Advice on 1st call to coach

There is a checklist of questions coaches ask and questions to ask coaches in the recruiting section of this website. Perhaps someone more web-savvy than I can provide a link?

Per HC's request:

Thanks to Infield08 for finding this, I borrowed this link from the other thread - Questions to Ask Coaches in this forum:

http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/questions_to_ask.htm

I will tell you a secret.

Your son is not the first kid the coach has recruited.

If you listen, they will probably answer all the questions that you have...................

Then, if a question comes up later, ask.

quote:

Originally posted by FormerObserver:
I will tell you a secret.

Your son is not the first kid the coach has recruited.

If you listen, they will probably answer all the questions that you have...................

Then, if a question comes up later, ask.

That sounds like good advice as well

Look at it from the coach's point of view. He will want to find out, in one manner or the other, if you son has a real interest in his school.

Return the call, thank him for his interest and let it go from there---JUST BE YOURSELF


I do not think it has to be rehearsed

You know if your son is comfortable talking to adults, talking on the phone, talking to 'strangers'. If he is, he'll be fine and FO is right, the coach will guide the conversation.

If he isn't comfortable with the idea, you can role play with him.

Either way, it is helpful to have a list of questions that are important to your family to be answered. Write them on a pad with room for the answers so that your son can take a note. This serves two purposes --- he has something he can ask to be pro-active during the call and he'll remember what was said to him. That first call is exciting and he is, indeed, a teenage boy; recalling the coach's answer may be a challenge as soon as he hangs up!

As more schools are in contact, the notes may also help with comparisons.

Excellent advice, Orlando.

quote:

He will want to find out, in one manner or the other, if you son has a real interest in his school.

I had an hour long conversation with THE coach yesterday.

We talked about a kid they are recruiting who is holding out, holding out, and holding out.

He said, "You know at some point he needs to indicate some interest in us, or we will need to move on."

During the last 18 months our son has visited with several coaches in person, phone, and numerous e-mails. The number one comment and/or feedback was how mature our son sounded. Believe me when I say the coach will appreciate the “Yes Sir & No Sir answers” (Shows Respect), but they really want to carry on a conversation with the player, with limited opportunities to speak with each other the coach needs to get a feel for the player. The player needs to understand the conversation is as important as how he performs at a showcase. IMO this is an extremely important part of the recruiting process. Parents educate your player on the type of questions that might be asked, by the way remember the coach has gone through this phase numerous times! He will know what questions you want to ask, and in most cases will cover them all during the conversation. Do not tense up; allow the coach to feel appreciated he called you. The baseball world is really small relatively speaking. From our personal experience always return the call or e-mail, even if the school is not on your target list. These coaches visit each other at every scouting event. Notice how they all sit together and share information. One school may not have a need; however they will always pass along a respected player’s name.

quote:

The baseball world is really small

quote:

One school may not have a need; however they will always pass along a respected player’s name.

Yep.

You never know which conversation will be the important one. Treat them all as important. While waiting for umpires at a travel team game I found that the opposing coach was a recent alumni of a school my son was interested in. He answered some questions for my son about the school and the baseball program. I later found out that he passed on a positive recommendation to the college coach.

You never know...