?

Yes.

Slugger

Welcome. So far so good, huh? Not that you need it but good luck.

OLDSLUGGER8 -
Yes, there are board members with similar experiences. When any player is getting serious attention at an early age, I encourage parents & players to take as many unofficial visits as your budget allows and begin to create your top 10 list of colleges that "fit" as early as possible. Your son may be receiving offers in early summer, way before any official visits are possible. The sooner you & your son do the "homework" on interested programs and coaches, the more confident (= less stressful) you will be next summer in handling the calls! Good Luck!

PS. Remember, lots of recruiting mail DOES NOT always equate to scholarship offers! Since you are new on the board, make sure to read the number of articles available under "Recruiting Tips" on the HSBBW main page.

OldSlugger8,
It is happening just as you hoped it would. Everything is right on target....even your enthusiasm. Welcome to the High School Baseball Web and the early stages of the recruiting “ride”. We all want to know where our son stands at all times and there are few indicators that are truly valid indicators. Does this letter mean anything? What about what the coach said at the showcase? Did you see how he was jotting down something when my son was at bat? All these things combined simply means your son (and you) are doing the right things. The only advice I can give is to take everything at face value and if there is any doubt as to what is happening with a particular coach or college is to pick up the phone and ask. Coaches are people like you and me and there is no secret protocol.
Good luck and as I said before....Welcome!
Fungo

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Old Slugger...

While this doesn't sound like it pertains to you...

I know an '07 right now who is getting offers of tickets to DI games and lots of attention. Parents are thrilled. Kid is thrilled. College recruting service they hired is looking really good. Got plans for high DI. Talking it up.

IMO...after being heavily in this recruiting game game for 3 years, IMO he is not a high DI player. The family has no touch with reality. The fall is going to be hard when it happens.

While I hope, and it seems that you are on the FAST track...and I hate to throw water on parades....for most it is a long and winding road. Even next years early verbal date is 9 months away. Stay excited, keep working hard, answer all inquiries positively, close no doors, chase down all leads. Stay centered, focused and on task.

Good work so far ...and continued good fortune!

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Another thing to remember is that your son should be going to school to get an education and that he should also focus where the best acedemic fit is. It is possible to find a quality education and a quality baseball experience and provide a win-win situation for your son.

What is the "prospects documentary"?

Its a very good DVD that interviews scouts and coaches who explain what they look for in a college or pro prospect.
If you do a search on this web site you will a thread about the DVD

quote:

Originally posted by OLDSLUGGER8:
The kid received a 4th correspondence from one of the SEC schools,from the coach, thanking him for returning the questionairre promptly.

How many of you had this happen?

It is a very exciting time. Enjoy.
When the time approaches those letters will really mean something if all the pieces fit. Most importantly if your son is a good player, also concentrate on academics so there will be no let down in fitting the profile for an SEC player. Remember the fit is important for them as well as your son.
Best of luck.

Newcomer -
Welcome to the board. The DVD referred to can be found here: Prospect movie

OLDSLUGGER8 -
The recruiting your son receiving is something others experience. Some colleges will send weekly correspondence, hand written and all. Just depends on their recruiting resources. Let your son enjoy the attention, it indicates interest, but doesn't always mean an offer will happen next July 1st. If he is hearing from his top choices that's great, otherwise continue to make contact with programs he is interested in. Relax and enjoy the ride.

Don't close any doors if the school is a fit for you. My son's 1st choice contacted him evry week for atleast 8 months. Unofficial visit back in Dec. Direct call after Dead Period after viewing DVD. Vert excited coaches and we got max recruiting contact >(Phone, E-mail and Letters Tickets to games etc.) The last e-mail was stating that they had over signed LHPs from JUCos.
The point here is that it is not a static process and the coaches are continually looking for players. Drag your butt and this could happen to you. Also most schools have 40 players show up for a 32 man roster. Ask how many they are signing and if your kid will get playing time. You have the incumbant players, Jucco players and then HS players that show up to compete for a roster spot.
Start looking at this process with your eyes open. I see lots of great ball players not make rosters because they have an incumbant or JUCO in front of them.

Good luck !

quote:

Originally posted by observer44:
...for most it is a long and winding road. Even next years early verbal date is 9 months away. Stay excited, keep working hard, answer all inquiries positively, close no doors, chase down all leads. Stay centered, focused and on task.

Along with others on this thread, this is a great piece of advice.

Things turned out very differently (in our case for the positive...but it can go both ways...the key word is different) than I thought it would at this point in our son's Junior year in HS.

Good luck!

I was also surprised at how small the baseball community really is.