PBR Events

If you son is a standout player, PBR will get him on their list regardless. If he is good but not a standout, attending one of their events will help get him noticed.

"If you son is a standout player, PBR will get him on their list regardless."

Not so fast RR.. If you want your son to enjoy a PBR ranking.. Then why leave it to chance? Show them the money!! Go to a showcase or two. Take lessons, subscribe to the website. Anything that generates coin. Then... Enjoy your ranking.

If you want to take no chances, I guess you are right. It should be said though that my son never attended an event and received very nice treatment from PBR.

My son never attended a PBR event and was still ranked.

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I don't even know what PBR is and many consider me rank.



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Thanks everyone - I appreciate the insight.

I have heard stories about players who were not on PBR's radar until they attended one event. Then once they had a profile they would be evaluated/ranked regularly not necessarily based on their performance at further PBR events, but also their showcases around the state, etc.

It does make some sense, I suppose, because they can't (or shouldn't) report on specific skills (velocity, 60, pop, etc) that they haven't personally evaluated.

When you consider all the costs associated with recruiting, a PBR showcase is very inexpensive.

The recruiting trail is a one time event and while you won't need to follow all the paths that are available, you will need to make some journeys that only after the trip is through will you be able to say what worked for your son and what didn't.

They are a respected resource for college recruiters. Good luck.

Son went to one very early PBR event only, when they were just getting started. Was treated and ranked well thereafter without going to any of their other efforts. Just went in a different direction, which also worked out. Had friends\teammates who utilized PBR and others who didn't, many playing at the next level

He had a travel teammate (from Rockford actually) who I don't believe ever attended one of their events and was named PBR's Player of the year. He was very, very good though, Area Code games, SEC recruit, high draft choice. He really didn't need the exposure, but others may, to at least get some recognition.

Regardless, an effort must be made in some manner as you can't wait for people to come to you!

Actually they did not even know who that player from rockford was back then until he was pointed out to pbr. Just took one call.

Since that time I think pbr has gotten better at looking outside just the Chicago area and Sean seems to do a nice job.

I think the folks that get lazy with pbr are the college coaches, some don't seem to look past the pbr rating system.

All that being said if you are in shape and ready for their showcase it can get your name out there.

One last comment about Sean Duncan, he is very approachable when you see him. He has helped many players along the way and didn't seem to matter which travel program you were with. If you call him about a player he makes a huge effort to see him play, hs, travel whatever. That guy covers a lot of ground during the season.

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"I think the folks that get lazy with pbr are the college coaches, some don't seem to look past the pbr rating system."

What? Never!




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quote:

Originally posted by gotwood4sale:
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I don't even know what PBR is and many consider me rank.



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I heard that you drank a lot of PBR!

I'm not sure I ever heard Sean or PBR claim to be the be-all and end-all of recruiting services and information. And I'm sure we have no way of knowing if any college coaches take Sean's word and only Sean's word as gospel for their recruiting purposes.

If I were a college coach, I'd use PBR as one of the many resources available to me. I'd include Perfect Game, my relationship with travel ball and high school coaches and my recruiting coordinator.

If I were a player's parent (and I am) I also wouldn't use just one source to get my son's name out there. My son never formally attended any PBR events but Sean has been at several events we've been to and has included my son in his rankings. We are grateful for the exposure.

Sean sure seems to get around and also is trying to include downstate players. Contrary to many opinions, there is a lot of Illinois to be seen south of I-80!

In the last couple of years, my son has been seen, invited and recruited by a number of people and organizations. Some were gracious, objective and fair with their evaluations. Another slammed the phone down when we said we weren't available and one clown recruited an "all-star" team only to tell them on the field they were the worst team he's ever had.

As in all industries, there are a lot of great people, a lot of losers and a bunch in the middle. I wouldn't put all my chips down on PBR but I sure wouldn't dismiss them just because they charge for their services.

Good point biggerpapi, I have seen Sean at many other events other that just Pbr.

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"Contrary to many opinions, there is a lot of Illinois to be seen south of I-80!"

Absolutely!






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Thanks everyone for all of your honest comments. It's very helpful.

College coaches and Dan Durst have given us candid assessments of our 2013's skill level. Coaches/recruiting coordinators at college showcases (in Illinois) have also reiterated what you are saying: don't put your eggs in one basket; do what you can reasonably afford but don't mortgage the house, and try to be realistic about the schools that make sense, not just the baseball programs.

It seems that the PBR underclass invite in January makes sense - it's one more step in the process and he's been doing a great deal of off-season (if there is such a thing) instruction, so it'll keep him in a competitive mindset. It's also really nice to know that Sean is approachable and out there at other events.

Thanks again.

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"I heard that you drank a lot of PBR!"

You must have run across one of the photos out of our family's album. In my day I could wield a pretty quick church key. I remember when pull tabs came along...took the fun out of it!




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I have another question - the event is January 22, which occurs during a quiet period. Will college coaches attend?

Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by Rockford Baseball Mom:
I have another question - the event is January 22, which occurs during a quiet period. Will college coaches attend?

Thanks!

College coaches are allowed to attend camps as paid instructors during the quiet period.

Whether coaches attend is another matter. You'd have to ask the promoters of the event who is scheduled to attend...but yes, it is legal.

QUOTE]

College coaches are allowed to attend camps as paid instructors during the quiet period.

Whether coaches attend is another matter. You'd have to ask the promoters of the event who is scheduled to attend...but yes, it is legal.[/QUOTE]

VERY good advice!!! When I called to inquire they said there won't be any DI coaches there because of the timing but are hopeful that other lower-level scouts and coaches will attend.

My son is a freshman (2014) and atended a PBR event last month. Well run and organized. Is it beneficial to attend the Underclass Invite Showcase in January as a 2014? (Cost $190 or $250 for both sessions)

He is a catcher with above average talent.....ultimate goal to play D-1 baseball.

Thanks for any input.

quote:

Originally posted by 2014 parent:
My son is a freshman (2014) and atended a PBR event last month. Well run and organized. Is it beneficial to attend the Underclass Invite Showcase in January as a 2014? (Cost $190 or $250 for both sessions)

He is a catcher with above average talent.....ultimate goal to play D-1 baseball.

Thanks for any input.

In my opinion you are spending your money before you need to. Trust me. There will be plenty of time to spend your money when your son is a junior.

quote:

Originally posted by RRF8:
In my opinion you are spending your money before you need to. Trust me. There will be plenty of time to spend your money when your son is a junior.

I'd say that's pretty sound advice right there.

Thanks for the advice......truly appreciate it!

I have a bit of a problem with people telling private businesses how to price their product. If you owned a business you would not wanting someone who is not familiar with your costs to tell you how to price your product.

Fact is their pricing is reasonable compared to their competition.

Yes and I am glad that you mentioned this. I was new to the forum and to PBR and to the whole recruiting process at the time. I was taken to task very thoroughly by the old timers for stating this. I felt that their response was very condescending given that their sons were upper classmen or had graduated.
What they should have just said was "be patient". In time, through all of the showcases junior and senior year, things will get sorted out. Any ranking before a player has played a varsity season is in my opinion meaningless. PBR really has little to go by up until that point, so it will seem like the people who attend their showcases get preferential treatment.
So my advice to underclassmen and their parents is be patient. It will all work out.
Incidentally, rankings are never final. It is just a snapshot for a current moment in time. Many unranked high school players excel over ranked high school players in college. The opportunity for a player to advance himself is still there long after his high school days are over.

Ig,

I agree with you 100%. Perhaps you could share with the class a comparison of PBR products and prices to their competition. I would be interested to see how they fare.. Maybe we can get a price list from PBR.. including showcases, instructional leagues, Prospect mentoring, and their classroom courses in sports etiquette and girlfriend consoling (am I missing anything here?).

RR,

Sorry deleted the prior post..

Really just wanted to know if your opinion had changed regarding PBR's treatment/ranking of paying customers vs non. It does appear that you rattled some cages with that post..

I think your bias and bitterness is stated perfectly.

When you compare PBR fee of what $200 or so to Perfect Game $ 600 plus you might get my point.

I'm not against pg or necessarily all in on pbr but people should make their own decisions based on their own finances. Not sure what cynics add to the discussion.

This bitter cynic just wanted you to expand upon your statement that PBR pricing is "reasonable". I don't think you can compare PBR and PG events as they are in different classes and reach different crowds. My experience with PBR events is that they are very expensive.. Assuming that you have attended PBR events with your son, you obviously believe that you got your money's worth.

The point is for those starting on the recruiting trail there will be costs associated with getting the necessary exposure. If you think you'll be discovered playing high school ball and a couple of travel games you'll end up disappointed. PBR in my mind is reasonable. You think otherwise and seem to make it out to be a racket. Illegimate businesses don't last and they are respected by college recruiters.

Now if I was to walk onto a car lot looking for a car would the salesman first show me the car that he gets the most commission on? Maybe. Does that make him illegitimate and the dealer dis honest? I think not.

quote:

Originally posted by RRF8:
Yes and I am glad that you mentioned this. I was new to the forum and to PBR and to the whole recruiting process at the time. I was taken to task very thoroughly by the old timers for stating this. I felt that their response was very condescending given that their sons were upper classmen or had graduated.
What they should have just said was "be patient". In time, through all of the showcases junior and senior year, things will get sorted out. Any ranking before a player has played a varsity season is in my opinion meaningless. PBR really has little to go by up until that point, so it will seem like the people who attend their showcases get preferential treatment.
So my advice to underclassmen and their parents is be patient. It will all work out.
Incidentally, rankings are never final. It is just a snapshot for a current moment in time. Many unranked high school players excel over ranked high school players in college. The opportunity for a player to advance himself is still there long after his high school days are over.

However I am amazed that there are several juniors (2012's) that have verbally accepted offers and never have set foot on the field in a varsity game yet. I choose to ignore all the showcases to save the $$ and it worked, but that may be an exception to the rule.

A racket? Your words, not mine .

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For you JKennedy...



For creative use of visual material contributing positively to the content of your post.



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You know, nobody really likes that.

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Nobody likes what? Gold stars?

I beg to differ sir!






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Sorry, just had a moment of extreme jealousy because I couldn't find a picture of a 75' long tennis racquet.

I did find a nice photo of General Mills....

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I heard he was a real biscuit case...no?




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I would like to take this time to thank my personal computer and Google Images, without which these graphically creative responses would not be possible.. Also a special thanks goes out to the writing staff at the “I’ve given too much of my money to jock-sniffers” baseball rehabilitation institute for providing most of my material. And let’s not forget my new friends Charlie and Lyndsey and the cast and crew of Sarah Palin’s Alaska for allowing average every-day individuals such as us to contantly fly under the radar…

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You've got that right JK...there's nothing quite like flying under the radar!






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