What is the right age for a first showcase. Was thinking of having my 9th grade son go to a state showcase to see what its like. Is this too young?
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We went to our first college showcase aound the holidays when our son was in nineth grade. Then he went to a one day showcase with multiple scouts last summer between nineth and tenth
( this was when he started getting the 'you are on our radar' letters from colleges). The Blue-Grey Underclassmen was his first away from home, mutiple days showcase. It has been good for him to know what to expect and have different experiences with formats and coaches before it really matters.
I would think if your son can play with the 'big boys' and you go into it knowing it is a for 'the experience only kind of thing', then go for it.
( this was when he started getting the 'you are on our radar' letters from colleges). The Blue-Grey Underclassmen was his first away from home, mutiple days showcase. It has been good for him to know what to expect and have different experiences with formats and coaches before it really matters.
I would think if your son can play with the 'big boys' and you go into it knowing it is a for 'the experience only kind of thing', then go for it.
I see it as not necessarily a case of age but more a case of "is he ready".
To rush a young player into the spotlight atmosphere of a showcase can be devastating in the long run if the experience is not a positive one.
To rush a young player into the spotlight atmosphere of a showcase can be devastating in the long run if the experience is not a positive one.
If you think he's ready, it's not a bad idea. My son got to ease into it, and that really helped him. He was in 9th Grade when he was asked to catch at a local pitching showcase. He got to catch good pitching from guys that were 2-3 years older than him and most importantly, he got to see what these things were like without being the one "on stage" as it were. (not that the catchers aren't noticed, mind you) It was a great experience, and it also gave him a great deal of confidence, which has helped as he went on to showcases where he was expected to perform.
College showcases my son attended one at 15 and did not attend another until he was 18-19. It was a 3 day event and the ones who were not college bound were told they didn't need to showup on the 3rd day.
Once you have been to one they are basically all run on the same format. It can be quite boring for a pitcher because you sit a round a lot.
Pro camps are very simple and you should be atleast 16 and many have age limits. Usually they set 16 to about 23 but they will not turn you away.
What dad doesn't thing his kid is ready ? I have seen some interesting talent (?) showup at pro tryouts.
Once you have been to one they are basically all run on the same format. It can be quite boring for a pitcher because you sit a round a lot.
Pro camps are very simple and you should be atleast 16 and many have age limits. Usually they set 16 to about 23 but they will not turn you away.
What dad doesn't thing his kid is ready ? I have seen some interesting talent (?) showup at pro tryouts.
I think that if you are confident in your ability to play baseball then this is a perfect age. Coaches and scouts love to see good, fundamentally sound, young players with the want and desire to play baseball at the next level. Although you may not be as physically gifted and big as some of the other athletes (yet) does not mean that the coaches and scouts will not bother looking at you. They realize that you will grow into your body and eventually develop strength. I am currently in the summer between my sophomore and junior year and I went to my first showcase the winter of my freshmen year (Univeristy of Missouri's winter showcase) and I got noticed their as a freshmen so I think this is the perfect time to get your foot in the door
Get your son to a showcases as soon as you can. I attended my first showcase was a couple months ago (january). Many of the parents and players that I talked to wished they had started going to showcases at a younger age. So a showcase at a young age isn't bad.
How old is your 9th grade son? How big? How fast? How hard does he throw? How strong of competition has he played against?
My point is that there's no one age that is right. It all comes down to being ready for it, as TR said. Younger kids can go to a showcase and benefit because it exposes them to the showcase. As they get older they need to be good enough that the showcase gives them positive exposure.
My point is that there's no one age that is right. It all comes down to being ready for it, as TR said. Younger kids can go to a showcase and benefit because it exposes them to the showcase. As they get older they need to be good enough that the showcase gives them positive exposure.
I took my son to his first showcase after his 9th grade year. Not to participate, but to watch.
We brought in our seeds and gatorades, found a good viewing spot and watched the entire process unfold infront of us. Son got a good long hard look at how things were run, a feel for the level he needed to be at to participate, and then I left it up to him to decide when he was ready. It was a free day monitarily, but a big day of information.
We brought in our seeds and gatorades, found a good viewing spot and watched the entire process unfold infront of us. Son got a good long hard look at how things were run, a feel for the level he needed to be at to participate, and then I left it up to him to decide when he was ready. It was a free day monitarily, but a big day of information.
The way I saw things, the day after son's last day of school in any year, he was considered to be in the next grade level...so, summer after freshman year, son was officially a sophomore..He was ready, meaning... talent, skill, maturity to handle "pressure", poise, size, etc., to attend a regional showcase. The feedback he received led to a WWBA Showcase Tounament, then other showcase invites.
Objective evaluation from "real" baseball folks is invaluable! And, as has been said many times here on hsbaseballweb, in HS, the name of the game is "exposure". Showcasing is the means to that exposure, imo!
Objective evaluation from "real" baseball folks is invaluable! And, as has been said many times here on hsbaseballweb, in HS, the name of the game is "exposure". Showcasing is the means to that exposure, imo!
minimum 15 1/2 years old
Since this post started in 2006 he may be a year older by now --- 
I think it should be tied more to the year the player graduates high school than his actual age. I think a player should showcase on a very limited basis up until the summer between his junior and senior year. An example might be to do one local showcase after the freshman year to get the feel for the showcase venue and to gain a little exposure. Then he could do one state or possibly a regional showcase (if it’s close home) after the sophomore year and then one or two larger well respected regional showcases after the junior year. I didn’t feel the need for the national showcases since my son had no desire to play outside the Southeastern part of the US. He did attend the East Coast Pro showcase but that was an after thought and prompted by an invitation by a well respected scout.
Fungo
I think it should be tied more to the year the player graduates high school than his actual age. I think a player should showcase on a very limited basis up until the summer between his junior and senior year. An example might be to do one local showcase after the freshman year to get the feel for the showcase venue and to gain a little exposure. Then he could do one state or possibly a regional showcase (if it’s close home) after the sophomore year and then one or two larger well respected regional showcases after the junior year. I didn’t feel the need for the national showcases since my son had no desire to play outside the Southeastern part of the US. He did attend the East Coast Pro showcase but that was an after thought and prompted by an invitation by a well respected scout.
Fungo
My son did go to the state showcase in February, and I think it was a great experience for him. I think he was a liitle intimidated at first with the mostly older boys, but it didnt take him long to fit in. It gave him an idea of what he needed to work on to bring his game up another level, and he has been working hard ever since.
I would let him attend after his sophomore year. Have him attend some MLB tryout camps and some good college baseball camps his freshman year
Frank/Andy
Don't you like to see a player contributing on the varsity level before he attends a showcase?
Don't you like to see a player contributing on the varsity level before he attends a showcase?
TR,
Back in March I was afraid i might have to broach this issue with you in real life but, fortunately, we can keep it hypothetical.
What about the player who has the talent to play in HS but is stuck behind an equally talented, older player and does not get the chance to be a varsity contributor until senior year?
HC
Back in March I was afraid i might have to broach this issue with you in real life but, fortunately, we can keep it hypothetical.
What about the player who has the talent to play in HS but is stuck behind an equally talented, older player and does not get the chance to be a varsity contributor until senior year?
HC
TR just because a player plays on the varsity or does not does not mean he cant attend a HS Showcase and do well. Had seen a player who played a little on the varsity as a sophomore, but showed alot of power with a woodbat at Area Code Games Trials.
We are considering having our 14 yo (soon to be 15 yo) attend a PG showcase in Virginia. When discussing if we should go or not I expressed concerns that the older players (Juniors and Seniors) would blow pitches by my son. Then it was pointed out to me that he will be facing Juniors and Seniors next year on the Varsity team as a Sophomore. I'm still undecided. I don't want him to get discouraged. On the other hand, I want him to have this experience and to see and learn what he needs to do in order to pursue his dream.
MDBASEBALL
I had the same concerns as you before my son went. But the showcase let him know he was good enough to play with older kids, yet showed him he had a lot of work to do if he wanted to be a top flight player. He ended up being the starting varisity catcher by the end of his freshman year. But I would look at going to a showcase as more of a learning experience for the future than trying to get exposure at this age.
I had the same concerns as you before my son went. But the showcase let him know he was good enough to play with older kids, yet showed him he had a lot of work to do if he wanted to be a top flight player. He ended up being the starting varisity catcher by the end of his freshman year. But I would look at going to a showcase as more of a learning experience for the future than trying to get exposure at this age.
Only two or three years ago, the most important time to attend showcases was between the junior and senior year.
It's still a very important time, but things have changed a lot in a very short period of time. Colleges are recruiting players earlier and more underclassmen are being followed by MLB than ever before. Used to be the Bureau reports would only have a couple high school juniors on their list, now they have many and even some sophomores.
Also, in order to gain an advantage in competing at the big events, it helps to be seen and recognized before the junior summer takes place. Those big events are mostly for seniors and it helps if someone knows the players before that.
While those events between the junior and senior year are the big vital ones, it's the exposure that happens between soph and junior or even earlier that helps some of the kids get the recognition that allows for invitations to the big stuff.
The majority of the Aflac players we select are players we have seen many times over a two or three year period.
So... If a player is a national caliber prospect, age doesn't matter, the sooner and more he is seen, the better his opportunities are likely to get. If the player is not very advanced for his age, he should wait an extra year or so before attending showcases. Training might be more important than spending money on showcases in his case.
In any event... Playing the game is the number one most important thing. If your good enough, try to find the highest level of competition possible that puts you on the field.
It's still a very important time, but things have changed a lot in a very short period of time. Colleges are recruiting players earlier and more underclassmen are being followed by MLB than ever before. Used to be the Bureau reports would only have a couple high school juniors on their list, now they have many and even some sophomores.
Also, in order to gain an advantage in competing at the big events, it helps to be seen and recognized before the junior summer takes place. Those big events are mostly for seniors and it helps if someone knows the players before that.
While those events between the junior and senior year are the big vital ones, it's the exposure that happens between soph and junior or even earlier that helps some of the kids get the recognition that allows for invitations to the big stuff.
The majority of the Aflac players we select are players we have seen many times over a two or three year period.
So... If a player is a national caliber prospect, age doesn't matter, the sooner and more he is seen, the better his opportunities are likely to get. If the player is not very advanced for his age, he should wait an extra year or so before attending showcases. Training might be more important than spending money on showcases in his case.
In any event... Playing the game is the number one most important thing. If your good enough, try to find the highest level of competition possible that puts you on the field.
PG Staff ---great post! 
BCB3 -
Thanks for the advice. I agree that this will be more of a learning experience for him. He played on a fall league with Juniors/Seniors from Arundel and Severna Park and held his own. I think we'll give it a try and just see what happens.
Thanks for the advice. I agree that this will be more of a learning experience for him. He played on a fall league with Juniors/Seniors from Arundel and Severna Park and held his own. I think we'll give it a try and just see what happens.
FRANK/ANDY
We use the varsity roster membership as a starting basis---then we get coaches info--many times a kid on varsity will not be deemed good enough by the coach and on the other hand, this is for HC, there may be a kid stuck behind a all state player ---this is where the HS coach helps us--if he tells us that the boy will be the starter in his senior year all systems are go---we have had that happen many times
We have even had sophomores who played JV get recommended by the HS coach based on the fact that they would be a varsity starter in their Junior year.
We just like the varsity roster memebership as a starting point
We use the varsity roster membership as a starting basis---then we get coaches info--many times a kid on varsity will not be deemed good enough by the coach and on the other hand, this is for HC, there may be a kid stuck behind a all state player ---this is where the HS coach helps us--if he tells us that the boy will be the starter in his senior year all systems are go---we have had that happen many times
We have even had sophomores who played JV get recommended by the HS coach based on the fact that they would be a varsity starter in their Junior year.
We just like the varsity roster memebership as a starting point
Thanks, TR. That makes sense.
im a sophmore fom ohio, is it worth my time this year to go to missouri's winter camp(thats the college i have th estringest interest in) or should i wait until the winter of my junior year?
TR,
Looking at your post from back in June that's a much more sound approach than the response of -Is he on varsity?- than has been given in the past. Glad to see it.
Looking at your post from back in June that's a much more sound approach than the response of -Is he on varsity?- than has been given in the past. Glad to see it.
Not until they're playing varsity
Showcase attributes from the HS players
(derived from Joe G.)
09th grader's thoughts: I think I can play.
10th graders: I hope I can play.
11th graders: I know I can play.
cheers
Bear
(derived from Joe G.)
09th grader's thoughts: I think I can play.
10th graders: I hope I can play.
11th graders: I know I can play.
cheers
Bear
zombywoof,
One league's varsity stud is another league's JV backup.
One league's varsity stud is another league's JV backup.
quote:Originally posted by CADad:
zombywoof,
One league's varsity stud is another league's JV backup.
Very true! In addition, some school's JV and freshman players are a lot better than other's varsity!
I'd say that Thousand Oaks JV team from last season would have beaten well more than half the varsity teams in the nation.
quote:Originally posted by CADad:
I'd say that Thousand Oaks JV team from last season would have beaten well more than half the varsity teams in the nation.
My son pitched two innings against these guys and retired all 6 he faced with 4 strikeouts.
Not too shabby, how did the team do? 
My son held them for an inning in his second outing after a year without pitching after the starter gave up 7 runs. I think he only had 1 K.
The reality is that most of the JV teams from our league are better than a lot of HS varsity teams.
My son held them for an inning in his second outing after a year without pitching after the starter gave up 7 runs. I think he only had 1 K.
The reality is that most of the JV teams from our league are better than a lot of HS varsity teams.
Deleted
quote:Originally posted by CADad:
Not too shabby, how did the team do?
My son held them for an inning in his second outing after a year without pitching after the starter gave up 7 runs. I think he only had 1 K.
The reality is that most of the JV teams from our league are better than a lot of HS varsity teams.
Unfortunately, we lost both games of a double header. Our varsity split with their top rated squad. On the season, each of our squads, Frosh, JV & Varsity, ended 10-2 in their conference.
MTS,
You beat us in the first game of your other midseason non-league doubleheader, I believe 4-2 or 4-3. (Edited) Went back and checked. That was his first inning pitching in HS. He threw the 6th inning of the first game and got the #9 hitter to ground to 2nd, hit the #1 hitter with an 2 strike change in the dirt, got the #2 hitter to pop-up and got the #3 hitter on a fly out to right. My notes from the game say he hit one about 360 to center with us down 3-2, a runner on 3rd and 2 outs for the third out. That was his second at bat of the season.
Against TO, which was his next outing he actually gave up a couple shallow fly outs, a grounder and in between the fly outs a walk. He came in to throw the third inning. He hadn't started throwing breaking balls again yet in those games.
You beat us in the first game of your other midseason non-league doubleheader, I believe 4-2 or 4-3. (Edited) Went back and checked. That was his first inning pitching in HS. He threw the 6th inning of the first game and got the #9 hitter to ground to 2nd, hit the #1 hitter with an 2 strike change in the dirt, got the #2 hitter to pop-up and got the #3 hitter on a fly out to right. My notes from the game say he hit one about 360 to center with us down 3-2, a runner on 3rd and 2 outs for the third out. That was his second at bat of the season.
Against TO, which was his next outing he actually gave up a couple shallow fly outs, a grounder and in between the fly outs a walk. He came in to throw the third inning. He hadn't started throwing breaking balls again yet in those games.
quote:Originally posted by CADad:
MTS,
You beat us in the first game of your other midseason non-league doubleheader, I believe 4-2 or 4-3. (Edited) Went back and checked. That was his first inning pitching in HS. He threw the 6th inning of the first game and got the #9 hitter to ground to 2nd, hit the #1 hitter with an 2 strike change in the dirt, got the #2 hitter to pop-up and got the #3 hitter on a fly out to right. My notes from the game say he hit one about 360 to center with us down 3-2, a runner on 3rd and 2 outs for the third out. That was his second at bat of the season.
Against TO, which was his next outing he actually gave up a couple shallow fly outs, a grounder and in between the fly outs a walk. He came in to throw the third inning. He hadn't started throwing breaking balls again yet in those games.
You are talking about your son, right? My son only hit two during the regular season that went 360 feet, one against Saugus and one against Bonaventure. Bonaventure was a victim of his 9K's in 4 innings.
My son essentially didn't get to hit during the regular season then led the team in batting avg., slugging, home runs (only 1), etc. during summer ball. Kind of makes you wonder what is going on when a kid who has been out for almost a year pops one 360 to center the first time he takes any swings (His first at bat of the season was a late inning surprise and he never got the bat off his shoulder.) after leading the team in hitting the previous season once he was marginally healthy and then gets only 4 more plate appearances until the final game of the season. He also didn't get many plate appearances the first half of summer ball and didn't get BP at practice while school was still in. Once I realized he wasn't getting any BP there and started working with him his hitting took off.
There is a high school that used to be a baseball power that has similar issues. I know a lot of kids that are good players that either transfered or quit playing baseball because of the coaching staff. The school has been a cellar dweller since this coach took over. You'd think the school would have found another coach by now. A private school (not ours) has benefited.
One thing I have seen is that good players quit and transfer from almost every program. Ours has had quite a few quit over the last couple years, but I don't know of any strong players leaving the program this coming season. The only one I've heard of who may have left was a kid who was one of a couple brought up to varsity last season because the coach liked their attitudes. Unfortunately, they didn't have the skills to go along with the attitudes and the one was very unhappy with his playing time. Sometimes coaches forget that a good attitude is its own reward and that although one should discipline a poor attitude because it can impair the performance of other players, productivity is what should earn significant playing time.
After a couple pretty poor years they aren't likely to win the league, but they probably have a so-so shot at 4th this season. We typically seem to grow good pitchers and in the rare years when a few hitters work their way into the lineup the teams end up being pretty good. It is also hard to know if players are transferring or quitting because of the coach or because of other reasons in many cases.
I'll stay away from guessing who the school is, I know ours has had some very good years with the current coach.
I've seen a lot of kids from our county head to Chaminade and was talking to the dad of a kid from another school in our league who transferred there just last night.
My kid is going to stick it out and just try to be so good that he can't be ignored. But given that the same thing happened to a kid who will probably be a first round pick this year getting that good may be a bit of a stretch.
After a couple pretty poor years they aren't likely to win the league, but they probably have a so-so shot at 4th this season. We typically seem to grow good pitchers and in the rare years when a few hitters work their way into the lineup the teams end up being pretty good. It is also hard to know if players are transferring or quitting because of the coach or because of other reasons in many cases.
I'll stay away from guessing who the school is, I know ours has had some very good years with the current coach.
I've seen a lot of kids from our county head to Chaminade and was talking to the dad of a kid from another school in our league who transferred there just last night.
My kid is going to stick it out and just try to be so good that he can't be ignored. But given that the same thing happened to a kid who will probably be a first round pick this year getting that good may be a bit of a stretch.
