Tyler Hibbs threw a 14 strikeout, 1-0 shutout against a team from California and batted 421 for the tournament, which included a game tying homerun against Team Orlando.

Tyler Hibbs and Tyler Webb received recognition from USA Baseball and selected Tyler Hibbs out of approximately 2900 players to participate in the 36 player try-outs with the opportunity to represent the U.S. later this summer in Venezuela.

Congratulations to both, and especially Tyler Hibbs.

Al McCormick
www.mostvaluableplayer.biz
(410) 721-4203

That is really cool! Some players have the ability to shine no matter the stage.

What recognition was given to Tyler Webb? I didn't see that.

Midlo Dad,
Tyler Webb topped out at 88 and had 55 pitches going into the 7th. He pitched a fantastic game.

Although USA Baseball placed him as one of the players they were watching, he did not make it.

I am notifying a ton of colleges to keep an eye on him.

Al McCormick
(410) 721-4203

From what I've seen and heard about, apparently JO's East was much more rich in pitchers this year. We had a guy hitting 89, very sharp curve, took a no-hitter until he had a 1-2 count on the last hitter he needed. Lots of scouts and RADAR guns present, but he didn't get the call, either.

But I would have to agree, your guy is a prospect and just because he got overlooked at JO's doesn't mean he shouldn't get his due elsewhere.

Al,

Great report! Glad to see MD has another budding star on the horizon. I'm assuming Tyler took time off from the Monarch's schedule to participate in this event? Help me with something please! Sounds like he had a great opportunity, and took advantage of it. But why is it right for him to leave his summer team for that amount of time? I can think of a number of things:

1. He shouldn't have left his summer team.
2. He left with the coaching staff's blessing, but what if 15 of the 21 kids on the Monarch's were given similar opportunities? Does the coaching staff bless all of them as well?
3. He is a special talent, and as is the case in all sports, special talent affords special treatment.

This is a very sensitive topic for me...weighing the good of the team vs. the good of the individual. I'm not saying I wouldn't have told the young man to go right ahead and participate in this once in a lifetime event, but it would be real uneasy for me. Had a similar situation when I was coaching the Reds back around 2000. 4 pitchers and 1 catcher were invited to Team One showcase event at Clemson. Gave all 5 kids the go ahead, but ultimately it really cost the team. Believe we dropped 4 games in a weekend. Ultimately finished 3rd in the league 3 games out of 1st place. Great opportunity for the 5 that went to Clemson, but the rest of the team suffered and ultimately paid a big price (didn't win the league championship).

Enlighten me please!

I would support the kid who took a leave of absence and earned a fabulous opportunity.

In hindsight, what did you really lose back in 2000? How did your life change? I would bet not at all.

By comparison, the kid who got the USA Baseball trials invite has had a life-changing experience.

Larry,
Very good question, and as a coach in the past I understand the feelings and mixed emotion you have with letting the players go.

First, I do not believe the answer is a general one, it must be handled individually.

A. I believe each player has to understand the benefits of going. I spend a lot of time with each player, their parents, and their coach before I ask them to participate.

B. I believe the event has to help them improve their chances to play college baseball. As part of Most Valuable Player, I provide each player with an in-depth evaluation on what they are good at, what they need to improve on, and provide them with items they can do to reduce their weaknesses.

C. For the rising seniors, I contact college coaches on each players behalf, but I will only do it where I truly believe the player can play.

D. My approach with each player for the week is to improve the player's game mentally. I want the players to gain confidence in themselves individually and help them establish a bit of baseball arrogance (not to be confused with ignorance) to become the best player they can possibly be.

I understand your point, especially when you consider the word commitment, but as a coach and as a teacher, I sure you will agree we are here to do what is best for the kids.

Larry, I want you to know the only reason I do what I do is because I believe I will work hard at making kids better, with the hopes of creating a life changing experience.

Thank you for this opportunity,
Al McCormick
www.mostvaluableplayer.biz
(410) 721-4203

I wish someone would coach this young man to throw a change-up. He could be really tough if he did so. Everything is hard.

This is a big week for Tyler Hibbs. Keep him in your thoughts, and lets hope one of our own is selected to represent the U.S. in Venezuela!

Al McCormick
www.mostvaluableplayer.biz
(410)721-4203

That would be really cool!

Al, not to put a damper or unnecessary concern about this, but any security concerns with regards to these kids going to Venezuela? Not exactly a country that loves the U.S.A.

The team (final roster)will be accompanied by a security detail and will stay together at all times.

In the first day of inter-squad tryouts, Tyler Hibbs pitched three innings with five strikeouts and went 2 for 2 at the plate. L J Hoes of St John's in DC went 3 for 4. Way to go guys!

Congratulations to Tyler Hibbs! Also the Hibbs family.

Tyler is going to Venezuela representing USA Baseball!

Al McCormick
www.mostvaluableplayer.biz

Congratulations to Tyler! He had a great week at trials.

Congratulations are also in order for BaseballBuzz, whose son also made the cut.

Regrettably, Midlo Son fell short. Pitchers got two outings each during trials week. Son had difficulty in the first one, but was "on" for the second one. Unfortunately the competition was too keen to allow any margin for error.

We're disappointed -- and envious! But we wish these boys and the team well and hope you bring home the gold!

Team USA wins opening game vs, Brazil 12-0. LJ Hoes goes 2 for 3 with a two-run homer and four RBI. Tyler Hibbs is scheduled to pitch vs Mexico (game #4).

I think Tyler may have closed the Brazil game, too. The box score has only the name "Tyler" and there is no other pitcher that I see on the roster whose first or last name is Tyler. If so, he had a 1-2-3 inning with 2 K's. About all you could ask for and a decent way to get his feet wet for his start!

Wonder who'll get the ball for Monday's showdown with Cuba? I'm thinking maybe Ryan Webber ... Cuba loves the hard stuff, so going the opposite route might tie them in knots.

My son chatted with Tyler through "IM" last night. He did not pitch.

USA 14 Venezuela 0. Weber tossed a complete game, no-hitter, one runner short of a perfect game. LJ Hoes was 2 for 5 with a double.

I jumped the gun. Although the box score typo still has not been fixed (and may never be fixed, the way things go on that web site), there is indeed another RHP named Tyler on the team. Must've been him, Tyler Johnson, not Tyler Hibbs.

Haven't seen the results from today's round-robin game with Cuba yet. Cuba has already taken one loss from somebody, so they are not invincible. I had kind of thought Webber might get the call for that game, but obviously he didn't. I hope we can pull this one off, for the team's sake as well as to keep WillieBobo from recycling some of his earlier garbage on this site.