It’s been awhile since I had a post, but I was also waiting to find something that I really wanted to write about. Those of you who follow me on Twitter know how I feel about hitting, fielding, and random topics, like Pizza Rats haha. Today, I want to discuss the showcase season, and what you can do to make the best of it.

As a coach, both college and club ball (occasionally), I get to see both sides of showcases and recruiting quite often. Yes, there are college coaches around watching your showcase games and camps. The impression you make is important. That being said, if you are trying to be something you are not, that impression is clear as well. That’s where I want to go with this discussion.

At a showcase, a camp, regular games, anywhere, BE YOURSELF. Yes, you want to put on a good show for whoever is watching. You want to be the best version of you that you can be though. For example, if you aren’t a power pitcher, why are you trying to throw the ball past hitters? That’s definitely not the way to showcase you

rself and your abilities.. In every instance you tie your cleats, it’s best to be yourself. Be that best version, 1% better than the day before, you know the cliches.

As the camp and showcase season heats up, keep telling your athletes to work hard and good things will happen. It’s true, it really is. In a camp, where you actually have interaction with college coaches, be engaging, have fun, be yourself, be the best version of yourself. We can tell when you aren’t being yourself, if you are putting on a front, or just telling us what we want to hear. Those are not the kids I’m looking to bring into my program, and I know a lot of coaches who feel the same way. I tell potential recruits all the time, if we’re talking, you can play for us physically. That is step one, step two is being a good person. We can probably make you a better player when you get here, but making you a better person is much, much tougher. I’m looking for good people who happen to be good players.

So, when you head to your next “big” showcase (Pro Tip: they all think they’re big), or camp, be yourself. Put that big effort in, work hard, be a good teammate, all the things you are supposed to do. Be yourself, play hard, have fun, enjoy it. Honestly that’s enough. If it isn’t enough for whatever coach came to watch you, ask yourself, is that someone you want to play for anyway?