Showcase/Camp Invites

quote:

Originally posted by lefthookdad:

Is it routine to get phone calls to attend these camps/showcases by the event host?

Out here, yes, it's becoming routine...and somewhat relentless depending on the vendor.

I concur with that, just seems like all of a sudden compared to the previous year...and relentless sums it up pretty nicely

We are getting a phone call from the same guy at least once every 10 days.

quote:

Originally posted by lefthookdad:
I concur with that, just seems like all of a sudden compared to the previous year...and relentless sums it up pretty nicely

Question: Does that make you a little wary that it's just about the $$ for them? I know with my younger son, the more times they called and told him that it was SO important to him...the more it made me doubt the value of that particular camp/showcase. In other words, they started sounding desparate.

I will give one other example that did NOT sound desparate at all. There was one school that was definitely interested in our younger son, but there was a time line evolving with another school and that was communicated very honestly to them via email and HS coach. They very honestly told him that they planned to make him an offer, but they wanted to see him live one more time to figure out where he fit in their plans.

They asked that he come to their next prospect camp and the cost was moderate. They were very specific in emails and calls (and communication with his HS coach). We agreed, he went and within about 2 days had a very good offer.

Bottom line, it was very easy to tell exactly what the purpose and objectives were and it played out just as they promised. For this school I wouldn't hesitate to tell a friend to trust them in what they say.

I wouldn't be so leery if it were a school that was calling. The calls I am getting are from "recruiting" type organizations. On top of the calls, from this group I get an email, from 2 different people with the group, at least every other day for the same camps/showcase...The best ones are the ones that say a certain pro scout "personally invites you" yet it is coming form a thru a third party and is not addressed to any particular name....they do seem to be leaning on the desperate/aggressive side

quote:

Originally posted by lefthookdad:
I wouldn't be so leery if it were a school that was calling. The calls I am getting are from "recruiting" type organizations. On top of the calls, from this group I get an email, from 2 different people with the group, at least every other day for the same camps/showcase...The best ones are the ones that say a certain pro scout "personally invites you" yet it is coming form a thru a third party and is not addressed to any particular name....they do seem to be leaning on the desperate/aggressive side

____ Level Baseball

LOL....

Same thing here.

Next level baseball in Tallahassee actually puts on very good showcases and training camps. We attended two.

Don't mind the heads-up emails actually considering one up in that area, but the kid was suprised to get phone calls from them soliciting attendance

quote:

Originally posted by lefthookdad:
Don't mind the heads-up emails actually considering one up in that area, but the kid was suprised to get phone calls from them soliciting attendance

Think about the potential money some of these organizations can make with "full" attendance at these showcases and it explains why many of them are so aggressive at recruiting. My son was involved in this in 2009 and in that time frame everything has moved way over the top.

Be selective and know what you are getting yourself into. Ask lots of questions... Only then can you make a good decision for you son.