We are visiting several colleges this month and meeting coaching staff from most of them. What questions should he be asking them? Should we, as parents, say anything or pretty much stay out of it? These are all unofficial visits, I'm guessing that makes a difference
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Call ahead. eMail ahead. Make contact. Send a sub 5 minute video ahead showing a few reps with the bat from different angles and some fielding views. Don't overdo it.
Is it DII? If yes, then ask for a brief workout with one of the assistants.
If no, ask your high school or travel team coach to call or write the coach in advance.
Look at their roster, what positions look to be emptying out after this year or next.
During the conversation ask them what they need to know to advise you of your viability for making the team? Again, if its DIII all they can honestly do is say whether or not you have the talent to make it, most will not guarantee you a spot.
D1 or 2, depending on caliber, normally like to lock in their players in advance, so they will need to be tempted to see you play in advance. You could ask where their schedule is taking them to see if there is an opportunity to cross paths.
Also, remember this is high season for college ball, don't expect a lot of interaction with coaches until June given that they are focused on their team's game schedule right now.
This was my "soup to nuts list of questions, some of which I copied from this site. It is somewhere here. I would review these questions with my son prior to a visit and do role playing with him until he was comfortable asking the questions. Many times coaches will sit with the parents and talk and I would pick out a few of the more difficult ones that my son was afraid to ask. Let him lead, but if the opportunity arises by all means ask.
Good luck, these are lots of fun!
What kind of academic support does the college provide? (tutors, etc)
What is the team grade point average?
What is the team graduation rate?
What are some of the majors of team players?
What happens if I have a class and practice conflict?
What are your red-shirt procedures? Will I be red-shirted in my freshman year?
Does the scholarship cover summer school?
Will the scholarship cover a fifth year if necessary?
At my position, what does the depth chart look like?
Where do I stand on the recruiting list?
Have you seen me play? Where/when? How do I compare with others you have recruited in my position?
What are my scholarship opportunities?
How many assistant coaches are there?
How many freshman do you typically bring in, either as signees or as invited walk-ons, on average how many of them are still at your school 4 years later, and what are the normal reasons for leaving?
Are you happy with the University/administration? Are they supportive of the program and you?
Is the program fully funded? How many scholarships does the program have?
Ask specific questions regarding how much does scholarships change over the 4 years. What does a typical mid week starter get? A starting position player? A weekend pitcher?
Does the coach teach at the school?
What is the morale of the team?
Does the team like the staff?
Is the coach interested in academics?
Do the athletes really have to go to all classes?
How long is practice?
Would you go to this school if you had to choose again?
What is the average class size?
What are the dorms like?
Are the professors accessible?
Do the athletic dept. tutors do a good job?
Pitching / Playing questions
Who is the pitching coach?
What is his pitching philosophy?
What is he looking for when recruiting a pitcher for the program?
What are the off season work outs?
How much rest does he want his pitchers to have in the off season?
Does he limit pitchers with pitch counts?
How many Freshmen pitchers pitch?
Are there any Freshmen starters?
How many Freshmen are redshirted?
Does the program recruit 2 way players?
Can a pitcher DH and pitch?
Are there any 2 way players on the roster?
What is the average class size and ratio per professor?
Who teaches classes? (Professors, teacher assistants)
What is enrollment of college?
How is my major regarded?
What percent of graduates from my major receive jobs within three months of graduation?
How many fraternities and sororities are available?
What are the housing policies?
May I sit in on a class in my major? (as a guest)
How accessible are counselors to me?
Summary Question for Yourself
Did I have a good overall feeling about the school?
Would I go to school here if I wasn't going to play sports?
Will I fit into the athletic program?
Am I satisfied with the living arrangements?
Am I satisfied with the academic opportunities?
Many additional questions will, and should, come up throughout your recruiting process. The
bottom line in choosing a college is simple.... Choose a school that you would go to if you were not going to play sports!
Your chances of playing professional sports is very slim. Go to college to get an education, meet lifetime friends, play some sports & have fun! When the final whistle blows and you're 21 years old and out of college, what you will have is experience, memories and a college degree. Don't make the mistake of selecting a college only because they are the only school that offered you a scholarship.
Pick a college because that's where you would want to spend the next four to five years of your
life.
I agree with all the question redsoxfan21 and BOF have listed. IMHO these questions need to come from your son. If parents are present they should only speak when spoken to. Some of these questions are very important, and they need to be asked. Many of them the coach will have heard many time before, but listen to how he answers them.
This is your son's chance to make a personal connection. I would ask very personal or program specific questions...."What advice do you think an outgoing senior would give me about you and your program?" for example. Or, "Do many alumni come to your home and away games"? "When do you see your former players?" Always bring it back to his program. You want the coach to be talking about his program, and your son listening to every word. After the meeting, ask your son to write everything down or voice record some notes. You'll be doing this (possibly) a few more times, and it gets difficult to keep them all straight. This activity will become even more important as you get deeper in the recruiting process.
In addition, I think it is very important to have an end goal in mind about what it is you want to get out of college and college baseball. It is understandable that you are learning more and more about the recruiting process and various academic options. It is great to meet these coaches and ask questions, but there has to be a something behind the questions. With all things being equal, coaches want to meet and recruit kids that know what they want and know how to get it.
Good luck!
In line with fenway's comment about there needing to be "something behind the questions," it always impresses coaches when it's apparent that the player has done his homework about the school and its baseball program beforehand. It gives the player the opportunity to tailor his questions to the specific visit and communicate implicitly that his interest level is high enough to have warranted some advance preparation.
Best of luck to him!
found it...bump
