Leading off today: Major League Baseball will start a program next summer to identify and highlight the country's
leading junior prospects, which could have an effect on both college recruiting and the handful of for-profit services and camps that typically cater to families that can spend thousands of dollars to showcase players.
The Prospect Development Pipeline League announced on Tuesday will be run in conjunction with USA Baseball. Approximately 80 high school players will participate in the invitation-only event, which will take place from mid-June to early July at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. USA Baseball will use the PDPL to identify candidates for the under-18 national team competing in the U-18 Baseball World Cup in Busan, South Korea.
Players will be split into four teams coaches by personnel from MLB teams.
It's likely the size and scope of the PDPL could grow in subsequent years, which would put a dent in services and camps that players and college coaches spend substantial money to attend in hopes of landing scholarship money or moving up in the annual MLB draft.
Weekend follow-up, part I: Three defending champions will return to Glens Falls next weekend for the NYSPHSAA girls volleyball championships. Owego (Class B), Portville (C) and Bainbridge-Guilford (D) all advanced in regional play this past weekend.
In all, nine of the 20 teams that have advanced also competed a year ago at Cool Insuring Arena.
The complete field:
Class AA: Pine Bush, Shenendehowa, Long Beach, Victor.
Class A: Cornwall, Burnt Hills, Wantagh, Niagara-Wheatfield.
Class B: Owego, Broadalbin-Perth, Bayport-Blue Point, Westhill.
Class C: Millbrook, Voorheesville, Mattituck, Portville.
Class D: Bainbridge-Guilford, Panama, Mount Academy, Mayfield.
Weekend follow-up, part II: Chazy's 3-0 win over Mount Academy on Sunday for the NYSPHSAA boys Class D soccer championship broke a tie with Pittsford Mendon for most trophies in the sport.
