How do I get started?

[carlton]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I didnt know where to post this so I just posted it here. If you can, try not to flame me :)

Okay, I grew up playing baseball. Love to play it. Always been my dream to play pro. How do I get started? I'm only 22 years old so I got plenty of time. This has been my dream every since I was a child. To play professional baseball. I;m like an emply slate. Guide me :)

Right now, I'm focusing on training. I'm not in no shape to play right now. But its my plan to be ready by next year. I want to either be a pitcher or play 3rd base. Those are the two positions I mainly played growin up.

Any information is good because I want to go after my dream. Thank you and God bless :)

[cbenson5]

Where are you from?
What is your experience? i.e. Where have you played before?

I assume you mean that you want to catch on with some type of independent league.

[carlton]

I'm from the states, Georgia to be exact. Only experience I have and I dont know if you can call this experience, are the years I played growing up and that one year i played in high schol, which was four years ago. So I dont have any real experience. But once I get physically ready, I want to play

[cbenson5]

If you are not currently living in the States then you probably know far more about baseball in your area than I do.

In the U.S., you can find independent leagues offering tryouts. It usually comes with a registration fee and you have to provide your own equipment. Most places only accept people who have played college ball or some form of Pro ball before. For example there was a tryout in College Park, GA on the fifth of this month, but it was only for people currently playing College ball or with previous Pro experience.

You just have to find an Independent League offering tryouts who will accept all applicants. Then if you impress them, they will invite you back for intersquad play. Then, maybe, just maybe a team will offer you a contract. Unless you are just an incredible talent, the odds are overwhelmingly against you catching on. Sorry, but I have to tell you that. Being 22 with no real experience, it will be hard for you to catch on. I would never tell you not to chase your dream. But, don't plan on baseball providing you with an income.

[Agente Libre]

I don't want to sound like a downer, but 22 is actually on the old side for beginning a pro career, and teams generally only sign players during specific times of the year.

In your case, I would highly recommend you work on getting yourself into the best possible shape in time for the open tryouts MLB and independent league teams hold during Jan./Feb./March/April. There are probably 100 or more open tryouts held each year during those months, almost all of which are held in Florida and Arizona spring training sites.

If you get yourself into shape and save enough money between now and Jan. 2009 for a trip through the Florida tryouts, you'll at least give yourself an honest chance. Good luck.

[carlton]

I thought me being 22 (i turn 22 next month) was still pretty young. But where do I find these independent leagues

[cbenson5]

I thought me being 22 (i turn 22 next month) was still pretty young. But where do I find these independent leagues

No, 22 is old for a guy just getting started in baseball. Where do you live now? Where are you capable of traveling? You can find a tryout for an independent league in almost any state in the Union. For example, there is one in Macon Ga tommorow and one in Montgomery AL tomorrow. As Agent Libre said, open MLB tryout are usually early in the year. The Atlantic League, Can-Aam League, American Association, and the Frontier League are all done for the year to my knowledge.

[carlton]

i live in Atlanta, Georgia. but right now I cant do anything because i'm in no shape right now. if i do anything it will be in 09. i just need a starting point.

[NewEnglandAmazins]

First of all, Welcome to Baseball-Fever. I believe you should check out the Baseball 101, Coaching & Fundamentals (http://www.baseball-fever.com/forumdisplay.php?f=53) sub-forum, there are some regulars there that can point you in the right direction for you to get started. Good Luck.:baseball:

Link:
http://www.baseball-fever.com/forumdisplay.php?f=53

[DownUnderDodger]

Also welcome from me carlton, and good luck with your ambition.

Hope I am not putting a dampner on your ambition but MLB scouts generally look for players already showing talent while in their teens. Example, quite a number of young Australians have been signed by MLB organisations at ages 17-18, and these guys have spent some time at an MLB Academy in Australia before being considered/signed.

At 22 you are going to have to show some exceptional talent. In saying that I again wish you every success in your ambition.

[twinsfan09]

You could tryout for the St. Paul Saints next year they usually hold tryouts in March or April. Their an indpendent team in the American Association.