Showcasing in empty stadiums

I am sure there is still value to attending a "showcase" event whether it be an actual showcase or a tournament. You definitely need the work, especially if you didn't even get a chance to play HS baseball this season. There will still be "scouts" that attend, just not college coaches. Write-ups will still be written, metrics will be recorded, video will be recorded and posted, social media tagging, etc.. All of this will be available to college coaches. Sure, they may not see you in person but they will still follow along.

Unless of course you are not there.

Honestly it's probably worth it to just train. Odds are there won't be any fall ball or any fall/winter sports the rate this is going due to the insanity of our society and leaders. I think travel baseball and fall baseball is obsolete. MAYBE we will have spring sports 2021, that's if we even have school. An entire generation of kids is being screwed for no good reason anymore. 

@James G posted:

Honestly it's probably worth it to just train. Odds are there won't be any fall ball or any fall/winter sports the rate this is going due to the insanity of our society and leaders. I think travel baseball and fall baseball is obsolete. MAYBE we will have spring sports 2021, that's if we even have school. An entire generation of kids is being screwed for no good reason anymore. 

That may be true but if someone is holding events I say go for it!!! The more people that do the quicker we get back to normal. I'm afraid that is the only way out of this...

Totally agree Absorber. If people just start doing it, I bet we will get back quicker. I still think that if an NFL or MLB team was allowed to have a game today right now, it would be a sellout. Someone has to lead and take the restrictions off. We will follow. 

@James G posted:

Honestly it's probably worth it to just train. Odds are there won't be any fall ball or any fall/winter sports the rate this is going due to the insanity of our society and leaders. I think travel baseball and fall baseball is obsolete. MAYBE we will have spring sports 2021, that's if we even have school. An entire generation of kids is being screwed for no good reason anymore. 

Part of me just wants to tell Lefty to come in from working in the cage and go play video games- will college baseball survive and recover enough for a 2022? Maybe his time would be better spent studying for 3 extra hours per day instead of training by himself.  
Navigating the recruiting waters was already tough, now we’re dodging icebergs and rogue waves.  Oh and more sharks than ever before in a smaller ocean. 

I'm of the opinion to go if it is being played.  I think college coaches will find a way to see their players either by video or proxy guys who know what they are seeing.  Don't put your eggs in fall ball basket.  If they add the number of scrimmages that colleges can have in the fall then the HC, PC, and most RC's will be at the scrimmages not at fall tournaments.  I would jump on the first basket that I could.  College coaches are creative and PG and PBR like to make money, not a bash just a truth, so they will find a way to get info out there.  The smaller tournaments and organizations may not have the resources but PG adn PBR will have the resources and technology.

SoFlo ... The pro scouts will be there. They know the top college coaches. They talk. Pro scouts may be leaned on more than ever for word of mouth to college coaches. 

A few bring up a good point here... has anyone heard specifics from any of the PBR's, PG's, etc. about any additional filming/video footage that will be made available considering the circumstances and how accessible it may be to college HC's and RC's?

@cabbagedad posted:

A few bring up a good point here... has anyone heard specifics from any of the PBR's, PG's, etc. about any additional filming/video footage that will be made available considering the circumstances and how accessible it may be to college HC's and RC's?

The PBR NYS Games just sent out a detailed email yesterday.  Placed a big emphasis on tech and live streaming.  

@SoFloRHP posted:

 

My son is a 2021 RHP.  So this is really the last summer we have.  He has been extreamly blessed with multiple D1 scholarship offers... but his stock has been on the rise and he has gained the attention of some top programs.  All of whom were planning to see him throw this summer. If that cannot happen then I'm questioning what we should do. 

This is a really tough dilemma for all.  Including players, coaches, event organizers, parents.

I wouldn't spend money on team fees, travel, hotels if no coaches will be there to watch.   Why not see if those top programs have fall prospect camps. Regardless, don't lose out on an opportunity because your son feels that there might be one out there that's better, but not necessarily for him.

Yearly budgets come up on July 1. Some programs may not even have enough money available to allow coaches to travel. Don't assume they will allow anyone into the stadiums.

Diving into some serious training sounds like a great idea.  JMO

There's a really good chance there is no college this fall let alone baseball this summer. Until the MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL have a hard return to play announcement I really wouldn't be paying for anything other than training right now. 

Unfortunately until there are firm announcements the best move would be to string together some guys that are already committed to schools or throw hard/hit well and get some live ABs in, film, and send to schools. I'm watching kids commit left and right as young as 2024 so coaches are still recruiting. Get a radar gun, an iPhone camera and get to work. 

Absolutely.  They will tweet video and stats and that might be the most exposure you can get. I guarantee coaches will be all over twitter looking at the guys they had on their list and looking for those they missed.  PBR is always looking for things to talk about on podcasts and regularly talk about kids at showcases.

@baseballhs posted:

Absolutely.  They will tweet video and stats and that might be the most exposure you can get. I guarantee coaches will be all over twitter looking at the guys they had on their list and looking for those they missed.  PBR is always looking for things to talk about on podcasts and regularly talk about kids at showcases.

How can you guarantee that? 

I can’t. But your kid can by showing well. (By your kid, I mean the collective...I know your son is a coach). If he doesn’t perform well, it wouldn’t matter if there were coaches there, and it might hurt him.  Most of my son’s  tweet from PBR have 3k to 11k views. His last tweet from PG has 10k.   Marketing kids is what brings in players. It’s in their best interest.  Look at PBR state twitter accounts, they showcase kids non stop after showcases and right now, that’s the only draw to attend. I watched a podcast of college coaches the other day. They said they are on their computers for hours looking at video.  It’s all they’ve got.  

Don't they set up GoPros at WWBA and stream? They could do the same at Tourneys.

Not that rank matters to all, but I do know that if there are events and you don't attend and others do. Those kids are able to boost rank in PG. 

Happens to the non-football guys in the fall. You can see their ranks tank as the Fall players (Ft Meyers, Jupiter and showcases) do and their ranks show it. 

You can see it this year too. There were a few events early and those that went benefited from a rank boost. 

Schools don't need it, but love to bring in ranked players, helps their recruiting class ranking, marketing and media guide, and it gives something for the announcers something to talk about.  

Also metrics are metrics and if you're recruiting we know there are magic numbers for programs. eg 90 mph RHP. So if you're able to break one of those metrics ceilings or floors (pop time or 60 time) at an event and it is official, that gives you metrics, and hopefully a tweet to share. Add to your baseball profile and retweet (@FlatgroundApp or @FlatgroundBats). Coaches are watching and want the 3rd party verification.

Times have changed so maybe dad with a ball coach or something holds more weight now than it did in your own videos for your son to share/tweet.  Better to find someone with a Stalker to get in your video, if you can.

My son's 1st scheduled event with his East Cobb team is in Hoover in late June. Fingers crossed. @22and25 pointed out to me the other day (our sons play on same HS team) that a good thing is that the "school field or hosted" tourneys or showcases might not be allowed so the private facility stuff like Tomball (Texas) and East Cobb in GA are better "bets" if stuff is allowed. I didn't think of that and that makes a lot of sense.  There are some PG scheduled events and showcases in August that I have hopes for and sights on, but they're both based at "schools" so jury might be out on those.

Thankfully my son accepted his offer and isn't chasing one. So his PC said to work out, add weight and strength, get faster,  and attend just a few events (this was before Covid). JMO, but not sure I'd recommend sitting on multiple offers and if certain schools aren't in the running = you should let them know so they can focus on other recruits. Especially with so many committing right now on Twitter and the difficulties and limited recruiting of others.

I'm not judging or condeming here and if you want to aim higher, that is great. Just in times like these and with NLI in 6 months for the 2021s.  Others are scrambling for just 1 offer. 

I just hope the few events starting in 2 weeks here in TX go well for folks in attendance and start the ball rolling for others. 

I get that this website is largely about recruiting but the tone of this thread is a little surprising to me.  It makes me wonder if some of you, or your boys, even like the game.  If there is baseball to be played my son will be there with his teammates, his summer brothers, playing the game they love and giving it hell.  And I will be there watching even if I am the only person in the stadium.  He already missed one of his few years to play highschool baseball due to this mess and I can't imagine opting out of summer tournaments because of who may not be there to watch.  Every baseball career has a shelf life that every kid is trying to extend as long as possible.  Everyone is forced to hang it up at some point, most before they are ready.  Go play, love the game and let the rest take care of itself.

I'm with you.  My kid has been committed for 2 years and has signed his NLI but we already booked flights to the first tournament we thought might happen so that he can play a few games with his buddies.  We will take what we can get.  That said, the showcases can be pricy so I can see why someone would want to make sure it was worth it for recruiting before paying $800.

I took from the OP and others that he was talking about summer baseball tournaments.  If the question is about combine style showcases for measurables then yeah, no way.

@22and25 posted:

I get that this website is largely about recruiting but the tone of this thread is a little surprising to me.  It makes me wonder if some of you, or your boys, even like the game.  If there is baseball to be played my son will be there with his teammates, his summer brothers, playing the game they love and giving it hell.  And I will be there watching even if I am the only person in the stadium.  He already missed one of his few years to play highschool baseball due to this mess and I can't imagine opting out of summer tournaments because of who may not be there to watch.  Every baseball career has a shelf life that every kid is trying to extend as long as possible.  Everyone is forced to hang it up at some point, most before they are ready.  Go play, love the game and let the rest take care of itself.

Find this a bit sanctimonious. It goes without saying that our kids miss the game terribly and we as parents miss them playing.  My son worked his whole life to play Varsity ball and he just had his Junior season taken from him for reasons completely beyond his control.  It absolutely stinks, we can all agree.  

That said, we've all found this somewhat obscure board because we are trying to navigate a tactical challenge.  There's no guidebook out there, so we come together here to share information and collective recourses.  I'm immensely thankful for it.  If posts can sound businesslike at times, that's because we are navigating a business environment for which we know less than those moderating, operating and controlling the business.   That in no way means we have forgotten about our sons love of the game.  

On the contrary, we are here communicating extensively so we can extend that love of the game for another few years.  

College Dead period until July 1 as of now, so there won't be any coaches in the stands next month at showcases or tourneys......

Still would be great to play again and get my son back with his teammates.

So we'll see what tourneys remain a go into Mid/Late June.....fingers crossed!!

@22and25 posted:

I get that this website is largely about recruiting but the tone of this thread is a little surprising to me.  It makes me wonder if some of you, or your boys, even like the game.  If there is baseball to be played my son will be there with his teammates, his summer brothers, playing the game they love and giving it hell.  And I will be there watching even if I am the only person in the stadium.  He already missed one of his few years to play highschool baseball due to this mess and I can't imagine opting out of summer tournaments because of who may not be there to watch.  Every baseball career has a shelf life that every kid is trying to extend as long as possible.  Everyone is forced to hang it up at some point, most before they are ready.  Go play, love the game and let the rest take care of itself.

I took it more along the lines of - is it worth it to spend the money given the current circumstances, or would it be smarter to train for wait for fall ball. 

Which is a fair question. If 5 out of 7 summer events get cancelled and you haven't seen live pitching since October - does it make sense to fly somewhere, stay in a hotel for 5 nights, rent a car, meals, etc? Especially given the current state of unemployment, the uncertainty facing colleges, it's definitely a fair question to ask. Whether you love the game or not, it's not free. I'm not going to hop on a flight to Georgia, just because he loves playing the game. 

Also see the showcasing in June as an opportunity to just get metrics on the books, no coaches will be at any event in June. NONE.  If you have new metrics worthy, it might make sense to go. All showcases do the same thing, same format, same measures, so you can shoot for a more local, than a national event.

Would I pay $700 for 1 day to get to showcase, plus travel. NOPE. We're going to skip the June National Prospect one and hold off and possibly hold out for something in August in TX.

Remember a showcase only gets you metrics, a write up and a PG Grade, which is only used for scouts to MLB, colleges don't care....

Also be cautious if a showcase or event is hosted at a university vs private (East Cobb, Premier in Tomball). If a campus is closed, they won't open it for a camp or event......

Love of the game is free. Traveling to a showcase is close to $2000 for 1 day event, if you're flying, parking, renting a car, hotel, etc....Definitely a business decision....

If I was local to a showcase, why not, but we aren't until August (If you count Dallas or HOU as local to Austin....)....

I would skip the expensive showcases in June.  Tournaments, I would be all in.  My son played last year when he did not have to but did to get better and compete.  The plus of showcases is that there will be video because it is easier to video showcases than it is tournaments.

On tournaments, I have heard a couple of big organizations have hired video crews to go with them to video all of their games of their top teams for coaches.  This is a great idea.  That way you can make sure that your players get the attention they need and provide coaches with the information they need such as velocity, and real time reputable video. 

If I went to a showcase, I would definitely pay extra for the video.  I say all of this with the reality that my son only went to two showcases in his life, but hundreds of tournaments, and plays SEC ball so IMO it is not needed. 

AGREED! Showcases aren't needed or required.

Just get on a good travel team and do some good competitive regional/national events (when they start back up).

@Eokerholm posted:

Would I pay $700 for 1 day to get to showcase, plus travel. NOPE. We're going to skip the June National Prospect one and hold off and possibly hold out for something in August in TX.

 

 

If it's the PG National, I wouldn't skip that one.  It is a jumping off point for the All American and invites to other showcases where you really are competing with top.  Unless you are sure you aren't going to be considered for the draft, or wouldn't consider it.   It is also really cool to see your kid on the big screen of a pro stadium pitching to some of the best hitters in the nation. I've had a few baseball experiences that I will never forget, and that was one.

@Wechson posted:

Find this a bit sanctimonious. It goes without saying that our kids miss the game terribly and we as parents miss them playing.  My son worked his whole life to play Varsity ball and he just had his Junior season taken from him for reasons completely beyond his control.  It absolutely stinks, we can all agree.  

That said, we've all found this somewhat obscure board because we are trying to navigate a tactical challenge.  There's no guidebook out there, so we come together here to share information and collective recourses.  I'm immensely thankful for it.  If posts can sound businesslike at times, that's because we are navigating a business environment for which we know less than those moderating, operating and controlling the business.   That in no way means we have forgotten about our sons love of the game.  

On the contrary, we are here communicating extensively so we can extend that love of the game for another few years.  

I am sorry you found my post offensive.  I certainly was not attempting to put out some morally superior tone.  I do find it shocking that people would consider forgoing the summer of competition given their boys just gave up most, if not all, of their spring season.  Getting recruited can be a full time job but it seems some here are losing sight of the fact that it's a side gig related to actually playing the game. 

As I clarified in a follow up post to the one you quoted, I am not talking about traveling and spending money on a combine style showcase. There is certainly a strong case for skipping those until coaches can attend.  However, not playing summer baseball, the most competitve games against the best competition, as part of a recruiting strategy seems to me to lose sight of what is important which is actually playing the game.

I simply can't see any scenario where it makes sense to hang up the cleats until fall, as has been suggested in this thread, when other kids are out there playing the game. 

(national prospect showcase in St. Pete) Agree.

It would be awesome and we discussed it. He was 1st Team Pre-season All American which was a great honor and if we were closer, we were planning on it but the Team USA tourney rescheduled to August. Without that in place and us already on the East Coast, spending $2000 for 1 day event with travel and admission, just isn't worth it to us. Otherwise we were going to drive down from Cary, NC and spend a few days at the beach and hang with his team mates and college recruit teammates also in attendance.

Plenty of opportunities to be on the big screen (GT plays at Trust Park too) and not sure the 6/17-20 showcase is going to happen at Tropicana in St. Pete.

We'll reconsider depending on his arm prep for mid June to be "showcase" ready. Flights aren't too bad on SW, but not sure we want to be flying yet. That's a 18+ hour drive from Austin (again for a 1 day event)....

@PABaseball posted:

I took it more along the lines of - is it worth it to spend the money given the current circumstances, or would it be smarter to train for wait for fall ball. 

Which is a fair question. If 5 out of 7 summer events get cancelled and you haven't seen live pitching since October - does it make sense to fly somewhere, stay in a hotel for 5 nights, rent a car, meals, etc? Especially given the current state of unemployment, the uncertainty facing colleges, it's definitely a fair question to ask. Whether you love the game or not, it's not free. I'm not going to hop on a flight to Georgia, just because he loves playing the game. 

Perhaps things are different in your state but there are lots of options between travel to Georgia and hang up your cleats.  There will be dozens of teams that play dozens of without leaving our state.  Plenty of opportunities to play.  Again, maybe different in your state/region.

2 innings  Still worth it.   My son got mono a week after the event and we lost the summer, which made me even more thankful we did it. Now this year....I’m ready for a full season.

Just pulled our son out of PG Academic in Hoover. With colleges unable able to attend, the only purpose would be to improve his numbers. Those can wait for a month or two. Hoping they push the event (plus the rest of the Hoover events scheduled for that weekend) to July or August. 

He's still attending the PBR Underclass Games on June 2 (assuming it goes off) to hopefully get into the Future Games. 

@Senna posted:

Just pulled our son out of PG Academic in Hoover. With colleges unable able to attend, the only purpose would be to improve his numbers. Those can wait for a month or two. Hoping they push the event (plus the rest of the Hoover events scheduled for that weekend) to July or August. 

Have HA colleges attended that event in the past?

@MidAtlanticDad posted:

Have HA colleges attended that event in the past?

I don't have a definitive answer. I didn't see any confirmation either way on HSBBW. But with it scheduled at the same location/time period as the Jr Nats and Nat Uncommitted, we felt (pre-COVID) that this was a good opportunity to get updated metrics + some possible looks. 

But with no live ABs in the past 2 months and colleges only able to attend via video feed, this felt like it wasn't a high value event at the moment. As a 2022, he can wait a month or 2.