I wanted to get some opinions of taking kids to college camps. I have twins that are 2021 and just wanted to know if it was worth the time and effort to go at this age or not. There are a few winter camps left and just wanted to get some input.
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If they are in form and have something that would catch the coach's eye then go for it. For example, if you have a 2021 who takes the mound throwing 85mph or hitting bombs in bp, they will notice and pay attention to him the next couple of years. Otherwise, if it's affordable and there is instruction involved, it might be worth it just for the experience and the chance to get some face time with college coaches.
It really depends on what the objective is for going. Generally, I don't feel there'd be much point to it in terms of baseball. If they haven't been on a college campus it can be a good idea to help them get an idea of what they (your twins) might be looking for in terms of college campus and facilities.
My son went to his first camp when he was in 8th grade. The camp was loaded with juniors from the top schools in the state. He and his friend were the only two 8th graders there. They had a blast. It was at a D1 in the summer. A SEC assistant really took care of them....basically worked with them the entire camp. He ended up having them both take balls at SS against the big boys and they did well enough that he came over to me after the camp and told me how impressed he was and that he thought both had a real future in baseball. After that day, my son never worried about how little he was, how old the other kids were or what the name on the front of their jersey was. That coach moved on....we never heard from him or any other coach from that camp again, but if you ask my son today, he'll tell you that was probably the most fun he had at any camp. It can't hurt...especially if they get some good instruction.
Some programs have excellent skill camps, at this point it's about learning, not getting recruited.
My son attended two camps this year as a Freshman, both at the same school. One in the late Summer and one in the Winter. Summer camp had much tougher competition. Mostly all college level players and probably not the best place for an 8th grader. I watched some really good Sophomores that are now committed to that school struggle. A good 8th grader would have been fine at the Winter camp, though. If it is cheap and close, I don't think you will cause any harm by going.
I am curious if your twins are about the same ability and plan to attend the same college?
Goblue33 posted:I am curious if your twins are about the same ability and plan to attend the same college?)
They have talked about going to the same school but it all depends on them (the kids). They have a list of schools that they would like to talk to and a couple of them are the same, so I guess it is a possibility. As far as ability they are close to the same. One is a power hitting catcher and the other hits average and pitches better than the other. They both play the field equally so I guess it is a toss up really. I would love them to be able to go to the same school but in reality it will probably not happen that way.
I took my 2018 to his first college camp as a freshman, just to see what was involved. Last fall, we went to four or five, at different size colleges and included campus tours and admissions visits with most. He has an offer from one of those, another that he is talking to seriously, but most important he knows what questions he wants to ask (and has the confidence to ask a coach or a professor those questions himself), what he wants to see, and what he needs to know to decide if a school is a good fit for him. As long as you know what you want out of it and can afford the camp, I think it's very worthwhile.
Goblue33 posted:I am curious if your twins are about the same ability and plan to attend the same college?
For your interest: When I first joined this site, there was a parent on the boards that had twins that went to the same school to play baseball. The question was about the offer. The coach wanted both players, but was only offering one of the players a scholarship. I think it was a full ride, so basically the cost to the parents was 50% for two to attend college. The question was should they take it and what were the pitfalls. (I am guessing that it was done for "counter" reasons and he could literally get 2-for-1.)
I took my 2018 catcher to a camp at the local college, a nationally ranked D1, in the Fall of his Freshman year. It was a good experience for him. While this camp didn't get him recruited (and I had no expectation of it doing so), the experience showed him what to expect in future showcases.
Flash forward to this year, and he just attended a showcase camp at a different nationally ranked D1 about an hour from the house. We are very fortunate to have 2 such excellent programs very close to home. He did very well. This was the first such camp he's been to since his Freshman year, and I believe the previous experience helped him a great deal. He wasn't nervous at all, and performed really well. So well in fact that the coach in charge of recruiting pulled him aside a few times to talk to him, got all of his personal information, and later emailed him for a copy of his Spring schedule so he could get out to see him in live games. He also received an email from one of the elite travel organizations from a different state asking him to play for them. Apparently, one of their coaches was at the showcase scouting players. Unfortunately, we can't do so due to financial circumstances.
Take your boy to the camp. All experience, both good and bad, can be learned from and put to use.
keewart posted:Goblue33 posted:I am curious if your twins are about the same ability and plan to attend the same college?
For your interest: When I first joined this site, there was a parent on the boards that had twins that went to the same school to play baseball. The question was about the offer. The coach wanted both players, but was only offering one of the players a scholarship. I think it was a full ride, so basically the cost to the parents was 50% for two to attend college. The question was should they take it and what were the pitfalls. (I am guessing that it was done for "counter" reasons and he could literally get 2-for-1.)
I am looking at the same prospect, but for HS. One baseball player that the private/catholic schools want to offer no tuition (also a very good student) and his twin who is just a pretty good player and might not qualify for academic or athletic aid. We get 2 for 1 on travel teams!
Like the others I look at camps two ways. At a young age say younger than 9th grade ask around and go to ones that offer good instruction. Fun for you and your son as they get to play on the college fields, gets them around coaches to see how they act, etc.
As they get older a properly targeted camp can be useful in recruiting. What does that mean. That means a camp where you have been asked to attend, where the coaches have seen your son play and will know who he is when he shows up. Winter camp my son's sophomore year is what sealed the deal in my opinion at the school my son currently attends. They had just seen him pitch at a good event, they were interested and it gave them an opportunity to see what kind of person he really was.
Good luck!!
I agree with those who say do it for the experience.
Going to a camp/showcase is a little different than being on a field with eight other players. Standing out there with all eyes on you knowing they are judging your performance can be intimidating for some kids. Getting familiar and at ease with the process will pay off later IMO.
My son went to a camp at Pepperdine between Christmas and New Years during his junior year (10-years ago). He did it for three reasons; he wanted to get ready for his coming high school season, he loved playing baseball and it is what he wanted to do during his Christmas break and he wanted to see the school and learn about their program.
We had no reason beyond just having fun for his attending that camp.
Dad Twins:
Given their graduation year, your sons are early in process--camps at schools (especially if surrounding schools attend in addition to the host school) are good for instruction. This is really beneficial to an underclassmanYou could go to a camp for measurables or go to a showcase to observe (and see what they're like).
My son went to showcases more early on then school specific camps he targeted later in process. He saw the whole transformation in his recruiting journey from camper to prospect to recruit. He also could measure a school's level of interest in the camps he went to junior year. Winter junior year he attended a skills specific camp run by the school he would eventually commit to (fielding for MI). That 1/2 day clinic was worthwhile as his status that day changed from prospect to recruit.
Hey and welcome to the site, you'll find a great deal of information here and can use the search button too if other topics interest you.
Ripken Fan posted:Dad Twins:
Given their graduation year, your sons are early in process--camps at schools (especially if surrounding schools attend in addition to the host school) are good for instruction. This is really beneficial to an underclassmanYou could go to a camp for measurables or go to a showcase to observe (and see what they're like).
My son went to showcases more early on then school specific camps he targeted later in process. He saw the whole transformation in his recruiting journey from camper to prospect to recruit. He also could measure a school's level of interest in the camps he went to junior year. Winter junior year he attended a skills specific camp run by the school he would eventually commit to (fielding for MI). That 1/2 day clinic was worthwhile as his status that day changed from prospect to recruit.
Hey and welcome to the site, you'll find a great deal of information here and can use the search button too if other topics interest you.
Ripken Fan: Curious about the change of status from prospect to recruit. After that day, how long did it take for school to ramp up their interest and make an offer?
TPM pretty much simplified how I feel about 2021's........No recruiting stuff.These guys are not even close to being what they will end up becoming in the next few years. Not only from a baseball skill set perspective , But Physically, mentally and emotionally .
WestCoastPapa posted:Ripken Fan posted:Dad Twins:
Given their graduation year, your sons are early in process--camps at schools (especially if surrounding schools attend in addition to the host school) are good for instruction. This is really beneficial to an underclassmanYou could go to a camp for measurables or go to a showcase to observe (and see what they're like).
My son went to showcases more early on then school specific camps he targeted later in process. He saw the whole transformation in his recruiting journey from camper to prospect to recruit. He also could measure a school's level of interest in the camps he went to junior year. Winter junior year he attended a skills specific camp run by the school he would eventually commit to (fielding for MI). That 1/2 day clinic was worthwhile as his status that day changed from prospect to recruit.
Hey and welcome to the site, you'll find a great deal of information here and can use the search button too if other topics interest you.
Ripken Fan: Curious about the change of status from prospect to recruit. After that day, how long did it take for school to ramp up their interest and make an offer?
About 5 months..Camp in February, Unofficial Visit at their encouragement following week. Coaches attended HS reg season and tourney games in May & June. Offer got closer with showcase in June they attended with other school also close to offering. Legion DH in mid-July, offer after game. Interest was high after camp..school makes most of their offers in summer following junior year, especially position players.
Ripken Fan posted:Dad Twins:
He saw the whole transformation in his recruiting journey from camper to prospect to recruit.
Like RF's line above regarding college camps and son progressing from "camper to prospect to recruit." Some players, for various reasons, never do the camper thing at camps. Meaning they don't go there to learn skills. I get that. It's not that they think they have nothing to learn but in all honesty they're there for at minimum Step #2 "Prospect." And for some guys, who are there later in HS for first time, go directly to Step #3, Recruit."
My son's first college camp was at age 11, my wife took him to a "Father - Son Camp" at our regional state U. Needless to say, she was only mom there. One of fondest memories for us in this journey. We still talk about that "Mother - Son Camp" they did together and how weird it was there were all those dads there!! Son clearly was a "camper" at that camp, and at camps for the next four years.
By 15, he got his first tap on shoulder at a college camp (not where he ended up committing) at end by the VAC, who told him, "RC wants you to speak with him before you go. He wants to give you his cell # so you can call him and schedule a visit." That's when he entered the "prospect" phase I guess. Or maybe a "recruit?" Not sure? He later called RC/AC and went for visit, so I guess now a "recruit?"
By 17, he definitely was a "recruit" at camps as we were not wasting time and money on college camps where he could not see himself going to school and playing baseball. And the school hosting camp had made it abundantly clear they were interested in him. Two hours after his final camp last October his cell phone rang with offer from RC. Son accepted 24-hours later. At which point he became a "committed recruit?"
So it might be a good idea when strategizing and budgeting the upcoming summer camp schedule, to have an idea as to what you are? A camper, a prospect, or a recruit? Totally plausible that you could be a camper, a prospect, and a recruit, at three different college camps simultaneously? More likely the last two though.
Keep in mind that College Camps are often attended by other colleges. As @#1 Assistant Coach says you can be a camper, prospect and recruit at three different camps simultaneously. If you find a camp that will have a good mix of other schools attending (across various divisions and levels within those divisions) then you can get a lot of bang for the buck from that camp. For example, most Ivy League camps have a dozen or so other high academic D3 colleges that attend their camps to help work and to recruit.
However, there are new recruiting rules at the D1 level this year that prohibit D1 schools from leaving camps to recruit. That means if you attend a D1 camp, the other schools in attendance, if any, will be division 3 schools. That rule is only in effect until mid Feb, so any summer camps could have multiple D1 schools in attendance.
Son has been to one "D1" showcase type camp. Other coaches attending and assisting were Juco, with ties to the program, ie, ex players, asst. coaches.
I took my 2017 to his first college camp at that same age. I was very new to the process- I was expecting some instruction, but it was just a showcase in the name of a camp. There was still value there- it was his first exposure to the typical workout format, he was nervous with all the eyes on him, but it was a good experience for him.
Thanks to everyone’s input. We attended a camp this weekend and they had a great time. They learned a lot and being around the college players and in their clubhouse visiting with them put a fire in their belly to work harder and keep their grades up.
The camp had plenty of instruction along with the workouts. One of my sons was pulled aside by the HC and they visited for a few minutes one on one, that made his whole weekend. Now they have been to a top notch facility and have a goal that they want to achieve.
I have mentioned this before - but will repeat for new poster... I know everyone views these camps differently I suppose but I just keep going back to my experience. My son definitely got valuable instruction. There was an over hour long session just on grips. To this day he and I both agree it was one of the best things ever for him from a pitching standpoint. That one session was perhaps more instrumental in his pitching success than any other instruction before or since. So yes they are money makers but sometimes you get your money's worth!
