As a parent of a D3 player...I think it is a grand idea. Yeah, you're going to have parents and relatives sending stuff in, but all the Cards have to do is click on a stats link. I know in D3, you have maybe 100 or more players batting over .400...but if they play in a low-rated conference and add power or speed and put up numbers...why the heck not? After all, the contest states making a compelling argument.

Couple things here.

1) Every area scout in every area has some type of a relationship with at least one of the coaches on EVERY college team in his area. That college coach will talk to the area scout and tell that scout if he has a player that is above avg (better than the rest of the guys on the team)

2) Every area ALSO has a scouting bureau scout. That goes and see's all those small schools as well as also having a relationship with at least one of the coaches of the team.

Its like each team having 2 full time scouts in each area.

3) The scouts see most all the good players during the summer and fall in select ball. This where the guys who love the game play and they are playing by their own choice. Because they want to play. So the scouts know where the players end up in college. The scouts know who has played and who hasn't.

4) The scouts have relationships with players. Lots of players. Alot of times the player is the best source of where a good player is playing and on what team. Players enjoy scouts and enjoy talking with them.

5) Their is a thing called Advisor/ Agents. They are out looking for players as well. SO, now you have 3 full time people in every area all looking for players. Advisor/ Agents go out of their way to tell you where they think a good arm or good hitter is at. Often they encourage, with pretty good success I might add, to get players to transfer to a higher profile area or program for better exposer.

6) Scouts are out everyday and on the phones everyday looking for a player no one knows about. They do happen, problem is when the coach, parent, player or local guy knows a scout has been in to see a guy. Word then spreads fast.

I have been know to watch games from the pressbox, behind the outfield fence through a crack, while sitting in my car, from the roof of a building, from inside a clubhouse down the foul line. If its a guy I like and I see another scout at the park. I go hide so that scout doesnt know I have been there.

Thats why scouts often times dont speak. That way people cant name names.

Scouts do a great job of knowing their areas.

7) The showcase circuit.

8) Scouts are creative....they know athlete's. Remember the QB at Oregon. He played baseball in HS but did not play in college. When he became draft elgible after his Jr year the Braves drafted and signed him even though he hadnt played any college baseball or any baseball in 3 years.

Also, back when Vick finished his Jr season at Va. Tech the Rockies picked him in the 30th round and he never played any baseball in HS or college.

The good scouts fish in ponds where others dont fish as well as where others fish. Lots of times there is no fish in those ponds but every once in awhile there is ONE big fish in the whole pond and he gets caught! But its also important to fish where the fish are too.