How do you get noticed by scouts?

[AcidLake]

I'm basically unfamiliar with how the players get noticed by scouts... Can anyone tell me about it? Thanks

[Jake Patterson]

I'm basically unfamiliar with how the players get noticed by scouts... Can anyone tell me about it? Thanks
Two things I learned in baseball:
1. Real talent never goes undiscovered.
2. You can only supress talent for so long.

The answer to your question is play well. If you do you'll get noticed.

[bbjunkie]

If you're that good, your coach (assuming you're in HS) should get you noticed. They talk to college coaches all the time.

[scorekeeper]

Its interesting how this same question gets treated on different bulletin boards. There is a board where the guy who started perfect game posts, and when this question was asked there, nearly everyone responded by saying players need to go to as many showcases and big tournaments as possible.

The whole issue started with a person asking a question about how his 17YO, 6’4”, 90MPH throwing, with 3 other great pitches, son could get noticed by D1 schools or MLGB scouts to get drafted out of HS. When I responded much the same way as those here did, saying I couldn’t conceive of a player here in Ca with those credentials, if they were real, being missed, it ended up getting me kicked off the board for starting trouble.

When push comes to shove, eventually things seem to have a way of always getting back to $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. IMHO, great players don’t need to do squat. Everyone will know who they are, and go to them. After those guys, things get a bit murkier, but still, there are a lot of schools that know who’s the real deal.

The trick to me is, what the player is looking for. If he just wants to keep playing in college and doesn’t need any financial help, there’s a lot of places to do that. If he needs some help, the options are more limited, but there’s still a lot of places out there.

[Mark H]

It wasn't hsbbweb was it? I agree, the very top players don't need help to get noticed. The next level is a different story.

[Chris O'Leary]

I'm basically unfamiliar with how the players get noticed by scouts... Can anyone tell me about it? Thanks

In terms of the pros, you will get noticed if you are really good.

All pro scouts have networks of guys who filter recommendations up the chain. In most cases, to get the ball rolling all you have to do is play HS baseball and play well. If you are good, someone will notice you and come to check you out.

The person who recommends you could be your coach, the coach of the opposing team, or someone who comes to the game and who is connected.

It's really hard to be a diamond in the rough any more.

[Chris O'Leary]

The whole issue started with a person asking a question about how his 17YO, 6’4”, 90MPH throwing, with 3 other great pitches, son could get noticed by D1 schools or MLGB scouts to get drafted out of HS. When I responded much the same way as those here did, saying I couldn’t conceive of a player here in Ca with those credentials, if they were real, being missed, it ended up getting me kicked off the board for starting trouble.

I agree with this.

In terms of pro scouting, in most cases you don't need to go to showcases to get noticed (unless you really pull it together toward the end of the season). Generally, the good guys are noticed during a standard HS (or college) season.

The only thing a showcase or summer league might do is give higher-ups in a scouting organization a chance to get a look at you in person.

[scorekeeper]

It wasn't hsbbweb was it? I agree, the very top players don't need help to get noticed. The next level is a different story.

A lot depends on the definitions of “top” players. This is only my opinion, but I’m convinced that any Sr HS starter CAN play in college. Mebbe they can’t all play for big D1 schools, but between the JUCOs, NAIA’s, and lower level NCAA schools, there’s a lot of spots open.

For players who want the big boys courting them, they’d better have lots of “connections”, or be pretty darn good. After that, players who want a ‘ship might need to do something, but for the most part, if what they really want to do is play ball and get some college course in, they can do that any number of ways.

[BallCoach06]

Being a high school coach, I can tell you I have contact with college and pro people all the time. They call about players on my team and also about players that we play against.

The advice given so far is pretty good. Don't try to get noticed. If you do, you will put pressure on yourself that is not needed. This is a hard enough game as it is.

My advice is this: Play hard every play. Anticipate the play before it happens. Be a leader, both verbally and non-verbally (Communicate). Be coachable. Hustle!

For all of those things you do not have to be a great athlete to accomplish. If you can do these things, then you can focus the rest of the time working hard on improving your game.

Believe it or not, when I am contacted, it is usually about those things, not stats. These people usually know the players stats, but they want to know about the intangible stuff.

Another good tidbit. College and pro people want to see a solid infield warmup. A lot will only watch that and leave, especially the pro scouts. So, that is your time to shine. They also want to see how you handle adversity. They want to see how you handle making an error or striking out. Do you bounce back or does one play ruin you for the rest of the game.

Showcases can help get you noticed, but if you can play, people will find you.

[dougmac]

Getting noticed by pro scouts and college coaches can be helped by going to a "TOP" showcase. If you get invited to the Area Code Games or some of Perfect Games showcases, then by all means you should go. The reason is that these events are seen by hundreds of pro scouts and college coaches. The time to go to these events is the summer after your Junior year in High School. It is especially helpful for the young player who wants to play D1 baseball, as the events listed are covered by almost every D1 college in the country and it will give a kid the chance to be seen by all instead of just a few.
If you are really good, the pro scout will find you, as he is out looking every day, but the college coach gets tied up at school with his team and sets aside certain events to attend each year and that is where you will want to be. If you just go play on your high school team and wait for the colleges to call, you will be overlooked by most schools.

I have had two sons go to college on scholarships and it saved our family a lot of money. If it had not been for the Area Code event, my pocket book would be about $100,000 lighter. Don't believe the guy who says that they will come to you. Be proactive as a parent and go to the best events and it will give your kids a better opportunity and will help old Dad save a lot of cash.
If they don't get offered a scholarship by a college, you can go the JC route which is not expensive and keep grinding and hope for a scholarship after your Soph year in JC.
Todays market is not the same as it was 30 years ago when word of mouth got a kid a ride to school.

[GFK]

Doug, thanks for the insight from a Scout's perspective!

Just out of curiousity, how many 2A schools have you ever visited to watch a player?

Everything I read from parents of players that do make a D1 or higher placement talk about a proactive approach and attending showcases. Most direct others to not count on the HS coach to handle bringing in college coaches and scouts.

[swingbuster]

They can hide in some ways ...our last scholarship baseball player was the HS football QB and many other things. HE was throwing 84 but winning at HS level as far back as the 8th grade.

HE got a JUCO scholarhip and he hits 90 now. He just never had the time or coaching.

If he was hitting 90 in HS and / or 6-4 he might have had an easier time

On balance...he is where he needs to be ...the system can work. What they are learning now is what others knew about his MIND and heart. THat is the part that is a sleeper at times.

THey put him in as the closer with the game tied in the top of the 9th with the bases loaded and 0 outs Friday night. He got a ground out, pop up and strike out and they scored in the bottom to win

I was happy for him. I asked if he was nervous??" Not really" he said..

[dougmac]

Doug, thanks for the insight from a Scout's perspective!

Just out of curiousity, how many 2A schools have you ever visited to watch a player?

Everything I read from parents of players that do make a D1 or higher placement talk about a proactive approach and attending showcases. Most direct others to not count on the HS coach to handle bringing in college coaches and scouts.


GFK, I see players at D2 and NAIA schools quite often. They give scholarships at D2 and NAIA schools too and many of those schools go to the top showcases also. One of the best college hitters in the country is in Lewiston Idaho at an NAIA school, and I have been in there for three games and I am going back again next week. As far as coaches bringing me in........no, I go where my follow list sends me. My follow list was put together by myself and nobody else.

As far as helping your own son.......get proactive and send him to the bettter showcases and to the camps of the schools he has interest in. Have him take the SAT early.....don't wait until his Senior year. Prepare your kid and yourself.......it is your duty as a parent. Don't leave it up to the HS Coach or you may be left getting a student loan.

We can teach our kids how to swing a bat and pitch a ball all day long, but if they are not seen, they may never get to play at a school they may very well have been able to compete at if Dad had been proactive.

[handyman11]

A good attitude is important ...have a friend who's son is at an SEC school now ....was scouted as a junior ...started riding a teammate who made a bad play ....scout got up , told the person who brought him there not to waste his time anymore ,,,,,likewise had a softball player who went 0-4 at a college showcase ...still had alot of interest from schools after the game , and asked one why they wanted to talk to her after such a bad game ... they said that she kept the team up , fielded well, and kept her composure , even after having a bad game at the plate ...

[scorekeeper]

Getting noticed by pro scouts and college coaches can be helped by going to a "TOP" showcase. If you get invited to the Area Code Games or some of Perfect Games showcases, then by all means you should go. The reason is that these events are seen by hundreds of pro scouts and college coaches. The time to go to these events is the summer after your Junior year in High School. It is especially helpful for the young player who wants to play D1 baseball, as the events listed are covered by almost every D1 college in the country and it will give a kid the chance to be seen by all instead of just a few.
If you are really good, the pro scout will find you, as he is out looking every day, but the college coach gets tied up at school with his team and sets aside certain events to attend each year and that is where you will want to be. If you just go play on your high school team and wait for the colleges to call, you will be overlooked by most schools.

I have had two sons go to college on scholarships and it saved our family a lot of money. If it had not been for the Area Code event, my pocket book would be about $100,000 lighter. Don't believe the guy who says that they will come to you. Be proactive as a parent and go to the best events and it will give your kids a better opportunity and will help old Dad save a lot of cash.
If they don't get offered a scholarship by a college, you can go the JC route which is not expensive and keep grinding and hope for a scholarship after your Soph year in JC.
Todays market is not the same as it was 30 years ago when word of mouth got a kid a ride to school.

I just want to be sure what you’re saying here. If you get “INVITED”, as in its free, you should go. I completely agree! Free is good.

But what about players who don’t get invited and will have to pay the tournament or showcase fees on top of the travel expenses? Are you trying to say Johnny who’s a pretty decent player but definitely not draft or D1 material should lay out whatever its gonna cost, and then do it maybe 4-5 time a year?

And how about the guys who have “connections”? I have a friend who’s father-in-law was a D2 coach for 20+ years and literally knows everybody who’s anybody for thousands of miles around. A couple other boy’s dad’s recently retired from the ML after pretty illustrious careers. Should they blow off any help they can definitely get from their “network” because their gonna get their kids seen by a bunch of scouts and coaches traveling 500-1000 miles to showcases?

I don’t have a problem with players and parents doing everything possible to get everything they can, but I do have a problem with players and parents laying out a bunch of money unnecessarily.

I also have a problem with schools doing “favors” for people who are literally millionaires and can afford any amount of money to go to any school in the country, sucking up ‘ships, while kids who really need the ride can only get 1/3.

For a world beater in North Dakota, I can see why he’d risk some dollars to go to Az for a few tourneys/showcases, but it seems pretty disingenuous for any of these organizations to lead people on, giving them the idea that they’re paying $1,000 for a guaranteed $100,000 education.

[Thor]

If you want to get noticed by college scouts, ask to play on the team's summer league team AND GET GOOD GRADES. If you can't meet the admissions standards, your chances of getting in are slim to none and slim is out of town. If you want to get noticed by scouts, find one and ask what coach to play for in the summer.

[dougmac]

I just want to be sure what you’re saying here. If you get “INVITED”, as in its free, you should go. I completely agree! Free is good.

But what about players who don’t get invited and will have to pay the tournament or showcase fees on top of the travel expenses? Are you trying to say Johnny who’s a pretty decent player but definitely not draft or D1 material should lay out whatever its gonna cost, and then do it maybe 4-5 time a year?

And how about the guys who have “connections”? I have a friend who’s father-in-law was a D2 coach for 20+ years and literally knows everybody who’s anybody for thousands of miles around. A couple other boy’s dad’s recently retired from the ML after pretty illustrious careers. Should they blow off any help they can definitely get from their “network” because their gonna get their kids seen by a bunch of scouts and coaches traveling 500-1000 miles to showcases?

I don’t have a problem with players and parents doing everything possible to get everything they can, but I do have a problem with players and parents laying out a bunch of money unnecessarily.

I also have a problem with schools doing “favors” for people who are literally millionaires and can afford any amount of money to go to any school in the country, sucking up ‘ships, while kids who really need the ride can only get 1/3.

For a world beater in North Dakota, I can see why he’d risk some dollars to go to Az for a few tourneys/showcases, but it seems pretty disingenuous for any of these organizations to lead people on, giving them the idea that they’re paying $1,000 for a guaranteed $100,000 education.

The only event that is free is the Area Code Games, and even then if you make the team, you will have to pay for your travel expenses hotel room and food while at the event. Most all of the top events cost money, and that is a fact of life today. If you don't want to pay for the "good' showcase, you can always pay for the 4 years of college out of your own pocket. As far as the former major leaguers go, Greg Vaughn's son was at the Area Code games, and so was Greg.......he is a bright guy and was more than happy that his son made the team.

If you have a problem paying for a showcase, you can stay away and then pay for your son's education out of your own pocket. If you are looking for a free-bee, you are out of luck.

As far as getting a scholarship as a favor goes........coaches get paid to win and if you start giving rides to guys that can't play, you end up in the unemployment line.

[TG Coach]

If you're that good, your coach (assuming you're in HS) should get you noticed. They talk to college coaches all the time.

Only if they're really good coaches and constantly providing a pipeline. A lot of high school coaches are clueless in this area.

[scorekeeper]

Would you explain what it takes to get on the area code team?

Don’t make like I’m against free enterprise or these special events, because I’m not. Let’s forget the AC’s for now and concentrate on all the tournaments and showcases. Who is going to get any “real” value out of attending?

Should every player go? If that’s the case, its not a big deal. If not every player, which ones? If a kid lives in Ia and is getting scouted and recruited fairly well, I’d say go for it because instead of maybe only getting a few offer from local schools, maybe he could get some offers from schools in other parts of the country too.

But if a kid isn’t drawing yawns from scouts or recruiters but is a decent player, why should dad start plunkin’ down the bucks? What I’m trying to say is, there is a point of diminishing returns where it just doesn’t make a lot of sense to keep throwing money away. It twists my drawers just a bit to see some of these organizations taking money from kids they almost positive won’t be doing much but throwing away their money.

The way some people make it sound, everybody that goes to these things is gonna get a full ride to a big D1 school, get an education worth 6 figures, and that just isn’t the case.

I’m all for players going as far as they can and getting everything they deserve. I’m not for people trying to give parents and kids the idea that all they have to do is show up and they’re on a CWS bound team with a full ride.

[TG Coach]

For college:

First, there are the absolute studs who can go wherever they want. Robert Stock could have picked his school. Every college coach in the country knows who he is. If a player isn't Junior National level, chances are he's only known in his region unless there are connections somewhere (relocated college teammate turned coach, alumni, etc.) Notice even in the top conferences most of the players are from the state or neighboring state of the college. When you see a college with a group of players from a faraway state, there's some kind of connection. Louisville has several players from the Miami area. The head coach who just left for South Florida is from Miami.

The way to get visibility outside your region is play some showcase ball. A kid from a small island off the coast of Maine was somewhat unknown until he played in a showcase. Every school noticed a 6'4" pitcher hitting 97mph. He had his choice of rides. Instead of college, he was one of the top selections in the draft. The showcase got him from sort of known to a multi-million dollar pick.

Another way is use every connection you have. Obviously this is easier if you/your dad played college ball, or you know people connected to the game.

Some players go to collegiate summer baseball camps. Before signing up for these you need to know if it's a serious camp or a come one, come all fundraiser for their spring trip.

For pros:

You never know who's a scout. If you're not in a major area, the umpire may be an associate scouts who turns over names to the regional scout.

Someone mentioned scouts watch how players conduct themselves from the moment the player takes the field for pregame. The scout is looking for work ethic and leadership.

Easiest way to be discovered:

Play Legion ball and collegiate summer ball with a five tool, future first round pick. Then play well in front of the scouts. There were a lot of scouts at our games for three years of Legion and two years of summer ball.

[TG Coach]

It twists my drawers just a bit to see some of these organizations taking money from kids they almost positive won’t be doing much but throwing away their money.

The way some people make it sound, everybody that goes to these things is gonna get a full ride to a big D1 school, get an education worth 6 figures, and that just isn’t the case.

I’m all for players going as far as they can and getting everything they deserve. I’m not for people trying to give parents and kids the idea that all they have to do is show up and they’re on a CWS bound team with a full ride.

I was looking at profiles for a showcase organization a couple of former teammate's sons (now playing D1) played in. There were about twenty very detailed analysis' of quality D1 prospects. Then under "Others", there were summaries for about 80-100 more players. There were middle infielders with 7+ 60 times. There were pitchers with 82mph fastballs. There was no way these kids were going D1.

A kid from our high school did something very intelligent. He was an decent high school pitcher. He went to a D3 showcase and received a lot of notice. I'd say the kid had a grasp of reality. He just wanted four more years of ball.

[TG Coach]

all you have to do is play HS baseball and play well. If you are good, someone will notice you and come to check you out.

All you have to do is play exceptionally well and dominate if you want to play D1. If you want to play D3 being all-conference will do. Playing Legion or select travel in high school is even better.

[GFK]

GFK, I see players at D2 and NAIA schools quite often. They give scholarships at D2 and NAIA schools too and many of those schools go to the top showcases also. One of the best college hitters in the country is in Lewiston Idaho at an NAIA school, and I have been in there for three games and I am going back again next week. As far as coaches bringing me in........no, I go where my follow list sends me. My follow list was put together by myself and nobody else.

As far as helping your own son.......get proactive and send him to the bettter showcases and to the camps of the schools he has interest in. Have him take the SAT early.....don't wait until his Senior year. Prepare your kid and yourself.......it is your duty as a parent. Don't leave it up to the HS Coach or you may be left getting a student loan.

We can teach our kids how to swing a bat and pitch a ball all day long, but if they are not seen, they may never get to play at a school they may very well have been able to compete at if Dad had been proactive.

Doug, you sort of answered my question in a roundabout way. I was talking about AA HS's. The HS's around my area are 2A and 3A. The 2A within my school district has not placed a player in any sport on any sort of athletic scholarship for as long as I can remember. I hear what you are saying about being proactive. It is obvious the coaches are not going to be proactive in getting their kids seen. It is really not a dig against them. They are not connected and are not running highly competitive programs.

The baseball players in our area that want to advance usually play showcase teams in the Dallas area during the summer. My boss's son stays in Dallas during the summer months to play on a showcase team. He ended up with a D2 or D3 scholarship to a Texas college that supposedly is a feeder system for UT. He more than likely spent more money getting the kid seen that he will save on the scholarship. That's OK. His intent was to help the boy continue to play!

[bbjunkie]

Only if they're really good coaches and constantly providing a pipeline. A lot of high school coaches are clueless in this area.

You're probably right. I was basing my post on our HS coach. He's a former D1 pitcher and has coached in some pretty prestigious forums. When he has promising players, colleges know about them.