Arizona Fall Classic--Senior All Academic Tryout

Good questions.  Thanks for posting

Can you supply more info regarding your son?  Height/Weight/Position/measureables such as throwing velocity & 60 time?  

6'3"/195, catcher (2018).  60 -- 7.3, Pop -- 2.0 (best--1.98), Exit velo -- 83.  SAT/GPA -- 1400/3.8.

So assuming your son is part of a team that is already invited to play in the AZ Senior Fall Classic itself (if you don't, you can't even apply for the Academic Game), I would say the first thing to do is look at the list of schools who attended the 2016 event and decide if your son has a serious interest in any of those (the list is on their website).  It sounds like he may have decided to go to school in the East, so the list may not interest him as there are more Western schools at the AZ event.

I can say for certainty that several Ivy schools were there and were still recruiting.  One of them who saw my son in the Academic game pitch contacted him and came over to watch him pitch for his travel team game later that weekend.  I cannot say for sure that we saw other D1s at the Academic game, but based on my eyeball estimates, I would say between 50-75 coaches watched the tryout and maybe more than that were sitting behind home plate at the actual game.  Some of them were no doubt D1s.  There were several other D2 and D3 schools that were not at HF or Stanford, and for us, the $150 was a no brainer to spend on the game.  My son would not be playing college baseball had he not tried out and made the Academic game, so my view is very biased.  Others may feel differently, but if your son is not sure he wants to go any of the schools he has interest from, it may make sense to try one last showcase event.

P.S. If your son also pitches, be sure to check the box for being willing to pitch if not selected for the catcher position.  There were more spots for pitchers to tryout than position players.

One thing to add to what Backstop says, if you really wanted to attend and didn't have a team you can try hooking up with one. 

One of our users here on HSBBW recently posted that his team is looking for players to go to that event and others.

http://community.hsbaseballweb...ssage-us-for-details

Thanks for the insight.  I didn't realize you had to be part of a team to participate in the Academic tryout.  

I would recommend going, money well spent.  When my son played on the Academic Team, i'm guessing 100 plus scouts were in attendance.  It is a good experience for your son, lots of pressure to excel, but if he makes it, it can be rewarding.  My son had a very good game.  Literally, 30 minutes after the game ended phone calls/texts were coming in.  He counted 28 contacts in a 3 hour period.  Most were D2 & D3, 5 or 6 were D1.  They were all over the country.  If he can produce the schools will love him because a good chance academically there will be no worries for a coach.  It used to be you can try out for the academic game without being on a team.  A kid we knew just tried out, didn't make it and went home.  Good luck

You may be right about that. You can email to ask the AZ people about that. It's a family business and they are hands-on.

AZ Fall Classic Academic All-star try-out is a MUST DO event if you are uncommitted and have the GPA and test scores . GO!

AD2018 posted:

Thanks for the insight.  I didn't realize you had to be part of a team to participate in the Academic tryout.

My son did not need to be part of a team for the single day academic tryout at last years 2016 AZ Junior Classic.  

You should contact AZ Classic directly to clarify:  azacademicgame@gmail.com and Tracy at azbaseballtracy@msn.com.  Tracy is a focal point and I think her sons run the event, also : 602-228-1592.  

My data point is 6 years old so FWIW.

1. It is a must do event for a uncommitted high academic player. Every program at the event will have a coach there so the exposure is unprecedented. Even if you don't make the team he will be seen. It is particular good for pitchers and catchers.

2. Prepare him for the hitting part as each player gets around 10 balls so he needs to be mentally prepared for this part. Practice with him in advance. Some of the BP throwers are better than others so it is a bit of a crap shoot. 

3. At the time my son played you did not have to be part of another team.

4. If you can, get on a team for the rest of the event, however you must be in touch with programs and let them know your son's playing schedule. Relying on random exposure is a mistake.

Go through previous years to see which programs have been attending.

Good luck!

From the FAQ on AZ Fall Classic's web site:

BOF posted:

My data point is 6 years old so FWIW.

1. It is a must do event for a uncommitted high academic player. Every program at the event will have a coach there so the exposure is unprecedented. Even if you don't make the team he will be seen. It is particular good for pitchers and catchers.

 

Any events that are particularly good for infielders? 

Just to add some details and the sequence of events based on what my 2017 experienced at the 2017 AZ Senior Fall Classic (presumably similar at the Junior Classic):

• The Academic game tryouts are first thing Thursday morning and usually run up until about Noon
• Position players are doing the traditional showcase type drills on the main fields and there are coaches/scouts roaming around watching and taking notes
• Pitchers are lined up down in a bullpen area where there are mounds--4 kids at a time are scouted with coaches/scouts both behind the catcher and behind the pitchers.  Kids next up get loose further down the side of the field so that they are warm and ready to throw
• Almost all of the coaches had their own speed guns and note pads where they jotted down notes on the pitcher.  Often they would compare notes on what velocity other coaches noted
• Around 3 PM or so they post the selections for the game on the website.  Some of the games for the travel teams have already started by then and the selectees depart.
• I think the game started at 7 PM and goes 10 "showcase style" innings with each pitcher getting to face 5-6 batters over one inning
• The last game ended so late the stadium lights went off (felt really bad for those kids pitching and hitting at the end). Hopefully they do a better job with pacing, and they need better umps who understand it is a showcase and not squeezing pitchers so kids will know they have to swing the bat.
• Follow-up from the coaches is almost immediate--late Thursday, early Friday.  They want to know what Travel Team you are on, when and where you will play, and if a pitcher, which game you will pitch.  NOTE: for the kids who are not part of a travel team, you will miss this important follow-up opportunity to be seen by the coaches again.

For those with pitchers, it is fantastic if they get selected for the Academic game, but be sure their arms are fresh going into the event.  Lots of warm-up throws for the tryout, then 15 pitches airing it out in the tryout, then if selected, warm-ups again that evening, plus a full inning with 20-30 pitches in the game.  Then any coaches interested will want to see them throw 2 innings in their travel team game.  A lot of coaches leave by Sunday morning, so the follow-up innings will likely be on Saturday less than 48 hours from the Academic game.  It can be a lot, but it is a golden scouting opportunity so plan around it--rest the weekend before and several weeks after.

Good to know that the Tryout is at least 4 hours.  I was trying to gauge value ($150+ plane/hotel).  How many players are at the Academic Tryout?  And, how many are selected for the Academic game?  If you are not selected for the Academic game (and you're not part of a team), could the event still be of value...egg. a College coach still likes you from the 4 hour Tryout?

Also, more general question...if the player has already been seen by the Ivies, or other academic D1s, but did not generate any interest from the initial viewing, can things change...and all of a sudden a good performance at the Academic Tryout, generates interest?  I guess real question is...is the Academic Tryout used as a last minute shopping spot for unexpected Trickle-down openings that weren't present a month prior?

Can't speak to a lot of what you asked, but I have heard the tryout has about 150 players and they select about 48 for the game (presumably a lot of pitchers - who need catchers). I can only give you my opinion as to the value of attending the tryout (and not getting selected), I think any opportunity to get your son in front of a large group of coaches is something that should be looked at. We have all spent money on showcases to varying degrees. If selected for the tryout, a $150 fee is a bargain for that kind of exposure. Again, this is my opinion. If selected for the game, even more of a value, especially as a senior.

AD2018 posted:

Good to know that the Tryout is at least 4 hours.  I was trying to gauge value ($150+ plane/hotel).  How many players are at the Academic Tryout?  And, how many are selected for the Academic game?  If you are not selected for the Academic game (and you're not part of a team), could the event still be of value...egg. a College coach still likes you from the 4 hour Tryout?

Also, more general question...if the player has already been seen by the Ivies, or other academic D1s, but did not generate any interest from the initial viewing, can things change...and all of a sudden a good performance at the Academic Tryout, generates interest?  I guess real question is...is the Academic Tryout used as a last minute shopping spot for unexpected Trickle-down openings that weren't present a month prior?

For the AZ Fall Junior Classic last year:  The event was very well organized.  Total of 227 kids, they held tryouts from 8-1:30, and posted 2 teams of 27 kids that played each other last night in SD Padres spring facility stadium.  Each team consisted of  9 pitchers, 17 position players, 1 DH.  With the position players getting 4.5 innings of play and 3 AB's.

I don't think we'll attend with my 2018, but what your saying in the second paragraph makes sense about last minute shopping for some because they've had a decommit or issue with a kid and admissions.  Also, if a college is seeing a player for the first time, the tryout is likely not enough for a coach to make a decision; they'll want to watch him in games that weekend.  Maybe sign up, the fee or a portion of it may be refundable up to a certain date.  That way at least your son can attend the academic tryout day, then find a team.  Beware, we've been told the senior academic tryout is more difficult to get into than the junior academic...  So get the conversation going with Tracy at AZ Classic.  I sent video last year and she shared it with her sons (who run the event) and it "seemed" to make their decision easier to let him attend.  Maybe not, could have simply been where he was on the their list and just a numbers thing.

Edited: I found my notes from last years AZ Junior Fall Classic posted on this site

Speaking of the Junior Academic game, is the advice similar (go if you get a chance?) Any differences? Is it a greater proportion of D1s vs. D3s?

I believe there were just as many coaches watching the tryouts as watched the actual game, so it is quite possible that some of the kids who were not selected for the game may have had actual follow-up from the coaches.  No doubt they would be asking when their travel team plays so they could watch more, so another reason to land a spot on a team playing that weekend.  There were several D2 and D3 schools who we had never seen before at the other showcases who were there actively recruiting.  It's been noted time and again, these schools have little to no recruiting budget and they need to find kids who have strong enough academic credentials to get through admissions.  And this game and its tryouts are a golden opportunity for many of them.

As for the Ivy's, based on my 2017's experience, yes it is quite possible that they will pursue a kid at the Academic Game that they did not earlier from HF or Stanford.  One of them who had been at those prior events and shown no interest followed up with my son after seeing him pitch in the Academic game.  I confirmed the coach attended his travel team game to get a closer look (I was somewhat relieved that my son did not pitch that well and he lost interest--how I would come up with $65K a year for college was going to be a major issue).  And as others noted, for the Ivy schools, the admissions process is the driver, and they no doubt recruit later as they realize certain kids may not make the grades or test scores to get in.  By the fall of Senior year, most kids academic records are set and they know what they have in place and where their gaps are.

Even though D3 schools cannot offer athletic scholies, don't necessarily count them out.  My nephew  attended a highly academic D3 school and played basketball there.  He was a good HS student, but no Einstein.  Tuition/room board was expensive. Based on academics the "first" go around, it still left $35K - $40K parents had to pony up.  Crossed that school off list. Basketball coach really wanted him there.  "Second" go around lo and behold, there were magically more academic scholarships he received! Not sure but I think they ended up paying around $15K. Point is, if your son is a fit academically and likes the school, no harm is seeing what can be done after shaking the money tree.

2019Dad posted:

Speaking of the Junior Academic game, is the advice similar (go if you get a chance?) Any differences? Is it a greater proportion of D1s vs. D3s?

Greater proportion of D1's at the AZ Junior Fall Classic.  All the Ivy's were in attendance as well.  Coaches were walking around during the tryout phases, then all were sitting behind home plate during the game that evening.  FYI, the coaches could only say hi but were not allowed to talk to the players.  

Go if you can, but pretty key to make sure your play is up to par along with some measurables standing out.  The game was a pitching dominated event, there were maybe 6-7 hits the entire game.  And catchers were the only position players able to show off their skills, unless you were that lucky defensive player to get a lot of balls hit your way and you made some great plays.

Not sure why coaches would not be allowed to talk to players? These kids are past the Sept 1 date as Juniors and it's a contact period. As I understand it, the communication should be free and both ways.

Ran into the same thing at the Quakes--Ivy/East showcase in Orange County.  They specifically told the players not to engage with the coaches at the end of the day...instead everyone lined up for high-five/handshake with the coaches.  Very different from Headfirst experience, where meeting the coaches was highly encouraged.

Per NCAA guidelines at "showcase events" coaches are not allowed to be in contact with players. (other than a passing hello) At events like Stanford Camp where active "coaching" is going on the rules are different. The advantage of being on a team is that the coaches will be calling the travel coach during the event. My son had numerous coaches in contact with his travel coach during and right after the Academic game. Now thinking back on it he had coaches calling his travel coach during the tryouts for the game. 

It sounds like a lot of the posters on here who got contact as a result of the game were pitchers. Any position players get any love?

HF and Showball are instructional camps, AZ Classic is not, the difference permits a coach's ability to speak with you vs say hello.

2018 received attention the following 3 weeks at HF where it was instructional and the coaches were permitted to talk with him.  Numerous coaches made reference to his play at AZ Classic.

But as I've mentioned, as a position player, I think it's a good thing to attend an individual fall camp during the junior year.  The coaches see tons of reps from you, to follow up with a game or two, and they actually know your name and get to know you, and, if you're skills are standing out, all the more.  Imagine that leading into the AZ Classic, then the HF.... That is how I'd do it all over again if we had the opportunity.

JMO based on the past year and realizing why 2018 seemed to be slightly out of synch with Ivy relationships.

Agree on the Ivies.  I'd been led to believe that their recruiting timetable was closer to the academic D3s, and were still recruiting for 2018 in the summer of 2017.  I was wrong about that...Ivies were for the most part done by the summer of 2017.  

AD2018 posted:

Agree on the Ivies.  I'd been led to believe that their recruiting timetable was closer to the academic D3s, and were still recruiting for 2018 in the summer of 2017.  I was wrong about that...Ivies were for the most part done by the summer of 2017.  

For 2018 MIF positions we found IVY's had their preferred picks going into July (rising senior summer) with a few exceptions.  Which brings me back to to a comment I've made a few times on various threads this past week.  If a position player is determined to play Ivy, pick the top Ivy's you're interested in and get to their Fall Ivy (preferably) or Winter Camps (you won't be in top form).  If the player has D1 tools and has a good weekend he'll have been watched by all the coaches and they'll all know him by name.  Then follow up with AZ Fall Classic, PG Academic, and the November HF or ShB Camps.  You can develop momentum going into the rising senior summer, also, it's easier for a kid to call a coach if he's been to their camp, especially if he had a good performance.  It's also much easier for a kid to call the coach to tell him he'll be at the upcoming AZ Classic or November HF or Showball, as well as asking for performance feedback. If the kid was liked at the camp, coaches will have him on their shopping list when they go to AZ, PG Academic, HF, or ShB.

If you think about it: if the Ivy's have 90% of their position players committed by Sept 1, who are they looking at between Sept and Nov?  Last minute picks that backed out of Ivy, AND Pitchers to build the next recruiting class.  It's hard for a position player to get noticed at a large venue like HF or ShB because they're not necessarily getting many balls hit their way when the coaches are watching (especially the Ivy coach they want to watch).  Strong measurables from the testing portion will put you on their watch list during the two day showcase.  If you only stick to large showcase events, it can take numerous events for the position player to get noticed.   The coaches will need to see how the player matches up in a real competitive game against advanced pitching.  

The top D3's academics have a good idea which rising senior players could help their program after summer showcases.  They're dialed into those players who've responded aggressively to an email or phone call.  But the D3 coach still has to be cautious at this time, because their top targets are still vying for a last chance with an Ivy or Patriot school.  Recruiting their top picks in time for ED1 is their challenge.

(edited a few typos)

FWIW, of the pitchers selected from the Senior Classic Academic tryout this weekend(i.e., they made the roster for the game) who also pitched in a PG event this past summer:

4 LHP, reported top velos per PG of 84, 85, 86, and 89

7 RHP, reported top velos per PG of 83, 84, 84, 85, 85, 87, 88

Thought this might be useful info if someone is thinking about having their senior pitcher try out in a subsequent year, just in terms of what velo makes the roster. 

2019Dad posted:

FWIW, of the pitchers selected from the Senior Classic Academic tryout this weekend(i.e., they made the roster for the game) who also pitched in a PG event this past summer:

4 LHP, reported top velos per PG of 84, 85, 86, and 89

7 RHP, reported top velos per PG of 83, 84, 84, 85, 85, 87, 88

Thought this might be useful info if someone is thinking about having their senior pitcher try out in a subsequent year, just in terms of what velo makes the roster. 

How did it go for your son?  Hope well.

Gov posted:

2019Dad posted:

FWIW, of the pitchers selected from the Senior Classic Academic tryout this weekend(i.e., they made the roster for the game) who also pitched in a PG event this past summer:

4 LHP, reported top velos per PG of 84, 85, 86, and 89

7 RHP, reported top velos per PG of 83, 84, 84, 85, 85, 87, 88

Thought this might be useful info if someone is thinking about having their senior pitcher try out in a subsequent year, just in terms of what velo makes the roster. 

How did it go for your son?  Hope well.

Thanks for asking. He played two games in the Senior Classic, went OK, he has the Jr. Academic tryout Thurs and then four games Fri - Sun.  Fingers crossed.

P.S. -- yeah, that's >20 hours driving. The things we do for our kids . . .

2019Dad posted:

Gov posted:

2019Dad posted:

FWIW, of the pitchers selected from the Senior Classic Academic tryout this weekend(i.e., they made the roster for the game) who also pitched in a PG event this past summer:

4 LHP, reported top velos per PG of 84, 85, 86, and 89

7 RHP, reported top velos per PG of 83, 84, 84, 85, 85, 87, 88

Thought this might be useful info if someone is thinking about having their senior pitcher try out in a subsequent year, just in terms of what velo makes the roster. 

How did it go for your son?  Hope well.

Thanks for asking. He played two games in the Senior Classic, went OK, he has the Jr. Academic tryout Thurs and then four games Fri - Sun.  Fingers crossed.

P.S. -- yeah, that's >20 hours driving. The things we do for our kids . . .

We'll be there Wed night. 2019 is playing with ABA W Tx. What team is your son playing with?