Advice on maximum recruiting effort this coming fall/winter?

I was going to ask you in the other topic you started about fall ball, this is an important time for your son to play fall ball where he will get exposure, but it won't be accomplished just playing locally.

Camps, yes they serve purposes, to make money, but some camps do offer great instruction and pointers for each pitcher, UF HC watches every pitcher and offers tips to improve. So don't always think that camps serve no purpose. Does FIU have a camp? Might be a good idea to attend and get an idea what the coaching staff thinks of your son, excellent HC.

Suggestion, contact PG for the Jupiter wood bat tourney to get on a PG team, there your son will get plenty of exposure to coaches and scouts. Or post here in the FL forum for a team to play in Jupiter. You also will have an oportunity to watch some great baseball, and also get an idea of where your son may fit in at this point in his development. Search their site looking for Florida teams that have played in their tourneys, most have websites where you can contact. Going to Jupiter is going to cost you some money, but you are close, you can drive back and forth, cutting down on cost.

I am sure that infielddad will supply you with many names for great D3 programs, be aware they offer no bb money, so in order to cut costs, he will have to qualify for academic money. Does he? Education is a high priority, try Nova University in Davie. Use that FL State money if your son qualifies for it.

Look in your own backyard for D2 schools in FL (no D3), check out the University of Tampa, an excellent D2 bb program. Ask yuor son
s HS coah for advice, ask the fall ball coach.

We can't evaluate what your son's abilities, only by what you say, get a good unbiased opinion before you proceed, as most do, you can't go chaising the golden ticket unless you have a benchmark, not sure if the showcases you have taken him to have provided that.

Suggest to your wife that you all reconsider FL JUCO, and do a search on them and see if they are holding fall camps, for exposure. You got to make an effort. Visit their websites. I suggested FL JUCO because there is a lot of work to do, if you secure a scholarship to one, you are not obligated to attend, but cover your bases, familiarize yourself more with the recruiting process. And remember, soon your son will have to begin applying to colleges for admittance, baseball or no baseball. That gets expensive.

Make a DVD of your son pitching, start sending it to schools outside of FL, D3, you have got to make some $$ commitment to find your pitcher a place to play outside of the state. That's if he really wants to play college baseball.

A webster recently contacted me who lives across the country, asking about a FL travel team that contacted their son. How is that? The player got out of his own backyard for exposure. Obviously your son may need to do the same.

Here is a search stream of threads from the hsbbweb where at least my theory of recruiting is put out there:

Recruting = talent + exposure

Many of the threads in this stream raise the same questions you are asking.

infielddad gave the correct advice in the other thread imho. You need to work it from the bottom up as opposed to the top down. From what you have posted, I am pretty sure your son is a college player but he needs to adjust his sights accordingly. If his goal is to play D1, JUCO is one of the very best options. Not sure your wife understands the quality of education that can be had at JUCOs. The courses are all pre-req's for just about any batchelor's degree in the nation including degrees like engineering, medicine, accounting, law, etc.

Watch the movie "Rudy" and see how he turned a two year stint at a JUCO to a degree from Notre Dame. Your son could do the same thing if you would understand the purpose of a JUCO. They are not for dummies. English 101 at the JUCO is the same as English 101 at any other 4 year school. Calculus is the same. Physics and chemistry are the same. Psychology and all other undergrad courses are the same. His degree will never mention the juco participation but it might allow him to develop into a top D1 player.

Vector,
PG is a webster here, you imight want to contact him through here and find out about their showcases they have in FL, but it would be winter. This will help in getting a rating as far as his skills. Jerry is more than helpful, you might want to chat with him about joining a PG team for wood bat tournie in Jupiter.
Trotsky seems to be more on the West Coast, why would you go there?

Vector,

One showcase that might be just the type you're looking for is the Perfect Game World Showcase on January 8-9 2011 in Ft. Myers Florida. Heavily scouted but you must ask for an invitation and I believe it costs around $550. Go to the Perfect Game sight and look under "Showcases" and all the info but price will be included. Contacting them will get you a brochure with ALL the information including price, video's, etc.

quote:

So what I was hoping for in this thread was a list of the three cannot miss things I can do exposure wise.

I don't believe exposure is the issue as you have already cited two events (in the other thread) that did not lead to recruitment.

At 6'4", your son is going to get some looks. The whole issue is from whom. That is where you need to direct your energies imho. 84 mph and right handed is not a D1 talent so further exposure there is not likely going to be fruitful imho. A premier D2 like Tampa would also not likely recruit him at 84 mph. I think your targets should be the D3 level and JUCO based on what you have posted. Unless you "expose" him to the right opportunities, then the gig is up imho and that would be a crying shame.

This much I can almost assure you. If he goes to the JUCO and adds pounds to his frame and velocity, the D1's will likely be lining up for his services. This much I also know. There are hundreds and hundreads of kids all over the nation that would love to be playing for a Florida JUCO. Next to California JUCOs, it is one of the best baseball opportunities in the country and it will not hinder his academic goals in any way.

Check out Next Level Baseball. They offer a very good instructional camp at Tallahassee Community College that is well attended by college recruiters and run by pro scouts. We did a couple of them and very happy with the exposure.

Try to get into the PG World Showcase, that one resulted in several very nice offers for my guy.

quote:

Originally posted by TPM:
Vector,
PG is a webster here, you imight want to contact him through here and find out about their showcases they have in FL, but it would be winter. This will help in getting a rating as far as his skills. Jerry is more than helpful, you might want to chat with him about joining a PG team for wood bat tournie in Jupiter.
Trotsky seems to be more on the West Coast, why would you go there?

Sounds good, what is Jerry's ID so I can PM him? I looked up that tourney (Sep 17 - 20) and only one team from Miami is going. It looks like two other teams from Broward are going so that is not too bad distance wise for a tryout. So hopefully he will know how to contact them.
As to Trotsky, sure we'd go if it was not too crazy price wise, and a can't miss event.

Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Three Bagger:
Vector,

One showcase that might be just the type you're looking for is the Perfect Game World Showcase on January 8-9 2011 in Ft. Myers Florida. Heavily scouted but you must ask for an invitation and I believe it costs around $550. Go to the Perfect Game sight and look under "Showcases" and all the info but price will be included. Contacting them will get you a brochure with ALL the information including price, video's, etc.

The limited experience I have with Showcases and the websites is that PG's is very tough to navigate. Top 96 is a breeze by comparison. Furthermore they do not show costs which is also frustrating.
That said, isn't Jan 2011 too late for seniors considering most applications need to be in by Jan 1, 2011?

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:

I don't believe exposure is the issue as you have already cited two events (in the other thread) that did not lead to recruitment.

At 6'4", your son is going to get some looks. The whole issue is from whom. That is where you need to direct your energies imho. 84 mph and right handed is not a D1 talent so further exposure there is not likely going to be fruitful imho. A premier D2 like Tampa would also not likely recruit him at 84 mph. I think your targets should be the D3 level and JUCO based on what you have posted. Unless you "expose" him to the right opportunities, then the gig is up imho and that would be a crying shame.

I only took him to a couple this year, and maybe they were not the target audience because it was the who's who of top 25 schools. Then again I might have been getting nibbles and ignored them according to one PM I've received. They picked up on my comment about invitations to camps. I have basically ignored them because I assumed they were not directed at my son, but rather anyone who was willing to pay. We get so many offers to come to camps I have no idea if they are legit or not. Those of you who have been through this before must have a better idea than I?

It helps to be one of the kids they are targeting at a camp. It helps even more to hit 88 on the gun. Are there mid to low D1s that he'd be interested included in the camp invites. Head to one of those if there are any more going at this point in the year and see what interest he gets.

My son got a lot of interest at one D1 camp from a from a JC coach who was there. Then while he was pitching the D1 head coach yelled out "Hey, who is that kid?" because of the movement and checked to see what velocity he was throwing.

I think people tend to overstate what kind of velocity it takes to get some interest or even a roster spot. The problem is that if a pitcher gets a roster spot with "marginal" velocity he's going to have to improve a lot to keep that spot and to get any innings at all.

You may want to cycle back to some of the schools that have showed him interest and you have interest in and set up visits to help determine what their actual interest is.

Unless your son is a very top recruit, it is going to take some time and hard work.

PGstaff is Jerry Ford.
The event in jupiter I am talking about is their premeire tourney in Jupiter late October.
You say that reading the other website is easier than PG website, is because they don't have all as much going on that PG does and I find it not to be too hard to navigate at all.
If you do not want to take the time to study a website to find valuable info, not sure if you going to take the time to do what is necessary for recruiting.

Going to Jupiter is not going to be the end all to getting interest let alone an offer from a school at this late stage.

There are going to be hundreds of teams and players for coaches and scouts to filter through.

The key to being recruited is differentiate himself to the hundreds of other pitchers that may well pitch as well if not better.

If the recruit is truly interested in being seen, he will need to do his homework, find out which schools would fit his ability to play at, and let them know his interest level is and that he is going to be at Jupiter, what team he is on, and when he is going to pitch. With all that, he needs to hope they have the interest in going to watch him and he has a great performance.

quote:

Originally posted by CADad:
It helps to be one of the kids they are targeting at a camp. It helps even more to hit 88 on the gun. Are there mid to low D1s that he'd be interested included in the camp invites. Head to one of those if there are any more going at this point in the year and see what interest he gets.

I had him out on the west coast for a showcase figuring I'd cover both coasts and hope for the best. One D1 that has a losing record impressed him from a coaching standpoint. We didn't have time to visit the campus, but they seem like a decent acedemic choice. The only other low to mid D1's(just a couple) were in areas with extreme weather, so I think he would rather go to a DII or DII rather than deal with brutal winters.

I think people tend to overstate what kind of velocity it takes to get some interest or even a roster spot. The problem is that if a pitcher gets a roster spot with "marginal" velocity he's going to have to improve a lot to keep that spot and to get any innings at all.

That is an important point. There is one top DI scout/coach that has shown enough interest to ask for his schedule, and actually showed up last year. He has even made some overtures because he has followed my son for years. Now before anyone starts saying I was bemoaning no interest and all along you have at least one DI looking at him, keep two things in mind.
First this is a powerhouse who has more top prospect pitchers than they know what to do with. Even if they were to offer my son a spot on the roster, he would likely not play much, if at all. Second, and more importantly, while my son loves the coaches and program, he does not want to go to school there.
So as you point out, even if a kid with marginal velo gets into a top DI program, they may never see the light of day. Of course the hope with a kid like mine is that over the years he will physically develop and be able to throw harder than 88. Yet if they have a staff full of 92+ guys and keep recruiting the top arms in the nation, it will be a **** shoot if he ever gets a shot.

---

quote:

Originally posted by Homerun04:
You may want to cycle back to some of the schools that have showed him interest and you have interest in and set up visits to help determine what their actual interest is.

Unless your son is a very top recruit, it is going to take some time and hard work.

I guess I should find an inexpensive way of determining if the invites to these camps is just because he is on a general mailing list of known kids who spend money at showcases. For example, when you donate to charities, you start getting all sorts of solicitations from other charities because you have shown a willingness to donate. They sell and exchange lists with each other all the time.
I have heard and suspected that it is no different with all these offers to pay money to have your kid come to a instructional camp and be evaluated. I would have no trouble spending a couple hundred dollars having him perform for a program that had a genuine interest in him, and that he liked. If he falls short I can live with that if he had a real shot, and go to plan B.
However why spend $200+ per camp if they have no interest in your kid other than generating revenue? Now if I have gotten bad advice, and am being too cynical then by all means someone tell me different?

---

quote:

Originally posted by TPM:
PGstaff is Jerry Ford.
The event in jupiter I am talking about is their premeire tourney in Jupiter late October.
You say that reading the other website is easier than PG website, is because they don't have all as much going on that PG does and I find it not to be too hard to navigate at all.
If you do not want to take the time to study a website to find valuable info, not sure if you going to take the time to do what is necessary for recruiting.

The first thing I'll say in response is that I do not always correctly articulate my thoughts well in this format. So if I've left you or anyone with the impression I am not willing to do the work, it was not intentional, nor indicative of my attitude. I was merely pointing out that despite some effort I did not see any prices, did not see a means of contacting any teams that will be participating, etc.
I am not knocking their program, just saying the website could be more user friendly. Heck if I were not willing to put in the effort I certainly would not be making all these inquiries on this forum. As busy as I am, staying up until three in the morning posting, checking college sites, making a website, editing countless hours of video to make a recruiting DVD etc., I'd say my actions are hopefully speaking better than my words.

---

quote:

Originally posted by Homerun04:
Going to Jupiter is not going to be the end all to getting interest let alone an offer from a school at this late stage.

There are going to be hundreds of teams and players for coaches and scouts to filter through.

The key to being recruited is differentiate himself to the hundreds of other pitchers that may well pitch as well if not better.

If the recruit is truly interested in being seen, he will need to do his homework, find out which schools would fit his ability to play at, and let them know his interest level is and that he is going to be at Jupiter, what team he is on, and when he is going to pitch. With all that, he needs to hope they have the interest in going to watch him and he has a great performance.

That is good advice, and if I can get him on a team that goes up there, I'll certainly tell him to send out notices as to when he will be playing.

quote:

Originally posted by Vector:

quote:

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Homerun04:
You may want to cycle back to some of the schools that have showed him interest and you have interest in and set up visits to help determine what their actual interest is.

Unless your son is a very top recruit, it is going to take some time and hard work.

I guess I should find an inexpensive way of determining if the invites to these camps is just because he is on a general mailing list of known kids who spend money at showcases. For example, when you donate to charities, you start getting all sorts of solicitations from other charities because you have shown a willingness to donate. They sell and exchange lists with each other all the time.
I have heard and suspected that it is no different with all these offers to pay money to have your kid come to a instructional camp and be evaluated. I would have no trouble spending a couple hundred dollars having him perform for a program that had a genuine interest in him, and that he liked. If he falls short I can live with that if he had a real shot, and go to plan B.
However why spend $200+ per camp if they have no interest in your kid other than generating revenue? Now if I have gotten bad advice, and am being too cynical then by all means someone tell me different?

Contact the programs of interest and see if they have the interest to even set up a un-offical visit.

quote:

Originally posted by Homerun04:
Going to Jupiter is not going to be the end all to getting interest let alone an offer from a school at this late stage.

There are going to be hundreds of teams and players for coaches and scouts to filter through.

The key to being recruited is differentiate himself to the hundreds of other pitchers that may well pitch as well if not better.

If the recruit is truly interested in being seen, he will need to do his homework, find out which schools would fit his ability to play at, and let them know his interest level is and that he is going to be at Jupiter, what team he is on, and when he is going to pitch. With all that, he needs to hope they have the interest in going to watch him and he has a great performance.

That is good advice, and if I can get him on a team that goes up there, I'll certainly tell him to send out notices as to when he will be playing.

You can ask for a invite as a individual player to be put on a PG team.

2010 WWBA World Championship - Individual Player Sign up

The one thing I love about the HSBBW is when people are in need of advice, others take their time to respond, and some of the people who have responded here know and understand because their son's have been through different programs and know what coaches look for, and need and want and what might or might not make it the "right fit".

I realize and so do you that at this point your back is up against the wall, this is a process that takes people years to work on before they can even come up with a list of schools that might fit the criteria their player is looking for (bb program, school, geography). My son was highly recruited player out of HS, but it still took a while to try to determine what program would be in his best interest (yes I admit he had a lot of choices). That included visits, camp considerations, degree, type of program, top tournaments (so many in this state we didn't have to travel out of state much at all). Even being highly recruited we still did the work. Living in FL made it easier as there was so much to do and FWIW, he did not end up in a program in FL.
I am going to stick with what I feel would be a very good choice for yuor son, a FL JUCO. As CD has mentioned there are players all over the country that try each and every year to come to FL to play, great bb programs, they get bigger and stronger, get time on the field (where they might not in other situations) have a chance to adjust to the demands of college and going to school (hard where ever you go) and take almost the same basic courses that freshman and sophmores take at 4 year programs. This would be such a great option for him, then you can settle in and begin the process of looking for a school that might fit the criteria you, your wife, your son, his grandpa would be happy with.

I see that you asked about Stetson, you should go take a look for yourself, it may be a good option, it may not. I really am not sure what you are looking for. Keep in mind that it is very, very expensive.

Whatever you do, do not make a decision in haste that your son will be sorry for later on, in other words do not find a smaller D1 to settle because time is running out, rather use the great options you have here in FL to prepare your son for a year or two down the road (and it won't cost you much either if he qualifies for full state tuition) for a larger program he may be happy with.

If you can;t find the info you are looking for on PG, call them, ask for fees for 2011 for showcases in FL. But also remember if your son isn't in his best bb shape, you will be tossing out what you pay. There has to be a commitment on your son's part to work his hardest to be able to do well. This goes for the WWBA in october as well.

I'm not certain how it works in Fl. But the JuCo's in CA you still have to make the team. Moreover a good percentage of players trying out, for whatever reason have moved on from D1 etc..

Top bb shape is the key, then let the chips fall where they may.

How come so many posters have the pre-conceived notion that you enroll at a JUCO and you automatically are on the baseball roster?

Tain't so JOE !!!!!

In fact making some JUCO rosters can be more difficult than making a D-1 Roster

No one said you are going to make any starting roster unless you work hard to do it.

I think the idea is to secure a scholarship, which means the coach is willing to give you an opportunity to earn your play time. Would never suggest to walk on at a JUCO.

You got a better suggestion?

TPM

Where do I say starting roster ?---I said roster

I am not suggesting anything--I simply pointed out that making a JUCO roster is not as easy as some make it out to be

It is very tough to make earn a roster spot at a Florida JUCO and even more difficult to earn a starting position. I can count on one two hand(s) the innings that a non starter played, especially in the infield, the two seasons my son played JUCO.

I don't think that anyone mentioned that he would be a starter.

What was suggested is that this might be a good starting place for him, if you all think it's tough on a JUCO, it's just as tough, even more, getting in innings at any 4 year program.

I was just suggesting that a JUCO, where he can get bigger and stronger might be a good starting point.

As I said, do you have any better suggestions?

I agree TPM, JUCO is a solid option.

Locally in CA. JuCo's typically have 33-35 players on the roster.With anywhere between 80-100 kids trying out. Are the Fl JuCo's similiar?

quote:

Originally posted by dswann:
Locally in CA. JuCo's typically have 33-35 players on the roster.With anywhere between 80-100 kids trying out. Are the Fl JuCo's similiar?

As you know, CA does not have scholarships, so anyone and everyone will try to make the JC team, most of the time through a fall baseball class, so not cuts in the fall semester. The better JC's also will also have last minute bounce backs from D1 programs as the last minute that tend to get high consideration for the roster spots in the spring.

I will leave the suggestions to you TPM

Florida JUCO's offer 1/2 and full scholarships. The 1/2 scholarship is 100% tuition, the full scholarship provides room and board as well, although how that actually plays out will vary from program to program.

The programs that my son played with carried about 24 or 25 players.

quote:

Originally posted by floridafan:
Florida JUCO's offer 1/2 and full scholarships. The 1/2 scholarship is 100% tuition, the full scholarship provides room and board as well, although how that actually plays out will vary from program to program.

The programs that my son played with carried about 24 or 25 players.

How many scholarships can they give? Do they tend to over recruit or they give letter of intents that lock them in and know who is coming?

I can't remember the exact number but I believe it is around 18, and yes a LOI is signed. I have not really seen much over recruiting. 30-35 in the Fall with the roster reduced to about 24 for the spring.

How did this thread turn into a discussion/debate about JUCO's?

I know and appreciate those who are just trying to help me out, but the subject of JUCO's is probably better discussed in my other thread in this section.

All I am hoping for here is recommendations of your opinions of the top three things I can do to promote/expose my son in the fall and winter. Whether that be a particular can't miss showcase, travel teams, heavily scouted tourneys, etc.

Thanks

Well, some of us are trying to discuss various options for you and some of us got into what we understand you are not interested in, but others may, even though it may be the most viable option for your son at this late date.

When getting into it, some of us ventured into the fact that even though it is a JUCO, there is absolutely not guarantee that he could find a roster slot at a JUCO. Understanding how many scholarships a FL JUCO, could be a very important for someone who is looking at the option, especially if you are only given a walk on spot and later someone not knowing could find out several others have a letter of intent and a scholarship, at which point they most likely have a much better chance of staying on the roster than a walk-on that is not dominating.

But it is "your thread"....

As to a your "can't miss" showcase, travel team, heavily scouted tourney, etc..several of people have given you very good options, but there are absolutely no "can't miss events", if your son does not have the skills they are looking for.

Good Luck, enjoy the fast and wild ride!

quote:

Originally posted by Homerun04:
Well, some of us are trying to discuss various options for you and some of us got into what we understand you are not interested in, but others may, even though it may be the most viable option for your son at this late date.

When getting into it, some of us ventured into the fact that even though it is a JUCO, there is absolutely not guarantee that he could find a roster slot at a JUCO. Understanding how many scholarships a FL JUCO, could be a very important for someone who is looking at the option, especially if you are only given a walk on spot and later someone not knowing could find out several others have a letter of intent and a scholarship, at which point they most likely have a much better chance of staying on the roster than a walk-on that is not dominating.

But it is "your thread"....

As to a your "can't miss" showcase, travel team, heavily scouted tourney, etc..several of people have given you very good options, but there are absolutely no "can't miss events", if your son does not have the skills they are looking for.

Good Luck, enjoy the fast and wild ride!

All I mean by can't miss is an opportunity to have him seen by as many scouts/coaches who are genuinely looking for players. I fully understand that his skill will be the deciding factor. I just want to give him the opportunities this his last year that he did not have last year. When I hear other fathers saying their kids went here or there last year, it makes me realize(a little late in the game) that we did not follow the path that you apparently need to take now days. There are kids already signed that are better and/or more physically developed than my kid which is fine. However there are also kids who have signed LOI who are equal or below my sons ability level, so it shows they did some things we didn't. So if they can get signed by doing xyz, I'd like to give my kid the same opportunities.
`

quote:

How did this thread turn into a discussion/debate about JUCO's?

Kind of like being in a room full of people, can't always control the direction of conversation.

You have had some very experienced people on here give you very good information.

You got people whos kids are playing beyond college

Example:TPM son article on him on facebook tonight most likely will be moved up to AAA next spring college pitcher at Clemson

Cleveland dads son: not highly recruited out of HS not drafted until senior year: just promoted to single A (right???) Played at Coastal Carolina

Florida Fans son played at a JUCO< was All conference, all everything, is at a outstanding D2 University of Tampa

Homerun: Son is coach at a D2 that has been to the D2 college world series last two years

Thrit: runs college select program that has placed many players at great schools, own son not a "stud "out of HS, went to a great D1 school and redshirted and started next 4 years

Coach May :Outstanding HS coach, outstanding human being in general, son is a great college player with huge upside

Many of them dont talk about their own sons a lot but come on here to help people like you and your son.

The list goes on, sorry if I left anybody out, but each and everyone of them have reached out to help people.

I consider many of them my friends, many have reached out to me to help my son.

So if the thread gets off topic then go with the flow, you mt learn something.

quote:

Originally posted by Homerun04:
Well, some of us are trying to discuss various options for you and some of us got into what we understand you are not interested in, but others may, even though it may be the most viable option for your son at this late date.

When getting into it, some of us ventured into the fact that even though it is a JUCO, there is absolutely not guarantee that he could find a roster slot at a JUCO. Understanding how many scholarships a FL JUCO, could be a very important for someone who is looking at the option, especially if you are only given a walk on spot and later someone not knowing could find out several others have a letter of intent and a scholarship, at which point they most likely have a much better chance of staying on the roster than a walk-on that is not dominating.

But it is "your thread"....

As to a your "can't miss" showcase, travel team, heavily scouted tourney, etc..several of people have given you very good options, but there are absolutely no "can't miss events", if your son does not have the skills they are looking for.

Good Luck, enjoy the fast and wild ride!

I am with the above. You have been given some really good options considering the circumstances. Can't miss opportunities for your son at the particular time would be a very good fall travel team, WWBA in Jupiter and PG winter showcases in FL. I even suggested camp opportunities. Sorry to repeat but not sure you are listening (reading rather).

So how did this turn into a JUCO topic, I for one feel it is probably a very good opportunity for you to consider, at this time, then you might not have to spend the money that you didn't in the past few years for the tourneys and showcases he missed as a junior. IMO, that's what it comes down to, you didn't want to spend it then, so why would you spend it now? You are probably right, there are some players you know who are not as talented as you feel yor son is and got opportunities, let that be a lesson for those reading that you can't sit back and let it happen, even in Miami (where the talent is abundant). Because of that alone, he should have gotten out of state, like many other FL players do because they know the competition here is very difficult for the few spots open in the FL programs.

Two people here are very good examples of sending their sons to JUCO's who are now playing at 4 year schools. They did this because they were realistic and understood that making hasty decisions can lead to disaster, both initially turned down 4 year offers. I will also bet that both of their players will get drafted next year, and that came with lots of hard work, including recovering from injuries. No, going to JUCO doesn't mean you are going to play, or even make the roster, but getting a scholarship will help financially and give him an opportunity, as it does in any place you go, but the player has to learn and understand the sacrifices he has to make to further reach his dream.

We don't know who is out looking for what, so we can't give you the answer you want. D2,D3 and JUCO tend to recruit later in the fall and into spring, many (not all) D1 programs have their ducks in a row, and done with 2011 and onto 2012,13. That doesn't mean a spring pickup, but sometimes that may mean there is very little BB money left for them to award.

Or you can do nothing, perhaps he will have a good fall and spring and some scout will see him and he will get a late draft pick, then he can go play pro ball and you can leave it up to milb to pay for his college education, later on down the road.

Now you can have your topic back. Good luck.

Since I've been told here he is more a fit for a Mid DI and below (other than top DII), I wonder where those schools typically go to scout?

Something I noticed in your last post is where you said;

quote:

D2,D3 and JUCO tend to recruit later in the fall and into spring, many (not all) D1 programs have their ducks in a row, and done with 2011 and onto 2012,13. That doesn't mean a spring pickup, but sometimes that may mean there is very little BB money left for them to award.

How common these days is it for parents to wait until next year to commit their senior to a school? We may have the plan all wrong when adding the baseball component, but most schools admission application deadlines for 2011 are in January.

Vector,
We told you, Jupiter would be a good option to be seen, by mid D1's as well.
The first priority is getting into college to earn your degree, apply to a few FL schools he's interested in so at least he has the option, can use state money then contact those coaches, what about FIU, USF, FAU, University of North Florida, Fl Gulf Coast (produced a first rounder last year) or UCF? Good Fl mid D1 programs that don't cost an arm and a leg as would a private mid D1 (Stetson). Do a search on FL D1 programs.

He can accept admittance anywhere and go play somewhere else if recruited later in the year. You will have to pay all of the admission fees. If your son got into anyone of those programs, the athletic dept night pick up the tab.

BTW, we are only going by what you have described and your opinion about yuour player, none of us have seen your son or seen him play.

That's why I suggested the JUCO option, again if he gets a scholarship to a JUCO and recruited later on, he doesn't have to go. Lots of FL coaches have JUCO's within their distance, they keep eyes on players and have relationships with coaches. Lots of FL coaches will also suggest that you attend a nearby JUCO, and can help in getting the player in, if he is interested to begin with.

The problem is the numbers...

You want to stay in Florida, all Florida Top D-1's recruit from all over the world and Florida is considered to be one of the most desireable destinations to play ball, so if an offer is extended, very few top tier players would not accept a roster spot. Mid D-1 in Florida would include UNF, Stetson, Florida Gulf Coast, USF, UCF. Each of these programs also has the pick of the top tier players throughout the country, with perhaps the exception of UNF. The D-2 environment is very competetive and/or expensive. Check out the cost of Rollins, or Barry. Eckard may be more affordable but I believe they only fund 2 scholarships. There are no D-III programs in Florida that I am aware of, but there are a handful of NAIA which do fund their scholarship programs.

Mid D-1 in Florida is different than Mid D-1 in S. Dakota (no offense intended).

If you want to stay in Florida and do not wish to consider JUCO, then I would give a look at NAIA programs as well.

Again, I would strongly recommend Next Level Baseball over December in Tallahassee and the PG World Event in January.

FF is right, I only suggested those mid D1 schools to apply for in case nothing happens with bb. NAIA are good options too.
Of course that doesn't mean one can't apply to an out of state school if that is where the interest lies, but do understand filling out apps for school acceptance has it's costs, not sure if Vector would want to put that out or his son has an interest, in all of this not once has been mentioned where the player would like to ATTEND school for his education. kind of makes it hard to really define what his intended plans are for school (other than to play bb past HS).

I have been working on a list of potential showcases and tourneys to see which ones are feasible. I think the PG one sounds like one not to miss, and will work on contacting them for a team he can hook up with.

That said, are there any opinions as to whether either of these are known to be good for what I am looking to do?

http://www.prospectwire.com/

http://events.r20.constantcont...&oseq=a02iakg0sywm99