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My son went last year and had a ball! We planned to go back this summer but he just got an invite to the PG Academic Showcase in Fl. So now I'm not sure which we'll do. But if we do go to Waco, I agree it would be fun to meet up with some fellow hs websters! What year/position is your son? Mine is a sophomore lhp.
just go down there looking for a good time - there will most likely fewer than a handful of scouts in attendance and most likely no other college coaches other than the host baylor staff. pg runs a first class event, but don't get your hopes up that this is anything other than an acquision opportunity for pg. if your kid does not have something special that can translate into a super number like a sub 7 60 time or an 88+ mph fast ball, this is a total waste of time. wait till your kid is a bit older and ready for one of the "real" showcases. also find out which "team" your kid will be placed on - some of the so-called coaches will come in with a group of his own kids, and if your kid gets placed on that team, he will not get much playing time. on the other hand, when pg gets around to posting the info on your kid, they will do a good job of stessing the positive things that they see. my kid hopes to attend another pg event, but i doubt it will be one of their underclass events.
-texdad10

I would have to disagree with you on that post. I have found it very helpful attending this event for my follow list. Although not many colleges attend, it's a great opportunity for us scouts to see a handful of kids at the same time. We can also see how each individual player stacks up to the other players in his age group. Even if the player does not have the ability or desire to play pro ball directly following high school, it is a great experience for the player to perform in that type of situation... D1 college field, scouts watching, playing with and against players you've never heard of. It's my view that if you're presented the opportunity to attend, you'd be a fool not to. And I, and the other scouts who come, really appreciate the opportunity to see numerous players at once. That's my two cents.
cuda
thanks for the reply - it's good to hear that type of feedback. as for the experience from the players' standpoint, i would agree 100%. although my son did not get a lot of playing time, he still benefits from the self confidence gained by letting only one batter past first base, other successes, that sort of thing. i guess from all the marketing materials, etc, though, i had developed some unrealistic expectations going in.
IMO, most players that are worth the scouts attention play for one of several top 17&18 year-old select teams in the DFW area. These players don't need to be out the additional time and money because the scouts and colleges generally flock to see these teams play. The elite teams usually set up their own events in the fall for additional exposure.
I think attending the underclass events is important. What you are striving for is to set your self up for the PG senior events - the Nationals, World Showcase, etc. The underclass events gives you a chance to be seen by the PG scouts. If you do well at these events you stand a better chance getting invited to the senior events. Also, you must remember that you do not be an elite player to play at the next level. The showcase trend we are seeing today is giving alot of boys an opportunity to be seen by the Division II, III and NAIA colleges - this was not the case 5 years ago. No you do not have to throw the ball 88MPH or be some superstar to play at the next level.

My boy was not a superstar; but, got the opportunity to play for a NAIA college in Georgia - we are from Texas. This would not have happened had he not gone through the Perfect Game system.

So in summary, if you get invited to a PG event - GO! This is the only showcase system I would say this for - except Area Code Tryouts.
K...
perhaps a few...
Mostly the underclass events are as cuda described...Pg compiles the info , then sends reports to colleges/scouts across the nation.
This is the first step in the "recruiting" process...from this, your son may be invited to other PG showcase events, WWBA or other events.
It will get him into the pipeline!
Last edited by baseballmom
I think more important than how many college coaches will be there at that age, is that you will get a honest objective evaluation of your sons talent. Mine went to the underclass after his sophmore year primarily as a RHP. While PG gave him some positive comments about his pitching, they said they liked his bat even better, and would probably be a corner infielder in college. Well they were right. He was recruited and signed as a corner infielder. I would say the folks at PG know what they are doing.
We were at the Balor event last year. Hoot Johnigan- Baylor Asst was there for every "game". Milt Thompson (responsible for Baylor recruiting) was there for a few. There were also a few non-PG scouts there. We viewed this as an opportunity to experience the PG "system" knowing that there would time and room to improve over the next few years. If you are hoping to be recruited as a result of this particular showcase, don't go.

Overall it was a great experience even with the rain. We didn't experience a PG coach with his own players at this event. Eventhough my son was an incoming soph, he got plenty of PT including ample time on the bump.

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