Showcase vs. Camp

We have been to 4-5 school camps and found them to be a great way to see what the coaches and the facilities are like, also to tour the school while there. But if your target school offers a fall camp, you may want to do one of those weekends, so that you can play for a team over the summer.

boyinr, Welcome to the HSBBW.
Going to the college camp that your son is interested in is an excellent way for your son to get aquinted to the coaching staff. And show his talent level.
I would not say anything about scholly money?
Just let thing's happen with out any $$ discussed.
He's young but at an age to start showing his talent's to Recruiter's.
Showcases are good for an overall rating of your talent, And let's you know were you stack up against the Competition.
You would be seen by more Recruiter's/Scout's.
But not as closely as if you went to there college camp?

In hindsight, would have attended more college camp's Freshman,Sophmore, Junior year.
And Showcases Junior, Senior year.
JMO, EH
EH

Here’s the way I would approach it. If your son is VERY interested in attending that particular college then by all means go to that college camp. I suggest your son be proactive and send a letter to the head coach prior (1 to 2 weeks) to attending the camp and explain that he’s very interested in playing baseball for the college and will be attending his baseball camp on (date of camp) and looking forward to meeting him. Leave the part about NOT wanting a scholarship out. If they were to offer a scholarship I assume he would accept. Right? Besides I get the feeling that statement about not wanting a scholarship signals a lack of talent and/or confidence. During the camp your son should make an effort to introduce himself and mention the letter. AFTER the college camp (3 days to a week) your son can again contact the coach with the hopes of establishing some channel of communications about his baseball future at that particular college. If it works out that’s great. If it doesn’t work out, at least he’s given it his best shot.
If your son would NOT CONSIDER going to another college to play baseball, even if a scholarship were offered, then don’t waste your money on a showcase. However, I do suggest a showcase in addition to the camp to “explore” other options. As they say “Nothing ventured --- Nothing gained”.
Good luck!
Fungo

quote:

(Not interested in a scholarship just a chance to play.)

That comment brought up a memory.

Here is a true story, that kind of blew my mind.

A few years ago I was setting in a MLB Scouting Directors office with the SD and the GM.

While we were discussing other stuff, a phone call came in from I believe an Agent. Afterwards the scouting director (a good friend) told the GM he only wants $50,000. I swear... this is very close to what the GM said.

"If that's all he thinks he's worth, we don't want him"

I don't know and didn't ask about anything, but will never forget what was said. Might have been they just weren't interested at any price, I suppose.

Sorry, I know this is kind of off topic.

Off topic perhaps, but fascinating nonetheless!

Thanks a lot for the help. This is what these forums are for.

I should clarify my comment about the scholarship. He would go to this school regardless of a scholarship. I just wanted to clarify that he would be attending the camp to see the campus and try on the program/coaching styles not with the primary goal of a scholarship.

boyinr

Have your son ask the coach which showcases he will be at and do both. My son did camp and several showcases where he knew certain coach would be. gave the coach a good opportunity to see him several times before applying to college. Also recommend meeting on campus if possible. Good luck.

boyinr - Did both with my son. A good PG showcase will allow you to get much wider exposure, BUT, agree with many posters who suggest going to the camp of the school you really want to attend. Do both. But do expect some of the college camps to be just about profiting from your son's hopes and dreams. It is a business to support or supplement the salaries of assistant coaches. If you want to get a good look at the college, go on a tour, and go to a couple of games. You will catch on to the coaching style and expectations. Hope this helps.

My son did 5 showcases here in the NE. One of the schools he was interested in had camp the same weekend as open house. The coach said that since he had seen my son at the showcase he should attend the open house and be sure that the school is the right choice.

On the other side, I think that every coach who was at those showcases sent a brochure and an information request. We filled out the paperwork for each school. The cover letter with each brochure was similar. We saw you at a showcase. We usually sign players from our camps each year. Send us $250.00...I know that baseball is a business but 100 schools times $250 adds up to some big bucks. Make sure that the school is on your short list before attending camp.

By the way the coach's advice was sound. After attending the open house that school moved down the list compared to some other schools. My son is now attending a rival school a few miles down the road. That school impressed my son more at the open house. They also put together a much better aid package.

What we do in many cases with our players is make sure the coach knows who he is and when he is attending the camp so that he is not just another "camper"---many times we will find that the school has already filled their needs at the players position thus making is fruitless for the player to attend

Between the end of his Sophomore year and the end of the summer after his Junior year my son attended 8 college camps and 5 showcases.
He has now been admitted to his top choice where he was recruited to play basball. Baseball likely got him admitted.
I agree with most of what has been posted in response to your query. I would add that as regards showcases I would require 2 things: First, a list of the colleges that attended last years event, and second, a list of the schools that the showcase promoter expects to be there. Understand that neither representation is a guarantee of the schools' attendance. However, failure of the promoter to provide you with this information, either up front or upon request, despite the excuses they may give, is an almost certain indication that there will be a less than spectacular turnout of schools. (This was our experience.) As to camps, if there are schools your son is interested in fill out the recruiting form and then contact the coach to let him know your son is interested. Try to go to a showcase early in the summer, before the schools camp, where the coach can see your son. Let the coach know ahead of time that your son is planning to attend the particular showcase. My son got several specific invites, email, handwritten letters and calls, to camps following his being seen at showcases. He also got invites from showcases based on requests from coaches to whom he had written letters. Good luck.

Took the son to a large D1 winter camp here in sunny FL and you could definitely tell who the staff was looking at. The "studs" were recalled for extra cuts several times and the live arms got extra bullpens over the regular campers. The summer camp was more focused on reps and fun. The winter camp was definitely more hands on and my son was only 10 at the time and got his bullpen session broken down in the media room by the pitching coaches at age 10???