Pay to play or Play and its paid.

All good questions. Some showcase teams are free. Some are as much as 1500.00 per season. Then you have to ask what do you get for that. My son's team is not free but so far he gets good value for what is paid. I guess it depends on what your needs are. My son has increased his knowledge of the game. What is that worth?

A few weeks ago aguyyouknow said something to the affect (tell me if I mis-quote you), that some kids don't play because parents choose not to pay. That's partly true. Where I find showcase getting expensive is with the cost of the parents to travel, hotels, and meals. When in AAU I had a kid that traveled everywhere with my son and I anytime he wanted. He never paid a hotel room (he stayed with me), he never paid a meal, never bought gas. I did not want this kid to miss an opportunity. And it's paid off. He is very talented and had a great year on a top showcase team this year. He'll play college ball if he wants. The point is, there is always someone that will help out if they want you on the team.

The last few tourneys for my son we have spent 200-400.00 in travel. That is what can add up. At the same time, my son and I have some great moments together. I just wish my younger son (and wife) could be there more often but he's busy also.

This may raise some people's hair but I have mixed feelings on showcase. I post this knowing my son's coach will read this. My son is in a situation that is good for him. Good coaches, good kids, good parents, good instruction, good venues. Showcase is great for college coaches to see players. Unfortunately sometimes I wish it didn't exist. Why? Because it does take time away from my family. It does cost some money, no matter what everyone tells you. But I'm a marketing guy and right now showcase is a product that works. It's a great venue (but not the only one; there's legion and other avenues) for kids to be seen more frequently. In our case, it's good instruction. I don't think you can ever stop learning and we have found learning from another coach a positive. My only real concern with showcase is the number of teams popping up. It seems to be similar to what AAU has become. Lots of teams and lots of groups starting teams. This might be good. More kids advancing their skills. that's a good thing.

Anyway, there are lots of avenues available in showcase. I'm not going to name any of the top programs because I will leave some out (and there are some I am unfamiliar) and someone will get upset. But some of the top progarms are free and some are expensive. It's what works best for your son. If you want to know more about our situation you can send me a private message and I'll share more of our experiences. Good luck.

 

Showcase getting out of hand?

It seems that Showcase keeps raising the bar for kids to be able to play. Some teams offer better trips and tournaments and from what I hear, incintives. The teams are exclusive as you have to be invited to even try out. I could go on but I dont want to seem lke Im opposed, Im not. It is about the talent. In most cases it seems that the talent would want to play for the all expenses paid team, and therefore the team is packed with talent and wins games. Im sure there are advanages to both. What ever happen to just making a HS team being enough?

 

Yep...that is what will happen for the majority of top talented players. The other Showcase teams that can't provide a "free" ride or an extremely less cost will not be able to compete for the top talent. This is the way it has been in the major amateur baseball markets for years. It is now starting to form in NC. It's the way of the world.

The people that get upset with the showcase concept and the "marketing" of players...where were you 5-6 years ago? People were screaming on here the following points:

- Nobody comes in our area to scout
- Impact Baseball is just an eastern NC team
- Andy Partin doesn't know anybody in Western NC. How come he can't scout out here?
- How can we get the names of our players out there? We have great players, but nobody knows us.
- How can I get noticed?
- What's a Showcase tournament? Is that like a Travel Team tournament?

It appears, for some, that the pendulum has swung to the other side.

Look, if you are talented, there are still many resources to take advantage of with limited expense.

- For those that have or can form American Legion teams. That's a great start
- You must ensure your HS coach does the necessary paperwork to get a tryout for your State Games (the single best NC showcase one can attend)
- If a school shows genuine interest in you, attend their camp. You will not get better exposure.
- attend a respected Showcase tournament like Blue/Gray, Team One.

or

You can do none of those things and if you are talented enough, you may still play at the next level. But a wizened old man said, "Yes, Braves, they will find you as long as you don't mind who found you".

 

Braves = Wisdom

wis·dom (wzdm)
n.
1. The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight.
2. Common sense; good judgment

 

High5, I wish for those days also, as does my son. However we both realize that things have changed and my son can either adapt, or be left behind. The situation is not unlike business. Things change.

Everyone does things for a different reason. My son finds that the level of competition of showcase is helping him prepare for HS ball. It has also helped his confidence. He now knows he can play with these kids. No more listening to some parent flaunt it in his face because their son plays for so and so showcase team and how they are better than everybody else. My son wants to be the best player he can be and win a HS state championship. So far his showcase has helped him toward those goals. Whatever happens beyond that is gravy. It's not all about chasing a scholarship. He just wants to play his best.

One thing he did learn quickly is that there are a lot of kids not playing showcase that definitely have the ability.

There are many situations out there available to you. Do some research and look around. You'll find something good for you. This site is an excellent source. There are several guys here that can help you. I've learned a ton here. Good luck.

 

expenses paid

bordering on semi-pro?

 

Why? There is no charge to play legion ball and they pay for travel and meal also.

Quite frankly, I wish there were no charges to play baseball at any level..period!

 

Perhaps. I dont know of any American Legion but I do know of showcase team. I guess if there are no rules to oversee showcase ...its fair game.?

 

Wow! Baseball at the.....

....prep level has SO much to offer regardless of what you guys assume HS, or TB, or Legion ball can offer your OWN kid. Hey brother! Thats up to you dad. If you're not getting what you think is the best for your kid in HS, then you're options turn to TB or Legion. If you're kid isn't batting in the top of the line-up or playing SS for the Legion team and HE truly should be, which happens sometimes, then turn to TB. At least you've got those choices. Take it from 'ol Marlin here, my HS team sucked, and the same players, well, 6-7 of us rocked the Legion circuit, with a different coach. Pay? I ain't going there. I can only think of one thing that comes to my mind to describe what I've read above. Parents who think they know, but don't have a clue. .....Why don't ya'll listen to Braves more? At least he speaks from experience. .....And no dad, HS ballplayer as you are, who, if the coach had let you show all you've got, is to blame for your not going to the Red Sox. Only the folks "that know" "know". Braves does.

 

Some here give the impression that all this is hard to figure out. It's not as difficult as a few might make it seem. Do some research, talk with some coaches, visit some events, use this website. Braves is correct. There are some good coaches (27, Evans, and others) here that can help you and many others (players and parents) that can share their direct experiences. You can learn something from many people here. But don't be intimidated. It's not like we're solving the Middle East crisis, or developing a business plan to compete with China or Mexico or Viet Nam. It's baseball for goodness sakes. The hard part (and fun part) is playing the game, not figuring out where to play.