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We have a good read on the colleges that good HS players are most interested in.  That is because we ask them.

More often than not we see the same colleges on these lists.  It just so happens that those colleges are among the best baseball programs, in the best conferences.

I think if those kids were asked to give a list of colleges they would be most interested in if they didn't play baseball, you would see a different list.

Why do so many football players or basketball players end up at the best schools in their sport?  How many football recruits does Alabama or Ohio State lose to the Ivy League schools?  How about Kentucky or Duke in basketball?

Most of the best athletes (not all) want the best and biggest challenge. All the other things including academics are vitally important, but most will still choose the best baseball program over everything else.  Why else do the same schools end up with top recruiting classes year after year?

Now, is it right or wrong?  I don't know.  Guess it depends on how important your sport is to you.  Or maybe how important academics is to you.  Maybe social life or location is most important to some.

The thing that some just don't understand is that good baseball programs recruit talent above everything else.  It's great if you have outstanding academic achievements, that is a big bonus, but if you lack the talent they want, they're not interested in you.  The grades will serve you well and you will get academic money somewhere, but it won't get you on the field.

Bad grades, bad talent - nobody wants you

Excellent grades, bad talent - college wants you, sport doesn't want you.

Bad grades, excellent talent - sport wants you, college doesn't want you.

Excellent grades, excellent talent - everyone wants you

Football recruiting, although changing, is different than baseball. Very very few freshman/8th graders get offers. Colleges start may show interest at that stage, but it doesn't get serious until the sophomore year or early junior. Most players commit during the spring of their junior through the summer of the junior year. IMHO, most players are quality programs do not see the see until their sophomore year. Some are backups until there junior year. With the execption of the combines and some 7-7, its difficult to get a good assessment on a player (especially lineman). Unlike baseball, college camps are a key part in the recruiting process.  There is no PG or travel circuit. 

Also, a lot of earlyish offerer are "non-committable." Unlike baseball, you do see a lot of "flips" right before singing day. Usually coaches keep recuriting ntil the very end. 

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