For detailed answers by experts, also check ot other pages in this section. This page was first published in resposne to a survey on scouting (back in 1999) in which WebBall asked site visitors what they thought - and then provided our take. The full results of the survey can be found under Nose 2 Nose.

Q

Who does the scouting?

A

Both pro and college scouts are out there travelling their territories - both in the US and in other countries where baseball is popular. While the MLB Scouting Bureau was formed to provide a centralized system, in reality, each team will have its own system.

Some pro teams like the Toronto Blue Jays have proven themselves to have a strong player development system (all of 1999's five starting pitchers were 'home grown' for example, including David Wells who went on to success elsewhere), while other teams, like the Tigers, suffered for years with a weak system (since turned around).

Likewise, some colleges are better at recruiting than others - based on their scouts but also on their reputation as a teaching school or their success in Omaha.

A typical pro-organization scouting structure involves the G. M., Scouting Director, Special Assignment/Advance Scout, National Crosscheckers, Supervising Scout (for several states), plus the main scouts and sssociate scouts. Being seen by a so-called 'bird' scout is merely the first step in getting noticed.

Q

Who gets scouted?

A

Getting to be a pro prospect, or considered by the right college is the aim/dream of every young player - and of his parents who may otherwise face a $25,000 college tuition.

The ML Scouting Bureau spends the summer looking at what they call 'follows', mostly 15 and 16 year-olds - younger prospects they didn't have time for before the June draft. They develop a follow list by the end of the summer or the early fall each year which may have 500-600 players that will be eligible for the next June's draft. In addition, they'll have lists of players eligible for two years ahead. (In Spring, prior to the draft, MLSB scouts are busy looking at those eligible for that year's draft, so if that's not you, then relax and enjoy your Spring ball as a teaching/conditioning time, gearuing yourself up for the summer 'all-star' season when your performance really counts.)

Q

When does scouting take place?

A

Best advice: Play summer ball at the highest level possible: The better the competition the better you become, and the more likely a scout may be in the crowd. (Watch for the Jugs guns at tournaments and regional play-offs, even for those as young as 14.)

But that's not enough. You can't wait for them to find you. Scouting often happens at try-out camps. (The MLSB has 35 tryout camps in June throughout the country and the pro clubs hold camps as well.)

Attend try-out camps beginning with the summer between your sophomore and junior years. Attend as many as possible (only one team has to like you). Watch the newspapers for the announcements of try-outs, or write the MLSB or NCAA. They can provide players with a list for tryout camps.

There are also private showcase events that have been great for younger kids. They have the chance to compete against the top kids in the country. The more visibility [a kid] has to the scouts, the better. Also, these camps and showcases are a chance for a player whose team won't be competing for national honors, to be seen and show what they can do. However, private showcases may be more expensive.

Q

What are scouts looking for?

A

Hitting ability, power, running speed, arm strength, fielding, and of course pitching. All the skills are needed, and scouts will be on the look out for all of them. (Check the separate pages in this section for details of the scouting criteria for pitching and hitting.)

Some skills can be evaluated purely by the numbers - with a stop watch, for instance. A scout may clock batter's speed to first base on a hit, from the crack of the bat to when the foot hits the bag. Or the catcher's throw down to second base, measuring the time from mitt contact to glove contact. And of course, pitcher's will be measured on their fastball heat.

But there are other skills and attributes that a scout will judge based more on experience. Hitting ability, for instance, is the most difficult tool to scout because they have to judge how a hitter will do at the pro level by watching them hit against amateur pitching. So the scouting process will look at the technique and also some measurable results.

And there are 'generic' qualities that apply to both position players and pitchers - things like aggressiveness, instinct, dedication, work ethic. (Pay particular attention to the comments below on 'player make-up'.)

The scouting bureau has used a scale of 2-8 in each category to grade players and come up with an OFP (Overall Future Potential) rating. A total range of 40-80 covers Major League prospects. Forty is the minimum for our category of a Major League prospect. We have fringe, average and definite prospect [categories]. As the number gets higher, the better the prospect is. (See the chart here)

Q

When are they watching you?

A

Always. There are stories of kids who blew their best chance because of a late arrival or an indifferent effort during pre-game or pre-tryout warm-ups. Scouts like to come early, observe warm-up, get the gun out, and check pitch velocity early. If the velocity isn't there then, the scouts tend to leave early. (WebBall has seen this as have other coaches we've talked to.) So, anyone who put down relief pitcher as a scouting prospect on the survey was wrong - there may be no scouts at the park by the 6th or 7th inning. Likewise a hitter going 3 for 5 won't help himself if the two outs are early on strike-outs - even if he later winds up the hero of the game!

Q

How do I prepare when scouts are there?

A

Best advice... Don't wait for tomorrow to get in shape. Spend time on a good training program, work with the Tee and in the batting cage or on the mound well in advance of the outting. (Whatever you do, don't practice for 4 hours the night before - don't hurt yourself for one day.)

Arrive early, stretch and thoroughly loosen-up - take even that seriously, both because it will help your performance and because it shows your work ethic.

The pre-game infield-outfield is just as important. When scouts are evaluating a player for skills like arm strength it is usually then. A scout will get to see several throws by the outfielders to second, third, and home plate. If a player has a good arm, chances are he will show it here, particularly on throws to home plate.

It also gives him a chance to look at infield skills - Quick Feet, Range, Soft Hands and Quick Hands. In fact, the scouting process here is not so different from what a good opposing coach will do during a typical pre-game. Teams will often decide whether to run against you by the strength of the arms demonstrated before the game.

Scouts might also be looking for bat speed - measured with a radar gun, perhaps during the pre-game B.P.

Q

What about during the game?

A

Clearest advice we've heard - 'stay within yourself'. In other words, hot-dogging is not going to help. So 'playing consistently' was a good choice on the survey, but also remember the comments about scouting happening early. One error can kill your chances that day. Is that fair? Maybe not. Does that put extra pressure on you? Depends on your make-up. But if you can't handle competitive pressure, you're not going to make it anyway.

Hitting will be judge more during the game, mostly on your ability to get the inside breaking pitches. Why? Because that might be all you'll see at the higher levels (pro or college) unless you can show an ability to connect consistently with power on curveballs and sliders. (Remember Michael Jordan's attempt to become a baseball player? A steady diet of junk pitches did him in.)

One other important point here.... If possible, ask your coach to play you in more than one position. Why? Because if a player can hit with authority, a scout may want his bat in the line-up, but only if he can fit into the current squad. (If they don't need a second baseman it doesn't matter how good you are there. So you have a better chance if you can play both infield & outfield / left side & right side well - contrary to what the survey results suggested.)

Q

Is it all about athletic performance?

A

[This is important advice, which applies to both pro ball and college.] The player's makeup is vital to his success in baseball. Often the player with the greatest desire will develop into a better ball player than the one with better physical tools. Most players picked for the minor leagues are used to being the star on their team. Often they've never been in a slump or lost an important game before. This for many players is difficult to accept. For the first time in their lives, they are knocked out in the first inning or go 0 for 4. If a player can overcome this, they have a better chance of reaching their goal of playing in the major leagues.

One of the most important factors in a player's makeup is whether they can adjust to being away from home. Most high school players have never been away from home for any length of time and many are not prepared mentally to handle the long bus rides, bad lights, and poor playing conditions. Especially for many college players, the minors is a step down from playing on good fields, with good lighting, flying to tournaments, and large attendance.

While the college player often comes into the minor leagues more mature because he has been away from home, but that player with a college degree may quit after two years if he does not feel he is being promoted quick enough. It is very difficult for players to see their teammates being promoted while they are staying put. A player who works hard and puts up good numbers in the minor leagues will be noticed by the organization.