Fly to a 2-day college camp or not?

WestCoastPapa

Had a very similar situation with my 2010 SS/RHP when he was invited to a winter hitting camp and a different school's summer camp.  At the time, we had financial issues so the cost of those were a major consideration in trying to decide if going to either one was justifiable for son in his sophomore year.  Travel wasn't an issue for the winter hitting camp as the school was near by.  The summer camp he was invited to was a long trip and a big expense for us.   Since this was a summer camp was a long trip and quite an expense, we decided to combine it with a visit to many relatives who lived somewhat nearby and make it a summer vacation all together.  The summer camp was at my son's dream school, so he was very excited about going there and talking with the coach and seeing the campus.  The winter hitting camp was at what you might call my dream school for my son.  Coaches at both schools were expressing some interest in my 2010.   So . . . we did attend both events.

Son really liked the hitting camp and got a lot of good coaching tips that helped out his swing.  And he was also invited to shadow one of the schools baseball players for a day of school the day after winter break, which he did also.  On the summer camp, the HC expressed some interest and gave us and two other players from the camp a personal tour of their athletic facilities.  So, it appeared the HC was really interested and you'd have thought this was great for my son since this was his "dream school."  However, while he liked the HC there, son decided his "dream school" wasn't what he had imagined as he didn't like the location or the campus.  This was actually his first close look at any big college campus.

Looking back now, I find that both camps were very helpful in different ways.  It helped him better understand what it was he really wanted out of any particular college.  But this could have been achieved without the expense and I would say that neither camp really played a significant role in his recruitment in his Jr. year of HS.  What was his "dream school" was no longer so and was completely off his list now and my dream school was still on his top 5 list.

Based on my own experience, in terms of being recruited by a school, going to their camps this early is really not that important.  In the HS Jr. year they can be so.  But. . . if it's your son's "dream school" and he has an invite and a chance to be there and talk with the HC, then I again would not hesitate to go and try to nurture any interest the HC might have in your son.  If it's not THE "dream school", then I don't feel such a camp is worth the expense at this point in time.  

PS:  for a 2019 player, this coming summer is a very good time for playing in a "few high profile tournaments" and events like PG puts on.  From there, things will be heating up in terms of recruiting environment.

If this school is on his vetted list of colleges, and they recruit early (e.g., are legitimately looking at 2019's now), I say "yes" this makes sense to do.  It sounds like there is interest by the college.

It's hard to get in front of every school on your son's list, and you've noted some of the potential conflicts.  Once a player (and family) is committed to trying to play college baseball, then IMHO getting in front of the colleges on his vetted list takes precedence over things like other high school sports or travel baseball team or whatever.  I'm not saying you drop everything else.  I'm suggesting that the orientation shifts as the player gets farther along in his high school years to connecting the dots academically and athletically with the schools on your son's list. 

As a fellow West coast parent, it is very hard to do if the list of colleges includes schools East of the Mississippi.  Good luck!

I'd say go as well.  Personal invite, sounds like there's interest there on both sides.  If you can swing it, I'd go.    Can't hurt, time is at a premium in the summer.  I'd also think through your response to an offer just in case one is forthcoming during the camp. 

The benefit of the hitting camp vs the prospect camp is that the hitting camp is probably going have a lot less kids and be more personal.  There should be less distractions for the coaches which could mean more one on one time with your son to answer questions and get to know them.  Plus, he gets a chance to get coached by them and see if it is a good fit.   

Truman, Branson Baseball, PABASEBALLDAD, and D-MAC....

All of your responses where more helpful than you will ever know. Truly appreciate your feedback/opinions as well as filling me in on what your past experiences were like. Very thankful to have such a great resource like HSBBW.

WCP  

WestCoastPapa posted:

Seeking feedback....I will briefly layout some background:

• Son is a 2019 MIF/OF, plays on a strong travel team and participated in a few high profile tournaments this past summer.
• Two D1 coaches (one of which is his dream school) arranged follow up telephone contact. One coach (not his dream school but a great school he likes) seems more interested and relayed info saying:   "I saw a few innings of your game and 2 of your at bats....would like you to consider our winter hitting camp." He also provided personal cell and said, "if you have questions, call after 5pm as I cannot call you."
• Attending the winter hitting camp would come at some expense (flight, hotel, rental car). But the schedule is clear whereas summer camp may have more conflicts.

The hitting camp is not a prospect camp - it is held indoors and, as advertised, it is strictly for hitting.

2019 has not attended a college camp yet. This would be his first.

A bit torn.....

1) should 2019 wait and try to attend the summer prospect camp? This may prove difficult due to travel ball schedule and beginning of football. 

OR

2) strike while the iron is hot (so to speak) and attend the hitting camp? One benefit is that 2019's arm is average (won't be throwing at hitting camp)...however bat speed, exit velocity, and overall hitting is his strength, which is what coaches will see at camp.

OR

3) Chill out and wait until he's a junior. 

Thanks for your help.....2019 also plans to call coach to see what feedback he gets but not sure what questions to ask.

Had a similar situation recently where a call was arranged between the RC and me. RC stated that they were interested and invited him for an unofficial visit/football game which we were not able to attend. He then asked if he could attend their winter camp and we agreed to attend. 

To make a long story short the HC and RC interacted a lot with my son during the camp and he ended up with an offer last night. 

I will add that if your son is not interested in that school, I wouldn't attend. Obviously, interests change but I would not incur the expenses unless he's interested. 

hshuler posted:

WestCoastPapa posted:

Seeking feedback....I will briefly layout some background:

• Son is a 2019 MIF/OF, plays on a strong travel team and participated in a few high profile tournaments this past summer.
• Two D1 coaches (one of which is his dream school) arranged follow up telephone contact. One coach (not his dream school but a great school he likes) seems more interested and relayed info saying:   "I saw a few innings of your game and 2 of your at bats....would like you to consider our winter hitting camp." He also provided personal cell and said, "if you have questions, call after 5pm as I cannot call you."
• Attending the winter hitting camp would come at some expense (flight, hotel, rental car). But the schedule is clear whereas summer camp may have more conflicts.

The hitting camp is not a prospect camp - it is held indoors and, as advertised, it is strictly for hitting.

2019 has not attended a college camp yet. This would be his first.

A bit torn.....

1) should 2019 wait and try to attend the summer prospect camp? This may prove difficult due to travel ball schedule and beginning of football. 

OR

2) strike while the iron is hot (so to speak) and attend the hitting camp? One benefit is that 2019's arm is average (won't be throwing at hitting camp)...however bat speed, exit velocity, and overall hitting is his strength, which is what coaches will see at camp.

OR

3) Chill out and wait until he's a junior. 

Thanks for your help.....2019 also plans to call coach to see what feedback he gets but not sure what questions to ask.

Had a similar situation recently where a call was arranged between the RC and me. RC stated that they were interested and invited him for an unofficial visit/football game which we were not able to attend. He then asked if he could attend their winter camp and we agreed to attend. 

To make a long story short the HC and RC interacted a lot with my son during the camp and he ended up with an offer last night. 

I will add that if your son is not interested in that school, I wouldn't attend. Obviously, interests change but I would not incur the expenses unless he's interested. 

SH, can you elaborate on "call arranged between RC and me"....  At this stage you were on the phone with the coaching?  I forget if your son is a 2018 or 2017.

hshuler posted:

WestCoastPapa posted:

Seeking feedback....I will briefly layout some background:

Had a similar situation recently where a call was arranged between the RC and me.RC stated that they were interested and invited him for an unofficial visit/football game which we were not able to attend. He then asked if he could attend their winter camp and we agreed to attend. 

To make a long story short the HC and RC interacted a lot with my son during the camp and he ended up with an offer last night. 

I will add that if your son is not interested in that school, I wouldn't attend. Obviously, interests change but I would not incur the expenses unless he's interested. 

Maybe it's just me but I have never heard of an underclassman being offered after being invited to a camp.  The passage I highlighted above makes your son's camp invite quite different from the one in the OP.

Gov posted:

hshuler posted:

WestCoastPapa posted:

Seeking feedback....I will briefly layout some background:

• Son is a 2019 MIF/OF, plays on a strong travel team and participated in a few high profile tournaments this past summer.
• Two D1 coaches (one of which is his dream school) arranged follow up telephone contact. One coach (not his dream school but a great school he likes) seems more interested and relayed info saying:   "I saw a few innings of your game and 2 of your at bats....would like you to consider our winter hitting camp." He also provided personal cell and said, "if you have questions, call after 5pm as I cannot call you."
• Attending the winter hitting camp would come at some expense (flight, hotel, rental car). But the schedule is clear whereas summer camp may have more conflicts.

The hitting camp is not a prospect camp - it is held indoors and, as advertised, it is strictly for hitting.

2019 has not attended a college camp yet. This would be his first.

A bit torn.....

1) should 2019 wait and try to attend the summer prospect camp? This may prove difficult due to travel ball schedule and beginning of football. 

OR

2) strike while the iron is hot (so to speak) and attend the hitting camp? One benefit is that 2019's arm is average (won't be throwing at hitting camp)...however bat speed, exit velocity, and overall hitting is his strength, which is what coaches will see at camp.

OR

3) Chill out and wait until he's a junior. 

Thanks for your help.....2019 also plans to call coach to see what feedback he gets but not sure what questions to ask.

Had a similar situation recently where a call was arranged between the RC and me. RC stated that they were interested and invited him for an unofficial visit/football game which we were not able to attend. He then asked if he could attend their winter camp and we agreed to attend. 

To make a long story short the HC and RC interacted a lot with my son during the camp and he ended up with an offer last night. 

I will add that if your son is not interested in that school, I wouldn't attend. Obviously, interests change but I would not incur the expenses unless he's interested. 

SH, can you elaborate on "call arranged between RC and me"....  At this stage you were on the phone with the coaching?  I forget if your son is a 2018 or 2017.

He's a '20 so travel coach originally set up a time for my son to call.  He was invited to the last football game which we could not make. 

Travel coach then asked me to call the RC to discuss them wanting my son to attend camp. 

Sorry, for not clearly detailing the 'arrangements.' I know that there are clear rules around who initiates contact.  

JCG posted:

hshuler posted:

WestCoastPapa posted:

Seeking feedback....I will briefly layout some background:

Had a similar situation recently where a call was arranged between the RC and me.RC stated that they were interested and invited him for an unofficial visit/football game which we were not able to attend. He then asked if he could attend their winter camp and we agreed to attend. 

To make a long story short the HC and RC interacted a lot with my son during they camp and he ended up with an offer last night. 

I will add that if your son is not interested in that school, I wouldn't attend. Obviously, interests change but I would not incur the expenses unless he's interested. 

Maybe it's just me but I have never heard of an underclassman being offered after being invited to a camp.  The passage I highlighted above makes your son's camp invite quite different from the one in the OP.

"Two D1 coaches (one of which is his dream school) arranged follow up telephone contact."

The above is the similarity that I was referring to. The head coach asked him to call last and extended the offer. 

My point is that your son wasn't initially  invited to attend a camp. He was invited to visit the campus and see a football game. That's how offers come for undergrads, from my narrow experience.  I've never heard of an undergrad getting an offer after a camp. Your son's situation sounds different.

JCG posted:

My point is that your son wasn't initially  invited to attend a camp. He was invited to visit the campus and see a football game. That's how offers come for undergrads, from my narrow experience.  I've never heard of an undergrad getting an offer after a camp. Your son's situation sounds different.

There are obviously some differences but as I highlighted in the previous post, neither situation was a generic camp invitation. We all have an inbox full of those. In both cases, the coaches had phone contact with the player before the camp. So, it seems to me like the coaches want to get a good look at OP's son. 

JCG:  Not sure if I missed something in this post or not, but my 2019 son attended a camp strictly on his own with no invite from anyone, pitched on Saturday night and received an offer and committed on Sunday, so it can happen!

2019Lefty21 posted:

JCG:  Not sure if I missed something in this post or not, but my 2019 son attended a camp strictly on his own with no invite from anyone, pitched on Saturday night and received an offer and committed on Sunday, so it can happen!

You didn't miss anything:  what you experienced was 1 out of 1000.  Your son is obviously a good player and physically mature where the coaches can project.  It's a separate thing of how your son deals with an early commitment.  I know two top shelf players who committed exactly like your son, only to switch junior year.  Sincerest good luck to you guys.

2019Lefty21 posted:

JCG:  Not sure if I missed something in this post or not, but my 2019 son attended a camp strictly on his own with no invite from anyone, pitched on Saturday night and received an offer and committed on Sunday, so it can happen!

Congrats!

2019Lefty21 posted:

JCG:  Not sure if I missed something in this post or not, but my 2019 son attended a camp strictly on his own with no invite from anyone, pitched on Saturday night and received an offer and committed on Sunday, so it can happen!

That is awesome! Congrats!

Thanks guys, he understands there is still a long journey ahead, but this was dream school and he actually extended his throwing this fall just to try to get some honest feedback from a coach and stir some interest for next summer, and like someone said, 1 in a 1,000 situation that paid great dividends! In shut down mode lifting and getting stronger for the winter. Sorry guys, didn't mean to hijack the thread

For what it's worth, here is my advice.

• It is early in your son's recruiting journey.  There is plenty of time.
• Don't go AT THIS TIME unless he is prepared to commit to this school now.
• Make unofficial visits to other schools that are closer proximity to begin to get a feel for schools, the process, etc.
• Camps are a dime a dozen.  If it's some experience in this area that you want (an earlier poster suggested that it was great experience in his son's case), you can get that same experience MUCH cheaper than flying to a location to attend a camp.
• If the school is really interested in your son, the opportunity to visit will still be there a year from now.

To share some of my son's experience, we made a couple of LONG trips driving to attend invites (one was an unofficial visit/football game and the other was a camp invite).  Knowing what we know now, I would not have made the first unofficial visit trip.  It was a 6 hr drive, overnight hotel stay and, other than being the first opportunity to make an unofficial and have some fun and experience, was fairly fruitless.  The other was to visit a school (5 hr drive) which had been watching him at tourneys and wanted to use a camp as an opportunity to see him and to show him the campus.  He was told at conclusion of the camp that he would receive an offer the next day after coaches had a chance to meet and discuss.  He did receive an offer the next day.

Son was invited to a couple of locations that would have required flights (or 10+ hr drives) to make unofficial visits in which he was told that he would be extended an offer.  We didn't make those because he had offers in hand that a trip likely wouldn't have pushed those schools ahead of what he was already considering.

My recommendation is that you explain to this school that you're not financially ready to make that trip.  Spend time entertaining other schools that are on your son's list that are more affordable to visit.  If it's camp experience you want, attend a couple of local camps.  Consider getting to the PG Jr. National if you can get an invite (shouldn't be difficult if you son is on high profile D1's at this stage, reach out to PGStaff).  You're FAR better off spending your travel money on that event at this point of your son's recruiting career than to visit a single school camp.  That can even  blow doors open to the real "value" of your son and what opportunities, and subsequent investments you need to make regarding schools.  In fact, the aforementioned camp we attended where son received an offer, contacted him during Jr. National to tell him his offer would be increased (and it was) because of his performance at that event.  They knew that his performance at Jr. National was getting him attention from other schools and his value rose.

Feel free to PM me and I can fill you in on much more if you're interested, but you have to look at much of this as you would any business decision and try and keep the emotional piece in check.  Not easy early, but gets easier as you get more seasoned on the process.

Best of luck.

Nuke83 posted:

For what it's worth, here is my advice.

• It is early in your son's recruiting journey.  There is plenty of time.
• Don't go AT THIS TIME unless he is prepared to commit to this school now.
• Make unofficial visits to other schools that are closer proximity to begin to get a feel for schools, the process, etc.
• Camps are a dime a dozen.  If it's some experience in this area that you want (an earlier poster suggested that it was great experience in his son's case), you can get that same experience MUCH cheaper than flying to a location to attend a camp.
• If the school is really interested in your son, the opportunity to visit will still be there a year from now.

To share some of my son's experience, we made a couple of LONG trips driving to attend invites (one was an unofficial visit/football game and the other was a camp invite).  Knowing what we know now, I would not have made the first unofficial visit trip.  It was a 6 hr drive, overnight hotel stay and, other than being the first opportunity to make an unofficial and have some fun and experience, was fairly fruitless.  The other was to visit a school (5 hr drive) which had been watching him at tourneys and wanted to use a camp as an opportunity to see him and to show him the campus.  He was told at conclusion of the camp that he would receive an offer the next day after coaches had a chance to meet and discuss.  He did receive an offer the next day.

Son was invited to a couple of locations that would have required flights (or 10+ hr drives) to make unofficial visits in which he was told that he would be extended an offer.  We didn't make those because he had offers in hand that a trip likely wouldn't have pushed those schools ahead of what he was already considering.

My recommendation is that you explain to this school that you're not financially ready to make that trip.  Spend time entertaining other schools that are on your son's list that are more affordable to visit.  If it's camp experience you want, attend a couple of local camps.  Consider getting to the PG Jr. National if you can get an invite (shouldn't be difficult if you son is on high profile D1's at this stage, reach out to PGStaff).  You're FAR better off spending your travel money on that event at this point of your son's recruiting career than to visit a single school camp.  That can even  blow doors open to the real "value" of your son and what opportunities, and subsequent investments you need to make regarding schools.  In fact, the aforementioned camp we attended where son received an offer, contacted him during Jr. National to tell him his offer would be increased (and it was) because of his performance at that event.  They knew that his performance at Jr. National was getting him attention from other schools and his value rose.

Feel free to PM me and I can fill you in on much more if you're interested, but you have to look at much of this as you would any business decision and try and keep the emotional piece in check.  Not easy early, but gets easier as you get more seasoned on the process.

Best of luck.

Fantastic advice. Thank you.

WestCoastPapa posted:

Nuke83 posted:

For what it's worth, here is my advice.

• It is early in your son's recruiting journey.  There is plenty of time.
• Don't go AT THIS TIME unless he is prepared to commit to this school now.
• Make unofficial visits to other schools that are closer proximity to begin to get a feel for schools, the process, etc.
• Camps are a dime a dozen.  If it's some experience in this area that you want (an earlier poster suggested that it was great experience in his son's case), you can get that same experience MUCH cheaper than flying to a location to attend a camp.
• If the school is really interested in your son, the opportunity to visit will still be there a year from now.

To share some of my son's experience, we made a couple of LONG trips driving to attend invites (one was an unofficial visit/football game and the other was a camp invite).  Knowing what we know now, I would not have made the first unofficial visit trip.  It was a 6 hr drive, overnight hotel stay and, other than being the first opportunity to make an unofficial and have some fun and experience, was fairly fruitless.  The other was to visit a school (5 hr drive) which had been watching him at tourneys and wanted to use a camp as an opportunity to see him and to show him the campus.  He was told at conclusion of the camp that he would receive an offer the next day after coaches had a chance to meet and discuss.  He did receive an offer the next day.

Son was invited to a couple of locations that would have required flights (or 10+ hr drives) to make unofficial visits in which he was told that he would be extended an offer.  We didn't make those because he had offers in hand that a trip likely wouldn't have pushed those schools ahead of what he was already considering.

My recommendation is that you explain to this school that you're not financially ready to make that trip.  Spend time entertaining other schools that are on your son's list that are more affordable to visit.  If it's camp experience you want, attend a couple of local camps.  Consider getting to the PG Jr. National if you can get an invite (shouldn't be difficult if you son is on high profile D1's at this stage, reach out to PGStaff).  You're FAR better off spending your travel money on that event at this point of your son's recruiting career than to visit a single school camp.  That can even  blow doors open to the real "value" of your son and what opportunities, and subsequent investments you need to make regarding schools.  In fact, the aforementioned camp we attended where son received an offer, contacted him during Jr. National to tell him his offer would be increased (and it was) because of his performance at that event.  They knew that his performance at Jr. National was getting him attention from other schools and his value rose.

Feel free to PM me and I can fill you in on much more if you're interested, but you have to look at much of this as you would any business decision and try and keep the emotional piece in check.  Not easy early, but gets easier as you get more seasoned on the process.

Best of luck.

Fantastic advice. Thank you.

Nuke83 Nailed it. You only travel and do a camp like that if your son was willing to commit on the spot if they offered.....and that is the problem w/ 19's doing these things. They are not sufficiently sophisticated enough to really make that decision.

Asking a a 15-16 year old to make a decision in Dec 2016 on where he wants to live , develop socially,  attend school, and play baseball from 2020 until 2024 is madness.

My son was one of those kids. He played on one of the top travel teams in the country ( Ranked # 3 by Perfect Game) All he talked about was ' I want an offer' . Well, late in his Sophomore he was indeed offered by a terrific D1 school that was 3,000 miles away......Then he panicked

Wanting an offer and actually receiving an offer with all the adult like things that come with an actual offer are two entirely different things!

He wasn't ready to make a decision like that. It's not about getting the offer and walking around like 'Joe Swag ' w/ your baseball friends. It's essentially a huge life changing decision. And baseball is only one component of that decision.