camps...

[Go Cardinals]

I am doing a prospect type camp... and I've read a lot of places that you want to let scouts know what you are doing.

Here are my questions...
Is the above statement true?
If yes, how do I approach it?
How do I advertise what I'm doing?
What else do I need to do?

Any advice or tips would be appreciated. I don't really know what I am doing, and I want to be as prepared as possible.

[RIstar]

Does perfect game run the event?

www.perfectgame.org

I'm doing an event through them I have heard great things plus alot of colleges and MLB scouts go to theses kind of events.

[jamesh23]

go cardinals how old are you and what grade are you in?

[Go Cardinals]

go cardinals how old are you and what grade are you in?

1 Year younger than ristar... and I believe a year younger than you james... I just turned 15 the on the 14th. I'm a freshman.

[jamesh23]

oh ok, yea im 15 I dont turn 16 till august lol but im a sophomore so me, you, and RIstar are around the same age. I thought people started going to those prospect things till they're juniors or so? if we can go to them now im gonna start going to some lol I know they had a one of those at UNM but you had to be 16.

[RIstar]

I'm going to the New England 2007 pitchers/catcher showcase on dec 2th. I think it's smart to start around soph year so you can get use to the Perfect Game set-up or what ever place you go to. I think Perfect game is the best since they show alot of people get drafted and I have heard alot of people get contacted through it.

[TG Coach]

I don't see the value in a freshmen doing a prospect camp. Unless you're a stud you stand a good chance of getting overwhelmed by older, stronger and more skilled talent. The time to attend is after you've started varsity and/or played 18U (or at least excelled in 16U against quality competition) to get a good assessment of how you can compete against the best. But, the showcase will take your money.

If you inform certain college coaches you're attending a particular showcase, what are you selling to make them want to attend. I've already been through this with my daughter and travel softball. When she contacted college coaches for summer showcases after soph season, she had already excelled in 18U and been all-conference in high school. What are you selling? Have you even excelled in 16U yet?

I'm not being harsh. I'm being real. My son won't be doing showcases until after his soph season of high school. There's no rush. He'll be playing 16U as a 14yo this coming season. Next fall he's planning on playing 18U. He's a high school freshman with an outside shot at varsity. He will start varsity soph year unless he screws up.

The best baseball showcases are Perfect Game, then Head First if you happen to be an honors student looking for high end academic colleges. Some colleges put on decent showcases. They will invite lower level programs to look at the talent that isn't capable of playing at the college's level of competition.

[jima]

Guys, I've got a kid whose stats against good competition has been good, but I don't think he's close to the top 5% of the 14yo's out there...what makes you think that you are in that category? At 14 I'd be working on making my H.S. team; being the best on my team; being the best in my district; finally, being one of the best in my region. Once you get there, go to a showcase. jima

[TG Coach]

Jima ... I don't think some kids understand how much of a jump D1 is from high school and they haven't made the high school team, much less all-conference. To quote my college coach, "Look around the conference. Remember the one guy you couldn't hit in high school. They're all here, every day, every game, all season." Even top level D3's aren't easy for a lot of very good high school players.

I blame 8U all-star teams and 8U travel for the kind of thinking kids have today. By fifteen, since they've been "stars" since they were eight they think they're going to play college ball. I found out I was a prospect when my high school varsity coach said he was called about me. Before that I never gave it a thought.

I watched three hours of a D1 college's showcase last fall. All-conference players came from all around. After the hitting was over I walked over to a couple of the college players and told them out of seventy-two hitters I saw four D1 quality hitters. They laughed and said that's what they had just been discussing. Many of them had D1 hands in the field. But they didn't have the bat speed.

These kids have no idea how fast the game gets in college. And they haven't played at the speed of high school varsity yet. If a kid is a good athlete and a decent baseball player with upside coming out of high school there's at least a D3 program somewhere for him. I recommend kids make the high school team before they start thinking college ball.

[Go Cardinals]

I don't see the value in a freshmen doing a prospect camp. Unless you're a stud you stand a good chance of getting overwhelmed by older, stronger and more skilled talent. The time to attend is after you've started varsity and/or played 18U (or at least excelled in 16U against quality competition) to get a good assessment of how you can compete against the best. But, the showcase will take your money.

If you inform certain college coaches you're attending a particular showcase, what are you selling to make them want to attend. I've already been through this with my daughter and travel softball. When she contacted college coaches for summer showcases after soph season, she had already excelled in 18U and been all-conference in high school. What are you selling? Have you even excelled in 16U yet?

I'm not being harsh. I'm being real. My son won't be doing showcases until after his soph season of high school. There's no rush. He'll be playing 16U as a 14yo this coming season. Next fall he's planning on playing 18U. He's a high school freshman with an outside shot at varsity. He will start varsity soph year unless he screws up.

The best baseball showcases are Perfect Game, then Head First if you happen to be an honors student looking for high end academic colleges. Some colleges put on decent showcases. They will invite lower level programs to look at the talent that isn't capable of playing at the college's level of competition.

I should of mentioned this. The college was practically asking me to go. When we showed interest, the head coach was asking me to go. Also, its not that much of a prospect camp. They claim its not, however it is obvious that they will note the good athletes. I think santa clara is d2... not sure though. I've excelled in my minimal experience w/ my schools varsity. As an 8th grader.

Also, I've hit well off of some of the aces around here.

[jamesh23]

I don't see the value in a freshmen doing a prospect camp. Unless you're a stud you stand a good chance of getting overwhelmed by older, stronger and more skilled talent. The time to attend is after you've started varsity and/or played 18U (or at least excelled in 16U against quality competition) to get a good assessment of how you can compete against the best. But, the showcase will take your money.

If you inform certain college coaches you're attending a particular showcase, what are you selling to make them want to attend. I've already been through this with my daughter and travel softball. When she contacted college coaches for summer showcases after soph season, she had already excelled in 18U and been all-conference in high school. What are you selling? Have you even excelled in 16U yet?

I'm not being harsh. I'm being real. My son won't be doing showcases until after his soph season of high school. There's no rush. He'll be playing 16U as a 14yo this coming season. Next fall he's planning on playing 18U. He's a high school freshman with an outside shot at varsity. He will start varsity soph year unless he screws up.

The best baseball showcases are Perfect Game, then Head First if you happen to be an honors student looking for high end academic colleges. Some colleges put on decent showcases. They will invite lower level programs to look at the talent that isn't capable of playing at the college's level of competition.

if I wanted to find a showcase for perfect game how would I do that? I plan on going to a few after this season, I played varsity last year as a freshman for a few games, this year I expect to either start or get a lot of playing time thanks.

[TG Coach]

I should of mentioned this. The college was practically asking me to go. When we showed interest, the head coach was asking me to go. Also, its not that much of a prospect camp. They claim its not, however it is obvious that they will note the good athletes. I think santa clara is d2... not sure though. I've excelled in my minimal experience w/ my schools varsity. As an 8th grader. Also, I've hit well off of some of the aces around here.

My son hasn't played a day of varsity ball. He's a freshman this year. I've heard from two D1's about having him attend their showcase. They want my money. They're both schools to be considered in the future. One is a current target school, the #1 choice even without baseball. But they'll have to wait.

What age aces? Have you been facing 18U aces on a regular basis? Probably not. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[TG Coach]

if I wanted to find a showcase for perfect game how would I do that? I plan on going to a few after this season, I played varsity last year as a freshman for a few games, this year I expect to either start or get a lot of playing time thanks.

perfectgame.org

I recommend you go watch a showcase. Honestly evaluate where you fit in with what you saw. Then ask someone with a skilled eye what they thought of the talent on the field that day that was your level. If you think you were in the middle of the pack, ask how the person viewed the middle of the pack.

What size is your high school? Starting freshman year can be a relative thing. There are a lot of schools my son could start as a freshman. It's probably not happening at his high school in the largest school classification. He feels fortunate he's getting a varsity tryout. I figure he'll start on JV, skipping the freshman team and start varsity soph year.

[Go Cardinals]

My son hasn't played a day of varsity ball. He's a freshman this year. I've heard from two D1's about having him attend their showcase. They want my money. They're both schools to be considered in the future. One is a current target school, the #1 choice even without baseball. But they'll have to wait.

What age aces? Have you been facing 18U aces on a regular basis? Probably not. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Your right I haven't. Some of the aces on tourney tees around here. I've faced a guy who threw around 85 w/ an amazing hook (for our level). I was 1-1 against him w/ a walk and a warning track shot on the fly. He was 14 as was I at the time. Another ace that I've faced was throwing about 75. The velocity wasn't what made him good. He had great control. He had a nasty two-seamer. It would tail at the very last second. Our team before me was 0-4 w/ 4 k's until I got up against him. I was 2 for 2 against him with a single and a double. I had 7 stolen bases that game. There second pitcher threw just as hard, but he more wild. I also had pulled quad that game. The down side, I got caught stealing for the first time. My steal percentage last year was 97% (39-40).

I'm actually better as the pitching gets harder. I don't think as much at the plate. The secret to getting me out is 40 mph soft stuff.

Those are just 3 at-bats. Last year I had probably 10 or so at-bats. Not much, but better than nothing. Also, I don't think I ever got out.

I played my HS summer league. I played very well. They liked my swing. They said that they can't wait for me to play for them. They said that I was going to hit a lot of bombs in HS. They wanted me to work on consistancy. That has been my focus this off-season.

[Jake Patterson]

I recently attended a UCONN camp. It was pretty easy to pick out those who should be there and those whose parents felt they should be there. Many camps are organized as a means to raise funds.

[TG Coach]

I played my HS summer league. I played very well. They liked my swing. They said that they can't wait for me to play for them. They said that I was going to hit a lot of bombs in HS. They wanted me to work on consistancy. That has been my focus this off-season.

So do this first. Then make a plan. Prefect Game has 16U showcases for players looking to get on the radar screen. And maybe by then you might be good enough to hang with the 18U's.

Showcases have players from D1 to high D3 talent. If you're good you'll fit in somewhere on the scale. Be patient. Take one step at a time. Prove yourself at the high school level, then get into 18U ball. Afterall, you'll be facing 18U pitchers in high school.

[TG Coach]

I recently attended a UCONN camp. It was pretty easy to pick out those who should be there and those whose parents felt they should be there. Many camps are organized as a means to raise funds.

Jake ... Did any of the kids embarass themselves? Or were they just not D1 talent? I watched Nova's showcase last fall. I saw kids that were all potential college players. It's just I only saw four capable of playing in the Big East or better. Most were quality D3 potential.

[jamesh23]

well my school has 550 kids, last year we had 12 seniors 8 of whom went on to play college ball, most are playing for junior colleges. Our Ace pitcher who was planning on going to small D1 college, NMSU, was throwing 86 mph or so and blew out his knee in the 2nd state playoff game in the 4th inning. We won the state championship last year, my avatar is my ring.

[Go Cardinals]

well my school has 550 kids, last year we had 12 seniors 8 of whom went on to play college ball, most are playing for junior colleges. Our Ace pitcher who was planning on going to small D1 college, NMSU, was throwing 86 mph or so and blew out his knee in the 2nd state playoff game in the 4th inning. We won the state championship last year, my avatar is my ring.

A couple years back, we had an ace who threw 94 I think. He went to UCLA on full scholarship, but he red-shirted his first year for some reason.

[jamesh23]

A couple years back, we had an ace who threw 94 I think. He went to UCLA on full scholarship, but he red-shirted his first year for some reason.


lol I never understood what redshirted means? what does it mean? in 2006 we had a pitcher throwing 95 mph and he went to oklahoma state I believe, and they kicked him out cuz he showed up to practice high as the sky. and liked partying too much he would party before his starts, what a waste.

[Go Cardinals]

lol I never understood what redshirted means? what does it mean? in 2006 we had a pitcher throwing 95 mph and he went to oklahoma state I believe, and they kicked him out cuz he showed up to practice high as the sky. and liked partying too much he would party before his starts, what a waste.

I'm not sure exactly on the details. But, it basically means to practice w/ the team for a year and not play in the games (or travel w/ the team I think)...
Why would someone want to do this?

[jamesh23]

yea that sucks but they would do it to get used to college play, and it gives them another year to develop and get better while the pitching coaches look at his mechanics, maybe he didnt have confidence idk, but I sure as hell would be pitching if I was hitting mid 90's lol,

[Go Cardinals]

yea that sucks but they would do it to get used to college play, and it gives them another year to develop and get better while the pitching coaches look at his mechanics, maybe he didnt have confidence idk, but I sure as hell would be pitching if I was hitting mid 90's lol,

Man, I couldn't live a season w/ out playing baseball in games. I don't know what I'd do w/ myself!
:cry::cry::dismay::dismay::dismay::disbelief: :nosleep: :nosleep:

[Jake Patterson]

Jake ... Did any of the kids embarass themselves? Or were they just not D1 talent? I watched Nova's showcase last fall. I saw kids that were all potential college players. It's just I only saw four capable of playing in the Big East or better. Most were quality D3 potential.

Unfortunately yes. Some pretty badly. The sad part is - and we have talked about this many times - some players (and their parents) had no clue.

Added later--- UCONN carries maybe 3-4 catchers. I would guess 2 are returning. There had to be 20 catchers there.

[jima]

Go - I can't tell from your posts whether you get enough games/at bats during the year. I would think that Calif. would have leagues all year long...for example, my kid had over 200 at bats against either travel or tournament teams this spring and fall seasons; I bet TG's and BLove's had at least as many. I can tell from your vids that you have athletic talent...are you playing enough? jima

[jamesh23]

I dont wanna change the subject but what did the outfielders there look like? fast? good range? willing to dive, strong arm? how far could they throw on a line? the 15-16's

[Go Cardinals]

Go - I can't tell from your posts whether you get enough games/at bats during the year. I would think that Calif. would have leagues all year long...for example, my kid had over 200 at bats against either travel or tournament teams this spring and fall seasons; I bet TG's and BLove's had at least as many. I can tell from your vids that you have athletic talent...are you playing enough? jima

Nope I am not playing enough!
I want to be playing more. My travel fell through and there wasn't enough time to join another one.
I'm going to try to play babe ruth or this coach who I really like might start a travel team. Now, I'm playing basketball at school so I;m not playing on a team.
I got maybe...250 at bats this year! I know its not enough! However, I've work out all year, done 2 other sports (swimming and basketball), I've thrown on a regular basis (except this past 3 weeks I've let my body rest), I've hit of a tee and live a lot!! I have about 5 hrs of live hitting these past two months. I hit off of a tee about 10 hrs a week ... that was all before basketball though.

I was asked by 7-8 different (a couple really good) travel teams to play for them. I just was planning on this one team, but it fell through. Then I stupidly decided to get my grades up... then basketball started and it was too late. I've always been told by coaches to not do travel teams...

Yeah, I'm a little worried that I'm not doing enough; however, starting wednesday I'm going to swing for an hour or so. Also, I'm playing long toss w/ my buddies on wed, thurs, Fri, sat, and sunday. Then on monday I'm skiing for a week. There's a gym and a pool up in Tahoe. I doubt I'll go swimming up there, but I'll play basketball at the rec. center and I'll lift.

Next, I am a health nut. I don't eat any hydrogenated oils ever. I rarely drink sugar drinks unless I'm doing a sport (ok, so I'm doing sports all the time, so I drink gatorade all the time). I haven't had candy since october (I did not trick-or-treat). I drink organic grape juice, orange juice, apple cider around x-mas, pomegranate juice, etc...

Basically this fall has been dedicated for me to get used to high school academically, and for me to perfect my swing.

Am I doing anything wrong? What should of been better?

[paul5150]

I'm going to the New England 2007 pitchers/catcher showcase on dec 2th. I think it's smart to start around soph year so you can get use to the Perfect Game set-up or what ever place you go to. I think Perfect game is the best since they show alot of people get drafted and I have heard alot of people get contacted through it.

I know im going to have alot of people disagree with me here, but i talked to a marlins scout and a rockies scout and they said that they could care less about perfect game/baseball america/etc. They both also said that the rating they will give you doesnt mean anything...they both said that they give good ratings also to keep people to keep going to the showcases. They said that the amount of 10's and 9's given to players is rediculous.

[Go Cardinals]

I know im going to have alot of people disagree with me here, but i talked to a marlins scout and a rockies scout and they said that they could care less about perfect game/baseball america/etc. They both also said that the rating they will give you doesnt mean anything...they both said that they give good ratings also to keep people to keep going to the showcases. They said that the amount of 10's and 9's given to players is rediculous.

Thats why I don't do those.

[jima]

Nope I am not playing enough!
I want to be playing more. My travel fell through and there wasn't enough time to join another one.
I'm going to try to play babe ruth or this coach who I really like might start a travel team. Now, I'm playing basketball at school so I;m not playing on a team.
I got maybe...250 at bats this year! I know its not enough! However, I've work out all year, done 2 other sports (swimming and basketball), I've thrown on a regular basis (except this past 3 weeks I've let my body rest), I've hit of a tee and live a lot!! I have about 5 hrs of live hitting these past two months. I hit off of a tee about 10 hrs a week ... that was all before basketball though.

I was asked by 7-8 different (a couple really good) travel teams to play for them. I just was planning on this one team, but it fell through. Then I stupidly decided to get my grades up... then basketball started and it was too late. I've always been told by coaches to not do travel teams...

Yeah, I'm a little worried that I'm not doing enough; however, starting wednesday I'm going to swing for an hour or so. Also, I'm playing long toss w/ my buddies on wed, thurs, Fri, sat, and sunday. Then on monday I'm skiing for a week. There's a gym and a pool up in Tahoe. I doubt I'll go swimming up there, but I'll play basketball at the rec. center and I'll lift.

Next, I am a health nut. I don't eat any hydrogenated oils ever. I rarely drink sugar drinks unless I'm doing a sport (ok, so I'm doing sports all the time, so I drink gatorade all the time). I haven't had candy since october (I did not trick-or-treat). I drink organic grape juice, orange juice, apple cider around x-mas, pomegranate juice, etc...

Basically this fall has been dedicated for me to get used to high school academically, and for me to perfect my swing.

Am I doing anything wrong? What should of been better?

Go, your doing fine. From your posts, I was under the impression that you practiced alot more than you played. But if you got 250 competitive at bats this past Spring/Fall...then you are playing plenty. jima

[Go Cardinals]

Go, your doing fine. From your posts, I was under the impression that you practiced alot more than you played. But if you got 250 competitive at bats this past Spring/Fall...then you are playing plenty. jima

Would it count if your coach during bp tried to strike you out? Because anytime I take bp like for a new coach or something (all stars etc.) I crush their fastballs... then they say, "Oh bet you can't hit the offspead.." so then in bp I have coaches trying to strike me out. Does that count?

[Go Cardinals]

Also Jima, should I start to play more during next fall or as I get older? What should I be doing?

[TG Coach]

for example, my kid had over 200 at bats against either travel or tournament teams this spring and fall seasons; I bet TG's and BLove's had at least as many.

12 middle school games
50 spring/summer travel w/about 15 playing up a year
29 fall travel with all playing up a year, two tournaments up two years

We had twelve kids we consider starters so they rotated through sitting out some games. He still had 250+ plate appearances.

[TG Coach]

I was asked by 7-8 different (a couple really good) travel teams to play for them. I just was planning on this one team, but it fell through. Then I stupidly decided to get my grades up... then basketball started and it was too late. I've always been told by coaches to not do travel teams ......

Basically this fall has been dedicated for me to get used to high school academically, and for me to perfect my swing.

First grades are more important than sports. The chances are huge your education will take you further than baseball in your life.

It doesn't sound like you've faced the kind of competition to be prepared for a showcase. My son's team was one of the top ranked 14U teams in the state. When they played up in a 17U tournament in the fall (they were then 15U), to quote one of the kids as he walked back to the bench. "Man! That was nasty s***! That broke from out there! Real hard!"

The team went 2-2. The kids did OK. At some points they struggled. But it was an eye opener for them to understand at what level they're going to have to play on a day to day basis in high school. If you haven't taken this challenge, you're not ready for a showcase. Want to get humbled and get a reality check? Play up two years with wood bats.

[TG Coach]

I know im going to have alot of people disagree with me here, but i talked to a marlins scout and a rockies scout and they said that they could care less about perfect game/baseball america/etc. They both also said that the rating they will give you doesnt mean anything...they both said that they give good ratings also to keep people to keep going to the showcases. They said that the amount of 10's and 9's given to players is rediculous.

I question some of the sevens and eights players recieve from knowing them. The ratings may be a bit off, but it's still exposure. Perfect Game and Head First are still the best exposure. I'll bet you there are scouts from every team at the PG showcases regardless of what your contacts said.

More importantly, if a player wants to play college ball out of region Perfect Game and Head First are the best avenues of exposure. A college recruiting coach in one region isn't going to know about the high school players 1,000 miles away without camps.

[TG Coach]

Would it count if your coach during bp tried to strike you out? Because anytime I take bp like for a new coach or something (all stars etc.) I crush their fastballs... then they say, "Oh bet you can't hit the offspead.." so then in bp I have coaches trying to strike me out. Does that count?

You're not under pressure in BP like you are in game situations. And it sounds like they're telling you wants coming rather than mixing it up.

[Go Cardinals]

You're not under pressure in BP like you are in game situations. And it sounds like they're telling you wants coming rather than mixing it up.

Well they don't tell me what's coming, but I see what you mean about pressure. Although pressure doesn't really bother me.

[Drill]

Also Jima, should I start to play more during next fall or as I get older? What should I be doing?

A Coach told the best way to improve is to play and go to big time camps so your son can see what the competition is like. He was right as far as I was concerned. Since my son last year was only 12, he did not go to any show case camps just some advanced camps and what was really fun was travel fall ball out side of our area. Another words he played against his friends he played with all season. It was a refreshing mix of kids in JV from another local HS and up and comers to the big field (my son), he got plenty of playing time and it was the closest thing to a comedy act/movie of kids having a good time and playing serious baseball. I mean they wouldn't get down on themselves, would kid each other if they made a bad play (you suck with smiles). Never did I see any animosity against anyone else and even the parents acted like adults. I would be sitting there when we were up to bat and hear a roar of laughter coming out of our dug out. (sometimes it was aimed at there own batter because he swung at a bad pitch) and if there were good at bats the team cheered each other on.

The nicest complements I over heard a first base coach for the other team said he wishes his team would have as much fun as our team was having.

It was a fun fall ball,

drill

PS- we really kind of fell into the other team, they needed players and the coach for our local team has two twins, one is a year ahead of my son and i knew he would not get much catching time, because his son would be playing catcher. Our local team had 15 players. So I did what a HS coach told me to do "get him as much playing time as possible". My son said sure and we played for another area team with fewer players which helped my son step up to the big field. This was one of the best all around baseball experiences this past year.

[jima]

Also Jima, should I start to play more during next fall or as I get older? What should I be doing?

Connor, you're doing fine. You are focused on learning and improving. Yes, it is very important that you find a very competitive travel team that will play the best teams in the area next spring (after the H.S. season) and in the Fall. Bellieve it or not some really good teams are holding tryouts for spring, now. That's where you will test your skills; and, see where you need to improve. The idea, in my opinion, is to peak your junior year of H.S....that will give you time to showcase and start thinking about which colleges you want to play at. You've got time...go for it. jima