MY son is 14 and going into ninth grade and he wants to start going to showcases next summer. Is this the right age for him to start going to showcases or should we wait. And when is the best age to start going to showcases
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Save your money and wait another year or 2.
For us it is not about age it is about the player being on the varsity and being contributor
Age matters. A 14yo with talent is worth more than a 19yo average varsity contributor. I saw a 17yo about to turn 18yo rising junior's profile on one of the showcase sites. Who cares if he's made varsity at that age unless the kid already has plus tools?
I guess you would have passed up the player from our school who didn't make varsity as a junior. He was a D1 freshman all-american this past season.
Making or not making varsity can depend on age, physical maturity, quality of the baseball program, etc. Tools is tools.
Having said that it isn't worth most coach's time to look at most 14yo because they are likely to change so much in the next couple years.
I guess you would have passed up the player from our school who didn't make varsity as a junior. He was a D1 freshman all-american this past season.
Making or not making varsity can depend on age, physical maturity, quality of the baseball program, etc. Tools is tools.
Having said that it isn't worth most coach's time to look at most 14yo because they are likely to change so much in the next couple years.
If your son WANTS to attend and you find it in your budget, go for it!
Make sure that you do your homework and choose the right showcase for his first experience.
JMO.
Make sure that you do your homework and choose the right showcase for his first experience.
JMO.
TRhit hit it on the head... the first order of business is making your HS Varsity team. Worry about that and becoming a better ball player. One step at a time.
Even if cost of showcases are in your budget use the money on lessons, until you've become an established HS varsity player.
Once you've made your varsity team, and (I'd even say be a full time starter) then the next step IMHO is to consider a local showcase. If you perform well there, then think about a national one. And then only a couple are needed.
I felt high profile tournaments were a better, opportunity to be seen.
CADad Tools is tools but if you don't have the tools to make a HS varsity team... then you don't have the tools to SHOWCASE well..
(unless you are at a few of the TOP HS programs in the country) Spend the $$$ on lessons developing the skills. When they mature, then showcase.
Even if cost of showcases are in your budget use the money on lessons, until you've become an established HS varsity player.
Once you've made your varsity team, and (I'd even say be a full time starter) then the next step IMHO is to consider a local showcase. If you perform well there, then think about a national one. And then only a couple are needed.
I felt high profile tournaments were a better, opportunity to be seen.
CADad Tools is tools but if you don't have the tools to make a HS varsity team... then you don't have the tools to SHOWCASE well..
(unless you are at a few of the TOP HS programs in the country) Spend the $$$ on lessons developing the skills. When they mature, then showcase.
quote:Originally posted by CADad:
Age matters. A 14yo with talent is worth more than a 19yo average varsity contributor. I saw a 17yo about to turn 18yo rising junior's profile on one of the showcase sites. Who cares if he's made varsity at that age unless the kid already has plus tools?
I guess you would have passed up the player from our school who didn't make varsity as a junior. He was a D1 freshman all-american this past season.
Making or not making varsity can depend on age, physical maturity, quality of the baseball program, etc. Tools is tools.
Having said that it isn't worth most coach's time to look at most 14yo because they are likely to change so much in the next couple years.
CADad I agree...
I don't believe there is one right answer. TR's varsity criteria may be fine for some players but not all.
SDBB said " Tools is tools but if you don't have the tools to make a HS varsity team... then you don't have the tools to SHOWCASE well.."
SDBB part of the showcasing is also projecting. If a Sophmore is talented but is behind a Sr. catcher the coach may keep him on JV for playing time. We have all probably seen Varsity players who might fill a role on a Varsity team who you shake your head at and wonder why he is up and others are not.
A showcase with a good evaluation process might be a good thing for JV player. Also a pitcher might be on JV to further develop secondary pitches and get consistent work (as well as physical maturity). Every school and player situation is different.
novicedad
Running a showcase you need to have a criteria for acceptance--- for us it being a varsity player with a letter of recommendation-- if we do not do that any and all kids can apply and we g do not get the talent that we want--yes there are exceptions but we make that decision on individual criteria
Running a showcase you need to have a criteria for acceptance--- for us it being a varsity player with a letter of recommendation-- if we do not do that any and all kids can apply and we g do not get the talent that we want--yes there are exceptions but we make that decision on individual criteria
SDBB:
That is a silly statement. I know a player from Chaparral HS who did not start until he was a senior who ended up leading the Pac 10 in hitting. I've seen others who could not make the team at the better schools starting as freshmen. And that principle applies to far, far more than a few schools.
That is a silly statement. I know a player from Chaparral HS who did not start until he was a senior who ended up leading the Pac 10 in hitting. I've seen others who could not make the team at the better schools starting as freshmen. And that principle applies to far, far more than a few schools.
In defense of TR he's typically drawing from a limited area. In SoCal a player might not make varsity at Chatsworth, or a similar high level school, yet would easily make varsity at most of the smaller schools. I don't think there's quite the variation where TR is although there's going to be similar things going on anywhere.
As long as they are willing to consider individual cases then it is a reasonable initial criteria. Just guessing, but a kid who didn't make varsity at a strong program who has good summer ball credentials would probably get a look.
As long as they are willing to consider individual cases then it is a reasonable initial criteria. Just guessing, but a kid who didn't make varsity at a strong program who has good summer ball credentials would probably get a look.
SDBB,
Kid from our program didn't make varsity as a junior. He showcased prior to his senior season and got a scholarship to a top D1 before ever playing varsity ball. It happens. He had at least one major league tool at that point in time.
Novice Dad hit the nail on the head with his scenarios.
Kid from our program didn't make varsity as a junior. He showcased prior to his senior season and got a scholarship to a top D1 before ever playing varsity ball. It happens. He had at least one major league tool at that point in time.
Novice Dad hit the nail on the head with his scenarios.
One of the very best prospects in Cedar Rapids, Iowa did not make his varsity team this year.
In three years we think (actually, bet the farm) he will be the very best prospect and highest draft pick from the state. He will also be recruited by several of the nation's top college programs.
I understand where TR and others are coming from and it does make sense. On the other hand we don't care how a player has done in high school. We have seen many who are outstanding and not been a starter at their high school. Must admit, your most likely to see these types in states like Florida, California, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, etc. It is not common to see it much in Iowa, but it happens.
A few years ago I went to see a kid who attended our event play for his high school team. I was surprised to see he wasn't playing. I asked a couple parents I knew why they thought he wasn't playing. One told me... he's just not very good. He doesn't have much heart and he screws up everytime he plays.
I thought to myself... "you gotta be kidding me. This is BS! That kid has by far more talent than every other kid out there"
Now about 6 years later... The young kid who wasn't any good from Iowa... Has graduated from Duke and he's with the Atlanta Braves in Double AA.
In three years we think (actually, bet the farm) he will be the very best prospect and highest draft pick from the state. He will also be recruited by several of the nation's top college programs.
I understand where TR and others are coming from and it does make sense. On the other hand we don't care how a player has done in high school. We have seen many who are outstanding and not been a starter at their high school. Must admit, your most likely to see these types in states like Florida, California, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, etc. It is not common to see it much in Iowa, but it happens.
A few years ago I went to see a kid who attended our event play for his high school team. I was surprised to see he wasn't playing. I asked a couple parents I knew why they thought he wasn't playing. One told me... he's just not very good. He doesn't have much heart and he screws up everytime he plays.
I thought to myself... "you gotta be kidding me. This is BS! That kid has by far more talent than every other kid out there"
Now about 6 years later... The young kid who wasn't any good from Iowa... Has graduated from Duke and he's with the Atlanta Braves in Double AA.
PG STAFF,
That brings up a whole other topic.
How many players have had sub-par HS seasons and then gone on to have outstanding travel ball stats...get looked at and later get D-1 offers or drafted?
In Iowa, there is a short compact season, so they are starting later and are expected to be in midseason form by the second week...Whereas in CA, they start outdoors in January and spread out the games over 3+ months. Either way, a player is expected to perform from the start. IMO, 25 games spread out over 3 months in our (Northern Ca) case leads to a lack of consistency and could affect a players swing and mechanics. In Iowa, there a huge break in action from games due to the long winter, which could lead to very slow starts.
In travel ball, there are tournaments that allow a player to play 2-3 games a day and 5-6 a weekend to work out a bad game and feel a rhythm they are comfortable with.
So here's the question...If a player has a lousy HS season and tears it up in the summer showcase circuit and tourneys...How would you rate that player? Is HS the warm up and travel ball the reality or do you rate that person inconsistent and challenge him to improve his HS play before being considered for the next level? I have my own thoughts on this subject, but would like to hear waht PG has to say.
That brings up a whole other topic.
How many players have had sub-par HS seasons and then gone on to have outstanding travel ball stats...get looked at and later get D-1 offers or drafted?
In Iowa, there is a short compact season, so they are starting later and are expected to be in midseason form by the second week...Whereas in CA, they start outdoors in January and spread out the games over 3+ months. Either way, a player is expected to perform from the start. IMO, 25 games spread out over 3 months in our (Northern Ca) case leads to a lack of consistency and could affect a players swing and mechanics. In Iowa, there a huge break in action from games due to the long winter, which could lead to very slow starts.
In travel ball, there are tournaments that allow a player to play 2-3 games a day and 5-6 a weekend to work out a bad game and feel a rhythm they are comfortable with.
So here's the question...If a player has a lousy HS season and tears it up in the summer showcase circuit and tourneys...How would you rate that player? Is HS the warm up and travel ball the reality or do you rate that person inconsistent and challenge him to improve his HS play before being considered for the next level? I have my own thoughts on this subject, but would like to hear waht PG has to say.
Linedrive,
Very good points...
A player who shows tools, makeup, projection, etc would rate very high whether he was to “tear it up” or not when we saw him.
If the next level is college… Things like being consistent, polished, and performing well are very important.
If the next level is professional baseball… Things like tools, makeup and projection are more important.
Overall… Everything is important to all the possible next levels!
The best prospect is the guy with the most potential. That is not always the best current player or best producer, but often that IS the same player at the high school level.
Every time a player sets foot on the field (or off it for that matter) it’s extremely important! Today’s game is the most important one! Next most important is tomorrows game and so on. Least important was yesterday’s game and all those before it!
IMO. In high school or younger ages... What a player actually does is not as important as what people believe he's capable of doing in the future. Of course, this changes in time.
Very good points...
A player who shows tools, makeup, projection, etc would rate very high whether he was to “tear it up” or not when we saw him.
If the next level is college… Things like being consistent, polished, and performing well are very important.
If the next level is professional baseball… Things like tools, makeup and projection are more important.
Overall… Everything is important to all the possible next levels!
The best prospect is the guy with the most potential. That is not always the best current player or best producer, but often that IS the same player at the high school level.
Every time a player sets foot on the field (or off it for that matter) it’s extremely important! Today’s game is the most important one! Next most important is tomorrows game and so on. Least important was yesterday’s game and all those before it!
IMO. In high school or younger ages... What a player actually does is not as important as what people believe he's capable of doing in the future. Of course, this changes in time.
I'm just glad there is somewhere to turn if you are stuck at a high school where the coach doesn't know his head from the proverbial hole in the ground. Although that is the exception and not the rule, there are still too many kids in that predicament.
Sometimes you have to look at the whole program. If there's an experienced pitching staff at the varsity level a coach may keep a more talented pitcher at JV one more year and get him work while at the same time giving a senior who has performed for the program his chance to shine.
It isn't always an easy decision for a coach.
It isn't always an easy decision for a coach.
My son went to a "high profile" school in CA. The program from year-to-year has been a senior oriented program. Juniors seldom play more than a few innings per year. The kids that make up the team would have been "stud" players at the sophomore and junior years if they played for the local public school.
My biggest problem was educating college coaches outside of our area as to the strenth of his program and the league that he played in.
For us, playing well in the summer along with several good showcases enabled my son to move on and play college ball. However, the lack of playing time the junior year was a factor that limited his options.
In the long run, I have come to the conclusion that "the back of the bus gets there the same time as the front."
That being said, challenge your son, play with as many teams and programs as possible and go to as many camps and showcases as make sense for him and your family.
As long as it is something he wants to do, you should be able to find joy in the journey.
My biggest problem was educating college coaches outside of our area as to the strenth of his program and the league that he played in.
For us, playing well in the summer along with several good showcases enabled my son to move on and play college ball. However, the lack of playing time the junior year was a factor that limited his options.
In the long run, I have come to the conclusion that "the back of the bus gets there the same time as the front."
That being said, challenge your son, play with as many teams and programs as possible and go to as many camps and showcases as make sense for him and your family.
As long as it is something he wants to do, you should be able to find joy in the journey.
quote:As long as it is something he wants to do, you should be able to find joy in the journey.
Amen, enjoy and be proactive.
Never ever listen to the doubter's.
Just keep looking forward, and play hard.
You just never give up, and
Good thing's will happen. EH
DDShortstop27,
You ask a very good question but in my opinion there are so many variables it is impossible to give a definitive answer. Like TPM says --- if your son wants it and you want to spend it --- then go for it. I tend to think the major factor determining when to showcase your son is his talent. Of course his talent level should impact his ability to make the HS varsity squad so I can see how his making the varsity squad could be used as a benchmark to showcase. Another variable is the schools your son wants to target when he showcases. Why spend a large sum of money to take a boy to a national showcase 2,000 miles away from home where he would only be seen by colleges he couldn’t play for (for whatever reason) with out of state tuition rates some parents couldn’t afford?
The first challenge you as a parent will have is determining your son’s talent. I suggest a local or a regional showcase to put your son in the “the mix” to see where he stacks up. I did this when my son was 14 yrs old. While your son will get some “exposure” from showcasing at fourteen, the real benefit comes in the evaluation. If he does well against the other players then I suggest you expand to a more national level. Once you get a grasp on your son’s talent you can modify your game plan on showcasing for exposure. For me and my son it was to actually stop showcasing because I felt my son was getting more than sufficient interest from colleges and professional scouts. Why spend thousands for something he already had? I also would not have taken my son to a national showcase if I didn’t think he had definite D-1 potential. Some would disagree with me on that but I couldn’t see spending thousands so my son could "discover" a D-1 college where he could get books or be a recruited walk-on. (Many people do this so that's just me)
I used the showcases as a recruiting tool and I used it for three things:
1. To evaluate my son
2. To give my son sufficient baseball/college options.
3. To target schools my son had the ability to play/attend.
Fungo
You ask a very good question but in my opinion there are so many variables it is impossible to give a definitive answer. Like TPM says --- if your son wants it and you want to spend it --- then go for it. I tend to think the major factor determining when to showcase your son is his talent. Of course his talent level should impact his ability to make the HS varsity squad so I can see how his making the varsity squad could be used as a benchmark to showcase. Another variable is the schools your son wants to target when he showcases. Why spend a large sum of money to take a boy to a national showcase 2,000 miles away from home where he would only be seen by colleges he couldn’t play for (for whatever reason) with out of state tuition rates some parents couldn’t afford?
The first challenge you as a parent will have is determining your son’s talent. I suggest a local or a regional showcase to put your son in the “the mix” to see where he stacks up. I did this when my son was 14 yrs old. While your son will get some “exposure” from showcasing at fourteen, the real benefit comes in the evaluation. If he does well against the other players then I suggest you expand to a more national level. Once you get a grasp on your son’s talent you can modify your game plan on showcasing for exposure. For me and my son it was to actually stop showcasing because I felt my son was getting more than sufficient interest from colleges and professional scouts. Why spend thousands for something he already had? I also would not have taken my son to a national showcase if I didn’t think he had definite D-1 potential. Some would disagree with me on that but I couldn’t see spending thousands so my son could "discover" a D-1 college where he could get books or be a recruited walk-on. (Many people do this so that's just me)
I used the showcases as a recruiting tool and I used it for three things:
1. To evaluate my son
2. To give my son sufficient baseball/college options.
3. To target schools my son had the ability to play/attend.
Fungo
Great advice, It's not to young to start at some local College camp's, of your choice.
Some of the higher D1 camp's are ran a lot like the Showcases.
Get your feet weight, so you feel more comfortable when you go to the higher profile Tournament's and Showcases between your Junior year and Senior year in HS.
Some of the higher D1 camp's are ran a lot like the Showcases.
Get your feet weight, so you feel more comfortable when you go to the higher profile Tournament's and Showcases between your Junior year and Senior year in HS.
ILVBB,
The league w/ Mitty, et al?
The league w/ Mitty, et al?
CADad
Yes
Yes
