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There are many threads here which focus on one aspect of recruiting or another and I thought I'd give a shot at creating a basic framework to capture the process and perhaps help families arrive at their ultimate college destination.

All a player can do is control a part of the process and NO MATTER his wishes and dreams, a player cannot shoehorn himself into a program which for - whatever reason - doesn't want the player.

So, what goes into the calculus of finding a right college? (notice, I didn't say THE right college; merely a right college, because there are many right colleges for every player and non-player.)  IMO, it's baseball skills, academics, family finances and family geographical variables which factor into the college decision.  (A Ven diagram is very useful tool to identify potential matches.(https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venn_diagram)).

Once the circles are drawn, the area created where all four intersect represent the subset of colleges upon which the family should focus.

baseball skills

Baseball skills are created and enhanced over a long period of time. Just about every college player I have met has played since they were at least 7 or 8 years old.  Progress is incremental and not always on a linear path (for example, a growth spurt can create coordination issues which resolve as the kid grows into his new body).

Until the kid is into puberty, I believe that no one can determine if a kid has a chance to play beyond HS. But that doesn't mean that spending money on various lessons or playing and learning the game to increase baseball IQ is a waste. I don't believe that high end travel ball for kids up until 12 increases a kid's chances of success; but unless the kid gets injured or burnt out, I don't think it hurts, either.

The goal for those early years is to have fun, make baseball a family activity, for mom and/dad to play catch, hit ground balls, fly balls, and teach basic skills. It is not the time to fixate on being the best LL player. During this time the kid can pick up a love for the game which can be crushed by meaningless pressures to be the best kid in the league (and since physical development/lack of can be the biggest determinate, all a parent can do is make every trip to the field as enjoyable as possible).

Find a good coach - one who is proficient at the skills being taught and can communicate those skills in a way a kid can understand. As the kid ages evaluate if the coach is also progressing (my kid "aged out" of three or four pitching coaches between 8 and 14; but all were fine for a time) and make changes when necessary.

By seventh or eighth grade, you should be able to determine if junior is in love with the game; no love=no go.

If he loves the game, it's now time to really build those individual skills. Ask around and find the best coach (and the best coach is not measured by the cool electronics he brings) you can afford and to whom junior wants to go for lessons. Junior should understand that he must practice what he's learning - that most of the work he will do will be away from his personal coach and there will be lots of work to make tiny improvements. If junior isn't willing to put in the work, no more lessons.

While I don't feel that playing on a high end travel team is a must, whatever team he's on, junior MUST PLAY. If junior rides the bench, find a different team. 

When junior is physically ready, introduce physical training. This is a process and the beginning of teaching the discipline of becoming a top player. Make sure the instructor in this area is qualified - too many charlatans lurk.

Comstantly evaluate his progress and commitment. You may need to back off or increase the pressure - every kid differs.

There is no cookbook on developing skills which, if followed, will produce the desired result. Ask ten college players how each got their skills and you'll get ten different answers; so educate yourself on what's out there and choose the best match for your kid.

Once HS begins, HONESTLY assess his skills, the improvements over the years and what you think is reachable. If anything, UNDERESTIMATE his skills; if you are far off a coach will tell you. The most experienced, knowledgeable coaches have had hundreds of kids pass through their program and will have a feel for where junior will end up skill-wise.

Once you have an honest feel, create a college list (end freshman year). If your kid isn't SEC, don't put an SEC school on the baseball skill list.

academics

Academics begins early - really early. And showing your child that it matters is critical - even though colleges don't care til HS. If junior forgot to turn in the homework (a problem with boys it seems), he can't go to his practice. If junior was too sick to go to school, he's too sick to play catch.

He should learn to read and be encouraged to read a lot. Open the paper and use baseball stats to develop early math comprehension. Doing this early will also help identify any learning issues which should be addressed ASAP.

Pay as much attention to his school performance (even in elementary school) as you show to his weekend game performance. Prove to him that the parents' priority is education - even higher than baseball. Over time, he will get the message. You are not looking for straight A's, you are looking for him to reach his academic potential.

Once in HS - from the very beginning - he should take the most rigorous course load he can successfully manage. (Ask your guidance counselor how to achieve that.) For some kids that means lots of APs, for others lots of honors classes, for others it means dual enrollment classes with the local college. Above all, cut him no slack - missed assignments and lack of exam prep should have consequences (and keep in mind the goal isn't punishment, the goal is getting him to do the work).

Test as early as he is capable; and pay for those review courses if necessary.

By the end of sophomore year, you should have a feel for the potential colleges to place on this list. But if you wait until HS to make academics a priority its way, way too late.

family finances

Finances are a great limiter of college options. You cannot count upon an athletic scholarship. So sit down and get a feel for what the types of colleges cost (JC, in-state, private, religious, etc.) and what your family can bear. Think long and hard about loans and where loans fit - it they do at all. Private schools run well over 50k a year and if you have multiple kids, wow!

By junior's HS year, you should be able to peer Into the future to get a rough feel for what is affordable. If you are self-employed some early planning could help increase FA, so don't be afraid to hire a knowledgeable consultant.

Tell junior what are family financial limitations so he's not blindsided when the family won't fork over $250,000 for him to play ball at a school that doesn't have the major he wants.

By mid-junior year, you should have a list of what's affordable and what's not.

family geographical variables and types of colleges

Some families cannot bear the thought of junior being across the country; others cannot bear the thought of junior going to the local school. Once size doesn't fit all. But figuring our where is acceptable can really narrow down the list.

Take every opportunity to visit colleges - whether it's the local JUCO or the one you drive by on that long family vacation. Does junior want small, large, rural, city, commuter, south, north, cold, warm, whatever? 

Discuss every visit - the strangest things gets kids turned on or off. Also realize that his tastes will evolve. When he's old enough, walk each campus; find the student union, the diamond, the dorms, take the puff tour - anything to engage him. As he sees more schools, he will get the feel for what he likes and doesn't like.

Does he have a particular major he may choose (recognize that most kids switch majors regardless of whether they are athletes)? Can the school accommodate changing majors (e.g., a kid going to Rose-Hulman is going to an engineer).

By junior year, you should have a decent list of what is geographically acceptable and the types of schools he likes.

conclusion

That area where skills, academics, finances, and school location and type intersect is where a family should focus. By junior year, you should be able to see that intersection and hone in on the showcases and camps at which those school coaches will be present. You will have positioned junior for a successful result of a process which can seem out of control and random.

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Excellent post that covers all of the key parameters.  Now with a 2017 in the final stages of this process,I cannot emphasize enough how much the Academics can impact the Family Finances.  If you fall into that unfortunate "middle ground" where the family has "too much" income to get need-based aid, then most of the private colleges are going to be too expensive to self fund with loans and savings.  That is especially true in high residential cost living areas like California where so much of your income has to go to housing, but FASFA believes your income should be able to support the full cost of college.  That really limits the school options to public universities, most of which are D1 or D2, where a kid may simply not be talented enough to play at.

But if a player really hits the books in high school and gets strong grades and scores very well on the ACT/SAT, many otherwise unaffordable schools can provide academic merit aid and bring the cost down substantially.  Then if a kid is not a D1/D2 talent but still wants to play college baseball at a D3, there are many more private schools that might be the "right" school because of the merit money included.  I am not sure I appreciated that revelation until I started doing the Net Price Calculators at many of these private schools who were showing interest in my son.  What a huge difference my 2017's test scores are making in the merit aid estimates.  There are schools now in his final list of candidates that never would have been without those merit aid options.

Backstop22 posted:

Excellent post that covers all of the key parameters.  Now with a 2017 in the final stages of this process,I cannot emphasize enough how much the Academics can impact the Family Finances.  If you fall into that unfortunate "middle ground" where the family has "too much" income to get need-based aid, then most of the private colleges are going to be too expensive to self fund with loans and savings.  That is especially true in high residential cost living areas like California where so much of your income has to go to housing, but FASFA believes your income should be able to support the full cost of college.  That really limits the school options to public universities, most of which are D1 or D2, where a kid may simply not be talented enough to play at.

But if a player really hits the books in high school and gets strong grades and scores very well on the ACT/SAT, many otherwise unaffordable schools can provide academic merit aid and bring the cost down substantially.  Then if a kid is not a D1/D2 talent but still wants to play college baseball at a D3, there are many more private schools that might be the "right" school because of the merit money included.  I am not sure I appreciated that revelation until I started doing the Net Price Calculators at many of these private schools who were showing interest in my son.  What a huge difference my 2017's test scores are making in the merit aid estimates.  There are schools now in his final list of candidates that never would have been without those merit aid options.

what kind of scores and how much of a difference did it make (dollar-wise) if you don't mind sharing?

Backstop22 posted:

Excellent post that covers all of the key parameters.  Now with a 2017 in the final stages of this process,I cannot emphasize enough how much the Academics can impact the Family Finances.  If you fall into that unfortunate "middle ground" where the family has "too much" income to get need-based aid, then most of the private colleges are going to be too expensive to self fund with loans and savings.  That is especially true in high residential cost living areas like California where so much of your income has to go to housing, but FASFA believes your income should be able to support the full cost of college.  That really limits the school options to public universities, most of which are D1 or D2, where a kid may simply not be talented enough to play at.

But if a player really hits the books in high school and gets strong grades and scores very well on the ACT/SAT, many otherwise unaffordable schools can provide academic merit aid and bring the cost down substantially.  Then if a kid is not a D1/D2 talent but still wants to play college baseball at a D3, there are many more private schools that might be the "right" school because of the merit money included.  I am not sure I appreciated that revelation until I started doing the Net Price Calculators at many of these private schools who were showing interest in my son.  What a huge difference my 2017's test scores are making in the merit aid estimates.  There are schools now in his final list of candidates that never would have been without those merit aid options.

But that exclude the Elite colleges. If you look at the US News rankings, very few in the top 30 universities and top 20 LACs offer merit aid.

True, so in those cases, if you do not qualify for financial need, then you pay full tuition (unless it is a D1 or D2 and you can get athletic money).  But then again, the academic record is critical to even get into those in the first place.  So it still is a combination of academics and family finances--one of the coaches at one of those elite D3 schools on the list told us he loses a lot of recruits he would really love to get but they cannot afford full tuition.

To answer SD Realist question, at one school we checked, dropping the GPA by just 0.2 meant the difference of $4K less in merit money.  While that is still an estimate, it provides some example of the magnitude on how much grades matter.

Focus on the academics you don't know where baseball will land. So much can happen during HS that you did not plan for. I know my son was planning to play in college getting interest after freshman year. Got injured summer before junior year missed entire junior year. Luckily he always kept his academics in the fore front so without baseball he many options. 

"Take every opportunity to visit colleges - whether it's the local JUCO or the one you drive by on that long family vacation. Does junior want small, large, rural, city, commuter, south, north, cold, warm, whatever? "  -Goosegg

This part I feel is huge.  I vividly remember at age 10 visiting Wake Forest, Clemson, Furman, and Sewanee, for example.    Relax........I was tagging along with older college bound siblings!

Those first impressions stuck with me thru my son's recruitment even though I never went to any of them, nor did siblings, but the experience actually helped me guide him.  On one long baseball road trip, son and I, added up the number of colleges he'd played baseball or basketball at, or had recruit visits at; final tally was something like 45+ .

My understanding and knowledge of "College" began at age 10, because I had one parent who went, and two older siblings who went before me.  I can not imagine how a 15-year old baseball player, with parents who never attended college, and has no older siblings who have gone, makes this decision?  It must be extremely intimidating, and full of pitfalls.

Therefore, one bonus to showcasing early and often, is getting on and seeing as many college campuses as possible.  Like Goosegg says, "Take every opportunity to visit colleges."  This means when on road trip to go play at X-University 6-hours away, and 4-hours in you see sign that reads, "A-University  Exit 4," take the time to do a quick detour while you are in that part of the country.  Even if he says he has no interest in A-University.  He's 15, good chance that will change by 17.  Very good chance if A-U wants him for baseball! 

You begin doing this early and by the time Jr. is fielding interest and hopefully offers from A-University and X and Z-University it will really pay off.  Might even save you time and money later on in the process. 

 

Bogeyorpar posted:
Backstop22 posted:

Excellent post that covers all of the key parameters.  Now with a 2017 in the final stages of this process,I cannot emphasize enough how much the Academics can impact the Family Finances

But that exclude the Elite colleges. If you look at the US News rankings, very few in the top 30 universities and top 20 LACs offer merit aid.

Great grades and test scored won't get you merit aid at the elite colleges, but it will give you an opportunity to get accepted. Once accepted, most of those schools have very generous need-based aid. Harvard is one of the best-case scenarios, but they publish an expected contribution of 0-10% of family annual income. Anyone with a family income of $100K should be able to find $10K per year for a Harvard education.

IMO, one of the worst mistakes you can make while choosing a college is to assume that you can't afford a particular school and not even apply.

https://college.harvard.edu/fi...aid-works/fact-sheet

Last edited by MidAtlanticDad

We are what most would consider upper middle class and were self-employed.

During the first four years of college for two kids attending the same school (there were two overlapping years), and due to some serious financial planning, the sticker price was cut 50% (we got a "twofer)". It enabled us to pay the full price for the last two non-overlap years (which was extremely financially painful). (In 20 years, we'll give the kids the bill.)

The schools with the best FA even take into consideration the $$$ spent on younger siblings in private school in giving more aid.

Last edited by Goosegg
MidAtlanticDad posted:
Bogeyorpar posted:
Backstop22 posted:

Excellent post that covers all of the key parameters.  Now with a 2017 in the final stages of this process,I cannot emphasize enough how much the Academics can impact the Family Finances

But that exclude the Elite colleges. If you look at the US News rankings, very few in the top 30 universities and top 20 LACs offer merit aid.

Great grades and test scored won't get you merit aid at the elite colleges, but it will give you an opportunity to get accepted. Once accepted, most of those schools have very generous need-based aid. Harvard is one of the best-case scenarios, but they publish an expected contribution of 0-10% of family annual income. Anyone with a family income of $100K should be able to find $10K per year for a Harvard education.

IMO, one of the worst mistakes you can make while choosing a college is to assume that you can't afford a particular school and not even apply.

https://college.harvard.edu/fi...aid-works/fact-sheet

Agreed.  I am a public HS teacher and coach in the SE.  Kills me when I watch fellow coaches steer a kid away from a private high academic or even an IVY, who is showing interest, to a regional in-state U all because of the myth of "too expensive."  

Need-Based Aid is out there and so many aren't aware of it.  If you have the high academic grades, the athletic chops, and family income less than $75K?  Chances are you will not be paying much if any at all.   As a matter of fact, son's boarding school has same policy.  If you get in?  And household income less than $75K?  Tuition =  0.

Last edited by #1 Assistant Coach

"family finances

Finances are a great limiter of college options. You cannot count upon an athletic scholarship. So sit down and get a feel for what the types of colleges cost (JC, in-state, private, religious, etc.) and what your family can bear. Think long and hard about loans and where loans fit - it they do at all. Private schools run well over 50k a year and if you have multiple kids, wow!

By junior's HS year, you should be able to peer Into the future to get a rough feel for what is affordable. If you are self-employed some early planning could help increase FA, so don't be afraid to hire a knowledgeable consultant.

Tell junior what are family financial limitations so he's not blindsided when the family won't fork over $250,000 for him to play ball at a school that doesn't have the major he wants.

By mid-junior year, you should have a list of what's affordable and what's not."

--- Goosegg

 

Here is the irony, and Goosegg states it clearly.  

From what I have learned from this process, and read, it appears that it may be more difficult, and even prohibitive,  for a family with household income of say $200K, to send their kid to a private college where tuition is $60K, than a family with household income of say $75K.

The family with the $75k may be able to afford the high academic private college tuition by qualifying for need-based FA, whereas the $200K family may not qualify for need-based aid and therefore can't afford the $60K tuition.  However you just never know.  As Goosegg states, there are many factors involved in determining who gets need-based FA and who doesn't.  Something tells me it may not be an exact science and you may only know after you have applied for it.  

"family finances", as Goosegg discusses, are an extremely important in the process.  But when making that list early don't leave a school off a list because you feel it'll be too expensive.  May very well be in the end, but be sure to do your due diligence to verify your family's finances will not be a match in affordability before taking a school off your player's list.  

Last edited by #1 Assistant Coach

Imagine being in this position: My uncle had a kid at Harvard, a kid at Yale and a kid at Michigan Law all at the same time. They didn't qualify for any financial aid. Then it was a kid at Michigan Law, Tufts Medical and Yale.

By the time my uncle was done paying he paid for Penn and Michigan Law, Yale and Juilliard, and Harvard and Tufts Medical.

This was before any of the generous programs that popped up at some of the Ivies.

Bogeyorpar posted:
Backstop22 posted:

Excellent post that covers all of the key parameters.  Now with a 2017 in the final stages of this process,I cannot emphasize enough how much the Academics can impact the Family Finances.  If you fall into that unfortunate "middle ground" where the family has "too much" income to get need-based aid, then most of the private colleges are going to be too expensive to self fund with loans and savings.  That is especially true in high residential cost living areas like California where so much of your income has to go to housing, but FASFA believes your income should be able to support the full cost of college.  That really limits the school options to public universities, most of which are D1 or D2, where a kid may simply not be talented enough to play at.

But if a player really hits the books in high school and gets strong grades and scores very well on the ACT/SAT, many otherwise unaffordable schools can provide academic merit aid and bring the cost down substantially.  Then if a kid is not a D1/D2 talent but still wants to play college baseball at a D3, there are many more private schools that might be the "right" school because of the merit money included.  I am not sure I appreciated that revelation until I started doing the Net Price Calculators at many of these private schools who were showing interest in my son.  What a huge difference my 2017's test scores are making in the merit aid estimates.  There are schools now in his final list of candidates that never would have been without those merit aid options.

But that exclude the Elite colleges. If you look at the US News rankings, very few in the top 30 universities and top 20 LACs offer merit aid.

Huh? ......1/2 the top 30 do baseball money / merit money . USC , UCLA, Vandy, Notre Dame. Etc

http://colleges.usnews.ranking...ational-universities

Goosegg posted:

There are many threads here which focus on one aspect of recruiting or another and I thought I'd give a shot at creating a basic framework to capture the process and perhaps help families arrive at their ultimate college destination.

All a player can do is control a part of the process and NO MATTER his wishes and dreams, a player cannot shoehorn himself into a program which for - whatever reason - doesn't want the player.

So, what goes into the calculus of finding a right college? (notice, I didn't say THE right college; merely a right college, because there are many right colleges for every player and non-player.)  IMO, it's baseball skills, academics, family finances and family geographical variables which factor into the college decision.  (A Ven diagram is very useful tool to identify potential matches.(https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venn_diagram)).

Once the circles are drawn, the area created where all four intersect represent the subset of colleges upon which the family should focus.

baseball skills

Baseball skills are created and enhanced over a long period of time. Just about every college player I have met has played since they were at least 7 or 8 years old.  Progress is incremental and not always on a linear path (for example, a growth spurt can create coordination issues which resolve as the kid grows into his new body).

Until the kid is into puberty, I believe that no one can determine if a kid has a chance to play beyond HS. But that doesn't mean that spending money on various lessons or playing and learning the game to increase baseball IQ is a waste. I don't believe that high end travel ball for kids up until 12 increases a kid's chances of success; but unless the kid gets injured or burnt out, I don't think it hurts, either.

The goal for those early years is to have fun, make baseball a family activity, for mom and/dad to play catch, hit ground balls, fly balls, and teach basic skills. It is not the time to fixate on being the best LL player. During this time the kid can pick up a love for the game which can be crushed by meaningless pressures to be the best kid in the league (and since physical development/lack of can be the biggest determinate, all a parent can do is make every trip to the field as enjoyable as possible).

Find a good coach - one who is proficient at the skills being taught and can communicate those skills in a way a kid can understand. As the kid ages evaluate if the coach is also progressing (my kid "aged out" of three or four pitching coaches between 8 and 14; but all were fine for a time) and make changes when necessary.

By seventh or eighth grade, you should be able to determine if junior is in love with the game; no love=no go.

If he loves the game, it's now time to really build those individual skills. Ask around and find the best coach (and the best coach is not measured by the cool electronics he brings) you can afford and to whom junior wants to go for lessons. Junior should understand that he must practice what he's learning - that most of the work he will do will be away from his personal coach and there will be lots of work to make tiny improvements. If junior isn't willing to put in the work, no more lessons.

While I don't feel that playing on a high end travel team is a must, whatever team he's on, junior MUST PLAY. If junior rides the bench, find a different team. 

When junior is physically ready, introduce physical training. This is a process and the beginning of teaching the discipline of becoming a top player. Make sure the instructor in this area is qualified - too many charlatans lurk.

Comstantly evaluate his progress and commitment. You may need to back off or increase the pressure - every kid differs.

There is no cookbook on developing skills which, if followed, will produce the desired result. Ask ten college players how each got their skills and you'll get ten different answers; so educate yourself on what's out there and choose the best match for your kid.

Once HS begins, HONESTLY assess his skills, the improvements over the years and what you think is reachable. If anything, UNDERESTIMATE his skills; if you are far off a coach will tell you. The most experienced, knowledgeable coaches have had hundreds of kids pass through their program and will have a feel for where junior will end up skill-wise.

Once you have an honest feel, create a college list (end freshman year). If your kid isn't SEC, don't put an SEC school on the baseball skill list.

academics

Academics begins early - really early. And showing your child that it matters is critical - even though colleges don't care til HS. If junior forgot to turn in the homework (a problem with boys it seems), he can't go to his practice. If junior was too sick to go to school, he's too sick to play catch.

He should learn to read and be encouraged to read a lot. Open the paper and use baseball stats to develop early math comprehension. Doing this early will also help identify any learning issues which should be addressed ASAP.

Pay as much attention to his school performance (even in elementary school) as you show to his weekend game performance. Prove to him that the parents' priority is education - even higher than baseball. Over time, he will get the message. You are not looking for straight A's, you are looking for him to reach his academic potential.

Once in HS - from the very beginning - he should take the most rigorous course load he can successfully manage. (Ask your guidance counselor how to achieve that.) For some kids that means lots of APs, for others lots of honors classes, for others it means dual enrollment classes with the local college. Above all, cut him no slack - missed assignments and lack of exam prep should have consequences (and keep in mind the goal isn't punishment, the goal is getting him to do the work).

Test as early as he is capable; and pay for those review courses if necessary.

By the end of sophomore year, you should have a feel for the potential colleges to place on this list. But if you wait until HS to make academics a priority its way, way too late.

family finances

Finances are a great limiter of college options. You cannot count upon an athletic scholarship. So sit down and get a feel for what the types of colleges cost (JC, in-state, private, religious, etc.) and what your family can bear. Think long and hard about loans and where loans fit - it they do at all. Private schools run well over 50k a year and if you have multiple kids, wow!

By junior's HS year, you should be able to peer Into the future to get a rough feel for what is affordable. If you are self-employed some early planning could help increase FA, so don't be afraid to hire a knowledgeable consultant.

Tell junior what are family financial limitations so he's not blindsided when the family won't fork over $250,000 for him to play ball at a school that doesn't have the major he wants.

By mid-junior year, you should have a list of what's affordable and what's not.

family geographical variables and types of colleges

Some families cannot bear the thought of junior being across the country; others cannot bear the thought of junior going to the local school. Once size doesn't fit all. But figuring our where is acceptable can really narrow down the list.

Take every opportunity to visit colleges - whether it's the local JUCO or the one you drive by on that long family vacation. Does junior want small, large, rural, city, commuter, south, north, cold, warm, whatever? 

Discuss every visit - the strangest things gets kids turned on or off. Also realize that his tastes will evolve. When he's old enough, walk each campus; find the student union, the diamond, the dorms, take the puff tour - anything to engage him. As he sees more schools, he will get the feel for what he likes and doesn't like.

Does he have a particular major he may choose (recognize that most kids switch majors regardless of whether they are athletes)? Can the school accommodate changing majors (e.g., a kid going to Rose-Hulman is going to an engineer).

By junior year, you should have a decent list of what is geographically acceptable and the types of schools he likes.

conclusion

That area where skills, academics, finances, and school location and type intersect is where a family should focus. By junior year, you should be able to see that intersection and hone in on the showcases and camps at which those school coaches will be present. You will have positioned junior for a successful result of a process which can seem out of control and random.

Now read it again.

Use the internet to search "'name of university' ACT score" (or SAT score). Each college and university is required to publish a common data set and freshman class ACT/SAT scores are part of it. If your student needs merit aid, choose to apply to schools where his ACT/SAT score is higher than the 75th percentile to maximize the chances he'll get some good merit aid.

This is an excellent synopsis of the recruiting process.  Well done.

I really do feel badly often for many folks because the process is harder now than when our family was going through it.  Son ended up choosing between 2 offers. One was from a school in our state, and his state earned money ended up putting money in his pocket.  UF was 5 hours away, Clemson 12 hours.  Either one meant little or no college debt, which was our main goal. Sons goal was which one would provide the better opportunity to turn pro in 3 years.  Both offered on his skills on the field and in the classroom. It's then when I realized what THE most important element was to the process, good grades and test scores.  No coach wants to offer a coveted percentage of 1 scholarship to anyone who won't remain eligible.  Unless things change, there is much more academic money available than athletic in baseball.  With that in mind, a walk on offer should only be when the player doesnt need an athletic scholarship and will be part of the 35 man roster.  If that doesn't describe the offer, go find a coach who wants you and willing to give up something for it.  JMO

As far as an offer, never let a coach give you an ultimatum, committed now or walk. Walk. That right there tells you a lot about the coach and his program. There is a reason why they do that. Your player should be allowed an opportunity to think about it in a reasonable time frame. My son had a program that did that, no way was he committing under pressure. There was more than enough programs showing interest.  

I may have repeated somethings said earlier by GOOSEGG.  His son and mine took different paths. His attended an IL program, mine attended one from a power 5 conference. 

Guess what, both had an opportunity to graduate with degrees AND play professional ball. 

So when he says if you have professional  talento, it doesn't matter where you go, he brings up a very good point. 

 

There are so many variables in the recruiting process, and most of them are out of your control as a family.  The points made in previous posts are excellent.  As a former coach we used to make only one promise to the families we were recruiting.  That promise was that your son will reach his potential as a student, and athlete, and a young man, by the time his four years are over.  That is what you should really look for in a college.  Where can my son maximize his potential in those three areas.  All the other variables are important, finances, location, etc.  The "potential question" will help clear a path to make the right decision.  

BrianTRC posted:

There are so many variables in the recruiting process, and most of them are out of your control as a family.  The points made in previous posts are excellent.  As a former coach we used to make only one promise to the families we were recruiting.  That promise was that your son will reach his potential as a student, and athlete, and a young man, by the time his four years are over.  That is what you should really look for in a college.  Where can my son maximize his potential in those three areas.  All the other variables are important, finances, location, etc.  The "potential question" will help clear a path to make the right decision.  

One HC told my wife and me, "Your son will either be drafted in 3-years, or graduate in 4.  I promise."

Never forgot it. 

joemktg posted:

auto Golden Post

Second that motion from joemktg

Also I totally agree with TPM that college baseball recruiting has changed a lot over the years.  It is more difficult now, however Gooseggs' principles & point hold up over time.  If my oldest son were in the same position 7 years later there is very little doubt in my mind that he would make the same selection based on everything Goosegg pointed out.  Whether or not those same options would be there 7 years later is another matter, but everything being equal there is no doubt he would go in the same direction knowing what he knew then and knows now.  And this gets to exactly what BrianTRC is suggesting in looking at that "final product" after 4 years.  Does the program help your son achieve his potential as a student, athlete and young man?  If I was a recruit (today) making an unofficial or official visit to a potential college, I'm going to pepper the seniors with questions that get to the heart of BrianTRC's point about "final product".   Seniors have been through the college baseball gauntlet.  I'd ask the seniors how the coaches helped you reach your potential, and then listen very closely to the response.

This a great post by Goosegg and thread by everyone.

Last edited by fenwaysouth

Great Post Goosegg--I think it helps navigate those going through the process which Fenway referred to as a "labyrinth" during my son's recruitment. Others have mentioned there are many moving parts to the process, and timing of offers often does not come as the player's "ideal" time (my son was impatient of the process, especially when others were "hearing" from schools). Also, as a HS math teacher, I also appreciate the Venn Diagram reference in this informative post

Outstanding topic and post by Goosegg. Something often overlooked, especially in smaller colleges... back when I coached we could find money to help players we wanted.  Various grants were available for different majors and just about anything else you could think of.  Problem is most people don't have any idea what they are. But there are a lot of kids going to college at very little cost. 

BTW, there is an app available that actually shows where a lot of this scholarship money and grants are. At one time I posted the link here. Unfortunately I can't remember it now. Maybe some google searching can find it.

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