Just wondering how often players receive offers without having attended the school's baseball camp ... I am particularly interested in feedback as far as position players. If invited to a camp, but the player cannot attend for some reason, how much will that hurt the player's chances of being actively recruited by that school? Thanks so much for any thoughts you all have!
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The same players are desired with or without the camp. Even if they attend the camp, most were known before they showed up at camp. The odds of showing up with no previous interest and ending up being recruited is slim.
Nobody turns down the most talented players based on attendance at their camp.
That said I think attending college camps can be a good thing.
If the coaching staff has ample looks at your son, I don't think it's an issue. My two boys received a total of seven offers and we attended zero camps from the schools who made offers. One son did attend a school camp early in the process and nothing came of it. You just never know.
Good luck!
I think it depends on who the decision maker(s) are, and how they make decisions. There are some teams where recruiting coaches are empowered to make offers and other teams where only the head coach makes these decisions. We came across both types in our recruiting experience.
My son was invited to attend a prospect camp after a large showcase so the head coach could see him in person. He was offered by the head coach at the camp (8 hours one way), but I don't think it would have been nearly as smooth or would've happened if he did not attend. This was #1 or #2 on his list so we made sure we got to the prospect camp.
Good luck.
Camps are not just for coaches to see if they like your son.
Camps are a great way for for prospects to get a great look at the school. Prospects get to rub elbows with coaches and current players. They get access to their facilities. They see the ebb & flow of campus. They eat in the cafeterias.
Its called research. Scouting is not just for coaches. Remember who is paying the bill.
Rich
Thanks for the responses- especially all the different perspectives. The mass mailings are easier to figure out - it's the ones in the gray areas that are the toughest. Especially since money and time limited. I almost wonder if maybe the best thing to do is have my son email back on the gray ones to see what kind of interest there is and balance that against how much he likes the program.
Yes, he is a 2016...
Thanks for the responses- especially all the different perspectives. The mass mailings are easier to figure out - it's the ones in the gray areas that are the toughest. Especially since money and time limited. I almost wonder if maybe the best thing to do is have my son email back on the gray ones to see what kind of interest there is and balance that against how much he likes the program.
Have your son email back all the mailings he receives. Cant hurt, my son is also a 2016 so we have him email back all schools with a note saying he cannot attend but here is my current HS schedule. We also attach a video as well as his current GPA and SAT score.
That's a really good idea- I think we will definitely do that. Especially for the coaches located closer to our area - I know the spring is so busy for college coaches but occasionally we have seen college coaches scouting at HS spring games. Otherwise, the next time to see these 2016 kids is next summer.
All sorts of players get recruited without ever attending a camp. Actually more who don't do the camps than those who do.
A camp is a great way to spend time at the campus, see the baseball facilities, get a better idea of the coaches' personalities, etc. It can also be a good way to force yourself under their noses for a weekend and hope they notice. But it's far from a requirement if you're looking to get noticed. Lots of guys get offered based on school season, showcase or tournament performance and never go to a camp.
A player should definitely visit the campus in some way before committing. But often the player would be better served by taking the standard campus visit, so that he can see the school from the perspective of a student, as opposed to just thinking all about baseball.
When can they respond to 2017's? Next Sept 1st?
my 2014 had it both ways (he is a pitcher). the school he ended up going to, he never went to a camp. They found him via referral from an opposing HS coach, then followed him thru spring and summer. Another we went to a camp of a school he was interested in. He did very well so they became interested in him, followed him and eventually made an offer. The other 3 came off one HS game, where a MLB scout saw im, recommended him, they had someone come watch the next HS game and then offers.
On the down side he did one other camp, multiple showcases with lots of colleges attending. He did "ok" in those. got interest but no offers except the one who was the referral from the opposing HS coach but not from those shocases performances. He was at most of those showcases as well.
I guess my thought is get in front of as many decision makers as you can time and financially afford. If and when you perform to at least one of thier standards there will be interest. When the player does not stand out then no matter where they are seen, it isn't going to help. My son experienced both sides of that, times where he was one of the crowd, and a few times in front of the right people he stood out. Those few times made the difference
