Hit and Run baseball nuggets: Showcases or Camps?

I get asked this question a lot.  If you’re one of the top 2% of baseball players it really doesn’t matter, but what about the other 98% ?  If you’re going to play baseball after high school, there are many options not all of em good.  Ranging in price from $150 to $1000 bucks, it’s tough to know which ones are worth the money.  When I was coaching a 16 year old travel team, I paid premium prices for 3 tournaments that were billed as “tons of college, major league scouts in attendance”.  These tournaments were supposed to be on college fields, in a big time atmosphere.  On these 3 tournaments I spent a total of $1750.  A boatload of money but at the time I was thinking it would be good for the kids playing in that type of atmosphere and getting some exposure from scouts.  Also I planned 3 other tournaments at a local field that were significantly cheaper, $210 each.  But instead of the typical 3-4 game schedule, the local field offered 6 games.  Out of the 6 tournaments guess which one had more scouts?   THE LOCAL FIELD.  I know, I wouldn’t believe it either but it’s true.  Of the 3 high priced tourney’s I saw a total of 2…thats right 2 college coaches.  And only played a total of 1 game on a college field.  One of those tourneys was a rainout (which I never received a refund) and the others were played on high school fields.  We played more games at the local field and there were a total of 10 college coaches from 6 area schools.  Remember this, college baseball coaches don’t start recruiting a kid seriously until their Junior Year.  So now you’re asking why I made you read this…well I told you that story to tell you this story….YOU DON’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. 

Here’s my advice and what I recommend: When you’re son is 15 or 16 take him to a major league tryout camp.  Yea I know what you’re thinking…why in the hell do that?…Well 1st reason is that most major league tryout camps are FREE… yes FREE…Here’s another bonus…You get to see what a typical camp setup is like.  The running, throwing, etc.  A tryout camp is a strenuous thing….lots of pressure..people are timing you, writing stuff down after you throw, hit, run….it’s a great way to introduce your son to what it’s like.  And the best thing is there’s no pressure.  Just tell your son to go out there and see what it’s like.  Have some fun.  Hey thats what baseball is supposed to be right?

Next I recommend college camps over Showcases.  Most every college now has a college camp in June or July and are reasonably priced.  Every college camp that I took my son to was really well run and usually there were other college coaches there helping out.  Also your son gets a chance to look around and get a feel for the school, so you’re it’s really like an official visit.  Let’s remember something very important…NO COLLEGE BASEBALL PLAYER GETS A FULL SCHOLARSHIP.  I want you to read that last sentence and say it over again.  So make sure your son keeps up the grades.  He’s going to need it. 

Let’s sum it up:

1.  Play as many games in the summer as you can.  Remember that high priced tournaments don’t always deliver.  Do your research

2. Try a major league tryout camp first.  Get your feet wet

3.  Pick some colleges that your son is interested in and go to their college camps.  Look around and get a feel for the school. 

Most important:  When it comes to picking a college…DO YOUR RESEARCH.  It’s one of the most important choices your son will ever make. 

Get out and have some fun!

Questions and comments are always welcome.

Mid-America Top Prospect Showcase

Past Time tournaments will be hosting a Mid-America Top Prospect Showcase at Applebees Park (Lexington Ky) Sept 13-14.  Register at the link

http://www.pastimetournaments.com/campdetails.php?campID=31