BANGOR, Maine — Xander Bogaerts already was on the radar of Boston Red Sox scouts when he played for Aruba in the 2009 Senior League World Series at Mansfield Stadium.
When that tournament concluded, both he and twin brother Jair reportedly were driven to Fenway Park in Boston where they signed pro contracts as 16-year-old international free agents, and while Jair Bogaerts’ playing career has ended, Xander is now a budding star as the Red Sox’ starting shortstop.
For many other aspiring baseball players, the Senior League World Series can represent a pivotal time in their dreams of reaching the big leagues, and this year’s event will provide them for the first time a direct link with major-league scouts.
The MLB Scouting Bureau will hold a special workout session from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, at the stadium for as many as five players from each of the 10 participating SLWS teams.
Players’ performances in a 60-yard dash and throwing and batting drills will be reviewed by scouting bureau personnel. Scores from the qualifying players will be entered into the bureau’s database, which helps the 30 Major League Baseball clubs make personnel decisions.
The event is open to the public.
“Little League is often the first place where boys and girls from around the world get introduced to the game of baseball,” said Dan Velte, Little League director of league development and affiliation, in a news release. “Teamwork, dedication and fair play, along with the fundamentals of the game are on display at thousands of local leagues around the world and has helped foster the careers of countless Major League Baseball players.
“We’re excited to give the Little Leaguers participating in this year’s Senior League Baseball World Series a special opportunity to show that they’re ready to play baseball at the highest level.”
Three scouts are expected to be on hand to conduct the drills.
“It’s part of Little League’s new partnership with Major League Baseball,” said SLWS executive director Mike Brooker after tournament officials conducted a blind draw in late June to determine brackets for this year’s tournament. “It grew out of Little League’s Urban Initiative, and it’s a way to get Major League Baseball more involved with Little League.
“It’s a great opportunity for kids to get their names on the radar.”
Under the Senior League World Series’ new modified double-elimination format, Aug. 7 is a scheduled off-day between the semifinals and the world championship game set for noon Aug. 8.
The MLB Scouting Bureau will hold a similar workout event during the Big League Baseball World Series for players ages 17-18 in Easley, South Carolina. That event began Tuesday and continues through Aug. 4.
Regional tournaments winding down
Five U.S. regional tournaments and the Canadian national championships are winding down, with winners set to make travel plans to arrive in Bangor in time for Saturday’s opening ceremonies of the 55th annual Senior League World Series.
The U.S. Southwest and West tournaments were expected to conclude Tuesday night, with the U.S. Central and Southeast and Canadian events expected to be completed Wednesday. The U.S. East qualifier will be the last to finish on Thursday in West Deptford, New Jersey..
Old Town has qualified for the first time to represent Maine District 3 as the host team for the 14th SLWS held at Mansfield Stadium, which is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Old Town has drawn a first-day bye in Bracket B of the tournament and is scheduled to play its first SLWS game next at 1 p.m. Monday against the winner of Sunday’s 2 p.m. game between Europe-Africa qualifier Lazio, Italy, and Asia Pacific champion Saipan Little League of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Italy and Saipan each went undefeated in winning its respective regional tournament.
Other Bracket B teams are Canada and U.S. Central, while Bracket A will consist of Latin America and the U.S. East, Southeast, Southwest and West.
Pariba Little League of Willemstad, Curacao, already has clinched an SLWS berth as the Latin American champion.
