Affect of Corona on ‘21s and ‘22s

We won't know until the NCAA says what happens with the lost year of eligibility for this year.  If the current players get an extra red shirt, the following incoming classes will have to compete with a surplus of bodies for scholarships and playing time.  School budgets aren't set up to absorb any extra players.  So paying for the extra red shirt year means cuts to the numbers in following classes  or running off more than usual to make room.

The only thing I am sure of at this point is the NCAA doesn't give a damn about it student athletes. I do think it cares about its member institutions, at least to some degree. I expect whatever it decides to do will help the budgets of the largest schools with the most money and the rest won't matter. 

I hope I am wrong on this one but the NCAA is one of the very few organizations that is a bigger POS then our government bodies. 

old_school posted:

The only thing I am sure of at this point is the NCAA doesn't give a damn about it student athletes. I do think it cares about its member institutions, at least to some degree. I expect whatever it decides to do will help the budgets of the largest schools with the most money and the rest won't matter. 

I hope I am wrong on this one but the NCAA is one of the very few organizations that is a bigger POS then our government bodies. 

Very little knowledge of the idiocy of NCAA However I wonder if this wouldn’t be one of the few things lawmakers would be good for? It would be good PR for them and someone else would need to clean up the messy details of what they pass. Maybe simply a proclamation that all student athletes in college will not lose a year of eligibility and have the option to return if they are seniors....?

Big10 says no on or off campus recruiting activities for the immediate future.

Spoke to a Pac-12 HC yesterday.

Everything is moving so fast, many issues haven't been addressed (though the issues have been identified). The first issue addressed  - on a priority 1 emergency level - had to be Public  Health issues. 

As others have noted about their players, his staff and players were very emotional, confused, disappointed and angry over the seemingly abrupt cancellation. Neither he nor his players were remotely aware of what was happening with the virus, so they felt blindsided. 

The league and NCAA are very aware of eligibility, scholarship issues, etc., and that attention will be turned to those in the coming weeks.

Most likely summer leagues will be affected and the situation is very fluid. For now, there is no recruiting - but alot of video watching going on.

Tough to say.  NCAA will be under a great deal of pressure to be flexible here, but they're not prone to logic so who knows how that's going to go.  My 2022 is planning on using the time this spring (assuming his season is canceled) to get bigger, stronger, faster, better and do a lot of emailing in advance of his summer season.  We may also have time now to do more campus visits.  

Kids need to understand that, while not ideal, this is an opportunity for them if they use their time wisely. Trying to be optimistic.  

Stay healthy everyone!

chazball posted:

Tough to say.  NCAA will be under a great deal of pressure to be flexible here, but they're not prone to logic so who knows how that's going to go.  My 2022 is planning on using the time this spring (assuming his season is canceled) to get bigger, stronger, faster, better and do a lot of emailing in advance of his summer season.  We may also have time now to do more campus visits.  

Kids need to understand that, while not ideal, this is an opportunity for them if they use their time wisely. Trying to be optimistic.  

Stay healthy everyone!

Campus visits? To see an empty campus? Coaches won’t be meeting with anyone until they’re told they may. I don’t mean to pick on this poster. I don’t believe a lot of people are grasping the situation. And I’m an optimist. I’ve been able to function in my every day life. But I’m not expecting it to continue. 

Every day I stop by the grocery store to buy an item to see if panic buying has set in yet. So far it’s just hand cleanser and toilet paper. When it becomes food I want to know it’s time to stock up.

I don't feel picked on, that's ok.  Yes, to see an empty campus.  My son still doesn't know what type of school he wants to attend, so while he has some time off of school and I have some flexibility at work, we may go do that.  You don't have to agree, I'm fine with my decisions.  I grasp the situation.  And I'm no virus denier.  I am fully aware of the situation and am dealing with life as it presents itself to us.  We have the same shortages, we have the same challenges, but our family is healthy, is taking precautions, is social distancing, but we're not sheltering in place for the apocalypse.  

As a 2021 Grad, I’m taking this all with a grain of salt. Here in New England, specifically VT everything is in limbo with our hs sports season. Personally I’m using this time to continue to keep in contact with coaches and send video, email, and summer ball schedules out. Will be interested to see how this affects everything but I am not hampered or worried. What an interesting time in our lives though, this is unprecedented

I hope that's all this time of our lives is: interesting.

Looks like all NCAA baseball will be shut down. They haven’t decided if they will allow practices but that being said there are thousands of recruits that might press the panic button. I sent out a mass email to my PSA’s letting them know we will still be following you in one way or another. It may be through videos it may be through small groups off-campus. Make sure you contact your targeted coaches to see what their plans are. Hopefully the high school season will come back or at the very least the summer season. But there is no guarantee so keeping your individual workouts and Sending videos to your coaches might be the only way. Most of us college coaches will be taking advantage of this downtime in our program and hitting the recruiting trail hard with innovative recruiting so stay in touch with your targeted schools

A few thoughts on the recruiting nightmare this will create. The NCAA has all but shut down recruiting so we all need to think outside the box. I got many calls from members of my site but everyone needs to let things settle before they make decisions. Many of the already recruited players are being asked to red shirt since the programs will have less slots (seniors taking advantage of the extra year). A lot of the PSA's are scrambling to get out of their LOI's and transfer to a school where they wont sit the year. Many are thinking JC's and D3 for a year but any way you look at it since all the present players are getting a fresh year the rosters will be crowded for the next 4 years.

Our program only has 5 seniors - all of which said they will return for a fifth year. That means there are 5 slots already covered. Some schools have many more seniors (not all of which will opt to return) and since most kids take 5 years to graduate it will keep the rosters top heavy.

Love to hear some thoughts on this - as a college coach I'm constantly looking for feedback and ways to be fair to all involved.

As a 2021 with a few  D1 New England schools keeping in contact with, I’m honestly a little nervous. No offers yet but had schools planning on attending high school games and travel ball. Now unsure of both. While keeping in contact with those schools, I’m realistically broadening my area to other schools and divisions. Also sending another new wave of emails to around 60 schools. Twitter has really exploded over the past view days. My retweet on flat ground has 1,000+ views in less than 12 hours 

Ozone posted:

Looks like all NCAA baseball will be shut down. They haven’t decided if they will allow practices but that being said there are thousands of recruits that might press the panic button. I sent out a mass email to my PSA’s letting them know we will still be following you in one way or another. It may be through videos it may be through small groups off-campus. Make sure you contact your targeted coaches to see what their plans are. Hopefully the high school season will come back or at the very least the summer season. But there is no guarantee so keeping your individual workouts and Sending videos to your coaches might be the only way. Most of us college coaches will be taking advantage of this downtime in our program and hitting the recruiting trail hard with innovative recruiting so stay in touch with your targeted schools

Ozone, thank you for this - many of us don't know a college coach personally and your words are really helpful for me and my '22. Condolences on the season and best wishes for health and prosperity going forward. 

You are also wasting your time sending emails or anything at this time.  Many coaches, if not all, have been threatened with loss of job or loss of scholarships if they recruit in any form during this time.  They cannot interact with anyone who is not on campus in any form during this time.  Some as far as cannot watch film or anything considered recruiting.  So if you do send something you should not expect a response of any kind.  You will not know if they have read it or put it back or what.  As I said in another section, I think the 20's-23's will have 25-50% of players fall from one level of baseball to the next one down.  P5 to Mid Major to lower to on and on.  I don't think the NLI means what it used to mean this year because I think coaches are going to have to say to guys, we will honor the NLI in it's truest form but we will not have a spot for you in the fall (no matter how good you are) unless you are the top 10-25% of the entire class.  Because there will be guys who were planning on going to P5's that will know they are not going to get to play if a large number of seniors and juniors come back next year.  So they will start looking for upper level mid majors to go to.  Which will push some mid major prospects down a level or to juco.  Just my opinion

Ozone posted:

A few thoughts on the recruiting nightmare this will create. The NCAA has all but shut down recruiting so we all need to think outside the box. I got many calls from members of my site but everyone needs to let things settle before they make decisions. Many of the already recruited players are being asked to red shirt since the programs will have less slots (seniors taking advantage of the extra year). A lot of the PSA's are scrambling to get out of their LOI's and transfer to a school where they wont sit the year. Many are thinking JC's and D3 for a year but any way you look at it since all the present players are getting a fresh year the rosters will be crowded for the next 4 years.

Our program only has 5 seniors - all of which said they will return for a fifth year. That means there are 5 slots already covered. Some schools have many more seniors (not all of which will opt to return) and since most kids take 5 years to graduate it will keep the rosters top heavy.

Love to hear some thoughts on this - as a college coach I'm constantly looking for feedback and ways to be fair to all involved.

I think you will have to do what's best for you and your team.  I just find it hard to believe that a freshman coming in will be able to legitimately compete with a 23-24 year old.  The top freshmen will be okay at the schools they signed with but the middle and bottom of each recruiting class will find there is no room at the inn.  They will be pushed down a level or to another school.

I think as a parent the best thing that a coach can do is be as brutally honest as they can as early as they can so the players have options whether it is with current players or incoming players or recruits.  Some coaches will and some won't.  But that is the fair thing is to let a player know where they stand and what the future seems to hold.  I would rather know I did not have a true spot or chance at a spot rather than get there and realize there are way more people than usual. 

It’s a difficult situation for everyone. But please don’t stop contacting coaches sending videos and any information about where and when you’ll be doing showcases or workouts. Yes there is a moratorium on recruiting but that does not preclude Recruit from contacting a coach.This too will come to an end and recruiting will resume and it would be good if all your information were already in a coaches database. 

Re: Competing with 23 or 24yo redshirt seniors

If they’re that talented they likely left in the draft already. Prospects don’t want to be 23 in short season. Typically most are 21 or at worst 22 other than the 18yo top prospects.

 According to, this phone calls and written communications are allowed.  I think the idea is campuses are closed, so no visitors.  Limit person to person contact.  

Ozone posted:

It’s a difficult situation for everyone. But please don’t stop contacting coaches sending videos and any information about where and when you’ll be doing showcases or workouts. Yes there is a moratorium on recruiting but that does not preclude Recruit from contacting a coach.This too will come to an end and recruiting will resume and it would be good if all your information were already in a coaches database. 

Rules are different between Div 1, 2, 3.

But you are right, don't stop contacting coaches. 

RoadRunner posted:

PitchingFan posted:

1. You are also wasting your time sending emails or anything at this time.  Many coaches, if not all, have been threatened with loss of job or loss of scholarships if they recruit in any form during this time.  They cannot interact with anyone who is not on campus in any form during this time.  Some as far as cannot watch film or anything considered recruiting.  So if you do send something you should not expect a response of any kind.  You will not know if they have read it or put it back or what.  As I said in another section, I think the 20's-23's will have 25-50% of players fall from one level of baseball to the next one down.  P5 to Mid Major to lower to on and on.  I don't think the NLI means what it used to mean this year because I think coaches are going to have to say to guys, we will honor the NLI in it's truest form but we will not have a spot for you in the fall (no matter how good you are) unless you are the top 10-25% of the entire class.  Because there will be guys who were planning on going to P5's that will know they are not going to get to play if a large number of seniors and juniors come back next year.  So they will start looking for upper level mid majors to go to.  Which will push some mid major prospects down a level or to juco.  Just my opinion

   ---

 According to, this phone calls and written communications are allowed.  I think the idea is campuses are closed, so no visitors.  Limit person to person contact.  

Road Runner,

Thanks for that update directly from the NCAA.

As far as I know, coaches have not been threatened in any way.  There is a lot of  untrue stuff info going around that isn't true, so everyone pay attention and follow the NCAA.

I did not say everywhere but I know of at least five coaches on various levels that were told you better not be caught recruiting during this time.  Some conferences have shut it down completely because if not there would be various levels of recruiting going on.   My point was do not get upset if you don't get anything back because some are not doing any recruiting. 

Thank you all for the information, one question if anyone knows it would be greatly appreciated. I was in communication over the fall with a B10 assistant coach and was asked to keep him updated after the winter and I gained more muscle and mass and to update him early spring. I heard the B10 put a moratorium on recruiting. Pitching Fan is this what you mean? If so can I not email and update this coach?

I'm not saying don't contact them completely but just know that they might not be able to respond or choose to respond.  I have read the NCAA write-up but have also had conversations with several college  coaches for both baseball and softball that I am friends with, my son and some of his friends, and a few coaches locally that I am trying to get kids recruited by. These are guys at all levels of college baseball.  Some HC and some AC.   At least 5 of them have said their AD's or conferences are not allowing them to have any contact during this time.  My son is not allowed in his office without a security guard and getting permission to get personal items and leave and no one including any coaches is allowed in their sports facilities.  Some are told no contact, some are told you can answer and tell them you can get back with them, some are told you can do anything as long as it is not face to face or on campus so everybody seems to be reading the  directive differently or their AD or conference is putting additional stipulations on them.    So I would say you can send them emails or call them but they may or may not respond. 

I have been called a liar over this issue by one particular person on this website but I know what the people that I have talked to have said.  Just because what I'm hearing is not what their son has been told and what the NCAA says.  But I know the rules for some conferences and schools are more stringent than just what the NCAA says. 

For me, I have continued to make phone calls because I am not a recruiter or connected with any high school or travel team at this point so I can call guys I have friendships with.  One told me about one of my friend's sons who had a great start of the season  that they are interested in him but can have no contact right now but to let him know they will be in contact when they can. 

So as in all of this, do what you feel comfortable doing.  Just know each person will respond differently. 

As with players, some will stop doing everything, some will throw occasionally, some will lift weights, and some will do everything they were doing before by themselves, and others will continue to practice and lift as a group.  My son's plan is to do everything he had been doing and more to be ready for either the rest of the spring SEC season or summer ball each day either by himself or with others as he can find them. 

Hope this helps.  I don't think there are any for sures during these times in any area of my life except 1.

Thank you so much. Your valuable insight is greatly appreciated. Best wishes to you and your son. Vols were doing well and Knoxville is a great place. Go Rocky Top

There is a moratorium on campus visits. The NCAA has established this as a dead period. You can try contacting them by email or phone.

I  contacted my friend whose son is a coach at Ohio State. 

All Athletic departments are handling their business according to guidelines.  At many programs, depending on where the location is, it is business as usual. That being, you are required to come to work unless told otherwise.

I strongly suggest for everyone to forward information at this time. 

With both his school and gym closed, my kid has been working on his SAT/ACT prep. We can send things to the outer ring of our solar system and beyond, treat erectile dysfunction or make a test tube hamburger but we can't invent a eraser that does not smear lead and shreds papers? Total bullsnot

Not sure why people think we have shut down. I am answering more questions now than ever from PSA’s about the recruiting problems. I actually learn more each day since I have to research some of my answers. I have way more time now that the season has ended..... in short, call, email or text your targeted coaches. I truly believe they will get back to you soon.

Is there any HS baseball being played in the US right now? I read 37 states have shut down all schools but unclear what is happening in the other states?

Also, what percentage of seniors would everyone expect to see return for an extra year? I see these factors come into play.

1. On track to graduate and was planning to move on from college, do they need to apply to grad school to continue or just take classes at the campus? Were they getting playing time that would make another year worth while?

2. If they were on track and will graduate and the school has no graduate programs, do you now have to go look for a new school?

3. Schools with limited to no scholarship money. Granted you might have aid, but is the cost worth another year? I think this comes into play at most high academic schools. 

It will be interesting to see how it plays out. 

There will be more questions right now than answers. You should sign up for Rick Allen's Newsletter at www.InformedAthlete.com

Below is the latest info sent out to us D3 coaches - and things will continue to evolve.

2022NYC posted:

With both his school and gym closed, my kid has been working on his SAT/ACT prep. We can send things to the outer ring of our solar system and beyond, treat erectile dysfunction or make a test tube hamburger but we can't invent a eraser that does not smear lead and shreds papers? Total bullsnot

These will even erase crayon! And they're gentle as long as you store them in a plastic bag or airtight container.  

https://www.amazon.com/Hi-Poly...aps%2C225&sr=8-9

In Virginia, school ball is suspended and at risk of never getting underway at all. 

I think if anything, this makes what players do this summer (if permitted) and fall all the more critical for recruiting.  If summer ball gets wiped out, we'll likely see multi-sport kids having to give up football if they seriously want to pursue collegiate baseball, because that's when the competition will really be happening.  I mean no offense to those who feel strongly about multi-sport guys, but the reality is, you can't get recruited if no one sees you play.  If you miss Friday night baseball tourney games, if you're too beat up to play Saturday, and you're too rusty to play well on Sunday, I don't see how you win the competition.

I don't see the prospect of the NCAA allowing an extra year of eligibility really impacting 2021's or 2022's much.  I do think that any uncommitted 2020's are going to have an even harder time than usual with late recruiting, because at a minimum, coaches aren't going to know how many offers they can afford to have out there until maybe August.

In the end, though, the fractional nature of baseball scholarships means that most players would have to (a) shell out five figures of money, net, to pursue playing in 2021, (b) risk getting beat out of their playing time by the new recruits, and (c) have to wonder whether the courses they'd be taking were worth the extra money and effort.  Moreover, the elite collegiate player is not going to pass on the pro draft to go back to school and end up coming out in the draft a year older.

As for e-mailing college coaches:  I'm usually pushing players to do this, but for now I don't see how it could do anything but get ash-canned, or perhaps even annoy them.  At least if, like us in VA, you don't have any games to invite them to come see.  Anything you could accomplish now, you can accomplish when games re-start, or perhaps when we approach summer season.

LousyLefty posted:

2022NYC posted:

With both his school and gym closed, my kid has been working on his SAT/ACT prep. We can send things to the outer ring of our solar system and beyond, treat erectile dysfunction or make a test tube hamburger but we can't invent a eraser that does not smear lead and shreds papers? Total bullsnot

These will even erase crayon! And they're gentle as long as you store them in a plastic bag or airtight container.  

https://www.amazon.com/Hi-Poly...aps%2C225&sr=8-9

Will give it a shot. I swear the kid's  prep book was printed on papyrus.

I've noticed lots of emails in my son's (and my) inbox from recruiting services. One just asked, "Are you worried about falling behind....?" in the recruiting process.

Those people can go #*&@& themselves. 

Sorry, just had to get that out. Hope everyone is coping as well as possible. 

On D1baseball.com:

https://d1baseball.com/columns...-coronavirus-crisis/

anotherparent posted:

On D1baseball.com:

https://d1baseball.com/columns...-coronavirus-crisis/

Thank you. This article is from a player. I would suggest parents to pass it on to their players, who should be proactive in the process.

Great advice from Jack Kruger. I hope all PSA's read it.

I sent out an email to 50 or so PSA's that have been on our recruiting list a few days ago. I thought I would get hit with questions and concerns almost immediately. Well I heard back from 3 of them …. a head scratcher. I guess they are putting everything on hold but I'm not sure why.

Found this great article from a Dartmouth player about the impact to him as a college senior:

https://dartmouthsports.com/ne...onavirus-200320.aspx