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I am often asked about whether college baseball showcases are worth attending. In general, I answer, “Yes, if affordable and if the showcase is not an apparent money grab. Attending one or two is a good experience for kids for a few reasons. One, it gives player (& parent) an idea of how they compare to other college interested players. Two, baseball showcases place pressure on players to perform while being watched, which is a valuable experience for players. Three, it may lead to a college opportunity, which was the goal of attending, of course. The best-case scenario is when a player’s skills standout compared to others, but even when they do not, player motivation may be the result from the gained confidence or knowledge of what needs to be improved.

As mentioned, attending should be done with caution because many showcases advertise things that they do not deliver on. People should do a little research to make sure what is advertised is done by checking with players, who have attended in the past, and with high school coaches. Additionally, reading the wording of the showcase very carefully may give a clue as to its authenticity. Invitations are often worded in ways that mask the reality. Words like, “Past colleges who have attended are such and such” or “Coaches from these schools have been invited,” etc. often suggest that those schools were there in the past or were simply invited to come, with no guarantees they will attend. Once again, a little research is recommended before sending your money off.

As implied, the best part of showcases is that they often give players a better idea of where they stand compared to other players. Therefore, players should be sure before attending that they receive honest evaluations at the completion of the showcase. Additionally, when players receive any interest from prospective colleges after showcases they should not be afraid to ask questions as to what the coaches liked and did not like about their play. This feedback is important to know what to continue to work on and what level of college they may be best suited.

Showcases are just one of the avenues that can help kids find a suitable college to play. Finding a college to play college baseball is a process involving letter writing, showcases and “networking.” Parents and coaches should let others – friends, coaches, friends of friends, colleagues – know that the player wants to play college ball. This type networking often leads to college playing opportunities, as much as showcases do.

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