Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by Anonymous
You are right - while the invites come directly from Jake, he certainly has a trusted network of high school and club coaches who he solicits input from. Whether or not there are "dedicated slots" I can't say, but to think he does this in a vacuum in foolish.

I just saw him at the 3d Blue Chip in Florida, and at best he was a passive observer of the the kids playing their four games. While the invite says Jake and Jamie they are obviously relying heavily on the two evaluators. Jamie is a lot more tuned into the games.


Let's be blunt...what you wrote is exactly why 3d is hated in Baltimore (and JR is a Baltimore guy, long time former M.I.A.A. coach). JR sold out for the money, the money is very good and he is basically getting rich for being a disinterested spectator. JR is just a namesake, it is a 3d camp with his brand name on it. The prestige of that is rapidly diminishing and deservedly so.


Totally agree with you - the overall talent at the first session in Florida was mediocre at best. There were some good players who could hang with anyone from any region, but was astonished with the overall level of play and kids who seriously couldn't catch and throw - I think by the time you take the direct invites and the one's picked via the 3d Blue Chip you have a pretty solid group, but this is turning into a money grab. I don't want to totally diss 3d, because the training is good, and it exposes kids to techniques many of them have never seen before, but at this point they need fewer kids or fewer cycles to maintain the quality of play.


I think what is being lost in translation is that every region differs in talent. An amazing player in lets say Florida is only mediocre in MD and NY. If I may use the example of the Olympics vs regions. Is it fair to say that Italy wont put a good basebal team together but those players playing for the Olympic team and are the best that that country has to offer. Comparing some of these new to lacrosse regions to an area that has a long history of lacrosse like Long Island is just unfair. So having regions is a good way to promote the sport. The best areas will have the toughest competition and things are harder for those kids and thats just the way it is. Cream always rises to the top and as the sport grows so will the talent pool. Look at Texas and California. They are producing some great teams.