Absolutely Stuck....

I already commented on your hitting in another thread. However, with regard to playing next year, I suggest that you start contacting coaches via email. Say a little about yourself and attach your video. Make each email different. Do not just send a form email to 100 coaches.

Be sure to fairly and objectively judge your ability and choose schools where you think your talent level fits. Also, if you are a good student, be sure to highlight this in your emails.

Also, go to camps at the schools you are interested in.

Good luck! You will get other great ideas on this site.

Axum, first off, it's absolutely never too late, as long as your healthy. The two toughest questions you have to ask are - what am I willing to do to play and where am I willing to go.

Although it's true, recruiting for the 2012 class has been ongoing for some time, there are some things that are pretty common. Players change their minds, players sign a pro contract, players can't get thru the clearinghouse, player's chose the girlfriend over baseball, player's decide they want to stay closer too home... etc, etc, etc... see my point?

Explore your options, expand your recruiting efforts to include schools you may have discounted before. The best option now, attend camps and showcases where you want to attend school to give coaches a first hand look at your ability and commitment tot the game. E-mail, fax, call, send video, send youtube video links, there is so much you can still do.

Even national level D1s add players late, things happen. For instance, a top catcher recruit from New Mexico is drafted in the 1st RND, 2011. He signs. As a result, a freshman JUCO kid slides into the University of Texas as a counter. This JUCO kid was not heavily recruited, kinda flew under the radar. Know what I mean?

Good luck and let us know how it goes! GED10DaD

Agyei-we are in the middle of this too for the first time with our son but wanted to send you some encouragement. Please don't give up on your dream of playing baseball in college...especially if your academics are relatively strong, there are a LOT of schools who have not completely filled their recruiting classes. Are you dead set on going DI?

Axum. I also commented on your video. Others are correct it is never too late, but don’t waste your time with ncsa. Coaches are not going to come to you - you have to go to them. Start over right now. Make a list of the prospective colleges that you fit, (academic and baseball) forget about the stretch schools at this point focus on realistic places. Have a back up plan at a JC as your worst-case scenario and start working. Start emailing your profile and video link. Then start calling. There are lots of opportunities all the way up to next August for you but you are going to have to make a plan and work the plan. I know at my son’s school they added guys as late a July of this year. Good Luck!

Axum.baseball,

I've watched the video. My first thought was that a 6.94 in the 60 may be slow for a D1 MIF. Here are some quick questions (below) that came to mind that may help the collective HSBBWeb folks help you. Frankly, we need to know more about you, your skills and goals. It is not too late, but you need to start putting some things together real soon.

What are your academic and baseball goals?
What position(s) do you play other than MIF?
How far from home do you want to go to school? MidAltantic, Northeast, South?
What do you think is your talent level? What feedback have your received about your talent level?
What have you done to get recruited other than the NCSA account?
Tell us about your recruiting strategy?
What do you have that schools/baseball coaches want?
Is the travel coach helping you?
What showcases have you gone to?

Please explain to me why you are considering applying ED. Has a coach told you to apply ED? I'm not understanding why you would apply ED if you don't have something lined up with baseball.

Thanks Everyone For The Feedback.

2013 Dad- Im going to start contacting college coaches this weekend. I believe i have pretty good grades with 3.07, and most likely it would go up this semester. Im going to a few cams in november and december, headfirst and showball, both in FL.

GunEmDown10- Yes, i see what youre saying, there where a few schools that contacted me by email and said they liked what the say at previous camps, but those schools didnt have my major. And i dont want to go to a school that doesnt have what i want to study because anything can happen the first day,like injury. I also heard from a few people that college coaches dont like introduction phone calls, is this kinda true?

Blue10- Thanks for the encouragement. And unlike most highschool ball players, i never really thought about playing D1, mainly D2.

BOF- Yes, ncsa is a waste of money and time and i dont recommend it to anyone especially 'good' ball players. That is one thing that i have learned, college coaches will now come to you.

Fenwaysouth- My academic goals for college are to major in information technology. My short term goals are to get a stronger arm over the fall and winter. My long term goals are to play in the majors. I can play every position but C,P,and 1B.
I live in DC, but most of my family is in FL so i would say south and mid atlantic. Im the type of player that is never satisfied. If i go 3-4 with 3 homers in a game, im not satisfied with my results because i couldve went 4-4. I think that i have soft hands, quick transfer, average foot work, average arm and above average range in the field. I have good power, quick hands, and i need a little work on pitch selection, getting extension and keeping my weight on my back leg because my hips tent to drift slightly. Some coaches said i shouldnt be playing infield and some say that i should. Other than NCSA ,ive been going to showcases, visited 2 schools in florida, and made 2 videos 1 on ncsa and 1 on youtube. Honestly i really dont have a strategy, ive kinda been driving on this road all by myself. Or maybe i do but i just dont know how to explain it. Im a hard worker, very coachable and im also a player that is not going to let a coach down by letting a professor tell him that i cant play an important game because a midterm paper was past due. My travel coach is one of the best coaches ive ever had. He helped me put together the video and also he is a coach that college coaches would call to learn more about me such as my work ethic and leadership. I have gone to Southern Maryland baseball camps and Tampa university. I said it wrong in the beginning, i am thinking about doing ED but now that you brought that up, it might not be such a good idea after all.

Did you get any feedback from the UT Camp? Isn't the field awesome with the city skyline beyond the outfield? I can hardly wait to head down and watch some scrimmages!

I absolutely love tampa and st petersberg, i recieved 3 out of 5 in all areas which sucks but i was extremely nervous because that was my first college choice but unfortunately its off the list now.

quote:

Originally posted by axum:
I also heard from a few people that college coaches dont like introduction phone calls, is this kinda true?

You are absolutely right about chosing academics along with the baseball program.

As far as introduction calls go, ask your HS coach or summer coach to make the introduction call for you. Or ask him to send an introduction e-mail or text, then you can follow-up with a personal contact. But, don't let that stop you, some coaches put alot of stock in a young man that takes care of his own business.

Be tenacious and strong, your commitment may be the deal maker!

Some great advice from folks far more informed than me.... make a plan, execute the plan, seal the deal!

Good luck kid, I'm rootin' for ya! GED10DaD

JC.

If you're not gettting any interest the right JC is a great second chance/redo on the recruiting process.

quote:

Ive tried to be proactive in the recruiting process but i think the fear of failure has taken over.

This much I know, if you give up trying and staying positive, you will surely fail. Quitting and giving up hope is the only thing you need to fear.

My son has been told no hundreds of time in his life and his answer is always the same - I'll just try harder than the next guy. You can do the same thing. Try harder and then let the chips fall where they may. There is someone out there who will like you but it is your job to find them. I suggest you listen to the archive series in the hsbbweb radio forum and in particular Jason Armstrong. He wasn't getting the love he wanted in high school and ended up a senior sign at a fine D3 in Texas who coached him up over 4 years and developed him into a MLB draftee. The same can happen for you.

I think you can play at the college level based on your video. You have a nice athletic body and I see potential in your swing if you get good coaching at the next level. I think your 6.94 is fast enough to play middle infield at any level but honestly, I am not sure I see a middle infielder there (lacking smoothness, two many crow-hops, long time getting rid of the ball etc.) but I could be wrong about that. The key in college is to find your name in the lineup somewhere and for position players, that mostly revolves around hitting.

Give up the fear. You keep trying hard and something good is going to happen - I guarantee it. Recruiting is talent plus exposure. I think you have the talent part now the trick is getting the exposure to the right coach and college where it will be a good fit for you - athletically and academically.

Axum,

Maybe you know about this, but I think I may have the perfect showcase for you. The College of Central Florida runs 3 showcases in the fall. 2 small ones and one large one. The first of the two small ones took place and second is this week or the next. The large showcase is in December. 10 head coaches for Florida JUCOs are scheduled to be there. It starts on a Fri evening and goes through Sunday. I think this would be a great opportunity to get in front of some FL coaches. This one is held in Winter Haven.

My son went to the smaller one in September and we thought it was great. Of course there were only 25 kids so my son was able to interact with all the coaches there (also had a Rockies scout there).

Your grades are good enough to attend a 4 year school here in FL (presuming your test scores are equivalent) but JUCO could be an option for you to use to develop for two years and then keep the D1 dream alive.

As many always state, know your skill level. The Florida D1 impact athletes for the most part all have at least one current or projected plus tool (6.6 60, throw upper 80s to 90 across the diamond or 90+ from OF, incredible range or have good power). I believe the showball showcase is mostly if not all, D1 coaches. Not sure about the headfirst. My point is, while everyone wants to play D1, there are more d1 talent players then there are roster spots. Keep your options open.

JUCO is nothing to sneeze at, especially here in FL. There are kids that are D1 talent but did not have grades, others may be simply trying to improve their draft position.

Also, if you like Tampa, the Hillsborough CC Head Coach will be there and they play games at Legends field (Yankees).

Anyway, if you are interested, the website is http://www.cfcccamps.com/juco-showcases.html

There is also a camp at Florida Southern (D2) in November which will have some JUCO and NAIA in addition to of course Florida Southern.

You seem bright and willing to do what it takes. Keep working hard, keep grades up and you will be fine!

Like others have said, it is not to late, and there are programs out there that will want you.
Have you looked into naia schools or juco's?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by axum.baseball:

...My academic goals for college are to major in information technology...I live in DC, but most of my family is in FL so i would say south and mid atlantic. QUOTE]

My only concern is that with a very specific major already in mind, you might be limiting your options too much by restricting your search to one (very competitive) region. There is a significant number of schools in other parts of the country where you might be a good fit both athletically and academically.
I don't know if this is an issue for you but please also remember that any school also has to be a financial fit for you and your family so make sure you look into that wherever you search, since schools vary wildly in what they might offer you in athletic/academic scholarships and need-based financial aid. From what I've heard, huge baseball scholarships are pretty rare.

If you want to play get in some showcases now..schools put on camps this time of year as well.theres a place for you to play you just have to find it..try some smaller d3 schools and sent them a video too.