Showcase baseball costs?

Do costs justify being seen? (depends)

Most players develop great skills in....anonymity. (hours in cage, throwing, on mound, in field).

Where they show off those skills to coach/recuiters.....i'm not to sure.

Last year, most every D1 college recruiter i saw at a HS game was scouting a player that already plays showcase baseball (app st, unc, wcu, etc.). I'm sure their eyes were open to other talent on the field. Also saw them at Jack Sink or East Meck tourney watching alot of players.

However, the year before i saw S.Carolina coaches at a legion regional, but they had just signed future gatorade player of the year, LHP, the kid that this year pitched and won the SC 4A state championship. I played HS with a 2-sport D1 athlete who continued to Clemson. Still #7 on all-time HR list. Longest TD pass in Clemson history 75 yds from Epley. TD in Gator bowl. Brian Picolo award winner. (yes, as in...from the movie "Brian's Song"). He never played showcase. But....he was an athlete with a capital "A". 25 years ago.

Seems a risky proposition to assume your HS athlete will get noticed. Even more risky in a bad market, or environment, if in program with no tradition.

My point with the costs are that even if BBL pays $0 for participation. The incidental cigars and beverages costs (joking). Will outweigh those costs. Does the exposure justify the costs.....guess it depends. (do i get any residual for posting a couple times to get you over 25?)

 

To which Canes team are you referring? The EvoShield Canes are nowhere NEAR that number for the summer and fall combined.

 

I think camps are a good way to be seen by a particular school and showcase is a good way to be seen by numerous schools. Some of the best players do end up going on the pros and others elect to play in college. Not all of the best players move directly to the pros. They want that college experience. UNC routinely loses some of their recruits to the pros because they are recruiting at such a high level. I would imagine that UNC and other schools in the state are aware thru their connections who the best players in the state are in high school and they probadly start looking at these whenever they can. Showcase provides schools several opportunities to look at these kids several times during the course of a couple years & helps colleges decide who they want to offer a roster spot or tryout. Unless the college is nearby, I don't think you see alot of coaches at high school events anymore. Thats just my opinion. Recruiting budgets are tight, so colleges are liking these showcase events where several of the best players are competing. The Dirtbags, like some other organizations, hold special events on the college campuses to help with the exposure aspect of it all. It's evolved to the point where the players get to pretty much show their talents anywhere they want.

 

Collecting my winnings

Clearly I expect a mouth-watering 6" Big Philly Cheeezestaaake in my future courtesy of A-dude-I-know.

And Low....I learned a long time ago that reading the fine print was highly overrated. I took the bet without qualifications!

In the words of the deranged, yet lovable, Charlie Sheen....Winning!

 

I still like you even though I haven't met you yet....anyone that likes PL is good by me....and I know you like PL's game.

 

We used to give out PlateDad decoder rings, but he hasn't come around for awhile, so I quit sending them out. But I'll think of something...just keep on posting Post15. We're glad to have you!!!!!!

 

I was PLs first coach. Kid hit 18 one year for us.

 

Still a sleeper

I hope he has another great season and someone snatches him up. Great kid, great hitter. One of the best consistent contact and two-strike guy anywhere.

PAY ATTENTION COACHES....DON'T DOUBT ME ON THIS.

 

Unless the college is nearby, I don't think you see alot of coaches at high school events anymore.

A couple notes:
Anthony Boone was recruited for Baseball by at least 1 D-1 program that I know of. He played HS baseball and football. No summer or fall baseball due to his priority of football. Yes...he is a rare exception... had a cannon of an arm and a big time bat.

I've been to many HS baseball games over the last 3 years. Out of the 20+ regular season games last season my son payed in, at least 15 were attended by major college or MLB scouts. Most were looking at the opposing teams players, but they were there. I would consider that a lot for HS ball.

That being said...if my son wanted to play at that level, I'd put him in the best position I could to allow him the opportunity to succeed (or not). Sometimes when you get out of your local pond, you find out that your really not that big a fish after all.

If I'm a recruiter, I'd want to see the players against the best talent. Trying to evaluate a player against an inferior team has got to be a hard task....Is Johnny batting .568 because he's that good, or is he getting 8 at bats a game against really bad pitching?

 

Fearless third baseman, too!