The Stanford All Star Camp is next week starting on Wednesday and running through the end of the day on Saturday. This is the second time - he attended the Stanford All Star camp last summer. Many schools, including East Coast schools send representatives to attend this camp. Over 50 schools are there.

There is very little down time once the camp begins. The players are kept moving all of the time as the day starts early and goes late. Those who are staying on campus walk from the dorm to the Sunken Diamond so they get to see some of the campus on the walk.

This camp is regarded as one of the best. Any other players from Illinois attending?

Why is the kid you always talk about going to a showcase like this?

He was invited to attend.

I know so few people who get excited to be on a mailing list. You must be very proud Mark.

You guys crack me up.

Dolphin Mom has a right to be proud. Leave her alone. I've never seen her son play but anyone that gets invited to so many things must be grrrrrreat. All my son ever gets in the mail is coupons to Brunswick Zone. I've got your flipper Dolphin Mom. Go get them at Stanford. I hope it is a $1,000 well spent.

IMO, players should be spending their summer weekends playing actual games with their teams ..not doing so many camps/showcases . Colleges/scouts are plentiful at many of the better tournaments . Summer should be more about playing rather than showcasing. The only showcase my son is doing was the Stevenson this past weekend. More important to use the summer weekends to play against the competition and get plenty of at bats .

quote:

Originally posted by sulltiger24:
IMO, players should be spending their summer weekends playing actual games with their teams ..not doing so many camps/showcases . Colleges/scouts are plentiful at many of the better tournaments . Summer should be more about playing rather than showcasing. The only showcase my son is doing was the Stevenson this past weekend. More important to use the summer weekends to play against the competition and get plenty of at bats .

Now, this is just my opinion, and it is coming from across the pond.I will also add the Headfirst Honor Roll camp to this discussion. The Stanford Camp is just a very unique and special opportunity for a player to showcase his skills in front of dozens and dozens of coaches from schools on the East Coast, West Coast and in between. We know our son was not a Pac 10 player but we also knewthat he wanted to spread his wings when it came to a college choice. This camp caters to that kind of player, unless you are from California and can be seen by every California school at this one event

This simply is not the case by traveling the midwest circuit during the summer and even in Marietta you wont find this type of school representation. Great experience for our son.

At the end of the 15-U travel season we decidely took a different approach. Instead of staying local and playing here, he has made numerous trips out of state. There is a lot of value in NOT remaining exclusively in the Midwest. In many situations he travels alone. Both last year (10 days) and this year (5 days) he has been at Stanford on his own. He will also travel to Italy alone, but with an international phone, so that he will hopefully stay in touch!

Following that approach leads to greater exposure and invitations to do more and more. There is no right or wrong way to gain playing experience. The more coaches and learning opportunities the better.

Parents need to figure out what is best for their player.

Rosy did a nice job of explaining that the Stanford camp is a "different" type of opportunity that all of the boys that attend enjoy. On tbhis site,under "Golden Threads" there is a long thread related to this camp that is worth a read.

I was just speaking in general terms . I know the Stanford camp is a good one . Once again in my opinion , i just feel that the player who is between junior and senior seasons still needs lots of game action to determine where he is going to be slotted in terms of the level of college or possibly pro come next spring . Dont forget that the colleges/scouts want to see the player on the field and at the plate during summer game action whether it be somewhere here in midwest or in georgia . They cant really judge bat speed off of bp at a camp or showcase . I will chose a perfect game tournament in marietta ga any day over any camp or showcase . JMO

Sull, why can't you judge bat speed at a camp or showcase. batspeed can be measured last time I checked. I also have enjoyed the east cobb tournament that you are making reference to but really don't remember that many scouts there. They also didn't do extended infield or outfield so as a position player the scouts might never see you make a play. I watched a "showcase" tournament here in Il last year that also did no infield or outfield and I even watched intentional walks being issued. I don't know much but I am pretty sure that didn't inpress the scouts that much.

They can judge bat speed off of live game pitching off of someone throwing 85-90 better than some batting practice pitcher. I would think that would be a more reliable measuring stick. Im not saying BP doesnt hold any value ..off course it does.

Showcases can be many things...

Money maker for the host school program is one of them.

There is however at least one very good reason to attend such camps/showcases. If your son is interested in a particular school, attending a camp where the coach is involved and letting him know that your son will be there could be a tremendous thing. Communicate wioth the coach, let him know the kid will be there, make sure he talks to the coach and introduces himself.

If a coach had the kid on his radar, a good performance at a camp can make the difference.

I don't think these camps usually make much difference in terms of learning...maybe a little here or there but don't exect a lot.

Sull so are you measuring the speed of the bat or the hitters timing off a 85-90mph fastball?

Normally just an observer here but at the Stanford Camp you are broken down into teams and each team plays in 3 games over the 4 day period as well as working on skills.

I don't know where someone got the idea that the Standford Camp is merely a showcase. Besides the outstanding teaching/coaching this event is about games, games, and more games. There is ample opportunity for a scout/coach to judge bat speed, arm strength, etc, in actual games.

Two comments on this one. First of all, I have heard that the Stanford event is one of the best. Without limits on time and money, I would probably send my oldest. That being said, We all have to prioritize, and our efforts will have to be focused on the colleges that he is interested in attending, or that are interested in him. Secondly, Dolphin Mom, that "Invitation" you received is called a BROCHURE. Anyone with the funds can attend. The same for the trip to Italy. Neither one are exclusive. Your insinuation that they are just reinforces the negativity that people tend to display towards you on this board. Peter Caliendo, an old grade-school buddy of mine, is heavily involved in these european trips and has been for years. I am unsure of the value of playing baseball overseas, I doubt that any of the college coaches or pro scouts whose attention we all crave will be there.. JMO

No insinuation, Mr. K.

He had an outstanding experience last year and is going back to Stanford again this year.

The European experience is just what it is with exposure to another culture combined with baseball. Julian Kenner, Class of 2008 from Whitney Young and Mike Van Pelt, Class of 2009 from Francis Parker both went to Italy last year with Pete's team and I understand they had a great experience. Caliendo is taking many of the same players to Japan this year.

Best regards.

Jason Ormond pitched 5 complete innings at the Stanford All Star Camp allowing 2 Runs.

A good showing.