Tell showcase directors about an injury?

First of all I, personally, do not believe that players who are playing football should attend baseball showcases during the football season--the player IS NOT IN BASEBALL SHAPE !!!!

As for your question-- don't run at all-- why run a full out 60 with a pulled muscle because two things can happen--

01-- you can do further damage to the already injured muscle

02-- your time will not be a true barometer of the players footspeed

I hope this helps you

LeftysDad....

I agree that with a strained groin he shouldn't try to sprint.......that is normal that injuries can limit what a player can do at a showcase......

But I think it is fine for him to go even if he has been playing football.....most college coaches know that there are multisport athletes who are not in mid-season form.

Studies will show that teenagers who are in 'baseball shape' at this time of the year and further into the holidays are MORE LIKELY to eventually experience burnout or suffer from 'overuse' injuries than those who play multiple sports or those who take adequate time away from some of the specific sport skills, especially throwing.

If a high school pitcher is in baseball shape now, then when is he going to give his arm a rest.......most scouts know that at this time of the year a kid's arm is not as strong as it will be in April, etc.

You shouldnt lie about stuff like that.
Be honest and make the best of a tough situation.

My son went through this - with TR's team actually - had a bum arm - and TR made adjustments that worked well for my son.

Be honest and work with the Showcase folks IMO.

Thanks guys. It's not torn or anything. Like I said its strained some. Changed directions on damp ground, you know the story. He goes to hit a couple of nights a week after football,and has played in two tournaments this fall (one this past weekend), so it's not like he hasn't performed any baseball skills for three months. I'll advise him to get as loose and hot as possible, tell them its a little sore from football, and do his best.

I also agree that it's best to be straight up about an injury ... you don't want to risk a minor injury turning into a longer term chronic problem because a kid feels he has to push through the pain to perform, or he injures some other part of his body trying to compensate. And, you don't want scouts to base evaluations on a injury-limited performance that is below a kids true capabilities and have them think that's all he's got.

There's plenty of opportunities to show their abilities and you want to make sure the player is healthy for the spring and summer season, where their performance over many games is more important for raising their stock.

We just returned from a national tournament where my son didn't pitch, but played soley as a position player and hitter. He was working through some arm soreness, so it wasn't worth risking aggravating it, or having an outing on the mound ... in front of a bunch of scouts ... where he couldn't throw his usual stuff. Fortunately, he's also a very good defensive player and hitter ... otherwise we probably would have taken a rain check on the trip. His high school coach would have killed us both if he returned from the trip with a minor injury aggravated into something more significant that could risk preparations for the spring season.

Any chance of taking a raincheck on this showcase? Groin pulls/strains can affect every part of his game not just running, making him appear stiff and unathletic. Showcases are expensive and when he does go to one it may better benefit him to be 100% .... just a thought

Matadordad,
We could just not go but, it's one of the places he's interested in if he's good enough,and the $ is non-refundable.

IMO you need to be honest, but I also think it'll be taken, to some extent, as an excuse. I think you're in somewhat of a no win situtation.

By way of example, my son was at a (HIGHLY respected) showcase/camp a few years ago. In one of the drills, he ripped his knee open, blood everywhere and his knee swelled like a balloon. He received NO offer of assistance and one coach, who had been recruiting him fairly seriously, just came over and said "Tough it out Tiger, I need to see what you can do this afternoon".

He "toughed it out" and played that afternoon and I don't know how it effected any coaches/scouts watching him, but quite a few schools came off his list that day-one in particular

Heybatter,

I agree with you - but I really think it is important to stress that nothing is more important than being honest. If you suffer as a result - thats just the way it goes.

If some idiot coach wants to think you are making excuses - so be it.

You need to be honest. Life continues after baseball.

I dont want my kids growing up to be lying POS so they can satisfy some valueless moron.

ITs- I agree with you completely. gotta be honest and the chips will fall where they may. Unfortunately, with some, honesty isn't appreciated or is taken for excuse.

My son's experience gave us some valuable insights, as we saw what value others placed on honesty. After this situation, I wasn't letting him go 3000 miles from home to be entrusted to the Coach I mentioned and the host school of this event dropped off his list as well.

HeyB,

My guess is you got a great kid, who is also better off for the moral guidance he gets from his family.

I hope he does great!!!