FORT MYERS, Fla. – Combining the aspects of a showcase along with the game action of tournament play has resulted in one of the more popular events in the Perfect Game family.
The PG Series, now in its third year of bringing players from all across the country – from 11 years old to high school sophomores – has expanded their itineraries each year and the first installation has commenced with the 14u PG Series Classic.
Players get invites to the PG Series in a variety of ways. Recommendations from high school and travel ball coaches and Perfect Game staff members are kept, and top performers in Perfect Game events can earn players a spot.
“We try to balance the rosters together to make sure there is enough pitching to go around with our PitchSmart guidelines,” PG Series director Bill Perry said. “We aim for 12 to 15 players for each roster, but it fluctuates getting enough kids per position and having the right number of arms on the mound.”
When players first made their way down to Fort Myers they are given an equipment package and their uniforms for the week. Once players check in, they headed off to skill testing which included the 30-yard dash, broad jump and exit velocities.
“We do 16-20 different tests and their data is posted to their player profiles which they can compare themselves against,” Perry added. “Our PGame score tests their overall metrics that combine all of the events conducted that provides our evaluation of their athleticism.”
Opening ceremonies commenced on July 8, with player introductions, a fastest man competition and a home run derby. Both contests were won by members of Puerto Rico Blue as Luis Morales ran a 3.83-second 30-yard dash and Anthony Garcia taking the derby.
The next day, a full practice day for all teams took place, which consisted of an infield/outfield session and batting practice, along with a chance for the coaches and players to get to know each other before games began on Monday.
A new aspect to the PG Series experience starting this year is a recruiting seminar that starts from the 13u event upward.
Britt Smith, a former NJCAA Coach of the Year, who won an NJCAA National Championship in 2009 at Howard College and compiled a 552-202 record in 13 seasons, including a 61-1 mark in the 2009 season, hosted the seminar on Sunday night, discussing the ins and outs of the recruiting process.
“It provided a lot of information for the players and their parents to hear, and by all accounts it was very well received,” Perry said. “We want to try and get kids as informed as possible as they move up through their high school years.”
Also new to the Series this year is college coaches from all across the country, primarily from the junior college and NAIA ranks, getting a chance to coach their team.
“I think it’s been awesome for the coaches so far and it benefits both sides,” Perry said. “Players can learn from different coaching techniques and coaches can try implementing different things for their players. We hope to even build upon this even more as the years go along.”
Later in the summer, players from countries new to the Series experience will get their chance to take part in this annual event.
Czech Republic and Aruba will be represented in the Freshman PG Series, the first countries outside of Puerto Rico to participate in the event’s history.
“We had a team from the Czech Republic over for the 12u International Invitational last summer and they wanted to return,” Perry said. “We feel the PG Series is a great event for the international teams because of all the different aspects it provides. It’s a cool experience to be able to have these teams come in.”
Feedback from year to year has played a large role in making improvements to the Series experience, and Perry aims to continue in making the week long process better each year.
“It’s all about the kids getting the most out their experience and we are going to try and do some new things every year in order to accomplish that.”