Varsity Soph - how to spend the summer?

As an '07 the boy wants playing time to get his game fine tuned---exposure, if it happens is fine but bit key at this point, at least in my mind---playingtime--playing time--playing time

in keeping with TR's comments, I think the summer after your junior year in HS is the critical one for the showcases/camps etc

I had my son attend a regional showcase the summer between freshman & sophomore year...Gave him an opportunity to get the lay of the land, so to speak. Last summer, his travel team went to J.O., & East Cobb. Then he attended PG Top Prospects in Waco, then a couple more tournys thru the end of July..After a couple weeks, fallball started & went thru Nov, including a showcase circuit kind of thing, & WWBA in Ft. Myers, Fla.
All in all, I think he benefitted.
In N. Texas area, it depends on the type of select team he's on & who the coaches are, as to whether they are flexible in allowing your son to "fit in" a showcase or 2. Some don't want to "loose a player if they get picked for J,O. Team. Some have ego's the size of the moon, some don't like showcases. My son's coach is in it for the kids & getting them to the next level, so he's all for putting them out there, & this summer has told us that if the invite comes, GO!! He'll be rooting & talking to make things happen, opening the doors, so to speak.
Concerning Camps, there are several articles on this site that explain how that situation works...It's more of a money maker for the college as opposed to strong instruction (IMO).
Son goes to a winter camp, so it doesn't interfere with summer travel, & to stay in touch with specific recruiter & coach.

If you REALLY want great training + alot of high quality baseball, check out www.burkburnettblacksox.org in Burkburnett Tx. Don Patty runs the school...for about 8 weeks, "students" are dormed & eat sleep breathe nothing but baseball. They play about 70-80 games thruout Okla & Tx. Usually he's got a team for Connie Mack. For the money, it's great!
Good luck, & have a great summer!

baseball mom you have a pm.

texdad10 back at you.
I've also found that the best players on the HS teams are those who play on the highest level select &/or travel teams. They usually are up against stiffer competition in the summer. And are wiling to work harder than those who elect to play only pony, Legion or HS summsr team. Those who aren't on high caliber teams aren't really challenged to get better, nor are they on any type of training program.
Players get better by playing...lots!...
Tell me, can he develope by playing 20-30 games a season or by playing 50-80 in addition to the HS season of 20-30? Can summer school ball train a player to compete as a junior against top 5A school pitching & hitting?
This is a multi-faceted process the next 2-3 years. Depending on his goals, the colleges he's looking at, & many other factors, the bottom line is developement & exposure.
Can he pitch, hit, field & run against 4 5A, 5 5A, 6 5A, 8 5A, 10 5A,&/or 12 5A schools this year? The top few pitchers & hitters in those districts are on the highest caliber teams playing in the highest level of competition, both locally & nationally.