How are showcases run?

It's going to dependn on who running the showcase 2020. I have ran several for ImpactBaseball and attended several that PG puts on. The ones we run always start with the 60. Each player runs it twice for time. Then the position players go to their position and take fly balls, ground balls, etc. We get a gun reading on their throws. Look for athletic ability, foot work, arm strength, accuracy, etc. The catchers throw down for time and the velo is recorded.

 

Pitchers go to the pen and throw a mini bull pen. Gun readings on all the pitches.

 

Then the hitters take bp. Depending on how many players are there it can vary but usually its two rounds. Ten swings in each round. We don't hit off a T. And yes they use their own bats.

 

Each player is graded out and an evaluation is given to each player.

Son has done 2 PBR events, one an underclass games (summer after freshman year) and one showcase (indoors before sophomore season).

 

1st thing was running--they only had one shot.  Indoors was the 60 and at the games was home to first.  I believe they cannot time the 60 at D1s, so the distance running depends on location.  

 

Next they had 10 swings off the tee, yes they can use their own bats.  Then they did 10 swings of BP.  After that it was fielding, position by position.  During this rotation catchers did their throws and had POP times measured.  

 

The indoor showcase ended with bull pens.  I believe they each threw 10 pitches.  If you have a catcher, make sure you have fresh ice for the ride home.  

 

The games ended with a "game".  Its been a year so I might be a little off on this, but I believe each pitcher faced 3-5 batters and each batter had two at bats.  

 

Top performers were listed in a couple of days and it took about a month for profile page to appear after first event.  After the second event, profile was updated within a week.

       
       
Do you know if they gunned exit velocity from behind or in front of hitter?  And is my assumption correct they record just the best on profile?

"2020"...WOW!!  

 

I'd comment, but I'm past due for my next dose of Geritol.

 

I want to say they were behind the hitter (I remember them moving their little bucket when the lefties came up), but I was working on a good book, so you can't quote me on that .  There were guys with guns and stop watches everywhere.

 

They only record the best time/score on the profile, except they do put a range for pitching velocities and pop times. You can go to PBR website to see how they lay out the profiles.  I don't think you can see rankings or watch the videos but you can read the write ups and see their numbers.  

       
       
Well I am just glad you were able to squeeze out enough energy to share such a valuable insight!

my son did a PBR down here in IL after the end of summer ball at the end of his Frosh season.  From what I saw I would say that may have been a little too early.  It was good for getting him through one and for getting his measurables.  We have since done other showcases and from what I have seen very little attention is paid to the Frosh.

 

The event we attended was run really well.  Here is what I remember:

60 Yd twice - best time posted

10 swings off of T for exit velocity.  I believe the gun was in front of the Tee.

5-10 swings in BP from a live throw.

3-5 grounders right at them.

3-5 grounders backhand.

3-5 fastball in bull pen

3-5 change ups

3-5 breaking balls

3-5 throw downs for catchers

 

They were very good about making sure every kid gave them something to show.  If you were able to do it within 3 reps you were done.  If you booted a ball or whiffed on a swing they gave you a few more to try to give them something.

 

Best advise I can give you is to go watch a showcase, take your son with you.  Just sit in the stands with the rest of the parents and watch.  When we lived Ca, the PG Sunshine West was within walking distance from our house.  My son and I watched from the stands while he was still a middle school / JV player.  It was a great experience to just sit and watch before actually attending a showcase.  Which was after he had been a productive player (starter) on his Varsity team (sophomore year). 

I hear ya. Do you remember as a kid calculating how old you would be in the year 2000 and thinking how OLD that was?

Someone is running "showcases" for 13 and 14 year olds? Holy mackerel, PT Barnum was right.    

 

Best thing I ever heard from a select coach "Never had a scout or recruiter ask me about a kid's 14U stats." Please think before you spend.

+1

 

To add to that.  I've never heard a HS Varsity coach ask about 7th or 8th grade stats either. 

       
       
Agreed.   Just curious really.  Like I said none of the really good players in the area went to that showcase.  I'm sure we won't go next year either.  Will definitely go freshman year unless his progress stops cold dead between now and then!

Well to put it in a little perspective it is a "see what a showcase is all about" and learn about recruiting event.  Relatively inexpensive. 

I just want to add that experienced people on here said that after freshman year was a good time as long as they've got something to show.  We did it mostly because son was doing really well locally, but is a VERY late bloomer and we're not in a power house division, so it was helpful to us to see where he stacked up against other players in the state.  A third party evaluation is very helpful.

       
       

Agreed but a few year ago I had never heard of 14 year olds committing to major D1 programs but now I have. SMH

We don't do much for 13 year olds, but it sure is fun when you spot a real good one.  Looking back at a few of the kids we saw first when they were 12-13 years old.  Bryce Harper, Justin Upton, Ryan Sweeney, Jason Heyward, etc. They really were rare talents at a very young age.

 

While it is too young to gain college or pro interest, I can see how outstanding 12-13 year olds could benefit from attending certain events.  There is always a higher level for those interested in that.  There is USA Baseball National teams, there are outstanding Travel organizations.  The more a player gets seen at any age, the more possible opportunities.

 

We deal so much with college recruiting and the draft, that it makes it difficult to do anything but some tournaments for the younger ages, but I don't think they are a waste. Then again, I never think of a learning experience as a waste.  At the same time, I see lots of people wasting time and money on baseball and other things.  But that is my opinion not necessarily theirs.

 

Now if you truly want to waste money, head to your nearest casino and play the slots. If you happen to get ahead, don't quit, up your bet, go for that jackpot! It's a blast until you end up dragging your empty pockets out the door.

 

BOF, guess it's time for you to join in and enlighten everyone of some past threads.

A lot of people making a lot of really good points here on both 'sides'.  I agree the young showcases are a money grab but also agree with scotty that times are a changin'.  And chauff thats what I was kind of thinking that he needs to be at certain thresholds before going.  Our goals are 80mph pitch velocity and 85mph exit velocity by freshman year.  Or at least a reasonable belief he can achieve those numbers at  the showcase.  Sound reasonable?  Its certainly attainable based upon where he is now.  If he had a really good off season and he had any kind of chance to be at or near.those numbers in 8th grade I might just consider it.  But that would be a stretch.

I was just thinking about that the other day. I recently played a mean trick (in humor) on my mother. I asked her if she remembered asking me if it bothered me I had turned 30. When I said no, she said it bothered her to be old enough to have a 30 year old son. Then I proceeded. "Mom, what's it like to have a sixty year old son?" She had a good comeback. She said it meant she's still alive. She will be 89 in August.

I don't see the value is showcasing before post soph year unless the kid is already a stud. Very few kids are studs before soph year. My son was 5'11", 135 the summer after freshman ball. I didn't see the value. Post soph year he was 6', 160 and had a season of varsity ball behind him.

       
       
and I guess then it comes down to how do you define stud.  Stud as in probably a college ballplayer?  Or stud as in the cream of the crop definite D1 or draft pick you can tell already?  See on this one I may respectfully disagree.  If my kid were throwing 85 his freshman year and looked like a no doubter D1 I would see LESS value in the showcase (although I am sure he would still go).  In fact I think getting some early experience and exposure would be more important if you were a borderline kid.  Say 77-80 as a frosh.  The kid throwing 85 as a frosh and 90 as a soph doesn't need to market himself nearly as much as the kids throwing 78 as a frosh and 83 as a soph.  Does this make sense?

2020 - you have it backwards.  A freshman throwing 85 should go to a showcase.  A freshman throwing 77 shouldn't.  I watched a freshman in a PG showcase throw mid to high 70's.  The scouts used his mound time as an opportunity to slip away and grab a burger, or talk to the players that were throwing 85. 

As far as defining a "stud" and when to showcase, well that is a personal choice I guess. 

I'll give you the same advice I was given a few years ago from these very board members.  Don't go to a showcase until you have something to showcase.  That being said, there are many small workouts on college campuses that will give him the same learning experience at a far less cost.  Once you go to a showcase and the numbers are posted... Well, you can't unring that bell my friend.

       
       
Thanks.  Good food for thought there.  And makes sense.  My son has gone to one major college camp the last two years.  And I have made that observation.  The no chance kids get about 8 - 10 pitches in their mound session and done.  There were only 2 or 3 that they spent time with.  You know last year I came out of coaching retirement.  When I was a coach with a full head of brown  hair they didn't have all this stuff.  I should probably get to one as an observer just for my own edification but as for my son and when to send him you make some really good points there.  However I wouldn't think its that big a deal if your freshman numbers aren't what you hoped.  If you came back your soph year throwing 85 I bet that would unring the bell!  So then it gets back to the question of do you want the experience freshman year?

The kid with low velocity is probably a D3 prospect. He's not going to draw relevant notice from most D3s until post junior year. Therefore it's a waste of money to showcase early. The kid would be better off working on his strength and velocity to become a prospect higher up the baseball food chain in another year.

       
       
I admit I am not that familiar with showcases.  But I am still very familiar with pitchers and velocities.  And I think its a stretch to call a freshman throwing near or at 80 low velocity or simply a D3 kid.  Very seldom do you see a kid throw 80 as a freshman and 84 as a senior.  But no doubt it happens so I get your point that maybe the scouts want to wait til he IS throwing at least mid 80's rather than projecting it and talking to him early.  So I guess from the opinions I see here the summation is if you want to go for the experience its not a bad thing but if your goal is to be recruited better to get to mid 80's before even attending.

I used to agree with this, but having moved out into the sticks, I'm seeing a couple of kids who are definitely D1 prospects signing with JC's because they weren't properly exposed. Right now at my kid's school (I mentioned this in another post) is a kid cruising 87-88 and topping out at 90 who has gotten zero notice because he hasn't gotten himself in front of the right people. He's signed with the local JC and that's his only offer. The #2 on the same squad is listed as the #21 2015 prospect in the state because he got around to showcasing. This, despite the fact that he throws a good 5mph slower and is less effective. He is also going to the local JC, but it's because he actually wants to (he got looks from D2 and lower tier D1's). His father is the long-time coach of the JC. This is also the only reason pitcher #1 got noticed by the JC. So, the idea that throw 90 and they'll find you doesn't always work.

As usual root totally agree with you.  I was just saying it wouldn't be critical for that kid to go his freshman year as going after sophomore year would have the same effect - lots of attention.

With ya on that.

I wish I was knowledgeable enough to say when to go and what are good goals for each age level, lol.  I know it varies a lot by where you are located.  85 exit velo for a freshman around here is great and cruising 80 with control would most likely land him on varsity.  In other areas it's probably the norm for a good program.  We spent a lot of time down south during 12u and 13u and that was some great baseball.  

 

Son always sets goals. I figure it's my job to encourage but yet tell him when they are ridiculous.  I think if your son meets his goals and you can afford it, a showcase would be fun after freshman season.  For us, spending around $200 to get an evaluation, son getting to play in a gorgeous D1 stadium and hang out with a lot of good players for the afternoon was worth it.  We cruised around the campus too, so he could understand how BIG some universities are.  

 

RJM--your mom sounds awesome!  

Every kids situation is different. There are reasons you should go to a showcase and there are reasons you shouldn't. What is your goal? Is it to see where you stack up with the players from your area? Is it to see where you stack up with the players from your state? Is it to see where you stack up with the players from all over? Are you just wanting the experience so you can know what to expect in the future? Are you looking to showcase yourself to garner interest? Basically ready to show yourself off.

 

I have ran several showcases over the years. I have attended even more. From PG events to Impact Baseball's to my own. I have attended as a coach just looking at players. I have attended as part of my scouting duties. I have attended as a parent and a coach of my players. When a player goes to a showcase if he is attending just to get the experience of it I don't see anything wrong with that. If he is attending to see where he stacks up that's fine as well. If he is attending to showcase himself then he should have something to showcase.

 

The 60. It's usually the very first thing that is going to be done. Quite frankly when college coaches attend a showcase and scouts this is an elimination event. Pitchers, catchers excluded for the most part. When a kid runs an 8.2 60 and you look at the sheet and he is listed as a MIF and he is 5'9 160 lbs what do you think? Is it going to matter how well he fields the gb's at SS? Is it going to matter if he makes solid contact during bp? Numerous kids after the 60 will not have serious eyes on them the rest of the day.

 

Now there will be a few to turn heads. There will be a few that do not eliminate themselves with the 60. Those will be the kids that will be watched the rest of the day. When the catchers throw down and you throw a 2.6 and then the 60 is 7.8 how hard are you looking at the BP? When that catcher throws 2.0 or below, runs decent, looks athletic enough, your going to bore in on his BP.

 

When that pitcher goes to the pen and his first pitch is 78. Do you care what his mechanics look like? How much movement he has on the ball? There is no reason to showcase if you don't have anything to showcase. Unless you are a young kid and you want to see what's it's all about for the future.

 

The vast majority of kids at a showcase outside of a invite type PG event will not stand out. They will simply blend together. In order to stand out at a showcase you need to have something that makes you stand out. There will always be people willing to take your money. And when it comes to peoples kids people know that people will pay. If your going to stand out then you have tools that stand out. If not stay home and go to work. And if you do when you get home go back to work.

 

I have watched people spend a bunch of money to get their kid to an event and then I just shake my head. Why? Can't you see he has nothing that is going to cause him to stand out? If you walk away saying "He did just as good as most of the kids there." Then guess what? That's the kids that no one is there to watch. They are there to see the ones that stand out above the rest of the kids there.

 

As far as young kids going to these showcase events I can see doing it for the experience of it. As for rising sophs and Jrs target the right customers. If your selling snow cones don't go to Alaska. But in the desert your the man. Why travel and spend thousands of bucks when your a dime a dozen in their backyard? Go to the local JUCO's camp. Go to the local D3 camp. See if somone likes what they see. See what your interest level is. Learn what your value is.

 

Speed, power, arm, athletic ability. If it doesn't stand out, you won't stand out. But that's ok. Target events that allow you to stand out. Events that play games. Events that give people an opportunity to learn to appreciate what you bring to the table. Some guys showcase off the charts and can't play. Some guys don't showcase well but are gamers. It's about knowing who you are and what you bring to the table. Then getting yourself in those situations where those that matter can see it.

 

I know a player when I see him. I know tools when I see them. So do you guys I am sure. If your a player you know it. If you have tools you know it. If you don't? Then spend your time and money on developing those tools and ability so you can have something to showcase down the road. Take him 2020. See where he stacks up with his peers. As long as it's not a financial burden on you what have you lost. JMO