College camp invites are they for real?

[Mr. Monday!]

DD got invited to a couple of camps over winter break. My question is are these merely fundraisers for the softball program or are they looking at her as a player. She was invited to one in Arizona this weekend but tough to make it happen....hope we don't regret not going...we are new at the recruitment thing and looking for direction in the future....our coach says to go to all of them.....any input would be great... thanks

[triplecrown]

For a TB coach to say go to all is nuts, unless you have deep pockets and a lot of spare time.

Do your HOMEWORK, set up a matrix, if its in your top 5 then go, but make sure they know your coming, via email, phone call, TB coach tells them, and even try and find out their level of interest through the TB coach. But to just show up cold turkey and with no dialog, is cheating your kid..

[artomatic]

Agree with all that triplecrown says.
Remember a coach loves for you to come to their camps because it doesn't cost them anything.
If you have the money and want to see the school, go with advance notice.

Just know that when a school is really interested in your kid and wants her, you will know.
They will make sure you know.
It will be more than "She is our #1 recruit" and "We want to get her on campus".
From what I've seen, although those two statements are a nice ego boost, they are thrown around pretty freely, and part of the sales pitch.

[Iluvblue]

viewtopic.php?f=616&t=33768

[Old Darter]

Totally agree with TC.

If the school is interested, and you have done you're homework and contacted the coach beforehand, it is probably the best recruiting opportunity a player can have.

If the coach has not expressed a specific interest but your DD really wants to go to that school, it is a great opportunity to get noticed. She may be one of 50 kids at the camp, but it is one of the few times she can walk right up to the coach and introduce herself and talk about what it takes to play at that school. After that, the coach will at the very least remember her the next time.

Otherwise, it is a waste of time and money.

[bring'nheat]

I've been at coaches conventions and various camps speaking with coaches & staff about techniques and therapies, one common conversation is recruiting and camps. 90% of camps are money makers / fundraisers. Several colleges use mass mailings / emailings to send out camp information. The best advice given was to only attend if you could afford it and it was on DD's short list of schools, especially if she was a sophomore or younger. Yes....colleges are looking younger and younger, but they truly do not like the current trend. TB coaches are also pushing players to attend these camps in an effort to get "in" with a particular coach or school. College coaches aren't stupid, they know the game.
Basically, if your DD has placed that school on short list and has had contact with school, go. Only way DD will know if she's likes the school is to visit. Just remind her that college softball is a business and every other player at the camp was "invited" too.

[watchtonsofsoftball]

Go to specific college camps, not the mass ones. IMO go to all the camps that your DD is interested in. Skills camps are money makers, stay away. Look for camps with scrimmages among players. This was the first thing I learned. It seemed to me the ones with the scrimmages among players were truely interested in finding recruits for their schools. What better way than to see the kids in action right? I've heard the dont spend over 40 bucks or whatever, and you shouldnt use that as a gauge IMO. For instance, we attended one for 40 bucks , it was a total waste of time . Took us 3 hours to get there, 4 hour camp (supposed prospect camp) and all it entailed was some basic hitting off a machine and some grounders for the infielders. VERY basic. We were less than impressed. Coaches didnt seem interested in actually recruiting players. Then we went to a camp that was 3 days (friday night, all day saturday, a few hours on sunday) for 200 bucks that was probably the best camp she ever went to . She learned a lot and got to get the full dose of the college life. By camps end the coach knew if he wanted to keep tabs on her or not. My dd knew by camps end if she would like to attend the school. It was a total win win and the best 200 I ever spent in softball. So thats my advice for the newbies. Read all the camp info and see what the camp includes!! These other camps that swear 20 coaches will be there is generally not true. I see coaches on that list that I know for a fact do not attend camps such as these. Its a stressful time for parents and everyone feels like the clock is ticking, and these camps make a lot of money from the paranoia. Good luck!

[Iluvblue]

The following was sent to one of my 2012 grads. Sure, you have never been in contact with this player, she is a Sr., and now you have this great interest in her?? Schools that are serious actually call the travel coach, or get in touch witht the player somehow and go from there. What a load of crap. Ch ching, ch ching, ch ching all the way to the bank. This is EXACTLY what I was speaking of. A school tells a kid they have been identified as a future prospect and now the parents are excited, and of course they want to go to the camp. BS, BS, BS. And travel teams are accused of doing things only for the money. Lol.

What is really funny is if I spoke to this coach, I promise you I would hear that they have no money for 2012 grads.

I have removed certain things from this email as to not identify those involved.



You are receiving this email because you have been identified as a potential prospective student athlete with the XXXXX Softball program. If you have interest in pursuing your opportunities there will be a College ID/ Advanced Clinic on XXXXXX, 2012 from Xam-Xpm (Lunch included) at XXXXXXX field on campus.
This camp will be run by the XXXXXXX Coaching staff and current players and have limited space of XXXX players. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call Coach XXXX at XXX-XXX-XXXX.
Registration can be completed at this website: https://XXXXXXXXXXXX/softball/
Happy Holidays!
XXXXXXXXX Softball

[Cen Cal]

At least lunch is included.