Ever try out for a major league team?

[kylehess10]

I plan on going to Myrtle Beach this summer to try out for the Braves, but this will be my first time going to an MLB Training Camp. Has anybody ever gone to one of these? If so, what was it like and what should I expect?

[Rockhound]

I never have tried out for a team, but a friend of mine has. He went to the San Diego Padres tryouts a few years ago and didn't get very far. He said he had a blast and it was a very exciting experience. He's now in training to give it another try.

[bluezebra]

My Dad tried out for the Cubs in 1915, when they still played in the old wooden ballpark. He was a left-handed first baseman, and dropped three throws and went home. He played with his regimental team when he was with the Army of Occupation in Germany after WWI. They won the Championship, and there's a picture in a baseball record book showing my Dad holding one end of the Championship Pennant.

Bob

[Dennie Cunningham]

Reds Tryout In Rochester NY

IT seems the Reds hold a tryout every year in Rochester. Very few get past this tryout, but one year, the scouts saw a ball player they really liked, but found out he was in his mid to late twentys............end of story, too OLD. Don't know if he would have been looked at when he was younger. They seem to look at the quality of play and the age, as most get better "with age", until about 32 then head south. Some faster then others.........just look at the pros as they age.

[Handsdown88]

I tried out for the Rockies a few years back and I was 26, there was an amazing player I met - Mike Bordelay or bordlemay according to google or something close to that who, I know they considered but again age was the factor. I think that guy was only 24 or 25. It's tough once your in your mid 20"s to even be considered for a mlb club.

[tigers527]

I never did, but I humored the idea during the 1994 scab tryouts. I played baseball through high school, and was 22 at that time, and thought it would be fun to try. I did not have the time/money though, sometimes I think if I could do it over I would, but I know I was not very good so my effort would have been for bleeps and giggles.

Here's a very interesting book about the caliber of talent even in the lowest level of the professional leagues (Independent league), and the adult league player that joined a team (Ogden Raptors) for a season. I enjoyed the read.

http://books.google.com/books?id=y-zE33eqdCwC&dq=minor+players+major+dreams&pg=PP1&ots=FGW9xrbNvR&sig=kdEL89FqM8VFdnrgO0B7UrnRACQ&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result

[108stitches]

I was invited to St. Louis Cardinals minor league camp as a pitcher in '75. I am 5'5". Guess what they said?

[bluezebra]

I was invited to St. Louis Cardinals minor league camp as a pitcher in '75. I am 5'5". Guess what they said?

"Do your parents know you're here? Come back when you grow up".

Bob

[metrotheme]

I played against the author - Brett Mandel in the Philadelphia MABL. He had to pay his entire way that season, as the team wasn't going to put any money into a non-prospect. He managed to eek out 5 at-bats that season, hence putting himself into the "books". Even though he got that position because he basically took a bench spot to cover the team, he still got what most of us have longed for, a place in the "books". He can say he played minor league ball and the stats are there, even though if you do the knowledge, you will see the premise he was based on his reporter status and not as a prospect.

There was another guy whom I read about - Rocky Perone aka Rich Pohle

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=pahigian/080710

Who was able to fake his age and identity long enough for a team to take a second chance on him at the assumed age of 21 when he was 36. What his story basically tells me (as well as from playing semi-pro / adult league baseball) is that there are guys who are "over the hill" by prospect standards that are in the local leagues that are better than players in the system.

I had a few open tryouts, and I ran well enough at one of them to get to batting practice, but they aren't looking for singles hitters. Nobody was taken from that tryout. The ones they were watching the closest were the high school players. If you are at one of these tryouts coming as a senior in college, you better run a 6.4 / 6.5 or throw 90 MPH or it is not going to matter.

Here's a very interesting book about the caliber of talent even in the lowest level of the professional leagues (Independent league), and the adult league player that joined a team (Ogden Raptors) for a season. I enjoyed the read.

http://books.google.com/books?id=y-z...um=1&ct=result

[TonyK]

I was invited to St. Louis Cardinals minor league camp as a pitcher in '75. I am 5'5". Guess what they said?

"You're Canadian? The St. Louis Blues tryout is next week."