Tagged With "Invite"
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Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
I didn’t know whether to add this question to the “Define Recruited” thread or one of the many camp invite discussions. So, I started a new topic since many of the camp advice topics precede the recent rule change regarding contact before Sept. 1st of junior year. My son, a 2021, received a DM on Twitter from an assistant coach inviting him to an upcoming prospect camp. It was specifically a camp invite saying their staff would love for him to attend the camp and they were looking forward to...
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Baseball Factory All Region Teams?
My apologies if I am posting in the wrong "Topic" area, but just curious to see what the general opinion is of the Under Armour Baseball Factory All Region Team Invite? 2020 son just received his invitation to be on UA Baseball Factory All Region Team. He has already committed and signed an NLI for a D1 school. Any advantage to pay $99 and be part of it? (Includes 3-5 game videos, baseball pic, a Senior pic and parent quote.) Is this a money grab or just a or is it really just an extra way...
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2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
Any experience with securing invites to Area Code Underclass Tryouts? We're in Northern Illinois... My 2018 is a talented player with measurables in line with attendees from the 2015 AC tryout results. He can play. He's wanting a chance. Does anyone have experience with this? Thank you, David
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
http://www.studentsports.com/b...ll-underclass-games/ There is a link to the profile page (application) under the Q&A section.
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
Saw that Root. Looking for personal experiences; I've learned there is a Chicago Scouts Association that manages a lot of this, however, they seem to only extend invites to kids that have played on 3-4 teams within their Fall program that started with them as Freshman. I've seen these kids play, my son played against them, and there were hardly any standouts. So, I'm trying to learn more about the process. At a minimum we'll fill out the application and include video, but normally someone...
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
A lot of this is like business. It's who you know. Try aligning yourself with the people that will get you to where you want to go. Make sure you are also realistic is his abilities and where he will fit.
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
Concur SoCal... Constant honest assessment required with this entire recruiting process, especially if you'll be reaching out to an MLB Scout.... thanks
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
We're in the footprint of the ChiSox AC team and tried to get an invite to a tryout for my 2017 last summer. We reached out to people who had contacts with CSA, and even tried contacting CSA directly, to no avail. In the end it was fine: my son was invited to tryouts in another region (and was selected for one of the Underclass Teams). I had been warned by various people that there was a lot of noise in the process; this kind of confirmed that. According to my son, there were a number of...
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
Congrats to your son. I've seen it's definitely noisy like you described. My son is affiliated with a team that's part of the CSA, and for whatever reason even internal to his team, it's very selective and on the QT as to who is going.
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
"Noise" is a technical term (as in "signal-to-noise ratio") that is now used in everyday speech to indicate the presence of incomplete or inaccurate information. In this context, I meant that some very good players are overlooked when the tryout invites are sent, while some less-than-stellar players make the cut (at least according to my son. But he added that everyone who was invited back for the second tryout was obviously very good). For the Underclass tryouts it's pretty understandable:...
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
Same here. Our program has an affiliation with the CSA. We have one of the kids on the underclassman AC team and we didn't even know it. In fact we are good friends with the family and they didn't even say much. Not sure why, they talked about it when I asked them, but no one was trumpeting the fact that the kid was on the team.
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
Must be a tough invite to get.2016 never recieved one.Did get invited for chisox fall thing.Problem with that is tryouts are held on Mondays and Teusdays.If you are on a better team you will have pitched on either Sat. or Sun. makes it hard to pitch.
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
I believe CSA is one of the bigger managers of these invites as far as I know. Most of these kids were seen at their Silver and Black series showcase. This is an invite only showcase, that they will take recommendations from various programs they consider to be of the elite. There are only so many kids they will take, so pending how many they target directly, they will then ask these programs for an additional player or two, or possibly none at all.
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
Correct.The silver and black series is the Monday Tuesday Thing I was talking about.Sorry.
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
Pretty much what we've heard... CSA extends invites to a number of players per team, from teams that played in their CSA Fall Showcases as incoming freshman. Our program was a year late to be involved.
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
Just saw this , my son 2019 was just invited to tryout , we have no Association with CSA or any teams , was told he was on their radar .
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
GOV or anyone else: any updates on this topic? I am fairly certain that from Wisconsin the only players invited came from Hitters, STiKS, PTA or GRB (i.e. the top travel programs). Seems like a very tough invite to get, which is understandable as there are only so many spots available.
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
RJ Fergus heavily involved - access thru Hitters and Chicago Scouts Assoc, find a way to get your son in his program. His fall program just started... and sign up for every showcase he runs if your son stands out from his peers.
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
I never did figure out how this works. My 2018 was invited to tryouts for underclass last year. They were only taking five from his tryout, so he didn't make the team, but did very well and received a lot of interest and a couple of offers from the tryout. Fast forward a year and despite being well regarded and fairly high ranked, especially in regards to our region (Four corners team) didn't even get an invite to tryouts although he had been sent several questionnaires from teams. More than...
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
Tough invite to get. I know a kid who made the underclass team, but never got invited to the tryouts his Sr year. If your in Chicagoland/Southeast WI your best bet is to align yourself with a team in the Chicago Scouts Association League. Justin Stones Elite, Sparks, Hitters, Longshots, 29ers, Athletic Barn, Pro-Player, etc. They seem to have the contacts, but even then it can be tough. I know many of them are conscience of their reputation and wont work those contacts for all their players.
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
yes Hitters is definitely the hot program in Wisconsin for sure, especially with Corey Ray & Gavin Lux drafted in the 1st Round and Ben Rortvedt drafted in the 2nd Round in recent years, plus Jarred Kelenic looking like a slam dunk 1st Round pick in the 2018 draft.
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Re: 2016 Area Code Underclass Tryouts in Midwest; Ways To Secure Invite
My son went through recruiting process as a 2016. He is now playing at a D1 in the south.He was invited by the Milwaukee Brewers to area code try-outs both as a rising Jr and rising Sr. I understand how you feel about the sort of ambiguity that goes with how kids are selected. My understanding is that the main thing is being referred by a MLB scout. It's listed in the questionnaire at the website . My son played on a national travel team that was ran by a MLB scout and had done individual...
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Re: Baseball Factory All Region Teams?
It's both: It's definitely a money grab and it may also be a nice way to end this whacked out season. How much traveling will it require? How do you feel about the coronavirus dangers? congrats on the D1 signing!
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Re: Baseball Factory All Region Teams?
Thank you very much for responses. No travel required. I am thinking "Consultant" is right in that I should use my 6th sense. However, I am still somewhat considering just paying the extra memory part to have an extra memory or my son. All 2020's are in the same boat, but just such a blow to miss senior season - especially when team had a shot at going a long way in state... Thanks to all.
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Re: Baseball Factory All Region Teams?
My son also received an invitation to be on UA Baseball Factory All Region Team (Mid Atlantic). I purchased the T-shirt, for a little feel good recognition. Did NOT pay for the virtual coaching and mentoring Zoom sessions.
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Re: Baseball Factory All Region Teams?
Son received the Southeast invitation. Felt like it brought him nothing beneficial. Filed it and moved on.
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
If it is from an assistant I would say legit, if it is from the Director of Baseball Operations, probably not worth it.
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
Thanks. He’s a volunteer assistant that was recently hired on. I know volunteer assistants depend on camp money for income but I thought it was interesting that he had been a recruiting coordinator at his last school. I guess this new opportunity was good enough to make the move. That would also put pressure to get more camp revenue, I guess. Anyway, I’m getting off topic. So, I know my son can ask questions about the camp but I’m trying to determine if we glean more information about any...
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
Even with the new rules some of the same questions are still valid: Is it a school I am interested in? (size, location, has my major, Etc...) Do I have a realistic chance at succeeding academically at that school? Do I have the academic background and grades to be successful. Is it a school I would be interested in if it were not for baseball? How high is the school on my list? What is the cost, and can I afford the total cost of traveling to the camp. (Bang for your buck) Athletically how...
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
I would ask questions. I’m probably cynical due to our experience which may not be everyone’s. Last summer my son got a DM from a school (director of baseball operations) about a camp and it was a school he could have attended I think and it was logistically a good fit. We rearranged things to make it work and when we got there, they had no idea he was there and didn’t talk to him at all. Son had sent aDM back that he would attend. The camp ended, we came home and sent an email with stats...
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
Does your son know the coach? Have they spoken before prior to this invite or did the DM arrive out of the blue? If so I would say it's a generic invitation. My son dealt with many of these with polite responses stating he is interested would like to attend but travel may be a problem and see what kid of response he got. Sometimes they disappeared, sometimes it initiates a legitimate dialog with a coach. Best case it would get the coaches attention prior to the camp so they know to look for...
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
I think this is a good list to vet camp invites. One point I would add is this - has the coach seen your son play and has there been some interest expressed? I'd guess the answer is no. I would not waste time on a school camp unless there is specific interest in your son, or it is the 11th hour (for a '21 it is not). Otherwise you are more than likely wasting time and money - JMO.
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
I would say the one exception to this is if the camp hosts multiple schools/coaches, AND your player has communicated with coaches beforehand AND they are looking for him. For example BC and Northeastern each host annual winter camps and have multiple coaches from local schools in attendance. Cost was not too crazy, and my son was able to get good dialogs going with several coaches this way. Boston College Spring Training Prospect Clinic http://collegebaseballcamps.com/bceagles/
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
I think there are a lot of exceptions to this, but I know most people here do not like camps. If you are not on a power team (and everyone will say it is a mistake not to be), then it is a good way to be seen by target schools. My son did not want to leave his friends. They don't go to his school and were his best friends who he had played with since 8 years old. Our route for recruiting included showcases and camps. My son went to two SEC camps with no prior dialogue and had weekly...
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
I cant speak for everyone, but I don't think folks universally dismiss camps. They can be a useful tool. IMO most folks get that impression off this board, but the usual take on camps is they can be good, but don't "cold call" the camps and expect to have the phone ringing off the hook by the time you leave. Most camps are used to make money for the ACs. Secondarily they are used to vet players. If a player has had previous contact with the school, the school has interest in seeing the...
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
I'm not sure abt this after having been through it. My son played for a power team his 16U summer as a rising Junior. Yes he attended lots of big events and got to play against some great competition, but he was a Pitcher-Only on a roster of abt 28 kids and he was buried in the bullpen. He saw few innings and the games he pitched did not get much visibility. Once we found him a pitching coach who he really connected with and he started seeing gains in his development, my son felt a loyalty...
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
We did fine too and our 16U team may not have even won 50% of our games. If you make your recruiting plan around it, you can end up as good or better I think. I spoke to one dad last summer whose son (16U) didn't even play for a summer team. He worked out during the week and did invitational events and showcases and he had a lot of P5 offers. He committed last month to a strong program.
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
Everyone's path is different! We see that repeated here over and over!
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
My son only did camps, didn't go to any big showcase or play for a power team, yet he received multiple D1 offers. In hindsight, maybe he would have had even more offers if we did, but he was offered to his first choice and I don't think he would have chosen differently. I agree everyone's path is different, therefore, maybe do a mix of all. I also agree not to go to camps blind. Communicate beforehand so coaches know who you are and are watching you.
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
Camps were useful for my 2017 position player. He did not end up at any of the schools where he attended, however. The 1st camp attended had 3 different levels of coaching present. He did contact the host school 1st, as he did with all others. He asked specific questions about the camp and gave specific information about himself. After each camp he attended, the schools did show various levels of interest. The most useful part of attending camps for him was that it helped him to determine...
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
I could have written this exact same email. Wonder if it's the same "coach"? The one in my son's case has been with 4 different schools since and he emailed him from each one, despite ignoring him when he saw him in person!
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
Utimately it was a camp that got my son his offer, but it was a very specific circumstance where the coach had seen him at the PBR Futures games the week before and called him on the way home saying "you're still coming to the camp, right?"
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
What folks need to understand is that these camps/showcases etc are businesses first and foremost. They are there to generate revenue whether the money goes to a private enterprise (like PG), or a college baseball program. They want to fill the camp, period. They will do it any way they can. They do not care to what degree the player/family would have to go to get there. They will send emails like the one below my son got this week, he hasn't even played in a PG event this year, only been to...
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
Let’s not hijack the thread and turn it into another beat up on PG/Jerry Ford thread, please.
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Re: Standard Camp Invite or Genuine Interest
I'm not...the point is these camps and showcases need to be seen for what they are, a revenue stream. I also agreed with what bishopleftiesdad said earlier in the post...so apparently you only have a problem with me pointing out that PG is telling my son he's had a great year when in fact they haven't seen him. So being disingenuous and deceitful in their advertising is ok with you...that's fine.