How do you know if you son is skilled enough to go to showcases?
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You don't have to be skilled to go to a showcase. You just have to have the time and the money!
But if you're worried about whether you're wasting both, ask your son's coach if he thinks your son has the potential to play at the college level. Or, ask more than one knowledgeable person for their opinions.
In the end, the showcase folks will tell you what they think of your boy!
But if you're worried about whether you're wasting both, ask your son's coach if he thinks your son has the potential to play at the college level. Or, ask more than one knowledgeable person for their opinions.
In the end, the showcase folks will tell you what they think of your boy!
MIDLO
WRONG !!! WRONG !!!!
If a player has no skills he won't be invited and if his HS coach writes a letter of recommendation for him he will be doing the boy a grave injustice by recommending him if he is not worthy of the recommendation
WRONG !!! WRONG !!!!
If a player has no skills he won't be invited and if his HS coach writes a letter of recommendation for him he will be doing the boy a grave injustice by recommending him if he is not worthy of the recommendation
To find an objective evaluation of your son's skills, you might want to sent him to a relatively inexpensive showcase (approx. $150-$250) at a nearby D1 program that hands out evaluation forms at the end. Usually, they'll rank your son's skills on a numerical scale and you can see for yourself what his strengths and weaknesses are. (Email the camp director and he should be able to tell you whether they do this.) As you become more confident in his abilities, sign him up for a Perfect Game showcase (about $550), which will give detailed assessments and project his "marketability" to colleges. You will need to "request an invite" to a specific event listed on their website (www.perfectgame.org) and mention some of your son's accomplishments.
Gimages,
You have gotten some good advice already. I guess every parent wants to know that question. I don’t care how baseball savvy you are, parents don’t see clearly when they try to evaluate their sons. I knew a father who had played professionally for 16 years, was a great MLB pitcher and was a VERY knowledgeable baseball person. He asked me, a baseball nobody, at what collegiate level I thought his son could play. Dumbfounded I said “why in the world would you ask me that question?” His reply was: “He’s my son and I know I cannot be accurate with his evaluation.”
I suggest you keep testing the ice until it cracks. Get your son a few lessons and ask the instructors and coaches to give you an honest evaluation of your son. Ask them point blank if they see your son going on to play college ball. Ask them what his strengths are and as what his weaknesses are. Be as open minded as a parent can be.
I normally agree with TRHit but there are showcases don’t require any pre-qualifications (other than time and money). These are not the better showcase but they do exist. The better showcases do require some sort of qualifier. Most of the better showcases want a coach or a scout’s recommendation. (If you were to ask a scout or a coach for his recommendation, their answer would let know if your son could go to a “better” showcase.) If your son is just getting started, I suggest you do as Infield08 says --- start at a local showcase with “liberal” entrance requirements and less $$ to start your information gathering process.
Fungo
You have gotten some good advice already. I guess every parent wants to know that question. I don’t care how baseball savvy you are, parents don’t see clearly when they try to evaluate their sons. I knew a father who had played professionally for 16 years, was a great MLB pitcher and was a VERY knowledgeable baseball person. He asked me, a baseball nobody, at what collegiate level I thought his son could play. Dumbfounded I said “why in the world would you ask me that question?” His reply was: “He’s my son and I know I cannot be accurate with his evaluation.”
I suggest you keep testing the ice until it cracks. Get your son a few lessons and ask the instructors and coaches to give you an honest evaluation of your son. Ask them point blank if they see your son going on to play college ball. Ask them what his strengths are and as what his weaknesses are. Be as open minded as a parent can be.
I normally agree with TRHit but there are showcases don’t require any pre-qualifications (other than time and money). These are not the better showcase but they do exist. The better showcases do require some sort of qualifier. Most of the better showcases want a coach or a scout’s recommendation. (If you were to ask a scout or a coach for his recommendation, their answer would let know if your son could go to a “better” showcase.) If your son is just getting started, I suggest you do as Infield08 says --- start at a local showcase with “liberal” entrance requirements and less $$ to start your information gathering process.
Fungo
Fungo has given you a very good roadmap.
Its a roadmap that by accident, we happened to follow almost to a "T."
You just want the truth...ask everyone you can who might give it to you and LISTEN...very carefully...and then aim your efforts where they have pointed you.
Good luck!
Its a roadmap that by accident, we happened to follow almost to a "T."
You just want the truth...ask everyone you can who might give it to you and LISTEN...very carefully...and then aim your efforts where they have pointed you.
Good luck!
TR, I was sort of kidding and sort of not.
While some showcases are sincerly making an effort to do "invitation only" and have some screening mechanism, many -- MANY -- are open. Pay, show up, and you can get an evaluation. (How much stock you want to put into that evaluation is another matter.)
But if you thought I was suggesting somebody throw their money away, I wasn't. If your son's at least trying to be a serious player, then he must have come into contact with at least SOME people whose opinions can be respected. Coaches he played for or against, dads who have serious experience, etc.
Still, some people go to an open showcase in the hopes of making the lists for more exclusive events. Some achieve their goals, some don't. You can't fault 'em for trying.
While some showcases are sincerly making an effort to do "invitation only" and have some screening mechanism, many -- MANY -- are open. Pay, show up, and you can get an evaluation. (How much stock you want to put into that evaluation is another matter.)
But if you thought I was suggesting somebody throw their money away, I wasn't. If your son's at least trying to be a serious player, then he must have come into contact with at least SOME people whose opinions can be respected. Coaches he played for or against, dads who have serious experience, etc.
Still, some people go to an open showcase in the hopes of making the lists for more exclusive events. Some achieve their goals, some don't. You can't fault 'em for trying.
You can just use your common sense.
1) Is he a varsity starter?
2) Is he a good starter or does he hit 9th, play LF, and we only have 2 subs.?
3) Where is he on the depth chart of his summer travel team?
I know those are pretty general, but if he isn't a top guy, I wouldn't do the big costly showcases. There are too many out there that just want your $$ and that's all. IMHO, you're better off going to camps and clinics at the schools he is interested in attending. He may not learn a ton of baseball at them, but he will be able to talk 1 on 1 with the coaches and give them plenty of opportunity to show what he can do.
1) Is he a varsity starter?
2) Is he a good starter or does he hit 9th, play LF, and we only have 2 subs.?
3) Where is he on the depth chart of his summer travel team?
I know those are pretty general, but if he isn't a top guy, I wouldn't do the big costly showcases. There are too many out there that just want your $$ and that's all. IMHO, you're better off going to camps and clinics at the schools he is interested in attending. He may not learn a ton of baseball at them, but he will be able to talk 1 on 1 with the coaches and give them plenty of opportunity to show what he can do.
Our local indoor facility had a "showcase" in January. Since it was only $75 we had most of our travel team go. Mainly to get an idea of what a showcase was like. It did break the ice. However, it was run during a blizard, limited indoor room, limited # coaches, and no instruction as to what was going on. I later took my son to some of the invitation only showcases that I located on this website. I then learned what a well run showcase should be.
My son attended a Blue Gray event last fall. It is one of those loosely "By Invitation Only" events. Most of the kids were decent, few with higher potential, but there was one kid, 6'+ (guess), 250lbs + (easily), and hair past his shoulders. He was there on a recommendation from his coach. He had only been playing ball for 1 year. I was embarrassed for him. He was so bad that the only time he got on the field, after the first day, was when one game was basically over, and they let him pitch. With a wild pitching/throwing motion, he was bringing it around 40ish. He got one hit (let's change that to one contact) the entire weekend, with his size it went a mile, he stretched into a double.
I am relating this story because I feel that if your son isn’t one of the better, I won’t even say best, players in his competitive league or his high school team, then he probably doesn’t need to go to a showcase. I say use pfbear’s list. That should tell you where he is “today”. If it’s early enough spend your money on tomorrow. Go to one of the smaller events but remember that most of those kids will not be D1 material if college material at all.
I am relating this story because I feel that if your son isn’t one of the better, I won’t even say best, players in his competitive league or his high school team, then he probably doesn’t need to go to a showcase. I say use pfbear’s list. That should tell you where he is “today”. If it’s early enough spend your money on tomorrow. Go to one of the smaller events but remember that most of those kids will not be D1 material if college material at all.
By your profile, your son would be a sophomore in hs now, wouldn't he? I'm assuming he made the team last year. Does he play on a travel team? His playing time and how he is regarded on those two teams will tell you a lot about whether he has the skills to build on.
Given that he's one of the better players on those teams (at a minimum a regular starter), your next step is to determine where he fits outside that baseball community and that's where early showcases fit in. The summer between junior and senior year is crucial for exposure, making the summer between sophomore and junior years preparation time: best travel team possible and a showcase or college camp or two thrown in to get him both evaluated and used to the system.
As more of the hsbbweb boys have become successful, the site may become guilty of setting standards too high. They are already high, as this board consists primarily of players who have a good shot at playing in college, and not a few who will/are playing professionally. But it's still the hsbaseballweb. Hasn't yet turned into the studsonlybaseballweb. There's no reason to presume your son isn't good enough.
obrady, I wonder if there's a pushy parent behind the kid at the showcase, thinking that any kid that size is an athlete. Maybe what the coach was "recommending" was a dose of reality
Given that he's one of the better players on those teams (at a minimum a regular starter), your next step is to determine where he fits outside that baseball community and that's where early showcases fit in. The summer between junior and senior year is crucial for exposure, making the summer between sophomore and junior years preparation time: best travel team possible and a showcase or college camp or two thrown in to get him both evaluated and used to the system.
As more of the hsbbweb boys have become successful, the site may become guilty of setting standards too high. They are already high, as this board consists primarily of players who have a good shot at playing in college, and not a few who will/are playing professionally. But it's still the hsbaseballweb. Hasn't yet turned into the studsonlybaseballweb. There's no reason to presume your son isn't good enough.
obrady, I wonder if there's a pushy parent behind the kid at the showcase, thinking that any kid that size is an athlete. Maybe what the coach was "recommending" was a dose of reality
Thanks for all information. This topic has shown me by the repsones the value of this web site and the experise and knowledge avaliable. I am a dad that knows just enough about baseball to be dangerous. Not enough to know about helping son with his goal of playing somewhere in college or even if he has the potential.
Orlando,
As you figured out he will be a sophmore this year. He will be trying out for the varsity team this year. Played on the JV team last year and played all but 4 innings. This summer played on a travel team and played every inning. Same for 2005 as far as his travel team. He has done well in all the above efforts. IMO he was not the stud on the teams, but one of the top 3 players. Son attends a public Hs with a so so baseball program. The coach is an X player for the HS that is paid a small amount to coach the team. He does a great job, but I get the sense there is no expectations about developing players to possible play in college. I appreciate your statement "There's no reason to presume your son isn't good enough". It gave me a sense of relief.
Son has been asking about attending showcases as he knows this is a step that needs to be taken on the road to playing in college. Thus the reason for starting this topic. I do not have the expertise to know how he will do at a showcase or the people I can ask. I do not want to put him in a posistion that he does not belong, but I do not want to exclude him from a chance to prove himself. I see my son with a dad's eye and feel he would do well, not one of the stand outs, but a player worth consideration. I welcome and thank all in advance for your advice and insite in helping on How do I know?.
Orlando,
As you figured out he will be a sophmore this year. He will be trying out for the varsity team this year. Played on the JV team last year and played all but 4 innings. This summer played on a travel team and played every inning. Same for 2005 as far as his travel team. He has done well in all the above efforts. IMO he was not the stud on the teams, but one of the top 3 players. Son attends a public Hs with a so so baseball program. The coach is an X player for the HS that is paid a small amount to coach the team. He does a great job, but I get the sense there is no expectations about developing players to possible play in college. I appreciate your statement "There's no reason to presume your son isn't good enough". It gave me a sense of relief.
Son has been asking about attending showcases as he knows this is a step that needs to be taken on the road to playing in college. Thus the reason for starting this topic. I do not have the expertise to know how he will do at a showcase or the people I can ask. I do not want to put him in a posistion that he does not belong, but I do not want to exclude him from a chance to prove himself. I see my son with a dad's eye and feel he would do well, not one of the stand outs, but a player worth consideration. I welcome and thank all in advance for your advice and insite in helping on How do I know?.
BB is a game of failure. There is only one way to find out. TRY !!
I think you know whether he is good enough or not. 
The fact that you are asking tells me the answer. 
Sorry to disagree, but I would say a JV player trying to make varsity should do that first, and then explore a showcase after a year of varsity ball. You didn't mention the position, and it sounded like baseball was not that important at your school, but you could compare him right now to other players in your league who made all-league, or all regional teams, run him through SPARQ testing to check his conditioning, compare his 60 times to those posted on studentsports baseball - (www.ssbaseball.rivals.com) and check height/weight comparisons on the PG website, along with evaluations for similar players. Don't be discouraged! The bottom line is whether or not he is a player, and we know those come in all shapes and sizes. You came to the right place to check it out.
I just wrote this in another post, but I thought perhaps I'd repeat it.
My son and I scouted out several showcases before he actually paid and was a participant. We just sat an observed. Soaked in the entire process. Learned alot from those participants who were prepared and we also learned alot from those who were not. My son got to take a good long hard look at the competition out there. ( Reading stats is ALOT different than watching those who make them! )
We then waited for my " son " to decide when he was ready to give a showcase a shot.
gimages,.....I hope this thread is helping!
Lots of sound advice and angles to sort through!!
My son and I scouted out several showcases before he actually paid and was a participant. We just sat an observed. Soaked in the entire process. Learned alot from those participants who were prepared and we also learned alot from those who were not. My son got to take a good long hard look at the competition out there. ( Reading stats is ALOT different than watching those who make them! )
We then waited for my " son " to decide when he was ready to give a showcase a shot.
gimages,.....I hope this thread is helping!
Lots of sound advice and angles to sort through!!
giimages,
Let me add - regardless of your skill level:
Never - ever - go to a showcase if you are not in top physical (and playing) condition.
Never.
Good luck.
Let me add - regardless of your skill level:
Never - ever - go to a showcase if you are not in top physical (and playing) condition.
Never.
Good luck.
I have to agree with Orlando about the "high standards" of this website. When my son was younger I was very intimidated by what I read about the players on this web site. But, as a mom who has better eyes than any scout I took him to the pro try outs and to showcases (by the way PG his 60 is much faster now ) and it opened doors.
I think we worry to much, Just get in shape,and take your best shot...see what happens, Its Fun
I took him to the pro try outs and to showcases (by the way PG his 60 is much faster now ) and it opened doors.I think we worry to much, Just get in shape,and take your best shot...see what happens, Its Fun
quote:I justwrote this in another postread this post, but I thought perhaps I'd repeat it.
My son and I scouted out several showcases before he actually paid and was a participant. We just sat an observed. Soaked in the entire process. Learned alot from those participants who were prepared and we also learned alot from those who were not. My son got to take a good long hard look at the competition out there. ( Reading stats is ALOT different than watching those who make them! )
That's probably the best advice I've ever read about deciding when/whether to attend a showcase.