What makes a true showcase?

What some of these coaches here are saying is that they can tell plenty about a kid from 2-3 AB's. If this is true then I guess that's why they do it for a living and I don't.

 

One Putt appreciate the comments... And your right they are better at it than I am. Some guys I think absolutely suck at hitting are highly wanted by college coaches because they have a smooth fluid swing and great tools.

 

Showcases Are Not The Way

I agree with you, and truly believe you can tell a lot about a player during a single at bat. However, the majority of the coaches are back behind the back stop with the radar guns, which makes it a bit tougher to judge.

However, at every showcase there are a few coaches that will move up and down the base paths to see the kid swing a bat.

Again, I truly believe Coaches have the knowledge to judge a player in a very short period of time. I am just saying the environment, however it appears, is not conducive (number of kids, dealing with the number of kids, and the diversity of the kids) to do it efficiently.

Al McCormick
www.mostvaluableplayer.biz

 

Deuce,

I'm disappointed your son will not be in Raleigh. Plus, I'm not an ecu fan. I bitched to Avent, bitched to Roberts and bitched to Guzzo.

I saw him when he was at Ragsdale this year. If he had pitched more than 1 inning, his team would have won. I realize the game was not a focus for either team.

 

Just wondering how much of an impact could the showcase coach have for the scouts. If they are there it is probably because they are looking at a particular kid. Maybe even a kid that has shown interest in their program. I have personnally attended several of the showcase tournaments and it is good baseball. I have seen as many as 20-25 scouts and as little as none at these games. IMO a great tool for college coaches to find the kids that will fit into their programs. Not all kids will perform well in the showcase environment. However, all kids can do the small things that can catch a coaches eye from the stand. But lets all remember the money aspect of the showcases. Not all kids can afford to play on the summer and fall teams---Speaking of that which would be better? And why?

 

haha... not too many NC State fans like ECU... we were a little disappointed as well but we are trying to put it behind us and Seth is ready and hoping for a good Career at ECU. Im guessing he will be a little pumped when they play the wolfpack ha... And I dont know even if he would of pitched against Ragsdale we would of won. I know that he did play at a small private school but Even for them they still could not hit too well at that level. They had three kids at the most carry that team through the whole year. It was a frustrating year to watch many games he would throw and give up 1-3 hits and strike out 14 and still lose. Haha but I really do appreciate all your comments

 

This has been a good discussion. Just as in anything, you've got to do your homework. I'm not a big advocate of Showcase events where they have cattle calls for hitting, pitching and fielding drills. But if one has an opportunity to play for any of the teams frequently mentioned on here, congratulations. It is an experience you will never forget.

As someone mentioned, one bad game doesn't bother a scout, but one great game will generate alot of interest. I have witnessed players have a great weekend, sign the following week. And this is from an ACC school that never saw the kid play in HS. There's stories like this everywhere.

I'll say this, whatever anybody's opinion is of Showcase baseball, if your son plays for a team that participates at the PGWWB in East Cobb or Jupiter and he has a good tournament, you will have to hire a secretary to answer the phone calls and to read his mail. It can have that kind of impact.

 

Agree with doing your homework. What are you looking to get out of it is up to you. My son played at the WWB in East Cobb. He had a great time and his team did well. I think that the event is great and is well run. Love the updates on their site. I do however feel that the event has grown so large and are playing everywhere the scouts are all at East Cobb fields and see only the teams that play there. It is central and a lot of the games are there. Makes sense for them. Some teams never got in front of them. Oh well. Live and learn. Now before everyone lites the torches, I think it is one of if not the best event on the East coast. But the number of teams and it grows every year. Makes you think sometimes. But that gets me in trouble most of the times.

 

I hope you get a chance to go to Jupiter. There is nothing else like it...including East Cobb. It is the closest thing to baseball heaven

 

Best operated showcase i have ever been to was the one held in High point that area 3 american legion put on this was awesome.