college camps

yes

Sure he should go...it's more opportunity to get a feel for the coaching staff and the players..assuming the players help out at the camp (they usually do). I'd say unless there's another camp at a school you're son is also interested in scheduled simultaneously, he should go.

quote:

Originally posted by Newcomer:
Sure he should go...it's more opportunity to get a feel for the coaching staff and the players..assuming the players help out at the camp (they usually do). I'd say unless there's another camp at a school you're son is also interested in scheduled simultaneously, he should go.

If Coaches see you in one of their camps and think you have talent and would fit with their team, how would they go about approaching you? What kind of contact can they have if you are a upcoming season Junior?

Well, we are starting to see some camp invites from a few of my sons top choices (after the WWBA 18U & 17U nat'l c'ships) and other summer ball throughout the Southeast.

I realize that a lot of these schools are still trying to sort out who is still available out there. My question is this: Is this standard for them to send out these camp invitations that basically read, i.e. High School Baseball Skills camp, etc. in order to REALLY evaluate a player they want to look at harder? My son said he would hate going to a camp where there a bunch of 9th or 10th graders and you receive a camp t-shirt for simply attending...lol.

We need to focus on so much, SAT's, mechanics, etc. and I really don't want to spend another dime (sighs) for camps that we would be better off letting slide.

College coaches running a camp seperate their players. They offer instruction to all players but have their eye on the older ones. One webster here told me, after attending Clemson's camp, the pitching coach worked with all pitchers, over a 100. I am sure he also was giving special attention to possible recruits. At many college camps, player attend year after year and their development (or lack of) is noticed. I knw some parents that used camps exclusively for their sons to get noticed.

College coaches can speak to whoever they wish on their own campus and talk about opportunities. That's why many use camps to recruit.

My son attended college camps as a rising junior and as a rising senior. There is a difference in how you are treated. He went to one camp as a rising junior, and got instruction, but didn't get the focus. As a rising senior going to a different college camp, one that had previously seen him and showed interest, he got instruction and frankly, was watched to see if he was "coachable" and how he would work with the coaches that were there. They talked to him the whole day, and during breaks, etc.

What I would say though is that if you are a rising senior, and the school is one you are very interested in, you should definitely go. Who knows, you might even end up with an offer!

If Coaches see you in one of their camps and think you have talent and would fit with their team, how would they go about approaching you? What kind of contact can they have if you are a upcoming season Junior?[/QUOTE]


If the school is interested in you, they'll probably talk to you during the camp. Remember they're just trying to get a feel for the player so there probably won't be anything real tangible yet. After the camp, you can follow up with an email or phone call to the coaches and tell them you had a great time. When you get your Fall Ball and/or Spring varsity schedules, send these to the coaches. If there is a winter/Christmas break camp, consider going again. Stay in touch with them.

If I were you, I would send my son to that camp. It will give the coaches an opportunity to get to know your son better -- and vice versa. Also, it will allow them to speak with him at length with no restrictions.

My son (now a rising senior) attended a camp this past December and it was obvious pretty much from the start that they were interested in him. When the recruiting coordinator was talking to a group of players, he singled my son out by name and used him as an example. When my son was in the cage, the hitting instructor specifically asked one of the other coaches what his bat speed was. Later, during a break, the recruiting coordinator motioned my son over and asked him if he liked the school. When the 2-day camp was finished, the coaches offered to let him shower in the team's beautiful locker room. It was nice to get so much attention.

No offer yet, but the school just flew its recruiting coordinator out to see our son play for the 4th game this summer. We're hoping for the best!

quote:

It was nice to get so much attention.

No offer yet, but the school just flew its recruiting coordinator out to see our son play for the 4th game this summer. We're hoping for the best!

That is good stuff - exciting times indeed

My son will be entering his junior year and frankly I can't tell you how quickly time has passed. He was recruited out of a college camp and I know what it is like to see coaches or scouts take notice. Some are cynical about these things as fund raisers but if you attend one and turn heads you will get noticed.

Cherish every moment of high school ball. It was also the best of times. After recruiting, there will be the anxiety that goes with competition amongst the nation's very best players but that will also forge the very best ability out of your son. The stiffer the competition the better he will be.

There was another thread about college games lasting too long. For me, it wouldn't matter if each game lasted even longer. You will be shocked at how fast this all goes. Enjoy every moment!

One thing we did proir to going to a specific camp is contact the school's recruiter to tell him that you are coming. Ask if he has time to show you around before or after the camp.

Like many people have said in this thread, a very good sign is that the coaches do talk to you alot while you are at the camp. They call other coaches over to introduce you and so on.

You should notice who gets the kind of attention I am talking about. Hopefully its your son!!

Speed: Our son went to two kinds of college camps - the ones where 100 kids got a T-shirt and ran through a series of drills, and the ones where they specifically targeted certain players to see if they fit the team and were coachable. Both served a purpose. The first introduces your son to a college campus, and you see whether you like the atmosphere. Some were badly run and used just to raise money for a low-paid assistant coach. The second is a more serious look from the coaches, and also from the player and the parent trying the college on for size. What you DON'T want to do is have the 'first" experience as a rising Senior, because that is simply a waste of your money and time, or go just for the T-shirt. Best advice is always to go to a college camp where you have real interest, and also where you realistically could play and realistically get an offer (available scholarship, academic,social and financial fit). The key is being realistic. The fact they "saw" him in games is just the first step. Now they want to "see" him up close and personal (and you them). Go.

what is a rising junior or a rising senior and how would a player know that they are one of those players?

quote:

Originally posted by shppirate09:
what is a rising junior or a rising senior and how would a player know that they are one of those players?

I am not sure how anyone else's interprets it but my take was a rising junior,senior means he has entered the summer before those years have actually begun.

shppirate09 - it doesn't imply anything about ability level, only the age of the player = finished sophomore year going into junior year = rising junior - finished junior year, going into senior year = rising senior.