Advice with showcases

So far, so good, but, yeah, it's going to be hard to convince east coast schools with that schedule. You might see about trying to hook him up with a team at an east coast PG tourney (they have a sort of match.com type of function). PG Academic or Head First also sound like good options. Get in touch with the schools he likes and flat out ask them where they will be over the summer.

Exciting times!  Putting away the attention and the seemingly many options, is there room to get realistic with target schools?  I'm not talking about playing ability.  I'm talking about things like schools having the right major, affordability, actual likelihood of going to school far from home, school environment preferences, cultural fit, logistics, in-state vs. out-of-state, etc.  Maybe there is room to have a sit-down and narrow the search that way?  

It is getting late for having such a broad scope.  In order to get an offer that a coach is more likely to honor, you should make every effort to be seen by that coach.  So, visit logistics become a real issue at this point.  

If he is serious about schools out of the area, he may need to reassess his plans with the summer team.  Most of those schools are probably not going to come see him in that limited geographic region unless there are big draw events.  As Root said, get in touch with those schools and ask where they'll be.  As you further narrow the search, ask the hard questions to the schools about their level of interest.  This may give you better direction with what you need to do with this important summer/fall.

 

The first thing that comes to mind when I read about your situation is the camps at those schools - when are they?  If he is in direct contact with HC/RC at these schools then he can ask them the questions the others have listed above (like what showcases they'll be at, will they be in the midwest, etc) but also ask about their recruiting camps.  That might be the best way to get in front of those specific schools - but he'll need to narrow his list down some to do that.  Those camps are much less expensive than a PG or HF event.   I think the general consensus here is that those sort of camps are not recommended if you go in just expecting to be "found" for the first time but can be helpful as a way to close the deal if/when you've been in contact with the coaches and they've expressed interest.  

The PG Academic showcase or the Northeast Sunshine showcase are also a good option to start the summer and get his measurables out there but as you noted - you won't know for sure what schools will be there so he'll need to contact them in advance. 

I am a big fan of Headfirst but the problem I see for you there is that the June sessions in CA are sold out and the NY sessions are later in the summer (and you'd need to commit soon since they will definitely sell out).  Based on what you are describing it seems like it would be good to showcase early to hopefully get some momentum interest wise heading into the summer.  And then there is the cost - between the travel and cost of the camp you are looking at a significant investment from where you are located. 

As to the question of "do they need to see him play or will the showcase suffice" - he'll be run through the showcase part of the event first - 60s, velo, BP, and then he'll play in 2 games (at PG) and 4 games at HF so the coaches (who are there) will see him play.  That would also apply if he attended a school camp - every "camp" my 2016 attended had a showcase portion followed by games.  If only 1 day there will be less games but he'll play at least once.  

 

 

 

Thanks all for the reply and giving us a much clearer picture.  I'll have him call the colleges to see where they'll be and go from there.  Right now I'm also strongly leaning towards PG Academic.  If nothing else, they'll give an honest assessment of where they think he is truly at.  That alone would be good to know, no matter where they feel he's at.  Then we can go forward with more certainty.    

Root, we'll look into matching up with PG for a tourney.  That's a great idea, thanks.

Cabbage, he's having a tough time (or easy time?) on colleges.  He loves every one he's been to, big or small, urban or rural.  As for majors, he's been all over the place on that too.  We do have a price range, so that'll help narrow down a bit.

MK, thanks for explaining the showcases, that also helps in deciding the course of action.  I wish I would've been quicker with the Headfirst Cali showcase.  Going to a PG showcase I think would be the best option right now, followed by the specific college.  I'd like that honest assessment of him before we start going to schools where he might not have the tools they're looking for.  At least its a start.  Thanks again.

This summer is the commit season for 2017 D1 mid major prospects. Chances are ACC teams are done recruiting 2017s. They might have some non scholarship roster spaces remaining. The odds of playing middle infield for a D1 running a 7.1 60 are small. Low to mid 80s throwing is D2, D3 pitching material. With his numbers a coach would be taking an incredible leap of faith on quick improvement to be interested. Are you 6'4" or taller?

When choosing a college baseball program don't choose one because there's a possible roster spot. Choose a program where the player can get on the field. D1 has 35 roster spots. Only 18-20 players get any kind of playing time. Every year 10-12 new players are recruited. 

You need to do two things asap. 1) Have a baseball knowledgeable person tell you where your son fits in. You don't want to waste time and money chasing the wrong schools. 2) Find out where your son's target schools attend showcases. Write the coach, express interest in the program and ask. Include a link to a skills video. It may help.

Dont throw spaghetti off the wall and hope some sticks. Don't wait to be lucky and hope the right program sees your son. Find them and demonstrate skills.

Read the high school profiles of the players of programs your son is interested. Is he the same kind of player? Yes, the most important thing is tools. But if you see every player was all conference, all county, led his team to the conference or state championship, is your son that kind of player? Would he be in a larger metropolitan area like these players? 

I hope you take this the right way. It can be hard to assess the situation when you live in a less populated area and not around a lot of talent. But as a college football coach once said, "If a girl from the hills is really good looking she's still good looking when you take her to the city."

In 2004 three players from Maine played in the high school championship game made it to the majors. One is still in the majors. But these kids did major showcases and got recognition.

 

RJM, thanks for the perspective on where the recruiting process is for larger D1 programs right now, and what they expect.  We never really thought he was D1 until the communications with these colleges started, then you kind of get swept up in it.  I'm glad I posted, brings things into perspective.  There's a very good showcase in Wisconsin which is very well attended by Midwest schools of all levels.  Its coming up very soon and cheap compared to national showcases.  We'll start there, get that honest assessment and see where he's actually at with regards to velocity, exit speed, etc....  Then, I'll have him contact coaches and we'll go from there.   

 

Also, the pretty girl from the hills comment was funny.  And it defines our situation well. 

RJM,

Can't come up with his name right now but there was a 4th player that year in Maine.  A catcher with a very strong arm and some power.  I think he went to our National Showcase the same year Flaherty did.  In fact, he might have been on the same HS team.  He then went to an ACC or SEC college.  After that I kind of lost track of him, but I would be surprised if he didn't play pro ball.

Maine sure had some amazing talent back then. Though I'm not sure all those kids were in the same class.

The catcher is Andrew Giobbi, he actually joined Flaherty at Vanderbilt.  Looks like he was drafted by the Mariners.

Giobbi didn't get past A ball. He was unlucky with injuries. He got drilled in the face with a pitch in the Cape League. He came back from it. He had shoulder problems in the minors. He couldn't come back from it.

Giobbi, Flaherty and Reid went to Deering High. The same lineup won the Legion national championship as Nova. Every kid in the lineup went on to college ball at some level. Ryan Piacentini played second for the Trinity (CT) College D3 2008 national champions.

i played college summer ball with a few of the dads. Their kids (all late 20s now) are the extent of my recent Maine baseball knowledge.

Mark Rogers went to Mt Ararat. He lost to Deering twice his senior year. One was the state championship.

Unless a kid is a stud a dream school should be one where he can realistically play

lionbaseball posted:

Unless a kid is a stud a dream school should be one where he can realistically play

Not necessarily.  I'd rather see my kid get into Stanford and ride pine while Mom and Dad enjoy their generous financial aid package, than be starting SS at East State U. (with apologies to ESU, if it actually exists)

JCG posted:

lionbaseball posted:

Unless a kid is a stud a dream school should be one where he can realistically play

Not necessarily.  I'd rather see my kid get into Stanford and ride pine while Mom and Dad enjoy their generous financial aid package, than be starting SS at East State U. (with apologies to ESU, if it actually exists)

I personally new a couple Stanford players and their family that did just that and were very happy and content with it.

But if you have realistic aspirations for baseball beyond college, then . . . 

RJM as always has great advice.  Even though wasn't my question thank you for posting.

roothog66 posted:

So far, so good, but, yeah, it's going to be hard to convince east coast schools with that schedule. You might see about trying to hook him up with a team at an east coast PG tourney (they have a sort of match.com type of function). PG Academic or Head First also sound like good options. Get in touch with the schools he likes and flat out ask them where they will be over the summer.

Here is the link to the PG Team/Player Bulletin Board (or "PG Match.com" that Roothog referenced above).  Fill it out now, can't hurt.  I don't recall you mentioning your son pitched?  Perhaps he does?  Or is willing to?  My son is a PO, and although he has never been able to play for one of the teams that ended up contacting him thru this function, he has received many invites. 

PG Match.com:  http://www.perfectgame.org/Pla...amBB/playerform.aspx

Personally?  PG Academic at beginning of summer, and HF at end of summer, with laser targeted camps and maybe a PG tourney in the middle.  Still plenty of time in the fall for seeds planted this summer to bloom. 

 

I strongly advise to go where you will get the degree you need in 4 years and be involved in the game as much as you can.

One thing that jumped out at me that was in the opening post. He states that player is a good baseball player.  So is everyone else at that level. What is it that makes you different from those other players besides being good. Is it in your hitting or in your pitching?  I get the impression the player plays multiple positions and thats not always the best avenue to take unless you are a real stud who has time to get better at both, you dont do both in college.  A player must have something special that sets them apart from all the 100s of other recruits the coach has seen. Always ask a coach what he likes about your son. His answers are revealing as to what he wants in a player.   Of course he is going to say nice things about you, thats his job, but if a top program has not yet made an offer, that means more than likely you are a C recruit, and unless things change drastically you will sit more than play.  If that is ok, then fine, but more than likely you are not going to go to get a Stanford degree.

Make sure the showcases that you are interested in for him, fits your players goals and skills.

If you have any ACC questions, you can send a pm.  

I watched a D1 game between Arkansas and Alabama at Baum stadium yesterday and I asked myself throughout the game if my son could compete and start at that level.  My honest answer was "Probably not".  

Lots of acc and sec baseball on this weekend, you watch, you decide.