ABR SHOWCASE...WORTH IT?

Beware of these guys. No scouts, no exposure, and upsell after upsell. We had a few players on our team go to one of the events where apparently the best players will be invited to a regional workout. It seemed as if almost every player had been invited when I spoke with other parents that attended. We didn't spend the couple hundred dollars to go to the next event, but other families we knew went and said it was a big mistake.

== Edited by moderator - MN-Mom ==

Thank you for the advice. We did not go, and will continue to stay away!

My son is going to ABR Top 30 tomorrow. Now I'm bummed.

Seemed alright. But I don't really have anything to compare it to. D1 coach there. D3 coach there. We'll see what happens next.

That link didnt work for me. I would be interested in hearing about this supposed scam. They are affiliated with USSSA. I wouldnt think USSSA would partner with them if they weren't legit.

quote:

Originally posted by fuentes51:
Beware of these guys. No scouts, no exposure, and upsell after upsell. We had a few players on our team......

Went to the IL Top 30 last year: Good Event.
Went to the ABR College Exposure Event: Great Event! (Colleges: Northwestern, UIC, Valpo, Notre Dame and ISU)
Went to the WI Top 30 this year: Awesome Event!

If they were a scam, then why would they only charge $85 to get in front of college coaches? They also have the All-American Games National Team tryout. Make that and all expenses paid trip? To Japan!? Last year, I made the National team, went to Japan (for free, minus driving to Chicago to flyout), and got in front of college coaches for several events....

...but yea, "sounds like a scam" for $85

Son was ranked in the top 5 (closer to 1 than 5) but didn't get an invitation to the next round. I thought top five did. Maybe I misunderstood.

I thought the event was good. Two college coaches there. Very well organized for the amount of kids and space limits. Very fair assessments of the kids.

quote:

Originally posted by CantTouchThisFB:

quote:

Originally posted by fuentes51:
Beware of these guys. No scouts, no exposure, and upsell after upsell. We had a few players on our team......

Went to the IL Top 30 last year: Good Event.
Went to the ABR College Exposure Event: Great Event! (Colleges: Northwestern, UIC, Valpo, Notre Dame and ISU)
Went to the WI Top 30 this year: Awesome Event!

If they were a scam, then why would they only charge $85 to get in front of college coaches? They also have the All-American Games National Team tryout. Make that and all expenses paid trip? To Japan!? Last year, I made the National team, went to Japan (for free, minus driving to Chicago to flyout), and got in front of college coaches for several events....

...but yea, "sounds like a scam" for $85

Just registered and jumped in on this conversation.... hmmm.. my guess is your affiliated with this organization in some way.

The bottom line is the event we went to was extremely disappointing and myself/other parents felt that it was scammy. I then later found out that the manager was involved in a big time bank fraud scam. Something is fishy there don't ya think?? I feel the right to inform others of my experience especially when others ask.

The only way I am affiliated with ABR is through their showcases that I attended. I've been to a lot and I think people should know why I keep going back. Quality events in front of coaches I want to see, and hopefully want to see me.

I also spent a lot of time with a lot of the ABR staff, during qualifying showcases, regionals, AAGs, and the Japan trip. They only want the best for us.

I don't mean to steal your quote but I also, "feel the right to inform others of my experience especially when others ask." (also, I don't know what scam you are talking about or where you may have heard/found it)

Cant touch,

I will send you the article through PM.

As it turns out, he did get invited. Like I said before, the event seemed fine (not much to compare it to) and there was one D1 coach and one D3 coach there doing evaluations. I can tell you my son is a very motivated player and after getting the invitation, that motivation has increased a lot. I would love someone to comment on that very specific aspect of being invited to camps/showcases/tournaments, etc. I'm hoping people out there have specific comments/stories about how their son became better JUST on the idea that he's getting recognition and invitations and thus working harder and harder and in turn became the player who was able to make it to the next level. I can't remember where I first heard this but it stuck with me (I think maybe a college philosophy class): If when you were 15 and you were told by God that you were going to be in the NBA (I guess the teacher was a big basketball fan), would you work harder or less hard? It was interesting to hear the responses. I would certainly work harder, but a lot of people in the class said they would work less hard. They said, if they KNEW, why bother. I think there is correlation there somewhere.
I'm pretty sure we'll sign him up - but would love comments on the above.

I am not familiar with ABR Showcase/Tournaments. I think there is nothing wrong with your son being excited about it. But as there has been some negative comments on this thread, just do your research. And if the money is not a problem ( I assume there is a cost), then there could be no harm in pursuing it. After all, worst case scenario, your son gets to play ball.

We also have not been to one of the ABR events but have a had a few people we know go and they seem to be very positive about the showcases they attended. They mentioned it was well run and organized. Research is always a good thing.

Bristol County Eagles

Wisconsin - my kids have been through the showcase circuit once and I have a nephew that we are guiding through the ordeal now. An "invite" can mean any number of things but in MOST cases it means the company got your email or contact information from someone, just like 1000 other kids, and they are sending you, just like 1000 other kids, and invite to attend their event. I would recommend asking where they saw your son play and why they are "inviting" him to attend. There are many opportunities out there to showcase talent and we have been to several including:

Perfect Game (expensive but worth it)

Top 96 (college coached clinics - they get you on the cost of adding video of your son)

Silver Spikes (college coached clinics - similar to Top 96 but grossly underrated due to high volume of scouts)

Baseball Factory (good experience - "tryouts" are money makers in my opinion)

Prep Baseball Report (Amazing experience though they are only in 3 states right now)

And a number of college hosted camps (cool events but Silver Spikes and Top 96 have taken over this type of event as they give you additional college exposure as well, not just the host school)

Sti6Ball - Thanks for the information. I love hearing what those who have been through this have experienced. I'm learning but still don't have a clue.
He tried out specifically for this "invite" in front of two college coaches. According to their communication, they only invite the top 150 kids that they see in each age group.
Is PG for older kids? Sophomores and Juniors (seniors too)? My son is coming up to his u14 year (he's in 8th grade now). If nothing else, it will be a fun experience for him.

I believe most of the PG showcases are attended by Soph and jrs. Although I have seen a few frosh. As an 8th grader it is probably too soon to attend. JMO, but it would probably be more difficult to determine the projection of an 8th grader.

Yeah...I figured PG, etc. is for older kids.

My son is a Sophomore now and started the showcase circuit in his fall Freshman year. He wanted to get a better idea of what he needed to do and who his competition was. I know there were a couple that we went to that had a few eight grade kids enrolled but it does seem like a lot of money to start that early. Once again it depends of the player and what they reasonably expect out of the showcase. www.bristolcountyeagles.org

Thanks eric. Yeah, I'm sure we'll wait on the PG, Baseball Factory stuff until later. Maybe do some college camps until then. UWM, NIU, etc. He has plenty on his plate.