Our 14-year old son was selected for a 2nd tryout for the Amateur Baseball Report showcase for national team. Does anyone have advice on this (if it's worthwhile, useful, good, bad etc)? THANKS!

Is this where you pay to try out for the Junior Olympics?

No, this is a showcase for young talent to participate at a national level for exposure as we understand it. We are just not sure if it's really useful, etc.

bp,

I Googled Amateur Baseball Report Showcase and got to this page. Without reading too deeply, it looks like joe2's ultimate goal is to have his son be selected for the TeamUSA 14u National Team. It looks like the goal is the real deal, but I have heard some noise about recognition and international play at such a young age. Is it really useful to be identified as a prospect when kids at this age may be peaking and not succeed at higher levels? Some wonder if soon there will be even younger type events.

As far as the Amateur Baseball Report Showcase, they may be legit, too. They may be one of several paths to the USA Baseball’s 14U National Team Identification Series (NTIS). Sounds similar to the JOs for the TeamUSA YNT trials that go on in June.

Bottom line, it could be more fun than serving a greater purpose. I say, why not give it a shot?

Wait, I didn't mean in any way that it was a bad thing.

I just thought I heard it was a tryout for JO. In a way, I was asking the same question joe2 was.

OK, got it - when you mentioned Junior Olympics, I thought of that hokey youth baseball world series on TV (where kids or teams buy there way on I think). Bottom line, don't care about phony recognition or trophies, but development of skill for him to take it as far as his ability and mental toughness will go.

We were looking for input to see if it's beneficial. thanks for any experience or advice, appreciate it.

Following the links back to the USA Baseball website, it looks legit, the 14U National team has been selected through various groups over the last few years, this year, it is being rolled out in this method which will gain exposure from many sources around the country.

Bottom line, go for it and have fun!

quote:

Originally posted by biggerpapi:
Wait, I didn't mean in any way that it was a bad thing.

No problemmo, bp. I took it as being a little sarcastic, but I read more into it than was there.

I read somewhere that infidel_son got on PG's radar at 14. He continued to do well. I don't think this event was around when he was 14. joe2 is looking for competition and growth. Making the team and the subsequent games should fill the bill.

My son went to the initial ID camp in S Florida and received and invite to the Ft Myers camp where they will pick the team for the South East region.

Both coasts will have six teams each from different geographical regions play over the Labor day weekend. The east coast six will play in Jupiter I believe. From those 6 east and 6 west coast teams USA baseball will pick their squad for the 14U team for the rest of 08 and for 09.
That's how I understand it. I look at it as a chance to experience the showcase atmosphere at a relatively low cost if he makes it great if not that's OK to, he's got a some time before these things become too important.