BALTIMORE EXAMINER

Prep Baseball

 

BY KYLE SISKEY, Special to the Examiner

“Field of Dreams Gives High Schoolers Chance to be Seen”

 

High School baseball players with major league dreams will take the field at the University of Maryland August 4 and August 6 when the Fourth Annual Mid-Atlantic High School Baseball Classic scouting combine convenes at Shipley Field. (University of Maryland at College Park)

 

Director Lou Holcomb said last year’s combine drew 220 high school players, but he plans to limit the number to 170 this year.

 

“That way it will give the kids a closer look,” he said.  “There is only a small window (for players looking to be recruited in high school) to show your skills.”

 

Coaches from Division I school all along the East Coast will be in attendance, including those from Brown, LaSalle, Navy, Rutgers, St. Joseph’s, Towson, Maryland and Villa Julie.

 

“The talent is there,” Towson coach Mike Gottlieb said, “And with the small number kids it doesn’t become a meat market.”  Gottlieb said he recruited four freshmen from this combine last year and is looking forward to this year’s event.

 

THE CLASSIC REPORT

 

·         How to sign up:  Visit www.diamondrecruiting.com and download a brochure or send an email request 

·         When:  The Classic is always the first week in August each summer, this summer, August 4 and August 6 at the University of Maryland at College Park 

·         Did you know?  The Mid-Atlantic High School Baseball Classic has produced a number of major college draft choices, including Baltimore Oriole's third round selection last year, Brandon Erbe.  More than 40 Division I coaches attended last year's combine. 

      

 

Holcomb, who is an associate scout with the Orioles, says this tryout camp will run like a pro-style Orioles camp with various strength and speed tests.

 

“It’s a big part of our recruiting,” Villa Julie coach Jason Tawney said.  “I try to filter kids into that combine so I can get a better look at them.”

 

Tawney also said that three of his 12 incoming freshman were recruited from the combine.

 

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