Is there a good amount of college coaches at this tournament?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Yes but it is a huge tournament.
So would you say it is not worth going to if I am looking for recruiting exposure?
Yes and no.
First IMO it is one of the best tournaments in the country and certainly the best 16YO tournament there is. You will see the best players and teams in this age group from around the country and it will give you a good idea on where you stand relative to others. You have a chance to make the national team if you are in this caliber of player. There are lots of colleges there, but they tend to drift toward the premier teams, so if you come with a high quality team it is worth it. If you come with a young team, (many send their 15YO teams for exposure) then if this is your only reason maybe not. Many colleges start their recruiting at this event, so personally I think it is a good idea, but it really depends on your budget. If you do go make sure you send a note to the colleges that you have interest that you will be there and what team you will be with. Once the schedule comes out you can send them your specific game(s).
When my son went we did not go with an “academy” team and we ended up beating many of them and ended up getting 4th place so it was definitely worth it for him. Separate from the recruiting aspect, it still remains one of his favorite baseball weeks he has had and we all had a great time.
First IMO it is one of the best tournaments in the country and certainly the best 16YO tournament there is. You will see the best players and teams in this age group from around the country and it will give you a good idea on where you stand relative to others. You have a chance to make the national team if you are in this caliber of player. There are lots of colleges there, but they tend to drift toward the premier teams, so if you come with a high quality team it is worth it. If you come with a young team, (many send their 15YO teams for exposure) then if this is your only reason maybe not. Many colleges start their recruiting at this event, so personally I think it is a good idea, but it really depends on your budget. If you do go make sure you send a note to the colleges that you have interest that you will be there and what team you will be with. Once the schedule comes out you can send them your specific game(s).
When my son went we did not go with an “academy” team and we ended up beating many of them and ended up getting 4th place so it was definitely worth it for him. Separate from the recruiting aspect, it still remains one of his favorite baseball weeks he has had and we all had a great time.
quote:Separate from the recruiting aspect, it still remains one of his favorite baseball weeks he has had and we all had a great time.
I totally agree with BOF. Fantastic tournament - outstanding quality of play, well-run even with the inevitable rain delays that are just a part of summertime in Florida (much like Louisiana!). We did it 2 years and it was a wonderful experience each time.
No rain delays in Az 2Bmom....It never rains there...at least it looks like it. Only had to deal with 115deg heat...but it is a dry heat 
My bad!
Yes, a dry heat. I've heard tell of that.
I spent 6 weeks in Broussard LA on an internship while I was in college. It rained every afternoon at about 4:00, and the rest of the day was spent in a sauna.
If the OP goes to AZ, it would be fun to get a comparison on which is more challenging - 90 degree sauna or 115 dry heat?
Yes, a dry heat. I've heard tell of that.
I spent 6 weeks in Broussard LA on an internship while I was in college. It rained every afternoon at about 4:00, and the rest of the day was spent in a sauna.
If the OP goes to AZ, it would be fun to get a comparison on which is more challenging - 90 degree sauna or 115 dry heat?
Dlock15
Will you participate with a local team?
Have you studied the history of USA Baseball?
The Junior Olympics maybe the best venue for this age group in the USA.
We entered with Carl Crawford [Red Sox]and Andy LaRoche [Oakland A's].
Dave LaRoche and my son coached this team.
Dave and Andy travel with our teams to Australia for 5 years.
"Look for the best competiton" The college coaches
will attend and they will hear of players with "tools".
Bob Williams
Goodwill Series Inc.
PS: I have been a member of USA Baseball for 34 years.
Will you participate with a local team?
Have you studied the history of USA Baseball?
The Junior Olympics maybe the best venue for this age group in the USA.
We entered with Carl Crawford [Red Sox]and Andy LaRoche [Oakland A's].
Dave LaRoche and my son coached this team.
Dave and Andy travel with our teams to Australia for 5 years.
"Look for the best competiton" The college coaches
will attend and they will hear of players with "tools".
Bob Williams
Goodwill Series Inc.
PS: I have been a member of USA Baseball for 34 years.
It isn't confirmed that I am going yet. The team is waiting on my response.
Would the $400-$500 spent on going to this tournament be better spent in going to a couple of showcases at colleges that U am interested in?
Dlock: Maybe. It really depends on your plan. You need to go to some of these types of events to get an idea on where you stack up on the national competitive level. These events are also part of you figuring out if you are a D1, 2,3 player and where you stand vs other kids your age. IMO you should pick a few of them (if you can afford it) and make them part of the plan. Part of your plan should also include a couple of camps to the colleges that you are targeting. For us the 16U event was the first National event he went to.(BTW I have never seen so many 6'+ 200lb 16YO in one place in my life) Others include the PG World/National events, (Jupiter, Az) and the Az Fall Sr Classic is a must.
I will give you a little secret on College camps also. If a college is really interested in you they will let you come to their multi-day camps at a pro-rated cost basis. Due to NCAA guidelines they can’t make it free, but they will pro-rate the cost so you can come in for one day, do your thing and leave. They get to see you and you get a discounted cost. All you have to do is ask. Of course they usually have had to see you play someplace to know that they are interested in you, so the key to the National events are to communicate with the schools you are interested in advance so they know when you will be playing and update them once the schedule comes out.
Good luck and let us know what you end up doing.
I will give you a little secret on College camps also. If a college is really interested in you they will let you come to their multi-day camps at a pro-rated cost basis. Due to NCAA guidelines they can’t make it free, but they will pro-rate the cost so you can come in for one day, do your thing and leave. They get to see you and you get a discounted cost. All you have to do is ask. Of course they usually have had to see you play someplace to know that they are interested in you, so the key to the National events are to communicate with the schools you are interested in advance so they know when you will be playing and update them once the schedule comes out.
Good luck and let us know what you end up doing.
