Winter camps - what to expect

For those of us who have not yet signed a NLI one of the avenues we sought for additional exposure was winter camps. One camp we went to was encouraged by the HS coach, followed by an e-mail from the HS coach to the college, informing him reagarding sons participation, abilities and request to take a look. 2nd camp picked was based on other colleges in attendance that had communicated through written correspondence of their interest in son as well as other schools son was interested in. Son made effort at 1st camp to introduce himself to the coaches at the end of camp. On second camp tried to make contact at beginning of camp but was so cold all the coaches were inside right until camp started. At end of camp, coaches were busy talking to each other and son did not want to interrupt. Son is following up with e-mails and letters. Also attended impact unsigned senior showcase

One gentleman at the camp was talking to another gentleman at the camp emphatically stating that a player will get no notice out of any winter camps unless he can throw 90 mph. Not what my son or I wanted to hear and do not want to believe.

So I will pose the question to this knowledgable group. Can a player expect (i.e. communications, put on watch list by colleges but no correspondence, nothing, etc.) any kind of feedback from these camps even if personally asked to attend? We have one of those camps coming up too. I have to assume the other colleges in attendance are there for a reason but am not sure what they do with the information they gain, any insights?

 

The seniors that can throw 90 with control have, by this time of year, already committed. The average FB velocity in college is about 85, not 90.

Yes, the college coaches would love to find a fire-baller that has been over-looked, but it's not going to happen in winter-camps (usually). It's cold, it's hard to keep your arm in shape when you aren't playing regularly.

We are breaking new ground with the rapid rise of the "winter camp" due to the changes in the recruiting rules governing D1 schools. It will take a little time to see which colleges/universities are actively looking to cooperate and evaluate players and which ones are using this opportunity to provide a little additional income for their assistant coaches.

Word will get around over the next couple of years of where to go and, more importantly, where NOT to go. This year, it's just a matter of luck.

You can help yourself by looking at the rosters of the Colleges holding the events. See if they recruit in state or out of state. Ask which other Colleges/Universities will have coaches helping there. The coaches from the other colleges/universities CAN'T TALK TO YOU about their program, unless they are D2, D3 or JUCO. Look at the rosters of other programs attending the camp. Are they there to pad their income a little or do they actively recruit in state?

You need to be in top condition when you go to a showcase event. That goes without saying (but I will anyway).