Pretty good Papi ... but if you want to talk star power, my son played for TRhit ... I got to meet MidloDad ... we think there was a PGstaff sighting ... and I may have seen TPM's son out doing some rehab work. A star-studded week it was.
There was also some terrific baseball being played by a lot of very talented young men who are chasing their dreams. We are looking forward to returning next year.
Posts: 187 | Location: Northern Virginia | Registered: April 27, 2008
I went to see ABD play the South Florida Bandits Friday night. I'm behind home plate watching the guns as both guys are in the 89-91 range. Behind me, I hear a voice with a heavy Latin accent expressing amazement at the MPH's. Someone replies that you'll always see someone above 95 at the event.
"95? Bull****! A high school kid throwing like THAT is on the JUICE! He must be on the Jose Canseco conditioning program or something!"
I turned around to protest that no, that was not the case. And I found myself face to face with Ozzie Guillen, who was in the process of cracking up the whole crowd around him. So I just laughed and returned to watching the game.
That guy you see on TV is the real guy.
Posts: 3166 | Location: Virginia | Registered: February 01, 2006
Didn't see Garvey but did cross paths with Dante Bichette, whose son was playing.
The best moment of my weekend was watching one of our guys pull of a straight steal of home to tie up a game with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th. WOW!
Posts: 3166 | Location: Virginia | Registered: February 01, 2006
When my son played his flight was on Thursday afternoon so he missed school on Friday and Monday. We told his teachers that he was taking a trip that was baseball related and it was very important to him. The teachers gave him his work in advance and wished him well. He understood that he needed to make sure he didnt miss any days prior to this trip or after it and his grades needed to be very good as well before he took the trip. The school administrators were very supportive.
Most schools allow for missed days for college visits by Srs as well. This is truly a great opportunity for high school players. My son currently plays for a college at which many of his team mates made this trip together at least twice. Its hard for people that have never attended this event to truly understand what a great baseball experience it is. I sat with my son and several of his college team mates at a local restaurant last weekend. They all were talking about Jupiter and how much fun it was. Those are memories that last a lifetime.
Posts: 266 | Location: NC | Registered: July 26, 2008
As for school most of the guys took friday and monday---most can get the days as excused abscences because AD's look at the days as college visits
It is not uncommon to see players in the hotel computer room or around pool enjoying the sun with the schoolbooks open---trust me the serious players know what they have to do
The weekend gives them memories, and their parents as well, that they will never forget
TRhit
THE KIDS TODAY DO NOT THROW ENOUGH !!!!!
Posts: 21257 | Location: Manchester, CT USA | Registered: December 26, 2002
My son went to an early morning dual credit course on Thursday and then left school around 8:30. We didn't get home until nearly midnight on Monday so he missed essentially three days of class. However, his head was in a book the whole time he wasn't playing baseball.
As you have all said, what a great experience this was for all of us! It is amazing. No matter what happens going forward with this baseball journey, none of us will forget the last four days!!!!
Posts: 16 | Location: Texas | Registered: September 30, 2009
My son was off Thursday, Friday and Monday. As expressed already this was viewed as a visit to college. Son did his work ahead of the classes including two exams. He worked very hard the week before leaving. He also expressed appreciation to all who helped, teachers, coaches and administration.
On the event, it was unbelievable. Son only threw two innings as he was expected to throw in the semifinals, but a right hander throwing no harder than 85 mph with a wicked curve ball had other plans for us. My son was able to commit Saturday to the college of his dreams. Also got some interest from a few MLB teams. He was walking on clouds.
Actually both of us were taken by the number of scouts and how friendly players, parents and scouts were. We have both been to several World Series events but none were like this. Never talked so much baseball and now realize how much more there is to know. The stories were great.
He and I both will remember the event and the great people and times we had throughout the event. Thanks to all and especially PG for a great experience.
Posts: 9 | Location: South | Registered: January 19, 2009
This is an event that we still talk about years later, and much has changed since then (more teams, more scouts, more coaches). You and your sons will do the same. I have been to almost every Jupiter tourney since 2002 (I think I missed one previous)but had to miss this year, I have watched it grow, amazing. Congratulations to all who commited this weekend.
Forget the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey instead...anonymous
Posts: 12784 | Location: South Florida | Registered: July 28, 2003
Outstanding event and the most highly scouted tournament I've ever seen. Only disappointment was that by the time my LHP son threw on Sunday night in the playoffs, so many coaches were already on airplanes. Sign o' the times, I guess....
Posts: 4 | Location: Florida | Registered: September 04, 2009
It is an amazing event. We had a team for a second straight year, although last year I was on the other side of Florida on a work assignment. It is a concentration of talent and scouts and college coaches matched only by the Area Code games, where only one game is played at a time. In fact, there is so much that it is nearly impossible to know where to watch.
I was fortunate to meet and speak with PGStaff, which was truly an honor. What a class act. Got to meet David Rawnsely, whose writing I have long enjoyed. It also was a kick to see TRHit in his golf cart, although I did not introduce myself. I should have. It was fun to see all the vendor tents and their top-of-the-line and frequently hard-to-find merchandise. I could not help but spend too much money.
Off the field, the pizza at Anthony's on PGA Blvd was as good as any that I have had, and the ocean waves at McArthur State Park on Sunday took the sting out of our two losses. The water must have been nearly 80 degrees, which was great for a west coast guy.
It is very interesting to note the differences between the Arizona and Florida spring training complexes. With one exception (Hi Corbett) the Arizona facilities are much more expansive and the FLA (or at least Jupiter) more intimate. It is always a great privlege to be in a Major League setting like that. The Florida grass is thicker and slower. The Florida humidity is nearly debilitating, much more so than the Arizona summer heat (at least for someone whose blood has thinned). Best of all, the people could not have been more friendly, without exception.
I would not have missed it. My youngest son finished up this year, but I will be back with our team next year and for many more after that and in about 14 years it will include my grandson. I can't wait.
Posts: 1285 | Location: Phoenix AZ | Registered: December 26, 2002
My older son went to Jupiter in 2005 and it was one of his best baseball experiences. My younger son attended this year and expressed the same feelings. He went to the Bo Jackson event and was truly amazed at the talent. My boys both played for College Select. TRhit runs a great organization. He truly cares about his players and wants to help each one of them reach their goals. It has been a pleasure to have both my sons play for Tom.
Posts: 48 | Location: NY | Registered: August 26, 2005
Jemaz, The humidity this weekend was nothing compared to summer, one of the reasons why the FSL is very difficult to play in, it is so humid at times, the balls have to be replaced continuously.
Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza? Another Dan Marino venture I do beleive. Great food for a restaurant chain.
Forget the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey instead...anonymous
Posts: 12784 | Location: South Florida | Registered: July 28, 2003
It is Anthony's. Wish they would come out to Phoenix. Not sure if Dan Marino is involved, but it is the guy who owns Runway 84, who is an old friend of Ron Davis (the former Yankee pitcher and father of Ike) who is one of our coaches and took us -- all three times we went. Great time all the way around.
Posts: 1285 | Location: Phoenix AZ | Registered: December 26, 2002
Very nice of you to say that. Can't tell you how much that means coming from you! Thanks to everyone who has said nice things. We sometimes tend to dwell on the problems rather than the good stuff.
The amazing thing about this year was that many of the teams that were loaded with talent didn't make it out of their pools.
Posts: 5970 | Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Registered: December 27, 2002
Originally posted by PGStaff: The amazing thing about this year was that many of the teams that were loaded with talent didn't make it out of their pools.
That's what they were saying about the Detroit Tigers this year.
