ACC and SEC Camps for High School Prospects

Midlo Dad,
My son and I were very impressed with the camp at Mississippi State but at the time it was being run by the now Head Coach at Florida, Pat McMahon and is now back under the wing of Ron Polk. My son also went to the University of Alabama camp --- In my opinion that was a waste of time and money. Lots of “little” kids (about 700) and it could best be described as a tee shirt toss and a $150.00 hot dog and coke with a little BP thrown in to make it look good. He did not attend the camp at Auburn where he ended up playing. He did work a number of Auburn's camps during the three years he played there so he could make some spending money. Having gone through the process of camps, summer teams and showcases and we had it to do all over again, camps would be very low on my list of venues in the recruiting scheme and probably would not attend or use one as a recruiting tool. However if a player is not expecting to get a baseball scholarship and is looking to walk on, “fit” becomes less of an issue and he might use the college camp as a way to meet the coach and look over the facilities. If your son becomes recruited and has a number of other options, the camp experience seems to be lost in the offers, opportunities and the personalized attention given during the official visits. Of course hindsight is 20/20 all the pieces won't fall into place until it's all over and only then will you be able to see the path you should have taken
Fungo

I can comment on two, Pitchers camps, but it may reflect the quality of summer sessions.

My son has attended the Florida State and the University of South Carolina.

We were very disappointed in the Fla. St. camp. It was obvious that they were running it just for the money. While they had a couple of quality high school coaches running stations, others were run by players and to be honest, in my opinion they were teaching incorrect techniques. We rarely saw the Fla. St. staff and the recruiting/pitcher coach ran the bullpen session.

The SC camp, while very large, is much more organized and Ray Tanner and the other coaches are there watching and taking notes on the players they see and like. They also had several JUCOs there just observing. I have even seen players pulled over to the side and talked to (I think one kid got an offer from a JUCO). While the camp was large there were plenty of coaches, as well as current and ex-players, working with the kids. My son enjoyed the instruction so much that he has attended three years and some of his friends have attended two.

The biggest difference that jumped out at me is it appears that SC uses the camp to search for players while I never even saw anyone with a clipboard at Fla. State. I understand they run their summer camp differently, so maybe someone else will reply.

What do you consider "large"? I've been to camps where as few as 75 players showed up; I've also been to camps with maybe 250 present. I would hope 250 is what you would call "large", but if they're trying to handle many more than that we may pass.

Thanks for the good input!

It may have been 250 but half were catchers. I'd say each group/station was no larger than 20.

Like I said, this was the pitcher / catcher camp in Jan. I don't know anyone who attended the summer skills camp.

i've said this before on this board about camps, but i worked at clemson last summer and am planning on working a week in july this summer. coach legett and the other staff run a great instructional camp and also use it as a place for kids to showcase their skills for many coaches.

there were a lot of very knowledgable hs coaches, but there were quite a few D2 and JUCO guys there as well. i personally overheard coach leggett give a rising senior a very honest evaluation of his skills.

while i dont have any experience with any other camps, it is hard for me to imagine a better place than doug kingsmore stadium. definitely worth the time and money

I am a rising senior. Since I was a freshman, I have been to the following camps:

Clemson (3)
Florida State (2)
University of North Carolina
University of Florida
University of South Carolina
Vanderbilt
Stetson

As you can probably tell my number one preference is Clemson. I have been to the December camp weekend twice and to a week-long camp once. By far a great experience.

I have gained insight and base knowledge from each of these schools. I have met other coaches that have come to help out as well.

Vanderbilt's camp was basically a mirror image of Clemson. Coach Corbin came from Clemson before heading there.

Each of these camps were well organized.

Tampa Lefty, How did you like North Carolinas camp, I am going to that this summer.

Sorry to respond so late. Was away at a tournament.

The North Carolina Camp was actually my first. I went as a freshman. It was okay, of course I learned a lot. However, it wasn't until I went to the Clemson Camps, for example, that I really learned. Camp was a little bigger and a little more organized. I did get attention at UNC being a lefty.

Since I've been however, the team has gotten more recognition. The summer I was there they were recruiting Nate -- really recruiting him. He got the attention. Last summer I looked into going and it was already filled. That's a good sign. Coach Fox was great, so was Coach Flowers.

My son has attended camps at 3 schools, UNC, Clemson, and ECU. As a pitcher, the Clemson camp stood out to him because the bullpen sessions were longer. Very good in struction at all 3, but at CU the pitchers get to throw 30-40 pitches in the bullpen on each day. The other camps were 6-8 pitches, and bring on the next guy.

O.K. webbers, what is the best college camp (not out west) for serious catchers?? Thanks for all the information you all share!

coastal carolina has a great catching coach. went there a couple of years ago and all the catchers at camp seemed impressed.

And which of the ACC/SEC camps does anyone recommend for outfielders?

Some have to better than others.

Catch R, i went to USC's camp and i thought it was pretty good, they had a ton of kids there, some were really young. I liked Georgia Tech's camp. I really like there catcher coach, great guy and knows what hes talkin bout.

UVA fall camp dates are Sept. 2-3, Sept. 23-24, and Sept. 30-Oct. 1.

Midlo Son will be there Sept. 23-24. Anyone else?

My son, a rising 9th grader, just got back from Clemson camp and said it was the most beneficial camp he has ever attended. It was well organized and he felt he got a lot of individual attention (even though there were 312 boys there)and they worked them really hard (no play time). He also said that there were several college and Juco coaches there that he saw approach some of the older guys to express their interest. Summer camp is over for this year, but Clemson does offer a Winter select camp as well. Hope this info helps.