The AJC's Dave O'Brien had said SI had been working on a Heyward piece during spring training. Based on the headlines, I thought they’d dig deeper into the changing face of youth baseball, which only received a few paragraphs. The Braves scouting and drafting came out looking good, as did Heyward.
I have mixed emotions on ECB. Each age group has one or two “elite” teams, that travel about winning trophies, often playing against older teams. At Will’s 16 year old level there are 5 or 6 teams. The non-elite teams are basically mid-level travel teams, paying to wear the ECB logo (& their sponsors). Perhaps part of the entry and tryout fees paid by the parents of these lower-tier players are funneled to the travel budgets of the top tier teams. Younger teams probably don’t travel as much as the older teams, so part of younger teams’ fees probably help fund the older teams as well.
Since almost all the parents are like Heyward’s, they have no qualms about forking out the dough. They are thinking pro contract and college scholarship, and have no problem hiring personal trainers. Very few of these ECB players have Jason’s combination of physique, physical & mental ability, desire, commitment…AND parents with the time and resources to drive and pay. As well as the commitment to forsake most all other teen interests and pursuits.
Last summer Will’s Sandy Plains 15U team lost both times they played the ECB elite 14U team, the Astros…mainly due to the fine ECB pitchers. The outfielders were fast, athletic, black players who were poor hitters with horrible baseball instincts…unaware of where to throw based on the situation. Obviously, most hadn’t played travel ball since they were eight, like Heyward.
ECB is Baldwin's sole focus in life. He could care less what others think about him. Undoubtedly he’s built a fine program, winning titles and producing hundreds of pro and college players (you can buy a T-shirt that lists them!). He gives a certain segment of the population exactly what they want.
You read in SI how Baldwin stretched the truth about Heyward’s height and weight. The ECB entry fee may be $1,400.00, but that doesn’t include uniforms (4+ sets), equipment, $400 bat, Reeboks (required), and travel. Will’s team costs $1400 before travel, and they’re going low budget / no thrills.
As a dad perhaps I look through rose-colored glasses. Will has practiced and played less games than most of his summer competition. He’s worked just a few times with personal baseball coaches, unlike most of his teammates. His fundamentals are average...BUT his baseball instincts, the ability to take the extra base, score the tough run, or make the play & get the out are tops. I see better pitchers, fielders, and hitters, but few better all-around players. A shortstop he’s not, but he has more defensive range than most. His best position is catcher. When it comes time to make a play, Will does so more often than most.
Public school players get tons more practice and swings. East Cobb public schools play mostly seniors, with a few juniors sprinkled in. Will needs more reps. He is hitting more off the tee, and getting more swings than ever. Decent coaching and instruction would also help (In 2011 he hit .527 with a 1.418 OPS, and led the team in many pitching and fielding categories as well).
I’m thankful that Will seems to live a more-well rounded life than most of his teammates, perhaps even on his “Christian” home-school team. Many teammates seem to only play sports, go to school, play video games, and hang out. I was planning on showing the Heyward article to Will, particularly the part about all the practice he did. Any player wanting to play small college ball would need to put in the same work.
Sunday Will asked me who he’s played against that might have a shot at the pros. Some opponents have had great games, but I haven’t seen enough of them to really know. If Will wants to fully dedicate himself to baseball, he could certainly play college ball.
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