Winter showcases in cold weather states

Don't go. Your 2018 needs to show progress, and those metrics may very well hurt.

2018 should contact the schools today and explain that he's playing basketball and will not be in pitching shape until Feb/Mar. Because his name is probably printed on a roster somewhere, he should further explain he thought that he could attend but that basketball has taken up most if not all of his training time.

Whether the coaches will understand or not is inconsequential: the risk of poor performance plus the risk of injury (from overthrowing) exceeds the benefits (if there are any).

You probably won't get a refund, so you'll want to at least receive a credit to a future event.

My 2017 has been having some email conversations with a few mid-D1 schools in the midwest.  Some of them have asked him about Showcases he plans to attend this winter, or if he would come to their camp (not the normal mass invite).  He has told each one of them he is shutdown until January 1st and doesn't think he would be in a position to throw for them before the HS season starts.  It has not been a problem for any of them.  Many of them responded along the lines of "make sure you get us your HS and Summer schedule and let us know if you are attending any summer showcases".  

What are your hopes for showcase? My guess is hope to do well in front of "dream school" with an offer to follow. While I totally understand shutting down arm for winter did you not know sons dream school would be at showcases? Apparently this is a big one. Was the plan to get in front of them in Spring or while on Summer team?

Kinda in a bad spot now. If son goes and does not show well he'll have to get back in front of the school again anyways. Now, he can have great form and be of a good size that they can look past slower velocity, most would expect that in Winter anyways. 

Just curious how communication is going w school that has offered. Is it a serious contender?  We re talking a verbal right?  

Tough call … I think I’m familiar with the showcase you’re referring to, and yes, it is impressive for this neck of the woods. My son attended his Junior December and it proved to be a very worthwhile opportunity (multiple invites to D1 campuses and ultimately several offers). I don’t recall his velo, although I’m sure it wasn’t his summer peak, but there were quite a few kids who were bringing it! I think the high quality of the schools attending is dictated by the “quiet period” on campuses in December: I think AC’s gravitate to these type of high quality off campus showcases in search of quality players (and income!)

With that said, it was his Junior year, and if I recall, the majority of the showcase attendees were Juniors and Seniors (again, this was a few years back, and I understand the timeline continues to move earlier and earlier). As far as the pros and cons of showcasing a pitcher in the winter months, we didn’t really get on the recruiting radar until his rising Junior summer/fall, so the period between Thanksgiving and mid January became a busy window for showcasing , camps and visiting with college coaches. Fortunately, he had gone out of his way to shut down for August/September and started up again in October for the high profile fall events which put him in pretty good throwing shape for November / December. I certainly wouldn’t recommend it every year, but it worked well for him in his Junior year (haven’t thrown in Nov/Dec before or since).

As far as this specific event goes, as I mentioned, it was a great opportunity at a great time for us … In addition to his bullpen, son got to meet individually with 7-8 Power 5 PC’s and RC’s after the event … priceless in terms of exposure around here. You would have to measure the potential upside (exposure and access to P5 Coaches) vs the downside (lower velo / injury). As a sophomore, who’s already on their boards, I would tend to think holding him out until he’s in better pitching shape makes sense. Trust me, I know how long it takes to get all of those moving parts of a lanky teenager fine-tuned again! Good luck!

Actually, the "dream" school added just last week. They weren't originally coming. That particular school isn't big on early commits, so judging interest has been difficult, though they've been very encouraging and seemed to be hinting a lot. The school that offered isn't really up there with my son. He wasn't entirely thrilled with his unofficial visit. A couple of other schools attending had originally heard about him through an area scout that has been actively recommending him and have indicated through coaches that they are "very" interested in a chance to see him live.

Given his status as a 2018, I'm inclined to cancel. He's scheduled to throw another bullpen this afternoon. In honesty, I have seen him have lower velocity BP's for no apparent reason and then turn around and pick it up three days later. If he's not at least able to reach velocities around what has been documented in the past, I believe we'll just pull out. It seems a waste of time if he can't compete with his own numbers. It doesn't bother me at all. He already has a decent reputation and a lot of time to worry about this stuff. He hadn't planned to play basketball, but was talked into it at the last minute and I'm not sure sore legs aren't also a contributing factor. 

I would be curious to know the rate of arm injuries from cranking it up for a winter showcase after not playing for a while. It seems like a bad idea.

Without a doubt. Unfortunately, they are more and more common and driven by the college schedules. November and December are probably the only months they are completely free. The only real option is probably to shut down early enough to give yourself enough time to gear back up before winter. In reality players should adjust to this and choose either an Aug-Oct showcase season schedule or Nov-Dec schedule, but not both. 

Root: A couple of things I'd take under consideration. First 2018 is only a sophomore. If his velocity is down from the season (especially if some of the coaches have seen him) I probably wouldn't send him - could raise a flag of injury which it isn't..more due to inactivity. Given his MPH now I'm pretty sure he's looked at as a PO, though he may hit in HS. Hence the difference between pitchers and position players in (winter)showcases.

There are differences too between warm weather showcases in winter vs indoor showcases in the Northeast, NE, and where you are. Never liked the indoor; those couple son went to seemed more for $$, instruction.  Also as your son's arm is key to his recruiting, so were my sons legs.  Though "baseball" was off season in winter, indoor track was in-season for him November/December/January. As a result, 2015 ran his best 60's then.  Don't think your 2018 benefits as much throwing strikes when he is also "throwing down jams" in hoops.  Good luck, but I would hold off. 

Ripken Fan posted:

There are differences too between warm weather showcases in winter vs indoor showcases in the Northeast, NE, and where you are. Never liked the indoor; those couple son went to seemed more for $$, instruction. 

Slight disagreement RF: joemktgson's training schedule last off season was around a PG indoor event in NJ in early February. He was in peak form, and his participation was very beneficial.

The same benefit can be said for the East Coast Baseball Camp in Richmond VA in mid January. Instructional? Yes, but under the tutelage of the major D1 recruiters in VA, SC and NC: another indoor event where joemktgson built awareness.

It's hard to find time in the winter for baseball.  Even in our mild weather.  You still have to deal with wet fields, cold weather, and short days.  To stay in peak shape between Nov and Feb takes a huge commitment.  

real green posted:

It's hard to find time in the winter for baseball.  Even in our mild weather.  You still have to deal with wet fields, cold weather, and short days.  To stay in peak shape between Nov and Feb takes a huge commitment.  

You should try it in a location without an indoor facility within 140 miles. I basically need to open my own.

Don't go.  Your son will have so much more upside by getting stronger and allowing time for the "soft tissues" to heal.  Coach's will respect your decision. Sounds like your son has some quality interest and his stock will continue to rise.

Coach's will privately like that the premium merchandise is getting healthier and stronger.  Why hand over to the coach's a less than "perfect" view than they already have of your son?    

http://www.ericcressey.com/bas...oney-and-get-injured

Agree, nothing to gain if his velo is down and not in best throwing condition. Never a good idea to ramp it up quickly just to attend a showcase. Your son has plenty of time to get back in throwing shape safely.

If he does go and his velo is low 80's, that stands on record. 

roothog66 posted:

Without a doubt. Unfortunately, they are more and more common and driven by the college schedules. November and December are probably the only months they are completely free. The only real option is probably to shut down early enough to give yourself enough time to gear back up before winter. In reality players should adjust to this and choose either an Aug-Oct showcase season schedule or Nov-Dec schedule, but not both. 

With all the info that you have gathered either here or possibly somewhere else, why in the world would you do this? 

The velo being down means, I need a rest.  Didn't he have some type of issue just recently. Come on root, you are smarter than that.

joemktg posted:

Ripken Fan posted:

There are differences too between warm weather showcases in winter vs indoor showcases in the Northeast, NE, and where you are. Never liked the indoor; those couple son went to seemed more for $$, instruction. 

Slight disagreement RF: joemktgson's training schedule last off season was around a PG indoor event in NJ in early February. He was in peak form, and his participation was very beneficial.

The same benefit can be said for the East Coast Baseball Camp in Richmond VA in mid January. Instructional? Yes, but under the tutelage of the major D1 recruiters in VA, SC and NC: another indoor event where joemktgson built awareness.

I think that if one plans accordingly it can work out, when son was in HS, he shut down end in October after Jupiter to have enough rest time and to do a PG underclass showcase in January (in Florida), but we do begin HS season here much earlier, he was a junior.

TPM posted:

roothog66 posted:

Without a doubt. Unfortunately, they are more and more common and driven by the college schedules. November and December are probably the only months they are completely free. The only real option is probably to shut down early enough to give yourself enough time to gear back up before winter. In reality players should adjust to this and choose either an Aug-Oct showcase season schedule or Nov-Dec schedule, but not both. 

With all the info that you have gathered either here or possibly somewhere else, why in the world would you do this? 

The velo being down means, I need a rest.  Didn't he have some type of issue just recently. Come on root, you are smarter than that.

Maybe I didn't explain the whole situation correctly. It's not like I dragged him out of storage and threw him on the mound. he has been throwing, just not pitching off the mound. A velocity drop in a first mound appearance after a two month layoff is not likely an indicator of injury or need for rest. It's quite normal. The question is more one of whether to present him to recruiters during this phase. We chose to shutdown and wait this long to ramp back up. So be it. It's also not as bad as first reported (I'll address that separately).

The "issue" you mention was a strained glute and that was back in July/August. It's healed and hasn't been an issue since before Labor Day. He's never really had any arm issues other than a couple of periods with bicep pain that we've been able to completely eliminate with a change in mechanics.

It's hard, TPM, for many people from warm weather states to understand how different it is in a place like Colorado. I read the article from Cressey posted above. Obviously one of the more credible sources you can find. However, patently unrealistic for most high school kids around here. In the comment sections, he's asked how long a period of time his 8-step program takes for gearing up. He responds that it runs 14-18 weeks. In Colorado, you can't begin practices until mid-February and the season starts early March. To do what Cressey recommends would mean starting in early November to get ready. Where do you get that important "time without throwing" everyone seems to want? I guess it works if you completely forgo any fall baseball - the period where a large part of recruiting now happens. that would give you two months off. Now, more serious ball players will have found indoor facilities to work in, but the vast majority of high school players won't even pick up a ball between fall and February. They then have maybe three weeks to get into playing shape. Here's the additional problem for someone like us. Luckily, most of December here has offered temps warm enough to throw some. However, that's unusual and will be over as of today (66 yesterday, snow today). We don't have an indoor facility within 120 miles of where I live. I do the best I can with what I have.

Had a bullpen yesterday. When I last commented, I hadn't looked at video from the first bullpen Sunday. Studying the video revealed a small change in his mechanics concerning his front hip when compared to summer video. He started out again throwing 81-82, but by the sixth or seventh pitch was back into correct form and immediately jumped back up to 84-85, touching 86 twice. He only threw 20 pitches (two reps of ten fastballs - no breaking stuff), but I'm satisfied he'll be able to show 84-86 which is about as good as we could hope for.

I did have trouble finding a catcher for him, though and I just can't do it these days. Finally, after both varsity catchers begged off claiming wrestling injuries, the varsity high school softball catcher (who I think has a crush on him) volunteered. She did a pretty good job.

When son was a sophomore after a long summer he was diagnosed with tendinitis. After a rest period he began a throwing program which brought him to HSball in Feb and never had any issues ever again until he was a professional.

There was less information then there is now from all sorts of very good professionals.

The problem is you have fallen into the recruiting trap. As a sophomore it's not necessary to put him at risk at this time, especially living in a cold weather state.

Parents seem to worry all scholarships will be taken up before their players reach their junior year.  That is NOT typical. The most important time for MOST players anywhere they live is their junior year. Some may argue that point but unless your son is a super stud at this point it's not gping to happen.  Trust me in one year from now he willooked more than likely be in a much better position and you will know where his skill level will be to pursue opportunities.

Once again, why do people ask for advice but find ways to justify their answers. You have been given good advice but more than likely are going to do what you want anyway.

TPM posted:

When son was a sophomore after a long summer he was diagnosed with tendinitis. After a rest period he began a throwing program which brought him to HSball in Feb and never had any issues ever again until he was a professional.

There was less information then there is now from all sorts of very good professionals.

The problem is you have fallen into the recruiting trap. As a sophomore it's not necessary to put him at risk at this time, especially living in a cold weather state.

Parents seem to worry all scholarships will be taken up before their players reach their junior year.  That is NOT typical. The most important time for MOST players anywhere they live is their junior year. Some may argue that point but unless your son is a super stud at this point it's not gping to happen.  Trust me in one year from now he willooked more than likely be in a much better position and you will know where his skill level will be to pursue opportunities.

Once again, why do people ask for advice but find ways to justify their answers. You have been given good advice but more than likely are going to do what you want anyway.

 

 

 

 

Respectfully, TPM, you have a lot of experience to offer. However, recruiting timelines is not an area where you can be as helpful. Your experience dates to a time that was different (heck, even three or four years ago was vastly different). Note the other thread I have up on early commitments. You will now find that more than HALF of commitments are made before the junior year, leaving far fewer spots to be offered by junior year than used to be the case. If you wait until after your junior season of HS to START selling yourself, you are WAY behind the curve. I understand that this was not the case when your very successful son played high school ball, but that was then and this is now. I agree that this is a problem and I think softball and a couple of other sports affected by this are starting to push for more NCAA regulation in this area. This is something that wasn't happening all that often even a few short years ago. I asked for advice and took it into account. The advice I was soliciting had to do with the low velocity after a layoff and the effect that it had on showcasing. Having taken that into account, I was well convinced that if velocity was off, we would cancel. Had yesterday's bullpen showed a continued concern for velocity, I would have. It did not. I am a pitching coach with far more experience in this than you - FAR more. I find your advice in many areas extremely enlightening. However, don't think that because I, or anyone else, doesn't take your advise on every issue, that we are simply justifying our own opinions, that would be an ignorant and egotistical stand for you to take. 

Half of what? D1, D2, D3?  Is your son identified as a D1 top prospect compared to his peers (graduating class) on a national level? Or on a state level? Does he have a 2018 ranking?  Has he done national tournaments?

Do you honestly think he would get an offer sight unseen as a sophomore at an outdoor winter showcase or at a summer tournament.

I might be missing something but I don't think half the parents who have sons here commit early an if so not to the larger power programs.

Let me tell you about showcases. For all coaches  it's an expense paid opportunity plus a good days pay by the people putting on the showcase. Their job is to provide input for evaluation for paying clients. Not that is a bad thing. It's exposure which I support but at the right time in the timeline.

If you are a pitching coach..why would you seek advice?  Because you are a pitching coach means you know more about recruiting than others?

Don't throw me under the bus because we went through the process a long time ago. I probably know more than most people, you would be surprised.

TPM posted:

When son was a sophomore after a long summer he was diagnosed with tendinitis. After a rest period he began a throwing program which brought him to HSball in Feb and never had any issues ever again until he was a professional.

There was less information then there is now from all sorts of very good professionals.

The problem is you have fallen into the recruiting trap. As a sophomore it's not necessary to put him at risk at this time, especially living in a cold weather state.

Parents seem to worry all scholarships will be taken up before their players reach their junior year.  That is NOT typical. The most important time for MOST players anywhere they live is their junior year. Some may argue that point but unless your son is a super stud at this point it's not gping to happen.  Trust me in one year from now he willooked more than likely be in a much better position and you will know where his skill level will be to pursue opportunities.

Once again, why do people ask for advice but find ways to justify their answers. You have been given good advice but more than likely are going to do what you want anyway.

 

 

 

 

+1

Root, you seem like a very involved Dad only looking out for your son's best interest. However, you have an increditable resource here with the ability to get advise from those that have been there. Sometimes I wonder if you really want the advise or just want to tell what your son is up too. Both are fine, most everyone on here wants the best for every kid. That's why there on this site.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but you need to relax and enjoy the journey. That might require putting away the video and radar gun. 

JMO!

Yes, TPM, my son is a national prospect with a rating and a Power Five D1 offer. You won't see him on PG yet, because he hasn't done a PG event. That will change. PBR has him currently ranked #200, the #60 RHP in the country, the #2 prospect in the state and the #1 RHP in the state (wasn't looking to brag, but you asked - some of this was already revealed in this very thread). And yes, he was offered a D1 scholarship at a camp who had never seen him before that camp. As I also mentioned, look at the PBR top 200 2018's. 91 have already committed. All but one of those commitments were D1 (I assume Barry is not D1). Also note that I wasn't asking for advice on what I should do directly (though you've always been pretty free to offer up your own unsolicited advice on this board). I was opening up a discussion about the timing of winter showcases and asked what people thought their ultimate focus might be at this time of year. I do however, take advice and that advice here was, for the most part, don't take him if he's not throwing at his best due to inactivity. You may note that I completely agreed and decided to take another look at the problem of velocity before committing to a decision. You, however, were quick to offer all sorts of advice on other subjects without even haven apparently read the OP or you wouldn't be asking some of these questions. I appreciate your input. Keep it coming, but don't get so judgmental when people consider your advise, but ultimately don't take it. It's not personal.

Picked Off posted:

TPM posted:

When son was a sophomore after a long summer he was diagnosed with tendinitis. After a rest period he began a throwing program which brought him to HSball in Feb and never had any issues ever again until he was a professional.

There was less information then there is now from all sorts of very good professionals.

The problem is you have fallen into the recruiting trap. As a sophomore it's not necessary to put him at risk at this time, especially living in a cold weather state.

Parents seem to worry all scholarships will be taken up before their players reach their junior year.  That is NOT typical. The most important time for MOST players anywhere they live is their junior year. Some may argue that point but unless your son is a super stud at this point it's not gping to happen.  Trust me in one year from now he willooked more than likely be in a much better position and you will know where his skill level will be to pursue opportunities.

Once again, why do people ask for advice but find ways to justify their answers. You have been given good advice but more than likely are going to do what you want anyway.

 

 

 

 

+1

Root, you seem like a very involved Dad only looking out for your son's best interest. However, you have an increditable resource here with the ability to get advise from those that have been there. Sometimes I wonder if you really want the advise or just want to tell what your son is up too. Both are fine, most everyone on here wants the best for every kid. That's why there on this site.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but you need to relax and enjoy the journey. That might require putting away the video and radar gun. 

JMO!

I'm enjoying the journey quite a bit, thank you. As mentioned, I didn't necessarily ask for advice, but still consider it. What advice am I missing? Was the advice to simply pull him from the showcase because, well, winter showcases are stupid? Or was it to not send him if he wasn't up to par? I think, for the most part it was the latter and I agree. The entire point of my post was that I was leaning to calling it off and, indeed, would have, if the velocity concern remained. I'm not sure I understand the video and radar statement. I'm also his pitching coach. I have several students. besides being my son, he's also my student. As a parent, I'm there to support and enjoy, but, as his pitching coach, I'm there to advise, teach and train. Those are tools of training. I wouldn't put them away and simply enjoy his bullpens any more than I would any of my other students.

roothog66 posted:

Picked Off posted:

TPM posted:

When son was a sophomore after a long summer he was diagnosed with tendinitis. After a rest period he began a throwing program which brought him to HSball in Feb and never had any issues ever again until he was a professional.

There was less information then there is now from all sorts of very good professionals.

The problem is you have fallen into the recruiting trap. As a sophomore it's not necessary to put him at risk at this time, especially living in a cold weather state.

Parents seem to worry all scholarships will be taken up before their players reach their junior year.  That is NOT typical. The most important time for MOST players anywhere they live is their junior year. Some may argue that point but unless your son is a super stud at this point it's not gping to happen.  Trust me in one year from now he willooked more than likely be in a much better position and you will know where his skill level will be to pursue opportunities.

Once again, why do people ask for advice but find ways to justify their answers. You have been given good advice but more than likely are going to do what you want anyway.

 

 

 

 

+1

Root, you seem like a very involved Dad only looking out for your son's best interest. However, you have an increditable resource here with the ability to get advise from those that have been there. Sometimes I wonder if you really want the advise or just want to tell what your son is up too. Both are fine, most everyone on here wants the best for every kid. That's why there on this site.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but you need to relax and enjoy the journey. That might require putting away the video and radar gun. 

JMO!

I'm enjoying the journey quite a bit, thank you. As mentioned, I didn't necessarily ask for advice, but still consider it. What advice am I missing? Was the advice to simply pull him from the showcase because, well, winter showcases are stupid? Or was it to not send him if he wasn't up to par? I think, for the most part it was the latter and I agree. The entire point of my post was that I was leaning to calling it off and, indeed, would have, if the velocity concern remained. I'm not sure I understand the video and radar statement. I'm also his pitching coach. I have several students. besides being my son, he's also my student. As a parent, I'm there to support and enjoy, but, as his pitching coach, I'm there to advise, teach and train. Those are tools of training. I wouldn't put them away and simply enjoy his bullpens any more than I would any of my other students.

Not sure if video and radar being used everytime is a good thing, but you're the PC.

Our PC rarely used video and only pulled out the gun for a short time durind a session. His credentials read 17 years pro ball, 2 WS rings and 6 current pro players and dozens of DI guys. By the way, he's a firm believer in shutting the arm down for a few months. Just like the pros.

Good luck coach!

Do you think that Prep baseball does a better job at projecting than PG?

Is their national list for each grade the same as PG?  Are their state lists the same?

Just curious.

Let's lighten up on the blog...everybody here is here to learn.  Attitude coming about with the one liners & ending paragraphs are brutal... Lots of incredible insights, lets not be know it all's.

PBR is no where on par to PG.  We have been to one and I will have to say that I found it to be rather entertaining.  I am only basing what I have seen at two Colorado Showcases. I have witnessed just one PG.  It definitely  was more professional.  PBR couldn't even time catcher throw downs

In my mind it doesn't matter if your 2018 son is a top 200 prospect or top 20000 prospect the risk is his if he attends a winter showcase when he should be resting or he is not at the top of his game.  Showcasing is to put your best foot forward, and you admit your son is currently not there.   So why on God's green earth would anyone consider it?

This is the same story line as the early commitment thread for me...what is the rush?  There is no rush for a 2018 except to stay healthy.  Sorry, but truly don't understand why this would even be considered.  If he is that high of a prospect, these coaches will have other opportunities to see him when he is in top form. 

As always, JMO.

Fenway, 

Total agreement - get healthy & strong, & why show weakness to coach's when they've seen strength or are hearing strength.

Root,

My 2018's team has a pitcher 50 spots ahead of your son within PBR, no PG ranking, the program coach's know how he projects. The local scouts know about him...  He's been on shutdown and focused on strength to prepare for the upcoming recruiting season.  Demand for his skills will be through the roof.  He was at 83/84 at the end of the season;  he's added 16 lbs to his frame since August.  Program is quiet about him because they want him focused on his development & being a student.  Next year will be distracting for him.... He's 6'7 now.

Had to edit, few typos executing this from Iphone...

Enjoy the day!

fenwaysouth posted:

In my mind it doesn't matter if your 2018 son is a top 200 prospect or top 20000 prospect the risk is his if he attends a winter showcase when he should be resting or he is not at the top of his game.  Showcasing is to put your best foot forward, and you admit your son is currently not there.   So why on God's green earth would anyone consider it?

This is the same story line as the early commitment thread for me...what is the rush?  There is no rush for a 2018 except to stay healthy.  Sorry, but truly don't understand why this would even be considered.  If he is that high of a prospect, these coaches will have other opportunities to see him when he is in top form. 

As always, JMO.

I think there is some confusion on where I stand. You have to read all if my posts. I started this thread questioning the timing of the showcase and concern from his Sunday bullpen that he wasn't at top form. I had already scheduled the showcase and paid based on more than one coach indicating they would like to see him there. On a second bullpen, he actually threw at top form, so that is no longer the issue. 85 to 86 IS top form for him. This organization only holds this one event every year at the same time. I agree that it's a bad time of year, but what am I to do at this time? Throw the money in the trash so he doesn't have to throw 20 to 30 pitches? No. He's throwing at top velocity. Of he weren't, I would take the hit. To be clear, I agree a winter showcase is a bad idea and I wouldn't do it again. Additionally, if the right offer were there, I would like to have him committed by next October, so that he isn't wearing himself out in his junior summer and fall chasing recruiting.

Gov posted:

Fenway, 

Total agreement - get healthy & strong, & why show weakness to coach's when they've seen strength or are hearing strength.

Root,

My 2018's team has a pitcher 50 spots ahead of your son within PBR, no PG ranking, the program coach's know how he projects. The local scouts know about him...  He's been on shutdown and focused on strength to prepare for the upcoming recruiting season.  Demand for his skills will be through the roof.  He was at 83/84 at the end of the season;  he's added 16 lbs to his frame since August.  Program is quiet about him because they want him focused on his development & being a student.  Next year will be distracting for him.... He's 6'7 now.

Had to edit, few typos executing this from Iphone...

Enjoy the day!

 

 

 

Gov, your "local" and mine are different. The closest D1 baseball program to our town is over 250 miles away. The closest town of more than 8000 is 120 miles away. The geography makes it harder to get on anyone's radar. To give you an example, our #1 last year sat 88 and touched 90 consistently. Not a single college sniff. No one knew who he was. Playing this year at the local JC. The idea that they Wil find you if you have the talent may be valid in urban areas, but not out here deep in the sticks.

Root,

Forgot where Lamar, Co is... definitely geographically challenged.  Spent 4 years in Col Spgs, you're a hike from there... 

I'm case anyone was curious, he just finished throwing. Went well. Sat 85 to 87 the entire time. Sigh of relief. 

I know some are reluctant to post specifics about their son, concerned about being thought of as "that guy", but I like reading about other people's sons, what they do, how they train, how they choose to showcase and how they perform.  Most especially, the decision process that the families go through with their son's.

Good luck Root/Root's son in the showcase.

Now that it's over and we're home, I wanted to give an account of this event and how invaluable it was. The event gave out no itinerary beforehand, so I had no idea how it was organized. Apparently, it was connected to Top 96, so they had some interesting leeway. The first day was for pitchers and catchers and broken into two sessions. the second day was position players. My son was there as a PO. There were 14 D1 schools represented (7 were from Power 5 conferences), 3 D2's, 3 NAIA, and 7 JC's. 

After being run through general warm up non-throwing drills by Wichita State Coach Brian Walker, the pitchers were broken into 4 groups of 10 They were rotated through four stations. Each station was run by a group of coaches (about half of the coaches there were HC, the rest RC's and AC's). Stations included a session on pitcher workouts, stretching, general warm up tossing exercises, etc. Then, they were brought in five pitchers at a time. There were five mounds. Behind each home plate was a coach assigned to give an evaluation. The rest of the coaches roamed behind and watched whoever they wished. They threw fairly long bullpen sessions.

My son and another kid ranked #3 in the state by PBR threw in positions #1 and #2. During his session, the vast majority of coaches were behind home plate for my son and this kid. Now, we had been in contact with most of the D1's there, but even if we hadn't, they would have drifted over there due to the velocity from those two mounds. After this, they were again broken back into the four groups and were worked out on defensive drills from the mound and pick off moves. This was done by the coaches. Then, in groups of two, they sat met with the coach who evaluated them for ten minutes (my son was evaluated by the Air Force head coach - pick offs were covered by the Oklahoma PC). It's the first time I've taken him to a showcase like this.

Again, I have a problem with the time of year and how it works in the schedule, but I can't think of any other situations in which my kid could have held the undivided attention of the sheer number of D1 coaches he had standing behind the plate. Even at one of the bigger PG events, he couldn't get that kind of attention at this point in his development.

Sounds like your decision worked favorably for your son.  What was the name of this camp?  You said connected to Top 96....

Root,

If you feel that you received value for the money spent for this camp, that is terrific. Its all comes down to results.If he picked up something positive or caught a coaches attention, that is a bonus.

However, your last statement puzzles me, how can you compare if you and your son have never attended a PG tournament or the bigger PG events. 

TPM posted:

Root,

If you feel that you received value for the money spent for this camp, that is terrific. Its all comes down to results.If he picked up something positive or caught a coaches attention, that is a bonus.

 

However, your last statement puzzles me, how can you compare if you and your son have never attended a PG tournament or the bigger PG events. 

Instead of saying "event" I should have said "tournament." At this point in his development, a 2018 throwing 85-87, a PG tournament could get a few schools who are genuinely interested out to see him pitch, assuming he was not pitching at the same time as someone they wanted to see more. I don't compare this event with PG in the grand scheme of things, though. But, considering it was a field of only 40 pitchers at the session he was at and only five pitchers throwing at any given time, I can't see him getting that group standing behind home plate at many other events at this point. My main point was that even schools who had no idea who he was were standing right there.