Ok, just back from sons first college camp...question..

How old is your son? Was this a D1 school? Typically for the younger kids, it generates revenue for the baseball program. However, they do offer excellent instruction.

He is 16. Went to Xavier Univ. From what I could view they were very instrumental and informative to the kids throughout.

I'm not sure about this. I'd feel a bit strange about contacting a college coach after a camp asking for instructional tips. They can't want to have to give followup evaluation to every kid who attends a camp.

If your son is interested in the college, I think a followup email thanking them is perfectly fine - but IMO it should come from your son, not you.

But as far as asking them for swing analysis and feedback on what to change - I think that is a bit beyond the scope of what they are doing with a one day camp.

It they really liked your son as a player and view him as a potential prospect they will contact you. They will let your son know you can bet on that.

Thx Coach May, good advice plus being a Soph. they cant do much anyways!

I have a little different take.My son went to a D1 camp his junior year, and followed it up with an email asking what the coach felt he needed to work on.This is a very strong D1.Asst. coach wrote back to my son, and said he wished more parents/kids did at the camps they went to.Gave my son specific things to work on and told us where he thought our son was developmentally at the time.Cant hurt to ask.

My son's strategy was a little different than coach May's. After camp he wrote the HC a short email telling him how much he enjoyed the camp and appreciated the coach's style and loved seeing the school. He went on to say that since he respects the coach he was wondering what the coach thought of him and where he thought the coach thought he stacked up against other kids in his age group. Be ready for the answer you don't won't to hear. However, in our three instances the coach wrote back an honest email that either started the recruiting process or ended it. Isn't that what you want?

Our 2010 son has been to a number of college camps last Fall and this Winter at schools he is interested in. About a week after each camp he writes the coach thanking him for the camp and asking if they can tell him how he did (performance), what they saw as his strengths and what they saw as his weaknesses. Only one never responded. All the others sent him at least some kind of response, usually within a few days at most. They varied in detail and comments, some positive, some neutral and some not so positive. Based on our experience it seems most coaches will take the time to give some feedback, if your son politely requests it.

For us the feedback is invaluable, whether its positive or negative.

Is this a school he is interested in? There is nothing wrong with follow-up dialogue, from Gson. I understand he's somewhat limited as a sophomore and the NCAA rules on contact, et al. As long as it occurs on campus or at camp, GSon should speak with the coach.

The main benefits of a college camp for the school are: Revenue & Scouting. The main benefits for the player are: Instruction & Exposure. NOT necessarily in that order, but you get the idea. IMO, the number one thing for a 2012 needs to be instruction. And, it sounds like they spent some 1-on-1 time with Gson. As far as exposure, it's been our experience we knew if there was interest because they initiated dialogue before the end of camp.

It sounds like you are on the right track with going to camp and getting quality instruction.

GED10DaD

quote:

For us the feedback is invaluable, whether its positive or negative.

That's the key.Can the parents and players handle what might be said.And if you are a sophmore,or a junior a lot can change in one or two years,Esp. if you take the things the coach says and really work on all aspects of the game.