My son called me this afternoon saying he received a call earlier from a Scout representing the Nationals...that he wanted to get his schedule to come see some games and talk.

When it comes to all this recruiting and scouting I will admit that we are very vulnerable and naive to a fault. We are still on cloud 9 from early signing this fall so this call has took us by surprise.

How would one go about checking to see if this Scout is indeed with this organization and not someone misrepresenting himself? It's just a legitimacy concern and I hope any of you can understand.

Ask the college coach. They all know each other, and congratulations.

I would suspect your son received this call on his cell, so he probably has the number.
There is no reason that you should be afaid to call the scout yourself and check him out. Scouts are just people too, most are more than willing answer any questions you may have about the process. Once you are satisfied with his legitimacy, ask for his e-mail, and don't be afraid to communicate with him that way. It certainly doesn't hurt to give out his HS schedule, it is public information - the scout could get the schedule on his own from your high school website. He probably just wanted to make contact. I'd say it is pretty exciting. Congrats!

Probably someone on this board will PM you about this.

You read my mind heart. I too thought about calling him.

I may also have my son ask him when he calls back where he saw him play, what he thought, etc.

eric robinson scouted for the nationals in 2007

quote:

Originally posted by YoungGunDad:
You read my mind heart. I too thought about calling him.

I may also have my son ask him when he calls back where he saw him play, what he thought, etc.

Great news! I am not so sure I would ask the above questions. Obviously he heard about your son's abilities or he wouldn't be asking about his schedule to come see him play. When he comes to see your son he can ask for his business card.

JMO, but sometimes it's just better not to ask a whole lot of questions until you need to.

Call the scouting deptment of the Nationals and tell them you want to verify that he is infact their scout. If he is a bird dog they may not know who he is, but then he should have explained he works for a certain scout

First of all DONT CALL The Nationals scouting department, if they want to see you they will. The Nationals scout covers most of the southeast.They have about 20 MLB scouts to cover the whole USA He pretty much will only see top ten round picks, unless you are throwing 94-95 mph dont expect them to come see you play.

YoungGunDad...Don't call the National's Scouting Department. Just send the schedule. If he comes to see your son that would be good. If he doesn't don't worry about it. I could understand if your son had been asked to do something illegal or outrageous. Send the schedule and hope he comes. Good luck to your son.

I agree with not calling. Send the schedule.
If he comes and meets with your son, he should give his card.
Associate scout on the card means he is scouting for them but not a paid scout. He may be working with an area scout. He may be trying to identify his own prospects. his position gives you an idea of the situation.

JMO.

Don't get carried away with this, just enjoy the moment and whatever comes from it or doesn't.

TPM, we definitely are enjoying the moment of all this that baseball as brought our way. This morning I simply told son that if he sees scouts at the ball field this spring to do what he always does..and that is...give it your all.

After much thought about this and some of your opinions I too decided not to call. If it happens, it happens.

Thanks everyone.

I don't see the big deal in calling the scouting dept.If you are concerned that this guy might not be who he says he is.
If you call you will get the receptionist who can verify if the gentleman is a scout... you don't even have to leave your name.... wow ...They are a business why would they mind if your checking to see if the person saying he is representing the Nationals is truly employed by them.

If it makes things any easier, email or PM us with his name and we will tell you if he is employed by a Major League team as a scout. It is possible we wouldn't know if he were an associate (birddog), but if he is, he should be able to tell your son who he's working for, without thinking for a second.

I do understand your concern, there are thousands of people around the country claiming they work for Major League teams. In fact there are many we've found out about who claim they work for Perfect Game. I like it when someone calls to ask if "so and so" works for us.

First of all Eric Robinson is the MLB scout that covers Georgia you dont need to call the Nationals to confirm it, it is in Baseball America directory.



http://www.examiner.com/a-755969~Draft_week__Sleepless_...ed_with_anxiety.html Draft week: Sleepless nights filled with anxiety

I am sure any person who calls the front of office to confirm they work for the team can be certain that MLB scout will hear about it and very likley not come to see that player in question.

Not sure why anyone would claim they work for Perfect Game or a MLB team that does not. I am sure people do, but then again parents and players lie about their abilities all the time too.

quote:

I am sure any person who calls the front of office to confirm they work for the team can be certain that MLB scout will hear about it and very likley not come to see that player in question.

Why?

I think some of these comments are really strange.
MLB scouts are not some kind mysterious beings that are never to be approached or talked to. Like I said before, they are just people in the end.
I asked an Area Scout about this very question. He had no problem with a parent or player calling him with an initial question, or he wouldn't give out his cell number. If he calls you, he said he will always return the call.
Of course there will always be people to cross the line and want to promote when they should just listen, but that is human nature.
Of course if you don't need to make the call, don't.
But, if you need to make the call to legitimitize the guy- do it.

Frank is definitely on point with this one ... this appears to be a bit of drama ... excitement is understood but it is best to pick up the phone, call the scout and hear what he has to say.

YoungGunDad, you should order the new Baseball America directory. However, even if an associate scout called so what .. he could be doing some background work for the Area Scout he works for.

Good Luck!!

Welcome to HSBBW, BMG!!

quote:

When it comes to all this recruiting and scouting I will admit that we are very vulnerable and naive to a fault. We are still on cloud 9 from early signing this fall so this call has took us by surprise.

YGD,
Send the schedule. Let it happen and don't get too caught up in the process. If you do get too caught up trying to figure it out will drive you nuts!! Like your son, my son had already signed with a D-1 and we were waiting for his senior year of high school season and were anticipating some scout activity during the season. I remember his first day of high school baseball PRACTICE in 2002. I attended most of the practices with another parent and this opening day was no exception. We noticed a group of people meeting in a corner of the school parking lot with what appeared to be briefcases and such. I assumed there was some type of business meeting in the school. I saw the high school coach (a teacher) and asked what the big meeting in the school was about. He said "Those are scouts". It still hadn't sunk in. I asked: "What are they doing here?" --- Now I'm thinking there must be some kind of athletic meeting. The coach told me they were here to see my son. My son had no calls or "solid" contact from scouts up to that point. Sure we had talked to numerous bird dog scouts that showed up at all baseball games around Memphis but they were what I would call bird dog/baseball fans that had local ties. It's hard to describe how overwhelmed I felt when 12 "real" MLB scouts came up and commandeered the back of the back stop. Whether you know the ins and outs of scouting or whether you have the ability to identify every person looking or talking to your son makes no difference. The process is controlled by the scouting profession and your son's ability on the field. You become more or less just an observer asking yourself (and other members of the HSBBW) ---- "What's going on?"
Fungo

quote:

Originally posted by Frank Martin:

Not sure why anyone would claim they work for Perfect Game or a MLB team that does not. I am sure people do, but then again parents and players lie about their abilities all the time too.

Who are these people telling lies to?

Wouldn't the correct statement be "parents and players lie to other parents and players about their abilities" ??