Amateur Baseball Report

Many shine at White Sox event

Rock Island Alleman RHP Keelan Prince

By Sean Duncan

Many of the top sophomores and freshmen prospects from Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin participated at the Chicago White Sox Silver and Black showcase at Triton Junior College in River Grove, Ill. on September 27. The assemblage of talent indicated that the future is definitely bright in the Midwest.

While there were many standout performances at the six-hour event, these players stood above the rest:

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David Petrino captures his dream

By Sean Duncan

Growing up in northwest Arkansas, David Petrino has always commanded the limelight on the baseball field. At the plate, the 5-foot-9, 175-pound Petrino hits with the best of them; and on the mound, not many 14-year-olds are touching his 80-82 mph fastball.

But over Labor Day weekend, Petrino’s baseball perspective changed. Petrino was just one of many standout players from all over the country who had advanced to the final National Team Identification Series (NTIS) tryout, all competing for a roster spot on the 14-year-old USA National Team in Jupiter, Fla.

“It was intimidating,” said Petrino, a switch-hitting shortstop and right-handed pitcher from Lowell, Ark. “All the USA coaches were watching your every move; it was very nerve-wracking to say the least.”

Petrino said after the first day of the three-day tryout, he worked through his jitters and began to play his game. Still, when he left the event, he had no idea where he stood among the best players in the country.

He got his answer shortly after when a USA Baseball representative called. Of the thousands of players who tried out during the Amateur Baseball Report's NTIS Series, Petrino was one of 24 players to earn a roster spot to compete in the all-paid-expenses Pan Am qualifier in Guatemala City, Guatemala on Nov. 28.

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Updates

In the Spotlight

ABR Scouting Combines & Qualifiers Now Announced
(Visit "ABR Events" Page for Details)
October 12th - DUBLIN, OH
October 26th - DES PLAINES, IL

Got Video?

Ryan Spalding, a RHP from Hartford City, IN, qualified for the 14-U Great Lakes Stars in USA Baseball's NTIS Program. Got Video? Send all videos to jhunter@amateurbaseballreport.com or mail it to 28427 N. Ballard Dr., Unit A, Lake Forest, IL 60045.

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PITCH TO YOUR STRENGTHS, NOT A HITTER’S WEAKNESS

By Andrew Margolick

In baseball, gaining any edge can mean the difference between winning and losing. A scouting report is one such attempt. Scouting reports on hitters are delivered in different ways, depending on the level of play. In professional baseball, the reports are full blown written evaluations/tendencies of a hitter; conversely, in amateur baseball, the report might simply be delivered verbally. Every smart coach, pitcher and catcher- no matter the level- will try to pick apart hitters, assessing their strengths and weaknesses after each at bat.

The interpretation and implementation of this report differs from pitcher to pitcher. A scouting report that says “first ball fastball hitter” will make one pitcher think about throwing a curveball, and another throw a fastball. The key lies in pitching to one’s strength rather than a hitter’s weakness. It is easy in theory but difficult in practice. The key to being successful at any level, scouting report or not, is to understand exactly what is in your arsenal. I would love to drive to work in a Porsche every day, but can make a case for getting there more effectively in a Prius.

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Small-town Rogers shines bright

By Sean Duncan

Nolan Rogers said you can drive through his hometown of Smithville, Ind. in five minutes, unimpeded by a stoplight.

“Smithville is pretty small,” Rogers said.

But growing up in the small town south of Bloomington didn’t prevent Rogers from shining on the biggest stage. Playing against the best 14-year-olds from across the country at the final National Tournament Identification Series (NTIS) tryout over Labor Day weekend in Jupiter, Fla., Rogers made big news when he earned a roster spot on the 14U USA National Team.

The left-handed hitting shortstop and right-handed pitcher was one of 24 players in the country selected to compete in the all-paid-expenses Pan Am qualifier in Guatemala City, Guatemala on Nov. 28.

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