| Question:
At what age do you start watching a player? (i.e. youth summer
tournaments / varsity high school baseball) |
| Answer:
Junior high and J.V. baseball @ high school level. Also at
youth summer games & tourneys. |
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| Question:
How important is it for a high school player to attend a professional
team's open try-out day? |
| Answer:
Very important, it allows pro teams to a player one on one.
To measure skills and tools in a controlled setting. |
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| Question:
At what grade in school should a player attend their first "try-out"
day? (i.e. 9th grade, 10th grade, etc.) |
| Answer:
As early as possible (14, 15, 16 years old). This will allow
a team to follow a player's progress and development. |
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|
| Question:
Is it a good idea for a high school player to send a letter of
introduction to a professional team? Much the same as he might
to a college coach. |
| Answer:
Yes .... These will be passed on from the front office to
the respective scouts. |
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| Question:
If a letter is a good idea should a player include statistics
from his high school and summer teams? Is sending "press clippings"
from local newspapers, that include highlights, about a player
of any benefit? |
| Answer:
Press clippings are not necessary. Only name, address, position,
age, grade, height/weight, and high school & summer team. With
schedules ... if possible. |
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|
| Question:
Is it a good idea for a high school player to make a videotape,
of himself, in baseball situations and give it to a professional
scout? |
| Answer:
No ... a scout will only write a report after seeing a player
in person. |
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|
| Question:
With the increasing number of "Showcase" events, in recent years
.... How important is it for a player to attend this type of event?
|
| Answer:
Good ... but not necessary. Many of these showcases are very
costly. |
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|
| Question:
Does the fact that a player has attended an "invitation only"
showcase, such as Team One, Area Code or Top Guns improve a players
chance of being drafted? |
| Answer:
No -- these are held in the summer, decisions on players by
professional teams are made in the spring. |
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|
| Question:
How important is a player's physical appearance? I do not mean
is he 6'-1" tall and weigh 200 pounds. What I am referring to
is tattoos, body piercing, odd hair styles, manner of dress, etc.
Are any or all of these a "negative" when a pro scout sees a player? |
| Answer:
This would depend on the individual organization's philosophy
-- Personally I don't like these appearances on a player. |
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| Question:
Question: If a player has a bad day ... when a professional scout
is in the stands watching him for the first time .... Does that
mean it is "over" as far as that pro team is concerned? |
| Answer:
No -- We are scouting for future potential, not present performance. |
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| Question:
Question: How important is a player's "attitude appearance"
when in a game and at practice? |
| Answer:
Very important, you never know who is there watching. You
don't get a 2nd chance to make that 1st impression. |
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|
| Question:
Do college coaches and professional scouts ever talk to one another
about prospective high school players? |
| Answer:
Some do. |
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|
| Question:
If a high school player has the option of attending a very
good junior college or community college versus a small four (4)
year school what factors make one choice better than another?
(I am referring to baseball programs -- not the academic institutions) |
| Answer:
It is better to go to a junior college and play than to going
to a 4 year school and sitting. |
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| Question:
Do players get drafted that have not been seen by an individual
team's cross checking ("cross checker") scout? In other
words on the recommendation of an area / associate scout only. |
| Answer:
Yes -- in this and other organizations they do. |
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| Question:
What other tips or advice can you give a high school player
that would rather "go pro" than play in college? |
| Answer:
Have fun! Show your tools - (example: if you can run do so
all the time, if you can throw -- let it fly) All you have to
do is impress one club and you're a candidate to be drafted. |
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