A PM exchange with a fellow HSBaseballWebster this morning reminded me of what a fraternity the college coaching universe is. Those of you who are high school players (or their parents) already know what fast friendships baseball can build. They're certainly built among teammates; and, it's not all that unusual to befriend players on other teams.
Well, that process continues as long as you keep playing. You move on to college and even more friendships are forged. You move on to professional baseball and even more lifelong relationships are created. In the process, paths crisscross all the time; and, over time, a network is created.
At some point, all players stop playing; and, many of them become coaches. However, the network doesn't go away. In fact, it often continues to strengthen as coaches meet other coaches.
If you are a high school player, these are the guys who are evaluating you. They may seem like individuals; each with their own school's gear on up in the stands; but, they're actually members of a well established fraternity. They tend to enjoy one another's company, and they socialize. They talk and compare notes.
Sure, they compete against one another; but, they've also been in the game long enough to know that they can't sign every good player they'd like to sign. This, inevitably, leads to the sharing of information when it can help a friend; particularly if that friend doesn't compete against them.
A good story on this point was told me by a mid-major, Division I coach in Florida. One of his college teammates/roommates at Florida State was now an assistant at their alma mater. One day, the Florida State Assistant called his good friend and told him that he wouldn't be able to attend a major showcase the following weekend and asked that the mid-major coach be on the lookout for a player who'd expressed an extremely strong interest in Florida State.
When the opportunity came for the mid-major coach to see and evaluate the player in the showcase, he noted the fact that the player seemed particularly lackadaisical on the field. It was clear that he wasn't into it.
After the workout, he overheard one of the players ask the player being evaluated why he'd seemed so lethargic. The response: "Because I'm really focused on Florida State, I thought they'd be here, and they weren't."
Yes, they were. ...and the player didn't get another look from Florida State.
Always practice and play the game with passion. Don't cheat yourself and the game; regardless of who might or might no be watching.
