At what age is it worthwhile to participate in a showcase? I've heard that some showcases can cost an upwards of 600 dollars and I'm not sure if it's worth playing in front of pro and college scouts as a freshman in high school.
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Welcome, Jwalker.
I'm in the camp of those who believe in saving your money, and showcasing when the skill level supports it. My son showcased as a sophomore, and I wished we had waited.
If I had it to do over again I would take him to college games at each of the divisions. Most showcases you can attend and watch without participating.
I'm in the camp of those who believe in saving your money, and showcasing when the skill level supports it. My son showcased as a sophomore, and I wished we had waited.
If I had it to do over again I would take him to college games at each of the divisions. Most showcases you can attend and watch without participating.
I am with twotex about not spending the money until or if you have to.
You might try a local college camp or showcase that is not as costly to get an idea of expectations, but I strongly suggest that you work hard at making your varsity team before you spend your folks hard earned money.
JMO
You might try a local college camp or showcase that is not as costly to get an idea of expectations, but I strongly suggest that you work hard at making your varsity team before you spend your folks hard earned money.
JMO
jwalker9,
This is a really tough question to ask on a Message Board because it really depends on the talent level of your son and the competitive environment where you live.
Here is my two cents....I agree with TPM and twotex overall. However, if your son has a particular talent or skill that will grab him national attention, I would then go to a showcase as a freshmen. My son played travel baseball with a teammate that was lightning fast.....6.14 in the 60yd dash at a combine in the Minneapolis Metrodome. If you are not familiar with 60 times that is world class. He got national interest from ACC, SEC and PAC-10 schools between his freshmen and sophomore year. He committed to an ACC school late in his sophomore year.
For almost all other people, I would save my money and showcase when he is ready based upon his talent level and what is going on around him. Truthfully, you will make some mistakes if you do this recruiting thing right. We made them, lots of them. But we learned from them and learned from others, and my son was not afraid to make more mistakes if it meant that we would eventually find the right "fit" (which he did) for him.
Different people have different strategies to find their "fit". I know some people on this board that focused exclusively on camps. We focused on a national travel team, some showcases and some camps. Your strategy should reflect the kind of school your son wants to attend. Does the potential school recruit their talent nationally, regionally or locally? Depending on the answer, that may determine the best exposure method for your son and the budget.
I'd suggest sitting down with your son to discuss the next two+ years, goals, and how to get the necessary exposure to meet those goals. I'd also create a budget based upon those goals because $600 is not pocket change in most households. Be flexible with your approach. In my son's case, our goal never changed in 18 months but the strategy was adjusted based upon feedback, and recruiting interest. HSBBWeb was an invaluable resource.
Recruited = passion + talent + exposure + persistence + luck
Good luck!
This is a really tough question to ask on a Message Board because it really depends on the talent level of your son and the competitive environment where you live.
Here is my two cents....I agree with TPM and twotex overall. However, if your son has a particular talent or skill that will grab him national attention, I would then go to a showcase as a freshmen. My son played travel baseball with a teammate that was lightning fast.....6.14 in the 60yd dash at a combine in the Minneapolis Metrodome. If you are not familiar with 60 times that is world class. He got national interest from ACC, SEC and PAC-10 schools between his freshmen and sophomore year. He committed to an ACC school late in his sophomore year.
For almost all other people, I would save my money and showcase when he is ready based upon his talent level and what is going on around him. Truthfully, you will make some mistakes if you do this recruiting thing right. We made them, lots of them. But we learned from them and learned from others, and my son was not afraid to make more mistakes if it meant that we would eventually find the right "fit" (which he did) for him.
Different people have different strategies to find their "fit". I know some people on this board that focused exclusively on camps. We focused on a national travel team, some showcases and some camps. Your strategy should reflect the kind of school your son wants to attend. Does the potential school recruit their talent nationally, regionally or locally? Depending on the answer, that may determine the best exposure method for your son and the budget.
I'd suggest sitting down with your son to discuss the next two+ years, goals, and how to get the necessary exposure to meet those goals. I'd also create a budget based upon those goals because $600 is not pocket change in most households. Be flexible with your approach. In my son's case, our goal never changed in 18 months but the strategy was adjusted based upon feedback, and recruiting interest. HSBBWeb was an invaluable resource.
Recruited = passion + talent + exposure + persistence + luck
Good luck!
For what it's worth, I have a 13 year old 8th grader (2017). He has attended a couple of age appropriate college camps (one 7th to 12 grade and one 2016's and 2017's) over the past year. My reason for having him attend was multi-purpose:
1) He realized that playing baseball in college is
something he wants to do. Therefore he had
better start working a little harder in the
academic arena. (I got him to see it for himself
in this area).
2) He got a taste of the showcase workouts, so he'll
know a little of what he can expect down the
road.
3) He got to see how he stacks up against kids
around his age. This was important for him
personally.
4) He learned what college coaches look for and a
little bit about how they do things. This is
also important, as they're the same type of
people who will attend showcases in the future.
For me, they were not cost-prohibitive. Everyone has to look at their own situation and spend money in the wisest fashion.
At this point, the earliest I see him doing a showcase MAY be at the end of freshman year. We're talking 18 months or so from now, so it will be discussed between us when that time comes. If it's a showcase that involves games also, we may wait until sophomore year. Again, we'll look at it when the time comes.
You always have to take as honest a look at your son as possible. It's not always easy, but I try.
1) He realized that playing baseball in college is
something he wants to do. Therefore he had
better start working a little harder in the
academic arena. (I got him to see it for himself
in this area).
2) He got a taste of the showcase workouts, so he'll
know a little of what he can expect down the
road.
3) He got to see how he stacks up against kids
around his age. This was important for him
personally.
4) He learned what college coaches look for and a
little bit about how they do things. This is
also important, as they're the same type of
people who will attend showcases in the future.
For me, they were not cost-prohibitive. Everyone has to look at their own situation and spend money in the wisest fashion.
At this point, the earliest I see him doing a showcase MAY be at the end of freshman year. We're talking 18 months or so from now, so it will be discussed between us when that time comes. If it's a showcase that involves games also, we may wait until sophomore year. Again, we'll look at it when the time comes.
You always have to take as honest a look at your son as possible. It's not always easy, but I try.
you are on the right path
The OP is a HS player.
I think it's awesome he is gathering information to share with his folks.
I think it's awesome he is gathering information to share with his folks.
I have a soph son and was thinking about “national” showcases this winter. Like other posters mentioned, I came to the conclusion that unless he has at least one exceptional skill, something that really stands out, like 90 mph fastball, < 2 sec pop time, super fast 60, or can pound 400’ homers on demand, don’t bother with the national showcases.
In our area we have a few showcases run by club teams and local colleges. They are a lot cheaper, maybe $150, and closer. That way you can get a decent idea on how you stack up regionally without a permanent record of their possible averageness.
My son is getting closer on a couple of these skills but he’s not there yet. If he gets there, we’ll think about the national showcases, if not we won’t go.
In our area we have a few showcases run by club teams and local colleges. They are a lot cheaper, maybe $150, and closer. That way you can get a decent idea on how you stack up regionally without a permanent record of their possible averageness.
My son is getting closer on a couple of these skills but he’s not there yet. If he gets there, we’ll think about the national showcases, if not we won’t go.
Just our experience below....
We (he) didn't do a showcase until the summer before his junior year. Was a local (state) showcase. Did another state showcase that fall. Never did a "big" showcase like Perfect Game until summer before the Senior year (National Showcase and East Coast Pro). My philosophy was that I wasn't going to spend that kind of money until he had something to showcase...meaning something that made him stand out above the others...didn't need to spend $700 to throw 84 with 100 other pitchers. The state showcases gave him the "experience" of what to expect at this type of event.
FYI: son is now a Freshman RHP and major D1.
We (he) didn't do a showcase until the summer before his junior year. Was a local (state) showcase. Did another state showcase that fall. Never did a "big" showcase like Perfect Game until summer before the Senior year (National Showcase and East Coast Pro). My philosophy was that I wasn't going to spend that kind of money until he had something to showcase...meaning something that made him stand out above the others...didn't need to spend $700 to throw 84 with 100 other pitchers. The state showcases gave him the "experience" of what to expect at this type of event.
FYI: son is now a Freshman RHP and major D1.
