anybody her been to major league or independant league tryouts?

[conky149er]

i plan to attend alot not this year, but the year after so, 2011 i think


how hard are they and how tough is it to get signed?


what typcially do you do that them (im talking about drills)

[Knights Baseball]

They have you run the 60, hit, field, depends on where you go. I imagine that it is pretty difficult to get signed considering that you will be playing pro ball. I don't know how most scouts feel, but i talked to the Duke coach a few years ago and he said that if you are under 5'10 then you better be able to fly. Most people say that you only need one to two exceptional tools. Try outs are a great way to get your name out there.

[kylebee]

I went to a open Golden Baseball League tryout with a few friends who had legitimate shots of playing indy ball a few years ago. They ran the 60, contact to first, contact to second, took 8-10 BP cuts, and fielded one or two positions (infielders had radar guns used on them). Catchers recorded 3-5 pop time trials, caught bullpens for guys, tested for blocking technique, caught towering flyballs behind them, and fielded bunts. Pitchers took fielding practice before throwing in the bullpen (radar guns and cameras used).

[tip184]

I don't think the Major Leagues hold tryouts for anybody who wants to play in the MLB. You've got to work your way up in the Minors first.

[conky149er]

I don't think the Major Leagues hold tryouts for anybody who wants to play in the MLB. You've got to work your way up in the Minors first.

no they do

they hold lots of open tryouts :D


i heard only about 3-5 people get signed at each event though

[conky149er]

They have you run the 60, hit, field, depends on where you go. I imagine that it is pretty difficult to get signed considering that you will be playing pro ball. I don't know how most scouts feel, but i talked to the Duke coach a few years ago and he said that if you are under 5'10 then you better be able to fly. Most people say that you only need one to two exceptional tools. Try outs are a great way to get your name out there.

what if you can hit for average like Tony Gwynn?


he is the player i model myself after

not a big guy but just can hit everyhthing


i also play OF (mostly LF or RF) or bakcup 1stbase

[Knights Baseball]

If you can hit like tony gwynn, i would def. consider that an exceptional tool. Hit for average, hit for power, field, throw, and run are the five tools. I would go for the outfield during the tryout. I also would be counting on the fact that they sign 3 to 5 players.

[conky149er]

If you can hit like tony gwynn, i would def. consider that an exceptional tool. Hit for average, hit for power, field, throw, and run are the five tools. I would go for the outfield during the tryout. I also would be counting on the fact that they sign 3 to 5 players.

thats for the MLB ones i know


it depends how good the talent is


ive heard at a bad tryout, 1 guy mgith get signed but at most its 3-5


im unsure of the minor league ones


like hitting for contact is not a issue to me, if its near the stirkezone, im gonna put the bat on the ball, i just need to hit for more power




honestly im excited to tryout and see how i fare

[cubsphill]

Do you have a clip of your swing, Tony?

[conky149er]

Do you have a clip of your swing, Tony?

hahaaha names not tony

chris

no, unfortunatley i dont, but im working on getting my hands on a video camera :D

[cubsphill]

hahaaha names not tony

chris

no, unfortunatley i dont, but im working on getting my hands on a video camera :D

"what if you can hit for average like Tony Gwynn?


he is the player i model myself after

not a big guy but just can hit everyhthing"

;)

[Knights Baseball]

Good Luck at the try out.

[conky149er]

Good Luck at the try out.

thank you:clapping

[dominik]

I don' know what a trial looks like. I guess there are many tests.

But I think the most important thing(unless you are a pitcher) is that you can hit the **** out of the ball. If you are not a powerfull hitter it will be almost impossible to get there.

Being fast, tall or a good fielder helps too of course but I think the most important thing is that you hit very good and powerfull.

Of course if you are a great average hitter you can still make it if you are fast and a good fielder. Look a Ichiro for example.

[CoachB25]

About 100 years ago, I went to some. I was an "invited player." That means when you sign in, you show them the voucher and they put you into a grouping of like invited players. I don't know if they still do that or not. You have the skills part which then included 40 yard sprint, throw from the OF to home and a throw from 3rd in the hole to first. All timed then but I'd assume gunned now. After that, you hit. I've thrown some of these for the Texas Rangers and the Diamondbacks and so, I was asked to put it in there with some stuff on it BUT basically put it on a tee for them. I threw to players that made it to my field which was basically for those that had progressed. I had nothing to do with the rest of the tryouts. Pitchers went elsewhere. In the final stage of the tryouts, pitchers threw to hitters and a "game" was played. They did that when I helped out as well.

From all of that not MORE THAN 3 kids signed. NOT MORE THAN 3 KIDS!

Some players will be put of a "follow up sheet" that is mailed out to area scouts. I don't know what really happens from that. I made one of those sheets and was actually followed for a short time. I simply was not good enough.

[Knights Baseball]

The way a scouts look at it is that if you are young, big and muscular, and have a pretty good fountain as far as baseball goes, then they want you. They have the best coaches in the pro systems and they can make you what they want if you aren't already. That being said, if you don't have the super man body or have some age on you, then you better be a great baseball player. Now, independent ball may have a different view because they may be looking for players that have the talent to play, no matter what they look like. But I don't know that. It seems that MLB would be more interested in what you can become and indy ball what be concerned with what you are now.

[kylebee]

The way a scouts look at it is that if you are young, big and muscular, and have a pretty good fountain as far as baseball goes, then they want you. They have the best coaches in the pro systems and they can make you what they want if you aren't already. That being said, if you don't have the super man body or have some age on you, then you better be a great baseball player. Now, independent ball may have a different view because they may be looking for players that have the talent to play, no matter what they look like. But I don't know that. It seems that MLB would be more interested in what you can become and indy ball what be concerned with what you are now.

Indy ball teams want young players as well because they make their money from selling contracts to the minor league affiliates. Sure, there's some 40+ year old players on the team, but they are player-coaches and have certainly seen plenty of years in the pros.

[Knights Baseball]

That sounds right, i havent had any experience with indy ball. My first coach in college tried out for the Newark team when he got out of college and he said Lance Johnson was at his tryout. He said that was the fast man he had ever seen and Johnson was like forty years old

[kylebee]

That sounds right, i havent had any experience with indy ball. My first coach in college tried out for the Newark team when he got out of college and he said Lance Johnson was at his tryout. He said that was the fast man he had ever seen and Johnson was like forty years old

We're fortunate enough to have a pretty young indy league up here in the PacNW - the Pacific International League (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Pacific_International_League) is a strong summer college program. The Seattle Studs (http://www.seattlestuds.com/roster) are one of the better programs around here and has mostly solid JuCo players on it who are looking for some stiff minor league-caliber competition (comparable to some Low-A players) with wood bats before they move on.

[Jake Patterson]

We're fortunate enough to have a pretty young indy league up here in the PacNW - the Pacific International League (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Pacific_International_League) is a strong summer college program. The Seattle Studs (http://www.seattlestuds.com/roster) are one of the better programs around here and has mostly solid JuCo players on it who are looking for some stiff minor league-caliber competition (comparable to some Low-A players) with wood bats before they move on. Kyle, I think this would be referred to as a summer league and not an Indy league. "Indy" leagues are typically lower level professional leagues with paid players.

[Knights Baseball]

Yeah, Indy is professional. I heard that you hardly make any money, but you do get to say you pay pro ball.

[kylebee]

Kyle, I think this would be referred to as a summer league and not an Indy league. "Indy" leagues are typically lower level professional leagues with paid players.

Yeah, I suppose so. The players in the PIL are pretty high quality, though. The closest thing around here would be the Golden Baseball League (GBL) in Calfornia, but it's a new league.

[omg]

From all of that not MORE THAN 3 kids signed. NOT MORE THAN 3 KIDS!



Unfortunately, seldom will even one player get signed out of a mlb tryout camp. But I strongly suggest you go to as many as possible just to see how you stack up. Ask the guys running it how you did and chances are you will receive a fair answer.

[TG Coach]

no they do

they hold lots of open tryouts :D


i heard only about 3-5 people get signed at each event though

On a good day one player gets signed. Since you don't hit for power, do you run the sixty yard dash under seven seconds? If not, you will probably be sent packing after you run the sixty. It's one of the first things done at a tryout camp. Without power you should be down around 6.6 or less. Just curious, what's your height and weight? Have you been first team all-conference or all-state in baseball?

[conky149er]

On a good day one player gets signed. Since you don't hit for power, do you run the sixty yard dash under seven seconds? If not, you will probably be sent packing after you run the sixty. It's one of the first things done at a tryout camp. Without power you should be down around 6.6 or less. Just curious, what's your height and weight? Have you been first team all-conference or all-state in baseball?

where is live (Southwestern Ontario, unfortunately) we don't really have a concrete system setup (where like there is all conference or all provincail team) here. Unlike in Toronto or in Quebec or BC where there is a team for the whole province and such

right now im about 5'8, 200 pounds but im working hard on loosing my tire around my gut


ive never been clocked in the 60 yard dash, right now it would be quite hard since there is a foot of snow outside

really my whole training has been reduced to some tee work and some light weight lifting

[tip184]

no they do

they hold lots of open tryouts :D


i heard only about 3-5 people get signed at each event though

Could you name me some players that signed MLB contracts during the past few seasons right out of tryouts?

[tip184]

The way a scouts look at it is that if you are young, big and muscular, and have a pretty good fountain as far as baseball goes, then they want you. They have the best coaches in the pro systems and they can make you what they want if you aren't already. That being said, if you don't have the super man body or have some age on you, then you better be a great baseball player. Now, independent ball may have a different view because they may be looking for players that have the talent to play, no matter what they look like. But I don't know that. It seems that MLB would be more interested in what you can become and indy ball what be concerned with what you are now.

The process of picking people because they are strong looking and demanding more of players for those who are short sounds like discrimination to me. Why don't they just look at the player's ability, and decide whether he is any good based on that ability?

[tip184]

where is live (Southwestern Ontario, unfortunately) we don't really have a concrete system setup (where like there is all conference or all provincail team) here. Unlike in Toronto or in Quebec or BC where there is a team for the whole province and such

right now im about 5'8, 200 pounds but im working hard on loosing my tire around my gut


ive never been clocked in the 60 yard dash, right now it would be quite hard since there is a foot of snow outside

really my whole training has been reduced to some tee work and some light weight lifting

Hmmm...

What is your age? If you are 16 to 18, I strongly recommend playing with whatever Premier Baseball League of Ontario team is in your region. From what I've heard it is pretty expensive, but they have qualified coaches and travel to the states to participate in winter tournaments against various colleges. Here is their website: http://www.leaguelineup.com/divisionlist.asp?url=pblo&divisionid=319218

If you are older than 21, I recommend the Senior Intercounty Baseball League. It can be a glorified beer league with bench clearing brawls and 30 year olds acting like idiots, but the calibre of ball should be high enough to prepare you for a professional season. Here is their website: http://theibl.ca/.

Keep in mind that both of these leagues probably require a lot of commitment, and you represent your city or area when you play so they probably have tryouts. Now is a great time to start asking questions to people in charge and training indoors in preparation for the season. Good luck!

[Knights Baseball]

tip,

I agree with the talent should be a big factor and it is. For example, if you have a 6'0, 195 first basemen that is a great player, most scouts wilL believe that the player has already reached his physical peak and therefore doesn't have huge upside . Then you have a 6'3, 200 first basemen that is not as good, but is younger and has a good fame that a bunch of muscle can go on. If their athletic ability is similar, the scouts will almost always have the 6'3 player higher because they believe that if the farm systems give both players the same instruction and weight training, then the big guy will become the better player. It isn't an exact science, that is way you have guys like Mike Piazza that is drafted in one of the last rounds and goes on to a hall of fame career. Then you have guys like Brien Taylor, who are number one overall and never make it past AA

[tip184]

tip,

I agree with the talent should be a big factor and it is. For example, if you have a 6'0, 195 first basemen that is a great player, most scouts wilL believe that the player has already reached his physical peak and therefore doesn't have huge upside . Then you have a 6'3, 200 first basemen that is not as good, but is younger and has a good fame that a bunch of muscle can go on. If their athletic ability is similar, the scouts will almost always have the 6'3 player higher because they believe that if the farm systems give both players the same instruction and weight training, then the big guy will become the better player. It isn't an exact science, that is way you have guys like Mike Piazza that is drafted in one of the last rounds and goes on to a hall of fame career. Then you have guys like Brien Taylor, who are number one overall and never make it past AA

Pedro Martinez is another great example. The Dodgers dumped him because he was too small, and he went on to have legendary seasons with the Expos and Red Sox.

[Knights Baseball]

Yeah, Don Mattingly and John Bench were both drafted late, too

[conky149er]

Could you name me some players that signed MLB contracts during the past few seasons right out of tryouts?

well, i cant think of any since most end up being in the minor leagues, but i believe there was one guy who signed a contract right out of tryouts and ended up as a hall of famer i belive

and thats just what a guy told me, 3-5 at a good tryout

[HYP]

Pedro Martinez is another great example. The Dodgers dumped him because he was too small, and he went on to have legendary seasons with the Expos and Red Sox.
I agree size is a factor but there is hope. Look at Pedroia I think they have him listed some where around 5'8" 185lbs, but I think it's more like 5'7" 175lbs. The one thing he had that most kids don't have is an extreme work ethic.

[conky149er]

I agree size is a factor but there is hope. Look at Pedroia I think they have him listed some where around 5'8" 185lbs, but I think it's more like 5'7" 175lbs. The one thing he had that most kids don't have is an extreme work ethic.

id have to say i have above average work ethic you know but im working hard on freeing up more time so i can train more

he is one of the guys i try to follow, same with Matt Stairs, its good because small players are getting much more of a look these days

[Knights Baseball]

Yeah, a good way to look at it is that if you have a short coming in one area you need a great area to off set it.under size - good work ethic. No power-great runner or fielder, although i think it is widely known that in the minors and majors, hitting is usually king. Only exception may be catcher

[Knights Baseball]

with your size, you may want to try catcher. I talked to a braves scout when i was coming through and he told me that catching was the easiest position to get drafted in. I was bat blind of course

[korp]

no they do

they hold lots of open tryouts :D


i heard only about 3-5 people get signed at each event though
The tryouts are for basically a minor league contract. I have never heard of them signing somebody at one of the tryouts and being sent straight to the majors. Major league teams will host them however for some future talent though.

They aren't really tough workouts. Like somebody said they basically run people through and if you have something that stands out then you could get talked to.

[Knights Baseball]

I know a player from columbia that went to Cinnci Tryouts all the time, and a reds scout actually started following him in our tournaments. Anyway, he said that most of the people there were a joke. He said that there were only a hand full that were serious baseball players at the tryout.

[kylebee]

I know a player from columbia that went to Cinnci Tryouts all the time, and a reds scout actually started following him in our tournaments. Anyway, he said that most of the people there were a joke. He said that there were only a hand full that were serious baseball players at the tryout.

That's surprising, actually. The Padres have run open tryouts up here in Seattle @ the Everett Aquasox (short-season A-ball) stadium. I've been there once with my friend who played indy ball and was trying out as a catcher. The crowd in general looked pretty solid with no real jokes there - most were 19-20 year old JuCo players, PIL players, or a few retreads who were former pros trying to get back into the system. Lots of guys who could mash in BP, but they were only really looking for pitchers, I guess.

[cubsphill]

with your size, you may want to try catcher...

He'd better drop some weight first. You don't see many overweight catchers in pro baseball.

[conky149er]

He'd better drop some weight first. You don't see many overweight catchers in pro baseball.

yea i no im working on that


but


here is the problem


IM A LEFTY



yes im cursed, so ive sort of been limited to outfield and firstbase

bat right and throw left, you dont see that very often

[conky149er]

The tryouts are for basically a minor league contract. I have never heard of them signing somebody at one of the tryouts and being sent straight to the majors. Major league teams will host them however for some future talent though.

They aren't really tough workouts. Like somebody said they basically run people through and if you have something that stands out then you could get talked to.

oh i no, i know that they wont every get to the MLB right away, if at all, but a minor league contract is good enough for me:D

[conky149er]

with your size, you may want to try catcher. I talked to a braves scout when i was coming through and he told me that catching was the easiest position to get drafted in. I was bat blind of course

if i really worked at playing catcher (ive played lots of backup catcher, i can catch pretty good off guys that throw hard and i can call a game pretty well, i just cant get my throws good), do you think hte scotus would overlook the fact im a lefty?

[dominik]

no way. There hasn't been a lefty catcher for 50 years.

Loose some weight and work on your speed, fielding and hitting. Try your best and see what you get.

Maybe you could post a swing vid here. There are some experts on this board who can help you.

[conky149er]

no way. There hasn't been a lefty catcher for 50 years.

Loose some weight and work on your speed, fielding and hitting. Try your best and see what you get.

Maybe you could post a swing vid here. There are some experts on this board who can help you.

fielding, im really good at, just my arm, its below average


im trying to get a digital camera so the swing experts can help me but im just curious, what kind of camera do you guys use?


i mean like a digital camera were you have like 1 minute of video or a real video camera

[dominik]

I do only have a normal digital camera. It's bad, but I posted a vid here. I'm sure a friend or relative or you has such a cam and will make some vids from you with it if you ask him.

It's better than nothing. For an OK digital camcorder you will have to pay at least 150 bucks. maybe some of your friends got one, or you buy a used one at ebay.

The more frames it has the better.

[cubsphill]

if i really worked at playing catcher (ive played lots of backup catcher, i can catch pretty good off guys that throw hard and i can call a game pretty well, i just cant get my throws good), do you think hte scotus would overlook the fact im a lefty?

how will you throw a guy out when he attempts to steal 3b? you wont.

[conky149er]

how will you throw a guy out when he attempts to steal 3b? you wont.

i know, i was just saying

[kylebee]

He'd better drop some weight first. You don't see many overweight catchers in pro baseball.

Brian McCann is fairly overweight, and quite a good player. :)

Of course, I agree with what you're saying 100%.

[Knights Baseball]

If you are a left, you should start getting your arm stronger. A left that throws hard would def. stand out. I was reading baseball america and they used mike redman as proof that anyone who throws lefthanded and has some speed could be drafted.

[Knights Baseball]

Yeah, but he can hit a ton and he has already dropped like thirty pounds this off season

[TG Coach]

ive never been clocked in the 60 yard dash, right now it would be quite hard since there is a foot of snow outside.

really my whole training has been reduced to some tee work and some light weight lifting



You avoided my points and questions very well. Here's a simple question: Since you don't hit for power, are you a speed burner on the bases who can cover gap to gap playing centerfield? Are you considered an elite player in your province in your age group?

You're making excuses. The weather is not indusive to outside training where I live. My son is doing speed, agility and strength training in addition to hitting indoors four days a week.

[TG Coach]

and thats just what a guy told me, 3-5 at a good tryout

He's wrong.

[TG Coach]

if i really worked at playing catcher (ive played lots of backup catcher, i can catch pretty good off guys that throw hard and i can call a game pretty well, i just cant get my throws good), do you think hte scotus would overlook the fact im a lefty?

Conky, do you have any idea how hard it is just to get signed to a minor league contract? Or is this just a dream? As a 5'8" lefty who doesn't hit for power you need to be a .400+ hitting, speed burner who can go gap to gap defensively in center. Either that or throw 87 or better on the mound. Let's deal in reality here. How close are you to any of this?

[Knights Baseball]

If he is that small, wouldn't he need to run like a 6.8 or under to stand out. I always heard that you need an exceptional tool and if speed is his, doesnt he need to run well under a 7.0 because that is the major league average.

[TG Coach]

If he doesn't hit for power he better have a lot of speed in his game. To be allowed to stay for the entire day at a tryout camp he'll have to run a sub 7 sixty at the start of the day.

[Knights Baseball]

That is what i thought, i know that i heard you need atleast one exceptional tool to get signed or drafted. And that exceptional tool needs to be exceptional by mlb standards. But you obvviously need to have a baseball base and be capable of becoming a good player. Otherwise, olympic track stars would be sogned all the time.

[gwynnfan]

I am surprised that AL teams don't sign them. Most Al teams don't pinch hit much. Redsox and Yankees almost never do. Why wouldn't you want a speedster to pinch run in the 8th or 9th to run for Ortiz, Varitek, Youkilis or Lowell? I am surprised that they did not pick up Taveras. He probably got 3.5 to 4 mil for 2 years. He is an 80% career ( better last year ) SB. But don't you think they could sign someone for league minimum who is faster. These guys are world class athletes shouldn't one of them be able to learn the skill to also handle left field for an inning or 2?

[kylebee]

I am surprised that AL teams don't sign them.

....

But don't you think they could sign someone for league minimum who is faster. These guys are world class athletes shouldn't one of them be able to learn the skill to also handle left field for an inning or 2?

The Athletics tried this with Herb Washington (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb_Washington), who broke the 50 and 60-yard dash world records multiple times. It was a dismal failure (http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/washihe01.shtml).

It just goes to show you that stealing bases isn't simply a function of speed.

[ChinMusic]

These guys advising you don't know squat.

Some basics:

1) send a thank-you card to the team conducting the try-outs. Nobody does this and it gives you a real advantage.

2) contact the ACLU in advance of the tryout and see if they'll take your case in the rare event that you don't get signed. Remember, Americans hate Canadiens and this kind of prejudice can work to your advantage. Dont' believe me? Have you ever seen South Park the movie? We all think that way down here.

if that doesn't work (which i doubt it won't), your last tactic, and this requires a little preparation beforehand, is to find out which coach has a teenage daughter and then, during tryouts, casually mention to that individual that you have great color pics of his little girl getting it on with the guy currently hitting taters out of the cage. Be dead serious when you're saying this. Works every time.

Let me know how it goes and you can thank me later.

[NY16CATCHER]

It was a yearly ritual for me from the age of 16 until I was 24 to go to various open tryouts, sometimes 4-6 per year. Some I was "invited" to, others I went to the open tryout like anyone else. I was fortunate to have 2 close relatives as major league scouts and front office staff, so I was often able to get some feedback from the organization I was working out for that sometimes regular participants might not get. If you are fortunate to get feedback, take it to heart and use it to better yourself. I had a bunch of second looks, invitations to additional tryouts, etc. but never got a contract offer.

The key question to me is "do you do anything that is particularly special in comparison to the most elite players you know?". If that answer is yes, you may get more than a passing glance. Otherwise, you are just another in a large pool of very talented players who just aren't major league material.

I was a catcher and defensively was EXTREMELY strong. I could throw out very quick baserunners from my knees regularly. I had worked hard on my arm strength and my transfer and release and it was very good. The ability I had to throw and play defense always got me a second glance or look from the scouts. It's the advantage of being a catcher. But I wasn't fast, and didn't hit for tremendous power.

One key is to know the organization you are trying out for. Look at their draft and signing patterns. Watch their style of play at the big league level, does your skill set fit that style? Do they sign the small ball, quick running defensive guys or do they look for big hulking sluggers? It'll tell you pretty quick what kind of a remote shot you might have at opening an eye there. If you aren't the type of player they draft and sign, you probably don't have much of a shot.

It's a good educational experience (and a humbling one at that) for even the best of amateur players and something I'd recommend to those who are talented enough to think they might have some sort of shot.

[Knights Baseball]

Is this guy serous? The first suggestion may be a keeper, but the rest is the craziest thing i have ever heard.

[tip184]

TG Coach, you're being rude and obnoxious. You falsely accused conky of not answering your questions, when he told you his height, weight and that he hadn't gotten the chance to be timed on the 60 year dash. You lied when you said he avoided your points and questions. Also, what makes you think that your points deserve any more attention than what other people here have written? Scolding someone because you think they didn't listen to you is proof that you have an inflated ego.

Maybe conky hasn't found an indoor facility yet. You might think he's making excuses, but the reality is that it is very hard to train for baseball in sub-zero weather. You should recognize your son's chance to train indoors as a priviledge that not every athlete has.

Finally, we are between Christmas and New Years, so now is the perfect time to dream big and make bold plans for the future. With so many people trying out, the odds are against anyone making a professional squad. With that being said, I salute conky for having high ambitions and for pursuing a physically active lifestyle. Even if he doesn't make a professional team, he will still have an amateur baseball career to fall back on.

[conky149er]

Conky, do you have any idea how hard it is just to get signed to a minor league contract? Or is this just a dream? As a 5'8" lefty who doesn't hit for power you need to be a .400+ hitting, speed burner who can go gap to gap defensively in center. Either that or throw 87 or better on the mound. Let's deal in reality here. How close are you to any of this?

+400. yes, i think im close to that, getting the bat on the ball is what i do best, i do cover ALOT of ground in the outfiled, i am a pull hitter but hitting the opposite way im training alot on


this isent a dream, a dream is something you hope wil happen, this is a goal because im going to make it happen

[conky149er]

You avoided my points and questions very well. Here's a simple question: Since you don't hit for power, are you a speed burner on the bases who can cover gap to gap playing centerfield? Are you considered an elite player in your province in your age group?

You're making excuses. The weather is not indusive to outside training where I live. My son is doing speed, agility and strength training in addition to hitting indoors four days a week.

i think id be considered a elite player in the city, not nessicarilly in the province

im working on training hard on power hitting, adding muscle, im really working for this

[conky149er]

If he doesn't hit for power he better have a lot of speed in his game. To be allowed to stay for the entire day at a tryout camp he'll have to run a sub 7 sixty at the start of the day.

guy im working on that, i told you im workign hard on dropping weight and adding msucle and im starting to try and run sprints

[conky149er]

TG Coach, you're being rude and obnoxious. You falsely accused conky of not answering your questions, when he told you his height, weight and that he hadn't gotten the chance to be timed on the 60 year dash. You lied when you said he avoided your points and questions. Also, what makes you think that your points deserve any more attention than what other people here have written? Scolding someone because you think they didn't listen to you is proof that you have an inflated ego.

Maybe conky hasn't found an indoor facility yet. You might think he's making excuses, but the reality is that it is very hard to train for baseball in sub-zero weather. You should recognize your son's chance to train indoors as a priviledge that not every athlete has.

Finally, we are between Christmas and New Years, so now is the perfect time to dream big and make bold plans for the future. With so many people trying out, the odds are against anyone making a professional squad. With that being said, I salute conky for having high ambitions and for pursuing a physically active lifestyle. Even if he doesn't make a professional team, he will still have an amateur baseball career to fall back on.

exactly, i dont see why you care so much what other people do

dont be so negative

[cubsphill]

guy im working on that, i told you im workign hard on dropping weight and adding msucle and im starting to try and run sprints

I'm sorry but because you're Canadian and you said "guy" I instantly thought of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2rdQDVmBFg&feature=related

[Knights Baseball]

I don't know about comparing yourself to Canada elite players. I don't know how much talent yall have, but i would compare myself to the players that have been drafted before. I would find someone that has my physical stats and try to develop the same package, as far as talent and tools, as they had.

[conky149er]

I don't know about comparing yourself to Canada elite players. I don't know how much talent yall have, but i would compare myself to the players that have been drafted before. I would find someone that has my physical stats and try to develop the same package, as far as talent and tools, as they had.

well i wasent comparing myself but if i had to it would be matt stairs

http://www2.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/players/Matt_Stairs/

see, similar phyical stats, cant run at all but i can probalby hit for more average and he hits for more power

so

i guess just work on hittign for power because he really is just a glorified softball player:laugh

[Knights Baseball]

Well that power is probably the reason he was notice. A coach i use to have said it best, " To be picked up by the pros, you have to be a man among boys". That means that you need to stick out like a sore thumb against the baseball players that you play with, against, in your area, etc. I also talked to a coach coach in the Acc and he said that if you are under 5'10, then you better be able to fly.

[Knights Baseball]

I also would be so quick to say that you could prob hit for more average. If you look at the average scrub in the minors, even they were beast in high school. Every one in the pros was great compared to the average player, the scouts look for people who could be good to great among the average pro.

[conky149er]

Well that power is probably the reason he was notice. A coach i use to have said it best, " To be picked up by the pros, you have to be a man among boys". That means that you need to stick out like a sore thumb against the baseball players that you play with, against, in your area, etc. I also talked to a coach coach in the Acc and he said that if you are under 5'10, then you better be able to fly.

alright


well, i guess ill tryout for the track and field team this year at school, start to run more

i would say i do stick out more so than other because ive seen coaches on the other team go to the mound to talk to the pitcher before i come to bat

but, im gonna work hard on running, so i can get 6.8 or 6.6 in the 60 yard dash

[Knights Baseball]

Hey, i read in a book that most high school guys can take up to .8 seconds for their forty time in as little as eight weeks. Find someone who can train you and you could take a dramatic amount of time off of your sixty time. No guarantee though

[conky149er]

Hey, i read in a book that most high school guys can take up to .8 seconds for their forty time in as little as eight weeks. Find someone who can train you and you could take a dramatic amount of time off of your sixty time. No guarantee though

will do:D



the question is who......

[Knights Baseball]

Try a trainer at a gym.If that can't or doesn't work and you have no more options, just bye a book, read it, and try the exercises. Form running, plyometrics, strength training. Find one that is baseball specific if you can.

[conky149er]

Try a trainer at a gym.If that can't or doesn't work and you have no more options, just bye a book, read it, and try the exercises. Form running, plyometrics, strength training. Find one that is baseball specific if you can.

plyometrics, really running and strenthg training are thigns ive never doen beofre you no


really ill i ever did was batting practise but ive been reading up on plyometric training myself and im gonna work on it

[Knights Baseball]

how old are you?

[conky149er]

how old are you?

17 and a hlaf

[TG Coach]

TG Coach, you're being rude and obnoxious.

I'm being real. I sense a kid who likes baseball and therefore wants to be a pro baseball. Yet, I'll guess he's as far removed from being a prospect as typical kid playing ball and has no idea of the talent level involved in being a prospect.

Conk .... Here's the reality of the situation. I'm sorry if I like to deal in reality and others would rather be warm and fuzzy and not deal with reality. The only excuse for not getting the work done is not wanting it enough. It's tough enough many who want it badly don't get it. A 5'8", 200 pound kid who needs to lose weight and isn't busting his hump every day doesn't want it badly enough. Anything else is just excuses.

Reality:

Less than three in 50, or about 5.6 percent, of high school senior boys interscholastic baseball players will go on to play men's baseball at a NCAA member institution.

Less than eleven in 100, or about 10.5 percent, of NCAA senior male baseball players will get drafted by a Major League Baseball (MLB) team.

Approximately one in 200, or approximately 0.5 percent of high school senior boys playing interscholastic baseball will eventually be drafted by an MLB team.

[conky149er]

I'm being real. I sense a kid who likes baseball and therefore wants to be a pro baseball. Yet, I'll guess he's as far removed from being a prospect as typical kid playing ball and has no idea of the talent level involved in being a prospect.

Conk .... Here's the reality of the situation. I'm sorry if I like to deal in reality and others would rather be warm and fuzzy and not deal with reality. The only excuse for not getting the work done is not wanting it enough. It's tough enough many who want it badly don't get it. A 5'8", 200 pound kid who needs to lose weight and isn't busting his hump every day doesn't want it badly enough. Anything else is just excuses.

Reality:

Less than three in 50, or about 5.6 percent, of high school senior boys interscholastic baseball players will go on to play men's baseball at a NCAA member institution.

Less than eleven in 100, or about 10.5 percent, of NCAA senior male baseball players will get drafted by a Major League Baseball (MLB) team.

Approximately one in 200, or approximately 0.5 percent of high school senior boys playing interscholastic baseball will eventually be drafted by an MLB team.
whats your point here

i am busitng my hump everyday, i do somehting every day to better myself as a ballplayer

[TG Coach]

whats your point here

Strongest point: approximately 0.5 percent of high school senior boys playing interscholastic baseball will eventually be drafted by an MLB team.

That's one half of one percent. Let's give you the benefit of the doubt. Can you honestly say you're in the top 2% of all seventeen year old high school age players in your province? What level of travel are you playing? I know enough about Canadian travel baseball to understand your response about your travel team.

[conky149er]

whats your point here

Strongest point: approximately 0.5 percent of high school senior boys playing interscholastic baseball will eventually be drafted by an MLB team.

That's one half of one percent. Let's give you the benefit of the doubt. Can you honestly say you're in the top 2% of all seventeen year old high school age players in your province? What level of travel are you playing? I know enough about Canadian travel baseball to understand your response about your travel team.

i cant play travel ball, its too expsnsive

its over $1500 a year where i live, way to expensive

[tip184]

i cant play travel ball, its too expsnsive

its over $1500 a year where i live, way to expensive

It will be a lot more expensive to play professional baseball. Lost wages, travel, physical examinations, etc. will all add to a huge cost for the amount and intensity of labour you put in.

[conky149er]

It will be a lot more expensive to play professional baseball. Lost wages, travel, physical examinations, etc. will all add to a huge cost for the amount and intensity of labour you put in.

yes, this is true

[omg]

i cant play travel ball, its too expsnsive

its over $1500 a year where i live, way to expensive

Ask a travel coach if you can be part of the team (maybe just practice, and keep score or coach first) and you don't have the money to pay. A lot of coaches are reasonable, good hearted people and you might get lucky. Kind of a work scholarship.

I wouldn't pay $1500 either just on the principle of it. Isn't there something else like legion? $1500? To play on a baseball team? I played high level competitive amateur ball from the time I was 16 through 20 years old. I never paid a penny and never had to buy a bat or helmet either. What happened?

[conky149er]

Ask a travel coach if you can be part of the team (maybe just practice, and keep score or coach first) and you don't have the money to pay. A lot of coaches are reasonable, good hearted people and you might get lucky. Kind of a work scholarship.

I wouldn't pay $1500 either just on the principle of it. Isn't there something else like legion? $1500? To play on a baseball team? I played high level competitive ameteur from the time I was 16 through 20 years old. I never paid a penny and never had to buy a bat or helmet either. What happened?

come to think of it, that might not be such a bad idea

my friend mike just started showing up to practices last year and our coach eventually let him fill in and he just stuck around

never played any games because the league commissioner would allow it, but if he did, he would have been on the team with out paying a dime

[gwynnfan]

Conk if you are looking for a place to practice. I used to practice during the winter throwing the ball in a warehouse my friends Dad owned. See if someone you know has someplace you can go at night with a friend. If not maybe asking the owner if you could trade using his warehouse for some cleaning or painting etc. Most of the time they have a security guard there to let you in and out.

[TG Coach]

i cant play travel ball, its too expsnsive

its over $1500 a year where i live, way to expensive

So answer the other question. Are you in the top 2% of talent in Ontario?

[conky149er]

So answer the other question. Are you in the top 2% of talent in Ontario?

probably not, but niether are you so dont be such a pesimict

[conky149er]

Conk if you are looking for a place to practice. I used to practice during the winter throwing the ball in a warehouse my friends Dad owned. See if someone you know has someplace you can go at night with a friend. If not maybe asking the owner if you could trade using his warehouse for some cleaning or painting etc. Most of the time they have a security guard there to let you in and out.

good idea, thanks:nod:

[AutographCollector]

probably not, but niether are you so dont be such a pesimict

He's a parent and a coach so I highly doubt that he is in the percentile for 17 yr olds in Ontario. And another thing, he doesn't live in Canada. If your going to "attack" someone please do your research first. :crazy

[dominik]

@ conky
Just try it. Maybe the odds for you are nor good, but if you try really hard....
I don't know. Maybe you still fail, maybe you not.
Better find it out now than regretting it later. Give your best to improve and see what happens.

Just be sure that you don't neglect your academic studies or career fo just playing ball.

And try to get that camera:)(maybe borrow it or buy a used one on ebay)

[TG Coach]

probably not, but niether are you so dont be such a pesimict

You may not realize it, but I'm trying to help you get a grip on what's real and what isn't. The information I provided was real. The questions I've asked are real based on experience as a player, a coach and talking to college coaches and scouts. I've coached 18U travel with the entire team going on to college ball. As for myself I was in the top percentile. I played college ball in a big program. I was trying to help you. I'll stop after providing one piece of advice.

Assess where you are now as a player. If you're not the best player in your conference you probably have a long way to go to achieve your dream. Being the best player in your conference is not a guarantee you're good enough, but it's a measure of some sorts. First and foremost you should enjoy the game and focus on being the best player you can be. Then look up the ladder; best player on team, best player in conference, best player in area. But it takes a lot of commitment and training, not just saying you want to do it. If you should become so good you can become a pro player there will be plenty of other people saying you have the tools. You will stand out. There are very few surprises at tryout camps. The signees at tryout camps are usually players who have been signed in the past and cut.

If I saw a 5'8", 200 pound player who says he wants to be a pro I'd expect him to be hitting bombs because I'm not expecting him to run like the wind. Kirby Puckett was a very rare exception to the rule. But he hit bombs too.

[conky149er]

He's a parent and a coach so I highly doubt that he is in the percentile for 17 yr olds in Ontario. And another thing, he doesn't live in Canada. If your going to "attack" someone please do your research first. :crazy

i wasent attacking him, he was attacking me


im just using his own ignorance agaisnt him

[conky149er]

@ conky
Just try it. Maybe the odds for you are nor good, but if you try really hard....
I don't know. Maybe you still fail, maybe you not.
Better find it out now than regretting it later. Give your best to improve and see what happens.

Just be sure that you don't neglect your academic studies or career fo just playing ball.

And try to get that camera:)(maybe borrow it or buy a used one on ebay)

exaclty, unlike TG Coach, i dont care about failure, i just wanna see what im really made of

[conky149er]

You may not realize it, but I'm trying to help you get a grip on what's real and what isn't. The information I provided was real. The questions I've asked are real based on experience as a player, a coach and talking to college coaches and scouts. I've coached 18U travel with the entire team going on to college ball. As for myself I was in the top percentile. I played college ball in a big program. I was trying to help you. I'll stop after providing one piece of advice.

Assess where you are now as a player. If you're not the best player in your conference you probably have a long way to go to achieve your dream. Being the best player in your conference is not a guarantee you're good enough, but it's a measure of some sorts. First and foremost you should enjoy the game and focus on being the best player you can be. Then look up the ladder; best player on team, best player in conference, best player in area. But it takes a lot of commitment and training, not just saying you want to do it. If you should become so good you can become a pro player there will be plenty of other people saying you have the tools. You will stand out. There are very few surprises at tryout camps. The signees at tryout camps are usually players who have been signed in the past and cut.

If I saw a 5'8", 200 pound player who says he wants to be a pro I'd expect him to be hitting bombs because I'm not expecting him to run like the wind. Kirby Puckett was a very rare exception to the rule. But he hit bombs too.
well ok but you come off very mean and negative about things sometimes

[TG Coach]

well ok but you come off very mean and negative about things sometimes

Reality can be very harsh. I've seen plenty of very talented baseball players at the high school and then college level, go no further in the game. To be honest, based on your posts I'm questioning your talent level. I'm very surprised a kid can get to age seventeen with your dream and have no idea about the process.

[omg]

Reality can be very harsh. I've seen plenty of very talented baseball players at the high school and then college level, go no further in the game. To be honest, based on your posts I'm questioning your talent level. I'm very surprised a kid can get to age seventeen with your dream and have no idea about the process.

TG is correct but there is hope. Played with a guy who began rec ball at 14, played jv through eleventh grade, drafted his senior year. Another guy: passed over 7 times in the draft because he never broke 80. 8th time got drafted-2 years later was in the bigs.

[conky149er]

TG is correct but there is hope. Played with a guy who began rec ball at 14, played jv through eleventh grade, drafted his senior year. Another guy: passed over 7 times in the draft because he never broke 80. 8th time got drafted-2 years later was in the bigs.

exaclty

im sayign there are alot of other leagues outside of the MLB, like the european league in Holland and Italy and the pro league in Korea

[TG Coach]

How can a player be passed over seven times? There are only four times he's eligible for the draft assuming he goes to a JuCo before a four year program.

1) after high school
2) after two years of JuCo
3) After junior year of college
4) after senior year of college

As for the fourteen year old rec player, it doesn't matter what the talent level is at fourteen. I've seen fourteen year old puss throwers turn into eighteen year old flamethrowers. As for the pitcher who got drafted throwing just over 80, this is very rare. He had to have pinpoint command of his pitches.

Notice both your examples are pitchers. MLB organizations take more chances on pitchers. Is Conky the fourteen year old with four years to develop major velocity or the pitcher with pinpoint command of his pitches? I don't think he's either. I believe he's an overweight, singles hitting corner infielder.

Here's another reality about signed position players. Since most were the best in high school, most position players in college and the pros were either shortstops or centerfielders unless they hit bombs or were catchers.

[OneTeam OneDream]

Look man, you've been given advice and you haven't really wanted to take it.

If you are really 17 years old, you should have a better grasp on what you want to do and how you want to do it.

Long story short, unless you really start improving in something to where you stand out...it ain't gonna happen.

I'm 30 now, but when I was your age I was left handed, 6ft 210, throwing 88-92 with a (according to multiple scouts) major league curve. Was invited to and attended 10-15 camps a year between my sophomore and senior years. Only went to one I wasn't invited to. As a high school junior I was competing with college seniors...I stood out.


I was told I was going to be a day one draft pick. Didn't happen. Never got an explanation.

Went to college for 2 years and decided I'd take my chances in the independent league.

Was the #3 pick in the Frontier League draft. (ok, not really a big deal, but its something) Left before signing a contract and hung up my spikes.

This wasn't to "brag" this was to show you that the statistics that TG coach is showing you are true. Even the so called "superstars" don't make it. So you've got to be realistic and then don't give up.

[omg]

How can a player be passed over seven times? There are only four times he's eligible for the draft assuming he goes to a JuCo before a four year program.

1) after high school
2) after two years of JuCo
3) After junior year of college
4) after senior year of college

As for the fourteen year old rec player, it doesn't matter what the talent level is at fourteen. I've seen fourteen year old puss throwers turn into eighteen year old flamethrowers. As for the pitcher who got drafted throwing just over 80, this is very rare. He had to have pinpoint command of his pitches.

Notice both your examples are pitchers. MLB organizations take more chances on pitchers. Is Conky the fourteen year old with four years to develop major velocity or the pitcher with pinpoint command of his pitches? I don't think he's either. I believe he's an overweight, singles hitting corner infielder.

Here's another reality about signed position players. Since most were the best in high school, most position players in college and the pros were either shortstops or centerfielders unless they hit bombs or were catchers.

I KNEW you were going to challenge the 7 times. Back in those days there was a winter draft. You're right about pitchers,though. But if Conky works his butt off he can exceed even his own expectations.

[TG Coach]

Was the #3 pick in the Frontier League draft. (ok, not really a big deal, but its something)

This is REAL perspective. In relation to everyone who ever slapped on a glove it's an accomplishment. In relation to making the majors he understands how far away he was.

How would you like to be a .300 hitting AAA middle infielder stuck in an organization with two all-star middle infielders? This was after being in another organization that preferred signing veterans to bringing up .300 hitting minor leaguers. It happened to a friend's son. He said sayonora, literally. He's now playing in Japan. He saw the clock ticking and no immediate future in MLB.

Here's some perspective. A college summer ball teammate of mine hit over .500 his junior year of college. He hit well in the College World Series. He wasn't drafted or offered a free agent signing. He was told he was too slow, didn't have enough power and his arm wasn't strong enough.

[conky149er]

Look man, you've been given advice and you haven't really wanted to take it.

If you are really 17 years old, you should have a better grasp on what you want to do and how you want to do it.

Long story short, unless you really start improving in something to where you stand out...it ain't gonna happen.

I'm 30 now, but when I was your age I was left handed, 6ft 210, throwing 88-92 with a (according to multiple scouts) major league curve. Was invited to and attended 10-15 camps a year between my sophomore and senior years. Only went to one I wasn't invited to. As a high school junior I was competing with college seniors...I stood out.


I was told I was going to be a day one draft pick. Didn't happen. Never got an explanation.

Went to college for 2 years and decided I'd take my chances in the independent league.

Was the #3 pick in the Frontier League draft. (ok, not really a big deal, but its something) Left before signing a contract and hung up my spikes.

This wasn't to "brag" this was to show you that the statistics that TG coach is showing you are true. Even the so called "superstars" don't make it. So you've got to be realistic and then don't give up.

look id be so happy with a frontier league contract

if i had said that has anyone been to a professioanl tryout, you guys probably woudl have been mroe acepting


id play pro ball anywhre, any league and id be happy

[conky149er]

Was the #3 pick in the Frontier League draft. (ok, not really a big deal, but its something)

This is REAL perspective. In relation to everyone who ever slapped on a glove it's an accomplishment. In relation to making the majors he understands how far away he was.

How would you like to be a .300 hitting AAA middle infielder stuck in an organization with two all-star middle infielders? This was after being in another organization that preferred signing veterans to bringing up .300 hitting minor leaguers. It happened to a friend's son. He said sayonora, literally. He's now playing in Japan. He saw the clock ticking and no immediate future in MLB.

Here's some perspective. A college summer ball teammate of mine hit over .500 his junior year of college. He hit well in the College World Series. He wasn't drafted or offered a free agent signing. He was told he was too slow, didn't have enough power and his arm wasn't strong enough.
TG, id be happy playing pro ball anywhere, in Japan or Frotnier Leauge, Golden Leauge, anywhere

that is my REAL perspective


but still the MLB is where everyone wants to go

[OneTeam OneDream]

Hey man, if you wanna play pro ball, no one is saying not to try....go for it..absolutely. Just know what the expectations are and do everything in your power to meet or exceed those expectations.

[TG Coach]

TG, id be happy playing pro ball anywhere, in Japan or Frotnier Leauge, Golden Leauge, anywhere

that is my REAL perspective


but still the MLB is where everyone wants to go

Since you would like to play in Japan let's compare where you're at compared where my friend's son was at the same age. He was one of the top high school players in the Houston area. He competed against Josh Beckett in high school and hit him. He went on to play at Texas and Louisiana-Lafayette. I wasn't dumbing baseball down to Japan being acceptible. I was explaining how hard it is just to get there. How do you stack up against ONETEAM's high school stats. He "only" made it to the Frontier League.

I think you're completely lacking in perspective. You have no idea how good the players are at the lowest levels of pro ball. The ones who lack what scouts consider "major skills" are selected because they have major tools like being 6'2", 195, run a 6.6 sixty, throw 90 mph or something like these things. Which of these tools do you have?

[conky149er]

Since you would like to play in Japan let's compare where you're at compared where my friend's son was at the same age. He was one of the top high school players in the Houston area. He competed against Josh Beckett in high school and hit him. He went on to play at Texas. I wasn't dumbing baseball down to Japan being acceptible. I was explaining how hard it is just to get there. How do you stack up against ONETEAM's high school stats. He "only" made it to the Frontier League.

I think you're completely lacking in perspective. You have no idea how good the players are at the lowest levels of pro ball. The ones who lack what scouts consider "major skills" are selected because they have major tools like being 6'2", 195, run a 6.6 sixty, throw 90 mph or something like these things. Whick of these tools do you have?

yea i know how good these guys are at the lower levels, i udnersntad that, im not stupid, i happend to talk to guys in the fronteir leauge when there was a team in my town, i talked to guys when there was a Candain Baseball league team in my town, i know how good they are, so i know what it takes to get there, so dont say i have no idea. thats what im workign towards. you seem to have this retarded idea that i want to compete as i am right now, when im shooting more 4 years off into the future, when i actually have time to train full time.

ive already answered all your questions and all you have done is basically shotdown what ever ive said, so im not goign to repeat my self for you

[omg]

Since you would like to play in Japan let's compare where you're at compared where my friend's son was at the same age. He was one of the top high school players in the Houston area. He competed against Josh Beckett in high school and hit him. He went on to play at Texas and Louisiana-Lafayette. I wasn't dumbing baseball down to Japan being acceptible. I was explaining how hard it is just to get there. How do you stack up against ONETEAM's high school stats. He "only" made it to the Frontier League.

I think you're completely lacking in perspective. You have no idea how good the players are at the lowest levels of pro ball. The ones who lack what scouts consider "major skills" are selected because they have major tools like being 6'2", 195, run a 6.6 sixty, throw 90 mph or something like these things. Which of these tools do you have?

Conky,

Please follow this 3 step process in order to reach your goals:

1) Print this thread,make several copies, and use a highlighter on the biggest points,good and bad.
2) Post them on your refrigerator, in your bedroom, bathroom, and locker.
3) Don't give up.

[conky149er]

Conky,

Please follow this 3 step process in order to reach your goals:

1) Print this thread,make several copies, and use a highlighter on the biggest points,good and bad.
2) Post them on your refrigerator, in your bedroom, bathroom, and locker.
3) Don't give up.

ok but how do i make this thread into a pritner friendly version

im low on ink

[TG Coach]

Here's some good advice. If you're not ready, and chances are you're not, apply to an American junior college or university that plays major D1 baseball and try to walk on. If they're interested in having you on the team, that's your first step to the pros.

[conky149er]

Here's some good advice. If you're not ready, and chances are you're not, apply to an American junior college or university that plays major D1 baseball and try to walk on. If they're interested in having you on the team, that's your first step to the pros.

if i want to go to college in the states dont i have have to take the SAT's and such?


my guidance councellor at my school told me id also have to take American history aswell at school, which is a full class beucase everoyne wants to go to a US college

would it be possbile to suggest a few places to look at?

[B-Fly]

How can a player be passed over seven times? There are only four times he's eligible for the draft assuming he goes to a JuCo before a four year program.

1) after high school
2) after two years of JuCo
3) After junior year of college
4) after senior year of college

As for the fourteen year old rec player, it doesn't matter what the talent level is at fourteen. I've seen fourteen year old puss throwers turn into eighteen year old flamethrowers. As for the pitcher who got drafted throwing just over 80, this is very rare. He had to have pinpoint command of his pitches.

Notice both your examples are pitchers. MLB organizations take more chances on pitchers. Is Conky the fourteen year old with four years to develop major velocity or the pitcher with pinpoint command of his pitches? I don't think he's either. I believe he's an overweight, singles hitting corner infielder.

Here's another reality about signed position players. Since most were the best in high school, most position players in college and the pros were either shortstops or centerfielders unless they hit bombs or were catchers.

can't you get drafted after your first year in JUCO also. My coach is a scout and I'm pretty sure he has gotten players signed after their freshman year at his JUCO.

[omg]

Here's some good advice. If you're not ready, and chances are you're not, apply to an American junior college or university that plays major D1 baseball and try to walk on. If they're interested in having you on the team, that's your first step to the pros.

Conky, I knew a couple of guys who played intercollegiate soccer, basketball, and baseball-Asbury College in Ky. And they were basically intramural athletes. TG is right but I don't think I would go D1 or jc-especially up there in Michigan there are some pretty fast jc teams. Maybe a religous school.

[TG Coach]

I don't want to converse in PM's. It's good board stuff.

The question: My son wants to know why you're waiting until March to swing a bat.
Your response: im waiting till march becuase that is when the snow melts

The snow melting is not a good excuse. We live in cold weather. It's too cold to throw and hit outdoors. My son works out indoors. When he's not at an indoor facility he's working out in the garage as I mentioned being on the tee this morning. He's also out on the football field two days a week after school in the cold running with a parachute attached to his waist.

You're a procrastinator. If you wait until spring you will be behind everyone who outworked you with the hard work they did in the offseason. You have the dream. You don't have the work ethic.

[TG Coach]

Conky, I knew a couple of guys who played intercollegiate soccer, basketball, and baseball-Asbury College in Ky. And they were basically intramural athletes. TG is right but I don't think I would go D1 or jc-especially up there in Michigan there are some pretty fast jc teams. Maybe a religous school.

Is Asbury a D3? Is it competitive? It's not hard to be a D3 athlete at a college that doesn't support athletics. It won't get you to the pros. If his dream is to go pro he needs to compete in the fast lane.

[omg]

Is Asbury a D3? Is it competitive? It's not hard to be a D3 athlete at a college that doesn't support athletics. It won't get you to the pros. If his dream is to go pro he needs to compete in the fast lane.

He needs to play first. Be successful. Few start in the bigs. He already has strikes against him being up in Canada. If he distinguishes himself he can test his skills in a competitive college league.

[conky149er]

I don't want to converse in PM's. It's good board stuff.

The question: My son wants to know why you're waiting until March to swing a bat.
Your response: im waiting till march becuase that is when the snow melts

The snow melting is not a good excuse. We live in cold weather. It's too cold to throw and hit outdoors. My son works out indoors. When he's not at an indoor facility he's working out in the garage as I mentioned being on the tee this morning. He's also out on the football field two days a week after school in the cold running with a parachute attached to his waist.

You're a procrastinator. If you wait until spring you will be behind everyone who outworked you with the hard work they did in the offseason. You have the dream. You don't have the work ethic.

you miss interpreted what i said


im not watiing till march to swign a bat, i have a tee set up in my garage right now that i swing on


just its hard to get someone to thorw to you in -10 weather

[tip184]

I have a couple important questions. What is your playing experience and
when was the last time you played organized baseball and what level of ball was it?

[conky149er]

I have a couple important questions. What is your playing experience and
when was the last time you played organized baseball and what level of ball was it?

i have 10 years experiance

last year was august, basically jsut high school ball

[tip184]

i have 10 years experiance

last year was august, basically jsut high school ball

Okay, so you have decent playing experience. Keep on working hard on the tee and continue learning.

[conky149er]

art howe was a succesfull guy who like me, never was drafted and went to a open tryout and signed later on

http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/howear01.shtml


http://www.baseballwise.com/club/tryoutcamp.html

[TG Coach]

art howe was a succesfull guy who like me, never was drafted and went to a open tryout and signed later on

http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/howear01.shtml


http://www.baseballwise.com/club/tryoutcamp.html

Don't start comparing yourself to players who have made it. They worked hard. You're at home sitting on your butt fearing failure. At the rate you're going you have a 1000% better chance of saying "Would you like fries with your order?" than "Sorry I can't sign anymore autographs."

[hiddengem]

you miss interpreted what i said


im not watiing till march to swign a bat, i have a tee set up in my garage right now that i swing on


just its hard to get someone to thorw to you in -10 weather


Do you have any video of your swing?

I've played pro ball for 11yrs going on 12.... Played at every level from A ball to the big leagues. Never been released one time, even though TG thinks so and I'm just an average pro player. I've read through a few of your posts...and your perspective is seriously flawed. You don't just "tryout" to go to Japan. You probably have a better chance of winning the lottery than showing up to a tryout camp univited and landing a contract. I'll give you an honest opinion of where I think you stand.

I was just at a Milwaukee Brewers workout a few days ago. There were about 30 guys there. Many of them..young guys that had been released and they wanted to take a look...Then there were guys like myself, Randal Simon, Mark Bellhorn, Robert Fick. Guys that have been around, that they specifically called to come out and get in front of their brass. Many in the organization think we may be able to help them at the big league level. This was a private workout, with an invitation only.

When you hear about a "open" workout for for a team, they do that to fill the camp and make the community think they give everybody a chance. They have a few specific guys they invite to that camp and thats who they are targeting.

If you want to go to a workout to make yourself feel good...by all means. It might be good for you..you'll get a good sense of where you stand. Most people have no idea what its like on pro field. The game looks easy on TV.

[tip184]

Look Conky, people here (including myself) have been giving you tips and advice to help you get started on this dream of yours, and all you have done is make excuses. The reasons you have offered for not going through the necessary work to make a professional contract are almost comical. Let's look back on the excuses you made for not working out, not trying, and not exploring new opportunities:

-No video camera to record swing and get analysis.
-No concrete player development system set up where I live (not true!)
-I don't know any players who made it to the pros after open tryouts because they were mostly minor leaguers.
-I'm a lefthanded thrower
-Can't get my running time recorded because of the winter weather outside.
-Don't know anyone who can train me on the sixty yard dash.
-Can't play travel baseball because of the cost; $1500 per year.
-No time to train full time.
-I have no ink to print this thread off.
-To go to college in the states I'd have to take the SAT's and American History.
-Nobody to throw to because of the weather.

Do you think it is going to be easy to make the pros? If it was so easy that you could use all the stuff listed above as excuses and still make it, countless players would have already gone down that route. In reality, it takes extreme dedication to even have a shot at professional baseball. You are wasting everybody's time by talking about this dream of yours but then letting trivial stuff such as an American history course or $1500 get in your way. There's nothing wrong with dreaming of making the pros- I do it often. Just don't waste all our time if you are clearly not willing to give the effort necessary to make it.

My suggestion to you is that you just enjoy the game at the local (house league) level. Every major city in Ontario will have a house league, maybe more than one league. You could even look into joining a SOBA (Select Ontario Baseball Association) team in August for your city and playing in some tournaments against house league players from other cities.

[TG Coach]

Never been released one time, even though TG thinks so and I'm just an average pro player.

I have a lot of respect for how far you've gone in the game. While you would be considered a career minor leaguer, you been to The Show. You've done (hit a MLB homer) what every kid dreams of. I'll guess you've probably asked for your release due to not seeing a future in a particular organization.

Regarding Japan, a friend's son just signed with a Japanese team. He asked the MLB team holding his rights to release him. His dad said he was on a chat board about the Nippon League. He commented how many posters think Japanese ball is the equivilant to semi-pro ball. His son had to try out with and beat out several AAA and former MLB players.

My friend's son got a sweet deal. Have you ever considered Japan or Korea?

[conky149er]

Never been released one time, even though TG thinks so and I'm just an average pro player.

I have a lot of respect for how far you've gone in the game. While you would be considered a career minor leaguer, you been to The Show. You've done (hit a MLB homer) what every kid dreams of. I'll guess you've probably asked for your release due to not seeing a future in a particular organization.

Regarding Japan, a friend's son just signed with a Japanese team. He asked the MLB team holding his rights to release him. His dad said he was on a chat board about the Nippon League. He commented how many posters think Japanese ball is the equivilant to semi-pro ball. His son had to try out with and beat out several AAA and former MLB players.

My friend's son got a sweet deal. Have you ever considered Japan or Korea?
if your askign me, yes absoltuely and i know for a fact that it is AAAA ball (where it is inbetween AAA and Major league)

when i said Major Leauge in the title of this all, i ment a major leauge, i consider both japan and korea's leagues as major leagues beucase tehy are really, they just arent "The Show"

[conky149er]

Don't start comparing yourself to players who have made it. They worked hard. You're at home sitting on your butt fearing failure. At the rate you're going you have a 1000% better chance of saying "Would you like fries with your order?" than "Sorry I can't sign anymore autographs."

when did i ever compare my self to him?

[conky149er]

Do you have any video of your swing?

I've played pro ball for 11yrs going on 12.... Played at every level from A ball to the big leagues. Never been released one time, even though TG thinks so and I'm just an average pro player. I've read through a few of your posts...and your perspective is seriously flawed. You don't just "tryout" to go to Japan. You probably have a better chance of winning the lottery than showing up to a tryout camp univited and landing a contract. I'll give you an honest opinion of where I think you stand.

I was just at a Milwaukee Brewers workout a few days ago. There were about 30 guys there. Many of them..young guys that had been released and they wanted to take a look...Then there were guys like myself, Randal Simon, Mark Bellhorn, Robert Fick. Guys that have been around, that they specifically called to come out and get in front of their brass. Many in the organization think we may be able to help them at the big league level. This was a private workout, with an invitation only.

When you hear about a "open" workout for for a team, they do that to fill the camp and make the community think they give everybody a chance. They have a few specific guys they invite to that camp and thats who they are targeting.

If you want to go to a workout to make yourself feel good...by all means. It might be good for you..you'll get a good sense of where you stand. Most people have no idea what its like on pro field. The game looks easy on TV.
i no you cant just tryout for japan

from what ive been told they want guys with MLB or high minor league experaince

[conky149er]

Look Conky, people here (including myself) have been giving you tips and advice to help you get started on this dream of yours, and all you have done is make excuses. The reasons you have offered for not going through the necessary work to make a professional contract are almost comical. Let's look back on the excuses you made for not working out, not trying, and not exploring new opportunities:

-No video camera to record swing and get analysis.
-No concrete player development system set up where I live (not true!)
-I don't know any players who made it to the pros after open tryouts because they were mostly minor leaguers.
-I'm a lefthanded thrower
-Can't get my running time recorded because of the winter weather outside.
-Don't know anyone who can train me on the sixty yard dash.
-Can't play travel baseball because of the cost; $1500 per year.
-No time to train full time.
-I have no ink to print this thread off.
-To go to college in the states I'd have to take the SAT's and American History.
-Nobody to throw to because of the weather.

Do you think it is going to be easy to make the pros? If it was so easy that you could use all the stuff listed above as excuses and still make it, countless players would have already gone down that route. In reality, it takes extreme dedication to even have a shot at professional baseball. You are wasting everybody's time by talking about this dream of yours but then letting trivial stuff such as an American history course or $1500 get in your way. There's nothing wrong with dreaming of making the pros- I do it often. Just don't waste all our time if you are clearly not willing to give the effort necessary to make it.

My suggestion to you is that you just enjoy the game at the local (house league) level. Every major city in Ontario will have a house league, maybe more than one league. You could even look into joining a SOBA (Select Ontario Baseball Association) team in August for your city and playing in some tournaments against house league players from other cities.

to answer some of your questions

1. i cant train full time, if you mean like 5 hours a day at the most, just that all day long i cant beucase i will be working full time

i found a friend of mine who is goign to help me run better and get time and things like that once his leg is 100% healed from that surugry he had, which will be in about a weeks time

another firned of mine who is a pitcher said just call him up to throw the ball around when he gets off work

i never said anyhting about priniting this thread off and if yo uwant me too i will

i dont understand how to take college in the states, ive already applied for college here

playing travel ball, no i cant afford that and i dont have the time commiments right now for that

i already named one player off for you

video camera, well, i start a full time job in 2 weeks, so i will have some cash in about a months time to buy one

[conky149er]

well ive thgouht abotu it and by the end of my school year, i should have a little over $4000


so

here is what i was thinking


whats the best way to practise, by hitting live baseballs right

so im thinking i will buy the Heater Deuce Machine, and a 48 foot batting cage

that will be about $1800, maybe a bit more so i can still get all my swings in on real pitches and i will have money left that i saved to go to college

what do you all think about that

[conky149er]

if you dont no what the heater deuce is

http://baseballtips.com/pitching-machines/multi-wheel/heater-deuce.htm


if you guys havent seen these

http://baseballtips.com/batting-cages/backyard/xtender.html


that backyard cages are pretty neat

[TG Coach]

to answer some of your questions

1. i cant train full time, if you mean like 5 hours a day at the most, just that all day long i cant beucase i will be working full time

i found a friend of mine who is goign to help me run better and get time and things like that once his leg is 100% healed from that surugry he had, which will be in about a weeks time

another firned of mine who is a pitcher said just call him up to throw the ball around when he gets off work

i never said anyhting about priniting this thread off and if yo uwant me too i will

i dont understand how to take college in the states, ive already applied for college here

playing travel ball, no i cant afford that and i dont have the time commiments right now for that

i already named one player off for you

video camera, well, i start a full time job in 2 weeks, so i will have some cash in about a months time to buy one


Excuses, excuses, excuses. I believe you're seventeen, maybe closer to eighteen? Are you on anyone's radar screen. If you have the potential to go pro someone would have noticed somethere along the line. Who has said you have a shot? Or are you dreaming?

I believe you once referred to yourself as a Tony Gwynn type singles hitter. Gwynn was the all-time home run leader at his high school until Chase Utley came along. That's the difference between high school and the pros.

[conky149er]

Excuses, excuses, excuses. I believe you're seventeen, maybe closer to eighteen? Are you on anyone's radar screen. If you have the potential to go pro someone would have noticed somethere along the line. Who has said you have a shot? Or are you dreaming?

I believe you once referred to yourself as a Tony Gwynn type singles hitter. Gwynn was the all-time home run leader at his high school until Chase Utley came along. That's the difference between high school and the pros.

and of course here comes the manditory pesimistic post for TG Coach

i dont no why your posting here if all your doing is shooting things down

[conky149er]

Excuses, excuses, excuses. I believe you're seventeen, maybe closer to eighteen? Are you on anyone's radar screen. If you have the potential to go pro someone would have noticed somethere along the line. Who has said you have a shot? Or are you dreaming?

I believe you once referred to yourself as a Tony Gwynn type singles hitter. Gwynn was the all-time home run leader at his high school until Chase Utley came along. That's the difference between high school and the pros.

here ill give you what you want


im on no ones radar, im a failure, i have no chance, i give up


i hope ive made you happy

[TG Coach]

and of course here comes the manditory pesimistic post for TG Coach

i dont no why your posting here if all your doing is shooting things down

I'm hitting you between the eyes with reality. You're in la la land.

[TG Coach]

here ill give you what you want


im on no ones radar, im a failure, i have no chance, i give up


i hope ive made you happy

Here's what you don't understand. It's not what I want. It's what you want. Except you don't want to do what it takes. You just want it to happen. If you had the ability to play college or pro ball a coach would have recommended it along the way.

If you don't like what I'm saying you have two choices: 1) Get off your butt and start working hard, or 2) shrivel up and die like it appears you're doing in your post. Forget about talent. I don't think you have the mental toughness.

[tip184]

here ill give you what you want


im on no ones radar, im a failure, i have no chance, i give up


i hope ive made you happy

He never called you any of those things, so stop trying to get coddling by putting yourself down.

You know what, don't worry about what TG Coach thinks of your chances. I doubt you will ever meet him, and he probably won't have any say in whether you get selected to play for a professional team. He is trying to help you by being honest, but you can't seem to handle the truth.

You are the one who is shooting down, by shooting down most of the ideas and advice people have given you. It sounds like you have plans for how to go through the necessary steps to build a playing career (videotaping, workout partner, batting cage and pitching machine). Now you need to put them into action. Also, if you don't understand how colleges in the states work, that is what a guidance councellor is paid to help you with.

Regarding printing off the thread, it was someone else who mentioned doing that and you said you didn't have the ink. If you think it is not necessary to print it off then just don't print it off. There's no point in making shallow excuses. You can have an excuse for everything, but excuses are not going to make you into a professional-caliber ballplayer.

[Jake Patterson]

Conk,
where do you live??

[conky149er]

Conk,
where do you live??

london, ontario, canada

[Jake Patterson]

london, ontario, canada There's a lot of good baseball up there. You're not that far from Detroit. This time of the year is difficult for us baseball types, with the snow, cold weather and all. Maybe a few months will give you a better perspective.

[hiddengem]

Never been released one time, even though TG thinks so and I'm just an average pro player.

I have a lot of respect for how far you've gone in the game. While you would be considered a career minor leaguer, you been to The Show. You've done (hit a MLB homer) what every kid dreams of. I'll guess you've probably asked for your release due to not seeing a future in a particular organization.

No, I've never asked for my release.

Regarding Japan, a friend's son just signed with a Japanese team. He asked the MLB team holding his rights to release him. His dad said he was on a chat board about the Nippon League. He commented how many posters think Japanese ball is the equivilant to semi-pro ball. His son had to try out with and beat out several AAA and former MLB players.

Is your friends son playing on a major league team over there or a minor league team? Normally when a player is wanted in Japan from here, they are a pretty good player and their team over here just doesn't release them for free. They usually ask the Japanese team for some money, often times a couple hundred grand.

As far as a tryout, I'm sure talent has alot do with it, but what they need is equally important.

I have many friends and former teamates that have played in Japan...they all tell me its equivalent to the higher levels of pro ball. Thats in the Majors, the minors over there is a joke. But if you are getting guaranteed money, who cares.

My friend's son got a sweet deal.
What is a "sweet" deal?

Have you ever considered Japan or Korea?
Sure, for the right price. I had an opportunity to go to Taiwan last year, but decided to stay in the states. Normally Japan and Korea are looking for a power player, or a power pitcher....30hr type of player. They have alot of middle infielder type guys.

[hiddengem]

well ive thgouht abotu it and by the end of my school year, i should have a little over $4000


so

here is what i was thinking


whats the best way to practise, by hitting live baseballs right

so im thinking i will buy the Heater Deuce Machine, and a 48 foot batting cage

that will be about $1800, maybe a bit more so i can still get all my swings in on real pitches and i will have money left that i saved to go to college

what do you all think about that

Is there not a cage in the area you can use?

[conky149er]

Is there not a cage in the area you can use?

there is but its locked during the day and only teams are alowed to open it


trust me i already tried it, i even tried to bribe the groundkeeper to let me use it when ever i want and he said no (apperntly $50 aint what it use to be)

at least this way i can get high level battign practise everyday, as much as i want

[hiddengem]

there is but its locked during the day and only teams are alowed to open it


trust me i already tried it, i even tried to bribe the groundkeeper to let me use it when ever i want and he said no (apperntly $50 aint what it use to be)

at least this way i can get high level battign practise everyday, as much as i want

Right on..Just be realistic and don't let people blow smoke up your butt. Get some legitimate advice and opinions before you starting blowing cash, unless cash isn't an issue, which it sounds like it is.

[omg]

I think we have been "punk'd" by conky. He is intentionally using lower case,misspellings and he is completely making up his excuses. He is just having fun. There are no groundskeepers working in the middle of winter in Ontario.

[TG Coach]

I think we have been "punk'd" by conky. He is intentionally using lower case,misspellings and he is completely making up his excuses. He is just having fun. There are no groundskeepers working in the middle of winter in Ontario.

Is your advice to ignore him? That's what I'm going to do. If we're not getting punk'd he's an incredible whiner.

[conky149er]

I think we have been "punk'd" by conky. He is intentionally using lower case,misspellings and he is completely making up his excuses. He is just having fun. There are no groundskeepers working in the middle of winter in Ontario.

no well i was talking about in the summer

in the winter its locked up, i tired to bribe the groundskeeper during the day in the summer, becuase no one uses it during the day

[conky149er]

Is your advice to ignore him? That's what I'm going to do. If we're not getting punk'd he's an incredible whiner.

how am i winer?


i just explained my self


ignore me if you want to though

[omg]

london, ontario, canada

Indoor battng cages and instruction London, Ontario,Canada.

http://www.centrefieldsports.com/

[Coach C]

He's got it covered OMG.

[conky149er]

Indoor battng cages and instruction London, Ontario,Canada.

http://www.centrefieldsports.com/

yea, thanks for this:D


im going to go there anyway actually once i have some moeny , which im workign on