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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| b@s3b@11 |
Posted - 07/31/2012 : 16:10:42
Are kids expected to go to both days of the main tryout?
Thanks. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| bestplayinbaseball |
Posted - 08/31/2012 : 17:29:11
You may see skill set, level swing, speed, glove, hands, but you can't see other intangibles at a tryout.
The long ball, can o corn, HR king is now the long, FB, out hitter. The steady, line drive kid, opo field hitter, has muscled up and the power is coming along nicely. The kid that was striking everyone out at 12, with the heat, but at the expense of strikes is losing ground to the kid that is a control pitcher. Don't bet the farm on tryout.
[/quote]
I think you are both saying the same thing. A good tryout does not equate to a AAA/major player anymore than a bad tryout means you are not a AAA/major player, ever heard the term "5'o'clock hitter", the profession is littered with them (Billy Bean) The only thing you can see at a tryout are a set of skills that may, or may not, translate into an ATHLETE at the next level(74 Heisman Trophy winners didn't translate to the next level). It is the other intangibles that cannot be seen in a tryout. The kid or kids passed over in years past, that have kept after it, may materialize in an all-county, all-state player position as a HS player. And a Heisman Trophy winner may be playing 2nd, 3rd string at the next level.
They still have to live up to their "potential." No one will ever see that 'kid" if kids keep getting dissed by adults at "tryouts." A kid that finally gives up because the system failed him should be a better motivator to us to look beyond tryout performances, and look at potential. |
| bbmom2 |
Posted - 08/31/2012 : 14:41:24
quote:
Originally posted by barehandit
Well Coach, That's just not true? If a kid has no "rep" as a AAA, Major player then a few hours at a tryout may not show his real skill. You may see skill set, level swing, speed, glove, hands, but you can't see other intangibles at a tryout.
Not sure I agree with this statement. Hung around the ECB tryouts for the 15, 16 and up at ECB. It was VERY obvious to my untrained eye (although having been around baseball now for many years, not so untrained anymore) who had the skills and who didn't. Of course there were those players that made up for technique with hustle and then there were some that was attending tryouts as "wishful thinkers." Listened to a mom behind me in the stands make every excuse in the book as to why her son wasn't getting offers from the mid level teams at ECB. (ugh...)
Watched some of the Perfect Game Showcase last weekend. Same thing. And this was a mix of ages and skill sets. Mechanics and technique will show up even for a kid having the tryout (or Showcase) of his life.
What makes this a good tryout? Hitting a ball well that is slow pitched to them? I could hit a ball pitched slow enough but my mechanics would be laughable. Fielding a ball hit hard to the SS position but then rain-bowed to first base? And taking 2 or 3 steps to get it there.
Upper tier coaches know what to look for - they and their teams wouldn't be where they are if they can't distinguish the difference in a good tryout day and solid mechanics.
You are right though - at 14, 15 and up they are dropping like flies - which is sad if they enjoy and love the game. Said it before and say it again, being realistic about skill set as a player and parent will make for a happy travel ball season...
My 2 cents thrown in.... |
| barehandit |
Posted - 08/29/2012 : 23:16:54
Well Coach, That's just not true? If a kid has no "rep" as a AAA, Major player then a few hours at a tryout may not show his real skill. You may see skill set, level swing, speed, glove, hands, but you can't see other intangibles at a tryout. And a kid that has the best day of his baseball life, that coincides with a tryout date, is the polar opposite of that. You think colleges sign kids after one amazing tryout day? That could possibly have been the very best day he ever had or will have. It is the day in and day out producers, with work ethic, that are the "next level" player.
At 15u and up, the kids that were better at younger ages, are dropping like flies. The long ball, can o corn, HR king is now the long, FB, out hitter. The steady, line drive kid, opo field hitter, has muscled up and the power is coming along nicely. The kid that was striking everyone out at 12, with the heat, but at the expense of strikes is losing ground to the kid that is a control pitcher. Don't bet the farm on tryout performances. |
| coachdan06 |
Posted - 08/29/2012 : 03:03:14
Mr Agent pleeze dont take this badly but Ive gotta say to you after hangng arond baseball 55+ years : that if he realy truly is a high AAA or MAjor player - you woulda already head form most if not all the coaches !
Im realy sorry but thats the way it works
quote:
Originally posted by agent21
Dr. -- are you saying that every player who attends tryouts will be drafted onto a team, even if it is a start-up, low level team? We never heard a word via phone or e-mail from anyone last year -- after ponying up the $$ and spending 2 full days in the blazing son. Makes me wonder if his old coach had him "locked up" then never called. Trust me, he is a AAA/Major player and has been for the past 3 years. We are happy so all's well that ends well. Just think it would benefit others to know possible outcomes.
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| Dr. Old School |
Posted - 08/27/2012 : 11:02:46
crbm13,
I am very happy that he found a team and more happy that it seems to be a really good fit for him. As I said before, of all the things this messageboard provides, it should be good guidance for those that are trying to learn the ropes of the travelball process. Never should anyone feel afraid to come on here and ask questions. I am certainly glad you did, and I am glad that we all could provide some insight for you that helped your son find a team. Good luck to him this season. If you wonder about other things, don't be afraid to ask. If it's something to not worry about, we will tell you that too.  |
| peashooter |
Posted - 08/24/2012 : 20:02:31
NeverQuit....looks like it happens. I also brought it up because one time at band camp, I was not allowed to contact any kids until the A team made all of its offers. 14 days later the team was still reaching out to kids. Needless to say I got ZERO kids from the "official organization tryout" Hence the reason I went independant and had twice the calibur team I would have being stuck as the B team somewhere else.
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| PeachFuzz |
Posted - 08/24/2012 : 14:59:48
Gasbag, Point #6 is dead on. I have a 17U, and my job has required a couple of transfers during my kid's playing career. I've never been drinking/golfing/fishing buddies with any coach. When we're new to an area, he enters the tryout season as an "unknown". It did not take me long to figure out that dropping a quick email to a coach of a team my son was legitimatly interested in, was a good idea. I never took the shotgun approach and contacted every coach in the county. We usually identified 2-3 teams. I would shoot the coach a short email with a VERY brief bio of my son's history, height/weight, positions, etc. I also let the coach know that I would be happy to provide previous coaches' contact info, if he wanted it.
Taking this approach has served my son very well over the years. I'm not saying that he is the next Jeter, but he has rarely felt the sting of going to tryouts for the two teams that he really wanted, without getting picked up by at least one of them.
I'm fairly certain that he would not have gotten as good of a look from the potential coaches, if he had shown up as "just another number" on the tryout sheet.
I'm learning that this does not stop at the HS level. As a HS junior, he is now entering the stage in life where he is starting to get looks from colleges. I am taking the same approach (except now my son is the one reaching out to the coaches). He has identified a few colleges that he's interested in. He has sent emails with a brief intro, his bio and a link to some game/skills videos of him performing. So far, so good. A couple of the coaches have already come to watch him play in PG events, and he has been invited on a couple of campus visits and meetings with the coaches.
Maybe he plays at the next level..maybe he does not. Bottom line, I've alway felt that in order to get a player noticed (unless he is an obvious specimen), pre-contact with a coach somewhat lessens the liklihood that your son will get lost in the shuffle. |
| CRBM13 |
Posted - 08/24/2012 : 14:23:56
Thank you to everyone who has help "educate me" on this whole process!
Dr. Old School-you are a God sent! He made a team...and one that was the VERY best fit for him (and that he wanted). Met the coach, really, really like him and believe he is the right fit for my son!
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| bmoser |
Posted - 08/24/2012 : 14:07:55
Gasbag said: "2 - Sounds to me in every case, that we are not allowing our boys to make the decision but parents are making it for them."
Great point. I've been letting my son choose his team since 9U. He only considers teams w/in 30 minute radius. I make the list of teams, and tell him what I know about each team. He does the rest.
He thinks he's done a nice job of picking teams, and that's all that matters. He's 13 and still playing baseball. If he decides to quit, that's his call too.
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| gasbag |
Posted - 08/24/2012 : 12:35:36
Just some random thoughts.....
1 - Why not utilize the fall season to see if you like a team/coach (and vice versa) and want to commit to playing the summer ? Split it up into two separate seasons. Try each other on for size and date before you make that big commitment.
2 - Sounds to me in every case, that we are not allowing our boys to make the decision but parents are making it for them. If this is the case, how much fun is that going to be ?
3 - My experience is that good teams and coaches will continue from year to year. These teams aren't looking to fill an entire roster but maybe just a few positions. They have an idea of what and whom they want and usually hold private workouts vs. these open workouts / fund raisers.
4 - I don't understand these open tryout / fund raisers...didn't we all do that in parks and rec ? Then it was used to spread the talent out and even the leagues up. I never paid a $100 fee at my local park ! Went to try out and entered into a draft based on how the kids were graded out. What's wrong with this picture ? Seems to me high level travel ball has gotten a little greedy and appears to be trending towards moneyball vs baseball.
5 - Look to join a team that you think you can be on for multiple years, and not just a short term, 1 year gig. To do that takes lots of time, a few toe stubs but when you get it right, it's worth it !
6- If your playing travel ball and going to an open tryout and you haven't any idea of which team or have not spoken to any coach es prior to the event, you as a parent have dropped the ball for your "Johnny". It's up to you to do the leg work, coordination, contacts, dialogues etc etc etc prior to any open workout.
OK so there's a few observations and comments based on may years of toe stubbing before finally getting things right ! Hope it helps someone !!!
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| b@s3b@11 |
Posted - 08/21/2012 : 09:00:43
Yep. There were a couple of workouts where my son was easily the best out there or one of the top 2 or 3. Didn't hear from two of those teams.
And this is our first year of travel ball so we haven't had time to build a bad rep! |
| agent21 |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 17:55:39
peashooter -- sad but true. happened to my son and i am not blowing smoke when i say he has an excellent attitude, bats 3 or 4 95% of the time and fields almost 100% of the time plus his dad and i NEVER interfere in the coach's business. all i can conclude is that he was reserved which is why we did not hear from any teams. |
| neverquit |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 16:13:50
Please don't tell me somebody actually believes this is even possible. Forrest Gump said it best.
quote:
Originally posted by peashooter
I heard some complaints that ECB teams can reserve a kid, thus locking them out from other teams. Anyone else hear that, I had a kid that could easily play on most ECB teams not even get an offer. The parent thought it was because one team had him locked, and never made him an offer.
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| peashooter |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 15:19:25
I heard some complaints that ECB teams can reserve a kid, thus locking them out from other teams. Anyone else hear that, I had a kid that could easily play on most ECB teams not even get an offer. The parent thought it was because one team had him locked, and never made him an offer. |
| CRBM13 |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 14:37:47
Thank you! You have been so super helpful. I am a single mom, my sons father passed away, and I am trying to play catch-up a hard as I can...I value everything you have told me and appreciate it tremendousy. Sent an email to ECB...have a private tryout and another possible interest today...fingers crossed. I have a Masters degree but I think I need another in travelball...:) Many thanks and blessings again:)
quote:
Originally posted by Dr. Old School
CRBM13,
Don't feel like you are asking for too much on here. Regardless of what people feel this board is for, it is most for helping parents with this kind of stuff. I would have to say Stan would agree with that.
At this point, I don't think you are in a "Stepping on anyone's toes" situation. If you reach out to a team and someone else thinks they have your son, that team will typically say "Well, I thought XXXXX team had him on their list?" Then you know who to reach out to next.
If I were you, I would go to this one tomorrow:
http://www.nwgabaseball.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24204
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I would reach out to Jim Merkling, jimmerkling@ecindians.com, http://www.ecindians.com to see what the status of the 16U Indians is.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You can also send an e-mail to Guerry at: eastcobbgb@aol.com and ask if he knows which team may have interest in your son after the tryouts.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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| CRBM13 |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 14:15:14
You all have been amazing! I have heard from two coaches...still working on reaching out to others. The information you all have provided has been invaluable...I thank you so much! |
| BaseballIsMyLife |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 11:34:42
CRBM13, you absolutely NEED to call on the coaches, particularly of the teams you have an interest in. Nothing will happen if you don't. The normally strong ECB teams (excluding the Astros) that are playing at the 16U level are the Titans, Tigers, Yankees and Braves. The rest are decent teams, some better than others, such as the Bulldogs, Dirtbags, Angels, Rangers etc. You need to reach out. |
| klhmlh |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 13:25:42
Go to forums on this site where teams are looking for 16u and 17u players.
http://www.nwgabaseball.org/snitz/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=22
http://www.nwgabaseball.org/snitz/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=65
There are many many teams looking for players like your son. Most of the ECB teams are looking for players but there is a lot of other teams also looking. Last year my son didn't go to the ECB tryouts just went to work-outs for different 16u ECB teams and got asked to play. Once he accepted we had to play the 125.00 try fee. |
| Dr. Old School |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 12:57:27
CRBM13,
Don't feel like you are asking for too much on here. Regardless of what people feel this board is for, it is most for helping parents with this kind of stuff. I would have to say Stan would agree with that.
At this point, I don't think you are in a "Stepping on anyone's toes" situation. If you reach out to a team and someone else thinks they have your son, that team will typically say "Well, I thought XXXXX team had him on their list?" Then you know who to reach out to next.
If I were you, I would go to this one tomorrow:
http://www.nwgabaseball.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24204
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I would reach out to Jim Merkling, jimmerkling@ecindians.com, http://www.ecindians.com to see what the status of the 16U Indians is.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You can also send an e-mail to Guerry at: eastcobbgb@aol.com and ask if he knows which team may have interest in your son after the tryouts.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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| Dr. Old School |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 12:45:08
agent21,
No I am not saying that every player will be drafted, but every player does get brought up in the draft asking who has chosen them. If no one says anything, Guerry, or whoever is running the draft will say "Ok,who still needs players? Why don't you take this kid?" If no one takes them, then they want to know why in case the parents call and want to know. They need information to provide back.
Whether you like Guerry or not, his objective has always been to offer a place for every kid that comes over to play. Even if that means having 20 players on a team. He would expect the coaches to manage around that. Now where the conflict comes is that many coaches don't want to carry that many because it requires them to "Manage" playing time, which is work and does not allow you to always just keep your best players in there. That is where the gap comes in.
As for this year's draft, I am not sure if it has happened. If it has not, it should be very soon. I would have expected it to have been this week. |
| Newbie BB Mom |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 11:10:54
This topic was discussed last year at about this time. Thought I'd post the link for those who are interested:
http://www.nwgabaseball.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17235
Dr. Old School, do you know whether the daft has happened yet this year? I'm just wondering when ECB's team page on their website will switch to the new year and the teams will announce their new rosters. |
| agent21 |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 10:18:01
Dr. -- are you saying that every player who attends tryouts will be drafted onto a team, even if it is a start-up, low level team? We never heard a word via phone or e-mail from anyone last year -- after ponying up the $$ and spending 2 full days in the blazing son. Makes me wonder if his old coach had him "locked up" then never called. Trust me, he is a AAA/Major player and has been for the past 3 years. We are happy so all's well that ends well. Just think it would benefit others to know possible outcomes. |
| Dr. Old School |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 08:59:08
CRBM13,
Did teams talk to him at the tryouts? If so, I would reach out to those teams to see if they were interested. Sitting back and waiting is not the thing to do at this time. That will only lead to getting dropped through the cracks.
One other post mentioned looking at the High School section for teams still needing players. This is a good idea as well.
If you don't hear from someone right after the tryouts, that means no one has you on their short list. Your next opportunity to get picked up by one of the teams is during the draft when they go through each player on the registration list to determine which team they have committed to. When they come to a name on the list that no one has picked up, they look to see who still needs someone. That may or may not be a good fit for you. If you are pro-active and reach out to some of these teams that still need players, ahead of the draft, at least you get to see whether that is a good fit for you or not, and they get to see him. I know this is a learning experience and I agree that there should be a better communication process. It would not take a lot to make the process better. It would just take someone owning it. |
| throwaway |
Posted - 08/16/2012 : 21:47:15
Look at the forums for high school age teams that need players. Get the contact info for the 16u ECB team coaches and send them an email. Many teams hold a spot or two so let them know you are interested in playing and see if they want a closer look at him. Worth a try at least. |
| CRBM13 |
Posted - 08/16/2012 : 20:43:11
Any info appreciated...He is just so committed to playing baseball period! He has a great attitude (not jut saying that because I am his mom)...I have been told by many coaches, several pro's an members of ECB staff how "coachable" and natural his ability is...so yes, I agree, ECB should have been more up-front with how this whole try-out thing works...we have waited a year for this...would have called for private try-out if we have known...
Wow...you learn everyday I guess:)
quote:
Originally posted by agent21
CRBM13 Welcome to the ECB scam -- we were in the same boat last year. Unbelievable that ECB would not have some procedure via e-mail or otherwise to inform you about status and inform you in advance of the possibility of not making a team at all. That is fine as long as you know it going in. BTW, my son is and has been consistently on AAA/Major teams. We found a great non-ECB fit.
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