Recruiting Question

DD just finished up her first showcase tournament she is in 14U and her primary position is catcher. They had a few schools that her TB coaches told me had a lot of questions regarding DD and wants her to attend their upcoming camps. I am sure that this is a common practice but I am worried that she may not be ready. I am not at all worried about her attitude or her defensive play, it is her offense that concerns me. I always hear about how you have to be able to hit to make it into college, so if I send her to these camps and she doesn't perform well with the bat, could she be written off by these schools? I am torn on what to do, it wouldn't be a big deal to me if it wasn't 2 of her top 5 schools and her absolute "dream" school. I am probably making a big deal out of nothing but I am wondering if a bad showing at a camp when you are 13 could actually hurt your chances in the future?

She is only 14 so it is not make or break time with these schools. Apparently they like what they see and how she projects into the future. Have her attend and then return to additional camps. It will be her attitude, work ethic, and ability to increase her skills over time that will keep them interested and ultimately result in an opportunity.

Go to camp...no recruiting door is going to close on you at 13 years old. Now that does not mean that some might not open. Let her go and have fun while displaying good attitude and hustle and maybe learning something to boot.

riseball said:

She is only 14 so it is not make or break time with these schools. Apparently they like what they see and how she projects into the future. Have her attend and then return to additional camps. It will be her attitude, work ethic, and ability to increase her skills over time that will keep them interested and ultimately result in an opportunity.

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Thanks for the reply RB that is what I was hoping to hear.

Tell her to go, have fun and do not worry about anything. I often tell my players to go to couple of camps at a schools that are NOT their first choice. That way there is less pressure and if they screw up, if that is possible then nothing is lost. Best at a young age to get some experience going to camps and working with coaches before they get older and it really may be of some consequence.

This is a very timely topic for my 13yo DD. She is in the same situation but she is a pitcher. She has been asked to attend some camps also. She has already been to a couple this fall that are on her list but not top 10. I am glad she went because now she is more comfortable going into some camps this winter at schools she has a strong interest in. She actually is looking forward to the competition the camps offer.

This is a very timely topic for my 13yo DD. She is in the same situation but she is a pitcher. She has been asked to attend some camps also. She has already been to a couple this fall that are on her list but not top 10. I am glad she went because now she is more comfortable going into some camps this winter at schools she has a strong interest in. She actually is looking forward to the competition the camps offer.

Go to the camps. College camps are instructional and some of the coaches there may be able to help with her hitting. At 14U coaches are looking for "potential" and for players they want to keep track of.

Camps will be a great experience at her age. Coaches take age, etc into consideration during evaluations.
With girls as young as 14, their curiosity is piqued for a reason. Sometimes they just want a look into the crystal
ball of what she may develop into as a 19-20 y/o young woman. This is a great age for players to get accustomed to speaking to
coaches as they will be less likely to be intimidated in a couple of years when these talks are most important.