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Need Advice

R rhp18mom10+ posts
I'm looking for some advice from those of you who have been down this path before. Here's a little background on our situation. My son is a 2010 and was a varsity starter last year as a freshman. This fall he played on a local scout team and was one of only 2 Sophs on the team. He has recently received some letters from colleges and numerous camp and showcase invitations.

We are completing the questionnaires and returning them. Most of the letters state how they cannot call my son, but that he can call or email them and they have given phone numbers. How important is it to call the coaches and is it okay for me or my husband to make the calls? My son is shy and I know that he needs to work on this - but he is very nervous about initiating the phone calls. And he's not sure what questions to ask, etc.

My other question is regarding winter college camps vs showcases. We have a limited budget right now. We are debating whether to have my son attend a college camp during the winter break at either Pepperdine, San Diego State or another CA school OR the California Perfect Game underclass showcase in January. Financially, we can't do both right now. Any advice on which would be a better choice?
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BOFBOF10,000+ posts
You might want to repost this in the Showcase Forum section.

You will get some great advice from others on this site on this one.

We are west coast based one year behind you and have been told the two show cases that are a must attend are 1) Arizona Fall Classic 2) WWBA in GA. You don't mention the state, but if your son is on a true scout team that is west coast based then a recommendation to be invited to the area code games is also a must.

I would budget my money around the Jr year for my 1 & 2, and then fill in others to get experience as your budget allows. You may want to target the college he is interested in for the winter or summer program.

You are sure to get some other recommendations here and you might want to post your state for some more specifics.

Good Luck!
YoungGunDadYoungGunDadHSBaseballWeb member since 2005
IMHO, it seems a little premature for your 2010 son to be contacting college coaches at this time. While your son may have some schools on his mind that he might one day want to attend and play for, he has a while before he really needs to decide where is best for him. Honestly, I can't really think of any conversation your son or a college coach could have right now. Especially with coaches trying to focus on their fall rosters, cuts, transfers, grades, etc.

Continue to fill out the questionnaires, attend the showcases that give the most exposure with quality instruction, and be sure to make as many contacts and handshakes over the next 2 years as you can. They will become valuable to you later.

Personally, you can never go wrong with anything Perfect Game is involved with. For the money, it will go further for your son because coaches and recruiters will be able to view his profile(s) long after the showcases are over.

Good luck, and most of all - Have fun!
Last edited by YoungGunDad
R rhp18mom10+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by BOF:

We are west coast based one year behind you and have been told the two show cases that are a must attend are 1) Arizona Fall Classic 2) WWBA in GA. You don't mention the state, but if your son is on a true scout team that is west coast based then a recommendation to be invited to the area code games is also a must.


BOF
He was actually able to attend both the Sr AZ Fall Classic and the Jr AZ Fall Classic this year. Several of the letters he received specifically referenced the fall classic.

He's been invited to go to the WWBA by a another team next summer and we hope that we are able to make that happen.

I will have to look into the area code games. I've heard of them, but am not familiar with the selection process. Can incoming Jr's participate or is it for incoming Seniors?
R rhp18mom10+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by YoungGunDad:
IMHO, it seems a little premature for your 2010 son to be contacting college coaches at this time. While your son may have some schools on his mind that he might one day want to attend and play for, he has a while before he really needs to decide where is best for him. Honestly, I can't really think of any conversation your son or a college coach could have right now. Especially with coaches trying to focus on their fall rosters, cuts, transfers, grades, etc.


I agree that it is early - but when you read the letters, it really seems to indicate that they want to hear from him. I realize they are probably form letters, but they should have known that he is a 2010. I just don't want to turn a coach or recruiter "off" by not responding. We are not initiating any contact with other schools - this just applies to the schools from which he has received letters. We just want to start this process off on the right foot so to speak.

I was actually thinking that instead of my son calling them, he could email them, thanking them for the letter, etc.
BOFBOF10,000+ posts
I have seen both Jr's and Sr's at the Area Code games.

There may be other ways to get an invite, but I do know that you must be recommended by a MLB sanctioned scout to be considered. This is a best of the best event.

There are members on this site that know all about the selection process that should chime in on this one.
B batavia10+ posts
My son was very similar to yours in that he was a man of few words and a bit shy. The first call or two was tough, but after that he became better at it. One other thing - most of the coaches who talked with my son were pretty good at it. I think they also realize that many of the kids are not skilled at these things and it seeme dto me that they knew how to carry the conversation with the kids. By the time he got into serious discussions (probably only 6-9 months after the first calls), I was amazed how good he had become at doing it.

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