Showcase options w/ $ issues

The most important things is focusing on what you do have, not what you don't.

You have a physical frame which will attract attention.

You are in a state with some great colleges, including D1s.

You haven't even played your sophomore year and scouts have seen you.

You have 4 pitches.

You have access to a computer.

You know someone with a radar gun.

Keep working. Get good grades. Make the most of what you have and don't lose sleep over what you can't control. In my view the sophomore year is about working hard to improve your game and getting good grades.

Attend the area code tryouts in your area next summer, washington nationals have your area, it's free.

thank you both for your advice

NCBaseball,

You have a PM.

Make a youtube video and send it to schools you're interested in, and maybe even some schools you don't know much about.

If the coaches like you they will ask for your spring/summer/fall schedule where they can go watch you play in person.

Don't worry about not being able to go to showcases, they are overrated.

quote:

Originally posted by Walawala:
...Don't worry about not being able to go to showcases, they are overrated.

This is bad info. Not ALL showcases are overrated.

You have a MUCH better chance grabbing a coach's attention at a well-attended showcase than from a random, unknown kid sending him a youtube link.

quote:

Originally posted by redbird5:

quote:

Originally posted by Walawala:
...Don't worry about not being able to go to showcases, they are overrated.

This is bad info. Not ALL showcases are overrated.

You have a MUCH better chance grabbing a coach's attention at a well-attended showcase than from a random, unknown kid sending him a youtube link.

im going to a showcase this fall
but i was saying in my first post that i couldnt go to some of the showcases that has been recommended to me.
not that i cant go to all showcases

I would add that you should look at some of the colleges you are interested in and see if they have an inexpensive camp. Some are $$$, but others are very reasonable. Fortunately you still have time to get on coaches radars so make up a game plan and do as much as possible within your budgetary means. Don't forget to concentrate on getting good grades, improving your skills, and keeping your body healthy. That will pay off more than you think in a few years.

My son went to a showcase as a sophomore and from my persepective it is not essential. In fact, I doubut it is helpful so early on in high school.

I'm not saying showcases aren't helpful, I just don't believe the coaches are focused on 2014s yet. From what I understand they are trying to finish their 2012s and starting to focus more on their list of 2013s.

Others have more experience, but that's been my observation.

I’m with twotex on this. Save your money right now (and time). Thank about what you are interested in doing with your life. Don’t have an interest? Explore some things and find one, different classes, talk to adults who do different jobs. Think about life beyond baseball, cause you are not going to be a MLB player. (OK this can be plan “B” but have a plan “A”)

Make up a list of schools that you are interested in. Do the research on whether you are interested in a big school, a small school, location? There are lots of variables that you need to consider. Now once you have a plan, then you can start working the plan. You plan should have around 30 schools from stretch to safe, academically and athletically. You are going to have to identify the head and recruiting coach for each one and send them your profile. This list should include D1-DIII’s. Just because you might be a D1 athlete you may find a DIII that is a better match. (That’s right you need to make up a profile)

Get in the gym and get bigger stronger faster. Work on your baseball skills. You’re a pitcher? Get out and get on a long toss program. Make sure you continue to work hard on your grades and start taking the PSAT so you see what you need to work on SAT wise. BTW there is more academic money available out there than athletic.

There are some things you should be thinking about for next summer however. Area Code, a must. You just don’t waltz in to Area Code, you need to find a scout that will recommend you for a tryout. You are in NC, so start to ask about some good teams in your area that you can get on. Where is the USA baseball training center from you? Get in the NTIS program. There are the big tournaments at Cary and Jupiter that should fit in your plans next year.

By now you should get the drift that thinking about a showcase right now is wasting your time and $$. You have a ton of other things you should be spending your time on.

Good Luck!

BOF, I, also, have a 2014 and he and I have begun the process. He was at a tournament last summer where they had a individual tryouts in front of several college coaches (I think 10 colleges DI- DIII). He did very well, specifically in pitching, and has raised some interest from colleges both near and far. He has been working in the gym and outside (scary but true this fall in Ohio) on conditioning and baseball skills, however,I have 2 questions about last reply

1. what is Area Code? and how do you get in front of a scout?

2. How do you find a good long toss program?

Here is an Area Code link.

http://rise.espn.go.com/baseba...-Baseball/Index.aspx

Talk to your HS coach, or someone else who is deep into baseball in your area and they will know about Area Code and who is a scout in your area.

Jaeger sports for long toss.

http://www.jaegersports.com/home.php?cat=

I think you have to be 16 to do an area code tryout, fyi.

thanks baseballmomandCEP, guess he just qualified since he turned 16 last sunday

quote:

think you have to be 16 to do an area code tryout, fyi.

Actually I don't recall any age provision, just being a rising Jr or Sr. Might be but I don't recall them asking.

I agree with what has been said...showcasing at this age MIGHT NOT be worth it. BUT...it might...IF you have something to showcase. As a pitcher who is 6'4", that will catch their eye pretty quickly. Throwing 82 with your frame should have them put a star next to your name to keep an eye on you.

In my experience, all it takes is that one time for them to see you do something great ("look pretty") and it puts you on the map. Do you want to wait until you are a rising senior? That is up to you.

As for videos/youtube links, etc...they are good if the right person is pushing the link. Meaning, if a coach gets an unsolicited link or video from a player, 99 times out of 100 he will not watch it. BUT, if he gets the same link from someone he trusts, he will most likely watch it.

thanks everyone,
All of this info is great.
That is why i came to this site.There is really no other site where you can get such great advice from so many people who have been there and done that.or people who are in the situation that you are.

Im going to a showcase next weekend.It is very cheap and there is going to be 40 scouts there.of those 40 scouts im interested in 6 of those schools.

I saw that some people are saying that there is no point in going to a showcase as a sophmore.
so are you all saying that i dont need to go to because of my skill level.or that all sophmores there is o point?

go to the cheap event that you mention----let the six schools you have interest in know you ill be there you have to start somewhere

quote:

Originally posted by NCBASEBALL10:
thanks everyone,
All of this info is great.
That is why i came to this site.There is really no other site where you can get such great advice from so many people who have been there and done that.or people who are in the situation that you are.

Im going to a showcase next weekend.It is very cheap and there is going to be 40 scouts there.of those 40 scouts im interested in 6 of those schools.

I saw that some people are saying that there is no point in going to a showcase as a sophmore.
so are you all saying that i dont need to go to because of my skill level.or that all sophmores there is o point?

If there are six schools on your list that will be attending, and it's affordable for your family, then I'd suggest going to the showcase. As TRhit suggested, make sure to send an email to those schools. In fact, I'd send an email to all forty of them...hey, you never know? You're not going to get any offers at this point, but there's a very good chance that you'll be placed on a follow list due to your size and possible upside.

As for being a sophomore, and your current skill level or lack of velocity? I agree with the others, you should be working your rear off to get stronger, faster, etc...But that's for EVERYONE at all times, it never ends! As BOF suggested, make sure to take the PSAT to see what you need to work on when the SAT rolls around, and keep your grades up. Good grades can open addtional doors that baseball may not.

Good luck...let us know how you fare at the showcase next weekend.

I just don't see showcases as important for a sophomore. My answer was based on the fact that coaches aren't focused on the class of 2014 yet. They need to finish the 2012 class and work on the 2013 list of recruits. That's not to say they won't have a list of 2014s started, my point is that I don't believe you will miss out on an opportunity by saving your money until after your sophomore year.

That's not to say it hurts anything to go as a sophomore - it didn't set my son back to go. You can see how you fit in, and how the showcases are conducted (if you've never been).

Don't know if you've looked at the recruiting timeline on ths website, but it is a well regarded schedule of what to work on/do year by year.

Good luck, and keep asking questions!

quote:

That's not to say it hurts anything to go as a sophomore - it didn't set my son back to go. You can see how you fit in, and how the showcases are conducted (if you've never been).

....especially if there are 40 coaches/scouts there taking notes and gathering information on him. A 6'4" sophomore is going to stand out, of course, that could be good or bad? As I said earlier, if it's in the family budget, go for it. It's not going to hurt him and he'll get an idea what to expect in future showcases.

Thanks everyone for the great advice.
we leave tomorrow afternoon for the showcase.hopefully everything goes well.

* Keep your grades up

* Keep pitching, but not too much

* Get on a throwing program, long-toss, long-toss, long-toss and 81 becomes 84 becomes 87

* Rinse and repeat

age at area code tryout 16? not true, in fact Delmon Young and Bryce Harper made and played in the event at 15. There are several players each year that play after their sophomore years. As for the Area Code tryouts, most teams will allow a player of any age if he has ability, i know the Nationals had several 15 year olds at their tryouts in Virginia Beach and Nashville.

NC Baseball;

Yes, Delmon played at age 13 and travel to Australia at age 15 and played in the Goodwill Series with Japan and Korea National teams.

The Texas Rangers conducted their tryout in 1998
at TCU. Carl Crawford ran the 60 yard in 6.3 seconds
and a 6'5 LHP was clocked at 86 mph. He was cut.


Since I already placed Albert P. on our 900 team, I desired to place this LHP. He returned to Houston and in the June draft was a #1 selection by the Expos. In 6 months he added 8 mph to his fast ball.

Bob
"Founder Area Code" games

I'd also tell you that if 40 schools are going to be there, don't just focus on the six that you believe you have interest in right now. Keep an open mind and listen to any coach willing to talk to you. You never know which school might like your ability. There is some great baseball played at all levels, and there are fine schools both big and small.

I just got up after a long day of 10 hrs at the ball park but it was definitely worth it.
Over all i played pretty good.I hit really well and the little i fielded i made every play.
Pitching wise I didnt have fastball where i wanted it(77-80)but i hit every spot and my breaking pitches were filthy.
so all in all i think it was a great experience even though i didnt throw as hard as i usually do.

I talked to a few coaches and two pro scouts.
who said that they would be looking out for me in the future and that they liked my stuff.

again thank you to everyone who gave me advice on this situation.