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

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May 15, 2016
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DD's team will be going to a tournament which many recruiters usually attend. She is 14. Is it important for her to do the Exposure Camp this summer, or is it reasonable to wait until she is a year or two older?
 
I think the question for you to decide on is your DD ready for the coach to see her. Is she standing out to the point where if 30 players are on a field. Are the coaches going to ask who is that player. Is she going to stand out or does she want to work harder for next couple years then show up and stand out. I understand getting on the radar but recruiting top priority is for immediate players. You only get 1 chance to make a 1st impression on a coach. My opinion means nothing but I’m trying to build my DD to be the best sophomore or junior player with best stats possible “she is 12 now” Then we are going to her top 10 college picks camps to try to stand out and impress the coaches with her performance on the field. I’ve also noticed the more versital the player the better chance of making a team. So even if your dd is the best pitcher in 6 states at 14 are you ready to have a college coach see her bat. Good luck with your DD’s Journey if you gain any knowledge please share with us.
 
May 15, 2016
926
18
I understand getting on the radar but recruiting top priority is for immediate players.

That is a big part of the reason why I am questioning whether she should do the camp this year.

I don't know enough about the whole process whether she would stand out. I do not want to spend the money this year if it really isn't necessary.
 
Dec 15, 2012
102
18
If your daughter is serious about playing in college start attending camps EARLY. It’s important for the player to get on the coaches radar/watch list and developing relationships. Waiting until the player is more polished is a mistake. It is worth noting you will get lots of “No Interest” from coaches. Don’t get discouraged. Trust the process and start to narrow your focus based on the players ability and academic desire. There is a spot for almost everyone if you are committed to finding it.
 
Apr 20, 2018
4,581
113
SoCal
If she goes to a D1 school she probably not going to pitch and bat. I dont agree with it but very few pitchers get to hit.
 
May 15, 2016
926
18
There is a spot for almost everyone if you are committed to finding it.

I appreciate you saying that, and I have heard that before, but she does not want to accept just any spot at any college.

She wants to play for at least a mid-level DI school. I hope there is a spot at that level for her.

I have already talked to her whether she would prefer to sit the bench for a couple of years at a ok-to-good DI school, or become a first year starter for a very good DII school. She said in that case she would pick the DII school. A travel coach told me to ask her that question a couple years ago, and I finally asked her this past summer.
 
Dec 15, 2012
102
18
My daughter was in a similar situation. She had multiple D2 offers, but wanted to play at a D1 school. Held off on accepting offers until her dream D1 school (mid major) came along. She will have to work to get playing time, but wants to be pushed/challenged. The entire process was a huge amount of work, but was well worth the effort. We almost waited too long to start going to camps. The one piece of advice I would give you is to start going to camps EARLY!
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
We send all our 14U players to exposure camps so they can get used to the environment, 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, see the competition, etc. When it really DOES matter, it means they are way better prepared.

For most, what they think they want at age 12/13 will change by when they are 15/16. And everyone's journey and goal is different. For most it will be an education/softball best decision - or even just a education decision. If it just purely a softball decision it does not go well way too often.

For some, they will be recruited as seniors. Some as juniors. Some will decide not to play.

There is no too early (or even too late). Unless the kid decides to do something stupid that gets her noticed and makes her a hard NO for people there, if she is just one of the crowd the coaches will likely not even remember her. Just doin't do things like clearly not wanting to be there or throwing bats or bad attitude.

I always tell people recruiting is like dating. There is a lot of 'I like you/I like you too' and 'Look at that pretty one over there' and 'I like you/do you like me?' and a whole lot of 'This is/isn't working out' and 'lets see where this goes' and 'lets learn more about each other'.
 

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