scouting

Question
how can I get baseball scouts to look at a young player I have a 19 year old  team and the other day I was short a player I brang up a 15 year old kid and I have seen a lot of good players and one of my team mates when I played made it to the big show and this kid that played for me the 15 year old is the best player that I have seen in a long time so if you can let me know how to call about this kid Thank you

Answer
Hi Jeffrey,

I am not a major league scout, but I have heard a few things that have been successful for others in getting players noticed:  

1.  Have the kid go to a professional major league try out in your state soon.  This provides some exposure and allows him to get tested in a control environment for running, arm speed, hitting, etc.

2.  Start to build a videotape of his performance for next couple of years.  These tapes can be consolidated and sent to college coaches and/or major league scouts.

3.  Send a letter introducing the player.  The letter should include basic stats like name, address, height, weight, position, age, grade, high school team and summer league team.  Some scouts frown on letters being sent to them and others don't mind it at all.  For this reason, it is best to send a letter and take your chances.

4.  Have the kid join the best all star and top level travel teams in the area.  This is a way to get some additional exposure.  Many players have been discovered when scouts were checking out another player.

5.  Have him take lessons with top baseball instructors who have ties to the major leagues.  These tend to be more in the big cities, but this can be another way to get exposure.  The kid can follow-up with the instructor on how to get noticed and they may be able to open some doors for him.

6.  Recommend the kid go to a "showcase" event.  These are events that have the best players in an area play in several games.  Scouts come to these games and watch the games.  If he does well here, this gives him more exposure.

7.  Get started immediately on promotion of this kid.  Scouts start looking at kids at age 14 and 15 so you can definitely get started.  

By applying these methods, you have a very good chance of getting this player noticed.     

Good luck,
Jack Elliott
www.baseballtrainingtechniques.com