I just don't like blanket statements. Well, except for "Yankees Suck" and "The Cubs will NEVER win a World Series."
But to say that someone absolutely should or shouldn't do something is just as misleading as the alleged misrepresentation you describe.
The economy is bad. But guess what, life isn't fair. Not everyone is affected in the same way. The Yankees have the biggest payroll. That's because (gulp) they put a good product on the field that people are willing to pay for. I saw a headline today lamenting that Disney made a lot of money in 2008. Duh, they put out a great product that people want to pay for.
It was mentioned above that "parents are being brain washed into believing that they have to attend these constant showcases camps and clinics if there (sic) kid is to be considered by good schools."
Well, you gotta get in front of somebody! And, with few exceptions, they aren't coming to see you. You have to go where they are. Holiday camps could be one. But you'll only be seen by that one school. And I found several of them that charged $100-200 for a one day deal. The Cangy camp was $250 for upwards of 40 schools. Perfect Game speaks for itself. The Jupiter tournament has 1000 scouts and coaches. Expensive? I guess. Is it for everybody? Heck no.
And a good school. What's a good school? D1, Ivy League, South, West? I don't know. But the answer for my son is surely different than yours. Does that make me better? Heck no.
The organization my son plays for told us this. Have high goals. Desire to play in the Bigs. Desire to go to a D1 school. However, we are very good at evaluating and placing kids. Please trust us if we tell you to set your sights at a different level. That doesn't mean you're a bad player or are in a bad situation. It just means that you are qualified to play at a different level.
Surely there are some scams out there. But you definitely have to get out there and be seen. And it ain't free.
So instead of bashing people who do different than you, just wish them luck. And best of luck to you as you pursue free camps, free travel teams and all of those free national tournaments.
quote:I will call them all out
hizhonor - nobody elected you to call anybody out. Please read the board manners.
Here is my tip for you, don't go to the paid showcases and save the money.
Nobody here is brainwashed or in danger of being brainwashed btw - that is why we have the hsbbweb to exchange ideas. IMHO, you do have an agenda and you have made your point loud and clear. Some of these you are taking your shots at are sponsors of the hsbbweb and they don't deserve the treatment.
last i checked there are several free showcase events out there, YEAR AFTER YEAR
Hizhonor,
You are looking to the NCAA to reign these coaches in and wanting the NCAA to be ethical? Are you kidding me? This is the same organization that refuses to crown a legitimate champion in football. They are the ones that are absolutely sticking it to players and baseball teams by not expanding scholarships to over 11.7 for each team, while the third string TE who will never see the field has everything covered. Is that the same NCAA you are pleading to? If so, save your breath.
Baseball is the ugly step-child of the NCAA. You should have taught your son how to be dead-eye-dick from behind the three point line in basketball or how to punt a football 80 yards. You would have so much more money in your pocket.
I'll let you know a little secret. My son went to a Major League Scouting Bureau tryout camp a few years ago, did outstanding and the rest took care of itself. Word travels real fast in baseball circles when your son "wows em". Guess how much that one cost? Not one thin dime. A freebie!
How bout that in this day and age? I know some of these places running camps or clinics really don't want that info out there, but all these major league teams run tryout camps in the summer. Now you won't get any kind of instruction, you might get a pointer or two, but thats it. If your son does well at these camps you will get more phone calls than you can imagine from colleges, all for $0.00.
You are looking to the NCAA to reign these coaches in and wanting the NCAA to be ethical? Are you kidding me? This is the same organization that refuses to crown a legitimate champion in football. They are the ones that are absolutely sticking it to players and baseball teams by not expanding scholarships to over 11.7 for each team, while the third string TE who will never see the field has everything covered. Is that the same NCAA you are pleading to? If so, save your breath.
Baseball is the ugly step-child of the NCAA. You should have taught your son how to be dead-eye-dick from behind the three point line in basketball or how to punt a football 80 yards. You would have so much more money in your pocket.
I'll let you know a little secret. My son went to a Major League Scouting Bureau tryout camp a few years ago, did outstanding and the rest took care of itself. Word travels real fast in baseball circles when your son "wows em". Guess how much that one cost? Not one thin dime. A freebie!
How bout that in this day and age? I know some of these places running camps or clinics really don't want that info out there, but all these major league teams run tryout camps in the summer. Now you won't get any kind of instruction, you might get a pointer or two, but thats it. If your son does well at these camps you will get more phone calls than you can imagine from colleges, all for $0.00.
quote:Originally posted by ClevelandDad:quote:I will call them all out
hizhonor - nobody elected you to call anybody out. Please read the board manners.
Here is my tip for you, don't go to the paid showcases and save the money.
Nobody here is brainwashed or in danger of being brainwashed btw - that is why we have the hsbbweb to exchange ideas. IMHO, you do have an agenda and you have made your point loud and clear. Some of these you are taking your shots at are sponsors of the hsbbweb and they don't deserve the treatment.
I second what Cleveland Dad said! Brainwashed? You insult the intelligence of parents! Everyone knows what they are getting into. I'm much the same with my child. If I don't want to spend the $$$ I keep my kid at home. I do my best in other ways to promote her. Then, let the chips fall where they may. No one is putting a gun to any parent's back forcing them to pay.
In regards to your statement about those that advertise on this site and then post announcements as well as receive support from members, at least MN-Mom can be assured that you'll now send your donation in to support this site. Of course rational posters realize that without these various organizations giving their generous donations THERE WOULDN'T BE A SITE!
It's always kind of funny when someone says "all these showcases and camps should be free; shame on the organizations for charging!". Another fee-only event? Sheesh, I went to the grocery store yesterday and kept looking for the "Free" aisle of food, but all they had was "fee-only" aisles. Shame on them! 
As a couple of people mentioned above, this website is one of the few "Free" things you can take advantage of in baseball, but it's not really Free. Every month, a bill comes in my name for approximately $600 to $800 (the highest monthly bill has been $888). I donate my time here as do our great moderators, but I can't donate that much money every month. Most of that money comes from sponsors/advertisers, and I try to carefully select very reputable companies for the banners and ad spots that help support this site. Two very notable website sponsors who I'm proud to be associated with are Perfect Game USA, and Cangelosi Baseball/Bo Jackson's Elite Sports. Also, Do It Right Baseball is a long-time sponsor of the Illinois forum, and I know that Justin does a great job with his events. I don't usually "promote" sponsors, and in fact sponsors respect the rules and about not advertising in forum posts also, but I did want to say - these sponsors and our volunteer moderators are the people who keep this site available and free for all of you!
I do agree with the "Buyer Beware" message. Not all showcases and camps are created equal, and there are some organizations out there that promise more than they deliver. Parents, do your homework and find out as much as you can about the event and organization before plunking down a lot of money.
Julie
As a couple of people mentioned above, this website is one of the few "Free" things you can take advantage of in baseball, but it's not really Free. Every month, a bill comes in my name for approximately $600 to $800 (the highest monthly bill has been $888). I donate my time here as do our great moderators, but I can't donate that much money every month. Most of that money comes from sponsors/advertisers, and I try to carefully select very reputable companies for the banners and ad spots that help support this site. Two very notable website sponsors who I'm proud to be associated with are Perfect Game USA, and Cangelosi Baseball/Bo Jackson's Elite Sports. Also, Do It Right Baseball is a long-time sponsor of the Illinois forum, and I know that Justin does a great job with his events. I don't usually "promote" sponsors, and in fact sponsors respect the rules and about not advertising in forum posts also, but I did want to say - these sponsors and our volunteer moderators are the people who keep this site available and free for all of you!
I do agree with the "Buyer Beware" message. Not all showcases and camps are created equal, and there are some organizations out there that promise more than they deliver. Parents, do your homework and find out as much as you can about the event and organization before plunking down a lot of money.
Julie
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Did you read that folks? That's why she is called Mom! Way to go Mom!
Please donate to keep this site going strong!
Did you read that folks? That's why she is called Mom! Way to go Mom!
Please donate to keep this site going strong!
= = Agenda deleted by moderator. = =
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Leapfrog!
Did you read that folks? That's why she is called Mom! Way to go Mom!
Please donate to keep this site going strong!
Leapfrog!
Did you read that folks? That's why she is called Mom! Way to go Mom!
Please donate to keep this site going strong!
As a point of clarification, of the kids that are attending the Cangelosi college camps, Sparks players do not make-up the majority in attendance.
Top 96 showcases, they ****!
Top 96 showcases, they ****!
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They ****?
Rock?
They ****?
Rock?
Also wanted to point out and remind people that the Cangelosi/Jackson event at the dome is a camp --not a showcase per se . At a camp such as this one , the various coaches have the chance to work up close with the players and maybe even have a small chat during or after words . They get the chance to possibly get a good read on a player they might be interested in down the line .
NC42dad is spot on. Parents and players have to be realistic about scholarships. There aren't that many available. Unless your kid is the best player on the field his chances at a full ride are slim. I understand that the typical scholarship award is about $2000-3000, if that.
No one in their right mind would spend the amount of money and time we do just to get a $2000/yr. reduction in tuition. We spend that much on one tournament. Rather, we invest that money and time in our kids.
What do you realistically expect from any showcase or camp? My son attended a rain-shortened Harvey Foster showcase and performed ok. He was later contacted by a number of D3 schools. We knew he wasn't going to go D1, but he hoped to play in college. He will, largely due to the limited exposure at that showcase.
Rather than focusing on the limited athletic scholarship money that most kids are chasing in vain, note that lots of schools are very generous with academic scholarships, even for relatively ordinary grades. It is not unusual for a private school to give that $2000-3000 for high C/low B GPA. Perhaps we might be better or just-as-well off skipping one tournament and paying for a few hours of tutoring or test prep.
No one in their right mind would spend the amount of money and time we do just to get a $2000/yr. reduction in tuition. We spend that much on one tournament. Rather, we invest that money and time in our kids.
What do you realistically expect from any showcase or camp? My son attended a rain-shortened Harvey Foster showcase and performed ok. He was later contacted by a number of D3 schools. We knew he wasn't going to go D1, but he hoped to play in college. He will, largely due to the limited exposure at that showcase.
Rather than focusing on the limited athletic scholarship money that most kids are chasing in vain, note that lots of schools are very generous with academic scholarships, even for relatively ordinary grades. It is not unusual for a private school to give that $2000-3000 for high C/low B GPA. Perhaps we might be better or just-as-well off skipping one tournament and paying for a few hours of tutoring or test prep.
quote:Originally posted by mcdad2:
I understand that the typical scholarship award is about $2000-3000, if that.
mcdad2,
Although your point is excellent, that athletes need to focus on academics primarily, your scholarship amounts are misleading.
NCAA D1 has a minimum scholarship amount of 25%. This 25% is reflected as COA (Cost of Attendance). A $3,000 scholarship would be the minimum offered at a school where the COA is $12,000. If the COA is $20,000, the minimum scholarship is $5,000, etc.
This year at Illinois, the resident COA is $23,630 which translates to a $5,908 minimum scholarship. The non resident COA is $38,406 and a $9,602 minimum scholarship value.
CPLZ, you'e figures are spot on. And in this economy, more than ever, won't a state school go out of their way to limit scholarships to instate students? Why bring in an out-of-stater and have to give him a much higher dollar amount for his 'ship?
Rosy,
It's an accounting nightmare that coaches have to deal with. When a school budgets for scholarships, they assign a dollar value to them and that dictates how much money the coach has. It doesn't cost the school one red cent more to educate a non resident, yet they play these silly accounting games.
The answer is yes, many schools are forced to play these accounting games and it makes residents much more attractive. On a personal note, anything that would make me more attractive is generally considered a good thing
It's an accounting nightmare that coaches have to deal with. When a school budgets for scholarships, they assign a dollar value to them and that dictates how much money the coach has. It doesn't cost the school one red cent more to educate a non resident, yet they play these silly accounting games.
The answer is yes, many schools are forced to play these accounting games and it makes residents much more attractive. On a personal note, anything that would make me more attractive is generally considered a good thing
Cangelosi College Development Camp
Day 1:
Kansas
Illinois
Auburn
South Alabama
Kentucky
Purdue
Central Michigan
SE Iowa CC
West Point
Wright State
Oakland
Valparaiso
Central Florida
Northwestern
Illinois State
St. Joseph (IN)
Northern Illinois
Eastern Illinois
Michigan
DePauw
St. Francis
Concordia
Robert Morris
Purdue
Day 2:
UIC
Iowa
Bradley
NIU
Louisville
Evansville
LSU
St. Joseph (PA)
Boston College
Mississippi State
Costal Carolina
Tennessee
Stanford
Jacksonville
Arizona State
Indiana State
Miami of Ohio
Eastern Kentucky
Univ. of Alabama Birmingham
Auburn
St. Francis
Trinity Christian
Total: $250
2 days: $125 ea
8 hours: $31.25 ea
46 schools: $5.43 ea
Total Experience: Priceless!
Day 1:
Kansas
Illinois
Auburn
South Alabama
Kentucky
Purdue
Central Michigan
SE Iowa CC
West Point
Wright State
Oakland
Valparaiso
Central Florida
Northwestern
Illinois State
St. Joseph (IN)
Northern Illinois
Eastern Illinois
Michigan
DePauw
St. Francis
Concordia
Robert Morris
Purdue
Day 2:
UIC
Iowa
Bradley
NIU
Louisville
Evansville
LSU
St. Joseph (PA)
Boston College
Mississippi State
Costal Carolina
Tennessee
Stanford
Jacksonville
Arizona State
Indiana State
Miami of Ohio
Eastern Kentucky
Univ. of Alabama Birmingham
Auburn
St. Francis
Trinity Christian
Total: $250
2 days: $125 ea
8 hours: $31.25 ea
46 schools: $5.43 ea
Total Experience: Priceless!
That's a pretty impressive list, I wish I would have been able to make it down there.
I was told by a coach who runs another camp that D1 schools were not allowed to attend camps during this time. Could someone explain how so many could attend this camp if this is a quiet period?
Wow! Cangy camp was great. We definetley got our moneys worth. College coaches threw bp, observed and commented continuously to all players. Same way during infield drills and bp. Their intensity desire and love for the game shown through to both me and my son, thats why they are the successful teachers that they are. I wound up following Coach Stotz from Stanford around from cage to cage as he offered critiques and critisism along with words of encouragement to all hitters. Coach Brownlee from Iowa was another coach who should be commended for his passion. He really got down and dirty with the infielders and what he was able to impart in a limited time was beneficial to my son if not reinforceing. Coach Stotz and Coach Thompson from MSU really got animated during bullpens and I would have loved to have to have been out there to soak up that banter. We compared notes on the way home. My son is an 2011 and did not attend under the premise that he would hopefully be leaving there with a contact from a D1 coach. Was that in the back of our minds? I am sure it might have been, but that did not come up in conversation. He just loves to play and compete with talented players and loves the oppurtunity to work and hone his game from people who really know the ins and outs of the game. He commented about the same coaches that I did along with a few others. We both marveled at the talent that was assembled, we were awed by the facility, and we both came away from the camp with the idea that his game might be able to improve ever so slightly with more hard work based on what he heard from coaches. The beauty of the advice he recieved, was that it was nothing that he has not heard before. Just holds more weight now coming from these esteemed individuals.
Were there a lot of Sparks players there as alluded to in a previous post? Yes there plenty. And they are talented. All that means is that my sons summer team will have to work/play that much harder to compete against them. He mentioned that.
Cangy did try to sell the place, as well he should,to all players and parents afterwards. It looks like a marvelous well thought out facility.
Were there a lot of Sparks players there as alluded to in a previous post? Yes there plenty. And they are talented. All that means is that my sons summer team will have to work/play that much harder to compete against them. He mentioned that.
Cangy did try to sell the place, as well he should,to all players and parents afterwards. It looks like a marvelous well thought out facility.