The process

Have been reading here, for several years. Young (16y/o) 2016 has been reading for @ 6months. Handles his baseball journey and business, for the most part.The legal stuff he runs by us 1st. Replies to colleges, we have discussed before he hits send, no longer is that necessary.. The 1st few phone conversations with coaches were obsereved. But he seems to have it now and has taken to the business part. The "business" part can make the "playing" part less fun, but is a necessary evil. Learning the ropes without doing it for him, but not dumping it all on a 16 y/o. 2016 plays on a competitive team that can/does win in big tournies,  but duels against good competition. Travel coach is connected and has over 200 placements from high Elite NAIA,JUCO-High D/pro.  18u team goes to Jupiter each fall. 
2016 6'4", 200lbs, athletic CIF,RHP,C. 7.5 60 that continues to decrease. At least a good hitter with good mechanics/swing. Solid on defense, good fundamentals. Very good pitcher. Velo coming, currently sits mid 80's, but not shaving yet......without continuing to plug 2016.......which is not my job anyway. A little history gives generic quality of player and what we kinda think we are doing correctly, stay realistic, grateful, but aim for the moon. One time ride for our family. Everyone else is academic only. Marrying athletics with academics, whew!

College contact has started. Conversations with knowledgeable baseball men about 2016 skillset is encouraging. Crystal balls all broken 2016 is high academic. Desires to go to the best school he can, where he can also play ball, not necessarily high academic only school. Has 3 schools in mind that would suit his criteria, of course one dream school.  Then 15 or so fallbacks that are a good fit too and he would be happy.

The contacts thus far are from some of the 15 fallbacks. "You are on our recruiting board for 2016", "we would like for you to come to a camp on xxxx where we get to look at juniors we have interest in", "we will be following you", etc.

How does this follow process work? Bird in the hand, 2 in the bush? The earlier commitments are a bit disconcerting, especially at bigger programs.  Is that a 2 way street for the athlete too? When do schools lose interest in a follow that they target? How long does 2016 wait for his higher school choices to come into the equation?  How do you balance "I am interested in your school, but its too early and I need to see if I am going to have an opportunity with school xxxxx" vs "you guys are looking better and better"
How many follow schools follow if you are honest and say "I have talked to the coaches at these 5 schools" or is that just how it works? Its like a bidding war, for both parties?

Thanks. Did not mean to write a novel. The recent commit, decommit conversations were enlightening. Maybe just trying to get a sense from others on how do you get what athelte wants without missing an opportunity to get anything?
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