Ohio Insider: Exposure And Fun Stand Out for Team Ohio

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Ohio Insider: Exposure And Fun Stand Out for Team Ohio

“PBR has created a one-of-a-kind experience.”

Team Ohio’s Logan Danzeisen of Sylvania Southview came away with that opinion after competing in this year’s prestigious Future Games.

Team Michigan’s Tyler Helgeson of Portage Northern echoed what Danzeisen said.

“Thank you so much for allowing me to participate in the Future Games,” Hegelson said. “It was an amazing experience which I will forever remember.”

Held at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind., just north of Indianapolis,, the 2017 version of the Future Games featured around 400 players representing 20 teams and 28 states participating in front of 247 college and professional coaches and scouts.

It was a boost from past years, with the 2016 Future Games attended by 150+ and the 2015 event by 125+.

“Future Games is the best scouting event in the country,” said Aaron Wilson, Michigan Director of Scouting. “As you enter the complex you are greeted by a sea of college coaches, which gives you the feel of a kid in the candy store. As a player/coach or just a fan, what more can you ask for than great fields, competition and bundles of opportunity? Future Games literally changes lives with one swing of the bat. The scary thing about this event is it continues to grow each year.”

The amount of exposure stood out.

“The Future Games showed me how good the competition can be and it fueled me to get better,” said Lawson Blackmore, a junior at Van Wert. “It also gave me great exposure to coaches and teams I never would've thought would see me.”

Justin Silverstein, a sophomore at Turpin, agreed with Blackmore’s assessment.

“Participating in the Future Games will most likely be the most and best looks from scouts you will get as a baseball player, helping you get to the next level,” the Turpin shortstop said. “Even if you don’t get offered or talk to a school right away you will be put on their radar.”

Jordan Stevens feels the event will be big for his future.

“I am thankful for the experience, and I did not take this for granted,” the University School sophomore said. “I think that the Future Games will just prepare me for the next level and even higher competition.”

New friendships just added to the weekend.

“It was really cool to meet the kids on Team Ohio because I had seen some of them on PBR or have played against them but it was cool to get to meet them,” noted Seth Logue of Moeller.

That is something that didn’t go unnoticed by Ohio Director of Scouting Jordan Chiero.

“It’s my favorite event of the year,” Chiero said. “It’s the best of the best representing their state...I’m not sure how it gets better than that. The cool thing outside of the baseball aspect is getting to see relationships grow throughout the week. These kids not only leave with the a baseball experience they’ll never forget but also with new friendships made.”

With the Games continuing to grow, the future looks brighter than ever.

“The Future Games has quickly become the most highly scouted showcase event in the country by college coaches,” noted Chris Valentine, PBR Executive Director for Ohio, Michigan, Ontario and New England.  “As PBR adds new coverage areas, it brings new players and new college coaches to the event. It is exciting to think of the potential as we move forward.”

A PBR thank you to all that participated and a special thanks to the following players on Team Ohio that gave their thoughts about the event (including what schools that have been in contact with them since the event):
***** If you were on Team Ohio and did not share your thoughts, feel free to email us and we will get them included within this article.