What age should a girl attend an Exposure Camp at tournament?

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

May 15, 2016
926
18
have the experience talking to coaches, get a feel for what kind of program they would like to play for, see if they are really interested,

All that makes sense to me at a camp run at a college.

I did not know players really get to talk to coaches during those tournament camps/clinics. I know they are good for seeing what the competition is like. How do the girls get a feel for what kind of program they would like to play for during, seeing if they are really interested at the tournament camp/clinic.
 
Dec 15, 2012
102
18
She started going to camps in her 8th and 9th grade year. Started getting serious with individual camps after her 10th grade year. Lots of slots were already taken. In my opinion she was about a year behind. I would recommend going to on campus camps as the coaches get way more instruction / evaluation time.
 
May 15, 2016
926
18
I would recommend going to on campus camps as the coaches get way more instruction / evaluation time.

Don't have the budget for many camps. Since she is already going to that tournament I am trying to decide if she should do the tournament clinic/camp.

Her travel coach from three years ago told me those tournament/showcase clinics are only worthwhile for pitchers and catchers. Since she is a catcher, it is something I thought I should at least consider this year.
 
Dec 15, 2012
102
18
Camps are expensive and a moneymaker for the coaches. I’m not a big fan of tournament clinics/camps as coaches are already there and time is extremely limited. Pitchers and catchers are typically skill positions that coaches are always looking to fill. I personally prefer camps that are outside of tournaments as you more band for your dollar. Onsite camps often had coaches from other schools assisting. She also attended a few skills camps that were run by college coaches. Key is to get as much face time as possible with a coach. Goal is to have them know your name st the end of the camp. You have to find a way to standout!
 
Feb 17, 2014
551
28
I'm not a big fan of these what I call 'cattle call' camps. I think they give the illusion that your DD is going to get recruited at them and in my experience that rarely happens.

That being said, I think some kids need camp experience. Just going through the scenario a few times makes them more comfortable.

How much is the camp? Could she go to 2 on campus camps for the same cost instead?
 
May 15, 2016
926
18
How much is the camp? Could she go to 2 on campus camps for the same cost instead?

The tournament camp costs almost a third less than what the campus camp costs at a very good mid-major 3 miles from our home. And that mid-major will be at the tournament.
 
Dec 15, 2012
102
18
I’m not convinced that tournament camps are worth the money. I would recommend setting up a lust of camps that are in your budget and fit into your schedule. My daughter got way more interest from these on site camps as you will get -6 hours of face time and get a chance to work with the entire staff and players.
 
Apr 28, 2014
2,316
113
Pennsbury camps are good. They produce a skill sheet with the results and send to players and coaches. Camps at schools can be hit or miss. As the parent of a pitcher the only two camps I like are those that hold live scrimmages and those that are pitcher specific. Scrimmages are great for seeing a pitcher working against live batters. It's funny you see all of these kids throwing before they get into the circle. Once they get in the circle it's a different game. I assume power hitter parents also like the live batter format. Hitting into a bownet at a camp for 2 hours is close to useless.
 

Members online

No members online now.

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,481
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top