$800 for a 2 day showcase 
, and that's the early registration discounted price.... really????, this stuff is geting out of control
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quote:Originally posted by lefthookdad:
$800 for a 2 day showcase
As long as there are customers willing to pay those prices, they’ll continue to go up.
If a player gets a 25% scholarship (value 5K - 13K per year) from that showcase is it worth $800? The value of a showcase is based on what the player gets out of it, not the cost.
And you cant look on what you are spending on baseball as an investment. I always looked at the money I spent on baseball as money I was spending to help my son fulfill his dream of playing college baseball.
If baseball wasn't important, but say rock climbing, fishing or playing guitar was, I'd say you'd still spend money on your hobbies.
If a family has the money and wants to spend it on something as positive as a baseball event then they should.
If they aren't having fun doing the baseball thing, they might consider another activity.
Rich
PlayInSchool.com
If a family has the money and wants to spend it on something as positive as a baseball event then they should.
If they aren't having fun doing the baseball thing, they might consider another activity.
Rich
PlayInSchool.com
beginning next summer we willl beback with our three day showcase cost same as 4 years ago---$ 350
Our younger son, a 10th grader, does not play sports - he has PE at school!
However, he is extremely strong in mathematics and sciences. We spend $65 - $130 a week on mathematics enrichment tutoring in order to maximize his success, just like private hitting lessons or violin lessons. Over the summer, he attends field science camps, and we hope to get him placed in a summer science residency program at Stanford, or like institution - with costs that are around $5K.
Baseball has no monopoly on such things.
However, he is extremely strong in mathematics and sciences. We spend $65 - $130 a week on mathematics enrichment tutoring in order to maximize his success, just like private hitting lessons or violin lessons. Over the summer, he attends field science camps, and we hope to get him placed in a summer science residency program at Stanford, or like institution - with costs that are around $5K.
Baseball has no monopoly on such things.
My daughter was a dancer, we spent much more on that than we did on baseball. I actually wasn't disappointed when she decided to call it quits, mainly due to back problems she developed over the years.
The most important thing is that one must decide upon what is important and what is not and don't just do it because you have to keep up with everyone else. Do your homework, then decide which activity (in this case showcases) you might get your monies worth (scholarship). A one time expense of 800 dollars might be worth it. Don't spend it if you don't have it.
When son was in his senior summer we spent a lot of money on a particular travel team, way over our intended budget. The travel, exposure and the coach contacts were priceless in terms of the offers he ended up receiving for college.
The most important thing is that one must decide upon what is important and what is not and don't just do it because you have to keep up with everyone else. Do your homework, then decide which activity (in this case showcases) you might get your monies worth (scholarship). A one time expense of 800 dollars might be worth it. Don't spend it if you don't have it.
When son was in his senior summer we spent a lot of money on a particular travel team, way over our intended budget. The travel, exposure and the coach contacts were priceless in terms of the offers he ended up receiving for college.
Discretionary income is well.....discretionary. There are more expensive showcases and less expensive showcases. What matters is you get the value from the money spent. Three years ago, my wife and I bit hard on a $795 showcase that would eventually lead to where my oldest son is currently playing. All the previous showcases and tournaments (many, many $Ks of dollars over many years and weekends) were a prelude to that moment. We did the showcases because we knew he had college level talent, he wanted to pursue college baeball, it was fun, and we didn't have the knowledge we do today. I'd much rather spend it on something they enjoy than a new hot water heater.
quote:Originally posted by fenwaysouth:
I'd much rather spend it on something they enjoy than a new hot water heater.
Exactly. What if we do it because it's fun?
I think of how much money we've spent at Disney World. And what's the point of that?
The travel ball has been a great family experience. And the showcases we attended absolutely helped my son get to his college. And we knew we'd have to pay for most of it anyway due to the unfair NCAA scholarship rules so, of course, the money doesn't come back evenly.
That's not the point.
Ok now a follow up question....
How many can link there discovery/offer to a specific showcase?
How many can link there discovery/offer to a specific showcase?
I can.
quote:Originally posted by lefthookdad:
Ok now a follow up question....
How many can link there discovery/offer to a specific showcase?
We can. This was an individual showcase, not a team showcase. (It was not a big $$$$ showcase, though)
Ok bear with me. I am one of the old timers who coached when bats were wooden (my first 3 years) no dh no rentry and a showcase was something you saw on tv.
Questions.
Are you invited to a showcase because of your talent and asked to pay? or you could just show up pay your money.
Questions.
Are you invited to a showcase because of your talent and asked to pay? or you could just show up pay your money.
quote:Originally posted by Will:
Questions.
Are you invited to a showcase because of your talent and asked to pay? or you could just show up pay your money.
It depends on the showcase...some "elite" showcases like PG National is available by invite only and others are open to anyone.
As to Lefthookdad's question of "How many can link there discovery/offer to a specific showcase?"... my son was big fish in a small pond so he was known locally however attending the PG Underclass as a freshman put him on the national map. This was his first showcase so the concept of paying $500+ (at the time?) and flying to Florida for 2 or 3 innings of pitching seemed crazy at the time however looking back it was probably the best money we ever spent.
but either way bring your checkbook?
quote:Originally posted by Will:
but either way bring your checkbook?
Yep...just like I did when I paid for dance lessons, music lessons and SAT prep courses. I've found writing checks kinda goes hand in hand with raising kids.
quote:Originally posted by lefthookdad:
Ok now a follow up question....
How many can link there discovery/offer to a specific showcase?
Good question and one worth asking, but I always looked and continue to look at showcases as having several purposes. One is in your stated question...maybe to be offered or acquire further interest from a coach who was present at the showcase. But the other reason is to build a baseball resume including a respected evaluation from a credible source. That resume could garner interest from a coach who was not present at the showcase. Maybe it was a few games that the coach saw a player play that inspired them to offer a player, but the resume including a credible evaluation sparked the interest.
At times the recruiting process could be a tangled web of information shared and not going to a showcase just because you think a coach at the showcase might not offer you is looking at the showcase process too narrowly in my opinion.
quote:Originally posted by shortnquick:quote:Originally posted by lefthookdad:
Ok now a follow up question....
How many can link there discovery/offer to a specific showcase?
Good question and one worth asking, but I always looked and continue to look at showcases as having several purposes. One is in your stated question...maybe to be offered or acquire further interest from a coach who was present at the showcase. But the other reason is to build a baseball resume including a respected evaluation from a credible source. That resume could garner interest from a coach who was not present at the showcase. Maybe it was a few games that the coach saw a player play that inspired them to offer a player, but the resume including a credible evaluation sparked the interest.
At times the recruiting process could be a tangled web of information shared and not going to a showcase just because you think a coach at the showcase might not offer you is looking at the showcase process too narrowly in my opinion.
I agree with what you have posted, especially the part about building a credible resume.
I personally would not pay 800 for a showcase, I would however put out that amount for a tournament where I knew there would be scouts and coaches in attendance and ones that are involved in programs that are good fits for my player.
There are many types of individual and team showcases, and many types of tournaments.
Some post results online so others can see it, some don't. Some have dozens or more scouts, some have one or two.
Some post results online so others can see it, some don't. Some have dozens or more scouts, some have one or two.
quote:How many can link there discovery/offer to a specific showcase?
It doesn't always happen that way, but for my son it did. It was the Stanford Camp.
Some players and some positions showcase better than others. If you are not a likely D1 player, showcasing with a bunch of likely D1s can erode your confidence. However, getting into most showcases is easy and doesn't require any connections. If you don't mind travelling, where you live isn't a factor.
Getting on a showcasing team can be a bit trickier, and there seems to be a fair amount of variation on how you land a spot. Some appear to be comprised of kids who have played together for a lot of years, so spots are limited. Some cost thousands of dollars to join, not including travel costs.
Last fall my son was offered a spot on a longstanding showcase team, but it folded at the last minute, so we had to reconfigure his plan for the fall of his junior year. When the same program offered my son a spot on their summer team, he declined and went with Legion. He had a very good summer, and this led to his opportunity to play college ball. I tell myself that the thousands I spent on PG, Demarini, and Headfirst helped prepare him for Legion.
Lots of different roads. It is definitely not one size fits all.
Getting on a showcasing team can be a bit trickier, and there seems to be a fair amount of variation on how you land a spot. Some appear to be comprised of kids who have played together for a lot of years, so spots are limited. Some cost thousands of dollars to join, not including travel costs.
Last fall my son was offered a spot on a longstanding showcase team, but it folded at the last minute, so we had to reconfigure his plan for the fall of his junior year. When the same program offered my son a spot on their summer team, he declined and went with Legion. He had a very good summer, and this led to his opportunity to play college ball. I tell myself that the thousands I spent on PG, Demarini, and Headfirst helped prepare him for Legion.
Lots of different roads. It is definitely not one size fits all.
twotex,
Congrats to your son. I think you bring up a great point. It was one I alluded to in my earlier post. There are so many paths to get to the college baseball goal. There has to be a minimum level of exposure, and no one knows what that exposure is, where it is and when it is.
Twotex son played numerous showcases, travel and Legion. He got his break with Legion. My son played showcases, travel and Legion. He got his break at a showcase. We don't have the luxury of hindsight, so you have to feel your way around this to determine what is best for your son and family situation. Basically, you have to put in your time just like anything else in this lifetime that is worthwhile. There will be times you may think you're throwing money away, but I argue you aren't if you have set that goal.
Congrats to your son. I think you bring up a great point. It was one I alluded to in my earlier post. There are so many paths to get to the college baseball goal. There has to be a minimum level of exposure, and no one knows what that exposure is, where it is and when it is.
Twotex son played numerous showcases, travel and Legion. He got his break with Legion. My son played showcases, travel and Legion. He got his break at a showcase. We don't have the luxury of hindsight, so you have to feel your way around this to determine what is best for your son and family situation. Basically, you have to put in your time just like anything else in this lifetime that is worthwhile. There will be times you may think you're throwing money away, but I argue you aren't if you have set that goal.
One factor which I wish I had been aware of early on...you can get a subscription to PG which will enable you to see the velos, 60 times, pop times, etc. of prior showcase participants. Pick a past version of a showcase your son is considering attending. Now create a chart about times relevant to his position, and the rating given to the players for each time. You can get darn close to predicting what rating your player will get if you know his time. Not a 100 percent correlation, but pretty good. If, based on the numbers, your son will get a ranking which suits his purposes, then all is well. If you don't like that potential ranking, think twice. My son went to a PG showcase after his sophomore year and got a 6.5. When I looked at the other catchers, the correlation with pop times and rankings was very close. He was going to go back after his junior year but was injured.
That being said, there may be PG showcases with so many coaches there that it is worth it for the exposure. However, without asking the coaches individually who will be attending, you won't know. If your son is a stud pitcher, he will get a great rating and will be on many radar screens. In fact, don't know how you could beat PG for top prospect exposure. The video clips you get as a part of the entry fee are quite good also.
If a player is a stud student, then Headfirst and the academic versions of PG and Demarini may be the way to go. I also hear that the Stanford camp is amazing.
D2s and D3s frequently rely on the camps they host on campus.
One thing we know for sure. Hindsight will be 20/20!
That being said, there may be PG showcases with so many coaches there that it is worth it for the exposure. However, without asking the coaches individually who will be attending, you won't know. If your son is a stud pitcher, he will get a great rating and will be on many radar screens. In fact, don't know how you could beat PG for top prospect exposure. The video clips you get as a part of the entry fee are quite good also.
If a player is a stud student, then Headfirst and the academic versions of PG and Demarini may be the way to go. I also hear that the Stanford camp is amazing.
D2s and D3s frequently rely on the camps they host on campus.
One thing we know for sure. Hindsight will be 20/20!
be careful with cold stats-----60 yd---tadar guns----they may tell the true or entire story
quote:Originally posted by lefthookdad:
Ok now a follow up question....
How many can link there discovery/offer to a specific showcase?
We definitely can. I had never heard of Delta State until an ML scout approached son at the PG South Top Prospect showcase.
This is a good thread for 2014s and 2015s!
Just to chime in, I know my son got v. good follow up from this past summer's PG Top prospects. Pretty sure this is what solidified a coach's interest as a final look (after having seen him at one or two earlier tournaments).
Prior to that, best exposure was at specific targetted college camps, and one or two tournaments.
In hind site, maybe he should have done Stanford Camp or Head First, for great interaction with top academic / top baseball programs. But budget (and timing of an injury) were issues that kept him away.
Just to chime in, I know my son got v. good follow up from this past summer's PG Top prospects. Pretty sure this is what solidified a coach's interest as a final look (after having seen him at one or two earlier tournaments).
Prior to that, best exposure was at specific targetted college camps, and one or two tournaments.
In hind site, maybe he should have done Stanford Camp or Head First, for great interaction with top academic / top baseball programs. But budget (and timing of an injury) were issues that kept him away.