Headfirst Honor Roll Camps

Do a search on the subject in this thread and you will find more information on them.

Their camps are for high academic achievers and are highly regarded. The participating schools are on their web site and they usually sell out. I have been told to have your SAT (or other tests) out of the way before you attend so you know where your son stands academically.

Son attended one of their camps this summer. It was well organized and ran like clock work. All the coaches wore their team uniforms so you could identify them. It was stressed that is was ok to approach coaches and introduce yourself. Overall the best experience of the summer.

A couple of things.

First make sure your son is in the best baseball shape he can be in. Have him work on his speed and strength months before attending. Bake the cake before you can eat it. The biggist problem I noticed was dead arms. Did see many players that were very tiered from attending another camp the week before and it showed. If possible do not attend another camp before. Be fresh.


Second be absoluty sure your son will have the academics that would get him into the schools that are attending. Look at the list of a schools you son is interested in and go to their web site and see what is needed academic wise to get in. No need approaching a coach if son won't get in with his grades. You will be able to narrow your focus. Coaches stressed that a player must have grades to get into the school as they have no pull with addmissions. The first questions son was asked was what are your grades. This alone will narrow down the list of schools.

Thirdly make sure you will be able to afford the school. Most of the schools will be smaller private schools and the offer no bb money but will offer some acacdemic money. Grades again. Again look at their web site to see project costs. This again will narrow down schools.

Do your homework before attending. Go in with open eyes. The list of schools attending may be impressive but in realty only one or two schools may work for you. If so attend. I felt for us it was worth the money.

In my opinion, these are some of the better camps out there. There are a lot that are a waste of time and money, IMO, but I do not put the head first camps in that category.

The turnout for this showcase is amazing, from both players (from all over the country) and colleges. The focus is on "high academic" schools, and for that it is the best event of its kind. PG has started a competing event and I would never discourage you from attending a PG event, but in this niche this particular event is still top dog.

The bigger event is in Jupiter, FL, but the VA event is also well attended.

I got an e-mail from them too. I like in FL, so the Jupiter one would be more convenient (45 mins away), but the Richmond one seems bigger on their site?

This showcase will serve you best if you have HIGH academics.

All of the above advice is absolutely right.

Our son attended the Richmond camp three years ago. It was great. He ended up at a college that recruited him from there.

They won't list coaches as attending unless they are - so, barring emergency, listed coaches actually show up.

Coaches really looked at each players. They did not seem to come with a pre-established list of players to look at and ignore the rest.

The first questions coaches asked was "What is your GPA and SAT/ACT?"

If your player is interested in a particular school, he might want to e-mail the coach before to let him know that he was looking forward to introducing himself at the event.

I did not see too many coaches chase after players, but players did line up to talk with coaches.

Let your player approach the coach and do the talking, unless the coach asks to talk with you.

On the car ride there, I practiced with our son how he would approach a coach. It gave him some confidence. After the first discussion with a coach, it became a lot easier.

Keep it fun.

Best wishes.

Just off the top of my head, here are some of the coaches we saw at the Honor Roll showcase at Va. Sports Complex in 2005 -- first time it was at that location:

UVA
Wm. & Mary
virtually every Ivy League school
Georgetown
and too many others for me to remember right now.

FYI, saying it's in Richmond is a stretch. It's actually in Caroline County, halfway to Fredericksburg. A good half hour or more north of Richmond.

My son attended the Richmond camp twice. It was his favorite showcase/camp experience. Very well run by some great guys. He also ended up at a school that recruited him from there and visited several others.

Great advice by gimages.

To get the most out of this camp your son needs to be prepared and confident in approaching and talking to college coaches. Most of them are very approachable and nice guys.

Definitely GO!! Hands-down one of the best 'exposure' events an academically sound ballplayer can attend.

These are highly regarded camps - by coaches and campers alike. Some of the college coaches who attend them were actively recruiting my son last year (and by "actively" I mean, he had official visit offers from the colleges). These coaches personally told us that these are excellent camps to attend.

Do a search - lots of info on them here. It is for high academic kids.

Would you guys recommend the Jupiter one, or the Richmond one? I've heard both sides. More schools attend the Richmond one as shown on their site.

Note: I live in Florida

My $.02. Ask your parents first about the cost (for travel purposes). Also, consider the timing, although you are a HS sophomore, correct? If you were a junior, I would lean on the Richmond camp a little more because it is in August, and if memory serves me correctly, I think the Jupiter camp is in Octover. I am sure both are good, but I do know a lot of coaches go to the Richmond camp, and I believe it is their signature event.

As a soph, I don't think you could go wrong either way.

oops - October -- sorry can't type!

Thanks for all the info.

My son has a 4.31 GPA (honors and AP classes), 34 on ACT, 1170 SAT so I hope he should be in line to be considered for admissions by most of the schools listed.

I think we are now leaning towards attending.

Thanks again.

OBD: Is that SAT score based upon only two parts of the test? Otherwise, is that a correct score?

Otherwise, his grades and scores look pretty sweet.

Yes the SAT score is based on 2 parts.

Total score was 1730 for all three parts.

His ACT score is outstanding. You will have the option to send either the SAT or the ACT score to most schools. In your case, the ACT is the best reflection (you probably knew that - didn't mean to think you didn't!)

Good for us all to see that test scores CAN work in your favor!

Yep, agree with gamefan. ACT score is exceptional. That'd be what I would go with.

Just another suggestion. Perhaps when you go to these camps, take a SMALL packet of information with you, like a copy of the unofficial HS transcript, and a copy of your best SAT or ACT scores, maybe a schedule of upcoming games. Three pieces of paper stapled together, perhaps with a photo of the player somewhere (like on the schedule). Gives the coaches something to have in their hands about your player, as well as solid proof of the academics, and if they are interested, where and how they can see him play without them having to contact you again for more information. Makes their jobs a little easier. If they are interested, they have the info in hand, if not, they don't have to keep the packet. If they don't have a need at your position, then perhaps they pass the packet on to another coach they know who does have a need at your position.

Just a thought.

The coaches listed on the Headfirst roster always show up. It can be helpful to send a note to the coaches at schools you are interested in, prior to the camp. That way you might already be on their radar screen when you show up.

If my son goes as a Sophmore to Jupiter camp in November 2009, he will not have taken the SAT or ACT. Is there any real value in going to Headfirst without an ACT or SAT score? Son's GPA is excellent while enrolled in Pre-AP/AP classes.

FLDad,
Not sure if attending after freshman year is a good idea, it is expensive. He may wait to attend after your sophomore year and then attend one of their summer events after junior year. Headfirst is great for being seen by a lot of great academic schools, but you can get lost in the shuffle, especially if you are not a pitcher or catcher. Make sure he emails the coaches his information before attending these events and a video helps a lot. It does not have to be professionally done. Also a lot of the same coaches, although not as many attend the Perfect Game Academic Showcase in Ft. Myers. Hope this helps.

The main benefit of going prior to the summer after Junior year would be for the experience. Not just the experience of a showcase/camp which you can get any where, but the experience of talking to college coaches. This is invaluable and you won't get it at a lot of other places.

My son went after his freshman year and again after his junior year. There was a coach there who remembered him from his earlier visit and ended up inviting him for a campus visit.

Making contact with the coaches prior to attending Headfirst is an excellent idea. This way they already have an idea of who you are when you introduce yourself to them. My son was walking the grounds between games and a coach came up to him and addressed him by name. The coach said he recognized my son from the picture on his athletic profile that he was sent.

The important thing to remember is to be proactive in talking to the college coaches. Go up to them and introduce yourself. Don't wait for them to find you. There wasn't one college coach who wouldn't give my son a few minutes of his time when he attended as an undeclassman.

Anyone have any recco's on where to stay if you are attending the Headfirst Camp in Richmond?

Comfort Inn (VA306)
24058 Welcome Way Drive , Ruther Glen, VA, US, 22546
Phone: (804) 448-1144

Not much else around that is close. The real problem is finding something to eat. Subway at the Truck Stop was popular and an Italian place.

Days Inn in Ruther Glen wasn't too bad. Avoid the Quality Inn in Ruther Glen. None of the hotels in Ruther Glen are top notch, but they are close to the fields.

There aren't too many good places to eat in Ruther Glen either. There is an italian restaurant near the corner of Center Dr. and Jefferson Davis Hwy that is ok. There was a group of Headfirst guys in there the night we went.