Showball

My 2015 went to one in California this summer.  It was well run.  They promised 75 and there was at least 75 there. It was kind of funny to see since one of the field had a real short area behind home so they were on top of each other behind the screens.  While many of the schools just use the list for sending invites to their camps, he has had 5 or 6 schools communicate with him directly since then from this showcase.

How many at bats do they get?  Son got 2 at local college showcase. If they play 2 plus games maybe they will get 4-6 depending on # present.

How many batters does each pitcher face?  Last showcase we went too there were 40 pitchers and they each faced 6 batters-that's it. Honestly out of 40 about 6 stood out in games. Only about 4 good hits from the 4 plus hrs of games I watched. One great throw from OF to get man out at home. Saw about 25 catchers w drills/games and only about three stood out that I saw and heard chatter about. Everyone else blended in, either as average or below. 

My ? Is was it worth it because of large number there?  If you were one of top 15-20 there that day than yes.  I just think it's hard to really be noticed at showcase. 

Hope someone goes CA/FL and can give us the 411. $795.00 is a lot to ride on one event.. 

We took our son to the Showball Mega Camp in FL and we were really happy with it. Much better than a PG showcase. First day was drills and second day was games. They only had 13 kids on a team (unlike PG) and two catchers, three pitchers I think. Each kid played in two games and my son got 6-7 at bats total in the two games which was great. Very organized and well-run. There were 100 college coaches there and we now have an offer from a D1 school (and significant interest from others) because of what they saw there. Worth it for us! 

Was your son a pitcher?

what did he do to get noticed? Was he fast, did he get big hits? Curious whatgot their   attention-it can help others. Congrats on getting noticed

playball - He is a catcher. Had ok poptimes but did very well in the live games. Also showed a lot of leadership in the dugout and when catching, which caught the eye of some of the coaches. He has a very strong bat so had some rips against good pitching. Plus always has a great attitude which is so important. Apparently one kid struck out (after multiple strikeouts) and had a complete meltdown - the WORST thing you could ever do. The coaches are watching how these kids handle adversity as well. 

Just curious. How much is the offer and what level D1 is it?

TPM - it's mid-level D1 and not much $$ for now but might be worth it because great school. It's early and there's lots of talk with coaches at other D1 schools. Hoping that with one offer in, more will come once spring/summer rolls in. Plus Area Code and all of that will help. He is also very interested in Ivys and they move much later so we are in no rush. All I'm saying is that Showball was a good tournament, he has received lots of good feedback and it hopefully will put him in a better negotiation spot this spring and summer. 

Did you go to the one recently in dec?  I kind of think that is kind of strange that a coach sees a player one time (unless he was familiar with him) and offers him a scholarship after 6-7 at bats.

Congrats on the offer, and that is good feeback on Showball.  Like TPM I was surprised they offered after just a few at bats.  Possibly they see something they really like, or they are putting a "placeholder offer" or initial offer to show their genuine interest.  In my experience, I've seen some academic schools do that.  They know they are a little ahead of their typical recruiting calendar, and want to get something in front of the recruit to hold his interest before the bigger name D1s try to make a run at him.  I don't know your specific situation, but I have seen that recruiting strategy before. 

 

As far as Ivys go, yes you've got a ways to go before you get into their recruiting calendar.  Possibly you may have some tough decisions ahead between a traditional D1 or an Ivy.  I know a handful of people who've turned down significant, time bound D1 offers for the opportunity to continue to pursue Ivys.  It happens all the time.  But, you've got to understand exactly what your son brings to the Ivy table and where you are in the process. 

 

Good luck.   Feel free to Dialogue PM me (top right corner) if you have specific questions.

fenway/tpm- I should have explained that we have followed up Showball with then attending camps at the schools that have been seriously pursuing him. So they have definitely gotten more looks and time with him...But Showball helped get things really going for him. Most of the schools there have had camps/clinics this January so that's how this has progressed.

Be careul of camps.  What u want is for these interested coachs  to see your son playing in a real team situation...high school, travel ball etc. Camps are for making money or for picking up last minute players.
JMO

TPM I agree with you - I think both camps and showcases are complete rackets. We're done with the showcases (hopefully forever). Area Code is definitely worth it (but invitational and no cost) so we'll do that one. Hate all these college camps - another huge racket. We went to one recently that was held inside a baseball facility that's smaller than my son's club team facility. So we're done with that as well. Just happy he has an offer to play D1 - now we're playing with house money, so to speak. Not sure whether he will get $$ to play his first year (or ever) but this is his dream. Now we wait and see what happens once the season begins. 

My two cents-camps/showcases can be worthwhile if u go in w the right expectations. 

My son has attended a few only wIth schools he's interested in and has been noticed pitching and it has started the process. They now want to see him pitch in game and one who has is talking scholarship. 

It has been a good experience for him in learning how to talk w coaches. 

they r definitely moneymakers but some schools do a great job of making money while able to see local talent for first time. It's expensive so choose wisely. Look to knowledgeable HS/travel coaches to steer you in the right direction As far as D1 vs D2 or other level.