That's what i've been trying to say.
NW parents your players have alot to offer Colleges all over the country, but if there not seen they will be overlooked.
You must be proactive if you believe your player has the talent to play at the next level!
Some people think that going to a showcase is a waste of time and money. And to some it is.
It is hard to justify spending the money for maybe 4 at bats, and 2 innings of pitching.
Fielders may never have a ball hit there way!

But if you believe you have the talent, it is imperative that you showcase that talent.
Also having a bad tryout does not ruin your chances of playing at the next level. You just keep playing and trying out and everything will take care of it self if you have the talent.

The Area Code games represent the best bang for the buck for exposure if you make the team. There are numerous pro and college scouts at the Area Code games.

Understand that the team is pretty much already decided before these tryouts. In the past in the NW they have chosen kids that will be Seniors the next year even when the under classmen were better. Last year the pitchers waited around for 2+ hours while the outfielders and position players took batting and fielding. The pitchers were allowed to warm-up by playing catch for a few minutes and then did a bullpen of about 5-6 pitches. Yes, 5-6 pitches, a couple of fast balls, curves and a change. The kids were gunned and that was it. That indicates to me that the scouts and coaches already know these kids pretty well and the tryout is a formality. The scouts are also looking at free agents 18-24 yo hoping to find some undrafted talent.

BBscout:

That is great news and it will be alot more fun for the kid's who get invited. Thanks for the update.

This change is good news. Is this changing because the M's aren't involved and the Nationals have taken over?

quote:

Originally posted by bbscout:
Wildthingking, Times have changed. This year the AC tryout in the NW will be a two day event and the first day will be 60's, infield-outfield and BP. The pitchers will shag in the OF. The second day will be a squad game with each pitcher going two innings and all the position players staying in the batting order for the whole game. I would think that the squad game will be about 14-18 innings long.

There will be no 18-24 year old free agents at the tryout. It will be for 07's and possibly a few 08's only.

Will there be any tryouts in California for the 07 Area Code team? Or are there just going to be the NW tryouts that are listed on the website? Sorry if you've answered this already somewhere.

Doug;
Congratulations on your AC team.
I know you will select the best players from the Pacific Northwest. You were one of the best AC coaches/GM in our 19 years.

Can you find several players, who can play on our American Team in the Goodwill Series
XIV and XV [away and home] June and September 2006.

Similar to your players Derrek Lee, Nick Johnson and Jason Young who played on our American Teams against Japan.

Bob Williams