Metro Scout League Brings Baseball Scouts To The Players

Professional baseball scouts and college coaches from around the United States convene every Sunday, from September to October at the Craig Ranch 4plex in McKinney, Texas, to watch, evaluate, and recruit some of the best high school baseball players in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

Now in its 6th season the Metro Scout League will showcase an estimated 300 top players, in two divisions 18-U and 16-U.

“Last year, we had pro scouts from 26 of the 30 MLB teams,” said Cade Griffis, a director with the MSL. “On the college front, we’ve had kids literally signed in the parking lot after the games. The beauty of the MSL is that the kids don’t have to pay a fortune to visit all these schools, because the coaches come here to see them.”

The majority of players who are invited to play in the MSL are by the professional scouts. There is an annual August tryout at Craig Ranch in McKinney. Each year an estimated 100-150 players show up to fill 20-40 available spots.

Every Sunday during the season, the 16-U teams, the freshmen and sophomores, play each other at the 4-field complex at Craig Ranch beginning at 10 a.m. The 18-U teams, the juniors and seniors, play each other beginning at 2:30 p.m. On Scout Day, players are tested for speed, arm strength, and agility. Scouts and college coaches are issued complete rosters, which include contact and academic information.

Weekly Metro Scout League video reports, featuring the hitters and pitchers of the games are posted on www.MSLdallas.com. Last year’s reports averaged more than 1,000 hits per game.