16u or 18u

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Just a general question to all you OFC rs. Is the age difference a concern and where can players get the most exposure??? Just looking for feedback!!!

 

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16u is prime college exposure in Ohio and surrounding states. If you team is heading out to the "big time" on the west coast, I believe 16u and 18u are both heavily recruited. But it is a different animal in this section of the country.

Kids in Ohio almost always earn DI athletic scholarships at 16u, especially pitchers. Stock drops significantly after the 2nd year 16u season, so it's VERY important to prepare WELL BEFORE that season comes. Her team MUST attend heavily recruited competitive tournaments, and she MUST have contacted college coaches by her 16u season to let them know of her summer schedule - and STAY in contact with them.

At Stingrays this past summer, most of the kids on the top 18u teams were already "spoken for". The 16u teams were drawing the vast majority of attention.

NCAA DII, DIII and NAIA may be weighted differently in terms of what age group they recruit, I am not too familiar with how they operate.

 

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Thanks Sammy, curious as to what if the expectations aren't d1 by some players and parents.

 

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16u is where the college coaches are looking. 18u is watched by some of the smaller schools but like Sammy said...most 18u players are already 'spoken for'. All my friends who are college coaches watch the 16u.

 

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I think it depends on where you are in the recruiting process. If coaches already have you on the radar, then 18U or Gold may be better to show what you can do against the higher level competition. If not on the radar much then I would suggest 16U. In the end you better be sending e mails and attending camps or it does not matter. I think too many girls still think that just showing up and playing at a showcase is enough.

 

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From my experience, and we have 5 girls on our team going DI, and 5 going DI, its a no brainer, all the coaches I've talked to tell me 18's. Now that is at Gold tournaments etc.. look at your top teams from the East like your New Jersey Intensity, Inferno, etc... these players on these teams are younger but playing in the 18's. Your top showcases for the most part are 18U, look at Pennsbury for example. Here i a link to check out.

: Jersey Intensity : 18U Gold Team

How this organization works, is their best players are on the gold team, after they make their commitment they move their players to the premier team. But the coaches are watching their 18U teams the most. Yes they might have some 16's getting looks.