Is baseball recruiting services worth it compared to the cost?

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The next step in your discovery process on this topic should be with the search box in the upper-left corner of this webpage. Type in "NCSA," and you'll find much discussion about them, specifically, and recruiting organizations, generally.

My personal view on this is a strong one; that if a player and his family follow the advice available on this message board, there's no reason why they should pay a recruiting organization. Another reason is that their credibility tends to be barely above that of baseball parents in the minds of many recruiters.

What he said.  The next time I disagree with Prepster will be the first time. 

I also have a freshman and have started receiving a lot of "opportunities' for him.  I don't plan on using a service or get too wound up every time we get something.  If you keep reading on this site, there is a lot of information about how to tell if something is more of a marketing thing or targeted just to your son.  

For example, I just received an email for my son to attend a try out and possible make a "national team".  This is a "pro style" work out for one afternoon.  My email adress was on the bcc line so I assume it went to hundreds of kids.  No thanks, we will pass.  I also received a phone call from an instructor my son's travel team uses. He knows the head coach at one of the D1 schools near here.  The HC would like my son to attend their prospect camp at the end of the month.  I realize as a ninth grader, my son still has a way to go.  But this will give him a chance to see what is out there and start thinking about where he wants to end up.  We have no expectations of this going any further then a fun weekend and maybe a little name recognition when he gets serious about school next year.

I concur.  Initially I thought my 2016 would benefit from some of the online tools that some of these services offer so I got out my credit card.

A fellow poster brought me to my senses within the grace period and I was able to come out unscathed.

My son has started the email process and frankly it isn't difficult after the first few.  You learn pretty quickly how to find email addresses (not always in the obvious spot), etc.  I gave him a general outline and proof what he sends out but you want it to sound like an email from a teenage boy vs. from dad the business analyst. 

Based on the camp invites that followed I can confirm they received his emails.

Between the solid travel team and being proactive with timely and meaningful communication you should be able to do it on your own.  Plus as others have stated you get a feel for how important this whole thing is to your son.

Good Luck.

If you find yourself wanting to spend money on something besides showcasing with college coaches present, don't do it.

Lots of people are looking for suckers.

This site is the only recruiting service you need. Services throw spaghetti off the wall to see what sticks. The people on this site can help advise you how to figure out where the spaghetti will stick.

Son signed with a D1 school and drafted by

1) going to camps

2) sending emails

3) going to showcases (search "PG Showcases")

4) being on a great h.s. travel team

5) having the necessary talent

I underlined and boldfaced the last one.  If the talent is not yet at an elite level, your money is best spent on development.

All the information necessary to do it yourself lies within this website.  If you don't have the time that is another matter, but I think you'll find most Moms/Dads/recruits found the time on this website to put together a recruiting strategy and campaign.  In addition, nobody will be more motivated and more in control of your son's destiny if you do it yourself. Good luck.

Hey, thanks to all the posters for your comments.  It has definitely helped in shedding light on what to consider.  Bum's 5 items provides a good sense of the key things to consider.  I do think that it is also essential to be on an elite travel team if at all possible especially one that has a strong organization behind it and a reputation in networking with both the professional scouts and college coaches/recruiters.  My son has been offered to play for the Evoshield Canes here on the east coast.  The director is well known in getting the talent in front of the colleges and also getting his teams in the important national tourneys.  He also has an excellent head coach who is also a HS head coach who has a very successful HS program.  By the way, since you listed "PG showcases", I have a question as to what that exactly is?  I know about the Perfect Game tournament, but is the showcase something different?  I know his travel team coach has his sights set on having the team play in the PG event this summer. 

PG Showcase is a specific to player rating. Your son will be graded by PG staff. 

SoonerthanLater,

You have a PM in your Dialogs.  Dialogs is accessed in the top right corner of the web page.

I will conquer with others -this forum has been invaluable to our family as we have begun the college process. We've been a client of NCSA and have been extremely pleased with the service thus far. It has given our son ownership and kept him on track. Also agree w/ 'picked off' -consider an elite travel team with a strong organization-reputation. If you have specific questions ab NCSA feel free to send a PM. 

Another vote against a recruiting service.

We actually tried one last year. Not only was it a waste of money, I found it to be unnecessarily distracting. Tribe Jr is signing next month. He got most of his attention in 1) camps, 2) high profile travel tournaments, 3) high school ball .....in that order.