Question on USA Baseball 16U tournament

The USA JO's were one of the most fun yet difficult events we attended. Competition is strong and the venues are top notch.

We went for the experience, for the chance to see how our son stacked up, for a very faint/slight hope at a USA tryout and for a min-vacation of sorts. I would do it all again.

I saw no college coaches in attendance 5-6 years ago, but I believe PG covers the event fairly extensively. Today, maybe there are coaches??

We did not attend the Arizona Fall Classic although I am told it is a good event. We attended other events that were similar, but again, for the experience and the competition.

Other than showcases, I'm not sure we ever really discussed attending an event to get in front of college coaches. In fact, the first tournament where they were apparent to me was an MLK-weekend tournament in SoCal during our son's junior year and to me seeing them there was more of a novelty than anything else. We sent him to that event because he was invited to play on a very good team and we thought it would be another cool experience.

I also met PGStaff's son at that MLK-weekend tournament where I was naive and stupid enough to ask him who he was and why he was there. Thankfully, he was a very patient and kind young man and graciously answered my nutty questions.

I probably left that particular event more giddy about getting Charles White's (he was an umpire) autograph than anything else. Just like a kid in a candy store I suppose.

justbaseball- My take on this is that you should go to both of these events. Playing against good competition will make you a better player. Exposure is great but it's just part of the journey.

BTW- Do not get wrapped up in exposure when you are a freshman. Do your homework, work hard, and maximize every day. The exposure part will take care of itself.

Like justbaseball says, the JO is a great tourney for experience and seeing what's out there. Don't expect much as far as recruiting. Overall a very well-run and fun event. One of my son's teammates was chosen for the USA team, and eventually a very high draft pick. An exciting time for all, and when you get to see such great talent, it's also humbling in a good way.
The Fall Classic is also a great event. Less of a tourney and more a showcase in that there is no champion crowned. At bats are limited as is time. ncball offers great advice re: exposure. Enjoy the journey!

If you want to play against the best then go! The experience will do a player good; whether he plays his best or not.

The JOs, henceforth to be called the USA Baseball 16u championships, are almost certainly the single best 16u tournament in the country. This will be the fifth straight year we've sent a team (assuming, of course, that USA Baseball accepts us again) and it is the highlight of the summer for our 16s team. We wouldn't miss it for anything.