What are your thoughts?

What are your thoughts?

 

Why not?? If there are enough players to field teams, why not have an 18U league.

With the change of the recruiting landscape 16u and 17u tournaments are much more attended by scouts. Players with advanced abilities who move up a year or 2 are skipped over currently. I would think a player playing on one of these teams who is expecting to get notice and a scholarship offer in July after there senior year is very much miss guided. He may have a remote chance if he is a pitcher.

With the change of the recruiting landscape 16u and 17u tournaments are much more attended by scouts. Players with advanced abilities who move up a year or 2 are skipped over currently. I would think a player playing on one of these teams who is expecting to get notice and a scholarship offer in July after there senior year is very much miss guided. He may have a remote chance if he is a pitcher.

 

Not real sure what your intended statement was here. To answer your question: Not all 18U players are seniors. And I saw several college scouts at 18U fall showcase weekends.

Not real sure what your intended statement was here. To answer your question: Not all 18U players are seniors. And I saw several college scouts at 18U fall showcase weekends.

 

I think there is still a need for 18U teams. Players love to play the game regardless of the circumstances. Whether they are going to college to play or if its their last year. Personally, I don't think it's a good idea for younger kids to primarily play on an 18U team. If they are wanting to gain exposure to receive a baseball scholarship. It's a known fact most scouts attend 16U 17U tourneys...Not saying that scouts do not attend 18U tournaments. Most of the time, if you see a scouts at an 18U tournament they are there to watch a individual player.

I know as a Dad of someone who played on a 17U team last summer who played in showcases against 18U teams and won, it was fun beating them.....just sayin

I know as a Dad of someone who played on a 17U team last summer who played in showcases against 18U teams and won, it was fun beating them.....just sayin

 

Absolutely there is still a need for 18U summer teams. When I go out to take a look at an older team the first thing I ask when I see a player that looks really good is how old he is. There are alot of younger players (16/17) that play up on a 18U team simply because they are just that good. Alot of times after doing some digging you find out that the player is also playing up because they understand that these coaches also have really good relationships with college coaches because they've been doing this for a pretty long time. The good ones can really help the player with the recruiting process and help them get a foot in the door with a college coach.

Absolutely there is still a need for 18U summer teams. When I go out to take a look at an older team the first thing I ask when I see a player that looks really good is how old he is. There are alot of younger players (16/17) that play up on a 18U team simply because they are just that good. Alot of times after doing some digging you find out that the player is also playing up because they understand that these coaches also have really good relationships with college coaches because they've been doing this for a pretty long time. The good ones can really help the player with the recruiting process and help them get a foot in the door with a college coach.

 

This is the trap that most kids and parents fall into. 9 out of 10 times kids are already signed before the summer of an 18U summer. Why play up because you can? You will get more looks if you are playing at your 16U or 17U excelling there. A Lot of college recruiters do not waste their time attending 18U summer games simply because there's a thought that most of the really good 18 years old are already signed or the the average ones will probably not play college baseball.

This is the trap that most kids and parents fall into. 9 out of 10 times kids are already signed before the summer of an 18U summer. Why play up because you can? You will get more looks if you are playing at your 16U or 17U excelling there. A Lot of college recruiters do not waste their time attending 18U summer games simply because there's a thought that most of the really good 18 years old are already signed or the the average ones will probably not play college baseball.

 

I think you missed my over all point. I don't and most scouts and/or college coaches don't attend an 18U game looking for an 18U player in the summer. I/They are looking for the stud that's playing up. I have no doubt that a really good 16/17U player can play for a 16/17U team. I/They are looking for the 16/17U player that can hit a two run double off a D1 18U pitcher who's throwing 90 plus. That's where you can separate the really good players from the average one's.

I think you missed my over all point. I don't and most scouts and/or college coaches don't attend an 18U game looking for an 18U player in the summer. I/They are looking for the stud that's playing up. I have no doubt that a really good 16/17U player can play for a 16/17U team. I/They are looking for the 16/17U player that can hit a two run double off a D1 18U pitcher who's throwing 90 plus. That's where you can separate the really good players from the average one's.

 

College coaches are at 16U 17U showcases and tournament looking for a stud to sign early..

The point being made I think is that most players if they are good are already signed with colleges so why play 18U if you are going to play in college and risk injury?

The main reason to playing summer ball in the first place is usually to get noticed by scouts and recruiters etc.

The point being made I think is that most players if they are good are already signed with colleges so why play 18U if you are going to play in college and risk injury?

The main reason to playing summer ball in the first place is usually to get noticed by scouts and recruiters etc.

 

Why play 18U if you are going to college? Playing 18U keeps you playing and get ready for college. As soon as a baseball player steps on campus they start fall practices. That's where a freshman will impress the coaches and be considered for possible playing time during the spring.

Why play 18U if you are going to college? Playing 18U keeps you playing and get ready for college. As soon as a baseball player steps on campus they start fall practices. That's where a freshman will impress the coaches and be considered for possible playing time during the spring.

I guess it's each individuals preference.

 

For me, it's too expensive in the first place and baseball season is long as it is with high school and then summer ball. If a kid already signed with a college to play I think he'd much rather get to the school and start working out with the team etc. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

I know my son already has signed with his college to play Football and they also asked him to play baseball with them also but he will stick to just football for the first year and will not be playing 18U summer ball this year. That's a few thousand dollars I will use on something else, as well as having weekends free for the first time in about 8 years which is nice

 

Now if your boy has garneered interest but has yet to sign with a college yet then there is no reason not to play if you still want to get some other looks etc. But for one that is already commited to a college to play then to me personally I don't see the pruprose of playing unless you just want to stay in game shape until you start working out with your college in the fall.

Bottom line is this, if you are a high school senior and plan on playing college baseball at any level, contact the schools you would like to attend NOW! Do some research find out how much your parents are willing to spend a year, how much debt you are willing to absorb a year and how much academic money and if any athletic cash a school is willing to offer. If the school has your major of interest? Talk with admissions, that have charts for your GPA and ACT to find out how much money you can recieve. FASFA should have already been sent. If you wait until your summer coach bumps into a scout in July.... it could limit your options. your summer coach wants you to go to college and get a degree, throw him a bone and be prepared. Send your videos, stats and community service info. Phone call works best at this late date after they have had watch your stuff. Search NCSA recruiting on YouTube. get the CURRENT info, best of luck fellas.