about the event, I just direct them to your website if they have no team to play on.
One thing I have learned over the past several years. Once a player goes beyond the HS game, he is called upon for lots of work, maybe 100 innings or more in college and maybe 140+ in pro ball. It adds up. The key to making the list you have posted, is to remain healthy.
I hope someday my son will join in the list that you provide of PG players who make it to MLB. That would be awesome for me.
Recruiting and scouting has changed since my son was in HS, with many more events during recruiting summer. Pitchers pitch much more innings now during their HS summers than ever before, and players play many more games than ever before.
I agree that PG in Jupiter is very important, and do often advise that if someone is contemplating this event to give up something else instead.
Mido,
I definitely know where you’re coming from. I preface my comments by stating I agree 100% with what you’ve stated. However, as in life, I take everyday as an opportunity to learn something new. In the same breath I’m also a big believer of things always happen for a reason. As I write this post there are several top teams from around the Country that are doing exactly what you state. They are all calling around trying to pick up the top ranked players in the country. This game is to accomplish 3 main objectives.
1. The bigger the player names, the bigger the draw of Scouts. If you’ve been to these events in the past you know exactly what I speak of.
2. The larger part of this recruiting is just that. These teams are not just looking for players for Jupiter but to also fill roster spots for them come next summer. The top summer travel teams use this event as a draw to bring in the best of the best or those whom have been recommended to them to see if these kids can compete and in doing so also bring recognition to their program on a national level.
3. If you win, people remember your name. Everyone wants to be part of a winning program. Thus, a by product of 1 and 2 gets you 3, A win/Championship.
In principle I agree with your comments that this event is about the players being recognized and hopefully receiving a scholarship offer, but the larger more national programs see beyond just that and seize events like Jupiter as the opportunity to bring the spotlight not only to their players but also to their programs.
As much as we all want to keep this game as simple as being just a game, it’s becoming more and more of a business even at the amatuer levels. Do I like it? Not really ! but it’s a fact and I see it only getting worse. ESPN now has live broadcasts of High School basketball and football games on TV, Every year we have the Little League World Series, and this year it included Softball. It won’t be long where High School baseball I’m sure will be thrown in the mix amongst other sports in the amatuer ranks. It’s a direction that society has decided it wants to explore. Along the way there will be sacrifices that we’ll all have to make.
I definitely know where you’re coming from. I preface my comments by stating I agree 100% with what you’ve stated. However, as in life, I take everyday as an opportunity to learn something new. In the same breath I’m also a big believer of things always happen for a reason. As I write this post there are several top teams from around the Country that are doing exactly what you state. They are all calling around trying to pick up the top ranked players in the country. This game is to accomplish 3 main objectives.
1. The bigger the player names, the bigger the draw of Scouts. If you’ve been to these events in the past you know exactly what I speak of.
2. The larger part of this recruiting is just that. These teams are not just looking for players for Jupiter but to also fill roster spots for them come next summer. The top summer travel teams use this event as a draw to bring in the best of the best or those whom have been recommended to them to see if these kids can compete and in doing so also bring recognition to their program on a national level.
3. If you win, people remember your name. Everyone wants to be part of a winning program. Thus, a by product of 1 and 2 gets you 3, A win/Championship.
In principle I agree with your comments that this event is about the players being recognized and hopefully receiving a scholarship offer, but the larger more national programs see beyond just that and seize events like Jupiter as the opportunity to bring the spotlight not only to their players but also to their programs.
As much as we all want to keep this game as simple as being just a game, it’s becoming more and more of a business even at the amatuer levels. Do I like it? Not really ! but it’s a fact and I see it only getting worse. ESPN now has live broadcasts of High School basketball and football games on TV, Every year we have the Little League World Series, and this year it included Softball. It won’t be long where High School baseball I’m sure will be thrown in the mix amongst other sports in the amatuer ranks. It’s a direction that society has decided it wants to explore. Along the way there will be sacrifices that we’ll all have to make.
The one thing piece of advice I would give, would be to try and get on an already established team vs. one that PG puts together. If you have specific schools that want to see your son, a PG team is a good option. It seemed to me however that PG teams drew less attention than established teams. My son was on a PG elite team from Iowa, essentially an established team, and wound up getting offers from a number of schools he didn't even know were watching him. In fact, the school he's attending now scouted him at Jupiter and he had never had contact with that program before that.
Don't make a choice not to go if a PG team is your only option, because if your son is a college/pro prospect, it is a must attend event, imo.
Don't make a choice not to go if a PG team is your only option, because if your son is a college/pro prospect, it is a must attend event, imo.
The scout stuff - and the exposure stuff at this event is incredible. No doubt about that.
And - if you truly love the game - none of that will matter as much as playing in games with - or watching - the largest collection of very talented youth players in the USA - play nonstop baseball for 4-5 days.
It is - and has always been - the best youth baseball experience a player - and a fan - can have IMO.
Bar none.
And - if you truly love the game - none of that will matter as much as playing in games with - or watching - the largest collection of very talented youth players in the USA - play nonstop baseball for 4-5 days.
It is - and has always been - the best youth baseball experience a player - and a fan - can have IMO.
Bar none.
Midlo you raise some nice points. There is a team that I am aware of that is contacting players ie trying to round up what they think are the top players. Our coaches have always stayed with their guys for every event. Right now we have about 11 guys that have verballed to either ACC or SEC teams. What we have done is when we go to a WWBA event is pick up pitchers. And if they bring you , you will pitch. Maybe not 6 innings but you will get an opportunity to show your stuff. The posistion players always stay the same. They do not pick up posistion players. I guess these guys are trying to win period. I know our coach is trying to win and wants to very badly. But not at the expense of ruining the relationships he has built with his players. I believe in loyalty. The guy that has coached you all summer and fall , made all the calls for you to college coaches and assited you in the entire process desreves in my opinion your loyalty. You as a player should be able to expect the same in return. JMHO
Coach May
Very well said as usual
Every coach wants to win, as do his players, but you don't break relationships---when you wake up in the morning you have to deal with tomorrow
Very well said as usual
Every coach wants to win, as do his players, but you don't break relationships---when you wake up in the morning you have to deal with tomorrow