| USA players get draft out of high school (+/- 18 years old) or out of
college (+/- 22 years old). If you don't play at college for whatever
reason, there are summer leagues (Cape Cod) that are use to display
your talents to the scouts. I'm from Puerto Rico. Most hispanic
or overseas players are signed by scouts. Most teams have scouts all
over the world. The Blue Jays have a summer school in Dominican
Replubic. They get baseball and english lessons. Some hispanic kids
are signed at the tender age of 15 years old.
Pitcher
-------
1) Speed
2) Ball movement
3) Attitude *
4) Does he have guts?
* Most of the times this is overlooked and then you got into trouble
makers.
If you noticed breaking pitches and location are not mentioned. Most
people believe that you'll get them in the minors.
Position Player
-------- ------
1) Hitting abilities (power, etc)
2) fielding range
3) arm strentgh
4) Attitude
Discipline hitters get some attention, but, power hitters get all the
attention. If you can hit for power they will find a place to hide you
defensively or even DH. Catchers got to be strong, have a great arm
and hit for power.
"Amateur" Money
The most that I got was $25.00/day. That was for a double header and
it didn't matter if I pitch or not. Single games, halve of the
agreed money. Some people get money for school. I guess that a
scholarship is getting paid.
I hope this answer some of your concerns.
Jose
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Cheers Jose,
Is it possible to play sports at a National level, & still retain a
normal job in the States or Europe ?
For instance I play National League Field Hockey here in England. I
have to travel throughout the country to play at weekends and sometime
mid-week, whilst also attending two team training sessions under
floodlights on astroturf mid week.
The top level internationals play in our league, most of the Seoul Gold
Medal Olympic side play in the league. There is also the oppertunity to
play in Europe by winning either the National League or National Cup
competitions.
The Sport is Amateur, although I am sponsored for my goal-minders kit
(mostly Cooper Ice-hockey equipment) and travalling and hotel expences
are almost covered for the season.
The ambitions I have would be to be entertained by the English National
squad, last year I was rated in the top-eight in the country...but I do
not think I will make the higher level.
I am intrigued to see if anyone else has this sort of balance, ie
commitment to competetive sport whilst maintaining their heavy work
responsibilities as well and where they find the balance is a good
thing or indeed a bad thing.........
Cheers,
Rex
P.S - What does Bo really know ?
:^)
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| Rex --
In terms of who else makes the a similar type commitment, in the US
any rugby player who makes the national team, the US Eagles, or
one of the select sides, makes the same type of commitment.
In terms of our professional athletes, none of the obviously hold
a regular job, since the sport is their regular job. Some (maybe
most -- I don't know) will get involved in some sort of business
in the off season. For a long time Auto dealerships seems a popular
choice for off season jobs.
And what does Bo know? Well, he knows football, baseball, and how
to make Nike commercials...oh yeah, and how to roll in dough!
'Saw
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