GTBBaseball

We had a great night last night at Vincent Beck with the Brooklyn New Yorks SAYO Grays falling to the Houston Miracles, bringing us a great first night of baseball. We are working hard at phase one to bring in quality programs to help assist our own kids locally, and last night was a tremendous sign, things are progressing in the right direction. Numerous fans, numerous scouts, and a good night of well played high school select baseball. [b][u]Saturdays Schedule[/u][/b] 10am - Houston Banditos Baseball vs Brooklyn New York 12:30pm - Houston Banditos Baseball vs Louisiana Bullet Baseball 3:00pm - GTB All-Stars vs Brooklyn New York The GTB All-Stars are coached this weekend by [i]PNG & Lamar Alumn, Allen Harrington[/i](San Diego Padres) and 16 local players from the Golden Traingle. GTB All-Stars play at 3pm Today. [email protected]

Below are game times and each teams brief information. ========================================================================== [u][b]Early Signing Tournament at LAMAR UNIVERSITY[/b][/u] Nov 6,7,8th / Beaumont Texas [u][b]Friday Nov 6[/b][/u] 6:30pm / Houston Miracles vs SAYO Grays(Brooklyn NY) / 9innings [u][b]Saturday Nov 7[/b][/u] 10:00am -  Bullet Baseball(LA) vs Banditos Baseball(Houston) 12:30pm - SAYO Grays(NY) vs Banditos Baseball 3:00pm - SAYO Grays(NY) vs GT All-Stars(Golden Triangle Scout League All-Stars) [u][b]Sunday Nov 8[/b][/u] 9:00am - SAYO Grays vs Banditos Baseball 11:20am - SAYO Grays vs Miracles Baseball 1:40pm - Bullet Baseball vs Miracles Baseball 4:00pm - Bullet Baseball vs GT All Stars ====================================================================================== [u][b]SAYO Grays - Student Athlete Baseball Organization / Brooklyn, New York[/b][/u] A unique baseball program comprised of kids from the multi-cultural Sunset section of Brooklyn, New York. They bring in to the tournament years of success getting their young men into college athletics. Their main focus truly is using baseball as a vehicle to impress upon their kids the importance of academics. Coaches: Darrel Tiebout / Julio La Salle  / Ian Younge-President / www.sayobase.org. [u][b]Banditos Baseball - Houston, Texas[/b][/u] The Bandito Baseball Program is recognized around the country as a Top Premier Select Baseball Program. Not many programs compare Nationally to what the Banditos have accomplished. The Banditos program from top to bottom have won 93 State Titles and 38 Nat’l Championships. An amazing accomplishment! We are very excited to have the Banditos Program and their talented kids here for the weekend. Coaches: Johnny Black / Robert DeLeon / www.banditosbaseballclub.com [u][b]Houston Miracles Baseball - Miracles Baseball Academy of Houston[/b][/u] David and Mike have been as hard workers as there are in amateur baseball. Their work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Recently led their team to the 2008 Connie Mack World Series, the Premier World Series in all associations.  The Miracles have developed and aided many players performing college & professional baseball. Coaches: David Clyde / Mike Harris / www.miraclesbaseball.com [b][u]GTB League All-Stars - Beaumont Texas - Golden Triangle Baseball Prospect League All-Stars[/u][/b]. GTB All-Stars is a team comprised of local high school players who perform in the GTB Scout League on Monday Nights at Lamar University. This Scout League is in its second season working to aid local players who seem to be slightly under the recruiting radar. We carry the hopes our local kids receive some form of athletic aid to attend college and play baseball. In 2008, 19 of the 31 players in the league received college scholarships, this year's group remains to be seen on signing day. The team was selected by Chris Fackler and will be coached by PNG-Lamar Alumn, Allen Harrington and Kelly High-McNeese Alumn Alex Dugas [b][u]Bullet Baseball - Lake Charles, Louisiana[/u][/b] Bullet Baseball has been in operation for over the past 6 seasons, recently jumping up into the high school age divisions, Coach Landreneau has consistently worked very hard to create a special developmental program for the kids in SW Louisiana. The Bullet program has won numerous championships in its lower aged divisions and are doing well thus far with high school aged players. Coaches: James Landreneau / www.bulletbaseball.com  

[b][u]GTB Scout League.[/u][/b] 6:30 Gametime Each Monday at LAMAR. No admission fees, free to the public.

As we began discussions last week, here is some recruiting information I have received from a few coaches, that you players should get involved in now. It opens a direct line of communication with these coaches. Its an "Opportunity" for each of you, and there are numerous camps offered in the coming two months by numerous college programs. [u][b]University Houston Cougars Baseball Camps[/b][/u] High School ELITE SHOWCASE CAMP! November 6th - Sunday, November 8th. The camp is open to all 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 graduates. This is a great opportunity to get instruction from UH coaching staff, as well as other area college and junior college coaches and scouts. They only be take the first 90 high school players. Go to the UH Website for information. [b][u]Blinn Jr College / Brenham Texas[/u][/b] Email Head Coach McIntyre, [email protected]. [u][b]"Prospects America"[/b][/u] Westbrook High School / November 15th / $190 per player www.prospectsamerica.com  / [email protected] [b][u]Rice Owls[/u][/b] 12/19 – 12/20 ~ Saturday to Sunday Hitting Camp / Cost $125 (Ages 13-18) Times: 12:15pm to 2:45pm Location: Reckling Park- Rice University Campus Sidenote: I'd recommened to attend for the information and reps, yet be realistic to yourself, Are YOU "RICE" Material as a Prospect. [b][u]Univ Texas Longhorns[/u][/b] 1/16 – 1/17 ~ Saturday to Sunday High School Pre-Season Warm Up Camp ($285.00 - $350.00) Sidenote: I'd recommend to attend for the information and reps, yet be realistic to yourself, Are YOU "UT" Material as a Prospect. [u][b]Tulane Green Wave[/b][/u] 12/28 – 12/30 ~ Monday to Wednesday Rick Jones Tulane Holiday Baseball Camp Cost $220 Sidenote: I'd recommened to attend for the information and reps, yet be realistic to yourself, Are YOU "Tulane" Material as a Prospect. [b][u]University La-Monroe[/u][/b] 12/18 – 12/19 ~ Friday to Saturday Warhawks High School Holiday Overnight Camp Over night camp where the university will supply housing for the players, Cost $250. Lamar Baseball / I see no current info on their website, but assume they will conduct a Showcase Type Camp in December, I will look into it and post for them. Ill be glad to post more along the way to bring an awareness to all parents-players. Chris Fackler / [email protected]

Here are all the kids from SE-Tx and SW La who GTB Baseball has involved playing this weekend at LAMAR. We will have over 60 locals from 21 different high schools, giving their time to perform this weekend. We begin on Sat 10:30am - 5pm and again Sunday(final rounds) 10am - 4pm. 2 games also at WESTBROOK HIGH 10:45am & 3:30pm. I want to Thank Lamar Baseball for their support as well as Coach Walton at Westbrook High. Coach Gilligan, Ricklefsen, Hatten and Gore(LCM Grad) have just been outstanding and are sincerely supportive with the local baseball community. C Fackler [u][b] SE TEXAS[/b][/u] Austin Stone / PNG Hunter Hagler / Vidor Chris Sweetenham / PNG Tyler Hoskinson / Kelly Evan Boren / Bridge City Matt Hicks / Bridge City Jake Minaldi / Hamshire-Fannet Logan Johnson / Hamshire-Fannet Tanner Jorgensen / PNG Matt Peno / Vidor Johnathan Neal / Vidor Jordan Olbrich / Vidor Scott Vaugh / LCM Brandon Landry / LCM Mason Dallas / LCM Bubba Maxwell / Vidor Cash McCarsen / Hardin Jefferson Taylor Hoskinson / Kelly Chase Angelle / Orangefield Kolby Baxter / Buna Taylor Zummo / Kelly Reggie Wilson / Westbrook Kody Smith / LCM Anthony Babino / Nederland Forest Zoch / Bridge City Kyle Markum / Hamshire- Fannet Tyler Falgout / Kelly Brenten Scwabb / Westbrook Gabe Nevala / Nederland [b][u]SW Louisiana[/u][/b] Dillon Carroll / Sulphur Cade Andrus / Sulphur Tyler Mathis / Barbe Cord Cockrell / Acadiana High Zach Cady / Barbe Corey Bono / St. Louis Catholic High Mtch Dowden / Pickering High Josh East / Sulphur High Anthony Ferrer / St. Louis Catholic High Ty Griffin  / St. Louis Catholic High Cody Hillard  / Barbe High Chad Miller / Sulphur High Travis Montgmery / Sam Houston High Steven Pennick / Sulphur High Nick Powell  / Barbe High Chad Strother / Oberlin High Trent Helms / St Louis Catholic High Kelsey Richard / Jennings High Charlie Yorks / St Louis Catholic High Kade Billeaudeaux / St. Louis Catholic High Grarret Broussard / Barbe High Tyler Chapman / Iowa High Reid Chavez / St. Louis Catholic High Andrew Guillotte / Sam Houston High Cody Rider  / Sam Houston High Chance Terrell / Sam Houston High Jacob Williams  / St. Louis Catholic High Nicolas Zaunbrecher / Barbe High Jacob Higginbotham  / Barbe High Lucas Leger  / St Louis Catholic High

Videos are not recognized as a scouting tool unless, there was some preset communication between the coach and player. Its a gimmick business who feeds off the parents/childrens dreams. As for tournaments within the area to attend. Lamar, Angelina, Blinn, Baytown, Houston, Alvin, Dallas, Austin, Baton Rouge, San Antonio host quality tournaments each week during the summer. It is relatively easy to enter your ballclub to join in on these tournaments. I know many scouts who attend these tournaments. Last summer GTB took a squad to Baytown and Rice was there to see 2 kids, and when we go to Baton Rouge we always have had 8-10 schools to see our kids perform. So YES, they do get out to see kids in these state-local tournaments. It usually takes a credible voice before hand to tell them 'there is a kid coming to ?, and his game times for that specific tourney are this-that'. My entire concerns are we traveled the country side to get so-called exposure for our kids and at the end of the day, 99% of our local prospects will sign within our immediate region (Bellows-Felts(UT), Hester-Benoit(Lamar) Hicks-Kellog(ULL) Statum(A&M)Powell(LSU)) and it doesnt make financial sense to travel to these huge tournaments, raising the finances we had to to be a part of these tournaments only to have the Clemsons, Ga Techs, Miss States, Southern Miss's only offering 50% aid, meaning the kids parents would need to pay close to $8000 and beyond per school year. 1) Our top kids are remaining close to home to attend college(statistics and prospect-percentages stand by this) 2) These big-time scouts dont make the time to evaluate the Avg Prospect, they overlook them and run to the next field. Its a shame and a huge delima to the college programs too. The Juco budgets and mid-major schools who recruit these avg prospects cannot afford to use recruiting budgeted money to travel to Atlanta-Phoenix-Ft Myers-Jupiter, therefore the local kid is overlooked at these large tournaments by the big budgeted schools and at the same time not looked at locally because these prospects are on the road, not here locally in state being evaluated. What Lamar has done is incredible, they currently have 19 players in professional baseball and I know Lamar has NEVER traveled the country to see kids, they work hard and do their homework in state. Coach Gilligan traveled to Atlanta one time and found it overbearing to settle in to find kids to come to Lamar from across the country. So my point earlier about how high school coaches very seldom see these recruiters is due to these colleges cant get out on a Tues-Wed to see local high school games. They are usually playing a college ballgame on a Tues-Wed night and playing on Friday Nights which conflicts with high school scheduling. So summer baseball is an avenue they want to follow but when the local kids are not here playing they have a tough time seeing kids. (This is what motivated us to begin the GTB Fall Prospect League, to aid these local scouts and college programs during the fall to see the local players who were traveling during the entire summer)     I'm personally am as guilty as anyone on pulling kids from here and taking them far across the country, and over my years of coaching, only handful of locals signed outside of Texas-Louisiana(Tanner Mathis-Ole Miss / Dustin Hood Wake Forest). But will say both of these 2 were seen at Atlanta(Hood) and Jupiter(Mathis). This is why recently I began researching and studying the risk-rewards, the feeding on high school kids dreams by the Nat'l organizations, and so on, doesnt quiet add up and I have said for 4 or 5 months now, we all are going to see a big change in select baseball in the coming years. This dog of salesmanship and deceiption by these organizations are about to begin falling downhill because the college programs recruiting budgets are beginning to have issues with the system, and the families just cannot afford it, so when a select program can pay all expenses, it sure helps alot. With expenses being paid, I'd recommend a player to enjoy the experience at these elite tournaments nation wide but also develop a balance in some way to be seen locally as well. The Babe Ruth League can be a great way to balance it out during the weekdays, but you need a voice to call these scouts to come evaluate the player driving here to the GT. And someone had stated on a previous post that a PG Showcase's bring in 100s of scouts, this is not accurate at all. I want to first state, PG has done some great things for many of kids, but we are discussing the "Direct Impact to Local Players. Their regional showcases cost $549 per player and they select a 96 player limit to attend. Thats over $52,000 per weekend. I've personally worked PG showcases at Blinn and Waco and never saw more than 20 scouts attend a PG showcase. But the great thing is these 15-20 scouts in attendance were all of local origin which is a positive for our local kids who attend. Id recommend to log onto the PG website and enroll in any in-state showcase, the McKinney Showcase(August) will have local colleges in attendance. PG Showcases are a Money Maker and a "finder" for the Company. This is where they at times "find" that top arm or hitter and do their anlysis on a kid. Then it leads to them printing their evaluations on-site(the professional scheme), which then leads to their ranking of players and select teams. Then it leads to have you the player-parent purchase the PG Crosschecker website($400annually I think). PG's main mission and goal is to dig up to find the Tier 1(Professional Prospect) or Tier 2 level player(SEC-Big12-ACC-Pac10). The only Showcases bringing in 100s of scouts are Area Code(Invite only) and the Top 100-Top 60 PG Nat'l Showcase(Invite Only) As a parent, I recommend to google any college program in-state or Louisiana. They ALL offer camps to attend for high school kids. Blinn, Sam Houston, Lamar, Univ La-Lafayette, Northwestern State, and on and on have camps. So as a parent you need to decide, do I pay the $125 to attend a college camp with direct communication with the coaching staff for an entire day or spend $549 for a 2day showcase, or spend the $1000-$1500 for select team fees to travel 10 hrs from home, and for the most part not to be mentioned or seen by a local college coach from here in state or Louisiana. I will say again, if your an Elite Prospect, you def need to hit the road and play for these tremendous select programs and see how you compare and weigh your talent level against the best nationally. But if you are realistic and realise your an Avg prospect(Can make an impact at Juco or Mid-Major), then stay local, in state and get a voice to make calls for you and get to their camp or get on a select team who plays within this region. And as Jason stated, I am not in the least bit dis-assembling or rejecting any one select program. Some have stepped it up and made an impression nationally, by bringing in players from outside the area aiding the locals on the club as well. I am speaking from my experiences and conversations with local scouts-recruiters, and took a look outside the box and re-evaluated things. I pulled GTB from the National Scene. Its not worth the financial burden put on families, nor myself. It basically was a $35,000 per summer recruiting tool for the kids-parents-sponsors involved. Chris Fackler

Jason, First off, So glad to see you sign your name to accept the accountibility with your thoughts and opinions. A rare thing to find at times on these threads. These concerns you have brought up have not gone unnoticed, for I been doing some research and questioning many within the profession of developmental baseball. Ill have a 6page report that I'll release in the coming weeks on select baseball concerns and issues. It discusses in detail, The financial rewards and risks, the impact local select makes on local kids, the travel industry of select baseball(trust me, its a major financial business), and the support we acquire locally from the media, the challenges these high school coaches face and the lack of respect they receive, and comments from college coaches and professional scouts within our regional baseball community. If the young man is an ELITE PROFESSIONAL PROSPECT, Sure go enjoy the journey, but not the "dime a dozen" local prospect. The Elite player should remain involved locally as well, for his Prospect Status leads to other locals being evaluated as well. Yet again, I am only concerned with its effects on our local players and have researched for over 4 months on all aspects, which I think many will find interesting and very insightful, not based so much on opinion, but based on facts. Once again, enjoyed the email today Jason and look forward to speaking with you soon, Chris Fackler

GTB will be hosting 2 High School Level Fall Tournaments at Lamar Oct 31st/Nov 1st and Nov 6-8. Teams competing those weekends: [b][u]GTB Regional Showcase Oct 31-Nov 1[/u][/b] Bullet Baseball / Lake Charles, La Gladiator Baseball / Beaumont area GT Baseball / Golden Triangle Columbia Angels / Houston Bayou City Bears / Houston [b][u]GTB Early Sign Showcase / Nov 6-8[/u][/b] SAYO Grays / Brooklyn NY Banditos Baseball / Houston Miracles Baseball / Houston GTB League All-Stars / Select All-Star Squad from the Monday Night Golden Triangle Scout League C Fackler / [email protected]

Matt Hicks of Bridge City and Evan Powell of Sam Houston(La) have both verbally committed to play college baseball. Matt Hicks RHP-MIF, has committed to continue his play with The University Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns in Lafayette, La. Matt had options from Lamar, Wake Forest, Baylor, Univ Houston, Tulane, and more. Coach Robe and Trahan have a relentless hard worker and winner on their hands. Junior Evan Powell C-3B notified the LSU Tigers early last week that he will halt all recruiting, and sign with Tigers his senior season in 2010-11. Coach Grewe and Maineri got a uniquely talented hitter with tremendous leadership and baseball IQ. Congrats to these 2 truly unique and special young men.

Team USA beat Cuba, 7-6 and won the USA World Championships in Taiwan today. USA was down 6-5 going into the 9th, and with 2outs, runner on 3rd, Evan-P drives in the winning run with a double for USA. What an amazing accomplishment and an amazing experience for Evan. GTB is proud of what this young man has accomplished.

For those in the GTB Family, wanted to make you all aware, Evan-P is playing extremely well for Team USA in Taiwan. He is batting cleanup and the starting Catcher. They beat Mexico last night and play Cuba in the World Championship Finals at 6:30am(local time) Sunday. He has set/tied Team USA Records in 3 categories, RBI's in a single game(7), base-on-balls in single game(3), and doubles in a game. He is currently batting .445 with a grandslam, while leading the team in walks and rbi's. Today he was 3-for-5 with 2 doubles and a triple to lead the offense, in a 9-5win over Mexico. www.usabaseball.com is where you can follow the final game. His mom and father made the trip over and have been sending back pictures and the boys look like they are having an amazing experience. USA Baseball, Coach Sanchez, and administrators have done a tremendous job with these national prospects. Evan is a special young man who has a bright future ahead and we are glad to share in these moments with him.

Wanting to make aware to ALL High School Players the GTB High School Select Scheduled events this Fall: 1) GTB Fall Prospect League - 2009 grad's - Invitation Only - All Games at Lamar University - Monday Nights (FULL) 2) GTB Fall Underclass League - 2010-2011-2012 grad's - Games at HS Fields and Lamar University - Wednesday Nights 3) GTB 17un Fall Program - Travel 3 tournaments, including the World Wood/Perfect Game Nationals in Ft Myers Fl. 4) HS Training with Hitting Instruction on Sundays (We have at times, College recruiters/Professional Scouts come to watch workouts) 5) HS One-Day Showcase for 2009 Grad's for College Recruiters and Professional Scouts before the NCAA Dead Period in October I want to make clear, your high school activities come first, meaning your School Fall Ball Team and your academic priorities. I will have a form to fill out with academic information(grades) submitted so I will have avaliable for recruiters/scouts. We will not schedule games or workouts on the same day as your High School Fall Teams Game day, You will play for your HS Team first. Football Players are welcomed to attend 'after' football workouts are completed. We are here to work with Babe Ruth, Little League, and other select teams, to make it an easy transition to do both. This is a positive environment for all involved, which includes several area HS coaches and Instructors with years of experience developing players. Our program includes players from SE-TX and SW-LA. The goal is to build that communication-bridge between player and scout. I recommend that each of you email me with your sons school-name, grade, and position, for I rarely have time to log this site . . so if you have Any questions, new ideas, and/or comments, please forward to [email protected]