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General Questions
Will I receive instruction at the camp?
No. This is a time to show coaches what you can do. College coaches watch athletes perform skills and evaluate their talent. They will watch them further in actual games to decide if the athlete fits their recruiting scheme.
Will I have warm-up time before and during the camp?
You will know exactly what time your session will begin and you are expected to get warm on your own before
this time. You will be informed of exactly how you will rotate during the session and you are expected to be warm for each rotation.
Will the staff cheer for and encourage us during camp?
Most of the staff will be quite spirited and each staff member will display his/her own personality. The staff’s main job is to provide you with ground and fly balls to field and balls to hit. It is not the staff’s responsibility to encourage you throughout the camp.
Will the coaches walk around and watch different skills or sit in one spot?
We cannot control how coaches choose to evaluate the athletes. Many coaches choose the area they most need to recruit and watch each athlete come through that station. This ensures that the coach sees every athlete perform at least that skill and does not miss athletes as he/she wanders around the complex.
Do pitchers need to furnish their own camp catchers?
Due to limited camp time and space, pitchers will be required to provide
their own catchers. The catcher can be a parent, sibling, friend, teammate
or coach. It is conceivable to recruit a catcher on camp day who is
participating in Camp Session 1, but that is the responsibility of the
pitcher and is not a NFCA camp responsibility.
Where is the camp located?
Directions are provided both on the web and in the
Student-Athlete Information Booklet that is mailed upon your acceptance to
the camp. Please consult page 9 of this booklet for directions or hotel
information. If you no longer have this booklet, the information can be
found on our Web site.
For directions to administered camps, click here. For directions to endorsed camps, click here.
I have a question about my camp. Who should I call?
Below is a list of the administered camp directors. For help with an endorsed camp, click here.
NFCA/Colorado Fireworks Recruiting Camp: Karen Johns
- 662/320-2155
NFCA/Colorado Sparkler Recruiting Camp: Hildred Deese
- 662/320-2155
NFCA/Elite College Showcase Recruiting Camp: Christina Edgar - 225/336-6564
NFCA/Great Lakes Recruiting Camp: Lanette Balis
- 662/320-2155
NFCA/Pennsbury Invitational Recruiting Camp: Lacy Lee Baker
- 662/320-2155
I’ve been accepted to the camp, but have decided not to attend. How do I cancel?
A cancellation refund will only be granted if filed at least 14
days prior to the camp; however, an administrative fee of $15 will be kept by the NFCA. The NFCA will not grant any refunds within 14 days of the camp.
What if it rains on the day of the camp?
If a camp must be cancelled because of inclement weather, a $50 refund will be given by August 1 to all athletes who attended the camp. The NFCA Camps and Clinics Committee has determined that an indoor site, in case of inclement weather, is not feasible because of logistical, safety and coaching participation concerns.
How much does it cost to attend a recruiting camp?
If accepted, the camp fee is $100 for one session and $75 for an additional session. Please note that payment should not be sent until the acceptance letter is received.
I’m interested in attending an NFCA recruiting camp. How do I apply?
Prospective athletes for both administered and endorsed camps should complete the online application form. Once you complete the form, you will receive an e-mail confirmation that your application was received. You will have the chance to print your application for your records after you submit the form.
Applications will be reviewed and acceptance letters will be sent after the camp's application deadline. Payment should only be sent after the acceptance letter is received.
What are the differences between an endorsed and administered camp?
In an administered camp, every aspect, from the application and selection process to on-field administration, is handled by the NFCA staff. The NFCA does not, however, administer the tournaments related to the recruiting camps.
While prospective campers apply for endorsed camps on the NFCA Web site, administration (including the acceptance of campers) and registration is handled by the respective tournament staff. Although these camps are managed by other groups, each camp must comply with strict NFCA standards.
Are there any minimum requirements that need to be met to be considered for acceptance into an NFCA recruiting camp?
Requirements for Application/Submission
1. All athletes must have completed at least eighth grade at the time of
camp; no junior college athletes will be accepted.
2. Must have a minimum cumulative academic grade point average (GPA) of
2.0 on a 4.0 scale. (Other grading systems should be adjusted and signed
by the school counselor.)
Preferred Skills/Honors
1. Have been named to an all-state, all-region, all-district,
all-county, all-conference or all-star team.
2. Played on a summer team that has participated in a national
tournament (ASA, AFA, NSA, USSSA, etc.).
What is the camp schedule?
All NFCA administered camps will follow the same schedule:
Outfielders/Catchers - 8:30 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
Pitchers - 11:30 a.m. - 2:25 p.m.
Infielders - 2:25 p.m. - 5:20 p.m.
All registered participants should report for on-site registration at least one hour prior to their scheduled session. On-site registration will consist of checking in, receiving the camp packet that includes the camp t-shirt, the participant numbers for the front and back of the travel ball jersey and the colored band designating the athlete's
graduation year.
Camp walk-ups are considered 30 minutes prior to each session. Accepted
athletes should be registered prior to these times or face potential camp
cancellation.
At the end of each session, the NFCA hosts a student-athlete talk and a parent information session. These sessions are designed to give the student-athletes and their parents as much information as possible about the recruiting process.
For information on endorsed camp schedules, please visit your camp's home page or contact the camp administrator.
College Coach Exposure Questions -- Back to Top
How will coaches know my game ability if they only see me at skill work?
College coaches are looking for potential and targeting athletes they may want to watch more closely later. They are looking for very specific things.
Why do we only receive 10-14 pitches to hit or 16-18 pitches to throw during the camp session? Can coaches really evaluate my ability with only a few opportunities?
Coaches enter the camp with very specific recruiting agendas. They know
exactly what they are looking for. Yes, it only takes a few swings and a few
pitches for coaches to know if that’s the kind of player they need to watch
further. Remember: this is a time for coaches to target athletes they will
watch further during the tournament.
Will all the coaches who are listed on the NFCA Web site or on the brochure actually attend the camp?
The NFCA cannot control whether or not the coaches attend, but the coaches have indicated their commitment to attend.
How can I find out which college coaches will attend my camp?
A list of college coaches registered for each camp will be posted on the NFCA Web site on
May 8 and will be updated weekly thereafter.
Remember that the NFCA posts coaches who have registered to attend each camp, but cannot guarantee their actual attendance.
What drills will the coaches see me perform?
The drills performed at the camp depend on the athlete’s session type.
All athletes will:
Hit off of a pitching machine (56-59 mph)
Be timed in home-to-first and home-to-home sprints
Have their throwing speed measured with overhand throws, clocked in mph
Pitchers will:
Throw specified pitches from nine different stations and are clocked from two stations.
Catchers will:
Throw for pop-to-pop times
Participate in drills to show blocking, bunt coverage and base throwing abilities
Infielders and Outfielders will:
Field and throw from chosen positions.
Application Process, Requirements, Notification Questions
-- Back to Top
How should I update or include additional information that was not
submitted on my data profile sheet?
E-mail your changes to the appropriate camp director(s), which can be
found on each camp's designated home page at
nfca.org.
Also, after the camp deadline, accepted athletes will be sent a
Payment/Insurance Form and Data Review Sheet. You can correct the
information directly on the Data Review Sheet and fax or mail it back to
the camp you plan on attending.
I signed up for the wrong camp. Can I switch?
Yes, just email camps@nfca.org. Tell us your name, which camp you signed up for and which camp you would like to transfer to. Hopefully, you can make this request in a timely fashion and certainly prior to 14 days before the camp date. Don’t submit duplicate applications.
I’m interested in attending an NFCA recruiting camp. How do I apply?
Prospective athletes for both administered and endorsed camps should complete the online application form. Once you complete the form, you will receive an e-mail confirmation that your application was received. You will have the chance to print your application for your records after you submit the form.
Applications will be reviewed and acceptance letters will be sent after the camp's application deadline. Payment should only be sent after the acceptance letter is received.
Does completing the online application guarantee me a spot in my desired camp?
Nearly 7,000 prospective campers applied for camp admission in 2008, so note that the NFCA can only select the most qualified student-athletes to participate.
All NFCA recruiting camps are for high school players who have just completed 8th-12th grades when participating in the camp. No junior college athletes will be considered.
Athletes are selected based on the strength of the submitted application, followed by seniority, with juniors and seniors receiving priority. If space is available, applicants are then selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Student-athletes entered in the tournament where the camp is being held have priority over athletes not entered.
How do I know if I’ve been accepted to the camp?
After the specified camp deadline, all applicants will be notified. Athletes selected for the camp will receive a letter of acceptance, payment form and additional information. The $100 camp payment is due at this time. Student-athletes will be placed in the session that reflects their primary position, which is indicated on the application form.
Are there any minimum requirements that need to be met to be considered for acceptance into an NFCA recruiting camp?
Requirements for Application/Submission
1. All athletes must have completed at least eighth grade at the time of
camp; no junior college athletes will be accepted.
2. Must have a minimum cumulative academic grade point average (GPA) of
2.0 on a 4.0 scale. (Other grading systems should be adjusted and signed
by the school counselor.)
Preferred Skills/Honors
1. Have been named to an all-state, all-region, all-district, all-county,
all-conference or all-star team.
2. Played on a summer team that has participated in a national tournament
(ASA, AFA, NSA, USSSA, etc.).
Will submitting multiple applications increase my chances of being accepted into a recruiting camp?
No. Athletes are accepted into the camp based on specific criteria, and not the number of applications submitted.
Acceptance, Payment and Paperwork Questions
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I’ve been accepted to the pitching session, but I am waiting on the catcher to sign the catcher’s waiver. Do I need to bring it with me on camp day, or should I send it to the NFCA?
It is best to fax or mail this form before camp day if at all possible. If you cannot have it signed by the catcher prior to camp day, you can bring it with you. However, this form must be completed in order to participate in the pitching session and all forms for catchers under the age of 18 must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
What do I need to do if I think that my payment is not going to arrive through regular mail by the payment deadline?
If you have already mailed your payment with the necessary forms, then there is nothing else you need to do. We will process your payment and forms when they arrive. If you have not mailed payment and the deadline is near, you should fax the information listing your credit card number for payment. All faxed information regarding administered camps should be sent to the NFCA national office at 662/320-2283. Please be sure to clearly indicate the camp for which you are remitting payment.
On-Site Procedure Questions
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Will I receive instruction at the camp?
No. This is a time to show coaches what you can do. College coaches watch athletes perform skills and evaluate their talent. They will watch them further in actual games to decide if the athlete fits their recruiting scheme.
How soon after the camp can I expect to be contacted by college coaches?
Every athlete at camp may not be contacted by a college coach. Each athlete is provided the opportunity to perform in front of a number of recruiting coaches. No promises of college contact can be made.
Do pitchers need to furnish their own camp catchers?
Due to limited camp time and space, pitchers will be required to provide
their own catchers. The catcher can be a parent, sibling, friend, teammate
or coach. It is conceivable to recruit a catcher on camp day who is
participating in Camp Session 1, but that is the responsibility of the
pitcher and is not a NFCA camp responsibility.
Will I sign a college scholarship because of the camp?
The camps provide the coaches with a mass number of athletes to see at one time. Coaches will make notes and watch targeted athletes more at another time. There is no guarantee that any athlete will sign a college scholarship because of the recruiting camp.
Why can’t the college coaches talk to us at the camp? It seems like a perfect opportunity.
Many restrictions are placed on the coaches of NCAA member schools. Coaches need to be able to observe and evaluate athletes without the pressure and distraction of talking with athletes and parents.
If we can tryout for coaches at the recruiting camp, why can’t we tryout at their campuses?
NCAA Division I member schools are prohibited from holding open tryouts on their campuses.
Will college coaches watch me at each skill station?
Not necessarily. Coaches will be watching the areas they need to recruit to fill the next year or two. If they need outfielders, they will concentrate on that. If they are looking for a power hitter, slapper, etc. they will watch athletes in those areas.
Why do we only receive 10-14 pitches to hit or 16-18 pitches to throw during the camp session? Can coaches really evaluate my ability with only a few opportunities?
Coaches enter the camp with very specific recruiting agendas. They know exactly what they are looking for. Yes, it only takes a few swings and a few pitches for coaches to know if that’s the kind of player they need to watch further. Remember: this is a time for coaches to target athletes they will watch further.
Will I have warm-up time before and during the camp?
You will know exactly what time your session will begin and you are expected to get warm on your own before your session begins. You will be informed of exactly how you will rotate during the session and you are expected to be warm for each rotation.
Will the coaches walk around and watch different skills or sit in one spot?
We cannot control how coaches choose to evaluate the athletes. Many coaches choose the area they most need to recruit and watch each athlete come through that station. This ensures that the coach sees every athlete perform at least that skill and does not miss athletes as he/she wanders around the complex.
If I fax my payment forms in, do I need to mail the originals?
Faxed forms are sufficient. You do not need to follow up with the originals.
Am I required to wear my travel ball uniform to the recruiting camp?
No, but it is recommended. Although all participants will receive a camp T-shirt, it is suggested that the travel ball jersey should be worn during camp participation for all administered camps.
Please check with the respective endorsed camp for information on what to wear.
Will my throwing speeds and running times be available for my review?
Yes. All camp results will be posted on the NFCA Web site within one week of the camp. Results will be listed by participant number and will include only throwing speeds, running times and pop-to-pop times (catchers only).
Session Request Questions
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What is a session?
Each recruiting camp is divided into three sessions based on position:
Session I: Outfielders/Catchers
Session II: Pitchers
Session III: Infielders
When applying for a camp, athletes are required to make a first session selection, which should be their primary playing position. Second session choices are optional and will only be considered if space is available. Applicants requesting a second session will be placed on a waiting list and will be contacted only if space is available. If it is determined that a particular session is not full, the NFCA will choose second-session athletes based on their qualifications first, followed by seniority, with juniors and seniors receiving priority. The NFCA will then personally contact the chosen athletes approximately two weeks prior to the camp to inform them of this option. It is important to understand that athletes will only participate in the session(s) for which they have applied and been accepted.
I requested to be considered for a second session but have not received any information regarding that request. Will I be able to participate in a second session?
For some administered camps, there will be no second session option because all spots have been filled by first session requests. For others, they may possibly be available even up until camp day.
Can I participate in more than one session?
If a particular session is not full by the application deadline, the NFCA will allow student-athletes to request participation in a second session. Prospective campers who are interested in being considered for admittance to a second session should indicate it in the space provided on the application form.
Please note that requesting a second session does not guarantee an athlete’s participation. All applicants who requested a second session will be placed on a waiting list that reflects their secondary position.
If it is determined that a particular session is not full, the NFCA will choose second-session athletes based on their qualifications first, followed by seniority, with juniors and seniors receiving priority. The NFCA will then personally contact the chosen athletes to inform them of this option.
An additional $75 will be required for all second session participants. Please note that waiting lists will not be made public. Athletes seeking information on their position on a waiting list should not contact the NFCA, as this information will not be disclosed.
What time should I arrive on camp day?
It is suggested that you follow the following guidelines:
Arrive at 7 a.m. for the first session starting at 8:30 a.m.
Arrive at 10 a.m. for the second session starting at 11:30 a.m.
Arrive at 1:15 p.m. for the third session starting at 2:25 p.m.
The camp opens to accommodate walk-ups 30 minutes prior to each
session. Those accepted athletes not completing on site registration prior to this time are
subject to camp cancellation. |
