Showcase vs. Travel Team

As you say "they both have their good and bad points". The first and foremost bad point about both is the amount of cost involved to play ball in this day and age. A travel team that does not go to showcases/tournaments where scouts/college coaches will be present at your son's age. Is really not much more than a rec team in fancy unis. If this is your case, you should best spend your money with the individual showcases and play with the high school summer team if possible.

Hope my point of view helps, been in your shoes years ago.

He still has another year before showcases become important. The expirience and improvements he'll glean from a well coached travel team are more important at this point imo.

my .02

FC, I agree with you that a well coached team will be the better benefit. Farmer Dad's question was what the best bet was to get his son exposure.

Just playing on a well coached travel team that plays in tournaments for the trophy at this age is a waste of the parents money imo. A player needs to get acclimented to playing in front of college coaches/scouts and the evaluation process, not just jump in with both feet as a Junior or Senior.

The best scenerio for Farmer Dad would be to find a travel team - college development program (CDP). Team make up should consist of: tough league schedule. Tournament schedule that might include-local college and JUCO showcase/tourneys on weekends, and any PG team event especially WWBA or BCS. In this case, FD's son would play against good competetion and gain a little exposure in the process.

Most 16 year olds benefit greatly from the evaluation processes evolved from showcases.

My $.02 (and that is literally what it is worth) is that while both have much to offer, the best venue for your kid depends on your kid. Showcases are terrific particularly when your kid has a skill (arm, bat or speed) that will standout from a number of other very talented kids that will also be at the Showcase. It can also be great for exposure to specific schools that your son may have targeted if they're a sponsor or attendee.

However, travel team coaches can be an invaluable advocate and source of information and networking for college coaches and, unless your son has truly plus skills in one of the aforementioned, I'm guessing a travel team with a strong, connected coach would get your son the most exposure.

Again, though, I'm far from an expert and it seems that there are as many variations to the story of how kids connect with a school as there are kids.

The best exposure depends on the travel team and showcasees.
I also would opt for a well coached TT. The presumption is that you will hone your skills with good coaching. Without proper training yours on may not show up to his potential. My son never went to showcases and got most of his interest from travel tournaments and self promotion. Showcases are no substitution for well coached travel teams.

quote:

Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
The best exposure depends on the travel team and showcasees.
I also would opt for a well coached TT. The presumption is that you will hone your skills with good coaching. Without proper training yours on may not show up to his potential. My son never went to showcases and got most of his interest from travel tournaments and self promotion. Showcases are no substitution for well coached travel teams.

I think the one point everyone has made so far is find a team with a good coach...Most of the teams my son has played for were well connected with colleges of all levels... I think it is important to get a grasp on your sons talents and that should point him in the right direction. Whether it be DI or a Juco...

Thats my $0.3 cents worth... due to inflation... 2 cents just won't buy anything anymore.

Thanks for the opinions. He has played the past Summer and Fall on the JV and Varsity teams. Last Spring he played on the JV team. He probably could play on the Varsity but has a Junior and a Senior catcher ahead of him. I would rather he play on JV this Spring so he can get playing time. Right now he has two D1's he would like to attend otherwise he want to play JUCO to get the playing time.