Do you have to play for the "big teams" to play showcase?

OA5II,
I'm going to give you a philosophical answer instead of a yes/no. "SHOWCASE" is a buzz word that happens to be at the top of everyone's vocabulary when talking pre-college baseball. Showcase simply means to "display your skills in front of coaches/scouts". EVERYONE wants to claim that they are the best place to display those skills thus making their event more attractive to players like yourself. Not unlike the labels on just about everything you buy that says: "New and Improved"! These are the same product that were around years ago ---- just a new package or a new twist in marketing. Coaches, college camps and event promoters all want to attract attention and attendance to their event --- so they call it a "showcase" event. Don't get too hung up on a name. You want exposure (of course) but there are numerous ways to get exposure ---- the best way I can think of to makes someone notice you is to be the best you can be playing with and against the best you can compete with. Remember college coaches are not looking for showcase "events" they are looking for baseball talent ---- sometimes "showcases" and "talent" come together at the same place at the same time and sometimes they don't.
Fungo

I think an important part of this equation is the key word.."PLAY" Don't join a big name team to ride the bench or to play sparingly.

My son never got in the games that were attended by the scouts only the ones away from the recuiters' eyes

Amen obrady..you learn by playing and watching, but not just by watching.

Another two cents... I feel the most important thing you want to look for is the team's track record of college signees. The Fort Worth Monarchs is not a big organization, but take a look at the kids they get signed to college scholarships. Also, they play the big teams.(Blackhawks, A's, Tigers, DBAT, McKinney Marshals and others)

www.fwmonarchs.com

since 2 organizations are forming, does that mean less kids will be playing in showcases?

quote:

Originally posted by OA5II:
since 2 organizations are forming, does that mean less kids will be playing in showcases?

I think this means that MORE kids will be playing in showcases. Some kids in the past have played for teams that were not able to attend showcases due to the talent on the team or the lack of team willingness to play in the showcase.

Can any team just show up at a showcase or do you have to be invited to the party?