Most important year decisions

That's a tough one and a pretty big bill for fall travel. This fall is likely to be crucial. However, keep in mind it is #1) a big season for visiting schools and perhaps attending their camps and #2) a guy with his numbers can easily hook on to pitch a game at any of the major events on a one-time basis with some very good programs. Before I committed that much $$ for a fall team, I'd explore the possibility of picking and choosing events as an add-on.

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roothog66 posted:

That's a tough one and a pretty big bill for fall travel. This fall is likely to be crucial. However, keep in mind it is #1) a big season for visiting schools and perhaps attending their camps and #2) a guy with his numbers can easily hook on to pitch a game at any of the major events on a one-time basis with some very good programs. Before I committed that much $$ for a fall team, I'd explore the possibility of picking and choosing events as an add-on.

+1 

What's the fall schedule?

Will it expose him to lots of college coaches? If not, I wouldn't do it.

Is the team going to Jupiter? From all the I've heard, the PG Jupiter is the one event the should be a must-attend. 

Seems early for a fall commitment to a travel team.  Normally you want to know the schedule before you commit so that you can determine if you have the budget and work schedule to accommodate. And like you said, he'll be visiting schools to make final decisions after his club summer. , so it's kind of hard to commit so far in advance.   Reach out to some other teams to find out what their plans are for the fall?

Is it an option where your son could be a hired gun for a few different teams for a few different tournaments, then visit colleges in between?  Tournament teams are always looking for extra pitchers, a lot of times those pitchers will come in only for a particular day or two, which can help reduce costs.

A number of players we know have pitched local companies for sponsorship's to offset costs.  We have two kids that have 6 different business that cover their club team dues totaling $3200.00.  Just an idea...  

It can be frustrating when teams want commitments so far in advance (happened with my 2016...)

roothog66 posted:

That's a tough one and a pretty big bill for fall travel. This fall is likely to be crucial. However, keep in mind it is #1) a big season for visiting schools and perhaps attending their camps and #2) a guy with his numbers can easily hook on to pitch a game at any of the major events on a one-time basis with some very good programs. Before I committed that much $$ for a fall team, I'd explore the possibility of picking and choosing events as an add-on.

Concur!

Also, highly likely that some teams are  willing to pick up the travel and lodging bill for an obviously, good arm. 

Lots of good ideas. Thank you all.

Just to be clear, the $2,000 includes the annual fee and what I would expect to spend on tournaments, uniforms, etc. The frustrating part is the annual fee includes lessons, classes and practices. We live about an hour away from where all that takes place, so we end up paying for stuff he's not able to use very regularly.

After reading these suggestions, there might be some options to negotiate that.

Second question — is it legal with the NCAA to have someone pay expenses, as in the sponsorships and so forth? I'm a nervous Nelly when it comes to rules since I really don't understand them.

If money and time are issues, I would be hesitant to do the fall travel team.  Unless he is being watched by a number of schools who want to see him play, the likelihood he'll get "discovered" is remote.  It happens, yes.  And high velo pitchers can stand out.  But I think a more focused approach might be better -- reaching out to coaches, individual camps, PG showcase, etc.  It all comes down to bang for your limited buck.  Good luck. 

My 2017 had no offers after last summer, so he picked four D1 schools he liked and went to a fall/winter camp at each.  He eventually got offers from all four schools, one in a P5 conference.  Based on that experience, I feel confident saying that is an effective use of limited dollars and would likely apply to your son's situation.

I would probably pass.  It is too early to commit $2000 to a 2017 Fall program for a 2018 who has already received good offers.   Unless that travel team is giving you incredible exposure/connections; I'd take a rain check.

I would play the 2017 travel summer season and see how that goes then evaluate his position, budget and timeframe.  If he was going to receive additional offers it would happen in 2017 June, July and August.  If he is unable to better his position or if he changes direction, he'll have an opportunity to attend targeted showcases, camps, etc...   This is what happened to my son.  He had offers in July, but changed direction and was able to get in front of the right folks in August and Sept.  It was a hard decision not to continue with his travel team in the Fall, but he thought this gave him the most flexibility to focus on what was important to him (not the team) to get in front of schools that wanted him.  Not to mention every kid on his summer travel team had already committed to a D1, so many from that team weren't playing in the Fall.

Good luck!

I agree with fenway - a 2018 should have it wrapped up by summer's end.  And if he doesn't, I would think some well selected camps/showcases will bring more bang for the buck.

fenwaysouth posted:

I would play the 2017 travel summer season and see how that goes then evaluate his position, budget and timeframe. 

He won't play summer travel, since that's our high school season. But I know a few coaches have already said they plan to come watch him pitch this summer, so hopefully that helps.

I'm with Fenway and Just about fall ball. The process should be over by the end of the summer. It will be for D1's with possible exceptions. Do the state high school athletic rules allow him to pitch for a travel team while his high school season is in session? Could he possibly hook up with a travel team in the summer just to get a handful of one or two inning appearances in major exposure events? 

I just checked Iowa's roster. They're a competent program. 22 of 35 on the roster are from Iowa. I expected to see six or seven given the size of the state and the summer baseball issue. They must be identifying the studs early and securing them.

RJM posted:

I'm with Fenway and Just about fall ball. The process should be over by the end of the summer. It will be for D1's with possible exceptions. Do the state high school athletic rules allow him to pitch for a travel team while his high school season is in session? Could he possibly hook up with a travel team in the summer just to get a handful of one or two inning appearances in major exposure events? 

I just checked Iowa's roster. They're a competent program. 22 of 35 on the roster are from Iowa. I expected to see six or seven given the size of the state and the summer baseball issue. They must be identifying the studs early and securing them.

Yes. Sadly, my son's not one of them.

We'd probably have to go out of state to find a travel team playing during the summer. All the programs I'm aware of play spring and fall, then take summer off for the high school season.

I0WAMOM,

Please understand I'm not interested in selling you on anything.  But you are from Iowa, guessing around Des Moines somewhere.  The summer HS season was our incentive for starting Perfect Game more than two decades ago.  We hold a spring and fall league that is followed very closely.  Those teams play on the weekends at various sites.  They also play against the top teams in Illinois, Wisconsin, St Louis, Kansas City, etc.  Every single MLB player from Iowa has played in those leagues.  Even better out of over 100 draft picks from Iowa in over 20 years, all but one 50th round pick played in those leagues.  And nearly every Iowa HS kid that has gone DI also played in those leagues.  Iowa players have been recruited and played at colleges like Stanford, USC, Baylor, Florida, Georgia Tech, LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon State, and many of the top programs in the country.

At the end of the fall season we take a select team from the league to the biggest scouting event in all of baseball in Jupiter Florida.  Kind of embarrassing that I don't know what the cost is, I do know it would be a fraction of the $2,000 you mentioned. If your son plays in the fall league and he is is DI material, he will draw more DI interest than doing most anything else. Understand that we don't need another player, I just think it is something your son should consider. There are also a couple showcases he could look into, if the league is impossible.

If you are interested contact Steve James (League Director) at PG.

My short answer is to refer back to his school list.  Try to match up the options that give him the best chance at getting in front of other schools he may be interested in while still allowing for continued development.   I would also suggest, if possible, to set it up to where he has some skin in the game (i.e. - he must commit to earning x% or x$ over the summer to contribute to the costs of his travel and recruiting efforts).

Exciting times!  Enjoy it!

Iowamom23 posted:

RJM posted:

I'm with Fenway and Just about fall ball. The process should be over by the end of the summer. It will be for D1's with possible exceptions. Do the state high school athletic rules allow him to pitch for a travel team while his high school season is in session? Could he possibly hook up with a travel team in the summer just to get a handful of one or two inning appearances in major exposure events? 

I just checked Iowa's roster. They're a competent program. 22 of 35 on the roster are from Iowa. I expected to see six or seven given the size of the state and the summer baseball issue. They must be identifying the studs early and securing them.

Yes. Sadly, my son's not one of them.

 

We'd probably have to go out of state to find a travel team playing during the summer. All the programs I'm aware of play spring and fall, then take summer off for the high school season.

Before you do so make sure your son won't be breaking any high school association rules. It wouldn't be fair to his teammates. 

PGStaff posted:

I0WAMOM,

Please understand I'm not interested in selling you on anything.  But you are from Iowa, guessing around Des Moines somewhere.  The summer HS season was our incentive for starting Perfect Game more than two decades ago.  We hold a spring and fall league that is followed very closely.  Those teams play on the weekends at various sites.  They also play against the top teams in Illinois, Wisconsin, St Louis, Kansas City, etc.  Every single MLB player from Iowa has played in those leagues.  Even better out of over 100 draft picks from Iowa in over 20 years, all but one 50th round pick played in those leagues.  And nearly every Iowa HS kid that has gone DI also played in those leagues.  Iowa players have been recruited and played at colleges like Stanford, USC, Baylor, Florida, Georgia Tech, LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon State, and many of the top programs in the country.

At the end of the fall season we take a select team from the league to the biggest scouting event in all of baseball in Jupiter Florida.  Kind of embarrassing that I don't know what the cost is, I do know it would be a fraction of the $2,000 you mentioned. If your son plays in the fall league and he is is DI material, he will draw more DI interest than doing most anything else. Understand that we don't need another player, I just think it is something your son should consider. There are also a couple showcases he could look into, if the league is impossible.

If you are interested contact Steve James (League Director) at PG.

I agree , we went to Iowa this past weekend to play in the spring league ,we are from IL , Wisconsin  area . It was very nice. We played at the university of Iowa on Sunday . And another park 0n sat , I've never see son many trains . Lol .. Then in 2 weeks PG teams come to us and play for the weekend .  Everything ran great no issues and the competition   was great !! Wish we can do it more often . 

RJM posted:

Iowamom23 posted:

RJM posted:

I'm with Fenway and Just about fall ball. The process should be over by the end of the summer. It will be for D1's with possible exceptions. Do the state high school athletic rules allow him to pitch for a travel team while his high school season is in session? Could he possibly hook up with a travel team in the summer just to get a handful of one or two inning appearances in major exposure events? 

I just checked Iowa's roster. They're a competent program. 22 of 35 on the roster are from Iowa. I expected to see six or seven given the size of the state and the summer baseball issue. They must be identifying the studs early and securing them.

Yes. Sadly, my son's not one of them.

 

We'd probably have to go out of state to find a travel team playing during the summer. All the programs I'm aware of play spring and fall, then take summer off for the high school season.

Before you do so make sure your son won't be breaking any high school association rules. It wouldn't be fair to his teammates. 

Honestly, he wouldn't even do it. He was "raised" by a local coach who emphasized loyalty to the local high school and that was the goal of the youth team — to play on the HS team. Son says he's #loyal. Right or wrong, he won't let anything get in the way of that summer season with his HS. So that makes that fall thing even more important.

c2019 posted:

PGStaff posted:

I0WAMOM,

Please understand I'm not interested in selling you on anything.  But you are from Iowa, guessing around Des Moines somewhere.  The summer HS season was our incentive for starting Perfect Game more than two decades ago.  We hold a spring and fall league that is followed very closely.  Those teams play on the weekends at various sites.  They also play against the top teams in Illinois, Wisconsin, St Louis, Kansas City, etc.  Every single MLB player from Iowa has played in those leagues.  Even better out of over 100 draft picks from Iowa in over 20 years, all but one 50th round pick played in those leagues.  And nearly every Iowa HS kid that has gone DI also played in those leagues.  Iowa players have been recruited and played at colleges like Stanford, USC, Baylor, Florida, Georgia Tech, LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon State, and many of the top programs in the country.

At the end of the fall season we take a select team from the league to the biggest scouting event in all of baseball in Jupiter Florida.  Kind of embarrassing that I don't know what the cost is, I do know it would be a fraction of the $2,000 you mentioned. If your son plays in the fall league and he is is DI material, he will draw more DI interest than doing most anything else. Understand that we don't need another player, I just think it is something your son should consider. There are also a couple showcases he could look into, if the league is impossible.

If you are interested contact Steve James (League Director) at PG.

I agree , we went to Iowa this past weekend to play in the spring league ,we are from IL , Wisconson area . It was very nice. We played at the university of Iowa on Sunday . And another park 0n sat , I've never see son many trains . Lol .. Then in 2 weeks PG teams come to us and play for the weekend .  Everything ran great no issues and the comptition was great !! Wish we can do it more often . 

 

 

Actually thinking to do the spring prospect showcase. When does fall league start? Worried it might be late for a 2018?

With or without specifics...how are his grades? Headfirst in Long Island was best money we ever spent for my RHP. Offers poured in after those 2 days. Lots of D3 ,but some heavy hitting academic D1 as well.

Hi IowaMom,

You've gotten some good advice so far.

This Summer and Fall is the time window for most 2018's to get in from of the coaches on their vetted list of colleges.  It's a purposeful plan to be seen by the coaches of the schools the player is interested in, could potentially play for, and potentially be admitted.  Committing to a Fall travel team, particularly at such great cost now, makes zero sense to me in this context.  Time and money should be focused on your son's college plan.

Your son needs to be in front of "his" schools.  Not some random list.  Not some other kid's schools.  He needs to be in front of his vetted list.

For the vast majority of players, that's at college camps or showcases where he knows in advance his schools will be.  For some players, it's tournaments.   Or some combination.

Additionally, your son should continue to communicate with the coaches on his list.  Email updates, calls, video, campus visits, etc. 

Come this Fall, your son may still be deciding.  NLI day won't be until early November.  He may want to do campus visits when school is in session this Fall.  Meet future teammates.  Watch Fall practices.  Spend time with coaches on campus.  Sit in on classes.  Etc. Etc.

Good luck!!!

DrUGA Dawg posted:

With or without specifics...how are his grades? Headfirst in Long Island was best money we ever spent for my RHP. Offers poured in after those 2 days. Lots of D3 ,but some heavy hitting academic D1 as well.

He's a 3.2 GPA and a 24 ACT on his first go around. He took is again Saturday and assumes that he will do better cause he answered all the questions this time around. LOL. He's an instinctive learner rather than a studying, so I worry about him a bit at high academic schools.

IOWAMOM,

Links to fall league and Spring Top Showcase.

https://www.perfectgame.org/ev...ault.aspx?event=5758

https://www.perfectgame.org/ev...ault.aspx?event=4843

Wow, that high school season in the Summer for Iowa sounds like an unusual required commitment of the players.  Especially for players who will be Seniors next year and need the Summer to showcase and visit college camps.  In SoCal, any high school games are really just scrimmages for the underclassmen to show if they can be varsity the next season.  Most HS coaches know that Summer between Junior-Senior year is absolutely critical for the kids who hope to play college baseball and they allow them to miss practice and games to attend showcases and camps.

In any event, assuming your son has some weekends free without games, he could attend an area PG Showcase.  Do one early in the Summer--June if possible.  Then he will have a webpage link with the PG metrics identified that he can send to college coaches during the Summer in his e-mail contacts.  And as others have said, pick 1 or 2 college camps where he would go if they offered him. 

Like others have said about the Fall ball commitment, it is too early to make that decision.  You can have your son tell them he would be happy to be a pitcher only and fill in.  If he is a D1 level talent, he will know where he is going before Fall ball even starts.  And if he is not, then he needs to go to Showcases where the top D2s and D3s are in the Fall.  Leave time in the Fall to visit the college campuses he has a sincere interest in.  You cannot visit in Summer and get the same feel as you can in the Fall when the students are on campus.

Backstop22 posted:

Wow, that high school season in the Summer for Iowa sounds like an unusual required commitment of the players.  Especially for players who will be Seniors next year and need the Summer to showcase and visit college camps.  In SoCal, any high school games are really just scrimmages for the underclassmen to show if they can be varsity the next season.  Most HS coaches know that Summer between Junior-Senior year is absolutely critical for the kids who hope to play college baseball and they allow them to miss practice and games to attend showcases and camps.

In any event, assuming your son has some weekends free without games, he could attend an area PG Showcase.  Do one early in the Summer--June if possible.  Then he will have a webpage link with the PG metrics identified that he can send to college coaches during the Summer in his e-mail contacts.  And as others have said, pick 1 or 2 college camps where he would go if they offered him. 

Like others have said about the Fall ball commitment, it is too early to make that decision.  You can have your son tell them he would be happy to be a pitcher only and fill in.  If he is a D1 level talent, he will know where he is going before Fall ball even starts.  And if he is not, then he needs to go to Showcases where the top D2s and D3s are in the Fall.  Leave time in the Fall to visit the college campuses he has a sincere interest in.  You cannot visit in Summer and get the same feel as you can in the Fall when the students are on campus.

 

Excellent advice and a nice opportunity for Iowa kids made possible by PGStaff who, by the way, was just named the 57th most powerful person in baseball by USA Today:

https://www.usatoday.com/story...ul-people/100172102/

Don't expect Jerry to put much stock in that, though. That's just the kind of guy he is. However, players in Iowa, especially, get a lot of opportunities due to PG.