Hi all,
My son is currently an 8th grader Catcher/FIrst baseman. This summer we have been looking into some showcases for him to attend. Such as the Perfect Game Northeast Underclass Showcase, Top 96 New England, and a camp run by UCONN's head coach. I have a few questions:
1. Is he too young to doing these showcases?
2. If he does attend these showcases, will he be catching players several grades older then him?
3. On average how many incoming freshman attend these showcases?
Thanks,
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Unless your son has filled out I wouldn't consider it anything more than an expensive experience. The handful of playera his age who are already genuine studs play up with older players.
A quick look at last year's Northeast event showed a few rising freshmen. As RJM said, unless he has filled out, I would wait. The best rating for a rising freshman was an "8", and he was (already) 5'11" and 170 pounds.
tgustavson1, I also have an 8th grader. I've been leaning more towards college camps at my son's age as it's a bit too early for Perfect Game, Top 96 and other showcases. That being said, I did have him participate in a smaller (mostly D2 and D3), local showcase in CT this past February. I used this particular showcase as it was inexpensive and he got a chance to see what it is like.
Hope that helps.
Thank you everyone, my son is 6-0, 170, but I think it would be best to wait.
In 8th grade my son was 5'4"' 120. He grew to be 6'2", 195.
If you want him to really get an experience, see if he can make a 16u scout team playing in the event... If he can, he'll see advanced pitching and play the whole summer with wood... It will be a growing experience...
Otherwise you'll get about the same thing in a travelball tournament...
Good luck either way.
thanks you for the replies
If he has "exceptional" ability for his age, you not only should do it, but you will be very happy you did. Times have changed and these days top college programs are very interested in knowing who the best 9th and 10th graders are.
If he is average or maybe even better than average, it would be better to wait.
Warning: Many parents consider their son exceptional no matter what his true talent level might be. Just to be sure, see if you can find someone you trust who will give you an honest opinion. Size is a consideration, but it is nowhere near as important as talent. 5'2" kids with talent grade out better than 6'2" kids without talent. We take it for granted that at that age they are going to grow.
If he has "exceptional" ability for his age, you not only should do it, but you will be very happy you did. Times have changed and these days top college programs are very interested in knowing who the best 9th and 10th graders are.
To support PGStaff on this point the top prospect on my son's summer team of 2016s committed to his dream school a top D1 program last week. Course he is 6'6 and sits 88-90 already.
Please be aware that there is a risk that you start taking way from the high school experience by focusing too much on college too soon. If he is exceptional this year, he will be exceptional next year, right?
College programs may be interested in 9th and 10th graders, but they aren't signing them. And they won't quit looking for the best player available until it is time to sign.
My son attended the showcases you listed, with the exception of Pender's camp, which he was repeatedly invited to, but just wasn't interested. He also attended Headfirst. Feel free to send me a message if you want more information about the experiences.
