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Baseball: Stevenson Showcase brings out cases of jitters
College and pro schouts mixed with family and friends while watching a game between the CSL and WSL seniors at Stevenson. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media
Updated: July 23, 2012 6:15AM
Walking away from the first day of the Stevenson Showcase, an event where more than 100 scouts were expected to attend, New Trier’s Grant Amick felt different.
Amick struggled on Friday, surrendering two unearned runs and walking a pair of batters during his one inning of work.
“I didn’t feel like I threw as well as I could have,” said Amick on Saturday, after the conclusion of the CSL’s 5-1 victory over the Mid-Suburban League. “I don’t usually get nervous — I’ve gone to a bunch of events like this — I think it was just a mental thing. I felt more confident today. I got better.”
Although Amick wasn’t pleased with how he threw on the first day, he wasn’t the only person to struggle against the West Suburban League lineup. The CSL lost 10-4, and most of the players admitted it was because they struggled with nerves.
The next day was much different for the Amick and Co., however. Amick, a starting pitcher and third baseman at New Trier, became more comfortable. He threw in the second inning of Saturday’s game, striking out the first batter he faced and allowing only one single.
After Amick’s one inning of work was over, he spent the rest of the day rooting on his teammates.
“I’ve played summer ball with a lot of these kids and one of them (Niles West’s Seth Rosenberg) actually did go to New Trier,” said Amick, who was New Trier’s lone participant. “I wish we had some other kids representing our school, but I think it was OK (being the only player from New Trier).
“I got more comfortable with the kids and it was a good experience because I know all of these kids. I’ve been playing with them for years and being on the same team was fun. I felt like there was a lot better support from all of the kids because we got to know each other.”
Amick figures to have many more opportunities this summer to impress scouts and stand out.
The New Trier senior also threw at a Prep Baseball Report’s showcase on June 14. Amick, one year after hitting a home run at a Headfirst showcase event in New York, was invited back this year.
He thinks it will be hard to replicate the exposure — and camaraderie among his fellow CSL teammates — at other invitationals this summer.
“This was great,” Amick said. “I’m sad I can’t do another thing like this because it was pretty unique. It was a lot of fun. It’s been a great time, even though I didn’t play well (Friday). The kids were great too. Getting to know all of them was a great experience.”
