The PBI Showcase

I was recently invited to the Professional Baseball Instructional Showcase. This showcase is actually more of a camp that is put on by high school, college, and professional coaches, professional scouts and cross checkers, and coaches that have worked with U.S.A. 18-U Baseball.

My view looking in as a past player and current promoter of the game of baseball is that these players do not understand how fortunate they are to have the opportunity to work with baseball guys that have impressive credentials like these. Here are some examples. The staff included a scout from the Texas Rangers, a scout from the San Diego Padres, and a cross checker from the San Diego Padres. The staff also included a coach from Cleveland State Community College, Carson Newman College and a coach from Lee University (NAIA world series the last 2 years). Last but certainly not least, the players had the opportunity to work with a coach pitching coach in the Texas Rangers organization and a coach that helps choose players for the U.S.A 18-U team.

This is one of the most impressive camps I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. I have been to quite a few (10-15 in the last year alone). The knowledge of the staff was unbelievable. Something I have never seen before is these guys would meet with the group of players and parents for about 30 minutes to discuss different aspects of baseball and high school baseball recruiting. Usually during the "discussion time" the staff would tell stories of their recruiting days as coaches and discuss the do's and do not's of being recruited. They would also allow the players and parents to ask questions.

It truly was an incredible experience to see these guys promote the game baseball and help kids become better baseball players and better human beings. Most showcases are conducted to make the program money, but these guys actually care about the players. It included some of the best instruction I have ever witnessed.