Would you suggest going straight up to the head coach and introducing your son and yourself?
What other tidbits can you guys offer to do while there?
Thanks!
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At one camp, the head coach gave the guys an opportunity to talk to all the coaches at the end of the camp. Son went right up and introduced himself to the HC but was amazed that the other guys didn't.
As a parent our role was to drive him there and make sure he had enough water. We left everything else up to our son.
As a parent our role was to drive him there and make sure he had enough water. We left everything else up to our son.
quote:What other tidbits can you guys offer to do while there?
Others might have a different take than mine but introductions and congeniality won't get your son noticed imho.
What will get him noticed is throwing harder, hitting harder/better, fielding better, and/or running faster than the other campers in attendence. If he turns their heads with his play, they will be trying to introduce themselves to you.
Beyond the tangible things that help a kid get noticed, there are some intangible things that can help as well. e.g., Be the hardest worker at the camp. Be the first to arrive and last to leave. Leave with the dirtiest uniform. Show a winning attitude. In short, use deeds and not dialog to get their attention.
Good points, no doubt, but IMHO... do not discount the intangible of maturity. The ability of a young man to look a coach in the eye, shake hands, and introduce himself won't get your baseball talent noticed, but it might separate you from another athlete with the same skills.
Besides, everything is an intangible until the NLI is signed.
GED10DaD
Besides, everything is an intangible until the NLI is signed.
Learn and have fun. 
If your sons are still 9 and 12, as it says in your profile, then the camp is a great place to get good instruction and have fun.
If your sons are still 9 and 12, as it says in your profile, then the camp is a great place to get good instruction and have fun.
The profile is dated 2006 2BMom--I believe his boys are now older
As for parents introducing themselves---DON'T !!!
As for the boys introduing themselves--if the boy performs the coaches will introduce themselves, that you can be assured of
As for parents introducing themselves---DON'T !!!
As for the boys introduing themselves--if the boy performs the coaches will introduce themselves, that you can be assured of
quote:The profile is dated 2006 2BMom--I believe his boys are now older
Sorry, Eric. My bad!
I think it's still good advice, though.
I would agree with other posters who advise to stay in the background...let your son take care of communicating with the coaches.
I am a big fan though of having Junior introduce himself and shake hands.
I am a big fan though of having Junior introduce himself and shake hands.
Great post CD and you as well TR.
My feeling is that I wanted my son to introduce himself to each coach at a college camp, to shake their hands, look them in the eye and introduce himself like an adult.
Does it make an impression on the coaches? Maybe. Is it just good life training? You bet.
Does it make an impression on the coaches? Maybe. Is it just good life training? You bet.
My advice would have JR send the coach a personalized email before the camp stating how excited he is about attending the camp and how interested he is at possibly perusing playing for him and the program (if he is), and then following it up by introducing himself at the camp unless they have already met at which time reintroducing himself.
But the most important part is differentiate himself by being the best on the field.
But the most important part is differentiate himself by being the best on the field.
No the parent should not. It is about the player. Let him do as much of the registration as possible. Get the waivers signed in advance if you can.
For the player: Run hard. Don't get upset over mistakes - they happen. Do your share and more in picking up balls, field setup, etc.
Listen to the coaches and watch the other players who are doing drills and exercises. Doing the drills correctly may not make you stand out, but doing the drills incorrectly will not be a positive.
For the player: Run hard. Don't get upset over mistakes - they happen. Do your share and more in picking up balls, field setup, etc.
Listen to the coaches and watch the other players who are doing drills and exercises. Doing the drills correctly may not make you stand out, but doing the drills incorrectly will not be a positive.
Those who standout enough will not have to look for coaches to shake their hands and introduce yourself to. However, the coaches will likely strike up a conversation in order to further their knowledge about the player who is showing exceptional ability.
When this happens, the players who can shake hands, look them in the eye, and genally act as though they have some communication and people skills, will further impress those coaches.
If there was a camp with 100 or more players, what would happen if all 100 plus players wanted to talk to and shake hands with every coach in attendance? After all that hand shaking the camp would be nearly over. On the other hand, those same coaches will actually want that interaction if enough talent is present. And they will definitely already know who you are when you impress them with your ability.
That said, I think those who have those communication skills will further fuel interest. But only when the ability is there. Before that I would consider it taking more time away from the whole purpose of having a camp. At the same time, I admit that it can be a good thing, but only if and when it is genuine. If it is just part of a "sales" introduction, the player better be very talented. Not trying to throw water on any viewpoints. I do think it is more appropriate to shake hands and say something nice at the end when leaving the camp or event. That way you at least leave a good final impression.
FWIW, I've been in these situations many times. Yet, I can't speak for others. So what I say, doesn't necessarily mean anything.
When this happens, the players who can shake hands, look them in the eye, and genally act as though they have some communication and people skills, will further impress those coaches.
If there was a camp with 100 or more players, what would happen if all 100 plus players wanted to talk to and shake hands with every coach in attendance? After all that hand shaking the camp would be nearly over. On the other hand, those same coaches will actually want that interaction if enough talent is present. And they will definitely already know who you are when you impress them with your ability.
That said, I think those who have those communication skills will further fuel interest. But only when the ability is there. Before that I would consider it taking more time away from the whole purpose of having a camp. At the same time, I admit that it can be a good thing, but only if and when it is genuine. If it is just part of a "sales" introduction, the player better be very talented. Not trying to throw water on any viewpoints. I do think it is more appropriate to shake hands and say something nice at the end when leaving the camp or event. That way you at least leave a good final impression.
FWIW, I've been in these situations many times. Yet, I can't speak for others. So what I say, doesn't necessarily mean anything.
Getting there early may allow JR to have time to meet the coach. I believe coaches will notice who is there early and hustles on and off the field. The e-mail will get read by someone, maybe not the HC but someone. Tell him that hustle is a definer. By that i mean it will be a difference maker between two players of equal ability. So hustle everywhere and show personality. If they talk to him, have him look them in the eye and have fun.
All you guys are awesome! Thanks for some focal points to talk about on our drive there!
Oh yeah. Get a newspaper that morning, a coke, and some snacks and sit back and enjoy. Take some inconspicuious(sp.?) pictures and enjoy. Let him have fun and you just watch and learn. They will probably have a tour for parents of the facilities. Don't be the parent that asks 1,000 questions, just ask what you need to know, which isn't very much on the camp trip. Most importantly, enjoy.
quote:Tell him that hustle is a definer. By that i mean it will be a difference maker between two players of equal ability. So hustle everywhere and show personality. If they talk to him, have him look them in the eye and have fun.
I agree. Hustle, good personality (encourage other players when they do well/maturity), and his skills will do the most to make him standout. With skills equal to others there, it comes to HUSTLE and Leadership and grades, and does the school need his position...
I don't see any problem in your son having a friendly conversation with the coach, but parents.. unless your son is a definite prospect, DON'T. Let your son's talent speak for itself. At the first college camp (where my son now plays) he was the smallest kid there.. didn't notice him until the last day of camp when he threw six consecutive pitches into a small target (hole). At that point, they put the gun on him and liked what they saw. Point is, don't force it to happen.. they'll eventually look at each kid and at that point he either has it or not.