Showcase article in the newspaper

How do get tryouts? Are they once a month, week or can you request? Can understand the cost being different. I think this is a great way to learn how the showcase buisness works for those who have questions. But answers are hard to come by.

 

MVP Tryouts

MVP holds tryouts periodically. The most recent local tryout was in conjunction with the Leith Auto Park East Round Table Invitational Baseball/Softball Tournament at Knightdale HS. The tournament was eventually cancelled due to weather. If there is a player (grades 8 - 12) who is interested, I can arrange a tryout with the MVP coaches. There are local coaches as well as the national ones. The national coaches are in town periodically to work with current MVP members. Most of the general questions can be answered by visiting http://www.mvpbaseball.net.

 

Thank you for your comments. I do respect what you do for baseball and I do respect your opinions; however, I, also, have issues in some of what has been said and would like to address it.

First, I am a huge proponent of showcase baseball. I have been associated with it since its inception and I could give concrete facts to support its value. As far as the value of cost of each organization, it's not for me to say. That's a family decision and it differs from family to family. Let me cite an example. Some people may frown at the cost of enrolling with the On Deck Baseball Academy. Some people have made derogatory comments about how expensive it is. Well, if you compare the cost of joining one team vs the cost of On Deck, I can understand the frowns. But they are a year long program. They have professionals coaching their team (not daddyball). They have professional instructors helping their players throughout the year with skills development, weight training, education tutoring and access to their facilities all year round. It's a tremendous opportunity for the athletes participating and if one analyzes the value they are receiving, it's outstanding, but it's all relative. For the families spending $500 (that's cheap) for their son to play summer and fall baseball, they would view On Deck's prices as expensive. But are they getting proper instructions and a year long partnership in the development of their son?

Nowhere in my comments that I mentioned MVP or stated an opinion of their program. I did not say that MVP was careless in their comments, I said the author of the quotes was.....and the terms used by him "product" and "agents" and the message clearly stating about "....rather than the emotions of winning games and trophies in High School" was very provacative and I believe misleading. They may have been opinions that he believed, but they certainly are not shared by many Showcase programs.

You've stated that they were taken out of context and I believe that. After your explanation, I have a better understanding of what was meant. But you must understand that the comments were made reflecting the article that was written...not what was not written.

I have no affliation or bias towards any Showcase program. Well, that's not entirely true. There are many people involved with Showcase Baseball, whom I know personally, that I have tremendous respect for. But I don't have an opinion of MVP because I don't know them. Since you are affiliated, I'm sure they do a great job.

 

The life of a traveling umpire

Q: So, then, what are the hottest spots for umpires to party at?

A: Here are some absolute musts: Pure at Caesars Palace remains not only one of the top nightclubs in Vegas but also the world, drawing packed crowds and Impact's youngest and hottest prospects every week. Its sister club LAX never fails to bring in the wannabees, either. Tao at the Venetian is another celebrity favorite, offering a sharp contrast to Pure's Miami Beach-inspired design with a Zen-influenced setting. But don't let the statues of oldbbguy fool you -- when the club opens its doors, Tao is all about the party with unlimited drinks for coaches. IF you don't like hangin with Coach 27 and his peeps then try the Palms, where the always-popular ghostbar overlooks the city from 55 stories high while Rain Las Vegas packs 'em in on the ground floor of the casino -- you'll catch some of the top showcase promoters working the dance floor as well as SoutherNo1 in shorts and boots getting rejected by every babe in the place. You should also check out the wild Body English and Studio 54, modeled after the famous New York nightclub. You will find Braves in the high roller corner booth hangin with Britney, Lindsey and Paris so that he can get free drinks. You might also see PhillyDave and niknat along with Gman waiting in line begging to get in.

But wait, there's more: You can take advantage of the best hang out at Coyote Ugly where Stretchy will be working his Latin magic whit the ladies!!

 

I rest my case

 

The ARTICLE still makes me "PUKE". I stand by my point. Anybody can create a showcase team and play showcase and charge tons of money. If it is for you, knock yourselves out. And by the way, most teams are non-profit and struggle to make ends meet with sponsorship, etc. I support showcase baseball. I attend many tournaments as a FAN, but also realize that there are teams continuing to form that do nothing but get false hopes for some kids and parents. If you are good enough, they will find you and you will play.

 

Stretchy...while I certainly admire your accurate recommendations of popular haunts in Vegas, being a Vegas regular myself, I see one glaring omission... Sapphire. While the clubs mentioned cater to the "hope I get seen in my new loafers" crowd (I was actually just recently spotted at Ghost, and I must say, it is a must do), Sapphire caters to all types and is as fun as it can get with a group of baseball guys, short of the College World Series (although the "employees" at Sapphire are much...uhm...friendlier). At 75,000 square feet, it's a monster of a club with a very "friendly" atmosphere and a sound system that will leave you sore the next day. Oh, did I mention the employees are attractive as well. Tell Missy Diesel sent you...

I could also recommend Spearmint Rhino and definately do NOT recommend Scores (unless you like to feel like you've been mugged when you leave a club).

 

You're just upset because Stretchy, Niknat, Gman and myself wouldn't let you jump in line to get into Studio 54!

 

See, that's the problem; you guys hang with Stretchy. You should have gone with me. I get in FREE...and I don't have to wait in lines.

 

Sounds like some colleges. Some schools require their baseball program to carry X amount of players (usually above 40). There is no way to "actively" recruit and sign that many guys. Guess what you are left with?