Baseball Factory

OK guys, my son got a letter inviting him to their Oct. 17 "session" at UNC Asheville. What do you guys know about recruiting services like this? Pros/Cons and any advice or experience with situations like this would be appreciated. I'll check back later. Thanks in advance.

 

A lot about Baseball Factory has been written on the "Recruiting" thread at www.hsbaseballweb.com. I'd suggest that you go to the message board area of that website and do a search for it. You'll find some very long...and lively..threads devoted to it. Based on what I've seen there over the the last several years, I'd be very cautious.

 

Unless you are planning on playing WAY out of state, there are very few reasons to go beyond the local resources available in NC. Between Impact, the Blue-Gray and the Perfect Game events (all which are well attended by coaches in the NC/SC/VA area), I don't believe it's necessary.

If you want to attend Rice or Houston or Cal-State Fullerton, then you need to attend showcases in the appropriate area (probably either PG events or Team One events). If you're good enough to get out-of-state offers from those schools, you've probably got a boat-load of in-state offers to pick from also.

I do believe that it helps (sometimes enormously) to play for a good showcase team. The NC coaches do travel down to Atlanta to the PG events, Charleston for the Diamond Devils events and they also attend most of the regional/national WWBA events. They go where they can see the best teams in a relatively confined area (controls costs).

 

I had college recruiting coordinators tell me that they do not rely on recruiting services. They want to see prospects for themselves. Be cautious. If your son has talent, he will be seen and a recruiting service brings nothing to the table.

 

Don't go was the advice given to my son by his Legion coach. He received info from a similar outfit from somewhere up in NY when he was a high school senior. They were going to come down, and for something like $400.00 they were going to do a video, give you their two cents worth on your abilities, and a promise to send their evaluation and video to a bunch of schools. When you looked at their literature of all their prospects that went on to play college ball, they all went to schools like St. John's, Siena, and a bunch of other NY area schools.

 

I think there are 2 good venues for a player to be seen by college coaches and pro scouts.

1) Get involved with the best showcase team that a players talent will allow. There are several in and around Charlotte that will provide good exposure at some of the top showcase events in the southeast. Do your home work. Find out what their schedule like and other 'hidden' expenses so you'll know if it fits your budget.

2) If you have a player who prefers to play legion ball (like mine did) choose a couple of showcase events that are reasonably local and attend those. By far, the best is the State Games, followed by (in no perticular order) Impact, Blue Gray, Perfect Game, and Team One. If your player is good enough and lucky enough to get nominated by pro scout, the East Coast Pro Showcase is a don't miss. This route is probably more expensive but it may be the price you'll have to pay for your player to play where he wants to play and still get him the exposure he will need. There are also a number of fall showcase teams that can provide very good exposure at a very small cost if your player is inclined to play baseball in the fall.

 

Definitely worthwhile to check this out at hsbaseballweb. I agree with prep...use caution.

 

IF again........

you can PLAY and you are a QUALITY good person.....THEY will come......IT WILL happen for you period!!!! :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

 

Thanks guys! I appreciate all the advice given by each of you. :xyzthumbs