Kent Showcase Questions

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unfortunately dd missed the camp last year due to injury

can someone just give me a heads up on what to expect...

do's and don't's athlete and parent

 

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Don't carry the bags. If your daughter is old enough to be at the Camp she is old enough to carry her own equipment.
Expect a tremendous number of talented athletes to be showing their skills with lots of college coaches watching.
Expect a well organized activity with lots of opportunities for your daughter to show what she can (or cannot) do.
Expect lots of parents to die a thousand deaths when their daughter does not perform as well as they think she should.
Expect several players to be embarrassed by the way their parents act.
Expect the time to fly by during the Camp.
Expect a mob of people.

 

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Look for me to be watching the football games on my laptop or IPad. We need a law against anything softball being done while football is on. :-(

 

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Don't carry the bags. If your daughter is old enough to be at the Camp she is old enough to carry her own equipment.
Expect a tremendous number of talented athletes to be showing their skills with lots of college coaches watching.
Expect a well organized activity with lots of opportunities for your daughter to show what she can (or cannot) do.
Expect lots of parents to die a thousand deaths when their daughter does not perform as well as they think she should.
Expect several players to be embarrassed by the way their parents act.
Expect the time to fly by during the Camp.
Expect a mob of people.

LOL!!!! I never carry the bags at least anymore....she has a wheeled bag and refuses to use the wheels carries it herself.

knew there would be great athletes, kents camps are always organized, hoping dd has put in the needed work to perform well (living in ohio doesn't help, mistakes are part of the game, hoping my standing in the corner by myself as usual keeps her embarrassment to a minimum!

was wondering more like should dd have a profile page with her? is it ok to speak to a coach IF I as a parent sees him or her close enough to say hello...believe me I won't be chasing anyone down.

 

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That's a tricky question to answer, as every parent thinks that they're not butting in...

I think that the best solution is to have the daughter approach any coach. "Hi coach, I'm Judy Blue-eyes. Are you looking for an outfielder in 2014? Here's my profile page." No college coach is going to get annoyed by players wanting to talk to them. It's the parents. (As usual.)

 

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That's a tricky question to answer, as every parent thinks that they're not butting in...

I think that the best solution is to have the daughter approach any coach. "Hi coach, I'm Judy Blue-eyes. Are you looking for an outfielder in 2014? Here's my profile page." No college coach is going to get annoyed by players wanting to talk to them. It's the parents. (As usual.)

thanks Louuu, appreciate the input.....and I will be wearing white trying to blend into the walls!!!

 

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Expect a TON of people to be there: athletes, parents, travel ball coaches and college coaches.

Some colleges walk around "incognito" so to speak so remind your daughter that eyes could be on her at any time. There are areas that are "off limits" for the parents- coaches only areas...you will not be able to watch her all of the time. Also, realize that the coaches that are not affiliated with Kent cannot have alot of contact with you or your daughter (due to the NCAA recruiting rules) so don't be put-off if their conversations seem short.

If your daughter is a pitcher, you will notice that very very few pitchers touch the 60+ mark. They have radar set up with an electronic readout so you can see who is throwing what (at least during the QDN games).

Kent State's concession was $$$ Pack your own

Have her bring an extra pair of socks....most kids change their shoes once they get inside and if your daughter is like mine, she will inevitably manage to step in a puddle indoors (melted snow).

 

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Best advice is to not approach the coaches unless your day is done for the camp, I know coaches can talk to you if your a senior, other class not quite sure. Also, when games are going on college coaches are not allowed to speak to anyone until the QDSN participants event participation is over.

Also for the QDSN, its my opinion but the first two appearances games/cage whatever your in are likely most important, as day goes on Sunday coaches tend to start heading home just like any tournament/showcase.

You won't see as many 60MPH pitchers as so many proclaim they throw the entire weekend. You'll see a few though, and coaches love the pitchers!

Don't argue with parents, and be on best behavior during camps/games/in parking lots, at local restaurants, etc.....

Just a thought for pitchers in the queen of diamonds try your best to warm up so the coaches can see you, preferably with your catchers close to the net, pitching so the coaches can see velocity and movements while warming up.

Don't underestimate the warm ups, they are very important coaches may watch these before the game even starts to see what kind of arm, footwork, etc.. you have.

 

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Pitchers, make sure you bring catchers that are not mommy or daddy.
Don't forget to smile and have fun.

 

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This is a no contact period for college coaches so you won't be able to talk to them. If you do approach them they will likely turn and walk away or let you know they can't talk with you.

1. (Parents) Take a chair or something comfortable to sit on!!
2. (DD) Have a good pair of tennis shoes or wear turf shoes (DD had interchangeable spikes and put turf spikes in)
3. You should already have a profile done which will be in the "Coaches Only" area.
4. (DD) Not much if any coaching done by the team coach, so be aggressive and hustle (steal on your own if you have speed, show off your skills)
5. (DD) Talk when your on the field, communication skills are a must.
6. (DD) Dress to impress, don't come in a pair of shorts and your favorite sleeveless shirt. (Lots of great players so you will want to stand out)
7. If you are playing on the fields and not in the cages you will be lucky to get 5-7 at bats in, so make them count. (If you are a good bunter then bunt if given the opportunity)

 

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I believe its actually a contact period beginning Jan 2nd, so feel free to have your DD talk to them. If they want to talk to you, they will.

 

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the kent state camp is seperate from the queen of diamonds. the kent camp is run more like a practice or fundamental drills.

 

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Pitchers, make sure you bring catchers that are not mommy or daddy.
Don't forget to smile and have fun.

My son is coming to catch her. Is that bad?

 

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Our friend is a pitcher who was there last year, camp and showcase and dad is catching her. He already got one DD, a pitcher, into a college scholarship. Can't see a college coach taking points off a pitcher because of who is catching her. Can you?

 

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I would say dad catching is fine but make sure you just let her pitch. Do not coach her during that time.

 

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I agree. My husband catches for my daughter. He just catches the ball and throws it back while saying nothing, there has never been a problem.

Our first showcase, we asked a local girl to catch because we thought it would look bad if hubby caught. The girl truly coulnd't catch any of the inside/outside breaking pitches! Since dd still got looks, I assume the coaches weren't holding the catcher's performance against dd.

The second one, we asked our travel catcher (who was used to catching dd) to come with us. She backed out the day before!

All said, it's easier for us to just have her dad catch.

 

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It really is hard to find someone to catch that is dependable!! It's just easier for me to tell my son he has to do it!! LOL

 

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I'm not sure the original poster even has a pitcher, but last year the coaches could not talk to the juniors and younger players. They certainly can talk to her travel coach, though.

 

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I'm not sure the original poster even has a pitcher, but last year the coaches could not talk to the juniors and younger players. They certainly can talk to her travel coach, though.

This bring up another question.

How many travel coaches (without their own DD participating) are willing to go just so they can have these talks to promote their younger players? Just curious.

 

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I would expect coaches who live within a reasonable drive to be there for their players if it's truly a 16U/18U "showcase" team.