Crowdsourcing a Deck on College Baseball Recruiting

I don't know if you want my advice.  I can't even figure out how to navigate the deck.  I click the arrow and can't get slides to show up.  I can slide the nav bar below and see the slides are there but I can't get them to display.

Excellent information. Maybe add something about contact rules and use of social media?

How about adding something more specific regarding the key measurable goals....something like this for a HS Junior summer season...

Pitching Velocity - 90 Mph
Outfield Throwing Velocity - 85 Mph
Infield Throwing Velocity - 80 Mph
Exit Velocity off the bat - 85 Mph
Bat Speed - 70 Mph
60 Yard Dash - Sub 7 sec
Catcher POP Time - Sub 2 sec

Nice job. I looked thru it quickly. I believe lots of HS kids/parents would appreciate this type of introduction as we all know.....their is no handbook. 

About 10-years ago, after my son finished HS and was well on his way through his college career I had a very similar presentation. I gave it several times and met with several families on a consulting basis. I did it because I believed that most were clueless as to what opportunities exsisted and what they could do to find a school where they could get an education and pla baseball.

I gave up after two years.  What they wanted was the key to getting the “$100,000 sweatshirt.” Parents wanted their kids to go to a big named D1program, not to far from home. Kids wanted to be able to say the were recruited by a big named school.

After a meeting or two, it became clear that expectations were unrealistic and there generally was not a willingness to explore beyond there back yard.

Parents and kids that find this website are the ones that are willing to listen and learn. What you have outlined is important and the truth. However, I found most Parents don’t want the truth, they want the “$100,000 sweatshirt” to validate the time and money that they have put into their sons.

ILVBB, thanks for sharing your experience. I've often thought of how I can help local kids through this process. You've given me some real food for thought.

What about some reference on how little money you can expect out of a baseball scholarship? Most people assume that if you get a baseball scholarship, it's a full ride and you have nothing to worry about. I also agree with the person who recommended something on the key measurables. I've seen a couple of places where they listed the average height and weight of a pitcher, speed, pop times for catchers, etc. Also, is it worth while to mention the various recruiting services and what they can and can't do for you?

Awesome!  Thanks a bunch.  One thing I would have liked is you talking as  the slides are reviewed.   That gives both an audible and visual and there wouldn't be room for misinterpretation. For example, the one slide mentions not to really do college camps (do showcase) and then the next slide you list college camps?  I was confused  (son is only in 7th grade so maybe that is why). 

Thanks, very helpful! Your legal Dept. had a field day with the disclaimer.

cabbagedad posted:

I click the arrow and can't get slides to show up. 

What device are you using?

MidAtlanticDad posted:

Excellent information. Maybe add something about contact rules and use of social media?

Yes.

fly996 posted:

How about adding something more specific regarding the key measurable goals....something like this for a HS Junior summer season...

Pitching Velocity - 90 Mph
Outfield Throwing Velocity - 85 Mph
Infield Throwing Velocity - 80 Mph
Exit Velocity off the bat - 85 Mph
Bat Speed - 70 Mph
60 Yard Dash - Sub 7 sec
Catcher POP Time - Sub 2 sec

Frame it with examples: right.

ILVBB posted:

About 10-years ago, after my son finished HS and was well on his way through his college career I had a very similar presentation. I gave it several times and met with several families on a consulting basis. I did it because I believed that most were clueless as to what opportunities exsisted and what they could do to find a school where they could get an education and pla baseball.

I gave up after two years.  What they wanted was the key to getting the “$100,000 sweatshirt.” Parents wanted their kids to go to a big named D1program, not to far from home. Kids wanted to be able to say the were recruited by a big named school.

After a meeting or two, it became clear that expectations were unrealistic and there generally was not a willingness to explore beyond there back yard.

Parents and kids that find this website are the ones that are willing to listen and learn. What you have outlined is important and the truth. However, I found most Parents don’t want the truth, they want the “$100,000 sweatshirt” to validate the time and money that they have put into their sons.

Amazing that even after 10 years parents continue to make the same mistakes. Maybe not so amazing as there is a lack of a central point of information, outside of HSBBW.

Dadof3 posted:

Awesome!  Thanks a bunch.  One thing I would have liked is you talking as  the slides are reviewed.   That gives both an audible and visual and there wouldn't be room for misinterpretation. For example, the one slide mentions not to really do college camps (do showcase) and then the next slide you list college camps?  I was confused  (son is only in 7th grade so maybe that is why). 

Slide notes!

Iowamom23 posted:

What about some reference on how little money you can expect out of a baseball scholarship? Most people assume that if you get a baseball scholarship, it's a full ride and you have nothing to worry about. I also agree with the person who recommended something on the key measurables. I've seen a couple of places where they listed the average height and weight of a pitcher, speed, pop times for catchers, etc. Also, is it worth while to mention the various recruiting services and what they can and can't do for you?

Yup: a review of the 11.7. I suppose vis-a-vis recruiting services: what can you do on your own that is equal to/better than hiring a service, as opposed to criticizing a service.

2022NYC posted:

Thanks, very helpful! Your legal Dept. had a field day with the disclaimer.

We've all been through plenty of Safe Harbor statements!

ILVBB posted:

About 10-years ago, after my son finished HS and was well on his way through his college career I had a very similar presentation. I gave it several times and met with several families on a consulting basis. I did it because I believed that most were clueless as to what opportunities exsisted and what they could do to find a school where they could get an education and pla baseball.

I gave up after two years.  What they wanted was the key to getting the “$100,000 sweatshirt.” Parents wanted their kids to go to a big named D1program, not to far from home. Kids wanted to be able to say the were recruited by a big named school.

After a meeting or two, it became clear that expectations were unrealistic and there generally was not a willingness to explore beyond there back yard.

Parents and kids that find this website are the ones that are willing to listen and learn. What you have outlined is important and the truth. However, I found most Parents don’t want the truth, they want the “$100,000 sweatshirt” to validate the time and money that they have put into their sons.

 

Because of this website, son's recruiting journey took him earnestly from east coast to west coast, from D1 to D3, from P5 to mid-major, from the highest of academic to the not-so-academic, from 100% scholarship to 0% scholarship. 

Following, utilizing, and reading this website, and through PMs with a handful of you, son earnestly searched every corner of this nation in his college baseball quest, and investigated a plethora and wide variety of schools.  It was a great, and at times painful, ride.  His recruiting visits,  both ones for which he was enthusiastically invited and those where he "crashed the gates" will be memories he will have for a lifetime.  And his thorough knowledge of these schools will be beneficial for his kids when it is time for them to look at schools as most of them will not change much in the next 25 years.

Son's vision of where he fit best and what type of school he was looking to go to morphed numerous times on this journey.  Would never have happened if not for this site.   

joemktg posted:

cabbagedad posted:

I click the arrow and can't get slides to show up. 

What device are you using?

Weird.  I use same browser at home and work.  One worked, the other didn't.  Anyway, I was able to view...  looks great.  Maybe expand on content about the many great Non-D1 options and the different timing elements since that is where the majority will land.  At quick glance, most content and logo's/images appear to be top D1 schools.

joemktg posted:

ILVBB posted:

About 10-years ago, after my son finished HS and was well on his way through his college career I had a very similar presentation. I gave it several times and met with several families on a consulting basis. I did it because I believed that most were clueless as to what opportunities exsisted and what they could do to find a school where they could get an education and pla baseball.

I gave up after two years.  What they wanted was the key to getting the “$100,000 sweatshirt.” Parents wanted their kids to go to a big named D1program, not to far from home. Kids wanted to be able to say the were recruited by a big named school.

After a meeting or two, it became clear that expectations were unrealistic and there generally was not a willingness to explore beyond there back yard.

Parents and kids that find this website are the ones that are willing to listen and learn. What you have outlined is important and the truth. However, I found most Parents don’t want the truth, they want the “$100,000 sweatshirt” to validate the time and money that they have put into their sons.

Amazing that even after 10 years parents continue to make the same mistakes. Maybe not so amazing as there is a lack of a central point of information, outside of HSBBW.

Yup, that's what keeps the industry going, there's always a fresh crop of new naïve  kids and parents pursuing the dream.    that's why I give this website out to anyone who asks-  it helped us tremendously!

First off, beautiful presentation. Well structured and full of the correct information. And that platform is super-attractive.

If I might, I would commend to you this article from the Driveline Baseball blog: Understanding the Recruiting and Scouting Process. The article is a few years old but it's aging just fine. The article addresses perhaps the most difficult part of the equation for both players and their parents (maybe even more for parents): being objective/realistic when projecting the player into his future college line-up. In a general way, the article suggests a deeper dive into who's playing at the object school now and examining who those kids were as 10th, 11th, and 12th graders as a way of making the decision more objective. I believe there's some really good fodder in there that would help in the third bubble section.

A further thought for your "Targeting and Research" section is thinking geographically and doing the math. This stuff will not matter to those families looking for the "$100,000 sweatshirt" which is just a brilliant comment by ILVBB. In contrast to those seeking the $100K sweatshirt, families and their players should place a premium on one value above all else: the opportunity to play and develop. That opportunity won't always come from the schools our sweatshirt seekers would prefer. And this issue is particularly acute the further west you go in the country.

I talk to baseball parents in the Seattle-area all the time, and from those conversations you'd think there are only seven colleges with D1 baseball programs in the whole country (4 in Washington and 3 in Oregon; I'm going to leave California out of the discussion because as we know, California is not normal ).

In response, I love telling these parents there are seven or so D1 college baseball programs within an easy drive of the City of Charlotte, NC alone! Do the math, West Coast parents! 16 D1 programs in Virginia but only 3 in Arizona. 18 D1 baseball programs in North Carolina but only 3 in Utah. 10 D1 programs in Alabama and only 2 in New Mexico. 20 in the state of New York and just 2 in Nevada.

It's simple: if you want to find a school where you're actually going to play and you're not matching up with the present players at Big Shiny In-State U in the West, you have to look at mid-major and small conference programs in the East and South.

ILVBB posted:

About 10-years ago, after my son finished HS and was well on his way through his college career I had a very similar presentation. I gave it several times and met with several families on a consulting basis. I did it because I believed that most were clueless as to what opportunities exsisted and what they could do to find a school where they could get an education and pla baseball.

I gave up after two years.  What they wanted was the key to getting the “$100,000 sweatshirt.” Parents wanted their kids to go to a big named D1program, not to far from home. Kids wanted to be able to say the were recruited by a big named school.

After a meeting or two, it became clear that expectations were unrealistic and there generally was not a willingness to explore beyond there back yard.

Parents and kids that find this website are the ones that are willing to listen and learn. What you have outlined is important and the truth. However, I found most Parents don’t want the truth, they want the “$100,000 sweatshirt” to validate the time and money that they have put into their sons.

 

Fantastic reply. That "$100K sweatshirt" expression is one of the best things I've read in long time. I get approached by area baseball parents on the same terms, as though because my son is playing, I have some magic for them. As I responded above, all I tell them is "do the math." Thanks for sharing.

I’m just impressed with the whole darn thing, regardless of its content.   I am a proud graduate of the Michael Scott School of Power Pointing   

tres_arboles posted:

First off, beautiful presentation. Well structured and full of the correct information. And that platform is super-attractive.

If I might, I would commend to you this article from the Driveline Baseball blog: Understanding the Recruiting and Scouting Process. The article is a few years old but it's aging just fine. The article addresses perhaps the most difficult part of the equation for both players and their parents (maybe even more for parents): being objective/realistic when projecting the player into his future college line-up. In a general way, the article suggests a deeper dive into who's playing at the object school now and examining who those kids were as 10th, 11th, and 12th graders as a way of making the decision more objective. I believe there's some really good fodder in there that would help in the third bubble section.

A further thought for your "Targeting and Research" section is thinking geographically and doing the math. This stuff will not matter to those families looking for the "$100,000 sweatshirt" which is just a brilliant comment by ILVBB. In contrast to those seeking the $100K sweatshirt, families and their players should place a premium on one value above all else: the opportunity to play and develop. That opportunity won't always come from the schools our sweatshirt seekers would prefer. And this issue is particularly acute the further west you go in the country.

I talk to baseball parents in the Seattle-area all the time, and from those conversations you'd think there are only seven colleges with D1 baseball programs in the whole country (4 in Washington and 3 in Oregon; I'm going to leave California out of the discussion because as we know, California is not normal ).

In response, I love telling these parents there are seven or so D1 college baseball programs within an easy drive of the City of Charlotte, NC alone! Do the math, West Coast parents! 16 D1 programs in Virginia but only 3 in Arizona. 18 D1 baseball programs in North Carolina but only 3 in Utah. 10 D1 programs in Alabama and only 2 in New Mexico. 20 in the state of New York and just 2 in Nevada.

It's simple: if you want to find a school where you're actually going to play and you're not matching up with the present players at Big Shiny In-State U in the West, you have to look at mid-major and small conference programs in the East and South.

Great illustration on the geographical perspective!

I liked your power point.  You might want to define the quiet period and how that affects who can see you, and where, during that time.

I'll make the revisions this weekend and repost.

Funny that PowerPoint is the generic version of online presentations. FWIW: this was done in Prezi, and is considered much better than PP (and easier). Only downside is that it does not support live copy/paste from other Office apps (so that when a change is made in, say, Excel, that change appears in the PP deck).

Great work, Joe! kudos to you for putting in the time and effort here.  I shared this with my brother in NorCal (my nephew is a 9th grader and is very projectable as RHP).  He lives an hour from Modesto, so...yeah...we might want to make a connection there. 

BucsFan posted:

Great work, Joe! kudos to you for putting in the time and effort here.  I shared this with my brother in NorCal (my nephew is a 9th grader and is very projectable as RHP).  He lives an hour from Modesto, so...yeah...we might want to make a connection there. 

If Joe gets placed there again, Greg, then absolutely let's make the connection.

Great idea.....most parents have no idea that you don't get a "full ride" for baseball.  Everyone I talk to that knows my son is on a baseball scholarship assumes it's that way....because they know football and basketball is.  People are really surprised when they find out that a lot of D1 kids are getting very little or even no money

Love the deck.  Thanks!

I think that $100 K sweatshirt is a little more expensive this year.

Great presentation.  Difficult to determine how much in depth each topic is discussed.  As a parent I would love to hear the pros/cons of going to Juco, private vs public, D1 vs D2 vs D3, P5 vs others, Top RPI schools vs middle vs low RPI, all within the context of going to college to get an opportunity to continue playing ball, vs "I made the team accolade" vs professional opportunity, vs great education at a discounted price (athletic scholarship).  You can incorporate historical data and subjective opinions.  For example, if my son's ambition is to be a pro (surprise huh?) and for different reasons is going to start the Juco route, what % get drafted out of Juco, if he were to transfer as a soph vs jr should it be to a Power 5 or any D1 for better chance of getting drafted, etc.  IMO this would separate you above others who just present boiler plate facts and recommendations.  Yes you will have to know and understand much data to combine different topics and combine them into one thought on the fly.  Something tells me though this is probably right up your alley 

Nice work!

4S's: Speed

Could do with out the          "Note to POs": just sit back and watch real players work

Wow! Sensational work, Joe.

Given that the HS players that are your target are going to eventually realize that they are all not skilled enough to go to a top-50 D1 program, might I suggest a slide that indicates the differences between DI, DII, DIII, JuCo, and Ivy League programs? I.e. recruiting, recruiting timeline, scholarships, academic vs. athletic commitment, transfer options, etc.

Other than that, any other suggestion would be nit-picking!