Bay Area World Series

This message came to me on June 8, 2015... 11 years after this player was at BAWS... kids don't forget who helps them along the way...

Hey Blaine,

Just wanted to reach out and say thanks for all the help and support you were to me back in high school. You reached out to coaches for me and I wanted to let you know it worked out.

I played at the University of Utah and ended up leading the Mountain West Conference in batting average my junior year. I remember you reaching out for me and wanted to say thanks.

Playing college ball was one of the highlights of my early twenties.

Hope all is well!

Thanks!
Cody Guymon (BAWS 2004)

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Dear Blaine,
We really want to thank you for everything you have done for J.R. He had a great time at BAWS and was glad he followed your advice in regards to PG Nationals, as you might remember his summer coach felt it was not worthwhile for him to attend that event if he was not interested in East Coast schools.  He was so glad he went, he was amazed at the talent level and was honored  to be a part of it.  It was such a great experience.  Thanks to these great events J.R. has been fortunate to have many schools interested in him as a player. 
 
Thank you,
Julie Graham (parent)

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Hi Blaine,

Just want to let you know that I have committed to Arizona State. In 2010 I participated in BAWS and that was the first ever showcase event I had ever participated in. I didn't perform necessarily well in that event, but it really opened me up to the whole year after and how to compete in future events. I did get a lot of recognition from BAWS.

Thank you, Chris Flexen 2012, RHP Newark Memorial HS 

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Blaine, I hope you've had a chance to recover a bit. As always it was a great event! I am being completely honest when I say that I think it is one of the best run premier showcases I have been associated with in my various stops around the country. I am also very impressed with the great support from the area coaches and your associates. I am sincerely proud to be a part of it. Thank you for including me.

Craig Chipman

Asst. Coach, Deer Valley HS

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Blaine,

Just want to say that my wife and I were impressed with the event last week. The facility was first class, you kept things on schedule and you kept everyone in the loop via email and the website both before and during the event so there was no confusion and we knew what to expect. While getting the boys in front of the coaches and scouts is really the only critical part, it's those little things that make an event feel like it was professionally done and makes a family want to come back. One short story..... My son's grandparents showed up for a game Saturday afternoon. They walked up to the gate and the person collecting money had a short conversation with them and talked about how they were there to watch their grandson play. He told them to enjoy the game and wouldn't take their money. I know that it was only a small amount, but that shows class. Too many of these events seem like they are trying to squeeze every penny out of you and that leaves a bad taste when it's over. This event obviously has your name written all over it, but it's your hustle and organization that shows the pride you take in making it successful. Thanks again for a good weekend and we wish you the best in the future.

- Mike Casida  

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Thanks Blaine!  Very well run as usual and I was satisfied with the overall talent level, especially considering the younger prospects.  You are back on track! Let me know if I can do anything to help out in the future.

Matt Curtis
Assistant Coach
USC Baseball

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From: Matt Curtis 

Date: Tuesday, 2/9/10

Subject: Re: Bay Area World Series V

Blaine,

I was disappointed to hear about the situation with Braves, but I will be glad to see you back running/organizing showcases again.  Your service has been very valuable for us to identify the best talent in Northern California, let me know if I can help you out in any way!

Thanks,

Matt Curtis
Assistant Coach, Recruiting Coordinator

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Blaine,

I hope your summer has gone well since I saw you at the BAWS. I wanted to inform you that I have committed to the University of San Diego. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to participate in the BAWS the past two years. The BAWS was one of the best college showcase events that I participated in over the past two summers.

Sincerely, Preston Caldera Archbishop Mitty HS '12

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Mr. Clemmens,

Hi, my name is Gary Longoria. First I want to thank you for having Kenny Swain attend your BAWS Futures event last fall. He had a blast and is working hard to improve his game. Also, I have coached Spenser Linney (Head-Royce '11) since he was 11 years old. He had a special summer to say the least! What you evaluated in him (at BAWS 2010) has come to pass in the eyes of some interesting baseball people. Thank you for the experience he had at BAWS. It started the ball rolling (he has since commmitted to Stanford)!  

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Dear Blaine:

I wanted to take a moment to thank you so very much for the tournament this past weekend. I was skeptical at first but felt reassured after we talked and was very pleased with the whole event. I met a lady whose son won MVP some years ago - Mrs. Hughes is her name - her other son this year won best pitcher on a certain team. So it seems like a very good showcase event for the kids and I thank you for having us and for all the hard work it takes to put it on.

Blessings, Greg Duerr 

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Coach Clemmens,

The opportunity you gave us all last year sure made an impact as several of my teammates have already made verbal commitments to some schools. I also have several opportunities, some of which I know were a direct result of the exposure in last year's BAWS. I really appreciated being a part of it. Thank you for the opportunity you are providing us -- and for helping many of us realize our goal of playing college baseball.

Happy Holidays to you and your family.

Sincerely, James Marvel (2012), Campolindo H.S. 

Hi Blaine,

Thanks again for inviting Tyler to participate in the 2012 BAWS and providing him the opportunity to pitch in front of several colleges he'd be interested in attending ...he had a great time. In fact, it appeared all the Contra Costa team players were enjoying themselves each time they played... it's great to see a team mesh with so many intense personalities ... it helps remind all of us they are still kids. Thanks again for all you've done to support Tyler and all high school players that have aspirations of playing college or professional baseball. Hope to hear from you soon.

Best regard, Gary and Kristen Vistalli

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Hi Blaine, Thanks again for a great weekend – wonderful learning experience for Jordan. I personally was very impressed with the organization and professionalism of the event – lot going on but you and your team managed it very well. Thanks again! 

- Bert Gough

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Hey Coach Clemmens,

This is Chris Clements from Pacific Grove and I just wanted to say thank you for inviting me to the Bay Area World Series this year and I had a lot of fun. Between my brother and I going to many showcases, this was the best run one and it gave me the best chance to showcase my skills in front of a lot of my schools of interest. Hopefully I get to come back next year.  Once again, thank you, it was a great experience.

- Chris Clements

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Dear Coach Clemmens,

I would like to thank you for the opportunity to participate in BAWS. It was a great feeling to be able to showcase my talent in front of college and professional scouts. I am excited to work with you again in the near future. Thank You,

Nkosi Djehuti-Mes 

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Hi Blaine, Once again, thank you for having Daniel attend the BAWS. I thought the event was organized very well, and the setting was great. Thanks again, Bob Slominski 

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Blaine, I first wanted to say thank you for a great weekend—very professional operation you run. Thank you again,

Keith Freitas  

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Thanks for putting on a great event.  I can only imagine the time and dedication you must have to pull this off.  My hat is off to you.  My son RJ really enjoyed the experience.  Go North Bay!

Tom Busse

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Blaine,

Just wanted to thank you for a great weekend of baseball from my family and the Central Valley Braves! I was very impressed with the BAWS and very happy my son along with 5 other boys from our Braves team were able to participate in your event. Thanks again for all your hard work in making this great event happen. All my kids are the class of 2014 & 2015, so I think it is safe to say most of us will be back next year with you. Thanks, Darin Kuhn, Central Valley Braves 

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From Peter Jackson, father of former Miramonte HS & Cal star & 1st round pick Brett Jackson (2-time  BAWS participant), as well as outstanding 2012 grad Drew Jackson of Miramonte HS (now at Stanford)...

Blaine-
Hope you're having a great summer. Couple of things:

1. BAWS was better than ever. I think the kids, parents and coaches all get something special to kick off the summer showcase season. Katie never really got a chance to be around it with Brett (as we had to split time up with four kids) and just couldn't say enough great things about the entire event. And in talking to other parents, everyone seems happy about the value and experience.

2. I don't know if you have heard on any 2012 commitments (its early) but Braden Bishop committed to the Washington Huskies!!! And Drew committed to my rival (as you know, I am a Cal grad) the STANFORD CARDINAL. He had offers from a couple schools, including some others in the Pac-10.

Again, thanks for helping both these kids and all the others who will be signing shortly...

BAWS is a game changer!

Peter 

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Date: 1/12/10

Subject: Nice to see the event back!!

Blaine,

I was cruising some of my old saved websites and noticed you will be bringing your event back. My son attended several Perfect Game events, Area Code Tryouts and misc other events but when asked by other baseball families what I felt offered the best college exposure, competition and overall experience I have said Bay Area World Series.  Thanks again for all the time and effort you put into helping these boys! Best Wishes, 

Scott Quesada

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Hi Blaine!

I wanted to thank you for such a classy and well run event last weekend. This was our first experience with anything like this. It was wonderful that our son Jon got to participate. That was a good test of his composure. Thanks again! All the best,

– Mike and Rhonda Schafer  

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Hi Blaine, Thank you for your time and work with BAWS, it was a first class showcase and so far my favorite event. Thank you - Blake Patrick 

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Blaine,

You do a fantastic job running a very good event... keep up the good work & we will look forward to next year. Great event & really looking forward to next year. Thanks again

- Ken Olivet