My 2018 has a bit of a quandary. Actually, it's probably more mine. He basically has his choice down to two schools. He just had a visit at school A. I wasn't there and he flew up with his mother. They basically floored him.
Somewhat based on things I've picked up here, there are two common factors I am in agreement with:
1) Go where they love you. It's better to be heavily wanted than for you to simply be accepted at a school you may love; and
2) Go to a school that you would still want to attend if baseball were to disappear.
After being in daily contact for a month, the coaching staff spent eight hours showing him around campus on day #1. On day #2, the head coach, who is also the pitching coach, spent four more hours with him. They completely clicked. The rapport was beyond anything he's built with any other school - the HC/PC and my 2018 are completely in sync on every aspect of pitching. Fantastic visit! At the end of it, they made a substantial offer, that, after a WUE tuition waiver, amounts to a 100%. So, what's the problem?
He readily admits, that the attraction is entirely with the coaching staff. He would never consider this school with other coaches or without baseball. It's also a competitive program in a very high ranked non-Power 5 conference. The facilities, however, are really sub-par, but this isn't really a huge consideration. This coach was also extremely courteous as to giving him time to sort things out. He also never asked about other offers.
School #2 has not yet offered, but has promised a competitive offer. They are flying out specifically to attend a bullpen session and then make an offer. He likes this school more, but hasn't so far connected as well. He considered cancelling their visit with him because he really thinks school A set a high bar, but I insisted that he meet the staff in person and see how things go. My thoughts are that, given their willingness to fly out just to talk to him, they certainly might fit the "go where you're loved" criteria.
So, after rambling on, I wanted to hear some experienced opinions on the whole "go where you would go without baseball" thing.