Showcase circuit and work?

marriard · Oct 17, 2017

I will say that several showcases have already started to adjust - 2 we went to last year are now warm up game Friday only you want it, lots of games Saturday and Sunday.

Unfortunately the new recruiting rules have now put many, many more money making college camps on the agenda, so the cost is not going away - it is being redirected. Or maybe just increased

I can see why many families just want to get committed and then get out. It is not pretty out there.

JAD · Oct 17, 2017

I will have to admit that being self-employed was a HUGE benefit during the summer showcases. That said, here are a couple of recommendations.

1) Vacation time - while a lot of showcases are not in vacation locations, the time spent with family is priceless.
2) Unpaid vacation (not a great option, but some companies allow it)
3) Divide and conquer - each spouse takes a week.
4) Partnerships - partner with another family of families and send one parent each trip.
5) Once the girls are 16U we rented a van and let the coaches take the players and put 4 players per room.

MNDad · Oct 17, 2017

Coach JV said:
OP- When we ran the showcase circuit, it was rare that a parent attended as many tournaments were out of state due to
work-other siblings etc.

Now- for everyone else- BE CAREFUL of which showcases you attend- some are legit very good exposure events.
Some are undoubtedly 'money grabs' be selective and network with experienced coaches regarding showcase events.

The problem I have is that some of what used to be very good tournaments, still draw lots of coaches, but the events
are so big the outlying fields can be 1+ hours from the main complex which is also turning these into 'money grab'

Be realistic with the players, the majority of 'good' TB players are not really D1 material for various reasons. This is not to say
they won't play in college, but need to look into D2 and D3 schools. I had an excellent SS who was determined to play in the SEC,
she was offered a roster spot (no $$) and is now in her 3rd year. She has played a total of 3 defensive innings and has
been used twice as a pinch runner. A true waste of talent, as she could have been a starter on several mid-major D1 schools.
Don't let this happen to you!

Some kids would rather compete against the best than star at a lower level. I wouldn’t consider it a waste if she’s living her dream. Ever see Rudy?

FP26 · Oct 17, 2017

I am lucky enough to have an employer that is willing to grant me some flexibility with my schedule. Part of that comes from the fact that I am on call 24/7 and can handle a good portion of my decisions electronically. But this has allowed me to attend every tournament my DD has ever played at, with the exception of one day. DW on the other hand missed two tournaments this summer due to the amount of travel we did. Most families on our team worked things that way. Either mom went or dad went. We also had one event that a player attended with another family. If it is something you really want to do, there is typically a way to work it out.

Almost every vacation day I have had over the past 6 years has been dedicated to either travel softball or college visits. And honestly, I am fine with that. It has been great family time, and with DD heading to college next fall, I know I will miss those days. I regret none of it....

I do have mixed opinions about showcases in general, however. Our team is not a nationally rated powerhouse, so we have not participated in any of the huge events. We mostly focus on regional showcases. 5 players from this year's roster are currently playing in college, and 5 others could very likely head that way next fall. Many of these players invited the coaches of their top college choices to the showcases we attended. And ultimately I do think that these events helped them get where they are. But we have also seen some of the same coaches at local events (non showcase). It depends what type of school you are looking at and where. I guess my advice is to know your target audience. A young lady I know plays for a well respected travel team from our area that travels to some of the bigger events. She has played in Florida, Georgia, and Colorado among other places. I recently learned that she has committed to a D2 school less than 20 minutes from her house. This school was high on this players list and has a good softball program, so I am very happy for her. But traveling to those larger events didn't get her seen by this coach. This coach was not at those events. In fact, a player from our team invited this same coach to one of the local tournaments we attended, and was offered a spot the following week. I think if you are looking at a P5 school, you probably need to attend some of the bigger events, but there are MANY young softball players that will end up playing for a non-P5 college.

let it be fun · Oct 17, 2017

Coach JV said:
I had an excellent SS who was determined to play in the SEC,
she was offered a roster spot (no $$) and is now in her 3rd year. She has played a total of 3 defensive innings and has
been used twice as a pinch runner. A true waste of talent, as she could have been a starter on several mid-major D1 schools.
Don't let this happen to you!

It is very important for players to have a realistic view of their talent level. It seems to me that this player you mention who walked on at a SEC school probably had a pretty good idea what to expect. Who are you to judge whether or not that was a "waste" of her talent. Maybe this was her dream school. Maybe she likes the "perks" of playing for a big-time program. Have you seen the athletic facilities at some of these schools? Special training tables for all the athletes, 24/7 food service available for athletes only, incredible medical care, maybe just getting to be on a team that plays in a super regional or wins a conference championship or tournament. How about the summer internships that are only offered to athletes? Maybe they want to be a member of the letterman's club for life at that school and get to network with the bigtime boosters at football tailgates. Every single player is different and has their own criteria for choosing a school. Some lower tier P5 and mid-major D1 schools have softball facilities and fields that would embarrass some high school athletic directors.

Coach JV · Oct 17, 2017

Who are you to judge whether or not that was a "waste" of her talent.

As a friend of the family, I can judge-please don't be so quick to judge me

Click to expand...

let it be fun · Oct 17, 2017

Coach JV said:
Who are you to judge whether or not that was a "waste" of her talent.

As a friend of the family, I can judge-please don't be so quick to judge me

Click to expand...

She is still there as a Junior right? If she isn't happy she should have transferred to a mid-major or a D2 school.

Click to expand...

Coach JV · Oct 17, 2017

She is still there as a Junior right? If she isn't happy she should have transferred to a mid-major or a D2 school.

The daunting task of transferring schools sometimes is easier said than done- I refuse to get into specifics but transfer is not on the table as she is more likely
to drop the varsity sport and play club ball.

Lets not lose perspective- she is in school for the education, not the sport. If your daughter chooses her school based on athletics
rather than academics, there have been some bad choices.

I have successfully helped girls into D1-D2-D3-JUCO. We tried to guide them into the best fit for the future first,
with Varsity athletics as a bonus

Westwind · Oct 17, 2017

One of my favorite hair band lyrics is “I’m drivin’ all night, just to keep the rat in the race”. That’s what it feels like sometimes.

I have pretty much burned up my vacation time to do the travel softball gig.

I don’t mind that. What became difficult for me was finding downtime for myself. I gave up my fall outdoor sports in the timber and in the marsh because by then I really need rest. Not as much physical but mental.

Yet even though it is taxing, I think it’s fair to say that DD and I are addicted to the better competition. Playing. That’s when it’s fun.

Like Marriard said above, the new rules have changed things. I don’t understand it all well enough to predict what it will be like next year but the exposure tournament will be compressed and the camp schedule will change too.

let it be fun · Oct 17, 2017

Coach JV said:
The daunting task of transferring schools sometimes is easier said than done- I refuse to get into specifics but transfer is not on the table as she is more likely
to drop the varsity sport and play club ball.

Lets not lose perspective- she is in school for the education, not the sport. If your daughter chooses her school based on athletics
rather than academics, there have been some bad choices.

I have successfully helped girls into D1-D2-D3-JUCO. We tried to guide them into the best fit for the future first,
with Varsity athletics as a bonus

I think we are speaking much the same language. I just don't think it is a "waste" of talent to play on a team in the SEC or other high-level team and not see the field very much. I also would not warn others not to let it happen to them. The experience is so much more than just on the field. Some girls NEED to play and it is not a good fit for them to be on a team where they don't play much. Others understand that everyone has a role on the team and can accept whatever playing time they get and still have a wonderful enjoyable experience.

Showcase circuit and work?

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marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am

JAD

MNDad

FP26

let it be fun

Coach JV

let it be fun

Coach JV

Westwind

let it be fun

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