Recruiting at 14U

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Sep 3, 2015
372
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DD is going into her second year 14's, playing on a showcase travel team. She just started her freshman year in high school. This fall, she has gained interest from several colleges and is being invited to camps. With the new rule changes, what does this all mean and how important is it to attend these camps? Let's say the school would be in top 10 for DD but a few would be a pretty expensive trip.

Getting good advice from coaches but wanted to see what others have to say.

Thanks


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May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Are these D1 schools? As I understand it, the new limitations on recruiting contact only apply to D1. Even for D1, there is nothing saying the schools can't invite players to attend their camps, and do their own evaluation of the player, they just can't have conversations about recruiting until Sept 1 of junior year. I've heard a number of times recently that the new rules are shifting the recruiting focus more to camps than showcase tournaments. I don't know true this really is, but I've heard it enough times now from different people that I'm starting to believe it.
 
Sep 3, 2015
372
63
Yes, these are D1 schools, a few P5. From what I understand they like getting the players in their own environment against the players they like which makes sense.

Are these D1 schools? As I understand it, the new limitations on recruiting contact only apply to D1. Even for D1, there is nothing saying the schools can't invite players to attend their camps, and do their own evaluation of the player, they just can't have conversations about recruiting until Sept 1 of junior year. I've heard a number of times recently that the new rules are shifting the recruiting focus more to camps than showcase tournaments. I don't know true this really is, but I've heard it enough times now from different people that I'm starting to believe it.

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Feb 28, 2015
307
28
Heatbox
If you have the money to go to Camps do it. DD2 has been to a lot of Camps not because we have the money but DW gets to keep her frequenrt flyer miles and hotel points. DD2 is also her Southwest companion so she flies basically free. From the last Surf City tourney a couple weeks ago, we heard College coaches were pretty much not watching 14U. There were quite a few Coaches watching 18's at Harvard park. If your team is not playing up in 16's you probably won't see a lot, if any coaches at your games. This not knowing what part of Country you are in and what level you play at. Also, at a Camp they need to know she's coming and also do something that makes her stand out. Hopefully others will chime in on their experiences for you.
 
Oct 5, 2015
91
18
I would encourage attending a few locally based camps for the experience prior to going to the more targeted schools to get the anxiety issues out of the way if that is problem but I feel that camps are an important element to get on the school's radar.

If your's attends a camp, I would suggest that your coach or college services contact reach out prior to camp (so they are aware of your attendance) but more important to ask for a post camp assessment. They will be candid with the coach/college coordinator and the info will help you as you go forward. Any information is good. "Not interested" is not a bad answer as it allows you to move on. It certainly better than left wondering.

Camps are obviously only one element but may be cost prohibitive based on school location. Regardless of camp attendance, continue to have a consistent communication campaign and create either skills video or game footage to include.

Also, if your daughter hasn't completed the sports recruit questionnaire at the school she is interested in, she should. Get on the radar and show interest.
 
Sep 3, 2015
372
63
We were a ways out at surf City but a few were still there to watch. I heard the same about 14u. This is A high level.
If you have the money to go to Camps do it. DD2 has been to a lot of Camps not because we have the money but DW gets to keep her frequenrt flyer miles and hotel points. DD2 is also her Southwest companion so she flies basically free. From the last Surf City tourney a couple weeks ago, we heard College coaches were pretty much not watching 14U. There were quite a few Coaches watching 18's at Harvard park. If your team is not playing up in 16's you probably won't see a lot, if any coaches at your games. This not knowing what part of Country you are in and what level you play at. Also, at a Camp they need to know she's coming and also do something that makes her stand out. Hopefully others will chime in on their experiences for you.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
 
Sep 3, 2015
372
63
I would encourage attending a few locally based camps for the experience prior to going to the more targeted schools to get the anxiety issues out of the way if that is problem but I feel that camps are an important element to get on the school's radar.

If your's attends a camp, I would suggest that your coach or college services contact reach out prior to camp (so they are aware of your attendance) but more important to ask for a post camp assessment. They will be candid with the coach/college coordinator and the info will help you as you go forward. Any information is good. "Not interested" is not a bad answer as it allows you to move on. It certainly better than left wondering.

Camps are obviously only one element but may be cost prohibitive based on school location. Regardless of camp attendance, continue to have a consistent communication campaign and create either skills video or game footage to include.

Also, if your daughter hasn't completed the sports recruit questionnaire at the school she is interested in, she should. Get on the radar and show interest.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Jan 31, 2015
249
43
DD just completed her 2nd year of 14UA, so fall ball included 8 tournaments, 4 of which were out of state showcases, 2 of which were 16U.

She also attended 2 D1 recruiting/prospect camps the 1st 2 weekends of September where she got on their radar as a pitcher and hitter.

Out of all of this, DD only saw 1 college coach at 1 16U showcase game who was the recruiting coach of one of the D1 camps whom DD and TB HC followed up with and invited to the the games since he was already going to be there. He stood behind home plate behind the backstop all game while she pitched a 3-0 shutout driving in 2 RBI on a clutch hit to break the tie.


Out of all of that the camps were worth the money and the showcases were a total waste of time and money! DD's last fall ball 14U showcase tournament, Scenic City Fall Showcase (Chattanooga, TN) was the biggest waste of time and money of them all, since there were so many pools and teams, we never saw a college coach, and if they were looking at 14U, then you might find one at the *super pools* of which DD's team was not. See the following quote confirming my assertion:

https://extrainningsoftball.com/top...ing-rules-kill-college-interest-in-14u-events

“We knew the change was coming, but we didn't realize it would be so quick. This summer we saw the coaches attendance at 14U games was lower, however the fall, compared to years past was crazy,” said Higdon, who added, “I wanted to see it with my own eyes, so it was very interesting to go to 14U park full of super pools and for there to be hardly any coaches at all -- despite having the same number of college coaches overall (270-280 D1- JUCO coaches) at our event.” As a result, Higdon says they are going to revaluate everything, including eliminating the 14U-exclusive park at their events. They had 360 teams in all age groups in the summer and 290 teams in the fall.



So, my recommendation would be to spend your time and money on *prospect-related* college camps held at the specific schools DD is interested, and don't waste your time and money on 14U showcase tournaments if you can help it (i.e. if DD TB coach actually takes any input).

Just my $0.02.

DD is going into her second year 14's, playing on a showcase travel team. She just started her freshman year in high school. This fall, she has gained interest from several colleges and is being invited to camps. With the new rule changes, what does this all mean and how important is it to attend these camps? Let's say the school would be in top 10 for DD but a few would be a pretty expensive trip.

Getting good advice from coaches but wanted to see what others have to say.

Thanks


Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:

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