Sparks Journey from Little League to College

[tg643]

First, we moved from San Diego, to Orlando, that's why he's playing in the Ft. Myers tournament. The thing is tg we are pretty much thinking JUCO right now so I am not sure it's worth it. Grades probably only a 3.4 or so, SAT not in merit range, so the likelihood of getting a lot of academic money is not that strong so and I have an aversion to him getting too weighed down in Student Loans. We signed up, and I should have said no he isn't quite healthy let's see if we can get a credit for the next one. However we didn't do that. Also we probably could have signed up for the one this weekend, but here again we have a crazy schedule. Jun 7-9 -> Jacksonville, 10-14 Sarasota, 25-28 High Point NC, 29-Jul 6 18U WWBA East Cobb, Jul 14-20 PG BCS Finals Ft. Myers, and Aug. 6-10 Jupiter.

That's a lot cash and why I didn't want to automatically sign up for the PG showcase this weekend. We could have done Mud's suggestion, skipped summer ball and paid for the first year of college if he ends up going JUCO but I have to tell you just making this team did wonders for the kid's psyche and self-confidence so if it costs a few bucks that's fine. This weekend he was invited to a free tryout for an Iowa JUCO and sunday there is a mini one-day showcase for a bunch of good Florida JUCOs so we'll do that. But if I find out he is throwing well over 80 now I'll be kind of ticked that we didn't do the PG East Coast this weekend. He is a 1B so velocity over there isn't life or death, but it certainly looks good if you can throw hard from that spot as well.

If your son throws well see if you can get some documentation. Since PG becomes a reference source for college coaches you want a good score there. I believe they also have clinics where the player is just evaluated. It costs a lot less. My son didn't need East Cobb and Fort Myers for recruiting. What it did for him was convince him while he wasn't a top prospect he could perform on the same field with them. Select Fest in New Jersey drew him the most attention. Most of the D1's and major D2's east of the Mississippi attend.

[Encinitas]

If your son is a major conference prospect and has a velocity posted you're not comfortable he should probably get back there and improve it. Why did he throw with tendonitis? He probably should have taken a pass on the tournament. It wasn't worth $700 to post an inferior velocity. The important thing is getting in front of the college coaches where he would like to play.

I assumed you're from CA with the name Encinitas. But two FL showcases leads me to believe you live in the southeast. Is your son's team playing the PG showcase. Or is he going as an individual and getting placed on a team?

First, we moved from San Diego, to Orlando, that's why he's playing in the Ft. Myers tournament. The thing is tg we are pretty much thinking JUCO right now so I am not sure it's worth it. Grades probably only a 3.4 or so, SAT not in merit range, so the likelihood of getting a lot of academic money is not that strong so and I have an aversion to him getting too weighed down in Student Loans. We signed up, and I should have said no he isn't quite healthy let's see if we can get a credit for the next one. However we didn't do that. Also we probably could have signed up for the one this weekend, but here again we have a crazy schedule. Jun 7-9 -> Jacksonville, 10-14 Sarasota, 25-28 High Point NC, 29-Jul 6 18U WWBA East Cobb, Jul 14-20 PG BCS Finals Ft. Myers, and Aug. 6-10 Jupiter.

That's a lot cash and why I didn't want to automatically sign up for the PG showcase this weekend. We could have done Mud's suggestion, skipped summer ball and paid for the first year of college if he ends up going JUCO but I have to tell you just making this team did wonders for the kid's psyche and self-confidence so if it costs a few bucks that's fine. This weekend he was invited to a free tryout for an Iowa JUCO and sunday there is a mini one-day showcase for a bunch of good Florida JUCOs so we'll do that. But if I find out he is throwing well over 80 now I'll be kind of ticked that we didn't do the PG East Coast this weekend. He is a 1B so velocity over there isn't life or death, but it certainly looks good if you can throw hard from that spot as well.

[tg643]

Interesting we still have PG WWBA in East cobb, Prospect Wire in Sarasota, and at least one other PG. I know his arm is probably up 12 MPH from the one PG showcase he attended because he was nursing tendonitis, but I figured heck with another showcase since we are playing in so many of the tournaments. Part of me would like him to go back and get the PG score up but then I have to ask is it really worth $700?

If your son is a major conference prospect and has a velocity posted you're not comfortable he should probably get back there and improve it. Why did he throw with tendonitis? He probably should have taken a pass on the tournament. It wasn't worth $700 to post an inferior velocity. The important thing is getting in front of the college coaches where he would like to play.

I assumed you're from CA with the name Encinitas. But two FL showcases leads me to believe you live in the southeast. Is your son's team playing the PG showcase. Or is he going as an individual and getting placed on a team?

[Encinitas]

At the showcase touornaments my son attended they assigned times to be timed in the sixty.

Interesting we still have PG WWBA in East cobb, Prospect Wire in Sarasota, and at least one other PG. I know his arm is probably up 12 MPH from the one PG showcase he attended because he was nursing tendonitis, but I figured heck with another showcase since we are playing in so many of the tournaments. Part of me would like him to go back and get the PG score up but then I have to ask is it really worth $700?

[real green]

"We only lost 1 game but they told us the tie was considered a loss. My point was if that is your rules then they need to allow the teams to play where there isn't a tie because we got the small end of the stick."

There is no crying in baseball!

Every tourney I have been to has very clear rules regarding advancement. Your statement that "We only lost one," should be "We only won 2." Quit with the poor me all the time. Sorry to be so blunt

[tg643]

There are showcases and showcase tournaments. The latter of which I saw surprisingly several scouts come up and ask our coach about players. I say that because it's still finishing up time around the college world. At a tournament they are not checking 60 times. Showcase they will most definitely.

At the showcase touornaments my son attended they assigned times to be timed in the sixty.

[tg643]

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[tg643]

Sparks ... If your son is just finishing his soph year you should sit down with him and make a list of about fifty colleges he would like to play baseball that are a fit 1) academically, 2) socially and 3) baseball-wise. If 1 and 2 aren't fits he'll be miserable playing baseball. Fifty is a lot of options. But it's early. The list will narrow and/or change.

Have your son attend one college camp type showcase this summer or fall. They cost about $150. It will give him an idea and the experience of what he will be dealing with next year.

Next spring get to some college games at the D1, D2, D3 and JuCo level. It looks a lot different up close than on television. Talk to parents of players. They love to tell their son's journey. Ask how they decided on that school. Ask about the other college options. Ask where these colleges found him.

This fall have your son send emails to the fifty colleges on his list. Included in the email is why he wants to play there, why he wants to attend the college. Think added value to the program. If your son is throwing 85 state it as a fact. They're going to want to know his gpa is above 3.0. Ask what showcases and camps they will participate in 2013.

Start looking for next summer's team the end of this summer. Many have tryouts in the fall. Don't assume it's going to be costly. My son's team was very subsidized by a third party source. A couple of kids with financial issues played free.

When it comes to decision making time you will need to decide if showcase ball is the option or playing for a regular summer team and attending a handful of individual showcases. Don't say you can't afford it. Your grandson can earn some money between now and next summer.

Take the SAT's twice during junior year. They are an important selling point next summer. Baseball players can't wait until next summer or fall. SAT scores can determine acceptance to the college and NCAA eligibility. Schools will offer verbals pending passing the SAT. But if they have to choose between makng an offer to a player who has passed the SAT's and one who hasn't taken them guess who gets left out.

I don't know your son's academic or athletic abilities. So I kept it general. If you want to discuss more PM me. I've been through this with two kids and have helped several others.

Tell your son all public behavior matters. He should always act as if he's being watched from the moment he gets out of the car. Also tell him he's competing with thousands of players with the same ability for a college roster spot. There's a fine line of differentiation. Always be looking for the edge/advantage.

[Encinitas]

Sparks ... You will know if it's a real showcase if the players are timed in the sixty.

There are showcases and showcase tournaments. The latter of which I saw surprisingly several scouts come up and ask our coach about players. I say that because it's still finishing up time around the college world. At a tournament they are not checking 60 times. Showcase they will most definitely.

[tg643]

Sparks ... You will know if it's a real showcase if the players are timed in the sixty.

[tg643]

I'm wondering at what grade level these showcases make sense?

What did kids do without the showcases 30-40 yrs ago?

I've got 3 more years to worry about that but I hope I can refrain spending tons of money chasing few and low money scholarships.

Showcases are primarily for seventeen year olds after their junior year of high school. The idea is to have a college baseball verbal commitment by the end of the summer. Some kids are ready to compete at that level at sixteen. Any kid who's a jaw dropping stud should get involved at any age as soon as it's obvious he can play college ball.

At the D1 level expect a 25% ride unless the kid is being recruited as a pro prospect middle of the field player. There are only 11.7 rides for 27 players. The last eight get nothing. D2 provides 9 rides to be divided anyway the coach pleases. D3 gets nothing. Not all D1 and D2 programs are fully funded. A lot of the players are also getting academic and financial need money.

Don't look for a financial ROI on your travel baseball investment. You invest for your son to play and at the showcase level the opportunity to be seen. If a kid gets a 25% college ride you will get ROI. However athletic scholarships are year to year. They can be taken away at the end of any year.

[tg643]

Headed out today for a weekend showcase tournament with the Varsity School team.

This is a true showcase sponsored by Mizuno for various High Schools in our state.

The only problem is my boy doesn't think his Varsity coach will let him play much and I agree.
We have to rent rooms for 3 nights and everything and I doubt my boy will play much at all.

Just have to think positive and see what happens. If it didn't cost so much money I wouldn't mind it but to spend hundreds of dollars on travel and motel and your kid hardly plays isn't fun. But we'll see.....

Sparks

The purpose of showcases is to showcase the seniors to be. They have through fall ball to find a college baseball home. This is their "go time." When my son was sixteen he played on a 17/18U showcase team. He only played about half the time and all over the field. He did get enough exposure to be noticed.

Before attending if there are any college programs attending your son is interested he should email the head coach ahead of time. He should express his interest and what he potentially brings to the program. Don't go to a showcase to throw spaghetti off the wall to see what sticks.

[mudvnine]

I'm wondering at what grade level these showcases make sense?

What did kids do without the showcases 30-40 yrs ago?

I've got 3 more years to worry about that but I hope I can refrain spending tons of money chasing few and low money scholarships.

It's been said here in the past, and in greater detail than I can remember or care to get into....but cost analysis wise, it may be wiser to talk all of the money that you'd spend on "showcase" expenses (registration fees, transportation costs, lodging, food, etc.), if you plan on doing more than one showcase....and put that money into an "education account", and you'd probably come out way ahead on what the average kid will receive in scholarship money by comparison from those showcases.

Now if your son in HS, is one of the top players in his league (not, on his team)....then the showcase "investment" will probably be worth the exposure. I know of lots of kids that have done the "showcase circuit", only to end up at their local JUCO, when the scholarship monies never arrived.

Heck, I know of one kid currently, that even after getting a 67% scholarship from a major D1....may still not be playing there because of grades, unless he can get his ACT score up dramatically. From after his Jr. season to now, he's played in GA, AZ, FL, HI, and places all over CA. While the lower level teams of the baseball academy he plays for fund his team's registration fees and some housing....his family is still on the hook for food, air fare, and local transportation costs, that have added up to be a VERY pretty penny for what I'm told.

I'd say "do the math" before you decide whether showcases are the correct route for you and your son, and definitely not before he completes his sophomore, and more realistically, his junior season. I know my youngest (17 y/o Jr. in HS) isn't going to be headed to any of them...for more than one reason.

[songtitle]

Headed out today for a weekend showcase tournament with the Varsity School team.

This is a true showcase sponsored by Mizuno for various High Schools in our state.

Actually, this is just HS summer ball. They are tryouts for your next HS season. Work hard.

[tradosaurus]

I'm wondering at what grade level these showcases make sense?

What did kids do without the showcases 30-40 yrs ago?

I've got 3 more years to worry about that but I hope I can refrain spending tons of money chasing few and low money scholarships.