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31 replies

What age is too young for showcase & camps?

R Redlegs10+ posts
Pitcher/ catcher. Fastball 82, pop time as a catcher at 127 ft is consistently under 2.0 (best time is 1.80). Player is looking for better challenge than travel & middle school ball. 5-10 155 lbs.
Good bat, hits 320 ft. to 360ft. Good line shots & power.
Put him out there or let him develope?
Dad wants to be patient, kid is ready to go.
Whats your opinion.
Player is 14, 8th grade, will be 15 this summer.
Pop time and radar gun was done by AD.
Last edited {1}
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floridafanfloridafan5,000+ posts
The guy is young. Of course the kid is ready to get out there and show his stuff and compete...as he should!

Development must include playing the game, but I would focus on development at this time.

A small showcase or two, just to get into the groove and comfortable with the situation is a good idea. I would not necessarily recommend a PG event as your first choice. See if you can find some lesser known, more lightly attended showcase events to get your guy started. OBA in Orlando has events fairly regularly that may suit this purpose.

Understand that there is no reason to rush this along. Take the time to develop your skills, hone your skills. Soon you will need to determine whether your son wishes to be a hitter/position player or a pitcher. Remember that a sub 6'1" pitcher needs to have awesome stuff to get significant attention.

When my guys were 14 they were working with hitting and/or pitching instructors regularly. I really miss those days now that they are older.

Don't rush the process and savor every moment.

Oh, and Welcome Aboard!
Last edited by floridafan
FungoFungoHighly Regarded and Beloved Old Timer
Great question. College sponsored camps are fun and informative and allows the parents and the player to compare his talent with other kids' talents. Kinda of a "strut your stuff" event for the stud puppies and allows them to become more relaxed in doing these events which will can only help at a future date. It also keeps the kid's dream alive at the same time he could pick up a few pointers along the way. However I wouldn't spend LOTS of money on it --- money would be better spent on private instructions. On showcases: At this age (in my opinion) the ONLY reason to showcase a child at this age is to prepare them to showcase when, and if, additional EXPOSURE becomes necessary. Again, IMO a showcase is a means to and end and not an end unto itself as so many make it out to be. Here is the way I did it with my C/P son. I showcased him one time (a pay to play) when he was a freshman. This allowed him and me to get the feel for a showcase. What I did do that I think had the greatest impact at age 15 was when I moved him up to a 18u elite travel team. He was challenged and forced to compete. Establishing himself as a competitor at that level was rewarding and surprising provided TONS of exposure.
Fungo
Q. A kid with a 82 mph FB can throw a 1.8 to second?
2Bmom2Bmom1,000+ posts
Hi, redlegs. IMO, never too young for a camp, as long as you are not viewing it as a recruiting opportunity. It's a chance for your son to have fun and get good instruction.

2B was also 14, but between the freshman and sophomore year, when he played his first season with his current summer team. I was not thinking about baseball when he was ready for kindergarten! So he is young for his graduating class, and for the record I would not change a thing.

Anyway, among other tournaments, he played in the 16U USA Baseball National Championship in Jupiter and the WWBA 16U Championship at East Cobb. He was not a star on that team by any stretch, but he was a starter, made some positive contributions, and learned a heck of a lot from some fine teammates. He turned 15 right after East Cobb was over.

We joined this team because his AAU team folded, and he wanted to play in the summer. And it was fun. We really didn't realize where it would lead. I didn't understand until I started reading the HSBBW. Smile That fall, we started getting questionnaires.

This past summer he played in the same 16U tournaments, and turned 16 right after East Cobb was over. This year, he'll play 17U/18U and will continue to be the youngest player on the team.

In terms of showcases like PG, he was 15 the first time at PG Underclassmen. He's not a top prospect kind of player, but he did learn that he could play right alongside the best players in the country and do just fine.

Bottom line, if he's ready, given his physical and emotional maturity level, then IMO get him on the best team you can find and go play!
Last edited by 2Bmom
RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007
Unless your son is a jaw dropping stud relative to a seventeen year old, showcasing would be a waste of money. The showcases are mostly about seventeen year olds after their junior year. Showcasing at sixteen is good experience for the following year.

Your son would probably be overwhelmed by the pitching playing up to showcase ball assuming a coach would want him. Since he's a summer birthday I'll guess he's 14U eligible. Have him play up to 16U. Once on high school varsity (in most cases) play to the level of your ability, not by age.

Advanced summer camps are good. Not only is there quality instruction your son could get on a "follow" list at the college.
Last edited by RJM
P PGStaff10,000+ posts
Probably the only reason to attend A PG Showcase (Underclass) would be if he is truly a top level player.

I'm only speaking about our events... If he is truly a top level player, he will be identified as such and those in the scouting world will know who he is. Granted this doesn't pertain to MLB scouts or college recruiters as much as it does for others who recruit the top players. That would be highest level travel teams, USA Baseball, etc.

Yes, there are many national level travel teams that recruit players outside their area. Yes, there really is a USA 14 year old national team, as well as 16U. Players that wait until they are 17 or who don't live in a certain area of the country, need to be identified in order to get these opportunities. That's if those opportunities are even important to a person. If they haven't heard of you, the opportunity isn't there.

If a player is outstanding... Don't ever be fooled into thinking being identified early is a bad thing. There is a very long list of MLB players and first round picks out there that actually benefited by being identified at a young age.

All that said... For the vast majority of young players, even those who are talented... There is no real hurry or necessity. I would agree on spending money getting quality instruction and/or attending college camps. Make sure it is "quality" instruction. Also get on a team, as good a team as you can and play against the best possible competition.

Also, are you sure about that 1.8 pop time? If so, that is unreal for a 14 year old. So is the consistently under 2.0, for that matter.
L liner100+ posts
I've seen some big discrepancies in times and stats...kids who are on a website at 6.6 and run a 7.0 on a grass field in the morning. Human error factors in big time, same dynamics for pop times no doubt. Times to first as well. My son has run 6.75-7.05 at 3 different events in the space of a couple weeks. I've also seen a mid level draft pick gunned consitantly at 82-84 in a game situation when he's been clocked at 90.

back to the point though - a 14 yr old with anything near those #'s is definitely fun to watch, and be around!
R Redlegs10+ posts
Yes his pop time is real. I new heading into this season he was around 2.0. The AD at school has been timing him. His best time so far is better, 1.75. Its pretty fun to watch. I'm going to let him do 3 late in the summer. He really wants to, I can afford it, and its something new to him. They are simple 2 day camps for colleges. I figure also, when he does the big ones as a 16-17 year old he'll be used to them. He'll be 15 in July, Freshman to be.
Thanks for all your comments.
TRhitTRhit10,000+ posts
REDLEGS

Do not want to burst your bubble nor that of the AD with the stopwatch but a 1.75 pop time rarely if ever happpens in the big leagues--- and your guy is a freshman to be--I think you need to check things out and take off those rose colored glasses or check the distance from home to second base on the field where he was timed
R Redlegs10+ posts
TRHit,
Dont worry, your not bursting my bubble and no one here is wearing rose colored glasses. Point of the AD & the coaches doing the stop watch is the fact Dad is not timing. I knew his time was around 2.0 (which 2.0 is great in my book) before he started his off season arm condition which was custom made by himself of reverse bench presses, med ball squats and tubing exercises among other things. This kids throw to 2B doesnt go over 4 ft from the ground. Its an absolute bullet.
I dont have anything to prove here just asking for some opinions from what i think is a group of educated coaches and parents on when do you let this kid go out and show his stuff. I dont want to create too much hype too young, he already does that when he plays, but he wants to do some showcases and college camps as something new as middle school ball is weak to him and travel ball he's done alot of. He cant play varsity yet so I think some minor showcases and camps would be okay for him to try out. As per his pop time, even if everyone is .25 or .50 off, we are still happy with it.
Once again thanks for all the comments from everyone.
CADadCADad5,000+ posts
Sounds like a very talented player but the pop times are suspect. Dads aren't the only ones with biased trigger fingers.

Austin Maddox who has a 96 mph fastball once posted a 1.75 pop time. His velocity from the catcher's position was 90 mph. There's a 14 mph difference between the 96 mph fastball and an 82 mph fastball. That is just too much time to make up. The average speed of Maddox' throw was probably about 82 mph. The average speed of your son's throw from catcher using the same assumptions was about 68 mph. That means it took Maddox' throw 1.05 seconds to reach 2nd base and it took your son's throw 1.27 seconds to reach second base. He'd have to be .22 seconds faster from catch to release than one of the most talented catching prospects in the country was at a point where he had far more experience.

I think you need to go ahead and get him to a showcase just to get some unbiased numbers.

BTW, it is OK to be a bit biased. I was at a showcase where a kid posted a relatively poor velocity throwing in the infield. The dad insisted the velocity had to be wrong and since they were giving some players who weren't there the first day a chance to throw in the infield they let him redo his throws. He was 1 mph slower and looked it. He looks like he could go as high as the second round this year but they still don't think much of his arm, even though he's worked hard and improved it since then.
Last edited by CADad
B BadgersCoach10+ posts
FUNGO - I just gotta say that was the best reply to a post I've read in a long time - answered the man's question and included the same question that occurred to me - you don't get a sub-2.0 pop time with an 82 mph arm. Anyway, good advice and great stuff. As I'm passing through this window with three boys (oldest HS jr., youngest 6th grade), I am believing more and more that up until their Jr. year in HS, focus on their development (whatever makes them better players including competition level), then turn on the marketing machine once they get to that Jr. year and let them show off who they are. One of my showcase players had always wanted to play at JMU, so he religiously attended their residential camp every summer since the 8th grade. This past summer, when it became time for Spanky to evaluate him from a recruiting standpoint (and I love Spanky, think he's one of the best and most honest guys in the business), it was difficult for him because he had lingering pictures of this player in his head as a gangly 8th grader. Player ended up signing with another D-1 program, because JMU just wasn't going to offer him. Point of the story is don't get them out there too much too soon, wait until it counts - at least where the player might really want to go.
N ncball100+ posts
The kid is a 14 year old 8th Grader. Nothing good can come from it besides the ego of the dad. Sorry- that's the truth. Oh btw, no way the kid is throwing a 1.8 unless he is cheating horribly. That time is a joke and doing a disservice to the kid!

I'd like to see some people who are supposed to be responsible and "looked up to" show some common sense on this thread. This kid should be working hard on his game and enjoying the experience. Plenty of time for individual exposure. Now is the time to learn to be a great teammate.
P PGStaff10,000+ posts
ncball,

I deeply respect your opinions when it comes to youth baseball. In fact, I would agree with your thoughts on most issues because you are one of the best and most knowledgable people I know that is involved with amateur baseball.

I even agree with most everything you posted above. However, it's a bit too Mr.Baseball, or God Like, to say something like this, as though there's something stupid about other thoughts on the subject.

quote:
I'd like to see some people who are supposed to be responsible and "looked up to" show some common sense on this thread.


Of course the most important things involve getting better, learning, having fun, being a good team mate and human being. Personally I think talented young players need to start challenging themselves whenever possible. The best way to do this is to get on a high level club team like yours IMO and play with and against others who have lots of talent and learn the game.

Showcases are not very important at an early age, it's better spending money elsewhere, instruction, summer team, etc. But, that said, I also don't see any particular event that will ruin a players future. How can anyone say things like... "Nothing good will come out of it"! That is something none of us can possibly know and there have been instances where good things have come out of it.

Personally I have a problem with how recognition (accurate or not) is going to ruin any lives. If the young kid that is truly gifted can not handle a little recognition, he has serious issues that might be best addressed early on. Recognition doesn't have to be something evil!

All this said, and back on topic, we don't see a lot of 8th grade players at our showcases. Some that we have seen were very good and it sure didn't seem to hurt them by being recognized. Sometimes the parents who haven't figured it out get a little carried away. We've also seen some who did not improve over the next few years, but that's nothing new. The question is, did they not improve because they were on some list or they attended some event and was given some recognition? Should extremely talented 8th graders who have talent hide until they get older. They're not all on great summer teams. Should they not want to play for Team USA or on a top level team?

We do run a 14 year old tournament that is very good and getting better. We do not rank 8th graders individually. We do rank teams, not sure how that effects kids on that team? We've found that it creates interest, most coaches seem to like it, sponsors of these teams seem to like it, and it harms no one. Is it entirely accurate, absolutely not, that would be impossible. However, we have been told by some very important people in scouting that our long files covering several years on prospects becomes extremely valuable information. I will explain that if I have to.

I know you are against rankings and that's OK. We see the interest associated with rankings and understand that in a way it creates discussion and promotes youth baseball. IMO We should all want to promote amateur baseball. Whether we would agree or not, I know you have a genuine interest and have done as much as anyone when it comes to promoting amateur baseball.

Please... No one turn this into another "money" making issue. We do not make our money dealing with 8th graders. All opinions don't have to be made based on business. And just to be clear... I see no real need for any 8th grader to attend a showcase!
justbaseballjustbaseball10,000+ posts
I have two boys who are very good at baseball...one played D1 and now in the minor leagues. The other one has a verbal commitment to play D1 in another year and a half.

Both attended 1-3 showcases starting after their sophomore year in HS.

My opinion on this is not new. I see no reason, none, for an 8th grader to showcase.

Learn the game, improve your skills, enjoy the heck out of it. Don't need anyone but Mom and Dad watching you play right now. Plenty of time for the other stuff later.

Nothing I wrote above is meant as a criticism of anyone. Just my opinion.
Last edited by justbaseball
P PGStaff10,000+ posts
justbaseball,

I have a lot of respect for you and don't want to nitpick, but....

I can give an example of someone we would all recognize. At age 13 he showed up at an event and it actually turned out to be quite an advantage for him.

By age 15 he was picked up and playing at a very high level (17U). He ended up having access to some of the best coaching in baseball and he continued to keep getting better because of these advantages that many don't have.

He was also picked up to play in the Junior Olympics and from that he made the USA cut. Knowing the situation, I'm fairly certain that most of this had no way of happening without his attendance at that first event.

He is now a starting outfielder in the Major Leagues. Some might think everything would have happened the same no matter what he did as a young player. Maybe so, but that is something we can't possibly know because we only know what he did do and what the results were.

I assure you that his dad will say to this day that it was that event when he was 14 that started everything that happened later on.

I understand that this is far from the ordinary. I'm only referring to the "no reason, none" part of your post. I still agree that there is no real "need" for an 8th grader to attend a showcase. However, there are some who have and things have worked out well.

Remember that kids sign pro contracts from the Dominican at a very young age. There are 14 year olds over there that are very well known already.

I'm not saying these are a good thing by any stretch of the imagination, but there is a 14 year old that we know of that already has an agent/advisor. We know of 15 year old kids who have verballed to top colleges already.

The very best gymnasts, swimmers, even sokker players are recognized at a young age. Insiders even know who the best basketball players are at that age. It doesn't mean they will be the best by the time they are 21 years old. It just means that someone will be following their progress. I simply can't see anything wrong with recognizing extremely talented young players. I wish we knew who the very best 12 year olds were and could track them.

The biggest amateur showcase ever features many 12 year old players every year. Maybe not the very best 12 year olds either. Young kids become celebrities at the Little League World Series. Does that national recognition destroy them? I'm sure it is an experience they will never forget.

Anyway, I agree that 14 is too early to think about showcases for most all players. It's just the "no reason" that I disagree with. For a few there can actually be some very good reasons.

Maybe this would be a bit easier to understand for those who live in areas where quality baseball is less available.
justbaseballjustbaseball10,000+ posts
...and as you know, I have a lot of respect for you too. Wink

We agree on 99% of baseball things (and most likely other things too)...we are just not totally aligned on this one. But from past threads, you knew that already and I definitely knew yours.

Just thought I'd throw my opinion in there on this latest thread. Probably doesn't deserve a whole lot of weight. But its just the way I feel about it.

BTW, spent an hour or so on the phone today with a company in Cedar Rapids. Probably gonna do some business with them soon. Might be 'stimulating' your local economy! Cool
R Redlegs10+ posts
Maybe I shouldnt have brought this up here. woops. Anyway, alot of real bad assumptions in this neighborhood. I wont get into a long story of this kids history of playing (Its not like he just picked up a ball) or that his older brothers, dad and grandpa didnt play. Or the a long story about having these pop times were checked by a major college person last week (game time) or the fact that last fall he was catching juniors & seniors. Pop times over the past week are all under 2.0. Pick off to first is pretty incredible,very quick.
Bottom line is we are going to let the kid do as he wishes. 3 little ones this year. If you notice above, for 2 of the three he'll be 15. I do however see some issues with this as he gets ready to enter high school and gets ready to try and make the varsity team, I guess this is somewhat the issue with a young kid attending showcases with alot of upper classman. We are sensing this with school ball in full swing.

If a kid wants to be an engineer and designs an airplane or building, do you let him enter a design contest when he is only a freshman and contending with seniors. Yes, if the kid wants to test his skills against upper competition, you do. If you hold him back, thats not being much of a parent.

Thanks a bunch.
N ncball100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by PGStaff:
ncball,

I deeply respect your opinions when it comes to youth baseball. In fact, I would agree with your thoughts on most issues because you are one of the best and most knowledgable people I know that is involved with amateur baseball.

I even agree with most everything you posted above. However, it's a bit too Mr.Baseball, or God Like, to say something like this, as though there's something stupid about other thoughts on the subject.

quote:
I'd like to see some people who are supposed to be responsible and "looked up to" show some common sense on this thread.


Of course the most important things involve getting better, learning, having fun, being a good team mate and human being. Personally I think talented young players need to start challenging themselves whenever possible. The best way to do this is to get on a high level club team like yours IMO and play with and against others who have lots of talent and learn the game.

Showcases are not very important at an early age, it's better spending money elsewhere, instruction, summer team, etc. But, that said, I also don't see any particular event that will ruin a players future. How can anyone say things like... "Nothing good will come out of it"! That is something none of us can possibly know and there have been instances where good things have come out of it.

Personally I have a problem with how recognition (accurate or not) is going to ruin any lives. If the young kid that is truly gifted can not handle a little recognition, he has serious issues that might be best addressed early on. Recognition doesn't have to be something evil!

All this said, and back on topic, we don't see a lot of 8th grade players at our showcases. Some that we have seen were very good and it sure didn't seem to hurt them by being recognized. Sometimes the parents who haven't figured it out get a little carried away. We've also seen some who did not improve over the next few years, but that's nothing new. The question is, did they not improve because they were on some list or they attended some event and was given some recognition? Should extremely talented 8th graders who have talent hide until they get older. They're not all on great summer teams. Should they not want to play for Team USA or on a top level team?

We do run a 14 year old tournament that is very good and getting better. We do not rank 8th graders individually. We do rank teams, not sure how that effects kids on that team? We've found that it creates interest, most coaches seem to like it, sponsors of these teams seem to like it, and it harms no one. Is it entirely accurate, absolutely not, that would be impossible. However, we have been told by some very important people in scouting that our long files covering several years on prospects becomes extremely valuable information. I will explain that if I have to.

I know you are against rankings and that's OK. We see the interest associated with rankings and understand that in a way it creates discussion and promotes youth baseball. IMO We should all want to promote amateur baseball. Whether we would agree or not, I know you have a genuine interest and have done as much as anyone when it comes to promoting amateur baseball.

Please... No one turn this into another "money" making issue. We do not make our money dealing with 8th graders. All opinions don't have to be made based on business. And just to be clear... I see no real need for any 8th grader to attend a showcase!


PG- Would never turn this into a making money thread. You are doing this stuff for the right reasons- period. We've played in the 14 year old tournament and it's a great experience.

Here's my point- I don't think 14 year olds have any business showcasing. I can't see any good coming from this. I do need to retract something- after I just read what I wrote (in a hurry), I did a horrible job of conveying what I was trying to get across. I want the people that are "looked up to" to convey to these people that need to show common sense. It's all about perspective and I think that's sorely lacking. The last thing a 14 year old needs to know is where he's ranked.

There are ways to be seen as an 8th-grader- The USA Baseball tournaments are good and the WWBA 14 World Series is another. These are TEAM events. If he stands out, word travels fast. USA finds out, PG finds out, Scott Boras finds out, etc.

14 year olds need to learn how to work hard, have fun, and play the game with respect. The best thing anybody can say about a player is that he's a great teammate. Those need to be his priorities- not what showcase to go to or where he's ranked. That stuff takes care of itself in due time.

Hope that clarifies what I was trying to say.
R Redlegs10+ posts
NCBall,
What makes you think that SOME 14 year olds dont already work hard, have fun and already play the game with respect? AS a kid born and raised in Florida, you have to do those things to even compete at travel ball level. Sometimes they look for the experience of showcasing their talents for future experiences and dont really care where they RANK as per this showcase or that.
Your reference to "common sense" is pretty far off. As a parent you may want to think about what makes a kid tick rather than what YOU want for the kid. What is the big deal if a kid wants to test his skills? Big Deal.
Would it be a shame for a 14 or 15 year to make monster pop time at a showcase and draw attention? I guess it would be a shame.
R Redlegs10+ posts
infielddad,
Well to answer that question (I'll try but nothing I say may work). My son has a good freind that played in the Ft Myers underclass perfect game tourney (as an 8th grader) and he wanted to play some of those also. I told him he a lot of time for that. He persisted, so i asked the question here at a forum titled "Showcase Forum" at a site that seems to promote the perfect game showcases and others.
So after viewing some replies, as we thought we would see, we decided if he wants to he can. Some basic showcase stuff.
Hows that? Am I ok.
infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
If you got the answers you would see, and some real knowledgeable folks provided them, I assumed you were looking to find out what adults and parents and coaches and folks like PG thought, not kids.
Maybe I am wrong but I thought you posted to find out what would be the right answer to provide your son being his parent.
Look, none of this matters to me. I just can't figure out why you asked the question of adults/parents/coaches, got the very best to respond, who by and large felt too young, unnecessary, and it is like none of them ever posted.
I dunno, I just thought if you wanted parents and coaches to share there views, it meant something and there was a reason.
I can't figure out the reason you inquired and got all of this feedback if your answer is "if he wants he can." You knew that answer before the question, didn't you?
Here is how I simplify what occurred.
Your son wants to go.
You decide he can go.
You post to find out what others think.
Others by and large say no/negative/meaningless.
You decide he can go.
Why post and get the feedback??
Last edited by infielddad
N ncball100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Redlegs:
NCBall,
What makes you think that SOME 14 year olds dont already work hard, have fun and already play the game with respect? AS a kid born and raised in Florida, you have to do those things to even compete at travel ball level. Sometimes they look for the experience of showcasing their talents for future experiences and dont really care where they RANK as per this showcase or that.
Your reference to "common sense" is pretty far off. As a parent you may want to think about what makes a kid tick rather than what YOU want for the kid. What is the big deal if a kid wants to test his skills? Big Deal.
Would it be a shame for a 14 or 15 year to make monster pop time at a showcase and draw attention? I guess it would be a shame.


Redlegs- Because I know more than you do about this whole process- that's why! I've seen what showcasing too early and getting "early rankings" has done to kids (and parents) and it's not very positive as a rule. In 20 years I've been fortunate to have over 300 players from my program play D1 baseball, 80 pro players, 21 big-leaguers, and 10 first-rounders. Probably coached against another 100 first-rounders and even more big-leaguers. My point of bringer those numbers in to this thread is this- I've seen it all and have a pretty good idea of what works and what hurts. One of my good friends in baseball is without a doubt the top youth baseball coach in the country. We have constant conversations about this very issue and we are exactly on the same page!

You do what you want- you will anyway. People a lot smarter than you on this issue are giving you good advice.
Last edited by ncball
fillsfanfillsfan1,000+ posts
IMO, 99 times out of 100 it is the dad's ego that makes an 8th grader go to a showcase. What 8th grader thinks about individual showcasing? Again, IMO not many.

I'm not a baseball guy, just a parent learning as I go, but the best way to get noticed early is to attend the WWBA 14U tournament in Georgia and perform well. Pitchers noticed first and catchers with 1.8? pop times probably second. Mash a little while your there and your name will get out there.

Redlegs, try to get your son on a team going to Marietta this summer and if he has the tools you talk about he will be fine. If he is a top notch player go the the individual underclass showcase PG has in Fort Myers over the winter in his sophomore year.

Do your best to enjoy these younger years. Junior and senior year in the recruiting world can be very stressful for a hyper parent (I'm talking about me here). In 3 years when you look back at this time in his journey you might wish you had enjoyed it more instead of trying to speed up the process. If he has talent, works hard and continues to get better he will attain his goals and your dreams.

Have fun!
R Redlegs10+ posts
Thanks Fillsfan,
I agree with you 100%. Wanna get a few things straight here before I bail out of this.
1. We do have plans for Marietta. The kids smart and as an agenda of places and things he wants to do that is one. He's been playing Miami/Dade for 5 years now, great training ground.
2. The 8th grade thing keeps getting thrown out there. If anyone would read as I wrote, the SMALL little showcase camps that I am allowing him to participate will be this summer. Closer to entering High School and 2 of them after he turns 15. They are very small, probably money makers, but if its on a couple hundred bucks, I can afford it, he wants to try a couple, whats the big deal.
3. I was skeptical about posting this, as I said earlier, the times and numbers were posted to show this player has some credibility. He's not a rec ball player with a Dad with big dreams. We have had pop times checked & rechecked in the past weeks games. I didnt believe them myself. It wasnt really the topic. If you dont think they are correct thats ok, thats up to you. Not going to try and prove anything here. It cant be done on internet. Question was "How young is too young" for an above average player to compete and show his skills at showcases.
4. The post was made before we made the decision to allow this. Decision was never going to be based on just a chat boards influence, it was made based on what he wants to do, what we thought would be ok and opinions from others, college coaches, high school coaches and some here.

Some of these assumptions are way off, the one thing is, it wont do him any good but satisfy his thirst to challange himself. Which he likes to do. He has played up his whole life. 3 rinky dink showcases 1 just before he turns 15 and the other 2 after, isnt doing any harm. Probably good so a player gets to see how they work.
infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
Well, let's accept how you describe your son as a player with a pop time of 1.75 to 1.8, rockets, no lasers his throws to 2B no more than 4' off ground, hits with authority, designs his own strength, conditioning and flexibility programs and does it all at 14.
Take him to a showcase of the type you describe and what does he learn? He learns he is better than any catcher the rinky dink showcase and probably much better than any player at the other two described as small. From the way you describe him, he already knows that. What does he prove to himself or anyone that makes any difference?
Taken a few steps further, do you anticipate he will continue to progress and improve from this base going forward? What will his poptime be in 3 years. Will it still be 1.75 with others catching or surpassing him? Do you realistically think that unbelievable pop time is going to go lower? Right now you are posting that your son's pop time is equal or better than the current performance of Bryce Harper.
One question I would ask myself is whether showcasing my son now creates a risk of setting him up for failure when he is 16/17/18.
If you are one of the very few who knows with confidence your son is going to be continuing to improve over the next 3-4 years so he will continue to outperform his peers as they grow and improve, you have your answers. That will be one fine player for sure, a Bryce Harper type one would assume based on pop time alone. If that happens, you won't need to send him to a showcase. Most everyone will find him who knows baseball.
If that is not the case, and your son sees how much better he is now, and in 3 years, sees how much everyone has improved while he plateaued, what happens then?
I don't need answers. Just thought I would ask questions.
N NCBlue10+ posts
I think the entire showcase thing has exploded (at least in the south) and like many things in our society has spread to a younger than originally intended audience.

At 14 I think competitive travel ball, some college camps and good instruction is in order. Showcase events are advertised everywhere and most parents enjoy getting tehir ego stroked.

However I see travel organizations and showcase organizations merging/blending more and more. I wonder why, if it is to try and funnel young talent to them so it is available at later date or what ?

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