danielson2222

I think its smart to figure out the best fit for your son.He has to like the school first. Everyone dreams of playing division one but the reality is very few play at that level. Only 5.8% of all high school student athletes go on to play in college. It's also important to understand the academic requirements of D1, D2, D3. D2 and D3 have higher academic standards. Don't listen to the negitivity about different levels of play. Every parent who has a college student athlete is proud of their kid no matter the level. I would not put a lot of stock in the opinions of parents who have not gone through the process or think they know but have never had a kid sign. Your coach has influence like it or not. You need to start with him and have a good relationship. Remember it's not his job to get your kid into college. He can make some calls or answer other coaches questions but he does not owe it to your kid. It really falls on your shoulders to put your kid out there, do the research, communicate with colleges(assistant coaches or recruiting coaches), Choose your showcases wisely and never turn away an opportunity at any level. Always act like your interested in whatever type of school is talking to you.

 

Getting unbias opinion of your sons ability can be difficult on a couple of fronts.

1. Next level coaches are careful to not build false expectations.

2. It's not always easy here the truth about your kids ability.

3. unless they see him play over a period of time its only based on that moment in time.

 

Look for showcases that give you a written evaluation.

That's why I recomended Perfect Game. Good or bad they rate your kid.

Look at Birmingham Southern College. Coach Wiesberg gives you a five tool evaluation of all the kids at his showcase. You can compare your kid to everyone at that event.

Demarini Top 96 will be brutally honest with your kid in the one on ones after the showcase. Saw a lot of sad and shocked faces at that event.

 

Make no mistake it's going to cost some money. I spent the same money as a couple of friends. One of theirs is finishing his career at vandy, one is at Duke and the other is at Southeast Mo.. Some of the common denominators are listed above. You can complain about it or you can invest in your kid!

In my situation it was worth every dime to watch my kid sign and I look forward to watching him continue to play!

 

Good luck to you and your son!

Great information for all of us to read Slider. Thanks for the post.

My son received an invite to the Demarini Top 96 but we didn't give it much thought thinking it could be another money hunting showcase. We will have to look into it again, besides true honesty is what we are looking for anyway.

There has been a bunch of good information that has been posted here that I think can benefit all of us.

I may have made a mistake with the starting post by stating "considering college baseball". May have been better stated by saying which college program.

I tend to agree that some of these showcases are cashing a check. But I don't agree on the stats and accolades. What if a player is injured, or a pitcher has an accident to his foot that does not hurt his arm and misses the season. What if your son plays third base and the team he is on has the best third baseman in the state. Will your son have the playing time and accolades to get noticed? I think not. But it doesn't mean he would not fit in to a program somewhere. I think there are many "what if's" that are to numerous to mention. With all the choices that include, Div 1, Div2, Div 3 , NAIA, Junior College, (did I miss any) wouldn't it be prudent to get evaluated to narrow the choices down to one division?

I think you missed that one. Way off. I know who C10 is. His son is a transfer but tranfered as a sophmore. I think he was upset after getting beat and his son did not get to pitch.

WOW! Just got to work this morning and thought I would check the message boards to see what is going on; only to find this complete lie that I am Champion10. You might as well have called us by name, there is only one transfer who is a pitcher who did not pitch Wed. Who else would you be speaking of? I have and always posted under my facebook sign on so there would never be a question of my post for this exact reason and can swear that I am not C10 nor do I know who it is. Nor have I ever posted anything negative; go back and look.

Maybe Champion10 will get the guts to give their true identity. But what you did is far worse. You called out our entire family by hiding your own identity and made a false statement. I know it's false because we have never spoke to anyone of the Cascade cliq about the playing time of our son, nor spoken to coach, nor sent the text messages to coach that everyone seems to think we are a part of.

What I can do is leave you with two very true statements about us.

First, I am a true study of the game of baseball and always have been. I analyze every play and the way the game is played. I've even been known to keep a scorebook in the stands even tho I no longer do. I have to keep my mind occupied with the game because if i don't i will tend to yell at umpires which is never good. Basically it boils to this. I am not a "cheerleading butt-tickler"

Second, to regards to our son. He has never thrown his bat after a strikeout, walked slow to the dugout pouting after a K, never slammed his bat into the ground after a bad at bat. He has never thrown a bat in the dugout after not executing a sign, nor thrown a screaming tirade in the dugout either. Also has never yelled at another player on the field for missing a ball or committing an error while he was pitching.

There is no doubt that you should go to my son tonight and apologize for the comments you have made and thought because if you are willing to state them here, you have surely bad mouthed him and us to all you friends. But I know you never will because you will never give your identity as well.

I leave you all with this. If any of you can think of anytime my family have spoke directly to you in a negative manner to this Cascade program; you may post it at this time. There will be no such post because there is no such proof.

Is your son a senior? Most of the state's community colleges have open tryouts for unsigned seniors during the summer. Try out at as many as you can; if your son is good enough, one of these colleges will give him a chance. Junior College is very good baseball especially in Tennessee (alot better than people think). If he can make one of these teams and is good enough, the coaches in this league are very good about sending players on to universities.

He is still a Junior but that's good information you gave us. Thanks for the info.

How has your son done this year? What was his average? Does he start? Is he one of your teams top pitchers? Did he make All District? If he is good enough the scouts will let you know.

I couldn't disagree with you more. After much reading and studying I have found that college coaches pay little to no attention to the parameters you listed above. Here is a direct quote from the hsbaseballweb website.

"Some teams and conferences are not as strong as others. Simply being the best player on a team or league may not qualify your son to compete at the highest level in college. On the other hand, if your son has played sparingly in high school, this doesn't mean he can't compete in college and get a scholarship."

I've also talked to an Under Armor representative from Maryland, who basically stated the same thing. If what you say is correct then there would be no need for college coaches or scouts to do any evaluations or any need for travel teams, college showcase camps or other showcases. They would simply look at the stats and make a decision. It is the players and parents responsibility in finding the right college to attend. An evaluation helps narrow the field from the start and helps them be more focused on finding the right place.

Does anyone know of a professional evaluation service here in Middle Tennessee? I'm looking for an un-biased evaluation too see if my son should consider college baseball. I've heard of some of these services but haven't found any. I guess a professional scout can do the same thing. If any of you know the typical charge for this service it would be helpful too. I just need a 'TRUE' evaluation.

I was wandering if the pitcher that started for Eagleville yesterday is the same one that beat Cascade in last years district tournament championship? He was a left hander.

ALSO

Summertown's team came in during the middle of our game and sat behind us. The whole time they were there, they we very quiet and very respectful for the game that was going on ahead of them. Many times kids want to goof off and cause a bunch of noise and distractions but not these young men. Kudos to the Summertown Eagles, your actions did not go unnoticed.

MTCS has a scrimmage with Ezell-Harding on Saturday. I know Ezell has their starting catcher still playing hoops but not sure about others.

 

Anyone else have scrimmages this week-end?

Cascade has Murfreesboro Central Magnet School at noon Saturday.