THE TRUTH ABOUT SHOWCASES Good for a Select Few Only
to compete at that next competitive level. Let me be clear. That doesn’t mean they NEVER will have those capabilities. It
I’m just going to be blunt here. Showcases make
sense for only about 15– 25 percent of all baseball
athletes actually attending them.
The top 5–15 percent of all players do not need a showcase. Athletes of this caliber are going to be noticed and get attention
THIS MONTH IN BASEBALL HISTORY The World Series in Wartime Did you know the 1918 World Series between The Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs was played early due to World War I? Under a “Work or Fight” order, the regular season ended on Sept. 1, resulting in the World Series being played entirely in September. It was an exciting series too, ending in victory for the Red Sox with four wins to the Cubs’ two — a victory the Red Sox wouldn’t experience again until 2004. On both teams, players threatened to strike unless they were granted their request of $2,500 each for the winning team and $1,000 each for the losing team. The threat was dropped, however, when they were reminded that other Americans were fighting in World War I and they would appear greedy and unpatriotic for requesting the sum. The opening game of the series was played in Chicago and was moved to Comiskey Park to seat more fans. During the seventh- inning stretch, a military band played “The Star Spangled Banner,” which began the tradition in which the song was played whenever a band was present to play it (though it was not adopted as the official National Anthem until 1931). The custom of playing the National Anthem before every game didn’t begin until WWII, following the installation of public address systems. I find that so many parents naively believe that the primary reason their son hasn’t garnered more attention from college or professional scouts is exposure. While that is possible, it is almost never the case. The primary reason is that the athlete lacks the specific skill set required at the next level. simply means that at this moment in time, they do not. Granted, it is true that a vast majority of them will never develop those abilities, but that is distinctly different, in my opinion, than the fact that they currently do not possess those capabilities. For example, if you are senior with 18 years of age looking to play in college and you happen to throw the baseball at 78 mph (especially if you are a pitcher who is not a knuckleballer), have 78 mph ball exit speed off a tee (as a hitter), have a 2.5-plus POP time (as a catcher), and run a 7.5 60-yard dash, I highly recommend you skip the showcase. It will not matter how scrappy you are, how great your attitude, or how incredible your baseball acumen. You will be wasting your time and money.
regardless of where they live. Therefore, showcases are actually a waste of money for the very top performers. Showcases covet these top athletes because they bring in scouts and other interested
parties, which in turn bring in the masses who make up a vast majority of their revenue stream.
The bottom 55–65 percent of all baseball players currently do
not have the skills necessary
UPCOMING RANCH EVENTS ELITE PITCHERS BOOT CAMP
Sept. 1–3 (Saturday–Monday) Nov. 17–19 (Saturday–Monday)
A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR OATES SPECIALTIES! STRATEGIC PARTNER, Dec. 28–30 (Friday–Sunday) Jan. 19–21 (Saturday–Monday) YOUTH PITCHING CAMP Oct. 20 & 21 (Saturday & Sunday) OUTSIDE CAMPS Sept. 28–30 - ThrowZone Academy, CA Nov. 9–11 - Fastball USA, Chicago
For more information, go to TexasBaseballRanch.com/events.
www.OatesSpecialties. com/Durathro
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