Showcase camps

I've wondered this myself il2008. Good post.

My son is an 09. We are looking at some local college summer camps. I do not know the age restrictions on showcases but if there was an opportunity for younger players to attend, the experience they would get out of it would be great.

Slider

All in due time--- don't rush it-- make sure they are ready --a 7th/8th grader hitting against a senior in HS is not a proper matchup

TRhit

I agree with TR. Sooooooo much changes between 8th grade and Junior year in high school. I don't think I'd put an 8th grader into a showcase.

Now, on the other hand, our son started playing travel ball in 8th grade and playing against great competition at that age is a very good idea in my opinion. I believe PG is starting to run some tournaments at that level and I wouldn't hesitate to put a solid travel team into one of their tournaments.

Face kids your own age or slightly older with more talent and you can't help but get better. And at 8th grade, in my opinion the focus should be on getting better and making your high school team the next year.

If your '08 understands that it's not a do-or-die situation, it doesn't matter if he's got to face an '04 pitcher. I feel that '08s should make the effort, give it their all, learn from the older players, and see what skills may be achievable for themselves over the next 3-4 years. It's all about perspective. If the kid goes into the 1-2 day camp understanding that this is his entree into something bigger and better and that he's not going to be written off by scouts at the age of 13 or 14, I don't see the harm in it. We're going to try to make the Evansville PG ID camp in July. My '08 son will be six weeks into his 14th year. He's really looking forward to it and it's added a level of intensity to his current training. But we mostly talk about it in terms of what it means NOW (fun and experience) versus what it may mean in '07 and '08 (real exposure).

"Son, when you pitch a strike, Mr. Hornsby will let you know."

See more good in a camp which is more instructional than a showcase at pre h.s. years. Put your money into good private instruction and concentrate on his development including strong summer team/league. From what we have been told SHOWTIME is junior year in h.s..

"On two legs, Mickey Mantle would have been the greatest ballplayer who ever lived." - Nellie Fox

I have an 09 and an 05.... The 05 just started showcases this last year... that was plenty early. I may start my younger one when he's a sophomore but only if he's able to compete and do WELL at the HS varsity level.

Take it One step at a time.


Worry about making the HS varsity team before worrying about showcases. Once you've done that, then consider the showcases. So if he can play HS Varsity as a freshman, then you can start showcasing that summer.

I'm in agreement that a player "should not" attend any showcases until he's made his HS Varsity Team. Only exception would be if the varsity team is top heavy and he's a "top" JV Player, then I would sign him up.

The first showcase will be a learning experience and educate your player and his parents on the talent that's "out there" away from small town USA.

You may be a top player in your area but when you hit the showcase circuit, it can be a rude awakening for some players AND their parents.

To sum it all up, when your player has "something to showcase", then by all means, support him and get him entered to display his talents. Just remember, if the showcase has games, your player will compete on the field with some of the top players in the country. Of course, this depends greatly on which showcase he attends. Some are rich with talent and others are not favorable.

PLEASE do your research BEFORE signing up your player. Ask players, parents, baseball message boards and others about which showcases to attend AND why did they make that choice. You'll be surprised to hear some of the stories. If you haven't done it yet, research the hsbbweb site thoroughly and you'll get most of your questions answered.

The hsbbweb is the #1 source of information for a baseball player and his parents in the country today.

Learning day by day on the hsbbweb...

Thanks for the advice MWR-VA and SDBB. We'll wait until he reaches varsity level. So far the research I've done seem to indicate the Perfect Game Underclass showcases are a good starting point. Any feedback on that?

il2008... PG draws the "top players in the world". Do I need to say anything more about them.

One word of advice. If your son is invited to a PG Showcase, make sure he is in top shape and ready to perform with some of the best baseball players in the country. He can either make a name for himself, hold his own or for a choice of better words, be blown away.

That's what a showcase is all about isn't it? To perform in front of baseball vip's and show them your stuff for future consideration to be selected as a part of their program. Either College or Pro.

Learning day by day on the hsbbweb...