Showcase Expectations

About Us Feedback Form Contact Us

Showcase Directors

Interviews and articles from high school baseball talent showcase directors.

Showcase Table

The High School Baseball Web list of showcases.

Names, addresses, telephone numbers and web site links. Loads of contact information.

 

 

What To Expect from a Showcase

By Tom Rizzi
Director - College Select Showcases

What do you expect from a showcase?

I would hate to tell you how many times I have been asked " Can you guarantee me a scholarship?"

Briefly, let's take a look at what you should and should not expect from a showcase.

You Should Expect:

bullet To get an idea of where your talent stands in relation to others around you. Playing in your own "pond", big or small ,doesn't always give you a true picture regarding your own talent

 

bullet To be seen by people that would otherwise not see you, be it college coaches, pro scouts just somebody in the stands who knows somebody. Keep in mind that some dads in the stands are more than just dads and know coaches or scouts. Also keep in mind that not all coaches or scouts sign in. They prefer to remain anonymous.

 

bullet To get an honest evaluation of your talent by an unbiased and experienced individual. This will help you in determining what level of college ball you should direct your efforts to in terms of your college baseball future.

 

bullet To meet players from other regions and have the opportunity to compare thoughts as well as addresses and phone numbers. This is the social aspect of the entire event. You can make some friendships that you will keep perhaps for the rest of your life.

 

bullet To exposure that you would not get otherwise. You can never get enough exposure, no matter who you are. Remember that scouts and coaches talk to each and compare notes.

 

bullet To get enough time on the field to properly show your skills-if you play more than one position speak up and make it know so you have ample time to play all your positions.

 

bullet To have an enjoyable time while you are involved. Stay relaxed and play with ease.

You Should Not Expect:

bullet To walk away from the event with any sort scholarship in your pocket. Coaches will want to see more of you on the field and know more about you as a person before any of that talk begins

 

bullet To have coaches or scouts talk to you or your parents. If they do talk with either you or your parents consider yourself fortunate. This is a definite sign of interest on their part. If they do not talk with you it does not necessarily mean they have no interest in you either. Some coaches just don't talk to you while there. They will follow up with a call or personal letter.

 

bullet To be required to bat a 1.000 or strike out every batter you face as a pitcher to make an impression. Coaches look for "projectibility" not necessarily a stellar performance. A great performance won't hurt but it does not necessarily assure you of anything.

 

bullet To be given any guarantees regarding your college or pro baseball future just because you had a good showing.

 

bullet To be treated like a "star" because you come in with rave reviews and a load of press clippings. It only matters what you do on the field and in the dugout while you are in the showcase.

What you as a showcase participant want to do is present yourself in a good light. By this I mean "dress like a ballplayer, act like a ballplayer, feel like a ballplayer". Forget the jewelry and fancy strut !!! Don't wear your cap backwards even if Griffey Jr. does!

When a coach in the dugout suggests something listen to him, do not blow him off. Keep in mind that the showcase staff in the dugout reports to the evaluators as well.

While in the stands keep your remarks to yourself because you never know who is sitting around you. Be ready at all times and never fail to hustle on and off the field.

In a nutshell this should help you get a better idea as to what to expect from a showcase. Just be relaxed and play to the best of your ability---you cannot be asked to do any more than that.
GOOD LUCK !!!!

 

 

Home
Interviews
Photo Gallery
Recruiting Timeline
Advertise
Donate

Return to the main
portion of the site
"click" on the logo

Home Up

Copyright © 2001 High School Baseball Web
Revised February 09, 2003 .