38 yr old

[scout]

Are you kidding me? Where indy leagues often are "just misses" and hidden gems, the UBL opts to bring in a 38-year old? What's in it for him, other than causing a prospect to be sent packing? A new league needs immediate credibility. This is as far from that as possible, and demotes the league to a very low status. I'm not looking for has-beens, and don't have time for this. Just wondering: who's the missing screw behind this one?

[AmarilloDillaBabe2006]

Scout,

Which team is involved, and when did you hear about this, please let me know as soon as you can. I'm curious to know what you have found out.:eek:

[theGOLDEN1]

Which team is he on?

[scout]

Showed up yesterday transactions, for Rio Grande

[baseballmom28]

I can't agree with you more Scout. These young guys are giving it a shot before moving on with other options in life. I would think at 38 you'd be well in to those other options. I think the Broncos have signed a catcher that is at least that old as well....or so I've heard.

[HeadFirst]

Let me play devil's proverbial advocate for a moment. I understand the sentiment that a 38-year-old with virtually zero chance of advancing in the baseball hierarchy is holding a job that could be held by a younger player with greater potential.

But no one could be blamed for holding to the idyllic notion of being paid to play a child's game, to literally play until they tell you that they just don't have a uniform for you anymore. Not everyone clings to this notion, but some do, and who are we to question that?

Further, there are quite a number of older players in the Atlantic or Northern or other leagues who serve, either officially or unofficially, as coaches, and to an independent squad with scarce financial resources, pulling this sort of double-duty is valuable in multiple ways.

If an entire United League team were comprised of 30-somethings -- or, more germanely, if there were a majority -- then I would agree more with the position articulated in this thread. But having a couple of older, more stable players can not only aid in the development of the younger guys who do have a decent shot at getting noticed by an organization, but can tack on a few wins in the standings too.

[skippy]

Independent baseball is supposed to be about winning.
Developing players is something the players are hoping for, but in reality ALMOST all of the players in Independent ball are fizzled out, or too old to be in A or AA.
I say hire a 57 year old if you think it will help you win.

[Thorp]

Age,22 + is really an important issue. I think that the independent leagues have an age limit on certain ages i.e., 2 players that are 30. Is this correct? I do think that the independent leagues are a great place for the just released players from the minors/majors to beable to play still hoping for another shot.

[baseballmom28]

I don't believe this league has the age restiction rules....just like they apparently don't have a transaction limit for the season. The Frontier League limits the teams to 24 transactions per year so that the fans can identify with the players. Some of these teams in the ULB have different players on the field daily! I understand the need for some changes, but these guys aren't getting a chance. And just knowing that a release after one bad day is imminent makes performing under the pressure even worse.

[Thorp]

I understand that the ULB seems to have a swinging door as far as keeping,releasing players goes.There should be some type of guidlines. I scout these guys and I never know how to plan a trip to see them. It's very frustrating for me.I can only imagine what's it's like for the players and their families. Any suggestions?

[baseballmom28]

I wish I had an answer for you. As the parent of one of those newly released pitchers...we are sitting and waiting to see where we can go and watch him play over the 4th. He's supposed to hear from a couple of teams when they return from this series. Of course, that means that some other pitchers are about to be released themselves. As a scout, maybe if you express your frustrations to league officials, this rovolving door act might slow down. It's making players, pitchers especially, very timid in their games, trying to just be safe.

[Thorp]

I agree with you about the timidiness pitchers develope,very quickly,if all around them are being released. You can't perform if you know that you have to be perfect,and no one is. One thing a pitcher must develope is a short term memory. If they threw a perfect game the day before,forget it and throw just for today,same goes,if they didn't do well when they threw the day before.I'm just looking for good players,the league doesn't care. Good luck to your son,hope to see him pitching soon. What is his name? Keep me up on where he ends up.

[parkerbrooke]

I understand that the ULB seems to have a swinging door as far as keeping,releasing players goes.There should be some type of guidlines. I scout these guys and I never know how to plan a trip to see them. It's very frustrating for me.I can only imagine what's it's like for the players and their families. Any suggestions?

This is my husbands first year pitching in independant ball and he hasn't personally been traded or released, but I have noticed that it is like "musical baseball players." I don't know if it's all independant baseball or just ULB. He played in Tampa Bay's organization for 6 years and being moved around like that would be hard to get used to and very tiring for these guys, especially with their travel schedules.

Happy Baseball

GO DILLAS!!

[Thorp]

I've never seen anything quite like this. I've talked with a few of the players and they don't know who will play on any night. Somethings wrong with that. The independent leagues are a great place for just released players to play in hopes of getting picked up again.

[Thorp]

Has anyone figured out how to keep up with the players on any team?

[Steed Fanatic]

independent leagues arent set up to try and develop players. that is what the MLB minor leagues are for. this league is basically there for the FEW quality players to get another shot. plus these types of leagues dont have to answer to anyone like the minor league clubs do. they can release and trade players like candy if they want b/c they dont have much money invested in any of them. so if you have been traded or released in an independent league you might as well just hang up the spikes b/c if they dont want you then its almost 100% sure the MLB teams wont want you...

[Thorp]

Independent leagues are also for players just released from the minors and majors keeping their stats in front of scouts,agents and still having a real good chance of getting picked up again. This is not for has beens,there are places for the older players.

[RABID FAN]

Pat Borders Was Just Released Recently. The Northern League Last Year Had Many Over 30 Players. Check The Rosters Of Other Leagues For Ages. I'm Almost A Sexagenarian [not A Pervert, But A Person Almost 60] And I Still Imagine I Can Hit Major League Pitching. Some Older Players Can Give Valuable Info To Younger Players That Can Make A Difference. Older PLAYERS Do Not Bring Younger Girls To The Stadium[UNLESS THEY ARE THEIR DAUGHTERS]. So I Guess We Should Have Younger Players. Ahemmm.

[Kgriff Fan]

This is my first experience with Independant Leagues and I must say it is very frustrating trying to follow players...and teams, for that matter...due to the frequent additions and subtractions. We have been trying to follow Kevin Griffin, who is currently playing cathcer for Amarillo (I think), since the season began. He coaches our kids here in Florida during the off-season and a group of us parents and kids have been planning a trip to see him play. However, he started the year in San Angelo, was traded to Alexandria, and then traded to Amarillo. Traveling from Florida to Texas is a long way to go without knowing what team he'll be on. So it looks like we won't be making a trip which the kids have been planning and anticipating for nearly 6 months. I suppose that's the way it goes in Independant ball, but it would sure be a lot more "fan friendly" if they let some grass grow under the players feet for a little while. Just my 2 cents, thanks for listening.:cool:

[baseballmom28]

I understand your frustration. It would also be VERY helpful if the internet broadcasts worked with any regularity. The WhiteWings don't even have a broadcast, so you are dependent on listening via the team they are playing against. Currently (and frequently) the Coyotes broadcast is down (and has been for days)..I call everyday, including during the game and they always say "They are working on it, check back in 30 minutes." Laredo's is down right now too. There are people trying to follow these games and are unable to. It is shedding a very unprofessional light on the ULB. They won't be able to recruit the type of player they want if they don't get their act together. Rosters are rarely even correct.

[Kgriff Fan]

You are so right! It would be great if we can get the internet broadcasts working regularly. San Angelo's started out working but now I can't get it, Alexandria did not have a working internet broadcast apparently because of some squabble between the radio station and the local cable company (they eventually worked it out, but now I still can't get the games), and Amarillo doesn't have one. I had to listen to an Alexandria game on Laredo's radio which is in Mexico and broadcast in spanish...but I enjoyed that because at least I could hear the game and got to brush up on my Spanish. Now, I don't think any of them are working. One time, we had the players and parents over for a BBQ and to listen to a game, but couldn't get it because of technical difficulties. I'm sure the league will work out these "bumps" for next year.