At what age do you think possible scouts/college coaches might go watch AAU tournaments, i.e. nationals. Thanks for the input.
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Let's see, if you are grauduating in 09, that makes you an 8th grader. I don't believe too many college scouts will be making your tournaments for a few years unless your nationals is close to home for them. Maybe the 16U Junior Olympics.
While AAU offers the opportunity to develop your skills by playing lots of games against better talent than in most rec leagues, I don't believe being seen at AAU events is your best plan to move on to the college level.
After your HS freshman year, it is very important to select schools you are interested in attending and then begin going to baseball camps offered by those schools during the summer. While at those camps seek out the coaches from that school and introduce yourself and let them know you are interested in their program. College coaches are people just like everyone else and they like people who like them and their program.
After your sophomore year, pursue college showcase teams in your area. Call the coaches and again, introduce yourself and ask for a tryout. Understand, these teams are primarily made up of rising seniors and a few rising juniors. In addition, camps such as the Blue Grey Classic at Wake Forest and William and Mary seem to be pretty well supported by scouts.
Talk to your AAU and school coachs. Solicit their help at targeting specific camps. When you get to high school, you might even ask your high school coach for his honest assesment of where your skills put you, D1-D2, D-3 or Juco
Play and enjoy your AAU, but don't count on being discovered at an AAU event. You will however meet lots of guys that you will see again when you get to the college level. My son is playing college now (this summer in the Valley League)and sees players he has known for years thru AAU.
But remember, you need to actively showcase yourself.
While AAU offers the opportunity to develop your skills by playing lots of games against better talent than in most rec leagues, I don't believe being seen at AAU events is your best plan to move on to the college level.
After your HS freshman year, it is very important to select schools you are interested in attending and then begin going to baseball camps offered by those schools during the summer. While at those camps seek out the coaches from that school and introduce yourself and let them know you are interested in their program. College coaches are people just like everyone else and they like people who like them and their program.
After your sophomore year, pursue college showcase teams in your area. Call the coaches and again, introduce yourself and ask for a tryout. Understand, these teams are primarily made up of rising seniors and a few rising juniors. In addition, camps such as the Blue Grey Classic at Wake Forest and William and Mary seem to be pretty well supported by scouts.
Talk to your AAU and school coachs. Solicit their help at targeting specific camps. When you get to high school, you might even ask your high school coach for his honest assesment of where your skills put you, D1-D2, D-3 or Juco
Play and enjoy your AAU, but don't count on being discovered at an AAU event. You will however meet lots of guys that you will see again when you get to the college level. My son is playing college now (this summer in the Valley League)and sees players he has known for years thru AAU.
But remember, you need to actively showcase yourself.
My 17-18 Columbia Reds (MD) team played in 6 consecutive AAU World Series (1997-2002). In all that time, I was handed a card by 2 pro scouts and about 1/2 dozen college coaches. The tournaments were either in Panama City Beach, FL or Orlando at the WDW Complex. I agree with the comments by the previous poster.