Expert: John Madden - 2/8/2010

Question
I coach at the University club level.  We have a couple of pitchers with upper level ability.  What is the best way for me to help them find openings with summer collegiate teams?  Thanks!

Answer
Just like anything else in life or in business, it's all about the marketing.  The more people know about the player, the better the chance they have at playing somewhere.  So, the more summer ball teams you call, email, or go see, the better the chance your players will get a roster spot.  I'm guess that this doesn't happen alot (club level guys playing on collegiate summer leagues), but what I do know is that there is a lot of movement on these rosters.  Meaning, guess will get hurt, leave, get tired, etc and the team, coaches, and owner will be looking for a replacement.  Your best bet is to keep in contact with the coaches that you think your players have the best opportunity in playing for and then calling them every so often throughout the summer to see if they need any players.  You want to pick a collegiate summer league that your players can compete in because if you give your word and send them somewhere and they get slaughtered, chances are they will  not take any more of your players.  Be realistic.  You probably aren't going to have guys that can handle the Cape Cod League, but I bet some of your guys can hold their own in some of the lower level colligiate summer ball teams.  Good Luck to you and your players!  I hope to hear a story about one making a career out of baseball because of a coach who got them into summer ball!!  Don't forget to check out http://www.yougoprobaseball.com/Landing_Page.html   Thanks, and good luck again!!