What are the area code games and how does one get invited? Is there a tryout? I have no idea?

Go to this web site... www.studentsportsbaseball.com.
You have to be nominated (by usually a scout, I believe) to even go to the tryouts. It is primarily for juniors... soon to be seniors (although sophomores are oftentimes at the tryouts). After the tryouts, a team is selected to represent the particular MLB team in Long Beach, CA in August. It is a great way to be noticed.

what r the dates for the area code games(august?). What kind of scout? when are the tryouts?

Off the web site I mentioned above... it has all the information that is available, including the process and dates of the actual games in August.

2006 Area Code Baseball Tryouts

TEXAS RANGERS
Tuesday, June 13 at Baylor University (Waco, TX)
Monday, June 26 at Texas A&M University (College Station, TX)

WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Tuesday, June 27 at Mt. Hood Junior College (Portland, OR)
Wednesday, June 27 at Mt. Hood Junior College (Portland, OR)

CHICAGO WHITE SOX (MIDWEST)
Wednesday, June 14 at **** Roberts University (Tulsa, OK)
Monday, June 26 at North Central Community College (Chicago, IL *Tentative)
Wednesday, June 28 at Butler University (Indianapolis, IN)

thanks for the info mom,
It says on the website that u need to fill out an aplication. I am a litte bit confused with this. Does one attend the area codes by filling out the application or just getting noticed by some kind of scout? or both?

Goose, the Area code tryout is a chance to try and make the area code team that represents a certain area in the country by sponsership of a MLB team.
If you make the team than you go to Long Beach for the area code game's in august.
The tryout is great also usually filled with the best players in your area up to 150 players plus for a chance to play for that area code team. Lots of collages show up for the tryouts looking for local players to recruit.
In order to be invited to the tryout you need some talent and someone ie scout/ connected coach to recommend you.
just go to some local clinics and talk to the managers if they know about it and let them steer you in the right direction.
Good luck The EH

that sounds like a good idea EH, there is some info about there camps on the website I wonder if that is a good way to get recommended.

.

That's certainly what they want you to think...for you to go to camp...but Area Codes are BIG...80 to 100 scouts, recruiters and coaches at try outs...if you've got some talent and passion...do whatever it takes to get in..

44

I know this might sound like a dumb question, but do the Area Code tryouts come to the east coast? If so, I would appreciate being able to find the dates and locations. Thanx

tvyanks
they used to come to the east coast.it was the best exposure we got.it was only the tryout but a very good following by colleges that was 3 years ago.i think someone else runs it now. worth attending if you get the chance

Do you have to live in a specific region to try out for these teams? For example, could a California player try out for the Washington Nationals?

I can tell you that last year there were several kids who were on teams from outside their region. At the final tryout we attended in the Midwest (CWS), there were TX kids. I didn't understand this since they have there own area (Rangers). Maybe they play out of state or have been coached by scouts who can recommend them for a different team?
If you get a chance to tryout, DO IT! My son got lots of college contacts just from the tryouts. Mostly smaller D1 schools, but its well-attended by college coaches. When you get to Long Beach, he literally stepped up to pitch with well over 100 radar guns pointed at him. He was cool as a cucumber, but I was filming and the camera was shaking. I guess thats why he pitches and I do all the worrying. We each know our role!

The MLB team is just the sponsor sort of.
The nationals are having a tryout in the NW.
they set up tryouts all over the country.
You have to have some talent, and a recommendation to get invited. Great exsposure.

the chicago white sox have a tryout at kansas university as well. hope to see you there. actually not, cuz if less of you show up the better chance i have of making the team.

See. There it is. Politics, Politics, Politics.

Brent and others;

There is a history behind the Area Code Baseball Games and tryouts. In 1987, when I started the games, we only selected players from California. From Day 1, the players were selected by pro scouts and coached by pro scouts. They were the best high players we could locate. We did not charge a fee and for 19 years never did.

The major reason for the Area Code Games was to select players, who could compete with the best players in Japan, Korea and later Australia. The "World Cup". We achieved this goal, since 40% of the American players have made the Major Leagues roster.

The Goodwill Series events [1983-2006] and the teaching of the game by our professionals is now my mission.

However, I am happy that the Major League scouts/coaches continue to make the decisions on the players involved in the tryouts and the games. My final year with the AC games was 2004. Student Sports now owns the AC games.

There has been little "politics" over the years and of course, several future "high drafts" did not make an Area Code team.

Each year the Team coaches will communicate with each other in the effort to find the beat players.

"My greatest memory was the night Josh Beckett pitched in front of 330 pro scouts at Blair Field in Long Beach". Albert Pujois and Hank Blalock also played in the games in 1998.

Please call your favorite scout and request a call to the nearest AC coach for the tryout opportunity.

If you are "really good" contact Goodwill Series for the America/Japan Series
in June and September. We need 3 "mentally tough" pitchers and one left handed hitting outfielder.

Bob Williams

Brent:

Do you happen to know the dates of the tryout @ KU? I didn't see that one on the website.

i believe they are june 8...i'll confirm that for you later though. if i havent in a week or so, send me a PM.

I was talking to a father of a former Area Code Games participant and he said something about a tryout for the tryouts. Something like a fee of 25$ to go tryout and see if ur good enough to go to the real tryouts. This of course would go along with the recommendation from the scout and other stuff. Has any body heard about this tryout? And where and when it is?

I can't speak for the midwest, but there is no fee to tryout here in California. You must be invited via a scout's recommendation in order to tryout. A player's only cost is for travel, lodging and meals.