What is the reputation of the Demarini Top 96?
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moneymaker
You have to evaluate each showcase on your own. What may be bad for one person could be good for another. If a college on your list is in attendance it's a good showcase. I'm not a fan of attending showcases to see what sticks on the wall. I believe a player should make a list of target schools and figure out the best way to get in front of them. Then at those showcases you may draw attention from a college that wasn't on your list. Both my kids (softball and baseball) ended up at colleges not on their list attending showcases where their choices were on the list.
While most Showcases are operating to "make money" my experiences with the Top 96 events with my 2013 were very positive. They have a good mix of d1,d2 and d3 coaches there. This is helpful especially for the player who is not really sure where they fit in and what level that they project to play at.
My 2013 got great interest for 2 D1 schools, 1 d2 and 1 d3 school all from this event. The two d1 schools turned into Junior day invites.
My recommendation is to look at what schools are attending the events, ask if they fit into the profile for the player, is the player interested in any of the schools and make your decision based on the answer to those questions.
My 2013 got great interest for 2 D1 schools, 1 d2 and 1 d3 school all from this event. The two d1 schools turned into Junior day invites.
My recommendation is to look at what schools are attending the events, ask if they fit into the profile for the player, is the player interested in any of the schools and make your decision based on the answer to those questions.
Completely agree with RJM above.
We found the Top 96 to be an excellent 'introductory' event as well. Good for a rising Junior, and helpful in its instructional clinics as well as its video analysis opportunity.
Curious what position dano07 played as the level of interest he garnered is much greater than what you should expect from such an event. I'm going to venture a guess that he is either a pitcher or a Hitting Machine?
We found the Top 96 to be an excellent 'introductory' event as well. Good for a rising Junior, and helpful in its instructional clinics as well as its video analysis opportunity.
Curious what position dano07 played as the level of interest he garnered is much greater than what you should expect from such an event. I'm going to venture a guess that he is either a pitcher or a Hitting Machine?
Like anything else, it is hit and miss. Junior attended one with nice mix of D1 to D3 schools. Found some represented by head coach and others a volunteer assistant who used up his eligibility two weeks earlier. Close to 100 kids attending and split them into two groups. Probably 95 degrees and sunny. Kids on the field 2 hours - infield/outfield drills, etc - before running timed 60s. Not real smart.
Staff was cordial, though. And kids had a chance to mingle with coaches and ask questions..
Staff was cordial, though. And kids had a chance to mingle with coaches and ask questions..
Maybe I should have clarified. I apologize for not being specific, it was not right after the event that he got offered the invites. I apologize if that is how it read, not my intention. I should have said that it opened up the lines of communication.
I agree with red sox fan, it is a great intro event. My son attended in the summer of his rising Junior year. It was this event that had opened/started the communication from these schools. One of the d1 schools and both the d2 and d3 schools talked to him at the event and were complimentary and told him they would be following him. The other d1 my son began the communication with the coaches via email thanking them for their participation in the event and them answering a few questions he asked in his email. They followed him and watched him play at several other tournaments and showcases that lead to the invites to the Junior Day. It was his left handed hitting that got their attention.
I agree with red sox fan, it is a great intro event. My son attended in the summer of his rising Junior year. It was this event that had opened/started the communication from these schools. One of the d1 schools and both the d2 and d3 schools talked to him at the event and were complimentary and told him they would be following him. The other d1 my son began the communication with the coaches via email thanking them for their participation in the event and them answering a few questions he asked in his email. They followed him and watched him play at several other tournaments and showcases that lead to the invites to the Junior Day. It was his left handed hitting that got their attention.
My 2014 grad got very good response from the Demarini camp in our area. He was contacted by 3 D1 schools and several lower level programs as well. It was very helpful that Demarini provided the coaches names that would be attending the camp and my son emailed the schools he was interested in prior to the event (which worked).
quote:Originally posted by lefthookdad:
moneymaker
Since when is making money a bad thing? If it is, than we shouldn't go to the grocery store, gas station or any other place of commerce. People who have found a way to profit (Provide for their family) while doing what they love are not evil they are simply among the most fortunate (while not necessarily making a fortune).
It seems you are inferring that they took your money and gave you less than what was promised. If that is indeed the case please share for the benefit of all.
We as parents (whose motives are not always pure) can SPEND a lot of money on our kids and then blame others when the "INVESTMENT" doesn't pay off. Sometimes it is easier to vilify the coach or organization rather than face the FACTS.
Lefthookdad, Please forgive my use of your post to make this point. I am talking to myself and the many others who have perhaps SPENT money unwisely and need to take ownership of their choices.
Personal accountability and taking responsibility for ones actions. What a concept!quote:Originally posted by mcmmccm:quote:Originally posted by lefthookdad:
moneymaker
Since when is making money a bad thing? If it is, than we shouldn't go to the grocery store, gas station or any other place of commerce. People who have found a way to profit (Provide for their family) while doing what they love are not evil they are simply among the most fortunate (while not necessarily making a fortune).
It seems you are inferring that they took your money and gave you less than what was promised. If that is indeed the case please share for the benefit of all.
We as parents (whose motives are not always pure) can SPEND a lot of money on our kids and then blame others when the "INVESTMENT" doesn't pay off. Sometimes it is easier to vilify the coach or organization rather than face the FACTS.
Lefthookdad, Please forgive my use of your post to make this point. I am talking to myself and the many others who have perhaps SPENT money unwisely and need to take ownership of their choices.
I found the DeMarini 96 to be very worthwhile for my son. He missed 95% of his junior year because of an elbow injury. He played some first base but could not pitch over the summer. So, he had no time to showcase himself between October of his junior year until the start of his senior season. We sent out video and reached out to several schools. Because DeMarini lists the schools/coaches who will be attending, he was able to pick a camp that had 3 of his top schools. This was fall of his senior year. He let the coaches know he was coming to the camp and as a direct result of the camp ended up getting three offers from DIII schools and some interest from two DI schools in the midwest (my son decided not to pursue those for his own reasons.
So, yes, overall I think DeMarini is worth it.
So, yes, overall I think DeMarini is worth it.
Clearly it's situational. My son did a Top96 and in his opinion it was the worst event he did whether showcase or camp.
He felt like all he did was stand around the vast majority of the day.
He felt like all he did was stand around the vast majority of the day.
Demarini Top 96 event in New England around Thanksgiving helped to put my son on the radar of a couple of D1 programs and several D3's in the fall of his junior year. We thought showcase was very well run and provided great exposure. We maintained contact with the coaches that expressed interest and then looked to enroll in their specific college prospect showcases if they were available. Lots of work but we took a very aggressive and proactive approach. Also wanted to make sure that we pursued programs at schools that were competitive academically.