On Line Recruiting sites -worth it?

[ECSB]

I am looking for folks with opinions on and experience with on-line recruiting sites. My DD is a 2011 grad and we are starting to go to showcases, etc. this year. I just would like to know if these type of exposure sites are worth it. I found two that seem to have the type of listings that seem worthwhile:

On Deck softball
http://www.ondecksoftball.net/index.php

and
Softball showcase
http://www.softballshowcase.com/info/co ... ll_players

Here are some questions - I know these are not a substitute for contacting colleges and going to showcases but do they have any value? Has anyone received contacts? Are there other sites that are better? Is it worth the money?

Also, my kid is only interested in going close to home, so that restricts us to schools within the Boston/New York corridor - so we are not looking to be recruited by schools that would be unlikely to see her at more local showcases. I just don't know if it is worth posting to make sure you keep her name out there where coaches are looking.

Opinion/comments/experiences?

[PLCSara]

Honestly, I think it depends on what exactly you are looking for. There are some sites that provide excellent presentations - profiles, stats, resumes, pictures, and video. There are some companies that provide excellent showcases and evaluation opportunities. There are some companies who provide personalize service, one on one, walking you through the entire recruiting process.

Some of the services have better experience or connections than others. It is a challenging time as there are thousands of student-athletes competing for roster spots. I recommend that the service you choose helps you jump to the top of the pile of letters, resumes, and videos.

Good luck! If you have specific questions for me, please do not hesitate to email me at sara@powerlineconsulting.net.

[jmo]

Here is another site at half the cost of the others AND we shoot your video too - all for $60.00.

http://usatravelball.com/index.htm

USA Sports Pro/USA Travelball is now offering to shoot your skills video as well as offering you an online sports profile/resume. The total cost for both is only $60.00 per player. Please call or email your information (name and phone number and email address) to reserve a spot. We will be shooting your skills videos on Wednesdays and Fridays in the afternoon in Mission Viejo.

USA Travelball is dedicated to promoting the student athlete to colleges throughout the US at an affordable cost. Your online sports profile/resume will include all your contact information, hitting/pitching/fielding coach’s information, high school/travel ball history, skills videos, photos and more. No need to send attachments or DVD’s when contacting the college of your choice. Just send your personal link and the coach can see all they need to with the click of the mouse. Your profile and video will also be included in our database for coaches from across the country to view.

Please call or email with any questions about our services. Current coaches connected with USA Travelball are Marty Tyson (Corona Angels), Frank Rizzo (OC Elite) and Bret Denio (So Cal Explosion). We are all dedicated to promoting the student athlete to colleges at all levels.

Bret Denio
http://www.usatravelball.com
bret@usatravelball.com
714-785-2120

[CityLawyer]

Try http://www.eteamz.com/recruitingtips. It is free.

[Hawk17]

An athlete gets recruited based on what a coach sees. Some of the recruiting sites are reasonable and may get an athlete exposure,but they cannot "get an athlete recruited." That really takes the hard work of a parent and an athlete. Nothing can replace personal e-mails/letters from your daughter and exposure at good tournaments and good camps.

I guess my thought is "be careful."

[ECSB]

Thanks Hawk17 - I am aware of that, and we plan to really start on that route. I was really looking for opinions from parents or coaches that may have had positive experiences with these recruiting sites, especially with a specific service. In the scheme of things, they don't cost much, but I would like to use my money on the most effective site, if I bother at all. There are a lot of sites right now, it just depends on which one ends up shaking out onto the top of the heap.

[CityLawyer]

In November or December, http://www.eteamz.com/recruitingtips will move to its new home at http://www.recruitmentguy.com . In addition to everything that now appears on the site, there will be many upgraded features, including a central location for teams to register for and pay for showcases that fall within our sponsorship program, a central repository for team and player profiles as well as players' skills videos. I would also like to take your suggestions on how to make this site better and to promote a better and more efficient way of communicating betweens college coaches and prospective players. So if you have any suggestions, please email me your thoughts. The site is and will remain free.

[Hawk17]

Make it EASY to post profiles. Some of the sites make it so difficult.

[CityLawyer]

chances are that at least initially, the profiles will be emailed to me and I will upload them to the site until I can figure out an easy way for the people to do it themselves.

[watcher]

Both my DD's have used (2-minute recruit) for on-line videos, 1 is the showcase player on that site, The other has had quite a few interested coach's looking. I can't tell you it is because of 2-minute recruit, But I can say it hasn't hurt. After today @ HBSC I might be able to shed a bit more light on this subject.

Edit to add, You & your kid still need to do alot of work to get to that pot of gold, "None" of theese sites can get your DD recruited, Although some just may help a bit.