Does Every Player Need To Be Showcased?

I know one kid who never went to a showcase, only played premier league select until his junior/senior year. Played JUCO for two years, then on to the Big 12 (Texas A&M).

And this was just 4 years ago. So, it's not like the showcase events weren't out there.

In my view, there are two types of player.

One player fits the showcase profile, so will be ranked well.

The second type of player is the 'gamer'. This is the type of player who does not fill out the profile well so gets a lower ranking. Yet in games, they perform exceptionally.

The key to both is that in order to move forward in the game, they must be 'noticed' by someone.

Some shine in showcases. Some perform well when scouts come to see the showcase player. Some are noticed and reccommended by people with valued opinions.

Others can be the best thing since Babe Ruth or Cy Young, but if nobody knows they are there, no one will 'notice'.

PG and others to their great credit have created venues for players to showcase their talents and abilities.

The 'gamer' usually has to have a great work ethic and patience in order to convince people that they should get a chance on a higher level.

Fortunately or unfortunate;y showcases have changed the waqy scouting and recruiting is done. Not too long ago scouts used to attend games and covered wide geograpic areas. Now scouts tend to only go to show cases unless they hear of an exceptional player. With the given economic trends it is understandable that the trend will continue. My son never showcased and had JC and NCAA offers. We did our own promotion as many do. If you compiled some great video over the last couple years you can use them to create interest.

quote:

Originally posted by Quincy:
In my view, there are two types of player.

One player fits the showcase profile, so will be ranked well.

The second type of player is the 'gamer'. This is the type of player who does not fill out the profile well so gets a lower ranking. Yet in games, they perform exceptionally.

The key to both is that in order to move forward in the game, they must be 'noticed' by someone.

Some shine in showcases. Some perform well when scouts come to see the showcase player. Some are noticed and reccommended by people with valued opinions.

Others can be the best thing since Babe Ruth or Cy Young, but if nobody knows they are there, no one will 'notice'.

PG and others to their great credit have created venues for players to showcase their talents and abilities.

The 'gamer' usually has to have a great work ethic and patience in order to convince people that they should get a chance on a higher level.

Great advice and right on target.

The game aspect is why we have three 7 inning games as part of our event. On top of that our pitches will throw up to three or four innings in the game. With the pitchers in game conditions the coaches get to see them in game conditions--how they back up plays; how they react to errors behind them; how they field off the mound etc

I wholeheartedly agree that many players do not show well in what we call the "cold cuts", the 60 , the drills et al. Many need to be seen in games---for example we had a player in our Norwich Showcase we had an outfielder who threw two men out at the plate and had another dead to rights at third but the third baseman missed the tag

quote:

Others can be the best thing since Babe Ruth or Cy Young, but if nobody knows they are there, no one will 'notice'.

Bad example. Babe Ruth and Cy Young never showcased.

I base my opinions on two things. 1. Exposure is good and 2. Money is good.

A showcases has two sides. On one side is a business venture that generates revenue and provides jobs. On the other side it is a convenient way to purchase "additional" exposure for players.

The two things that clouds the issue of whether one should showcase or not is:

1. The business (seller) side of showcasing dictates: "The more attendees the greater the revenue".

2. The consumer's side (parent) decision to purchase additional exposure is a highly emotional decision.

When those two parties come together to exchange money and wares it is no secret why showcases have EXPLODED over the past years.

Should everyone do it? Of course not ---- BUT If they want (not necessarily need) additional exposure then that is up to the purchaser. Common sense would dictate if a player doesn't need the additional options by showcasing that money could be better spent on private lessons, academic tutoring, or a host of other things. For instance my son wanted to play in the Southeastern Conference. Every school in the SEC had seen him play and those he was interested in had expressed interest in him. After a few small showcases prior to knowing this he ceased showcasing. I publicly endorsed two showcases because by doing so it kept his name on the grapevine and would actually provide a little more exposure for him (not that he needed it but it was free).

Another local boy wanted to go to a local NAIA college (girlfriend) and the coach indicated he would have a slot for him. He never showcased, had a full ride at the NAIA and played some pro ball. Had he showcased I feel sure he would have had additional offers but he didn't want them. Three other local boys played a year (or less) at the JUCO level but were not dedicated ball players and had little PT while at the JUCOs. They never showcased and had they showcased everyone knew it would have been a waste of money. They may have "purchased" another option but it would have been a costly gamble.

I'm a realist. There are a set number of college roster slots available and that number remains the same unless a new college is opened. Those slots are given to those players that a college coach has determined are the most qualified ---- (talent academics etc.). The showcase does NOT make the player any more qualified but does allow more college coaches to evaluate him.

Some players receive NO benefit from showcasing while others receive a great deal of benefits from showcasing. Since this is an emotional thing you need to break out the checkbook!!
Fungo

thanks,

but adding to my question what if your trying to be a top high school prospect(since thats one of my goals). You have to go to showcases big and small ones right?

Sook,

The answer to that last question is, no.

Quite candidly the main thing missing from this discussion is the initial, objective evaluation of your talent level. Not your own hopes and dreams, not your dad's, either. Get someone who is knowledgeable of both baseball and you/your playing level to give you his opinion. Get more than one opinion if you can.

Going to lots of showcases is a great way to spend a lot of money and have very little to show for it.

If you are a high level player, then going to one high level showcase can be all you need. Recently I recommended a high level junior pitcher to PG for its National Showcase. That's the only showcase this kid has ever done, and it's going to be the only one he'll ever need to do, because he's sorting through offers right now. But we're talking about a 90+ mph arm with a nasty slider here.

Some players will benefit from events which, though perhaps more lower profile, are targeted towards schools that fit them better. HeadFirst's Honor Roll Showcase is a great example -- it stresses academics first, baseball second, and is a great way for Ivies and comparable schools to find high academic players who can at least compete. In Virginia, something like Best in Virginia can help someone who is maybe not D-1 material but would like to play D-3 or D-2.

It can also be cost-effective to choose a couple of schools and go to their teams' camps. IF you can play at their level, whatever level that might be.

You need to decide if you're just going to flounder about and hope to get something, or if you're going to target your efforts where they will do you the most good, given your individual situation.

In the meantime, play the game for the best team that will put you on the field consistently.

Sook - do pay careful attention to the advice you are getting here. The goal to be a "top high school prospect" is something that isn't really in your control. There have been many, many really great high school players who were never referred to as "top prospects". But showcasing yourself in places that are appropriate to your skill level can certainly help you achieve the goal of playing college baseball, if that is really what you want.