TPM, Thanks. BUT, as I have said before. Tell the scouts up front what it is you wanta do. Don't be misleading. No where on any post have I made have I been misleading. NO, I haven't said that a player should sign for anything. thats just how you, TPM, took it. No choice is wrong at the moment. But a few years later most of us have said on at least one choice that maybe we should have done that instead of this. Don't put words in my mouth, please!

Again, if its about MONEY. GO to school. It its about trying to be a big leaguer then sign a contract.

Its a very simple choice and for all the reasons you mention. Mainly, that only a few get BIG money to sign but it is far more than the 30 players a year that you mention. But 500,000 isn't pocket change either.

Sure they don't take advantage of the scholarship program. But again THAT is their CHOICE not to use it. Its there for them to use.

In America we are so lucky that most of us have family to fall back on even as we get older. I was lucky enough to have parents that helped me and encouraged me to get my MASTERS DEGREE. They even helped by paying some of my bills and not any school bills. They were there for me. Becasue they had the means and even if they didn't they would have found a way to help me arrive at those ends.

Foreign players aren't nearly as fortunate in that regard. Hell, we go over there and setup camps with dorms and with schools and with teachers. They want a better life and playing in the big leagues can help them and their family have one.

So do we knock them having no other choice. No, but do we as Americans have to make it a last resort because we have it so good (for the most part), NO!

I edited my post see above.

I often wonder why, this great American business of MLB, doesn't set up dorms and camps here, for our own. Then we wouldn't have parents in a quandry about where to go seeking the best to teach our kids.

I think that is why you do get many players who do not sign out of HS.

TPM, there set up on every corner in America. We as Americans DO educate our own. Didn't your son attend a high school?

TPM, maybe you should take a trip to the Dominican and you will see!

quote:

I think that is why you do get many players who do not sign out of HS.

No it's not! They already have the best of everything and didn't even have to work for it to boot!

I wasn't going to weigh in on this subject because I don't think there's an absolute answer one way or another but I thought about Vance's theoretical question if ALL bonuses were the same regardless of draft round would players opt to sign rather than go to college? I have to say I believe just the opposite would
occur. If I have the opportunity to get 3 years of college under my belt and play baseball at the same time
and probably(more than likely) become a better ballplayer, it would be a no-brainer. At the end of those 3 years I'm still going to get the same bonus as I would've from HS. Why would I NOT go to college if I felt the college education and experience were important? I actually think THIS is what would happen--Those players who don't have a burning desire to go to college would immediately sign and those who DO have the desire for college would attend school. It would certainly weed out players from college teams who are only going to enhance their Pro value. Now that I think about it, I think that would be a great idea--all the guys
in rookie ball would have the same goal and all the college guys the same as well--just maybe a little side trip to experience a little more before turning Pro.

Am I off-base on this?

Moc1-
Sent you a PM.

If you are talking about educating for baseball in HS, I don't think most will agree with you. Baseball in HS is an EXTRA curricular activity.

Many familie here in America DO nOT have options to prepare their sons for baseball. You don't have to spend a fortune, but you cannot rely on HS. That is the reason why so many go to college, some to prepare better for a chance to play at a higher level. There is nothing wrong with that.

The point here, lost a long time ago, is to work hard in school on and off the field. I know many players who didn't get a second look out of HS, who got drafted after 3 years in college. They grew, tehy matured, and they had great instruction (yes you can get great instruction in college) Many choose that reason over going pro out of HS and it is not a bad choice.
I would say before the draft, I felt different about things than I do now. It WAS about the money, no we couldn't see him giving up his opportunity working with the coaches at Clemson for what anyone was offering. But son had a great situation, a win win sort of thing. He couldn't lose, and if it meant not going beyond college ball, so be it. And if he gets offered less next time around, so be it. Doesn't mean he won't have a shot. Doesn't mean he DOES NOT want to make it his profession. In his case I think it worked out well, he has had a great time, and being prepared for the next level. It's not that way for everyone, I know that. But just an example of how important your GPA will become later on for options.

Moc,
I agree with you.

quote:

Originally posted by Vance34:
As usual TR HIT your clueless. I have a masters degree.

quote:

It is a decision for each individual but I know where I would go---$1 million doesnt last long after taxes

Do you really know how dumb that statement is?

You can always go to college (its free, the club will pay for it) and if you hire someone to invest your money it will last many many years. However if you wanta give it away to every party stop and every family member you know then of course not.

And on top of that. Tell me where you can get a million dollar bonus before taxes with a graduate degree? There is no such thing.

The right and wrong answer is this, IF ITS ABOUT MONEY GO TO SCHOOL. IF ITS ABOUT TRYING TO BECOME A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER SIGN A PRO CONTRACT.

I agree with some of what you say, but not all. If education is your number one priority, then go to college. If baseball is your number one priority, then sign. When I say this, I am assuming that you are a player that is wanted by pro ball out of high school.

A million dollars is a pipe dream.....about 35 guys in the whole world get that much to sign each year. as far as the college scholarship plan goes, if you are a good prospect, you won't be going to college in the fall any time soon. You will be in Instructional league as a new player and later on in a winter league and that is why I said what I said in my second sentence.

bbscout,
Thank you, you have a way of saying things as a professional and not insulting any of us who do not know as much as a pro scout may know.

quote:

If education is your number one priority, then go to college. If baseball is your number one priority, then sign

I said something different? No I didn't.

If its about the money, GO TO SCHOOL. IF its about trying to become a ML player then sign the contract. When its about the money the Priority is the money and going to school its not about being a ML player.

TPM, whats great about pro baseball is that a scout will like you based on projectable potential when your in high school because you can still be a good distance from reaching your overall ceiling. So it doesn't matter that you didn't produce to your potential in high school. Something your familiar with! So when you go to college and still don't perform to that projectable potential and you are now 3-4 years closer to your ceiling and many times have reached it by then. You now become a Senior draft and a roster filler if you get lucky!

quote:

Originally posted by Vance34:

quote:

If education is your number one priority, then go to college. If baseball is your number one priority, then sign

I said something different? No I didn't.

If its about the money, GO TO SCHOOL. IF its about trying to become a ML player then sign the contract. When its about the money the Priority is the money and going to school its not about being a ML player.

You sure did say something different and it is right here in black ink.

Just got in from GCL game, Dodgers vs Marlins.
BBscout, if there are any players in Nationals GCL camp you would like for me to update you on, it will be an honor, sir.

I have refrained from getting involved too much in this thread but just let me say this, if a player, out of HS, can think about nothing but the money opposed to the opportunity, I have a hard time promoting him anyway. Just last night, Paul M. and I had a long phone conversation and discussed the reality of the professional aspects of the "Money Game" filtering down to the amateur level. This is sad but true and an investment will bring what the market will bear and fortunately for the very few, those top 35 picks every year get the "Pipe Dream" leaving the rest of each team's slot money budget allowance kinda skewed for the rest of the draft selections. There are exceptions to the rule because of signability issues and other factors as in draft picks not signing giving others further down the line an opportunity to get a little and sometimes even a lot more! I say, good for them! If Chris Huseby can get 1.25Million as a 11th round pick, God Bless him! Good for him. I guess I'm kinda double talking in the sense of the money involved and do not mean to come across as against the system because just like anything else in life, you have to roll with it and accept or reject it and not be double-minded. I accept the system as it is personally and know that the golden days of "When It Was A Game" will never be again for those of us living in today . Shep's .02

I don't see any difference in what Vance said and what you said Doug. It boils down to the same thing. If a kid really wants pro ball then he will work with the club to make it happen. If he really wants to go to school then he will be stand offish and will hold to his amount he wants because he really does want to go to school.

bbscout,
Thank you for making things easy to understand.

Vance,
Thanks for scouting lesson 101, I think most of us here realize that. It has been discussed over and over on several threads. Players take chances of losing their future potential in college, I think many are aware. Which amazes me because many who know that still go onto college, knowing the chances. That's why many have ADVISORS.

Shep,
You don't think that Huseby getting drafted in the 14th and getting a nice bonus just "happened". I am assuming maybe this was a possible deal done in advance, because they didn't pick in every round and waiting until the 14th allowed them to give him a larger bonus. I think we know that too, but thanks for putting that in there!

Vance,
We know what bbscout does and who he works for, we know what Shep does, what about you?

Jeff, If a kid wants to go to school, money is not any big deal to him.......education is number one to him and baseball is a reward that he gets in the form of a scholarship and a chance to play ball at the college level.

What Vance said is in black and white. He said if it is about the money, go to college. That is not even close to what I said. If it is about the money, you won't make it anyway.



I am not talking about about the 35-40 guys who get a million.

Good point Doug and your right. Most wouldn't get it anyway. BUT BRAD LINCOLN DID! hahaha

Hey Tiger Mom. I know for a fact that you know all about agentts and advisors. How many have you had? Find one that see's it like you yet?

Vance is right on in my opinion and so is Doug and Shep!

quote:

Originally posted by swingbuilder:
Hey Tiger Mom. I know for a fact that you know all about agentts and advisors. How many have you had? Find one that see's it like you yet?

Vance is right on in my opinion and so is Doug and Shep!

I don't have ONE, but thanks for the inquiry.

And your 6th post here was WAY out of line. Another professional pro scout!

That was my bad TPM. I posted wrong pick on Huseby at 14th and had to go back and edit to 11th.

Anyway, leaving it with you good folks and headed to, guess where? If you guessed a ballpark, you are right. Vero Beach vs Palm Beach. Ya'll be nice now! Peace, Shep

Please bear with me on this Subject, and I will try to express
my thought' as clearly as possible.

I've been reading the post's hear on HSBBW, for awile now.
And most everybody has said get an Education before you go Pro, So you have something to fall back on. In case you get Injured are just can't make it to the next Level.
Now I understand the Scout's point of View. As far as being a Top Pick. Take the Money go to school Later.

But would it be a Bad Thing in the Scout's Eye's If said Player was a DNF, And choose to Go to a D1 after being Drafted.
What Guarentee does the Player Have that the Club that Drafted him will sign him to a reasonable contract, After just 1 year at JUCO.
Now Maybe said Player does want to play Pro ball and Money has nothing to do with it.
But the Offer of D1, Was to good to pass up.
And said Player feel's they would be better prepared for the Grind of the Minor League's if they had a couple of year's to Mature.
I'm just trying to See what the Scout's think on this Subject.
I know it's your Lively Hood and I don't blame you for wanting to sign quality player's, that you project out of HS.
Does it hurt the DNF player to opt for a Couple of year's of seasoning in the college rank's.
Would it not be better for the Pro Organization to have a seasoned player, which is Phsyically, and Mentally tougher. EH