HeadFirst or Showball Showcase for July 15-16, 2019

Depends on several factors.  It is a very good question and I'll be following along with interest.

#1 Question:  have any of these coaches had contact with him & expressed interest?

#2 Question:  has he gotten advise from reliable 3rd Party people as to what level & conference he likely fits in?

#3 Question: what position does he play?

3and2F:  From reading posts, we are clearly are behind in the whole recruiting dance, partly due to him being a young 2020 and late bloomer.  He hasn't reached out to coaches yet and understands he's that will hurt him (particularly for D1) because so many likely have their classes set.  So, I guess the real question is it too late for him at this point, particularly for D1, so the trip may not be worth it.

He's probably looking D3 with some hope of getting attention of some HA D1 schools.  OFer who plays for a very competitive summer ball team and excels on it against top competition.  Had good measurables (6.8 60, 87 OF velo, 89 hitting velo) at local showase last w/ coaching interest after but no HA schools in attendance he's interested in (wanted to get first showcase out of the way and see how he'd do).  

He'll be doing regional showcases with schools he's interested in attendance.  And many will also be at his tournaments.  Just wondering if supplementing that with an expensive out-of-state showcase like HF and SB would be worth it for him at this point.

Thanks!

A 6.8 60 w/ 87 throwing velocity & 89 Exit Velo means he can absolutely play in college, it is just a matter of the right fit... Are those measureables verified through a 3rd Party & available online (such as PBR or Perfect Game)?  If so I would have him send a link with "2020 6.8 60" and his ACT score in the email heading to the recruiting coordinators of the school's he is interested in.

I doubt that every single HA D1 has finished recruiting 2020's...

the big advantages of HF & Showball is the access to the Head Coaches.  It helps a lot if they are familiar with a kid beforehand.  I would have him be extremely proactive with coaches via email in these next several weeks, regardless of what you decide to do in terms of camps...  A 6.8 60 should open doors

Many here will tell you that camps at colleges (such as Harvard Prospect Camp, Northwestern Prospect camp etc) are a waste of time and merely a money maker.  I believe that is becoming outdated information.  A camp is a great way to get evaluated in person and also for a kid to get a feel for the coaching staff & facilities.   I would plan on hitting several of those this Fall...

If the focus is D3 no issues with timing.  If your son is a position player with a solid glove and a big bat, he won't be late for D1 HA.  Regardless of which camp your son attends he has to be prepared to show his stuff. 

My 2018 went to both HF and Showball Camps.  Both are quality showcases run differently.  Showball is faster paced, the coaches are very involved in moving it along.  They know what they're looking for and don't need a billion looks at a kid.

I would do the Showball Showcase in front of the HC's in June, then maybe the HF Camp in late July early August.

What position does he play?

Which D3 schools is he highly interested in? 

Right now is a great time to prepare video less than 2M and send an email directly to each of HC and AC's.  While they are busy with their seasons, they're addressing emails by day and while being on a bus to games.

My son hoped an Ivy would work out, landed at D3 HA NESCAC where he's very happy.  PM me with any specific questions you may have, happy to discuss over phone as well.  Cheers 

3and2Fastball posted:

A 6.8 60 w/ 87 throwing velocity & 89 Exit Velo means he can absolutely play in college, it is just a matter of the right fit... Are those measureables verified through a 3rd Party & available online (such as PBR or Perfect Game)?  

Unfortunately, no!  Trying to find a PG showcase for that reason. In the meantime, he's going to prepare his own footage to circulate.  I've read that some coaches (Yale) say to video the 60 on a football field so they can make sure it's legit.  So, until we can get a verifiable source, I don't think we're optimistic that emailing his times will matter.  

Along those lines, I asked HeadFirst if there optional video recording included the 60 and the answer was no.  So, it seems only PG offers a verifiable format for shopping your kid's measurables.

PBR is a verifiable format and much less expensive.  I like Perfect Game more because of the game formats they play in addition to the measureables, but to just get measureables verified, PBR is great.  Check to see if there is an upcoming one in your area.

Dirtbag30 posted:

3and2Fastball posted:

A 6.8 60 w/ 87 throwing velocity & 89 Exit Velo means he can absolutely play in college, it is just a matter of the right fit... Are those measureables verified through a 3rd Party & available online (such as PBR or Perfect Game)?  

Unfortunately, no!  Trying to find a PG showcase for that reason. In the meantime, he's going to prepare his own footage to circulate.  I've read that some coaches (Yale) say to video the 60 on a football field so they can make sure it's legit.  So, until we can get a verifiable source, I don't think we're optimistic that emailing his times will matter.  

Along those lines, I asked HeadFirst if there optional video recording included the 60 and the answer was no.  So, it seems only PG offers a verifiable format for shopping your kid's measurables.

I would not be paying the premium to PG just to get the 60 verified.  Tucker Frawley at Yale is a stickler for how he wants to see video... In your son's email to Frawley or others just offer the measurables, plus video of his swing and fielding.  When you attend Showball in June you'll get the verified 60.  Save your money and attend a second Showcase late July / early August.  The HC for Yale will be at Showball….  If Frawley likes the fielding and hitting video, believe me your son will be on the Yale HC's list to look at...and verify the 60.  Tucker likes sub 6.7 60's for his MIF's.

3and2Fastball posted:

 

Many here will tell you that camps at colleges (such as Harvard Prospect Camp, Northwestern Prospect camp etc) are a waste of time and merely a money maker.  I believe that is becoming outdated information.  A camp is a great way to get evaluated in person and also for a kid to get a feel for the coaching staff & facilities.   I would plan on hitting several of those this Fall...

Harvard has scheduled one of their prospect camps specifically for the SB July 15 showcase in Boston, so you can do both, which is cool.  But that would be three straight days of showcasing (after finishing a week long PG tournament).  I've read on here that a two-day showcase is very grueling on its own.

Yes.  A 2 Day Showcase can be plenty grueling.  Lots of reps, lots of playing with high adrenaline.  Then there are all sorts of factors you cannot control (such as it turns out to be playing in 90+ degree heat, or how much the kid played recently with his travel team, or travel delays that can eat into sleep/rest etc).  I would stay away from 3 straight days of Showcasing, if at all possible.

3and2Fastball posted:

PBR is a verifiable format and much less expensive.  I like Perfect Game more because of the game formats they play in addition to the measureables, but to just get measureables verified, PBR is great.  Check to see if there is an upcoming one in your area.

Big fan of PBR, but it seems to depend on your area. Here in NYS they do a very good job promoting their participants well after their showcases. 

Dirtbag30 posted:

3and2F:  From reading posts, we are clearly are behind in the whole recruiting dance, partly due to him being a young 2020 and late bloomer.  He hasn't reached out to coaches yet and understands he's that will hurt him (particularly for D1) because so many likely have their classes set.  So, I guess the real question is it too late for him at this point, particularly for D1, so the trip may not be worth it.

He's probably looking D3 with some hope of getting attention of some HA D1 schools.  OFer who plays for a very competitive summer ball team and excels on it against top competition.  Had good measurables (6.8 60, 87 OF velo, 89 hitting velo) at local showase last w/ coaching interest after but no HA schools in attendance he's interested in (wanted to get first showcase out of the way and see how he'd do).  

He'll be doing regional showcases with schools he's interested in attendance.  And many will also be at his tournaments.  Just wondering if supplementing that with an expensive out-of-state showcase like HF and SB would be worth it for him at this point.

Thanks!

2018 also got a late start, though he had  had contact with some HA D1 and D3 schools in his junior year. He went to both Showball and HF as a rising n Senior, and far preferred HF, but I know of a local kid who is playing on Columbia because of the impression he made at Showball.

   My guy has similar stats...slightly less hitting velo, but a OF velo in the 90's, which got him some of attention. Definitely able to pick it at SS, or CF, and speedy.  We used to PBR as a place to verify his stats.

   After a good showing at HF, he got a lot of attention from HA D3's. Nescacs and the like(i.e. Chicago, Swarthmore, Carleton,etc..). Minimal HA D1 interest, but there was some. Their coaches were pretty open with him. They said he could play D1, but because he was so late (August) most spots were gone. I would say that he was in the top 15-20% of non pitching/catching talent at HF. Short of hitting a couple of bombs, he couldn't have done much better.  

   Ended up at a vg HA school whose radar he was already on. Had multiple choices of places to go. There were a few invites to D1(and other) camps, but we simply ran out of time , and couldn't get to a lot of them because of conflicts.

   In retrospect, he might have had a chance at an Ivy or two if he had started earlier and had shown well , but he is happy with where he ended up.

   I think going to HF is a bit of a no brainer for a HA BB player, especially for those looking at a D3 school.

   BTW, all the rules change if you are a pitcher. It's easier to judge them for a RC, IMO. A position player can go to one of these things and show good measurables, but during the games he can never have a play in the field, or have a decent AB because the P isn't throwing strikes, or is filthy. My son got beaned in the head by a fastball at HF...was down and bleeding, went to the hospital to get stitched up,  missing the rest of that day. At least he didn't get concussed like another kid did, who missed the rest of the Showcase.

July/August is mostly too late for D1s, because HA D1s go to watch you play in summer tournaments in June and early July, if they're interested. To get them interested, send emails now with measurables, SAT/GPA, video, and summer schedule; definitely do video the 60 on a football field and send that along with the other video. If you can get verifiable measurables early in the summer (I agree PBR is good) then you can send that before summer travel play, too. And, ask your summer travel team to reach out to coaches for you. If your coach is credible, then if they tell schools your measurables, that is also important.  If D1 doesn't work, then D3 can happen at Headfirst/Showball in July or August; your son's measurables will stand out there.  We decided only in mid-July that my son should go to August Headfirst - I was worried that there would not be spots, but it wasn't a problem, and it was as amazing as everyone says.

Try to get to your State's PBR Top Prospect Game - in my experience this was a critical step in my son's recruitment as a rising senior/late bloomer - the event occurred prior to the summer ball season, was heavily recruited and provided tape and verifiable stats.  That exposure, coupled with tape/stats allowed him to have meaningful communication in advance of key summer tournaments (wwba, etc) where they ultimately saw him play. 

I would also leverage the PBR event in advance of whatever showcase you choose to attend - its critical to be speaking to coaches in advance of these events - treating them as an open casting call in my experience wasn't productive - its best to have a few coaches in advance expecting to see you there - same deal with tournament play on your summer team.

The main concern i have for you is your time constraints.........if things go well for you as they did for my son the biggest problem you will have is getting him to campus for visits in the midst of what sounds like an already hectic summer schedule - i hadn't planned on that which led to lots of last minute unscheduled time off and travel for both my wife and I.  Assume the tournaments go well and that you will need time mid week to take some visits.

I know it wasn't your question but...

Try to work an Area Code invite. I can't speak for the D3s, but the D1s will be there and they will be paying very close attention to the uncommitted players. Even if he doesn't make the team, I don't think there is a better event for uncommitted players. Right before the summer season starts so if they like him, they'll be following. Also a good measuring stick to see how he stacks up against other D1 talent. 

Start sending emails now!!  If he's too busy with school and his HS team, you send them from his email account if you have to (write as if you were 17).  It's not too late for HA D1 or D3.

Do not solely rely on getting noticed at a Showcase, it's a pipe dream to put bluntly. Same with tournaments...your son needs to be on their radar so they come to watch him.

I have many examples of my son getting recruited/calls/texts from coaches who were at those Showcases, while we were home saving thousands of $.

CTbballDad posted:

Start sending emails now!!  If he's too busy with school and his HS team, you send them from his email account if you have to (write as if you were 17).  It's not too late for HA D1 or D3.

Do not solely rely on getting noticed at a Showcase, it's a pipe dream to put bluntly. Same with tournaments...your son needs to be on their radar so they come to watch him.

I have many examples of my son getting recruited/calls/texts from coaches who were at those Showcases, while we were home saving thousands of $.

I would not ghostwrite emails for my son.  If he thinks he is to busy in high school to "own" his recruitment he will get killed when he shows up on campus.....it truly is a fulltime job.

I also think sending emails without verifiable stats and good video will yield poor results.  He should spend time now identifying 20 to 30 schools of interest, acquire contact info, etc and get ready to go as soon as you have stats/tape....getting stats/tape should be the priority

Does you son's travel team have relationships with any the schools your son is interested in? Will there be, or is there a reasonable chance coaches from the schools your son is interested in will be at those tournaments? My son attended 4 college camps in the fall and Feb. In each case he had been in contact with the RC, and his summer team coach had been in contact with the RC. I do think it's a waste to attend college camps blind so to speak.

My son is a 2020 and everything he'll be doing this summer is based on getting in front of the coaches he needs to. He's scheduled to play in the 17U and 16U WWBA, but knows that may change based on how his summer is going and if makes more sense for him to stay local. 

letsgo!!! posted:

Try to get to your State's PBR Top Prospect Game - in my experience this was a critical step in my son's recruitment as a rising senior/late bloomer - the event occurred prior to the summer ball season, was heavily recruited and provided tape and verifiable stats.  That exposure, coupled with tape/stats allowed him to have meaningful communication in advance of key summer tournaments (wwba, etc) where they ultimately saw him play. 

So PBR just sent him (upon request and some more info) an invite to their "Top Prospects (invite only)" event in May.  PBR is fairly new to GA and took over the LakePointe facility from Perfect Game last year (I believe) so I'm not familiar with it and don't know whether college coaches will be there.  Anyone have experience in GA with one?  Regardless, the event does include laser timed 60s, video clips, etc. and is not too expensive so I assume there's no downside and he should do it.

Very doubtful that any coaches will be at a PBR Showcase.  However the results and profile from a PBR Showcase can be very helpful to include in emails and communications with coaches, provided of course one or a few of the measureables are in line with what the coaches are looking for...