Headfirst Jupiter OR Academic East vs West Top 96

smokeminside,

 

I've known many people that have done the West coast to East coast recruiting trip.  He'll be fine.  Here's the deal:  Is this a want to do event or a got to event for his recruiting future?  Where will the majority of quality schools be East or West ? Schools that attend these showcases are typically high academic schools...most recruit nationally and some recruit regionally.  If this is his one shot at some of his top choice schools, I'd take it.  If there is a good chance you'll see his top choice schools elsewhere then don't go East.  

 

I'm suggesting you forget about location and convenience and think about his top choice schools.  Money is another matter, but you didn't bring that up.  I'd make sure the coaches know who he is and remind them of his journey to get there.  It demonstrates interest and seriousness in the recruiting process.

 

Good luck!

 

 

If you've ever coached youth baseball I hope you've been fortunate enough to have that one kid who could do it all every time you asked him: get the big hit, make the big play, get the K your team had to have.

 

Fenway is THAT guy.

 

 

Smoke:

As a 2017, a few things to consider. Definitely which camp has more schools that you feel has "mutual" interest--son and school. Tough to measure, at this point I would see which e-mails are more "personalized", than generic. If your son has contacted schools (phone), which have been receptive? I would probably go where more of his top 5 are at this stage. We had similar decisions on these two camps (Top96 and HF), but didn't have the distance difference that you have.

 

I have found the Top96 camps run really well and on schedule. Found coaches pretty approachable. 2015 went to summer HF  as a rising junior and was overwhelming (LOTS of campers). He was on some schools "lists", but it was early in the game. Still, if you are in contact with a number of schools at HF, it may be worthwhile. I wouldn't worry about flight, as long as he isn't running to the camp from the airport. If son is still w-i-d-e-n-i-n-g his "net" I would probably do HF, provided numerous contacts are made. Consider the $1000 (HF) and $600 (Top96) cost too. Lastly, Middle Infielders are on a waitlist at HF Jupiter. As for Top96..still a 10% discount through 10/15.

 

As Fenway noted and you know these are the high academic schools. Not a bad idea to have G.P.A., test scores and/or a transcript handy. Good luck!

Fenway stated the analysis -- simple math now.

Thanks, as always, Ripken and Gov.  What a great crew of support on this site!

 

My biggest concern was son not performing well because of fatigue.  Neither event is a perfect fit, in terms of allowing him exposure to EVERY school he's interested in.  On balance, though, more of his choice schools will be at Headfirst by a fair margin, so I expect Florida is where we're headed.  I'm glad to know that top 96 is a good showcase and I will look for one of those closer to home in the future.

Smokeminside,

 

Now that you've made the decision, make it count.  Take advantage of the opportunity by showcasing well and communicating clearly to these coaches.  As Ripken Fan suggests have that information handy at the showcase.  In addition, I'd make sure they know who he is before he gets there or he re-introduces himself if he's spoken or written to them previously.  If it is a top choice school request 5-10 minutes of their time at the Showcase (before, during, or after) as you want to understand more about the specific school and how college athletes manage their time at XYZ (for example).  

 

There is a lot of activity and conversations at HeadFirst and other showcases.  My best advice would be to take advantage of your surroundings and learn as much as you possibly can and make lots of contacts.  My son, wife and I had a 20-25 minute conversation with Brendan Sullivan (President of HeadFirst) that was absolutely a difference maker in my son's mind.  Although Brendan is not a college coach, he knew everything about my son and what schools were interested in him (schools that we had no idea were interested).  My son was blown away...he is not easily blown away.  A day later....what Brendan told us would happen actually happened.  A D1 school that had been watching my son called him.  They knew my son had turned down some other offers, but they had something the others didn't (a large engineering school).  My son was immediately interested, attended a camp, offered and committed in a few weeks after HF.   My point is that it is a showcase, network,  learning experience, and a marketplace.  In addition to our conversation with Brendan Sullivan my son talked to many, many coaches.  It was absolutely the best bang for the buck for our situation.  The dialogue and accessability of the coaches made it extremely worthwhile.  Coaches are shopping for recruits and recruits are looking for the best academic/athletic fit.  Be ready to be impressed by schools you've never heard of or never considered.  

 

You and your son need to think like a college coach....Coaches have limited time with each recruit so make sure your son demonstrates why he is an exceptional fit for their program .  Understand the coaches motivations and what your son brings to the program.  There is a lot to be said for making their job easier/your job easier if your son can get through Admissions on his own.  Coaches want that "frictionless" recruit where they don't have to worry about Admssions and they don't have to give away some of their "equity" with the Admissions Committee.   If he needs help with Admissions that is fine too, but understand how much help.   These get into the finer points of understanding their process and where you stand.  Ask them questions if you need clarification.

 

Good luck!

 

PS...We're here for you if you need help.

Hi Smoke,
We've done both. I think you know that we love HF. As has been noted, go where your schools will be. Challenging in this situation. In my experience, more of the decision makers (e.g., D3 head coach, D1 HC or recruiting coordinators) are at HF than at Top96. It's critical that your player is communicating with and is being seen by the "right" coaches on a college staff. That's not to say a volunteer assistant has no influence. But in my experience, my 2012 and 2016 had far more recruiting success when the HC and/or RC was attending.
Brendan Sullivan was mentioned. Great guy. HF has some other staffers who are also wonderful and helpful. Great people to know.
Good luck!!!

Just curious. My son is a junior and just starting to attend showcases.  He works very hard, shows well, etc, but thinks it's unacceptable to initiate a conversation with a coach at one of these events.  Fenwaysouth makes its sound like he should be talking, and a lot, to get noticed, learn about the process, etc.  Does anyone have any input on if kids and/or parents should be approaching coaches at these events?

 

Thanks!

I recently took my son to his first showcase. There were college coaches walking around in their uniforms with radar guns and timers and clipboards. I saw one kid, who has been to 5-6 showcases already, came up to a coach and introduced himself. He just said, "Hi, my name is xxx. I'm playing shortstop on the White team and my first game will be 3pm on field 1. Hope you come to watch me." The coach just looked him up on the clipboard and said, "Thanks, I'll be watching you." Not sure whether that's just courtesy, or he really came to watch the kid. At least I think it didn't hurt; it showed his interest and maturity and proactiveness.

 

Unfortunately my son is also the quiet kind. I told him the story, so hopefully he will talk to some coaches on the next showcase.

Headfirst strongly encourages kids to meet with coaches.  Brendan and the HF staff will help introduce kids who may be shy.  The coaches at HF expect to be approached...they want to be approached!

 

Part of marketing oneself to schools and demonstrating interest is the ability to shake hands and say hello to coaches.  It's tough for many young men to do this.  Coaches understand that and will help the kids through the discussion.

 

One of the reasons I strongly recommend HF.  They do this piece right. 

Kids introducing, yes; parents introducing, no.  Do I have to sometimes give my kid a nudge in the coach's direction?  Yes.  Is he happy afterwards that I nudged him?  So far, so good.

Branson, can you explain how Brendan and HF staff help facilitate the introductions? Do kids express their interests in certain colleges as part of registration? Or do HF staff look at the kids' skill level and say "hmm, this kid may be good for xxx college?" My son hasn't been to HF but does plan to go to one in the future, so the more we know what to expect, the better.

Bogey, my 2016 attended HF this summer on Long Island.  He did ok speaking with coaches - not as well as I would have hoped but it turned out well for him.  But, while I was there I heard many (and I mean a lot) of conversations between players and coaches.  The coaches are every where and many of them choose to stand between the fields so they can rotate throughout the games (others are on the field during the games).  Between innings the players come up, introduce themselves and ask the coaches to watch them on field X and chat.  Lots of discussion about SAT/ACT scores - esp from the Harvard coach.  About ten players lined up to talk to him while he watched the game my 2016 was in.  I was right next to him and most of these kids were pretty nervous.  

 

The coaches are open to discussion and the players catch on pretty quickly that it's ok to speak with them.  I'm not sure how Brendan facilitates discussions as we didn't try that but I did follow-up with them after the event the following week with some questions and they were very helpful.  I can't speak highly enough of the HF program.  It's expensive but was worth every penny in our case.  Another coach contacted my son last week and asked for him to visit and my wife said "that HF deal was the best thing we've ever done".  If you have any questions about it either post them here or PM me and I'll be happy to help with any info I have.

Also a big HF fan here.  Big as an understatement.  The HF guys get it right, and we felt it was best use of baseball $$ for sure.

 

To answer the question about how they facilitate conversations, I noticed that when the "parent" meetings were held (a talk by 2 coaches or information on collegiate pitching from Ted Sullivan, Brendan's brother and also founder of HF, who pitched at Duke) the coaches were being given lunch or a much needed break in a roped off area just for the coaches.  Meanwhile the boys were in groups and I heard the HF coaches (not the collegiate ones, the HF red shirt employee coaches) prepping their group on how to speak to coaches, what to say, etc.  It was awesome, because it did NOT come from Mom or Dad and go in one ear and out the other.  The boys listened.  Intently!

 

My 2017 managed to get out of his comfort zone and speak to almost all the coaches he wanted to that were there.  Almost all of them (according to 2017, as he had these conversations ALONE) said they were focused on the rising seniors, and not yet really looking at juniors, but they still were all over him about grades and scores and the process going forward.  The coaches did make it easy once approached it seems. 

 

As an aside, one coach who had contacted him before the event (they saw him at Stanford), did not speak to him at HF.  2017 looked for him but they never chatted. Despite 4 sessions of about 250 boys each time (that's 1000 boys out on long island over 8 days), this coach emailed and said every time he tried to find our 2017, he was derailed by 10 players.     

Regardless of which of the better (academic) showcases you go to - Headfirst, Top 96, Showball, the coaches should have had your name before you get there. Your meeting should be based on some other solicitation on your part (filling out a questionnaire, send video, e-mail including transcript or board scores, etc, phone call, etc). You have a list ahead of time as to who is attendance. Try to get on the coach's clipboard before the event. and indicate what feild, team number you are on.  Remember you are the one creating the opportunity. You are up against several hundred players at the events.Taking action before the event moves separates you from the throngs of players that approach certain programs.

Bogey,

 

Sorry for the delay in responding.  HF encourages kids to speak with coaches as noted above.  Brendan or another HF rep speaks with the players (and parents) as a group during an extended break on day one.  He highlights the "how to" approach a coach at the appropriate time by a player first (not parent) and encourages kids to seek him or another HF rep if they need help with how to engage a coach or are looking to get an intro to a specific coach. 

 

Every coach is introduced on the field in front of the crowd on an early break at the camp.  At Long Island this Summer, there were over 100 coaches present.  Each coach's name was read, the Coach then stepped forward on the field and waved or tipped his cap.  

 

HF also provides each player a program with a sizable entry for each Coach.  It shows the coach's photo, the school's name and nickname, school colors, some specifics about the school like enrollment and location, etc.  The program provides space for players to make notes.  On HF day one coaches are typically in full uniform.  On day two, many coaches go to more casual team practice wear. 

 

The college coaches are everywhere at HF.  On the fields during games, in the dugouts, walking between fields, etc.  They expect to and want to be approached. 

 

For a rising (or current) junior, I recommend doing a HF event like HF Sacramento or Long Island in the Summer for a rising Junior or Jupiter in the Fall of a player's Junior year to see how the process unfolds and to begin talking to coaches.

 

If you have a player who is looking at "academic" / selective schools, HF is an incredible forum for that player to meet coaches, be seen live, see how they compare to other players nationwide, etc.  

When exactly is before? One week, two weeks, two days before the event?

 

Another related question I have is, how far in advance of a casual college visit (i.e. you happen to be in "the neighborhood" of a college of potential interest to your son) should your son try to contact the baseball coach to see if he is available for a few minutes that day?

2017 is finishing contacting everyone today for next weekend's Headfirst event.  Don't know if that's late or not.  Certainly not too early!

 

No clue on campus visits but I would give a couple weeks notice just to make sure they're there.

One to two weeks prior should be OK. In addition to telling coach you will be there (along with baseball position, class etc.) it is important for son to note why he is interested in the school (majors, program, campus). Remember you don't like "form e-mails", they don't either - they want to feel special and that you did some research. Son would cc: head coach if RC was one to attend, or cc: recruiting coordinator if an assistant coach was attending showcase. If school has never heard from player before, it would not be as effective contacting a day or two before showcase. That could give impression that school is an "afterthought."

As for an on campus unofficial (casual) visit, we've had some notifications the day before. Some, we just visited enroute from somewhere else. The key is to find out if someone will be there, so if that this is important to you, you won't go the extra mile and find that the coaches are all off recruiting.