It is about time for my 2018 son to begin calling on some coaches to express interest in playing for their school/level of play. This can be a bit awkward. What do you say? What sort of language makes an appropriate impression, i.e., not sounding desperate nor nervous?
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Teaching Elder posted:It is about time for my 2018 son to begin calling on some coaches to express interest in playing for their school/level of play. This can be a bit awkward. What do you say? What sort of language makes an appropriate impression, i.e., not sounding desperate nor nervous?
Hi Coach:
This is Teaching Elder Jr. just following up on a few emails I have recently sent you. Want to make sure you've been receiving the updates/info and see if you have a minute to discuss the possibilities of me becoming a part your program. Please give me a call at your earliest convenience, to discuss. <if a voicemail>
Were you able to get a chance to see me play this summer? <wait for response> What do you think about my abilities and how they'd translate to being a contributor on your team? <wait for response> As you are likely aware by now, I have done a lot of research on the University and your team and would really be honored to be considered for a roster spot, your program is at the top of my list, 'currently'. Do I exist anywhere on 'your board'? Are you still looking for kids in my graduating class? What would be the next step in the process? <assuming you get good answers to the previous questions>.
Thanks for your time Coach, really looking forward to meeting you and the rest of your staff!
----
Have you ever seen the doc-drama, "TURN -Washington's Spies"? If you have, picture me looking at you like General Washington when Ben Tallmadge has given him some good intel.
Teaching Elder posted:Have you ever seen the doc-drama, "TURN -Washington's Spies"? If you have, picture me looking at you like General Washington when Ben Tallmadge has given him some good intel.
Haven't seen it....Does that mean you don't like my CC verbiage? lol
If your son is a 2018, it's well past the time that he should have been contacting coaches. Most colleges were recruiting 2018's (and 19's and 20's) this past summer. If there are schools he's interested in, he needs to get in contact with them today...and hopefully get a chance to get in front of them this fall. College coaches don't have time to get to HS games because they are in season also and next summer will be awfully late for them to look at a 2018. I would email them first....send info/video/etc then make a call a couple days later to see if they've had a chance to take a look. The conversations usually take care of themselves....my son was terrified at first, but got pretty good at it fairly quickly. Good luck
LOL. On the contrary. I thought your verbiage was quite good.
I think my strategy would be a little different than cold calls. I would focus on attending their Winter camps for a few select schools and putting your skills front and center. He/you should be able to tell from those interactions if there is interest.
I would email (or call, but I prefer email, its less in their face - however you have to consider they will treat it like junk mail) ahead of those camps to preview your attendance and state your interest. The coaches will then be fully aware that he is an uncommitted 2018 and pay particular attention if they need to add to their class.
I did see Stanford attempt to fill out a class, in person, with just such an approach by a player. That player (a pitcher) ultimately went to Rice and did fairly well. Having been there and talked to the parents, they had clearly had contact before arriving and there was clearly interest in evaluating him.
We recently moved to Georgia. The focus has really shifted to schools in this state after having had zero focus previously. We have got to get up-to-speed a bit here. Did ASK summer coaches to email information to certain schools. Don't know if they got past promoting D1 studs who are already committed for long enough to do it or not.
He wants to do JUCO in order to grow and develop more. Got to make sure we get on some radars and to camps or private workouts in a way that is best. His window is this fall and next spring.
I'd start with the cold calling script from GlenGarry Glen Ross. 
Seriously, i'd reach out to the in state Jucos:
https://www.fieldlevel.com/exp...all/ga/juniorcollege
My son's former travel coach does a fair amount of work within GA at these schools.
If I can offer some advice with cold calls, I would say script out a few question like Desert Duck had above (those are good) and then have him call you and role play with him prior to him calling a HC/RC for real. Get him comfortable talking on the phone, answering questions. Ask him a question or two he isn't expecting, get him to think on his feet. Every kid should have their "elevator speech" in which they can sell themselves, but what if that unexpected question comes up? Can they tap dance? I think as adults we are more experienced in these type of scenarios, but kids are still "green" and will be intimidated. I had my son make some cold calls in January and most of the time he got voicemails, but when a coach did answer he was like "OMG, WTH do I do now!!!???"
Like anything else is baseball, repetitions is a key to success here in my opinion.
DesertDuck posted:Teaching Elder posted:It is about time for my 2018 son to begin calling on some coaches to express interest in playing for their school/level of play. This can be a bit awkward. What do you say? What sort of language makes an appropriate impression, i.e., not sounding desperate nor nervous?
Hi Coach:
This is Teaching Elder Jr. just following up on a few emails I have recently sent you. Want to make sure you've been receiving the updates/info and see if you have a minute to discuss the possibilities of me becoming a part your program. Please give me a call at your earliest convenience, to discuss. <if a voicemail>
Were you able to get a chance to see me play this summer? <wait for response> What do you think about my abilities and how they'd translate to being a contributor on your team? <wait for response> As you are likely aware by now, I have done a lot of research on the University and your team and would really be honored to be considered for a roster spot, your program is at the top of my list, 'currently'. Do I exist anywhere on 'your board'? Are you still looking for kids in my graduating class? What would be the next step in the process? <assuming you get good answers to the previous questions>.
Thanks for your time Coach, really looking forward to meeting you and the rest of your staff!
----
Or...if he's uncomfortable with the language above, you could always work the following into your 'role play':
Yo Dude! Howz'it brutha? You think I can Ball? You like my Skillz? Lets hook up for a pizza & a pitcher and hammer out an awsome scholly for me!
Ciao-
Duck,
That was our method with most Power 5 D1s. You know, really come off as the stuff. Get attention. Sell you self. We felt we were close with several good programs, but in the end they didn't come through.
Realist,
That is some very good advice. That is one that I use sometimes in counseling. I have role played a few things with him in the past.
Sometimes my wife and I role play drunken floozy and wayward preacher down at the local bar. Oh, wait...wrong forum! Ha ha. Forget about that part.
Annnyyywayy. We will definitely use some of the cold call verbiage suggested and do some practice runs with it.
You guys are awesome!
Teaching Elder posted:Duck,
That was our method with most Power 5 D1s. You know, really come off as the stuff. Get attention. Sell you self. We felt we were close with several good programs, but in the end they didn't come through.
Realist,
That is some very good advice. That is one that I use sometimes in counseling. I have role played a few things with him in the past.
Sometimes my wife and I role play drunken floozy and wayward preacher down at the local bar. Oh, wait...wrong forum! Ha ha. Forget about that part.
Annnyyywayy. We will definitely use some of the cold call verbiage suggested and do some practice runs with it.
You guys are awesome!
Geez, I never expected that from you, but your wife sounds like a fun date!
SanDiegoRealist posted:Teaching Elder posted:Duck,
That was our method with most Power 5 D1s. You know, really come off as the stuff. Get attention. Sell you self. We felt we were close with several good programs, but in the end they didn't come through.
Realist,
That is some very good advice. That is one that I use sometimes in counseling. I have role played a few things with him in the past.
Sometimes my wife and I role play drunken floozy and wayward preacher down at the local bar. Oh, wait...wrong forum! Ha ha. Forget about that part.
Annnyyywayy. We will definitely use some of the cold call verbiage suggested and do some practice runs with it.
You guys are awesome!
Geez, I never expected that from you, but your wife sounds like a fun date!
I'll second that!
-lmao
They will expect him to sound nervous! Don't sweat it. He will do great.
Sales 101!
Good info (and entertainment) by others.
Some important basics...
First, I think it is a better sequence to send email before the call and let them know you will be following up... ask if there is a good day/time to reach them. Then, in both the email and the phone call...
Make sure you identify the right target... RC or HC. With the email, if in doubt, send to HC and copy RC.
Be positive and speak clearly. Nervous is perfectly OK. In fact, tell the coach you're nervous because it is important to you and you realize you only get one chance to find the best school.
Take the time to have specifics about what you like about the school and why you want to go there. Know some things about the program and what appeals to you.
Provide short bullet point highlights of why you are the type of player that can help him win. This, after all, is the primary reason he will be interested. Played successfully in the same scout league as his players, was first team all-state, 89 from the bump as a LHP with good secondary stuff, PG rating of 9, 6.7 60, etc. Be careful with game stats. They can be a plus with proper context. "I hit .380 in HS" means nothing. "I hit .380 in HS and was team offensive MVP in the biggest classification in state X" means something.
Provide concrete evidence that you are an upstanding student and citizen that will be a positive addition to the program.
Offer up credible references, preferably ones he might know or can easily contact.
Offer to forward a short video, assuming he hasn't seen you play. Of course, this means you have to have a good one ready to send.
If possible, try to find common ground... you went to a camp there, one of your classmates plays there, your dad went to the same college he went to, your travel coach told you what a great school it is, etc. Ice breakers, conversation starters, who-ya-know's are all good.
Teaching Elder posted:We recently moved to Georgia. The focus has really shifted to schools in this state after having had zero focus previously. We have got to get up-to-speed a bit here. Did ASK summer coaches to email information to certain schools. Don't know if they got past promoting D1 studs who are already committed for long enough to do it or not.
He wants to do JUCO in order to grow and develop more. Got to make sure we get on some radars and to camps or private workouts in a way that is best. His window is this fall and next spring.
FWIW, don't ever place the recruiting process into someone else hands.
You can try to place calls to JUCOs. Keep in mind in a few weeks they will be into their fall games already. JUCO fall rosters are enormous. Probably would be best to enroll, then go to meet the coach.
JMO
Teaching Elder posted:Duck,
That was our method with most Power 5 D1s. You know, really come off as the stuff. Get attention. Sell you self. We felt we were close with several good programs, but in the end they didn't come through.
Realist,
That is some very good advice. That is one that I use sometimes in counseling. I have role played a few things with him in the past.
Sometimes my wife and I role play drunken floozy and wayward preacher down at the local bar. Oh, wait...wrong forum! Ha ha. Forget about that part.
Annnyyywayy. We will definitely use some of the cold call verbiage suggested and do some practice runs with it.
You guys are awesome!
I can help with both your role plays. On the bolded one:
Wayward Preacher: "You think the Mets will call up Tebow?"
Drunken Floozy: "How many drinks could you have bought me with what you paid for that Mets Tebow jersey?"
On the serious one:
If player can actually get a hold of the RC, I don't think it should be overly scripted. Just "Hi coach, I am Frank Sanchez, a 2018 RHP from Jones High School. I am looking for a school that fit's my abilities and the degree I want. I am curious if you are still recruiting pitchers? Am I anywhere on your board?" The conversation will go from there.
Teaching Elder, check this out for additional perspective:
http://usatodayhss.com/2017/re...-are-you-waiting-for
Sometimes my wife and I role play drunken floozy and wayward preacher down at the local bar. Oh, wait...wrong forum! Ha ha. Forget about that part.
Teaching Elder
In the immortal words of Susan Sarandon after Kevin Costner's "I believe..." speech in Bull Durham:
"Oh, my."
