Headfirst Email "Invitation" - Generic?

Headfirst runs great events, but coaches do not request players to be seen.  The invite is generic. Coaches will share their databases with Headfirst in return for working the event as a paid coach.  A college coach getting your email address is fairly easy. If you've ever gone to a team tournament with rosters required to be submitted then chances are you have been added to a college coaches list. 

Generic invites don't mean it's a waste of time.  They run great events, and the schools who attend are top notch academic schools.  

PS...i still get camp emails...graduated college in 2010!

BASEBALLINCT,

Yes, ignore the email, but don't ignore Headfirst.  Don't think too hard about their motivations for sending it to you, the text of it is a marketing gimmick and it sounds like it worked?  And that's good.  HF is an outstanding showcase organization.  So let's move forward with your other questions.

Attending rising Jr. summer?  Sure, but keep in mind next summer those coaches at HF will be hyper focused on 2018s, but they will stop to highlight a 2019's name as they go from one field to another, of a kid they want to follow and check up on next summer in 2018.   If you're son is projectable, has size, it can also be a benefit to go as a Jr.  If you believe however, if he is borderline, may not stand out on the field and will just blend in with the other 200+ players, save your $ and go next year as a rising Sr.  

But if  you believe he will stand out as a rising Jr. and can swing the $995, make sure son has had many, many "dress rehearsals" at smaller, less expensive showcases, and most importantly game experience.  HF is not a "hey, let's go give it a shot and see what this showcase stuff is all about" type venue.  I see you're from CT so, you should be able to save a lot in travel, hotels, etc. 

As far as the ACT/SAT scores go and not having them yet?  Not a deal breaker for me.  AS LONG AS YOU BELIEVE THOSE #S WILL BE THERE SOON AFTER so you are not wasting your money and a coach's precious time who might be intrigued with your son and want to follow him thru his Jr. year.

Agree with others comments and agree with your decision not to attend HF until you have ACT/SAT scores in hand.  HF is an excellent showcase, and like no other we attended many years ago.  Regardless of their motivations for emailing you information, it Is important that your son understand the academics are just as important as the baseball where most HF schools are concerned.  

If you aren't sure exactly what to expect at a HF showcase I strongly encourage you and your son to read some of the most recent postings on HSBBWeb, and ask questions before investing the $1K and attending.

Good luck! 

BASEBALLINCT,

You've already received excellent advice.  I'll add my observations based on son's experience, and echo many of the same points.  If your son plans to attend as a rising Jr. it's important to have a good sense of where your son fits in in terms of talent and projectability, and what level he aspires to play at in college.  My impression is that many of the D1s in attendance are mainly focused on the rising Jr.'s so that they know which Jr.'s to follow the following summer.  The D3's are mainly focused on the rising Sr.'s.  If I'm painting with too broad a brush here others can correct me.  I agree that it is not a deal breaker to attend as a rising Jr. without knowing SAT/ACT scores, but you need to have a very good sense that the scores will be there soon after, for the reasons #1 Assistant Coach states.  If you do decide to attend HF this summer, make sure your son has a plan going into the event (i.e. son is contacting coaches before the event and engaging with them while at the event) to maximize its value.  There is excellent advice on the HF website, as well as on HSBBWeb as Fenway pointed out.  For my son, HF was an important event in the recruiting process and well worth the investment.

BaseballinCT, assuming you stick with your plan to skip this summer, you might want to take a drive to Baseball Heaven during one of the sessions and check the whole thing out.

My 2018 junior attended the recent Nov HF at Jupiter, FL.  We were advised this date would probably be the earliest HF event that top academics would give juniors the time of day.  But you still have to have the measurables, and it's helpful to have a decent ACT score to relay to the coach. 

Observations from the event: 

• D1's in attendance (Vandy, Duke, Texas, few Patriot League's, and Ivy's) were dialed into the few big arm (88+) 2018's.
• While HF caters to high academic kids, as a junior attending the event, you've got to have solid measurables, along with electric play to get the early attention of a top academic D1.  
• D3 top academics were focused on completing their rosters with 2017's and taking notes on players who had already contacted them
• Even Brown and Dartmouth were still focused on a few 2017 pitchers (was surprised by that)
• My 2018 MIF played very well, had decent early ACT score to convey, strong IF and Exit Velo's, but had a mediocre 60 time.  Son rec'd solid comments about his play and he's on radars. If son had run a 6.6 60yd and already sported a 33 ACT I'd likely have a different story 
• Top academics also want good players with strong measurables.  If Ivys are going to be aggressive with a kid early in the process he also has to have the strong ACT score.  They're building recruiting classes around exceptional players just like the other top programs
• Focus dollars on development: get stronger, get faster, get better, and prepare your son for ACT's.  If you're going to show up be able to knock it out of the park....

(edited few typos)

I support what many have said here already.  And I'd like to add a few things:

A player needs to fish in the right pond.  Going to HF or any showcase should be because some of the schools that are represented are on the player's vetted list, i.e., vetted academically and vetted athletically. 

Regarding academics, not having an SAT/ACT score yet does not preclude a player from attending HF as long as the player/family has a strong sense (e.g., via PSAT score, practice ACT/SAT, etc.) that the player fits academically with the schools at HF.

Athletically, the player needs to fit too.  As noted by NEDAD18, there will be D1 and D3 schools (and maybe a D2) at HF.  The D1's are recruiting earlier than ever.  If your player is a D1 fit for the schools represented at HF, then this Summer 2017 is not too early for a 2019.

HF also does a Fall showcase in Jupiter, FL.  My boys did that as high school Juniors...they did not do HF as rising Juniors in the Summer.  While there were still some Seniors at the Fall camp, the focus was very much shifted to Juniors.  NLI signing day was within the week and the D1's were all done with their classes and looking solely at Juniors.  D3's were mostly done, and were very much looking at Juniors too.

Good luck!!!

NEDAD18 posted:

BASEBALLINCT,

You've already received excellent advice.  I'll add my observations based on son's experience, and echo many of the same points.  If your son plans to attend as a rising Jr. it's important to have a good sense of where your son fits in in terms of talent and projectability, and what level he aspires to play at in college.  My impression is that many of the D1s in attendance are mainly focused on the rising Jr.'s so that they know which Jr.'s to follow the following summer.  The D3's are mainly focused on the rising Sr.'s.  If I'm painting with too broad a brush here others can correct me.  I agree that it is not a deal breaker to attend as a rising Jr. without knowing SAT/ACT scores, but you need to have a very good sense that the scores will be there soon after, for the reasons #1 Assistant Coach states.  If you do decide to attend HF this summer, make sure your son has a plan going into the event (i.e. son is contacting coaches before the event and engaging with them while at the event) to maximize its value.  There is excellent advice on the HF website, as well as on HSBBWeb as Fenway pointed out.  For my son, HF was an important event in the recruiting process and well worth the investment.

I like NEDAD's theory that D-1s are more willing to look at rising Jrs, but for D-3s it's all about rising Seniors.  I will add one stipulation however, that high-academic D-1s rarely look beyond rising Seniors.  Their admissions folks want 6-semesters worth of transcript AND scores.  Whereas some of the other D-1s at HF have a lot more freedom and latitude extended to them from their respective admissions folks. 

For example, son attended HF as a rising sophomore, I don't recommend it for everyone, but he was able to make inroads with several D-1s, two ACC schools in particular.  Fall of sophomore year he then had two ACC unofficial visits, that came directly from that HF camp in August.  Ironically, when son tried to introduce himself to the RC from the high-academic D-1 school he ended up committing to this past October, RC barely stopped walking, paused momentarily to tell son, "Sorry but I can't talk right now..............gotta go see a rising Sr. over here on Field #4."  And he borderline blew-off son.  To the RC's credit however in that one brief encounter he was able to simultaneously convey to son, "Hey I am interested in you, send me updates, but I need to focus on rising Seniors.  Gotta go, bye!"  From that very brief encounter, son was encouraged to update that RC over the next couple years, and he did.  Committing to RC's school two years later. 

So yes, D-1s may spend some time investigating some rising Juniors, however the high-academic ones won't as much as their recruiting time frame is later than the Power-5 conference D-1s.  And yes, D-3s focused on rising Seniors almost exclusively.  Agreed.

Guess it depends on which schools are considered high academic DIs.

The DI college that has by far the most commitments in both the 2018 and 2019 class is Vanderbilt.

Duke has nearly 20 early commits from the 2018 and 2019 class.

I would imagine that some of those early commits won't make the final academic cut and go elsewhere.

I will say this, the vast majority of early commitments involves many of the top baseball programs in the country.  Some that I would consider high academic.  I'm afraid that because of competition that trend is going to get worse before it gets better.

PGStaff posted:

Guess it depends on which schools are considered high academic DIs.

The DI college that has by far the most commitments in both the 2018 and 2019 class is Vanderbilt.

Duke has nearly 20 early commits from the 2018 and 2019 class.

I would imagine that some of those early commits won't make the final academic cut and go elsewhere.

I will say this, the vast majority of early commitments involves many of the top baseball programs in the country.  Some that I would consider high academic.  I'm afraid that because of competition that trend is going to get worse before it gets better.

Great point PG.  "High Academic" is a broad phrase and one that has been defined and re-defined on this site for good reason.

To be clear, the D-1s who showed interest in son at HF as a rising sophomore, and then went on invited visits fall of soph year, were "high academic" schools like: BC, Duke, Pitt, Army, Richmond, etc.

The RC I referenced in story above, who had no time for son as a rising soph, and whose school son ended up committing to two years later when he did have six semesters worth of transcript, was an Ivy.  

Point well taken.  That did need clarification.  Thanks!

#1 Assistant Coach posted:

To be clear, the D-1s who showed interest in son at HF as a rising sophomore, and then went on invited visits fall of soph year, were "high academic" schools like: BC, Duke, Pitt, Army, Richmond, etc.

I think I have an idea, but for our fellow readers... how tall was your son at that time, and how hard was he throwing?

At the risk of this thread taking a detour into the "size and projectability" realm which is not my intent, nor Midatlanicdad's either I'm sure, I will accommodate.  Son is an RHP and was an athletic 6-5 or 6-6, 175, summer of rising soph year but  was throwing only about 80-82 when he first went to HF.  So,  he stood out, like literally due to size, not for his velo or pitchability.  

So when OP was asking if a rising Jr. should go, my reply was "if you believe your kid can stand out as a projectable player," especially as a pitcher, it can be worth the effort, and you can establish a great foundation for future recruitment. 

But moral of my son's story is even though he went to HF (and PG events and other showcases) on the early side at age 15 and 82mph, in the end it really didn't "move the needle" in his recruitment time table. Yeah, he got visits, got attention but still did not get his first offer until age 17 and 88mph.  Now, if he was 15 and 88?  Not sure he'd have even gone to HF?

I'd be the first to admit, showing up earlier to events like HF only got him early exposure.  And yes, the coach and school he ended up committing to did see him that first summer at age 15.  But do I think son could have just done HF this past summer and still be committed to same school he is now?   Yes.  No doubt.

However, those two years son was able to connect on multiple occasions with that coach who apologized for not having time for son at age 15 at HF, and thru camps and other avenues, a relationship was built over two years that son was all the more confidant about when offer was finally made.  

My two cents, if your son is academically suited to any of the institutions described above , and a pitcher , there is no better place for him to get seen than HF at Baseball Heaven. Absolutely, hands down the best money we ever spent.

Invite was generic, though it means that you are on someone's (small "s") list. Son had mixed feelings about HF. He went summer prior to his junior year. On the one hand the showcase broadened his net and he met with some coaches he hadn't met. He was also becoming reacquainted with some coaches who had seen him previously at other showcases.

Rain put a "damper" on the schedule, so there were some delays. Some schools were still sorting out their classes prior to his. You do get much bang for your buck if there are enough schools there that your son is vetting. Son had copies of his transcript handy, and his SAT that he would take in October or November Junior year was in line with his PSAT score which they had. By the time HF came, son was familiar with the "Showcase format" (don't start me on the 1-1 count ), and a number of schools were starting to take note of his footspeed.  You will get more out of HF if you put in the work ahead to research the schools, coaches, needs, etc.  MI fill up first at HF, followed by catchers. Even if you don't register, your son could benefit as MidAtlantic dad mentioned - by taking a trip (given the short distance from CT).Good luck to your son.

Thanks to all for the sound advice!

Twoboys posted:

Asst coach, not to hijack thread, but your son also reclassified, so when he went as a rising sophomore, was that before or after the reclassification?  

2017 went as a rising junior to HF and as a rising senior, and received attention both times from schools on his list, it helped to get on radar as a junior, but some schools wanted more velo despite his good showings.  

Went as a "true" rising sophomore.   Did not reclass until end of Jr. year (first Jr. year).  

My son went to HF as both a rising junior and rising senior....his goal from the start was high academic D3. Rising junior summer was much too early for most of the D3's. However, great experience for my son getting used to the format and introducing himself to coaches. No question that it helped him to do well the following summer as a rising senior which resulted in many opportunities in NESCAC, UAA and Centennial which were the conferences he had targeted. Best baseball money we ever spent! 

Louise posted:

My son went to HF as both a rising junior and rising senior....his goal from the start was high academic D3. Rising junior summer was much too early for most of the D3's. However, great experience for my son getting used to the format and introducing himself to coaches. No question that it helped him to do well the following summer as a rising senior which resulted in many opportunities in NESCAC, UAA and Centennial which were the conferences he had targeted. Best baseball money we ever spent! 

HF, if done with a plan, can be the least expensive way to access and be exposed to schools.  Each showcase has close to 100 schools represented.  Even if only 10 are on your "list" of schools your player is interested in, that's $100 per school exposure over a two-day very well run camp.   Expensive price tag, yes.  But bang for your buck??  Great deal.   

And as Louise states can be a productive experience for a rising Junior.