Thought I would take a chance and talk about son's experience at the camp. There were 115 players. The camp was held at Rocklin HS on their Varsity and JV fields. It was a two day event.
The camp began as most camps do with a short talk from the camp director. The things he spoke about to me that stood out to me were; first, he stressed importance of grades. We all know the story there. Second, he emphasized for the players to play their game and be themselves. He said it could be a bit intimidating looking at all those coaches sitting there watching. If you don't hit homeruns, don't try to hit homeruns. He stressed that the coaches are looking at many many things other that results at the plate and in the field. So don't stress if you go 0'fer, play the game correctly and hard and the coaches know that the hits and fielding are there. Third, he encouraged the players to speak to the coaches. He told them that the coaches were more interested in hearing about a player's interest in his program from the player and not his parents.
All the coaches (30 or so) in attendance were in uniform and easy to spot. As a parent it was great to see the coaches in uniform as there was no guessing who was or was not a coach and how many were at the camp. I could also tell if the coaches were there as they were adverstised to be there. First part of day one was the skills showcase. 30 chairs lined up down the first base line with all the coaches watching every player taking notes on hitting and fielding. The players also ran the 60 and those times were compiled and given to the coaches later in the day. After lunch games began. Each player was assigned a team and played two games a day. Two games on the Varsity field and two games on the JV field. At each game the team had a different set of uniformed coaches running the team. There was as few as 3 coaches to as many 6 coaches per game. At each game there were also coaches behind homeplate behind screens evaluating hitters and pitchers. This info was compiled and given to all the coaches. The coaches that were not involed in the games were walking back and forth between fields. Some took a break if they were not in the game, but for the most part there were plenty of coaches not involved in the game watching.
The game format was - each batter started with a 1-1 count and 5 batters per half inning (regardless of 3 or more outs being made). Each batter got 2 at bats per game and sometimes 3 at bats. Pitchers got anywhere from one inning to more depending on how the felt. Most pitched both days. The best part of the games is that all the coaches were into the games and their enthusiasm filtered down to the players. The coaches were not simply going through the motions they were there to have fun and enjoy the players. The games were intense but had a fun aspect to them. As teams would come in from the field I saw several times when a coach would take a player to the side and instruct him on what he could have done better on a play he had made or tried to make. This happened to my son and he got a good and more personal impression of that coach and now has a better approach to a backhand. In between games, all the players would gather in the stands and about 3 to 5 coaches would speak first about their college then about their baseball progam. The five minute presentations were great and the coach's personality came through. I know my son's interest was perked up about a certain school as the coach spoke about his team's hitting philosophy. The competition was very good.
All the coaches were very accessible to the players. I saw many many players introducing themselves to coaches and expressing interest in their schools. I overheard one player introduce himself to the Princeton coach and the first question from the coach was "What are your grades and sat scores?" Grades do matter. I also heard players asking coaches if they saw anything the player needs to improve in his game. All in all the coaches were very accessible to all the players for the both days.
Son was disappointed not to be picked in the lottery for the Stanford camp. Coach Stotz emailed son and suggested that he look into this camp. Thanks Coach Stotz. Son had a great camp and enjoyed it very much. I must say that everything that was promised on the website and in their literature was delivered. It was well run both days. I would recommend it to anyone.
Son has emailed two coaches of his interet in their programs. All in all a wonderful weekend.
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