The NCAA board approved the rules change to permit schools to offer scholarships on a multi-year basis, as opposed to the current, standard year-to-year deals.
While some coaches give their word that they won't reduce money year to year as long as the player behaves himself, others do not make that promise, and it is not at all unusual for a baseball player to have his money reduced or even eliminated from one year to the next. Sometimes because he hasn't produced as hoped, maybe due to injury, maybe just because the program wants the money to land another recruit coming in. This leaves players very vulnerable, especially since the 2008 rule change that eliminated the player's only leverage -- the former ability to transfer without having to sit out a year.
The question now is, will colleges actually offer the four-year guarantees? They are now permitted, but not required. Will recruits be able to get these routinely? Will they only be offered to elite players? Or will the colleges simply ignore the change and continue with current practice?
I'm not asking for speculation, but as posters encounter actual experiences or promises from recruiting college coaches, I hope you'll share what you learn for the benefit of us all.
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