Queen of Diamonds Feedback

[WWolff]

Just wondering everybody's opinion on what they saw, talent, exposure, format, cost, and just overall experience.

 

[bjbkar]

Overpriced, waste of a weekend. Would not recommend.

 

[crush191]

Well organized, reasonably priced, good competition.

 

[chixdad]

It was a good weekend, some really good talent. Not many at bats for the girls but I don't know how you change that. Wondering how they judge MVP's some games it's an easy choice. In others no standouts but two from the same team get one? I thought the Kent State camp on Saturday was very good.

 

[WWolff]

It was a good weekend, some really good talent. Not many at bats for the girls but I don't know how you change that. Wondering how they judge MVP's some games it's an easy choice. In others no standouts but two from the same team get one? I thought the Kent State camp on Saturday was very good.

Chixdad
Are you talking about QOD or Kent two totally different events not tied together at all.

 

[Mdfio]

I thought it was great exposure for the girls and networking, I do not know the number of coaches there but can tell you there were many more there than I thought would be! Great opportunity for the girls to take the initial next step! One thing that surprised me was the level of communication and advise the QoD gives the girls way before the actual showcase event to help them thru their own individual quest! I do not know of any other showcase event on the east coast that offers more opportunity and preparation!

 

[chixdad]

Warren, I am talking about the QOD, I thought it was good just wondering how they vote on MVP's. Some of the games the vote was easy, on some I just wonder what it's based on. And just wanted to throw a shout out to KSU, on the camp. I thought all the info Kirt gives out before is great. Saw lots of coaches on Saturday, not as many yesterday. Overall good experience.

 

[Mdfio]

Warren, I am talking about the QOD, I thought it was good just wondering how they vote on MVP's. Some of the games the vote was easy, on some I just wonder what it's based on. And just wanted to throw a shout out to KSU, on the camp. I thought all the info Kirt gives out before is great. Saw lots of coaches on Saturday, not as many yesterday. Overall good experience.

I believe they have a person at every field and cage watching the games who are not coaches of the teams deciding!

 

[mwaddell]

I believe they have a person at every field and cage watching the games who are not coaches of the teams deciding!

Correct. One person dedicated to each game evaluating. . . . with four cage games and two field games going on at all times, there are 6 total MVP selectors. Performance on the field is obviously highly regarded when making MVP selections, but also taken into consideration is attitude of the player, how they interact with teammates/coaches/umpires, and their "presence on the field," etc. . . .

Usually if there are two MVP's from one team, it is because those two players really stood out in the game. Although as mentioned previously, it is not always an easy decision, so glad I am not an MVP selector. LOL.

 

[sballdad]

This was my DD's second year at QDSn. The level of prep and information provided to start the girls and parents on a marketing plan is very good.

This was DD's first year doing the Kent camp this year. I like both for different reasons.

QDS - I like that the girls play in actual games, but hard to showcase position players and at bats are limited to about 2 per game. Best bang for your buck if DD is a pitcher, catcher or a big time hitter. No one else is going to help you build a better plan unless you pay a recruiter. Tougher to tell what coaches are there as they come and go between all the games, but I seen 4-5 different coaches at both of our field games and at least that many watching my DD's cage game. Many being ones that she has been reaching out to. As far as talent level I would say most are all above average players with maybe 15-20% being the exceptional/standout players and another 5-10% not sure how they got invited.

Kent State Camp - More player interaction with coaches as they are more involved and participate in the different sessions. If you are a position player this is the better of the 2 camps to show off your ability. Had 2 schools come up and talk to my DD during one of her sessions that we have not reached out to before along with many that she has been reaching out to over the last year. Overall it seemed like there were more college coaches at the Kent camp vs QDS, but not sure about overall colleges in attendance. There were multiple coaches (2-3) from each school during the Kent camp and it appeared to drop down to 1 coach from each school at QDS.

Doing both is expensive and time consuming, but if I added up all the lessons, travel, team fees etc...this is a small price to actually market my daughter to a large number of colleges at one time.

 

[jjenk3436]

My DD's first year at the QOD. I thought it was a good experience and we were given an enormous amount of information from Mr. Whiteside, some of which is paying off for my daughter right now. My only negative comment would be the 50 minute game times, I think the game times should be longer. Other than that, it was a good experience.

 

[ssandy]

this was my DD's 2nd QOD she played in QDSS in Aug also. Kirt's info is well worth the cost and the exposure is great. DD is in 8th grade and has had e mails from 3 diff colleges because she followed Kirt's advice in the info he gives out. She was also name MVP for her 3rd game at QDSN she is the only MVP ever in their history that was not in high school really caught the attention of a few coaches.

 

[sballdad]

ssandy...congats on the MVP. You are correct MVP's in 8th grade get a lot of attention because the coaches can communicate with them since they aren't in HS yet. Happened last year with my DD and really jump started her recruiting process. Kirt mentioned to us it doesn't happen often, but we weren't the first.

 

[Irish196]

So it looks like the consensus was that it was generally worth the high price tag? With no pre-advertised list of schools, was everyone happy with the collection of coaches there? You can basically pay for two or three school camps for this price. If you already have your schools narrowed down to a small list (all having similar qualities that are absolutes that many schools don't have) and the amount of scholarship money is not your primary factor, does this make sense to do? Would just going to camps for the schools on your list be better or enough (i.e. do coaches need to see you doing these types of things if they already see you at their camps?) Does going in and of itself mean anything to anyone if they didn't see you play there? Thanks for any additional insight.

 

[pitchhit]

Go to the Kent State camp, especially if your a pitcher. Don't waste your $$ on the other.

 

[Stretch]

Go to the Kent State camp, especially if your a pitcher. Don't waste your $$ on the other.

Agree.

Some college coaches will stay after the Kent State Camp and watch a few games. Coach attendance will drop on Saturday and even lower on Sunday. Save your money and invest it in specific college camps your DD is interested in. The MVP winners will be approached later to join one of the "Cup" team and travel to the Netherlands (even more money in the organizer's pocket).

 

[21 Rocks]

The camp is well worth the money and time. QOD's is highly overrated. You learn how to market your daughter to the college coaches but you really get very little playing time. Plus there are very few college coaches attending the games.

 

[bucketime]

as some are saying Kirt gives the players all kind of recruiting information...my daughter followed instruction and had a verbal the summer going into 9th grade. If you had the time to go to the one in South Carolina it is really nice too

 

[lewam3]

People have hinted to skip QOD and do the Kent State camp on Saturday. That's up to you. Some observations that I made when DD attended a few years ago (KSU)
The pitching session was an hour of nonstop throwing, so better be in great shape.
There are a LOT of pitchers there. Picture two lines of pitchers, facing opposite directions right down the middle of the field, throwing to their catchers who are sitting on the sideline, every 5 yards. There are plenty of coaches walking up and down seeing who will draw their attention, so DD needs to figure out how to do that. (hint: the coaches usually watch the flamethrowers)
It was a good "starter" camp, so when she does focus on individual college camps, she will know what to expect and have less nerves performing at her target schools.

 

[flygirlsdad]

Queen of Diamonds South was a almost complete waste of time and money. 50 minute games. Start with a 1-1 count. DD walked like 6 of 7 in her first plate appearances. Lots of lower level travel players didn't help. Really no coaches to speak of except those helping although there are many schools close. All my daughter got from it was to push her to start emailing coaches more. That is it. DD is going to the Kent State camp but would never do a Queen of Diamonds again.