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First off I want to say that I've been a long time lurker of this board and it has provided incredible insight and advice for me and my son the past year so I want to thank everyone that contributes and after I'm done with this process I will pass it forward to others.

A little background before my question. My son is a 2018 SS. He's ranked by PG as top 15 in our state (a big Northeast State) at SS. He has 2 offers on the table right now from D3 schools, one a high academic that he likes and another which is not a great academic school but was a Top 10 D3 program last year. As a very good student he's much more interested in the academic school but he felt the offers were pretty early and he wanted to wait until after HF to see what additional interest he would receive.

He just attended HF on LI and did well but man with 1000 kids over 4 sessions if you're not a pitcher or 6'4" 215 it's tough to get attention. My question is how long after HF should he wait to see if there is additional interest? 

He doesn't want to lose a spot at the school he likes but he also doesn't want to commit too early and potentially lose other opportunities that might be presented to him. A few of his friends and teammates have already committed to D3 schools. It feels like that process has really accelerated into August from what used to be September.

Right now he's planning on waiting a week to see if he hears from other coaches. Curious what people thought about that timetable. Thanks!

 

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He is fine, all the D3 schools will be continue to acquire talent all fall. if they like him they will stay in touch, get on campus for an over night, have him down to see a fall workout etc.

They want to lock up as much as possible but there is still plenty of moving parts. Most of the D2's are still filling pretty actively and you have quite a few top players who are making the same choices, do I want to play D3 or D2? where do I fit better, who has a better financial package so forth and so on.

2018SSDAD,

What discussions with coaches did your son have at HF?

Coaches are pretty accessible at HF, even with the large # of athletes.  I recommend to HF attendees to have a gameplan going into the event.  The majority of coaches/colleges are published in advance.  A student-athlete should make contact in advance of HF..."coach, I'm going to be at HF Session #X and look forward to seeing you there".  And they should make personal contact with (i.e., talk to face to face) the coaches/colleges on his vetted list at HF.  The event is set up for this.  And that's one way that pitchers and non-pitchers will get attention...by expressing interest in the colleges on the player's vetted list in person and often.

From those discussions, some next steps will naturally come out.  If they did, follow up on those now.

Regardless, I agree with Duck...reach out now to follow up with every school on his vetted list.  Particularly for a 2018, and IMHO, it doesn't matter the level of the program.  Summer 2017 is the prime recruiting time for high academic 2018's.

Good luck!

 

2018SS dad

I can add our experience from last year HF as well as friends who attended their July session (they actually have 1250 boys on the east coast this year and then also HF California as the July session was new this year):

- Last year, our 2017 and his friend made certain to speak to as many of the coaches of the schools they were interested in while there.  Several coaches then and there, expressed their interest and invited him for overnight visits.  A few others asked for him to send transcripts and test scores when he could.  A few others said they would be in touch.  And, a few others told him no.  One RC that told him they were not interested said if his velocity increased to at least 88, he should video it with a radar gun and send it and they might reconsider...one well known D3 said they had their guys already but if he got in on his own, he would be on the team, and two D1 schools told him if he got in on his own, he would LIKELY make the team and to keep in touch.  So we had a good idea driving away the 2nd day where he stood with most of his targeted schools

- He got some texts the first night there from other schools, and some emails and texts in the few days after his session (which meant they were contacting him during another session)

- Most of the schools followed up from the conversations there with an email or call by mid August.  He had some follow up though later, even up to Labor Day.

- One well known high academic and often top 25 D3 school which invited him for an overnight went "dark" and never contacted him or responded when he contacted them.  The AC he had spoken to left for another job so we chalked it up to that.  Oddly enough he ended up applying there, got in on his own, contacted the coaches to tell them and they still did not respond.  around May 1 when deposits are due they finally reached out (but alas they were too late by then).  

- The process has accelerated.  Your SS should be in touch and ask the D3 he likes that has offered when they need a decision by.  One D3 offered my 2017, we visited and he stayed overnight, had a great time.  Coach followed up a few days later on the phone.  Son said he liked the school, the program, and could see himself there.  It was not his top choice however.  At the time we had another overnight scheduled though and so son did not say I'm coming! (or that he was going to visit another school).  The day after the HC follow up phone call, this school emailed and said their class was full and they could no longer offer admissions support.  Wow, we had no idea it was an "exploding" offer and that he was at risk for not accepting by a certain date.  SO, learn a lesson, if the school is potentially a good fit make sure to clarify the decision timeline.  

- Friends who went to the July HF session have heard back from numerous schools and same process as my son, some have asked for transcripts and scores, some have made overnight visit suggestions.  They both sent emails after the showcase to their list of schools repeating their interest and they have had responses from those that are seemingly interested and others that have gone "dark" after seeing them. Not to say they might come back after these 4 sessions and circle back to them.  But I suggested they move forward with those they know that are interested now.

So, waiting a week may not be enough for some schools but as others have said, your son should reach out to them, depending on what dialogue he has already had.  

Hope this helps you.  Happy to help further by PM if it would be helpful to you.  

Last edited by Twoboys

I echo Twoboys post.  Don't neglect that bird in the hand.

I think it's fine to contact schools he saw at HF, but if they are interested they will not not shy about it.  Your son should be getting contacts very soon, but often they are traveling around a bit and it might take another week to hear from some coaches. If they ask to see grades you know they are serious.   With others it may take even longer as they swing and miss with some kids on their board and move to the next group.  

Branson's question is a good one. Some of the coaches who contacted my 2017 after HF made a point of talking to him there.  

BTW  a 6' 4" D3 MIF would be the exception, not the rule, IMO.

Looks like the fourth and final session starts tomorrow . Some coaches at all four (most) wait until the end to start processing.  Though a TRUE RECRUIT could be contacted soon after the event ended. This does not prohibit your son from e-mailing. As others alluded to, which schools were contacted PRIOR to the event?. These are definitely ones you want to follow-up with. You wanted to be on their clipboard "watch list". Agree with others not to let other offers slide. So what you really want to find out is where your son is "on the board" of the schools your son would select over the schools which offered. Schools should be able to tell him at this time. All schools aren't on the same timeline.That's what makes things difficult, Good luck! Thanks for posting.

Thank you everyone. This is really helpful. Agree that it makes sense for him not to wait and reach out.

To answer the questions he did let all the coaches know ahead of time that he was going to be at HF when he sent them his summer schedule (along with his summer video), so not right before the camp. A number of coaches at that point let him know they were interested in seeing him play and would be at HF.

To Branson's question, he wasn't actively seeking coaches at at camp which I know is a mistake, it's the main thing they tell the kids to do, but that's just not my kid to be comfortable with that part of the process when the coaches are getting hit up constantly. I'm sure this didn't help him. Hopefully it didn't hurt.

 

2018ssdad, I am a 2019 dad, obviously from San Diego, and we will be attending the last session starting tomorrow on LI. There are several schools we reached out to via email earlier this week as many have suggested. I can see who opened the emails because we use a service that tracks that (recommend this). My son is like yours, a little on the shy/humble side when talking to coaches. We also will have to wait until at least Sept 1 to hear back if anyone shows interest. I think you got really good advice above from all of the responses. Please let us know how it plays out. Good luck to your son (and you).

Twoboys posted:

2018SS dad

I can add our experience from last year HF as well as friends who attended their July session (they actually have 1250 boys on the east coast this year and then also HF California as the July session was new this year):

- Last year, our 2017 and his friend made certain to speak to as many of the coaches of the schools they were interested in while there.  Several coaches then and there, expressed their interest and invited him for overnight visits.  A few others asked for him to send transcripts and test scores when he could.  A few others said they would be in touch.  And, a few others told him no.  One RC that told him they were not interested said if his velocity increased to at least 88, he should video it with a radar gun and send it and they might reconsider...one well known D3 said they had their guys already but if he got in on his own, he would be on the team, and two D1 schools told him if he got in on his own, he would LIKELY make the team and to keep in touch.  So we had a good idea driving away the 2nd day where he stood with most of his targeted schools

- He got some texts the first night there from other schools, and some emails and texts in the few days after his session (which meant they were contacting him during another session)

- Most of the schools followed up from the conversations there with an email or call by mid August.  He had some follow up though later, even up to Labor Day.

- One well known high academic and often top 25 D3 school which invited him for an overnight went "dark" and never contacted him or responded when he contacted them.  The AC he had spoken to left for another job so we chalked it up to that.  Oddly enough he ended up applying there, got in on his own, contacted the coaches to tell them and they still did not respond.  around May 1 when deposits are due they finally reached out (but alas they were too late by then).  

- The process has accelerated.  Your SS should be in touch and ask the D3 he likes that has offered when they need a decision by.  One D3 offered my 2017, we visited and he stayed overnight, had a great time.  Coach followed up a few days later on the phone.  Son said he liked the school, the program, and could see himself there.  It was not his top choice however.  At the time we had another overnight scheduled though and so son did not say I'm coming! (or that he was going to visit another school).  The day after the HC follow up phone call, this school emailed and said their class was full and they could no longer offer admissions support.  Wow, we had no idea it was an "exploding" offer and that he was at risk for not accepting by a certain date.  SO, learn a lesson, if the school is potentially a good fit make sure to clarify the decision timeline.  

- Friends who went to the July HF session have heard back from numerous schools and same process as my son, some have asked for transcripts and scores, some have made overnight visit suggestions.  They both sent emails after the showcase to their list of schools repeating their interest and they have had responses from those that are seemingly interested and others that have gone "dark" after seeing them. Not to say they might come back after these 4 sessions and circle back to them.  But I suggested they move forward with those they know that are interested now.

So, waiting a week may not be enough for some schools but as others have said, your son should reach out to them, depending on what dialogue he has already had.  

Hope this helps you.  Happy to help further by PM if it would be helpful to you.  

This is an excellent follow up by Twoboys...Takes you right into the eye of the tornado

2018SSDad posted:

Thank you everyone. This is really helpful. Agree that it makes sense for him not to wait and reach out.

To answer the questions he did let all the coaches know ahead of time that he was going to be at HF when he sent them his summer schedule (along with his summer video), so not right before the camp. A number of coaches at that point let him know they were interested in seeing him play and would be at HF.

To Branson's question, he wasn't actively seeking coaches at at camp which I know is a mistake, it's the main thing they tell the kids to do, but that's just not my kid to be comfortable with that part of the process when the coaches are getting hit up constantly. I'm sure this didn't help him. Hopefully it didn't hurt.

 

A couple of things, While it is a good idea to let coaches know in advance that you'll be attending an event, and also a good idea to do the 'headfirst handshake' , Try to remember that when an NCAA coach likes a kid they make their intentions clear. Immediately . They have roster sheets w/ contact info. If they like a player THEY reach out right away. Conversely , if there is no contact they are NOT interested. Period. Regardless of whether a kid emails or shakes hands. They watch the kids play and go after the ones they want RIGHT AWAY. It's that simple.

All these schools have a ink board with all their 2018 recruits listed by position and by ranking. At SS for 2018's they may have 4-5 names .  Their number one choice will be listed 1st and the rest of the names are ranked in order of importance to them ( 1 being best , 5 being worst ) . But generally it's a 'Good, better, best' type ranking.....Meaning, if you're on the board at all you're a pretty good fit.

Coaches reach out and talk to kids that are on their board. These guys on the board are considered 'Recruits '

I say all this about the board because what a lot of parents and kids don't realize is that when a RC or HC calls a kid it is generally during an allocated Call / Contact time during the coaches day. What that means is when he's finished talking to your kid he calls the next one on his list.  And before he talked to your kid he had already placed several calls to other recruits. Parents don't realize that these guys are working your kid and 3 other shortstops at the same time!

An NCAA roster spot is a coveted thing. Your son has 2 offers. That is a great thing this time of year for a 2018. But be forewarned , If your kid doesn't want it or doesn't show enough enthusiasm towards it , Another player will take it in a heartbeat.  So, while you want to do your homework and find that right school, You have to also honor the schools that have offered and know that those offers for the 2018 class are evaporating as I type this....The clock is ticking

Lot's of great advice here at HSBB Web. Different opinions based on experience. My son went thru the recruiting cycle as a 2016 and is currently playing at a D1 school in the South. My opinion on the 2018 class is that if you're still looking you're LATE. But you'll find different people here with different opinions than mine.

Don't forget. That unless your son projects for the 2018 MLB draft , you or your son never really choose the school....THEY choose you.

FACT : Less than 6% of the HS baseball players in the country will play NCAA baseball

http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/probability.htm

Best of luck!

Last edited by StrainedOblique

Remember at D3 especially with the academic schools. Some you may need a coaches tip or support to get into the school if you do not have the academic chops on your own. Most of the NESCAC schools and quite a few others. These are the type of D3's that Stained Oblique is posting about. If you need a coaches assistance ti get into the school, and you cannot get into it on your own, or you are not a sure fire candidate to pass through admissions, when a coach offers you need to seriously consider it. Coaches have a limited number of athletes they can support through admissions at these types of schools. A coach is not going to give up one of his tips waiting for you. 

At other D3's, where there are not roster limits, or flexibility in  the size of the class . If you are their number one, or near the top of the list, you have plenty of time. I seriously doubt that a coach, in this situation, would tell a player, "sorry were full" because their number 3 player at that position "committed" . If the schools want you enough they will wait. 

And a stud is a stud is a stud. If the coach thinks your a stud and he has a shot, he will wait. 

StrainedOblique posted: 

A couple of things, While it is a good idea to let coaches know in advance that you'll be attending an event, and also a good idea to do the 'headfirst handshake' , Try to remember that when an NCAA coach likes a kid they make their intentions clear. Immediately . They have roster sheets w/ contact info. If they like a player THEY reach out right away. Conversely , if there is no contact they are NOT interested. Period. Regardless of whether a kid emails or shakes hands. They watch the kids play and go after the ones they want RIGHT AWAY. It's that simple.

All these schools have a ink board with all their 2018 recruits listed by position and by ranking. At SS for 2018's they may have 4-5 names .  Their number one choice will be listed 1st and the rest of the names are ranked in order of importance to them ( 1 being best , 5 being worst ) . But generally it's a 'Good, better, best' type ranking.....Meaning, if you're on the board at all you're a pretty good fit.

 

I agree with this advice in general, but specific to the OP's situation, I believe that a player can get on a school's board just based on contact before an event. I would imagine that many kids on HA D3 boards got there by initiating the contact. Just speculating, but how many guys could a school like Hopkins have on their board prior to HeadFirst? Maybe a few guys who attended camp? Friends/relatives of current players?
I'm imagining the kid who does something noteworthy in June or July (e.g. touched 89 at WWBA, ran a 6.8 60 or 90+ mph exit velocity at a showcase) sending that documentation and an expression of interest to the coaches before their HeadFirst session. Contacting coaches in advance just to let them know you're coming is usually just wasting your time and theirs. But, if you can send them a reason to give you a look, you have a much better chance of making it onto their list.

Just a "real time update" at the end of day 1 of Session 4 in Long Island - Headfirst is the real deal. Honestly, I am glad we did this camp/showcase last because I would have been really disappointed in Stanford and Showball had I done this first. As it worked out we did Stanford first (not worth the investment), Showball second (good showcase) and now Headfirst, the gold standard. I will go into more detail tomorrow on our HF experience. 

Regarding reaching out to schools ahead of time, you are only wasting an opportunity if nothing comes of it. We contacted my son's #1 D1 program who is here, gave him jersey # and schedule, and he came to see both of his games and initiated contact with us between games. We are on the board and the email contact (always with video links) is all part of OUR process. Has paid dividends so far. 

More tomorrow, but Headfirst is head and shoulders ahead of Showball and a very distant Stanford Camp in my opinion.

SanDiegoRealist posted:

Just a "real time update" at the end of day 1 of Session 4 in Long Island - Headfirst is the real deal. Honestly, I am glad we did this camp/showcase last because I would have been really disappointed in Stanford and Showball had I done this first. As it worked out we did Stanford first (not worth the investment), Showball second (good showcase) and now Headfirst, the gold standard. I will go into more detail tomorrow on our HF experience. 

Regarding reaching out to schools ahead of time, you are only wasting an opportunity if nothing comes of it. We contacted my son's #1 D1 program who is here, gave him jersey # and schedule, and he came to see both of his games and initiated contact with us between games. We are on the board and the email contact (always with video links) is all part of OUR process. Has paid dividends so far. 

More tomorrow, but Headfirst is head and shoulders ahead of Showball and a very distant Stanford Camp in my opinion.

SanDiegoRealist:

My son (2019, obviously) and I are here on Long Island from LA for session 4. Same boat. Shy but has come out of his shell here. Had a great day yesterday and amazing response from coaches. This showcase was built for a player like my son. He is good player but on a loaded travel/club team who has never been able to get the looks at PG or other tourney events and not interested in PG style showcases. He decided to focus on strength and conditioning all summer prior to making this his only event and it has paid off. BTW...I highly recommend every player consider this if they are light on the strength side after freshman or sophomore year.

I cannot tell you how great the RC's, head coaches and assistants are with the young men. The staff at Headfirst are top notch and everything is positive and run on schedule and efficient. Heck, the founder's brother created GameChanger and just sold it for millions! This by far is the best baseball investment my wife and and I have ever made for my son regardless of future outcome. Watching my son interact with coaches/adults on his own (without my encouragement) throughout the day was enough for me to call it a success.  

That being said, its the real deal. For my son, it took getting out of the LA bubble for him to find his voice.  Sometimes you just need a change of scenery, I guess.

You both have born out something I have thought since last year but didn't think I wanted to say out loud:  If you're a solid player, and you have a good showing, you can find a good D3 match by attending only one event - Head First. D1 and D2 - unlikely. But D3 for sure. If my 2017 had clones they could be playing all over the country, based just on 2 days at HF Sac.

While Stanford has certainly evolved, some college coaches love it.  D1's with strong academic standards love the Camps because there are so many D1 type players with great academics who won't be recruited or admitted to Stanford.

Many of the D3's love it ....but not because of the available D3 talent.  They identify the players with D1 talents but who may have question marks in terms of being actual D1 signings at programs with better academics.

As one D3 coach explained his perspective, he recruits the Stanford Camp looking for the players he thinks will end up very unhappy the following Spring.  They will have an axe to grind because they truly are a D1 talent, they have very good academics, but they are probably the #3's/4s on the board at the better academic D1's.  He gets a quality list from the Stanford Camp, waits until November, sees who didn't sign and isn't happy about it... and recruits the heck out of them.

2019cubdad posted:
SanDiegoRealist posted:

Just a "real time update" at the end of day 1 of Session 4 in Long Island - Headfirst is the real deal. Honestly, I am glad we did this camp/showcase last because I would have been really disappointed in Stanford and Showball had I done this first. As it worked out we did Stanford first (not worth the investment), Showball second (good showcase) and now Headfirst, the gold standard. I will go into more detail tomorrow on our HF experience. 

Regarding reaching out to schools ahead of time, you are only wasting an opportunity if nothing comes of it. We contacted my son's #1 D1 program who is here, gave him jersey # and schedule, and he came to see both of his games and initiated contact with us between games. We are on the board and the email contact (always with video links) is all part of OUR process. Has paid dividends so far. 

More tomorrow, but Headfirst is head and shoulders ahead of Showball and a very distant Stanford Camp in my opinion.

SanDiegoRealist:

My son (2019, obviously) and I are here on Long Island from LA for session 4. Same boat. Shy but has come out of his shell here. Had a great day yesterday and amazing response from coaches. This showcase was built for a player like my son. He is good player but on a loaded travel/club team who has never been able to get the looks at PG or other tourney events and not interested in PG style showcases. He decided to focus on strength and conditioning all summer prior to making this his only event and it has paid off. BTW...I highly recommend every player consider this if they are light on the strength side after freshman or sophomore year.

I cannot tell you how great the RC's, head coaches and assistants are with the young men. The staff at Headfirst are top notch and everything is positive and run on schedule and efficient. Heck, the founder's brother created GameChanger and just sold it for millions! This by far is the best baseball investment my wife and and I have ever made for my son regardless of future outcome. Watching my son interact with coaches/adults on his own (without my encouragement) throughout the day was enough for me to call it a success.  

That being said, its the real deal. For my son, it took getting out of the LA bubble for him to find his voice.  Sometimes you just need a change of scenery, I guess.

Agree 1000%!!! This to me is a must  attend event.

Last edited by SanDiegoRealist

Headfirst does it right.  And it's very different than the Stanford Camp.

100+ high academic D1 and D3 (and a couple D2) schools.  Showcase and games on adjacent fields so every coach is present.  Highly accessible coaches over two days who expect to have discussions with prospective student-athletes. 

Oftentimes a player who is fishing in the high academic pond, will find his vetted list of schools could be completely addressed by a single HF event.  All but 2 or 3 of the schools that offered my 2016 saw him at HF. 

Good luck to those who have posted on this thread.  It sounds like a lot of promising opportunities!

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