Making a Baseball Skills video

There are plenty, but you don't need them. Save your money and do it yourself.

Get a video camera, or an iPad/iPhone, whatever (those didn't exist in the "stone ages" when I was in high school so we used to use traditional tripods).

If your son is a pitcher:

• Film from three different angles: behind home plate, behind the mound (like a typical TV angle) and the "open" angle (if he's a RHP, from 3B area, LHP from 1B area).
• Film each pitch in his arsenal twice from each angle. Have him throw one from the windup and one from the stretch. 

If your son is a position player:

• Film his swings from the same three angles…behind home plate, behind the mound, "open" angle. I always suggest hitting against a live batting practice pitcher, if possible. Have him take 5 or so swings from each angle, not too much more than that is needed.
• Film him fielding from his normal position. If he's an infielder, film him fielding a ground ball straight on and making a throw to 1B. Make sure to capture the entire play, from point-of-contact to the ball hitting the first baseman's glove. If he's an outfielder, film him tracking balls to his left and his right, both off a bounce and in the air. If he's a catcher, film him catching and throwing, as well as blocking.
• In all of the above defensive scenarios, 4-6 throws are plenty. Highlight his ability, as an infielder, to show range and arm strength. From the outfield, throws to 3B and home plate are important (2B is kind of redundant, coaches/scouts want to see arm strength). If he's a catcher, 3-4 throws to 2B and 1-2 to 3B will suffice.

Optional (for all players):

• Have film of him either running a 60 yard dash or running out a hit Home-1st. Have 2 sprints in the video. Not every video has this, but if your son has speed and you'd like to highlight it, this could be a good idea.

Once you have the video, post it on YouTube. Music and special effects are unnecessary. Coaches/scouts are just looking for tools. Send the YouTube link to those that want it. Two-three minutes MAXIMUM is more than enough footage.

JH, thanks for the suggestion

I did just that...make videos for 4 of our boys for recruiting....its not too hard. I also had our head coach there to "coach verify" all times and velocities. All four were recruited! Watch a few videos before hand to get a feel or "script" of what you want. Also....i was told do not edit all the good stuff together....Anyone with the right editing could look like a star. Make it continuous. 

Only thing to add to JH page is a simple slide that includes contact info of player and HS coach (before spring season) or summer coach, graduation year, HS GPA and ACT/SAT scores.  

Very good post by JH.  This topic comes up about every 2 months.

Anyone with a smart phone can make a video themselves these days.  True.  Remember that presentation does matter.  If it didn't, why do you bother printing a resume on really nice paper?  

Viking - we aren't going to travel to IL to film 1 guy unfortunately, but if your son's team is all lacking film then they might want to contact us.  

I remember 6 years ago when I first posted here getting absolutely crushed for talking about film.  Guess what, times are changing.   

Ever heard of the Evoshield Canes?  They're sort of good.  Now they use us... http://www.playinschool.com/evoshieldcanes

Ever heard of the Orlando Scorpions?  They're also kind of good.  We're filming them this weekend.  

Many other teams from around the country can be found here... http://www.playinschool.com/teams.html

Teams partner with us because we are turn key and affordable and timely.  I've been beat out on price by a "friend or uncle" who offers to do it for free.  But the summer usually comes and goes before that "friend or uncle" gets around to helping.  You always get what you pay for!

Coaches are checking that page daily.  We are getting 35,000 views per month right now and that number is growing every month.

Viking - feel free to check out our style and replicate it.  

Good luck.  Let me know if we can help.

Rich

www.PlayInSchool.com/bus_tour