A third wheel on campus visits?

I would have the other kid reach out to the coaches.....tell them the situation and let them know he'll be on campus with your son.  If they haven't seen him they may have no interest, but I'm sure they won't mind having him around.   If he has video, I'd have him send it.  It would be awkward and take up time that the coaches want to spend with your son if he just shows up with no notice.

Iowa Mom:

Have your son and his friend hold a "private" showcase at the College batting cages. Invite the coaches to observe. Can you "fungo"? They can pitch BP to each other. They can run a "lap" around the OF fence. Now we have the 5 tools exhibited. You already have shown the 6th tool.

Use wood, it reduces the sound of the ball hitting the bat.

Bob

Iowamom23 posted:

My 2018 and his best friend/teammate were invited to a D2 prospect showcase a few states away. We decided turn it into a family vacation/tour of colleges, stopping at a couple of D1 and D2 schools that have expressed interest in my son along the way. Son has arranged with each of those coaches to meet up with them at a specific time for tours, information, etc.

Then the best friend's parents decided they would be unable to take their son to the original showcase. We offered to take him along with us, thinking it would be more fun for my son to have a friend along.

The problem is the friend, also a 2018 and an all-conference and all-district outfielder, has only recently decided that he is interested in playing college baseball so has done little outreach to coaches. He hasn't spoken to any of the coaches at the schools we plan to visit, although I think a few might be a good fit for him.

So here's my concern — how do we handle the extra person with the other schools? I'm assuming son should give them a heads up that we'll have another person along with us. Should he mention that the other kid is a baseball player too, or what should he say to coaches? Should the other young man reach out to the coaches at some point before we visit and send his video and stats? Or maybe wait until after?? Or am I over thinking this (entirely possible)?

A clear case of good intentions making life more complicated. Any help is appreciated.

 

Yes, you are over thinking it.  The kids can handle this on their own.

Friend should be told quite clearly that there may be recruiting meetings etc. that he should not expect to be included in.  Friend should come prepare to entertain himself all alone for 1-2 hours every now and then.  Friend's parents should be alerted that Friend may be unsupervised during these times and if those parents are not comfortable with it, their decision not to come may mean he can no longer be accommodated in the manner they would like.  They will therefore have to choose between what you are able to do, or nothing at all.  But your son's recruiting-specific activities have to happen and can't get derailed over the extra kid.

Do not attempt to intervene on Friend's behalf with coaches.  This is unwelcome, from the coaches' perspective; very presumptuous and disrespectful of their schedules and their inherent authority. 

If Friend reaches out and they add an invitation to him, then it can work out.  But some may, some may not, or it may be that no one does.  Friend has to accept that his desires don't trump what has to happen for you son.

So he may have to go find a TV to watch, stream something on his phone, or God forbid bring an actual book to read.

Midlo Dad posted:

Do not attempt to intervene on Friend's behalf with coaches.  This is unwelcome, from the coaches' perspective; very presumptuous and disrespectful of their schedules and their inherent authority. 

If Friend reaches out and they add an invitation to him, then it can work out.  But some may, some may not, or it may be that no one does.  Friend has to accept that his desires don't trump what has to happen for you son.

So he may have to go find a TV to watch, stream something on his phone, or God forbid bring an actual book to read.

It worked out at first D1 — in the end.

Friend did athletics tour with son, coaches and us, went to admissions office and heard their spiel, then we headed back to meet with coaches and son. Asked friend to move our car to a closer parking lot, then he chilled out to music and started his summer AP reading while son picked up a nice offer.

Only downside was when we were unable to understand where friend parked the car, his phone died, and we had to ask campus security to find him. 

Wow, congrats....great way to start off the trip.  Hope more offers/options follow.