Attending the Arizona Fall Classic is an exciting experience, but it can be overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect. When my son attended the Junior Fall Classic, we were excited but unprepared for the competitive environment filled with college scouts. We learned a lot through trial and error and wished we had known more beforehand.
This blog post will help you navigate the Arizona Fall Classic, offering insights and tips to ensure you and your player make the most of this showcase event. You'll learn about the event details, rules, preparation tips, and more, ensuring you're well-prepared for a successful and enjoyable experience.
What is The Arizona Fall Classic?
The Arizona Fall Classic is a well-respected event that takes place every September in Peoria, AZ, at the Peoria Sports Complex and surrounding facilities. This event gathers talented high school players from across the country, offering them a unique chance to showcase their skills.
The competition is high-level, with a lot of top level colleges in attendance. College coaches and professional scouts come to watch and evaluate players, making it a critical opportunity for those aiming to play at the next level.
Dates and Location
The Arizona Fall Classic happens in September, a perfect time to enjoy the fall weather in Peoria, AZ.
The games are played at various MLB spring training facility practice fields. This makes it a fun opportunity for your player to play on the same fields that their MLB favorites practice on. And, it adds to the professional atmosphere of the event, making it even more special for the players and their families.
Can Anyone Attend The Arizona Fall Classic?
This event is by invitation only, ensuring that the competition is among the best of the best. The main focus of the Arizona Fall Classic is to provide opportunities for players to showcase their talents and get noticed by college coaches and professional scouts. Invitations are sent to players who have shown exceptional skills and potential in their previous games and tournaments.
What Is The Event Structure?
The event includes both the Arizona Junior Fall Classic and the Arizona Senior Fall Classic. They are held on different dates.
The event structure of both is different than a regular full length game. Neither event has any scores kept. During the event, only wood or wood composite bats are used. For full rules see the Arizona Fall Classic Website
Each half-inning features five hitters regardless of outs, ensuring that every player gets ample opportunity to display their abilities. Games are on a strict time limit, typically two hours, to keep the schedule running smoothly.
The event is designed to maximize exposure for all players. Coaches can even choose which five batters will hit each inning, ensuring that key players get noticed. The focus is not on winning games but on showcasing skills and potential.
We played two games each day that we were there. The games move quickly and the coaches rotate the players so that everyone gets a chance to shine. My son was a first baseman and a pitcher and was given time to play both positions.
Key Features and Opportunities
The Arizona Fall Classic is not just about playing games. It’s also about being seen by the right people. With hundreds of college coaches and professional scouts in attendance, players have a real chance to advance their baseball careers. The event is also a great place for networking and learning from others in the baseball community.
Junior Fall Classic and Senior Fall Classic
The Junior Fall Classic is a showcase event for high school juniors during their peak time to get noticed by college coaches. This showcase is a unique opportunity for young players to demonstrate their skills in front of college coaches and professional scouts. If your child is passionate about baseball and has dreams of playing at a higher level, this event is a great opportunity.
The Senior Fall Classic is much the same as the Junior Classic but the event is for uncommitted Seniors. This offers them a great opportunity to get noticed by college coaches and still have a chance of being recruited for the following year.
Junior All-Academic Tryout
At the Junior Fall Classic there is an additional event called the Junior All Academic tryout.
For academically strong players, the Junior All-Academic Tryout offers an additional opportunity to be seen by colleges. This tryout is for players with a high GPA or strong standardized test scores who are uncommitted. Selected players will participate in an academic game, giving them extra visibility with college coaches who value both athletic and academic excellence.
This event is by invitation and has an extra cost. This tryout takes place in the morning and selected players will participate in an academic game that evening. If you participate in this event, it does add an extra day onto your trip as the All-Academic Tryout and Game takes place the day before the Junior Fall Classic games.
My son participated in this event. You can only tryout for one position so if your son is a multi-position player make sure to pick his strongest position. For us, the academic event was the day before the actual tournament so we had to book an extra day for our trip.
In order to qualify for this event the player must have at least a 3.7 GPA OR an ACT score of 27 or higher OR SAT score of 1200 or higher. This is a great opportunity to get seen by the scouts in a smaller setting.
But note, there are still a lot of players who attend this event and competition is strong. My son tried out for the pitching and we were there a little over an hour.
I did think this event was worth attending. It gave my son an opportunity to be seen in a smaller setting with the coaches focused on him. He was not selected to play in the game that day but being there a day early gave us time to rest up, acclimate to the heat, and load up our refrigerator with waters and snacks for the upcoming tournament.
Details about the All-Academic Tryout
The All-Academic Tryout is designed for high school juniors who excel both on the field and in the classroom. Participants are evaluated on their baseball skills and academic achievements. The goal is to provide these players with additional exposure to college recruiters.
Eligibility and Application Process
To be eligible for the academic tryout, players must meet certain academic criteria:
- GPA: A minimum GPA of 3.7.
- ACT/SAT Scores: An ACT score of 27 or higher or an SAT score of 1200 or higher.
- Application Fee: The fee for the tryout is an additional $248, refundable under specific conditions.
Should I Pay To Have My Son Videoed?
We received an email from a company through the fall classic offering to video our son at the event and then edit it so that it could be sent to coaches. It cost $150 and I was under the impression that they were videoing my son throughout the tournament.
It turned out that they just videoed him at the academic tryout, While the video was nice, it was not worth $150.
Preparing for the Event
Attending the Arizona Fall Classic requires preparation to ensure your player performs their best and stays comfortable.
What Players Need to Bring
Your player should come equipped with all necessary baseball gear, including their wood bat. Make sure their player profile is updated and ready to share with college coaches and scouts. Additionally, pack plenty of water bottles to keep hydrated.
Related: Travel Baseball Must-Haves
Weather
The weather can be very hot even in late September. When we attended, it was 110 degrees.
Hydration in the days leading up to the event is crucial, especially if your player isn’t used to such high temperatures. Ensure they drink lots of water and stay cool.
Cost
Plan for costs related to travel, lodging, and meals. Also, there might be fees associated with participating in the event.
Once there, there are no gate fees to attend the event and no parking fees.
What Is The Shade and Seating Like?
The fields have bleachers, but shade is limited. Bring sunscreen, hats, and portable shade to protect against the sun. Also, make sure to have plenty of water and snacks to stay hydrated and energized.
Logistics and Accommodation for the Arizona Fall Classic
Attending the Arizona Fall Classic involves planning your travel and lodging. Here's what you need to know to make your experience smooth and enjoyable.
Travel and Lodging Information
The Arizona Fall Classic takes place at the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, AZ. and surrounding ball parks.
There are plenty of lodging options nearby for players, parents, and coaches. Booking early is essential as hotels fill up quickly during the event. Your team may have a team hotel.
If you don't have a team hotel (or don't want to stay there) I can highly recommend staying at a Residence Inn as they have full size kitchen and laundry on site which makes it easy to prep for the long hot days and then to clean the uniform for the next day! We have stayed at both the Glendale Residence Inn and the Peoria one and they were both great!
Transportation and Parking
Most games are held at MLB spring training practice fields, all of which have ample parking except for the Guardians/Reds field. This field is a bit away from the main complex, and parking there is street parking and very limited.
If you have games at the Guardians/Reds practice fields, it’s best to arrive early. You might need to drop your player off and then find a parking spot.
This link will take you to a map showing the locations of all of the Cactus League MLB training facilities.
Scouting and Recruiting Opportunities
Are There College Coaches and Scouts At The AZ Fall Classic?
One of the most exciting aspects of the Arizona Fall Classic is the chance for your player to be seen by college coaches and professional scouts. They don’t usually announce which coaches will be there, but you can look up which schools attended last year. This can give you a good idea of who might be watching.
Preparing for Coach Interaction
During the tournament you will see scouts and coaches watching the games. But, there are a lot of games going on at the same time so the scouts wander from game to game.
Due to the structure of the event (rotating layers frequently) and five batters for each inning, scouts may easily miss your players time on the field. In order to maximize your opportunity to be seen.
Consider writing to the coaches of schools you are interested in before the event. Let them know you’ll be playing, which team you’re on, and your player number if you have it. My son joined a new team and got his number at the tournament, so it’s okay if you don’t have all the details right away. This heads-up can help coaches keep an eye out for your player.
Approaching Scouts
During the games, you’ll see scouts watching and taking notes. Do not approach them directly—they’re there to work. If a scout is interested in your player, they will talk to your coach and possibly your player. Scouts often gather data and may contact players later.
Follow Up with Coaches
After the tournament, follow up with the coaches who were there. Send a polite email mentioning that you attended and include any game footage you have. This can help keep your player fresh in their minds. Also, ask them if there are any camps at the college you are interested in attending. This will let them know that you are a competitive player and also interested in their school.
Summary Points
- Check last year's attendance: Find out which coaches attended previously.
- Write to coaches beforehand: Inform them of your participation and team details.
- Don't approach scouts directly: Let them work and they will contact if interested.
- Follow up after the event: Send a follow-up email with game footage.
Additional Events and Opportunities
The Arizona Fall Classic offers more than just the Junior and Senior Fall Classics. One notable event is the Four Corner Classic, which showcases talent from Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado. Another important event is the Draft Prospect Classic, which gives players the chance to be seen by MLB scouts. These events are held in conjunction with the main showcase and provide additional opportunities for players to demonstrate their skills. Spring training facilities used for these events add to the professional feel.
Networking and Learning Opportunities
The Arizona Fall Classic is not just about playing baseball; it’s also a great place to network and learn. Players and parents can connect with college coaches, other teams, and schools. These interactions can provide valuable insights into the recruiting process and help build important relationships.
Many attendees come from the Northwest, bringing diverse perspectives and experiences. The event also offers chances to attend workshops and seminars on college recruiting and player development.
Conclusion: Final Tips for Success
Attending the Arizona Fall Classic can be a game-changer for your player. Here are some final tips to ensure you make the most of this event:
- Be Prepared: Make sure your player has all necessary equipment, especially a wood bat, and stay hydrated.
- Plan Ahead: Write to college coaches before the event, and be aware of parking and transportation logistics.
- Stay Cool: Be prepared for hot weather with plenty of water, sunscreen, and shade.
- Network: Take advantage of opportunities to meet college coaches and attend workshops.
- Follow Up: After the event, follow up with coaches and share any game footage.
Attending the Arizona Fall Classic in September is a fantastic opportunity to showcase skills and connect with scouts and coaches. Good luck!
