Showcase Fears

The first step is to tell him that its normal to be nervous at showcases and that every other player out there is at least as nervous as he is. Nervousness provides a heightened sense of awareness, a kind of supercharged tank that nature has given us to respond to a threat.

The "threat" at the showcase is the threat of failure. However, we can use that stress to our advantage by recognizing it and stealing its advantage to us by allowing us to focus better, run faster, throw harder etc. Evolution gave it to us for a reason. It allows us to respond to threat with extra resources as long as we recognize it for what it is. If your not nervous - your not human. That extra adrenaline works!

The second step is to understand that your skills don't hide no matter how nervous you are. College coaches are experienced and know how to recognize skills even when you strike out or make an error. Your skills are what they are when you get to the showcase, its too late to improve on them, so just let it go. The coaches know what they are looking for.

Finally, and most importantly, baseball is a game. We play it for fun. The showcase is just the same game but with slightly different rules to make things go faster. Turn every showcase event into a game. It HAS TO BE FUN OR COLLEGE BASEBALL WILL NOT BE FUN. Laugh, talk it up, encourage your fellow showcase teammates. Turn it into a game that you can win, just like every baseball game you've ever played in.

It will all work out just fine if you go out there, have fun, and leave everything out there on the field.

Thanks for the great feedback leftyshortsop!

At your sons age Showcases are nothing to lose propositions. I would tell him that.

Most schools are not going to ask kids to commit at that age anyway. My son did some reach school showcases at that age and did not impress. He came back a year later with added strength and opened some doors.

There is nothing to loose(except some of your $$) and everything to gain. In my sons case he learned how to showcase at his first two at age 15. After that he was never nervous. If he has a bad weekend than it is a good learning experience. If he has a good weekend that is a bonus is the way we approched it. It is also an opportunity to begin to see what level your kid can compete.

Good Luck and Tell him to have fun. He is playing ball afteralll and its better than picking weeds no matter what happens!!

quote:

Originally posted by baseball24_7:
My son is a very good 15u baseball player and plays for an elite team. He plays as one of the top players on his team, but he seems to be nervous and overcome with fear at showcases.

Any advice on how to calm showcase jitters and get a player to peform well in front of scouts and coaches?

His baseball future will not be determined at age 15. That said, I understand your concern. Send him first to the most obscure showcase you can find so he can get the nerves out of his system. After that, it will be much, much easier (or should be).

Great advice from lefty.

Another angle...

This applies to games as well as showcases and really helps when a player is on a bigger stage than he is usually accustomed to but it should be used at all times...

Before the event, have a plan and be prepared. At the event, have TOTALLY IMMERSED FOCUS.

You have been to other showcases, so you know the basic routine. Focus very specifically on each game situation/event and what your plan is to "win" or execute as best as you can.

Example - You are taking OF balls and throwing home. Your thought process - "I am going to get a good read, take a good route, get behind the ball and get my momentum going straight thru to my target, throwing a strong one-hopper with a low trajectory aiming exactly one step right of the dish."

When playing in games, really get deep into the situational thought process prior to the pitch. Then, just react and play ball.

If you occupy your mind totally on the proper game plan and situational stuff, your mind won't wander to outside distractions that add to nervousness.

Still, know that, no matter how well you prepare and focus, you will have good performances and not-so-good. But the more you prepare, work and focus, the less you'll have the "not-so-good" results. Use the not-so-good in a positive way - learn specifically from what didn't go well and work to get better in that area.

Along the lines of what lefty is saying - in the dugout (around game prep) and all along the trip, make sure you really enjoy and appreciate where you are and what you are doing - playing baseball with a bunch of other good players like you! It doesn't get much better than that.

Also, the first twenty or so times I heard about "deep breathing for relaxation" and "visualization" as performance techniques, they sounded like a bunch of phsyco-balony. They're not. They are real and effective.

Dad, you have to do your part as well. Don't overload with advice or let too much of the travel time become occupied with "the event". Have other stuff to talk about and keep things light.

The one thing my son and I talked about, which he finally took to last year, was that showcases prior to your Junior year are simply to get you used to the process. It's a no-lose situation for you.

"If you do better than a lot of players there, then great. If not, well you are younger than many, anyway. You will improve over the next couple years. All you need to concentrate on is seeing how the process works and understanding the key areas for you to show well in. Relax, have fun, and just enjoy yourself."

If your son can take this approach, he will get comfortable with the process before it really counts. His Junior and Senior year is when he needs to show well, and that will depend on him being relaxed and comfortable with the process.

For additional help, find some inexpensive showcases for him to attend, even if he is not interested in the schools being there. $100 for a 2 day camp/showcase may be an inexpensive investment for him to practice on the process.

Good luck.