Happy Memorial Day

Great game the other night, 8 strikeouts. They sent him back out in the 7th, with only 0ne ER Springfield was leading 3-2. One out and men on the corners. Tension here in the Kopp household.
Here's the story.
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20100527/SPORTS02/5270391/-1/BLOGS01/Kopp+impressive+in+Cardinals++win

Tomorrow the camo jersys are up for auction, my husband already put in his bid, working on second jersey worn by son. There are six in all to bid on this season, thank goodness it's all for charity!

Going away tomorrow for a 3 day trip that doesn't include watching baseball. Have a great holiday and stay safe!

Going away for a non baseball holiday I hope that all of you have a great and safe holiday!

Draft Day Right Around the Corner

Draft time right around the corner.
If your son is drafted, you most likely will be shocked at how little they want to offer your son to go play, perhaps to give up a good scholarship or for your son to not finish what he began (college). The money that they offer can sometimes be insulting to you and him, but here is something to think about.
I know of some players that took less because the team that drafted them was close to where they lived. A parent of a player I know told me that his son took what was offered with no negotiationg because they lived in Florida, spring training was in Florida along with one level of play and very close to home. That meant a lot of support, dinner often at home and home on days off. Of course this becomes a savings in a way.
After son's name was called, we kind of knew that day what he would sign for, and most likely he would have liked to have gotten a bit more as all players would like. That didn't happen. However, the location proved that a few thousand dollars more meant more than money in the bank. This should be a part of the consideration when talking to teams. The closer the team to where you and his family are, the more attractive that team that is talking to your son or drafts your son should be. I can tell you there is nothing better than being close, and after being so close to us for a few seasons, I know that son finds his journey lonely at times for those close to him. For some strange reason though, I know of a lot of situations where teams draft players and at least one level or the big league level is close to where they live or perhaps the spring training complex. I don't know if that is done on purpose or that is just the way it works out.

Springfield had a great run while at home, but going to Tulsa proved otherwise. The first 3 games weren't good, son took his first loss, but they finally won today and avoided a sweep.

A day off tomorrow and they resume play in Springfield, against Corpus Christi and San Antonio, son actually looking forward to that homestand, he has a few friends on each team and two former college teammates on another. That means dinner out with old friends and familiar faces.

Life in AA

Every team has different way of doing things, and all managers are different and have different expectations. I suspect that the manager for Springfield is being groomed for the highest level, people talk that he will be TLR's replacement someday. Therefore, you do what is expected of you and even more than you have to.
Players have to report everyday at 3 for 7 pm games, earlier for day games mine comes an hour or more because he has specific excercises he needs to accomplish each and everyday to prevent further problems. Pitchers have PFP's almost everyday (pitchers fielding practice) or their bullpen, and on game day they are allowed to come later (as they do not participate in PFP drills). Before each game, the clubby cooks a meal and after each game a meal is donated by a restaurant, so therefore they get two full meals a day at home, and on the road as well. They do pay for this, but very minimal compared to meals out like at the high A level (one meal a day). The clubby takes very good care of them and there is always more than enough food, snacks at the players disposal. Think of it as you feeding your player and making sure he gets a good meal before the game. Only this is for 30+ every gameday.
I have only seen pictures of the locker room and it is big and beautiful, with leather couches and tables, where players spend time playing cards, games or just relaxing before they have fielding practice or a game. Gate entrance is one hour before the game, and practices are closed. The stadium also has an indoor facility for practice with batting cages, used also by Southern Missouri State.
Living arrangements are very nice, a very nice 3 bedroom apartment includes everything, with only 3 players living there, some guys team up 4 or 5, it all depends on your finances. Most players use their bonus money to live a little more comfortably, in actuality that is should be used for. The only time they go out to eat is after an earlier game, or on days off, all go home directly after a game, I am told that is what they are instructed to do, and it takes a while to chill out and wind down after a game. I never call son in the morning, he usually emerges in daylight by 12-1 pm.
This year they eliminated the sleeper buses, and now the team takes two busses and each player gets 3 seats across, the sleepers were kind of "creepy" and too small for those big guys, they felt like they were sleeping in a box!

Camo Jersey

Don't you just LOVE IT!

Springfield and AA Ball

The other day watching a game, I commented to myself after watching 3 teams play this past week, that although most of these players are very, very good and belong where they are at this moment in time, most will never see a ML field. There just isn't room at the top for everyone. Regardless of where my own player is at this point, we still agree that college was his best option, after HS. I just wanted to mention that again, I know that draft time is approaching, it's important to discuss with your son what he really wants to do and understand the implications for all decisions.

Springfield provided an insite into the game at the AA level and all of the bells and whistles of milb baseball as entertainment, where in the FSL league, pretty much not much happening in the way of making it interesting to the fans and the players. There was always something going on, one of my favorites was the player interviews on the scoreboard, where they ask silly questions and the players have to think fast. In sons case, they asked about favorite dream girl, son's response was he hoped his fiance wasn't listening when he gave his answer. We got a big kick out of that and so did Lauren.

We got a grand tour one night of the behind the scenes operations that go on at Hammons Field and met all of the announcers, writers and everyone else who works hard each night for 3-5 hours to keep fans in their seats and the history behind Hammons field. Even with a rain delay one afternoon, 13 innings one night, many fans always remained until the very end. Friday night is fireworks night, and due to the time frame, they had to set them off before 11 pm (city ordinance). Everything seemed orchestrated and the fans love the games and events that take place between each inning. The 7th inning stretch is designated by the Budweiser Clydsdales pulling the wagons on the screen, something in which all cardinal fans relate to. Also I learned that the Titanic was built in that area, so each night up on teh board are trivia questions regarding the famous ship.

Two days and three days before each pitcher pitches, they have to chart, and the day before their start, at home, they have to catch the first pitch (which can become 4 or 5 first pitches). On saturday, they wore camo jerseys for military appreciation day, and Dave caught to some top brass in the military and a 4 star general, the day after they pitch, each pitcher has to greet fans as they come into the gate, on Monday was Dave's greet day, mini bat giveaway, he was signing those bats like crazy, taking pictures with fans. I think that was my husbands favorite, although we have seen in before, it's quite a humbling experience to see your son stand there with a line in front of him. Fan adoration, it's part of the game and these players are being taught how to take care of business with fans.

The weather was beyond horrible, miraculously every night the rain stopped and they played ball, however, on Sunday with a 2 pm game and son pitching we weren't sure if there would be a game, then the sun came out, and after 3 scoreless innings there was a delay. He was on a clock 45 minutes before being pulled and just made it back out for two more scoreless innings. Below is the article about his game.

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20100517/SPORTS02/5170342/1002/SPORTS/Kopp-s-return-inspires-Cardinals

Of course that game made our trip all worth while. :)

Because of where we sat, most people who attend every game figure out pretty quickly that you are a player's parent, and we were showered with pictures taken by them of our players, extra attention from the attendants for that area and the vendors as well. Everyone really made us (other parents there too) feel special. It really was a wonderful feeling, and pretty proud feeling that the person you have raised is looked up to by young players and appreciated by older fans. They want to ask a lot of questions, politely, and we didn't mind answering. They want to know some things, like pitch counts, if they are single or married, have children, where they went to school, where they fell in the draft (although most of them knew they still want to ask you).

I do apologize for the long delay, but it was a busy week with no time to sit down and gather thoughts (and way too tired).
It was a great week, will report tomorrow!

Springfield Here We come

Lauren and I leave for Springfield in the morning, looking forward to the trip, but not the 1200+ miles to bring the truck. Oh well, that's what parents and wives and fiances do for their milb players.

Dave got his 3rd win yesterday, really pitched a gem, really beginning to manage his games much better. He retired 10 of the last 11 he faced and he went 7 innings. His ERA is 3.19 (or close to that) down from 9.0. A very respectable ERA for a starter for his league. He's very tired, it's a grind and it's only May.

Hope all of your players are doing well. Will report on AA ball as soon as I can.

Been another busy week, getting ready to head to Springfield. Dave pitches tomorrow, he has been pitching on Mother's Day for years, ironic how that happens.

Interesting thing I heard on ESPN, pitching in MLB making a strong comeback. Less runs this year, more complete games. Does that mean that the absence of steroids has had an effect?

Springfield is playing 500 ball right now, and the way tonight is going maybe not by the end of the game. Long season but they are falling behind.
The ironic thing is that the two players on the 40 man roster are not producing. The team added them to protect them in the rule 5 draft. That is supposed to be legit prospects.

Dave had a friend released the other day. Injury issues have been bothering him for a few years. This player was drafted the year Dave was, moved to AA quickly his first full season. Just goes to show, you never know, it's a guessing game, you see someone who is considered a prospect, the next year they are gone.

Drug use in milb

The dirty side of baseball. Dirty secrets that most parents whose sons play won't talk about. Players use all sorts of drugs, clean up for spring training, then go back to using only to hope they won't get caught. So far this year there have been 21 or 22 suspensions, early into the season.

When Dave was in HS, I read a book I have recommended to others called "Official Visit". Pretty basic on the ins and out of being recruited.
The author is a resident of Key West, whose son was playing at UF when Dave was being recruited there. The player is Ben Harrison, a now free agent, just suspended 100 games for violations of the milb drug prevention and treatment program, including the purchase and the use of amphetamines. 100 games means your second time in violation at 26,27 years old, doubt he will ever be signed again.

Harrison was drafted out of UF , .343, 40HR,192 RBI and 37 steals in 4 years. He was drafted in the 7th round in 2004 by Texas, a 2008 Texas League All Star, and was most recently a member of the Florida Marlins.

Sad.

I wanted to bring this article to your attention about son's teammate.

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20100503/BLOGS01/100503011/-1/blogs01/Cards+need+Gorgen+to+be+today+s+stopper

Do you need velocity at that level to get people out, no, but you better have a devastating off speed to keep batters looking foolish

BTW, he won the game today, his 5th win in 5 starts, leading the Texas League.

Draft stuff

There is nothing more shocking then going to a practice or scimage in HS before season and finding about 20+ scouts in the stands waiting to watch your player pitch.

Funny though, I found out a few days later they came out to see the kid that got almost a full scholarship to CU (that signals good player) and recruited by Kevin O'Sullivan, not because of some glowing report from Baseball America or Perfect Game. Curiosity for them and the beginning of a new experience for us. I do admit it was fun coming to games he would pitch and seeing the familiar faces from the game before, it was a heady time and the other players and their parents enjoyed it too. This meant a lot of hamburgers to be sold and the concession stand proceeds that season were booming. Love those guys, they come hungry and they don't stop eating.

We even got set up by Sully by one scout, bless his heart, he was going to do anything he could to get Dave to Clemson. One night a young scout came over, and kept asking Dave what he would sign for, what he wanted, over and over. It was annoying and Dave threw out a number for him to just shut up. The next day Dave gets a call from Sully, YOU told that scout you would sign for XX? Come to Clemson, I'll get you more if that's what you want. Now some people might say the nerve of him, but in reality, going to work with him was the best choice, and most agreed. That's my draft story.

BTW, a few years later the same scenerio began, we'd go to CU home games and the stands were full of scouts, but by that time it wasn't really important, I figured what would be would be. And for what it's worth, son did get more than what he told the scout (that one) he would sign for.

So if this is going on right now and you are sitting and wondering where he might fall or what he is worth, the following is my opinion on that.

Let's take Porcello, as a pitcher he was one of the best in his year, he fell in the draft due to signability (strong college commitment which meant big scholly money), but he got what he wanted, and probably what he was worth. Why? He was a pitcher with 94-95 velocity, great mechanics and threw 3-4 very good graded pitches for strikes, he was very close to the ML level. That's what gets you a high draft pick and major money. I know that we all see our sons as very very good, but in reality and I have had to do reality checks, most of our sons coming out of HS, have a long road to travel. I am not sure what makes a HS hitter a top pick, but I am sure that it is the same, they have more skill and more tools and grade out high (on the ML grading scale).

So step back and take a look at your player, if you feel that he should be drafted high, and you haven't had agents or scouts, or GM's knocking on your door, most likely he's not going to be. In other words, is your pitcher as good as Rick Porcello?

My advice is that this is a good time to stop worrying about what he might decide (go pro or not) and just enjoy the ride. You will look back on this and understand, it's something we all learn, you just can't predict what is going to happen. I thought that my son was a very very good pitcher out of HS, but he needed LOTS of work. I understand now why he was a 7-10 projected pick.

The nerve of those guys, Dad thought that he was much better than that!!!!!! :)