TravelBall / Showcase teams, but at what cost?

Good post.

Keep in mind one major factor: personal websites, pictures, promos, videos, you tube etc are all great but the college coach needs and wants to see the prospect in action and against top flight competition.

My son sent out an e-mail with his youtube to anyone and everyone who would watch it. Got a lot of interest from some big D1 schools , but without seeing him play thats were it ended. played 2 months this summer with a showcase team and signed early with a D2. Wish we could have done more but did'nt have the cash, showcase teams are were its at but without the cash I don't know what advice you can give paople.

Another suggestion, get names/contact info of reliable baseball individuals who can verify the information you are sending about your son.

I am considering renting a blimp. Will that help?

quote:

Originally posted by Coach Milburn:
Another suggestion, get names/contact info of reliable baseball individuals who can verify the information you are sending about your son.

One of the most overlooked and underestimated piece of information for a parent trying to "help" a player. Make absolutely sure you get credible references! GED10DaD

quote:

Originally posted by GunEmDown10:

quote:

Originally posted by Coach Milburn:
Another suggestion, get names/contact info of reliable baseball individuals who can verify the information you are sending about your son.

One of the most overlooked and underestimated piece of information for a parent trying to "help" a player. Make absolutely sure you get credible references! GED10DaD

Amen! I almost left that out, that's why I posted that above.

Let me say that I believe college recruiters want to see your son play in person and play good competition. Recruiters can't get a true feel for a player from a video shoot. (Too many variables)

I never went around looking for ways to spend extra money, shoot I didnt want to spend any money if I didnt need to. I knew my son was better than average, but waited for the experts to tell me differently. Thats when things changed a bit.
My son was "found" at a MLB scouting bureau tryout when he was 16. Guess what the cost of that was? FREE!!!
If you utilize these free tryout camps and you do well word will travel. AND FAST! Plenty of people in the know at those tryouts. My son was invited to play on a scout team that fall from that FREE scouting bureau tryout and went to the WWBA in Jupiter, things were never the same again.

The thing I think people should remember, there are all kinds of organizations out there that will take your money in the name of getting your son recruited. You, the parent, need to have your son go to some free events and LISTEN to the professionals. The pro scouts and college recruiters do this stuff for a living. If they arent talking to your son or you that should be telling you something.

Remember, LSU, Texas, Virginia aren't going to come to you and tell you they're not recruiting you. If there is interest, that should help guide you as to how much money you want to spend.

Just my experienced opinion.

I am a high school baseball coach, not a travel ball coach, and even I believe that my elite players NEED to play travel ball. Baseball is going the way of softball and basketball. Instead of going to colleges coaches are going to big travel ball tournaments. Will you get interest if you You Tube your kid, you could. However the bottom line is they are still going to want to see you play and the best time to see you is with your travel ball team, because high school baseball season is the same time as college baseball season. I will say you do need to be careful. Obviously in Southern California there are a billion travel ball teams. You need to do your homework and make your choice wisely because so travel ball coaches do no work in getting you kids name out and other over charge. On the flip side you got a guy like SGV Arsenal who makes no financial gain off of travel ball and nearly all of not all of his player sign every year. Is it because he has talent, yes. It is also because he works his backside off and makes sure he gets, smart, and good kids.

quote:

Originally posted by D1:
Let me say that I believe college recruiters want to see your son play in person and play good competition. Recruiters can't get a true feel for a player from a video shoot. (Too many variables)

I never went around looking for ways to spend extra money, shoot I didnt want to spend any money if I didnt need to. I knew my son was better than average, but waited for the experts to tell me differently. Thats when things changed a bit.
My son was "found" at a MLB scouting bureau tryout when he was 16. Guess what the cost of that was? FREE!!!
If you utilize these free tryout camps and you do well word will travel. AND FAST! Plenty of people in the know at those tryouts. My son was invited to play on a scout team that fall from that FREE scouting bureau tryout and went to the WWBA in Jupiter, things were never the same again.

The thing I think people should remember, there are all kinds of organizations out there that will take your money in the name of getting your son recruited. You, the parent, need to have your son go to some free events and LISTEN to the professionals. The pro scouts and college recruiters do this stuff for a living. If they arent talking to your son or you that should be telling you something.

Remember, LSU, Texas, Virginia aren't going to come to you and tell you they're not recruiting you. If there is interest, that should help guide you as to how much money you want to spend.

Just my experienced opinion.

For the record, playing baseball on any team is playing baseball. My suggestion is to assist a young man getting his name out there and then you'll have an idea of whom is interested.

College coaches should be up front and say, that we are not interested and players should do the same and so the respect and communicate to a coach, we appreicate your interest but we are not interested.

This will save the college coaches a lot of valuable time if the players are up front, just the same if the college coaches communicate the same way.

quote:

Originally posted by Coach Milburn:

For the record, playing baseball on any team is playing baseball. My suggestion is to assist a young man getting his name out there and then you'll have an idea of whom is interested.

College coaches should be up front and say, that we are not interested and players should do the same and so the respect and communicate to a coach, we appreicate your interest but we are not interested.

This will save the college coaches a lot of valuable time if the players are up front, just the same if the college coaches communicate the same way.

Where we are from our Legion programs are considered weak, so this is where I will disagree with you. When my son played for that scout team that fall he played against some of the better competition he ever played against up to that point. Jupiter was unlike anything I had ever seen, until the next year he was there. Unless you have been there you cannot even imagine the amount of college recruiters and pro scouts there and that is probably an understatement.

Coach, I think you may have mistook my staement about the colleges not telling you they are interested. If LSU, Texas and Virginia are at an event that your son is playing in and at his game they dont have to tell every parent there that they have no interest. You will know who they are there to see. The coaches will be talking to the kids and parents they are interested in. Junior also had schools that were interested at one point and then like a light switch had no interest. They never called to tell us that interest fell off. I just thought that went along with the territory, no harm no foul.

My son went to a couple of weekend college camps last fall. Had he been playing Legion ball he would have been one of sixty quality players. His Legion coach doesn't know anyone. As a travel player a phone call from a MLB scout who helps coach his travel team preceeded the visit. The coaches knew who my son was and approached him for a conversation. Part of the conversation was, "Your coach speaks highly of you."

I won't say a kid has to play travel. But being on the right travel team with contacts sure helps.

I'm not saying the local Legion program is bad, but when my son was fifteen on a 16U team full of 15yos, the Legion made every excuse possible not to play them. They would have smoked the Legion team.

As far as preteen travel, I can't see spending a lot of money. After spring rec ball my son played for a community based summer travel team sponsored by the town when he was nine and ten. I paid $100. It was the equivilant of a LL all-star team. When he was eleven and twelve his LL all-star team played into August. The run was fun!

In response to this question from an HSBBweb Old Timer poster/administrator ...

"May I ask you what your problem is with travel/showcase teams?"

I am just trying to inform the players and parents of the options out there to assist them in gaining exposure at the most affordable avenue.

How can that be viewed as having a problem with travel/showcase teams?

socalhscoach, Thank you for the compliment. All of our coaches work hard at what we do. We enjoy the whole process. My wife wishes I would make a little money. I have been paid so handsomely in so many other ways. I will share one story. I bought a home last May and was dreading the move. I asked a few of guys if they could help move some things. I was so floored when about 35 or more players and parents showed up to help. There was a huge flat bed truck, a big u-haul type truck. They moved our family in a few hours from one home to the next. My wife was nearly in tears. They parents said it was there way of saying thanks.

I am proud of how all my coaches strive to see our players succeed. Coaches have asked me how we have developed into a top program. It is quality kids who come from quality families and the player happens to be outstanding at baseball. We have kinda have an unwritten formula I listed below. Within each one there is whole lot to cover.

1. Select good student athletes and good families.
2. Develop relationships with each player.
3. Help guide them to academic and athletic success.
4. Teach them to respect all aspects of the game
5. Teach them to compete with teammates and opponents
6. Be honest to each player and family.
7. Spend money wisely.

SGV ... I'm on the other side of the continental divide but would love to have had my son play for you or socalcoach!! Thanks for doing it the right way and for making a huge difference in those ballplayers lives....

Milburn

To me the tone of your posts indicates that you have a problem with that scenario

People come to this site for advice and to get informed about recruiting
Coach Milburn is giving advice to parents that don't have 10K-12K a year
to pay for a showcase team can't see how anybody could have a problem
with that .

Prime9, thanks. I have been to Georgia and thought it was a wonderful place.

I would be real reluctant to ask parents on our program to spend 10-12k a year. I am going to have ask our parents how much they spent over the past couple years. Let me think with my senior class.

Class of 2010:

As freshman played local league, Scout day, three tournaments in the winter $350 and summer Mantle and 2 tournaments $350. total $700.

As sophomores Fall played local league, scout day, three tournaments $400.00. Summer at JO's, Mantle league and two tournaments Fee was $500. Hotel, travel and food around $1200. Total $2100.00

As Jrs. Fall played at various colleges, Az. Jr Fall Classic, Scout day, $500. Two went to Jupitor extra $200. fee and hotel, travel and food $1200. The trip was huge for one kid. Blew up there. Will be first round pick this year. Summer Connie Mack and colleges sites. $250.00 Total $750..

Senior
Fall $100 fee. Didn't see to many as the were committed. Jupitor $225 fee and about $1200 for those who went.

Summer season will Connie Mack. $250.00.

This is just with our program. I could missing a few extra costs. Players did attend some college camps, PG showcases such at Cal Underclass, Sunshine West and National showcase. Some went to the tournament of stars which is no cost. There are scouting showcases run by the scouting association here in SoCal. We would set up games with other top teams and notify colleges and scouts so they could attend which is cheaper than paying $700 for a tournament.

19 players committed with 17 of them to D1. We have 5 players uncommitted. Two will go D1(one might go for football) and three others most likely D2 or NAIA. We are working it for them.

Parents need to do their work on researching programs to see if it fits their needs. Look at everything a program offers. Ask others who have gone through programs for their opinion. You have to get it right the first time because there are no do overs. Find a program, stick to it and work hard to get better. Regardless of which program you play in your still have to be good enough to collleges and scouts to warrant attention. It was what colleges/scouts feel is good enough not what parents think is good enough.

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
Milburn

To me the tone of your posts indicates that you have a problem with that scenario

Sorry that you feel that way TRhit. What device are you using to hear the tone affect of these posts?

quote:

Originally posted by DoverDAD:
People come to this site for advice and to get informed about recruiting
Coach Milburn is giving advice to parents that don't have 10K-12K a year
to pay for a showcase team can't see how anybody could have a problem
with that .

Glad that you understand DoverDAD.

First I need to for SGV baseball.

You run a great program at a reasonable cost for your kids. You are special.

Coach Milburn you are doing a great service to many here so I applaud you. You can be be seen and do a credible job without spending a ton of money. My son was asked to play on a very high profile national team and I could not justify the cost and time, so we more or less did this on our own with a LOT of help from the folks here at HSBBW.

I am confident, baring serious injury, my son will play college ball somewhere. We could have done this for less, but he would have fewer choices. We could have spent A LOT more and he would probably have more choices. This is what it boils down to IMO, the more you spend the more choices you have. With a little planning a decent player can generate enough interest for about $3K per year for two years. I also don't consider these "costs" since we had a lot of fun at these events and made side trips and they became our vacations.

This is a quick run down of what our costs (and projected) will be for my son.

Rising Freshman: Played on Varsity summer squad

Rising Soph: Summer ball with HS

Rising Jr

USA Baseball tournament: $125 plus travel ~ $1,200

Area Code Tryouts: ~ $0

WWB Tucson: $250 plus travel: ~ $700

Cal Collegiate League ~$0

Arizona Fall Jr Classic: $125 plus travel ~ $700

Fall Scout team plus travel ~$500

Perfect Game Combine ~$500

Rising Sr (planned)

Stanford Camp incl travel ~$1,600

Connie Mac ~$250

Cal Collegiate League ~$0

Area Code ~$0

WWB Tucson ~$700

Arizona Fall Classic ~$700

Scout ball ~$500

Ok Coaches and sounds like great ones at that! I have taken my son to a few of those . PG's ,Area Code, AZ Fall Classics and yes the Area Code got him a scholarship. My question I have for a quality Ranked AZ player Class of 2010 is, Where to showcase him now that he has committed to play college ball. Still has his Senior year,is 18 and turning 19 in Sept. Where is the next place to showcase other than his Summer Scout Team? And that Team doesn't go to Jupiter or East Cobb. Would he even qualify age wise for those or other Tourneys? Thanks

You can check with the college coach to see if he has contacts for summer collegiate league that he can put him in, or you can find a Connie Mack team, or a team which goes to PG East Cobb for 2010's.

Showcases itself are not needed unless he hopes to get drafted, but the draft is in June, not much happening except some all star events if you have them.

Really the key is playing quality games and getting AB's if he is a hitter and getting into shape.

1. My son received a very good D-1 scholarship so what I did was right.
2. My son was drafted out of high school so again, what I did was right.
3. He didn't go to one single Perfect Game event so PG isn't necessary.
4. He played for a very good summer team so a very good summer team is a plus.
5. He was invited to Area Code tryouts but didn't go. (so Area Code isn't necessary)
6. He was invited to go straight to Area Code WITHOUT going to tryouts but didn't go (so again that's not necessary)

While I am truthful Im also being facetious ---- The main point I'm trying to made is it's human nature to validate or defend what we do. That goes for parents, showcase promoters, summer coaches, recruiting services .... the list goes on and on. Everyone wants (and some need) to take credit for a player's success. One recruiting service tried to get me to pay a lot of money to "promote" my son. I declined. The price kept dropping until it went to zero (free). It was free because my son and his imminent success would validate his company. Even the person that gave my son a plastic bat and ball for Christmas when he was 2 years old has even taken some credit for his success.

Is exposure necessary? Sure it is but exposure is virtually omnipresent. The only downside to exposure, or the more common overexposure, is the cost. I say use some common sense when it comes to knowing what it takes to be recruited. Some players can do virtually nothing but play baseball and be heavily recruited while another can spend a fortune and get virtually nothing in return. With the economy in the shape it's it I think more people are going to be forced to realize that talent, not money, is the key to getting a spot on a college roster.
Fungo

When my guy(s) came out there were few showcase events happening but all three went to college to play college ball and did well

BUT

Times have changed tremendously and though it may a bit expensive it has changed for the better --WHY???--very simple--the exposure kids get today is way superior to 15 years ago, even 10 years ago

To me for our team and players it is not about rankings and ratings---it is all about exposure ---exposure to the right coaches and scouts--exposure to the schools that you have interest in---in todays recruiting climate it is rare to see a college coach at a HS game unless he is there to see a specific player---they will be where the maximum players are performing--why not? --their budgets are limited so why not be where the most talent will be on ONE stage

The same goes for travel teams--they will go to tournaments where the maximum exposure can be gotten-- why go to a tournament with 10 college scouts when on the same weekend you can be at an event with 50 college scouts---trust me the entry fee will be pretty much the same amount --- in our region the fees are in the $ 1000 range for any event you select

As in life in general it is all about choices--and you need to make the right one--I am not saying it cannot happen for you without showcases and tournaments but the odds are stacked against you.

In addition, and this is key, the player needs to let his schools of interest know where he will be and when---get them your schedule..

To answer the question--the cost is up to you!!!!

Parents and players need to understand just because you spend more money does not guarantee you anything but less money in the bank.

In the end, the real question is this ... Can you play the game of baseball and at what level?

With today's technology available, everyone needs to take advantage of it.

To close, if anyone wants to see my letter's of ref since I have started obtaining such since 2000, I will be very happy to give anyone more background information on me which will support that I know what I am talking about.

Am I in the business of making money off baseball? No, but I do get the reward of helping another player whom I have seen and sometimes NEVER seen.

I do my best to keep my college distribution list of coaches informed of kids who are in the market to play college baseball.

Folks, BASEBALL is suppose to be FUN and not a business at least for 18U in my own honest opinion.

Respectfully shared,
Coach Milburn
Winchester, VA

Coach Milburn.

Excellent post! Spending $$$$$$$$$'s (because you can) in an effort to achieve a goal is not always wise.

Can't go wrong having well thought out options.

Coaches, Great advise! So, I guess the only Showcase left for son is the East Cobb PG. Other than his All Star events after Senior Yr should he repeat last years stats. Either of you Coaches need or could use an outfielder or know of a Quality Team needing a player?. I know some of you frown when sites are posted of a player. But, son understands the risks and is ok with it. It does make it easy for people to see. It is as complete as a site can be for a player and for a Coach to evaluate him as a person and a player. http://hunterzwart.com/ Thanks

Who was the guy exposed behind the pitching screen?

He's lucky to still be living, for the love of GOD, stay behind the screen.

This NSCA Scouting Report, com'on folks, you can do this yourself. How much did this cost?

I am the lucky one that lived through that! Yes, I got the NCSA before I found reality. But it did serve as a knowlege base and a good refrence for us. This site is definately more useful! At 50 you arn't as loose as you were. I still have nightmares about that. No more pitching for me! But son still needs a East Cobb team. Don't let my recklessness take you away from his opportunities. I promise to be good. lol thanks

Milburn

Are you old enough to have sons at the recruiting stage?

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
Milburn

Are you old enough to have sons at the recruiting stage?

What is the appropriate age TRhit?

There is a perception Sir, that you do not like it when others come on here to help educate the parents and players with a different perspective.

A question for you, do you operate a business where you make money off baseball?

There is no correct path for every player. You can just never know at what point a college guy can see you or how it will happen. Each program has a different plan on what to do. This is why parents need to research things. My 18/2010 team gets invited to many events out of state. I just can not justify asking them to spend a large amount of money to travel right after they graduated. We are fortunate to play in a strong Connie Mack league so they get the work and compete with a full summer schedule. We are going to Utah to this summer because it was too good an opportunity to pass up.

Fungo, you made great points. I see parents take their kids to every showcase, tournament and camp possible. Nothing will happen for this kid because he is just not good enough.

I firmly believe you need play and work at this game with passion. If you are good enough and the right people see you it will happen for you.

TRhit, you guys play a lot of tournaments over the summer which is in contrast to us. We might play in one tournament over the summer and only two in the Fall. Different schedules but they work for each team.

BOF, thank you. I appreciate the praise. A nice pat on the back always feels good.

As a HS coach and associate pro scout, I always tell my kids that if they can play, they will be seen.

I would rather see a kid spend the money and get proper instruction, rather than spend all the money on the travel teams. Just my opinion.

I always hear about young kids (10-14) playing 70-80 games, but in playing those games are they really getting better? Some might, but a lot I see do not. They just keep making the same mistakes that will hurt later on if not corrected.

Am I against the travel teams, no, not necessarily, but I just feel proper instruction and reps are better served especially during those years where the instruction is really needed.

Once in HS and after the proper skills are ingrained, then focus more on the games aspect.

quote:

Parents and players need to understand just because you spend more money does not guarantee you anything but less money in the bank.

You can't purchase talent. You can purchase exposure and along with talent, quality references and access to college programs. A less than drop dead talent isn't going to get exposure out of his region without quality help.

milburn

I would send you a PM/email and explain fully my thinking but since you like to take emails and PM's and throw them up on a public forum you can forget that---thus no need to go further with you here

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
milburn

I would send you a PM/email and explain fully my thinking but since you like to take emails and PM's and throw them up on a public forum you can forget that---thus no need to go further with you here

Sorry, but I'm about trying to be transparent as possible. Nobody has to explain their position to me. If that is the way you want to operate and that is your choice.

quote:

Originally posted by RJM:

quote:

Parents and players need to understand just because you spend more money does not guarantee you anything but less money in the bank.

You can't purchase talent. You can purchase exposure and along with talent, quality references and access to college programs. A less than drop dead talent isn't going to get exposure out of his region without quality help.

There's some truth to that.

quote:

Am I against the travel teams, no, not necessarily, but I just feel proper instruction and reps are better served especially during those years where the instruction is really needed.

CC05 .... you make a good point that I totally agree with! Many Parents rush their children too quickly into "Travel Teams" thinking that alone is the formula for their son to make the H.S. Team and then play in College. I live in the Travel Team "mecca" of East Cobb. My son was recruited from Summer Travel exposure and local showcases. Having said that, no amount of "exposure" matters if the player doesn't have the skills so that "he will stand out." Furthermore, my player didn't learn "mechancis" from any Travel or H.S. Coach. Not that there aren't coaches who do spend alot of time on teaching specific skills. It's just been my experience, that they are too busy playing games (Travel teams) and it's easier to obtain, or bring up another player (H.School) that already has desired the skill sets. So, if you haven't played the game and or can't teach, and you son wants to play beyond Rec ball, you might spend some $ on good lessons (hitting & Pitching primarily, the advanced skills).

I just wanted to thank everyone who has responded and shared their opinions that has allowed others to become more informed.

HSBBWeb is a great resourceful for valuable information to be shared with all.

This is some interesting stuff. As a father of a boy that is getting close to the age where I have to make these decisions I like to hear more than one side of the coin.

I am torn over a lot of this. He is on a select team that is playing PONY ball during the season and doing some short travel tourneys from Seattle to Portland over the summertime. Since he is in a 14U level team (my son is 12) it is thought that travel beyond a couple of hours probably wouldn't do him any good, especially since there are some quality tourneys in the Seattle and Portland areas.

When he is older there is talk of the team striking out toward California and we will have to make that decision then.

To be honest, I am not too awfully worried about showcase or even summer ball as a high schooler. I figure that if Daniel is good enough in high school to be noticed all of that stuff will work itself out in the end. I might change my mind as he gets older.