Some fun in the Arizona sun

Peoria, AZ - This past weekend was filled with an enormous amount of baseball for myself and many other families around the game of baseball. It is not an unusual event within the warm weather states to have these type of showcases that bring plenty of players, families, coaches, scouts and advisers looking to make a connection for furthering their careers in the game. Some are simply hoping to find a good fit for college, while others aspire to solidify a professional baseball opportunity at the conclusion of their senior season. My recent fun in the Arizona sun has afforded my personal desire to observe the Senior Fall Classic, visit with my son and rub elbows with colleagues around the game of baseball.

The annual Senior Fall Classic at the Peoria Sports Complex included 61 teams from many great distances. This premiere event helps promote many young men to the next level of baseball competition. The majority of players will move on to try and play at various schools throughout the country based off their impressions to the coaches whom were in attendance. Nowadays players have multiple chances to make their impressions upon the college coaches. This Arizona showcase is one of the largest in the country and surely set to continue the services for the student athlete and coaches.

It is impossible for me to consider attending a baseball event in the suburbs of Phoenix without making every attempt to see my own son. Luckily I had a few chances to see John Lamb during my stay. Between his continued schedule with rehabilitation in the Kansas City Royals complex and games I attended throughout the day and evening we managed to spend some time together and catch up on some deeper conversations. The handful of times we spent together included meals, some Arizona Fall League baseball and a movie at his apartment with some spicy pizza and wings. Despite loving every moment around him and this being the first time since his surgery back in June I could not have been more proud for his actions on Sunday morning. John spent three fall scout ball seasons with the Royals during his high school years and the coaching staff had asked me if he would be willing to visit with the team during the Senior Fall Classic. I asked and even though Sunday is his only day off from professional baseball duties with the club he agreed. I know the coaching staff and players appreciated his effort and willingness to hang out in the dugout for a few innings. I was an extremely proud Dad  knowing that my son was willing to return to the roots of his own personal experiences around baseball. Giving a little time and knowledge to others simply shows me that my son has observed the action of his Dad during the past 17 years around the game.

During my time around the ballpark these past few years of scouting it is much more common for solitude conditions at games while doing my job. Baseball buffets, or showcases, do provide a common ground of gathering amidst the amateur and professional evaluation community. These conditions afford the opportunity to see friends and associates from all over country. It's always a pleasure to see guys that work in other areas around the country. One of my best friends whom currently works for the Arizona Diamondbacks managed to make some time in his busy schedule to break bread and catch up about family, careers and aspirations around the game. One of the greatest benefits around baseball has been the friendships that have forged over the years. Large events like this recent Arizona Senior Fall Classic provided a unique chance to open new doors of kinship which I can only hope will last for the balance of my life around America's Pastime.

This recent trip to Arizona for scouting, visiting with my son and friends was well worth all the efforts. I love the game of baseball and look forward to each and everyday around the ballpark. This time spent in the desert simply offered a little more fun in the sun than in years past.