I got an e-mail from them inciting me to 2 of their camps. One of them is right around the corner from me. I've heard of them before, but it there anything anybody wants to share from past experiences?
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Keep in mind this event isn't just a showcase, it's a clinic format as well where college coaches do instruction as well as evaluate players. Some of the people I've heard complain about it didn't quite understand that before they signed up and it wasn't what they thought they were going to get. Each event is also hosted by a different person/organization so just because one event was good, doesn't mean they all are well run.
I like the fact that the coaches are guaranteed to be there and are assigned players to evaluate at no more than a 7 to 1 ratio. I've been to events with 100 players and maybe 6 or 7 coaches who might or might not be paying attention.
I like the fact that the coaches are guaranteed to be there and are assigned players to evaluate at no more than a 7 to 1 ratio. I've been to events with 100 players and maybe 6 or 7 coaches who might or might not be paying attention.
We attended the one in Virginia last summer. Overall, it was well attended and had a good number of coaches in attendance. We went because son was interested in touring some Virginia schools, and coaches from a couple of schools he wanted to target were there. The instruction was pretty general, so there are probably better venues if that's the primary goal. But, if there are certain schools listed that you are interested in, then I'd say go. You have plenty of opportunity to show your skills and speak with coaches personally. My son received some early interest after attending, and got to talk with a coach from his first choice school for a while, so it did what we had hoped it would.
The big negatives: they measured the 60' incorrectly, so everyone's times were way off... you could rerun it if you wanted, but most didn't because it meant staying after for a long time on the last day. (I hear they walked off the distance rather than used a tape.) Pop times were also off because the timer guy wasn't always paying attention. I didn't feel we walked away with valid or useful stats.
The big negatives: they measured the 60' incorrectly, so everyone's times were way off... you could rerun it if you wanted, but most didn't because it meant staying after for a long time on the last day. (I hear they walked off the distance rather than used a tape.) Pop times were also off because the timer guy wasn't always paying attention. I didn't feel we walked away with valid or useful stats.
You can get the list of coaches attending any particulat TPX camp from their web site. Obviously, if a coach from a targetted school(s) will be there, so much the better. My son also attended two of these last summer, and will play for one of the host schools next year. Overall I found the camp to be well-organized and worthwile.
quote:Originally posted by Extra Innings:
I like the fact that the coaches are guaranteed to be there and are assigned players to evaluate at no more than a 7 to 1 ratio.
The coaches list can change up until the day of the camp, which happened to us. Instead of the Head Coach of the school we were primarily going for, we wound up with a disinterested volunteer coach from that school.
Not a big fan of these events for showcase purposes. I know the promoters try hard, but you can't make coaches interested in something and not all the coaches at the event we attended seemed very interested. Some of them actually left after the first day, and then others left before the second day was over.
I think it depends on the venue you want to attend. My son attend the Indiana South event last summer, and I thought it was one of the better events he has attended for a variety of reasons:
1. 24 schools had coaches actually working, and another 6 schools had coaches watching. Every school that was advertised attended except one (coach resigned that week), and the organizers offered a full refund to anyone who felt that impacted their decision.
2. The coaches actually provided good instruction. There was very little standing around. My son, who is not a DI prospect, was evaluated by two DI coaches. They each gave him about 7-8 minutes at the end of the day, and gave him some very concrete suggestions.
3. The mix of coaches was good (DI, DII, DIII, Juco).
4. The coaches actually get to see you play in a game. Every position player got at least 3 ABs. My son got to face 14 hitters (two innings in their format) as a pitcher, and also got an AB. For those who complain about showcases (e.g., my son only fielded 5 ground balls, took 7 swings and ran the 60), the games provide an extra look.
5. Coaches did follow up. Again, my son is not a DI prospect. He received what I would call "real" follow-ups from at six coaches. He telephone calls from all six coaches inviting him to campus. Two of those schools are on my son's short-list now.
6. When we visited one of the DIII schools on my son's list, my wife asked the coach (a coach with a stellar career record) whether he thought my son could contribute on his team. The coach point blank said "I saw your son pitch at the TPX clinic in a game situation. I was able to see how he handled himself on the mound under pressure. I'd much rather see a pitcher in a game situation than in a bullpen session."
I know this is just one family's experience, but I thought it was worth sharing.
1. 24 schools had coaches actually working, and another 6 schools had coaches watching. Every school that was advertised attended except one (coach resigned that week), and the organizers offered a full refund to anyone who felt that impacted their decision.
2. The coaches actually provided good instruction. There was very little standing around. My son, who is not a DI prospect, was evaluated by two DI coaches. They each gave him about 7-8 minutes at the end of the day, and gave him some very concrete suggestions.
3. The mix of coaches was good (DI, DII, DIII, Juco).
4. The coaches actually get to see you play in a game. Every position player got at least 3 ABs. My son got to face 14 hitters (two innings in their format) as a pitcher, and also got an AB. For those who complain about showcases (e.g., my son only fielded 5 ground balls, took 7 swings and ran the 60), the games provide an extra look.
5. Coaches did follow up. Again, my son is not a DI prospect. He received what I would call "real" follow-ups from at six coaches. He telephone calls from all six coaches inviting him to campus. Two of those schools are on my son's short-list now.
6. When we visited one of the DIII schools on my son's list, my wife asked the coach (a coach with a stellar career record) whether he thought my son could contribute on his team. The coach point blank said "I saw your son pitch at the TPX clinic in a game situation. I was able to see how he handled himself on the mound under pressure. I'd much rather see a pitcher in a game situation than in a bullpen session."
I know this is just one family's experience, but I thought it was worth sharing.
Our son also attended his first TPX Top 96 event last year here in Missouri. He told me after the event that it was one of the best events he had attended, due primarily to the interaction with the coaches in attendance.
The coaches actually provide the instruction during the first day of the two day camps. So most of the time, you're getting some pretty good instruction. Each player was also provided with a written evaluation and also received a first hand, personal verbal evaluation from one of the coaches in attendance.
The most important thing was that we looked at it as a workout/camp and not as an exposure event. The exposure opportunities may be there, but if you look at it as an opportunity for some good instruction, I think you'll be even more pleased.
The coaches actually provide the instruction during the first day of the two day camps. So most of the time, you're getting some pretty good instruction. Each player was also provided with a written evaluation and also received a first hand, personal verbal evaluation from one of the coaches in attendance.
The most important thing was that we looked at it as a workout/camp and not as an exposure event. The exposure opportunities may be there, but if you look at it as an opportunity for some good instruction, I think you'll be even more pleased.
I am thinking about attending one of these events. It says that any player in high school can attend, but how old or what graduation year is the average player there?
Agree with the posters.
Quality varies with the venue.
Quality varies with the venue.
GoEagle,
At the Virginia Showcase it was mostly rising Seniors with slightly fewer rising Juniors. Not too many of the younger players.
At the Virginia Showcase it was mostly rising Seniors with slightly fewer rising Juniors. Not too many of the younger players.
quote:Originally posted by quillgirl:
GoEagle,
At the Virginia Showcase it was mostly rising Seniors with slightly fewer rising Juniors. Not too many of the younger players.
Okay thank you.