Ball State "camp" and "showcase"

[Stratos]

So, how great was the instruction at the "camp" and how was the college coach attendance for the "showcase."

Here were the coaches they said were coming.

Ball State University University of Indianapolis Anderson University
Purdue University Trinity Christian College
Indiana University Heidelberg University
Saint Francis University Youngstown State University Wright State University
Aquinas College (MI) Central Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University
Indiana State University
University of Evansville
Eastern Kentucky University
Morehead State University
Valparaiso University
Indiana Wesleyan University
Aurora University
Heartland College
Lakeland College
Taylor University
Ohio Wesleyan University
University of Saint Francis
Northwood University
Transylvania University
Ohio Northern University
Butler University
IPFW
Goshen College
Grand Valley State University
Ashland University
Bradley University
John Carroll University
Huntington University
Denison University
Adrian University
Depauw University
Thomas Moore College
Saint Mary of the Woods College
Marion College
Marian University
Trine College
Muskegon Community College
University of Saint Francis
Indiana University Southeast
Cornerstone University

[ntheknow2]

What teams looked strong?

[looking in]

None, The better teams stopped going to this event because it's to early to play!

[gunshy]

Most college coaches are occupied with their own teams right now, getting in their allowed fall games and workouts. Way too early for this event to have a chance to draw all the coaches on the list. More is rarely better in terms of fall tournaments.....lots of good money and time can be poorly spent this time of year.

[killerbee]

None, The better teams stopped going to this event because it's to early to play!

When is a good time to start?

D1 schools I saw in attendance were..
BSU
LSU
Central Michigan
Indiana
Indiana State
Wright State
IPFW
Butler

Quality of teams were definitely down, but it was a good chance to play in great weather, pass out uniforms, helmets etc.. sign review, new battery work and get home early enough to still enjoy a day off.

[looking in]

After they have had some time off! Everybody needs a break! It just has been a month since they got home from nationals! Let them recharge a little bit!

[killerbee]

I'll take note of that! This being my first time and all.

Off season is November through Feb. for my kids. 4 months is plenty of time to recharge. May as well play while you can and while the recruiting window is opened back up, especially if they're wanting to eat, breathe and sleep it for 4 years in college.

[gunshy]

Quality of teams at Ball State has never been that great, that I have seen. Lots of patched together teams and others full of pick up players to go along with the 2 -3 teams that are actually ready to play. Weather was great, though, great for doing anything outdoors. I am with "Looking In", players need some sort of recoup time after 6 straight months of competition.
Muscles and the mind need the recharge.

[killerbee]

I am with "Looking In", players need some sort of recoup time after 6 straight months of competition.

Not sure where you are getting 6 straight months of competition? Not in these parts! If that were the case at my dd's high school, she probably would welcome the break. It's a nice social event only to make her hungry for competitive ball.

IMO, play the games while you can, once they get to the next level, 80% is spent in the gym, the running track, practice, bus, planes and airports.

Good luck to all this Fall!!

[gunshy]

I spoke to two D-1 coaches this morning and posed the time-off question to both of them. Ironically, both coaches give their players 2 weeks off after just 1 month of fall softball. Both thought a month off was excellent, after playing for 6 months. You can have your own views of HS ball, but it is 6 days a week for 3+ months and it is a mental and physical grind. Granted, this is a very small sampling of coaches and I am sure you can make an arguement for whichever position you currently find yourself on fall tournaments, but past history should tell us something. The Ball State event has never been ultra competitive nor has it ever been wildly attended by coaches and there is a reason. The events held later in the fall are MUCH more competitive and are better attended by college coaches who are, by early October, finished with their own team's fall program and have more time available to attend exposure events.