Bored bird dogs
For pro scouts, CWS an adventure in babysitting
Posted: Tuesday May 31, 1998 05:05 PM
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With the World Series so close to the draft, an injury is the only matter of concern to prospects (AP) |
OMAHA, Nebraska (CNN/SI) - You'll have to excuse the major league scouts at the College World Series if they seem a bit bored. With the amateur draft set for Tuesday, they already know just about all there is to know about the CWS' top players.
"I hate to say babysitting, but that's basically what we're doing," said Chicago White Sox scout Joe Ingalls. "We're just here to make sure nobody gets hurt."
Since scouts already have seen the top college talent during the season, most players aren't going to help or hurt their draft position in Omaha, said Ingalls.
"The World Series is played too close to the draft to make any changes," Ingalls said.
The NCAA is considering a proposal to push the college baseball season back by three weeks. Proponents say it would help schools in northern states compete with Sun Belt teams, and scouts would welcome the move.
"It would give scouts more of an opportunity to see the full-weather players in better conditions," said New York Yankees scout Dick Gorch. "Right now, they come out and play in horrible conditions -- snow, sleet, ice. It would give us the opportunity to
put people on the same level."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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