All tournament pitcher at Ft. Myers last week-what now?

My 2013 went down to Atlanta this summer and pitched in the WWBA event. 8 innings, 4 hits, 2 walks, 10 K's, and 0 runs. Was the 30th pitcher listed on the all tournament team. He is a lefty that hit 82.

Do you know what my son heard afterwards? Not a word. Granted, since then, things have worked out as he has committed to a top JUCO.

I dont want to be negative, as I have never seen your son pitch. But realize that if you dont hear anything based on his performance, dont get discouraged. It is one event in a long recruiting process.

Proud Dad 24
I sent you a PM

quote:

Originally posted by Proud Dad 24:
2014 was one of 150 pitchers named all tournament team last week in Ft. Myers. At 6'5" 185 he only threw 82 MPH but allowed just 1 baserunner in 6 innings in his start.

What kind of follow up might come from colleges who saw him pitch and/or review the PerfectGameUSA.com website and how does son maximize the value of this exposure?

Any insight from parents with sons who have had similar experiences would be appreciated.

I have insight and hindsight with this, having taken 2 teams to WWBA17U with very good results and some excellent pitching
stats like your son's. We had a couple of position players with a good deal of interest, but they had that before we went. Our top pitchers
left with only the appreciation that they could compete on a national level.

The good news is that all of these pitchers now play college ball, 4 at D1 level, 1@ D3 and 1 at JUCO. Their success on the recruiting
journey was not a result of "if you can play they will find you", but a concerted effort of their parents, dedicated high school and
summer coaches, and each players determination to never rely on yesterday's stat line.

I humbly suggest you begin to compile a wish list of colleges, mainly closer to home, where a 6'5" junior is probably known to a few
coaches, but letting them know that you are interested will create some momentum. Start correspondence, attend some camps, have him
redouble his efforts to improve, and it will all cost a fraction of what your single Ft. Myers journey did, yet most likely be
the most rewarding. That's how it worked for us.

Of course, if he's throwing 90+ by April, forget all that.

Thats a good response Bringwoodback.

PG puts on the best events. The top talent shows up. That brings out the scouts. But those three things are not any sort of guarantee.

Don't forget that coaches still want kids that want to go to their school! Dont be afraid to communicate with them. Hopefully your son's coach is helping too.

He had a good event. He got some good accolades. He would be smart to reach out to coaches and tell them that information.

I once went to job fair with all the best employers. I looked like a million bucks. Brand new suit, etc. Had an awesome resume in my folder. I never did follow up with anyone though. I'm sure if they like me they would have called me.

Rich
PlayInSchool.com
College Recruiting Videos

My son received different type of communications following an event:

Generic camp invitations

We are interested in recruiting you emails

Junior day invitation

Emails asking for transcript/schedules

And of course, nothing.

If the follow up is in writing, read the wording carefully if it is coupled with a request which involves spending money.

Good advice on this thread. I really wouldn't focus too much on the last event, but think more about what comes next.

Genuine interest, from an email, will be very apparent and usually will not involve asking for money (camps). The tone will tell you all you need to know...

My son had similar stats to Mizzou this past weekend but did not make the list, suprising after looking at some of the stats listed, but, we have had some good contact since then.....so just sit back and be patient my fiend

"sit back and be patient" sounds like "if he's good enough they will find him".

That may have worked 20 years ago. No longer the case.

Unless you are the top of the top. But if you were, I doubt we'd be having this conversation.

Rich
PlayInSchool.com

quote:

Originally posted by birdman14:
Genuine interest, from an email, will be very apparent and usually will not involve asking for money (camps). The tone will tell you all you need to know...

So true, when 2014 got some 9-1 emails, they definately had a different tone, and money to come to camps has not been a part of the emails.

quote:

Originally posted by PIS:
"sit back and be patient" sounds like "if he's good enough they will find him".

That may have worked 20 years ago. No longer the case.

Unless you are the top of the top. But if you were, I doubt we'd be having this conversation.

Rich
PlayInSchool.com

OUCH quite a little zinger there bro.....if his kids is 6'5, 185 as a 2014, and a lefty, I am sure he is getting some follow up contact from that tournament...unless his kid had his outing at a lone high school field where there were few scouts. But I am quite confident that a 6'5 lefty got some attention....and I by far did not even come close to telling him "if he's good enough they will find him'...he was 3 days out of the tournament, just no need to push the panic button just yet


And BTW, my kid is doing quite well in his position in the pile (jk) "lighten up Francis"

quote:

Originally posted by birdman14:
Genuine interest, from an email, will be very apparent and usually will not involve asking for money (camps). The tone will tell you all you need to know...

I don't remember my son getting any initial (real) interest via emails. They contacted the coach first.

The emails he received were usually camp invites and such.

Other than coaches that were at the game, we did not hear from any new coaches as a result of making the All Tournament Team.

Signs of genuine interest in an email would include 2 already mentioned:Invites to Junior Day and asking for transcript/schedules. Another would include invites for an unofficial/official visit.

Lefthookdad -

My comment was not meant as a zinger.

Just that I dont believe in the strategy of waiting back to be found.

If you were looking for work, would you sit on the couch waiting for a company to knock on your door and offer you a corner office? Or would you knock on their door and introduce your self and show them your resume? Or better yet, perhaps get someone in your network to introduce you to the VP? Do you own a company or manage employees? Have you ever offered a job to someone that didn't show interest in your company?

This really gets me going.

Being a 6-5 LHP will help. But we've all seen 6-5 LHP's that throw 82 that did not have a line of coaches waiting to talk to them.

So to give advice to "sit back and be patient" seems a little naive. Yes, "be patient" because the process is more "marathon" then "sprint". But "sit back"... I'd be careful with that part.

My advice to the Proud Dad would be to have the LHP begin communicating with schools. Let those schools know how well he did in Ft Myers. Let those schools know the LHP is interested in that school. Figure out how to get in front of those coaches. When and where will those coaches be? Let them know where the LHP will be in case they can come see him throw. Attempt to get feedback. Have video? Share it with them so they can refresh their memories. Attempt to get feedback on that and ask for advice. Begin getting on radar screens. Begin developing relationships. Give coaches a chance to see and follow him.

Or just "sit back and be patient".

Rich
PlayInSchool.com
College Recruiting Videos

He never suggested that he wasn't already doing that. I think it is quite obvious that they are pro-active due to the fact that his son was playing in the tournament proves that point.

He was talking specificlly about this past weekends tournament

Hmmmm....I missed Proud Dad saying he was a lefty. We had very limited experience but after such a successful outing you will no doubt get lots of camp invites. However, we also started hearing via emails from schools who were truly interested. Usually from the pitching coach. Along the lines...we saw you at...we have a need to fill....looking forward to hearing from you...and then finally please send transcripts (so they can prescreen them with admissions). Good luck. It works out for almost everyone eventually.

Proud Dad, Use the Ft. Myers all tournament selection for his Baseball "Resume". Along with other info, ie. HS Stats, Height, Weight, 60 time, fastball speed, GPA, SAT, etc. Send this info on with the perfect game link and other local media info.

My 2013 made some PG all tournament teams in Alt this past summer. It was very helpful. My son attends a 1a HS in NC and many colleges were afraid to commit to him due to small school poor comp. concerns. He got very little interest from coaches/scouts at the actual PG event. However, by referencing his PG accomplishments it started to raise some interest.

signs of real interest in an email for 2014 was we have seen you play, when can you come over to the school. here's my cell phone number call me.

In the words of famous Motivational speaker Matt Foley: "Jack squat"

2012 WWBA FT. Myers True story: 6'4" 2015 RHP 88 mph made top 25% of all tournament team pitchers. Some previous D1 interest. Post tournament... (Insert cricket noise here).

Same team: 6'0" 2015 RHP 87 mph good outing in consolation game off the beaten path in front of the right coach. No previous collegiate contact ... Post tournament… 72 hrs later makes a verbal commitment to a substantial offer from a top 10 D1 program.

They are great kids from model families. Good things are ahead for both; it is just a matter of timing.