My son, is a sophmore and just received an Area Code camp invitation and I don't know if this is something that I should send him to. He's already going to a Team One Preview the week prior. If anyone has any insight as to the pros and cons of this camp please share your knowledge. He's been to a a few college camps and has been rated as a Div I player. He can definately hold his own it's a matter of picking and choosing for the most exposure. Not sure what to do next. Any advise please as the mail box is starting to build up...

along with perfect game,this is the best thing to do

There are several levels to consider, in decreasing order of cachet:

• The Area Code Games, and it is quite an honor to be selected to participate. They take place in the summer time.
  
• The tryouts for the Games. Invitations come from MLB scouts. I'm not sure of the timing. Late spring/early summer?
  
• A camp said to be typically just (the day) before the tryouts, and a few players get invited from the camp to the tryouts.
  
• A camp at other times in the year. One way to get on the radar for the Area Code selection process. Invitations are sent to a larger number of younger players.
  

It would be unusual for a current sophomore to be invited to the Area Code Games.

quote:

Originally posted by 3FingeredGlove:
There are several levels to consider, in decreasing order of cachet:

A camp at other times in the year. One way to get on the radar for the Area Code selection process. Invitations are sent to a larger number of younger players.
[/LIST]
It would be unusual for a current sophomore to be invited to the Area Code Games.

So if I understand this selection process for the Area Code Games the MLB scouts supply the names for the Area Code Games try-out. The Area Code camp is a a place that the players can also be identified for an invitation to a try-out? Do the MLB scouts follow players like the college recruiters do from the camps? I'd be curious as to know how the players are originally identified to be invited to a camp in the first place.

diamond-mom, our son was selected for the Area Code games. From what I heard from the scouts was he was seen at one of his select team games by a scout/scouts. That got him the invite to the try out. Being on a good select team that has credentials will help him get exposure. There were at least four other players on this team that were known to be very good players, one had already committed. Here is the link to the profile that you submit to Area Code Baseball.

http://assets.espn.go.com/rise/pdfs/Area_Code_Profile.pdf

This is their web page that explains the process.

http://web.me.com/studentsports/Area_Code_Baseball/Welcome.html

Good luck.

This is only a camp, see the link provided. It may give him exposure to be invited to a tryout, regardless of what year he is in.

The mailbox is filling because this is what happens to everyone, making you feel that you need ot attend everything to get exposure. It doesn't mean that you have to attend everything that comes in the mail.
Now if this is a free camp (see Area Code link), one might consider it a good investment for instruction. Take advantage of all those things you don't have to pay for, some are worthwhile the free investment.
JMO.

quote:

Now if this is a free camp (see Area Code link), one might consider it a good investment for instruction.

NOT free ---- $100.00 to attend.

Here's what sez it all: The camps are open to any player in high school (2009-2012).

BUT you should consider this ---- For a $100.00 you will be able to say you were part of Area Code. ------ then you could tell everyone and no telling what one might assume.

Diamond Mom SON:

The AC camp is an opportunity for your son to meet the
pro scouts from the Milwaukee Brewers and several other teams. They are great teachers.

The importance of this opportunity is to
request "feed back" from the scouts as to your ability. With this evaluation you can "work on"
your "weakness" and improve.

1. Focus on learning, not on "showcasing". Every game you play, someone is watching your "body language".

2."Leave the mobile phone at home".

3. Collect the scouts business card, ask for your running times.

4. Bring your own water to the "work out", do not depend on your mother or father to bring your water bottle to the dugout. The softball girls your age always carry a water bottle in their "back pack".

When we select players for our International Goodwill Series, we depend on the pro scout's evaluations and the player's individual responsibility for his actions.

Bob Williams
Founder Area Code Games 1987-2004
Founder Goodwill Series 1983-2009

Diamond Mom, you just got information from the best source of all as it regards Area Code Baseball, Mr. Bob Williams. Mr. Williams is the gentleman who founded and ran the Area Code Games for many years. IMO, it was better when Mr. Williams ran it than it is today, and I say that as someone who's had a large number of players take part in Area Code tryouts and games. I think it is still a great venue for the boys selected, but was 'watered down' under the leadership of Student Sports. Hopefully, the new ownership by ESPN will bring it back to the level it was when Mr. Williams was in charge. The Brewers scouts do a very good job here in CA, and are good guys to be known by if you're an aspiring player.

There are a lot of 'events' out there in this day and age which will take your money to attend. I am not a fan of most of these events, but do believe in the Area Code process. The camp is just that, a camp for which you'll pay to attend, but he does have a legitimate potential of moving on if he's good enough. The important thing to expect from this camp is an opportunity to learn from some outstanding baseball instructors, not an automatice entree to an AC tryout invitation.

Something was said earlier in this thread about playing on a top notch travel team in summer, and how that can enhance chances with Area Code, and I couldn't agree more. You're more likely to become familiar to scouts playing on a top summer team than perhaps any other way, along with being a standout high school player who is seen by scouts during spring while playing for your school.

The Area Code Camp is one of the best values for your dollar. Exposure to and training from Pro Scouts, not to mention perhaps resulting in an invite to the AC tryouts. The tryouts alone draw 100s of scouts (college and pros).

By all means, attend.

quote:

Originally posted by Fungo:

quote:

Now if this is a free camp (see Area Code link), one might consider it a good investment for instruction.

NOT free ---- $100.00 to attend.

Here's what sez it all: The camps are open to any player in high school (2009-2012).

BUT you should consider this ---- For a $100.00 you will be able to say you were part of Area Code. ------ then you could tell everyone and no telling what one might assume.

I didn't realize there was a fee. I didn't realize that because son never went to one, never went to a tryout (they said he didn't have to), turned down an invite to area code, despite all of that did ok for himself. We turned down AC because we didn't think that a trip to CA, hotel, meals, etc would make a difference since living here in FL. Scouts have plenty of showcases in these neck of the woods. During the time of AC senior summer, one of our impact players for son's connie mack travel team decided to go at the last minute, pitched an inning or two and told he didn't make a team. The travel coach would not allow him to come back to the team. He went all the way to CA to end up at a mid D1 here in Florida and never drafted.

I am not sure how they do it these days, but back then, if I remember correctly, you had to try out in CA to make a team? Most players around here just got invites.

This, IMO, is about deciding how to spend your money and getting the most out of it.

TPM, Same here. Son was invited to try out --- declined the tryout, and was invited to the Area Code games anyway. He was honored to be invited but declined. Area Code has a great reputation and I have heard noting but great thing about Mr. Williams. The reputation of Area Code is virtually unparalleled in the annals of youth baseball. However that reputation was not built on $100 per day ESPN/RISE Area Code Instructional Camps. Let's separate the wheat from the chaff for the sake of those parents seeking wise investments for their son's future. I may be completely off base but until proven otherwise I envision the camps as a "coattail" event riding on the Area Code name, reputation and Area Code endorsement. That doesn't make it bad by any means but it could be misleading to the uninformed and easily impressed parents of a high school player wanting the best for their sons. If a player is of Area Code Games caliber he doesn't need to be wasting his time at a $100 a day "camp" that allows anyone that can pay an entry fee to participate.

TPM and Fungo:

Thank you for your comments. TPM what year did your son attend the tryouts? In 2002, the White Sox team from Florida was coached by Jose Ortega Scout.

The tryout was in Sanford, Florida. It was rainy, but we complete in 2 days. This was my 1st venture into Central Florida. However in 1998, I sent in the 1st China baseball players to Pirate City for a tryout.

The campus was beautiful and the restaurant opposite the Holiday INN was very good.

Many scouts and college coaches attended this tryout. The pitcher, I liked was Scott Maine *LHP]. The young SS was Robert Valido. I was impressed with his "desire" and hustle.

Not all players can travel to Long Beach, Japan, Australia, Korea or China.

Over the years, we have assisted many players to attend the AC games, only one of 5,000 donated back from his signing bonus.

Did you know that in 2002, our AC players in 2003,
received over $35 million in bonus money.

Would I created the AC games again?

The simple answer is NO!

Bob

I sincerely appreciate everyone's views and opinions on this board regarding the AC Camp.

Bob,
My son also declined tryouts, then told he could go directly to AC without trying out. Thinking back I do beleive it was the White Sox.

Pirate City is no where near where we live, another over night expense and 5 hours drive to and 5 hours back. The player I know who attended in CA did NOT try out.

The reason for decline, he was involved with his Connie Mack team who were trying to get to New Mexico. You just can't do everything, IMO.

I know that AC has changed, it was THE premier event many many years ago. It also should be pointed out that both of our sons didn't attend, yet managed to find themselves nice college scholarships and drafted later on. I do beleive that this may be a very worthwhile event for those that normally would not have that exposure. But also know that there is expense involved. Yes, lots of exposure, but does a player from an area where the players get exposure have to attend an event in California? I don't think so. JMO.

BTW, the White Sox had a showcase (invitation only) in Miami at FIU during son's senior year in HS before the 2004 draft. Every MLB was in attendance, some with their bosses. It was free. I like those type of "free" stuff.

Ok so if you had it to do over, why would you NOT create the AC games?

TPM;

There are no easy answers, however I can try to explain. Since 1972, I developed small shopping centers, "free standing" restaurants in the Western United States. As a developer, I needed to be an organizer of contractors, architects, real estate brokers to achieve the final goals - "a completed product".

In 1983, USA Baseball granted me the Japan/USA High School Series. The pro scouts selected the players
7 future ML players]. Working with the scouts was enjoyable and watching our players compete with the Japanese players was a "test" of abilities and coaching.

In 1987, we started the AC games only in California with 6 teams. Bill Veech was my invisible mentor and teacher. Rented baseball fields, printed programs, select sponsors, chased foul balls, argued with several "old time"scouts, who thought they did not need to pay and listened to the parents.

Next year with our American team which included Kenny Henderson from Georgia, I observed first hand the money side of the creature I created. In Japan, Kenny was "ready" to play pro baseball now.

However, his agent sent Kenny to College for four years with 4 different pitching coaches. After 4-5 years, I realize this was a business and my time increase to 500 hours each year with no return on investment and no "pay back" from the agents for players I assist to the AC games. In 1992, In San Jose we used the San Jose Giants Stadium. On the final day [#6], the employees of the team owners decided to charge the scouts for parking. I challenged the 4 employees and one "threw" a punch which I ducked but pulled both "hamstring" muscles.

The pro scouts and college coaches thought this was
part of the entertainment.

Because of the talent decline in California, I reach out to the Midwest and East Coast to insure a high talent level for the pro scouts. The year of Josh Beckett and Albert [1998] may have been our strongest year.

With the increasing # of showcases, the cost of field rental and the request by parents for "exposure", I realized that it was enough.

The International Goodwill Series is most enjoyable.
Last year, we traveled to Australia with four teams, added the Beijing State Team and played 50 games in 2 weeks.

Now the pro scouts [12] who travel with our teams as coaches can determine which players can play and will adjust.

Several years ago, I visited Mark Newman of the NY Yankees and we discuss baseball history for 2 hours
in Tampa. He said "pro scouts" have two difficulties in scouting the player. One is "make up" and the second is scouting the "bat". We looked on the wall
in the Yankees office and the name JETER stood out.

Sorry to be "long winded". I was up early this morning preparing for your question and now to the baseball park to throw BP to a player traveling to Australia December 17.

Bob

quote:

Sorry to be "long winded". I was up early this morning preparing for your question and now to the baseball park to throw BP to a player traveling to Australia December 17.

Bob you truely our a Man who loves the game of baseball.
Your an Inspiration to us with your desire to help players reach there potential.
Keep up the good work.
EH

Bob,
Thanks for your explanation, but I kid of figured out after I asked.
I see that you gave up area code in 2004. That was the year that son was asked to attend, without prior if unable to attend. My understanding is that it was at that time a showcase format, only those identified as future pro players had to try out to make the actual teams.
Now my understanding is that teams are formed beforehand and all who atend get to play in the games.It wasn't like that back then, you didn't showcase well, you went home.
Is my understanding correct? Has the format and original purpose changed even from 2004?

TPM;

When you sell a product, the new buyer has their own ideas to improve the product. It is impossible to recognize the "passion" which drives an individual
to obtain their goals.

My goals were to provide the best players in the USA to the scouts and college coaches.

Each AC games, I interviewed the Scouting Directors and scouts and a few agents as to what can I do to make it better. They provided many great ideals. I was the "collector" and the "adjuster".

Since I sold the games in 2004, I have never been consulted.

TPM; thank you for asking. I wish your son great success.

Bob

For those of you who may be interested, Mr. Williams now has a great trip to Australia for players (in December - 2 weeks of baseball). Son was going to go, but he would have had to miss a week of HS, and teachers would not let him go. We have friends who went - they made a family vacation out of it. They said it was the trip of a lifetime!