I know it's just for Mr. & Mrs. Baseball but for us it was much earlier when summer was baseball all day every day and he didn't want to do anything else and when he returned to school in 6th grade and 7th grade the what I did for summer vacation was all baseball nothing but baseball and he thought that was cooler than the other kids trips to Disney, camping, beach etc.
If you don't enjoy the ride, you will never appreciate the destination.
Posts: 304 | Location: East Norwich, NY | Registered: December 26, 2002
It dawned on me when we got him away from our town and he was able to hold his own and contribute with the best players from other towns...and then nationally.
All these boys had the same committment and goals.
_________________________ Nothing is sometimes a good thing to do.... but always a good thing to say.
Posts: 2525 | Location: Northeast | Registered: December 31, 2002
For us it was similar to Chill. Knew he was a good pitcher, but AAU Nationals heading into Junior year...dominated. His coach looked at me at the end of tournament and said, "you never believed me, but he's gonna get drafted."
Got back and went to work on the internet (found this site) and asking some friends with some experience in recruiting. The whole thing started snowballing as local travel coaches, college coaches, etc... started noticing. Just built up momentum and kept going.
But I really didn't know until that summer before Junior year.
----------------------- Go Bearcats!
Posts: 3657 | Location: California | Registered: June 22, 2003
Sophomore year during National Classic tournament here in So Cal. Facing some of the best hitters in the nation. When he walked on to the field at Cal State Fullerton, my hubby looked at me and said: Some day, he is going to be pitching on this field in college. UCR and CSUF are conference-mates in the Big West, and he DID pitch on that field as a freshman ...
Mary Ann * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 [8/21/08]
Posts: 3937 | Location: Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight ... | Registered: January 02, 2003
JustBB, interesting topic. Don't know that we had any assurance on pro ball until his name was called but the key was his junior year of college when he finished second in the NECBL in hitting and a scout commented on the noticeable changes in his swing, handspeed and approach. For college, it was after his sophomore year in high school. During his Legion season he struck out twice in his first game and then went the balance of the season, over 180 plus consecutive at bats without a strikeout including a number of at bats against pitchers who were later drafted or pitched at high level DI programs.
'You don't have to be a great player to play in the major leagues, you've got to be a good one every day.'
Posts: 2079 | Location: ca | Registered: February 11, 2003
