quote:
Originally posted by CBallhitball:
I am deep into this process with my 2013. I have come to the following conclusion. I am a business professional and have been in my profession for 30+ years. I have been trained and am comfortable in a professional environment and I am trying to set the same example, principles, etc in my son. What I mean by that is simply say what you mean and mean what you say. Example, "I'll call you tomorrow" means that you will indeed call tomorrow. It does NOT mean "I don't want to talk to you so I will push you off and have no intention of talking to you tomorrow either, eventually you'll give up".
Now, what I've seen in several cases, but not all, is that a lot of recruiting coordinators are former players that are working their way through the coaching ranks. Many have little experience in dealing with the professional world that many of us deal in on a daily basis. Additionally, they are dealing with 17-18 year olds that are wide-eyed and bushy tailed and can easily be sold a story.
Now not all are like this, and I don't mean to say that in order to act professionally and in a solid way that you need to be a degreed "professional", all we are really talking about is being a stand up person. However keep in mind that unfortunately we live in a society where if some people believe that they will never meet you or see you, then they can treat you with disrespect.
Personally my son has had had wonderful conversations with coaches that said "no" and some lousy conversations with some that wanted him. Bottom line to us is that every part of the experience with a school is just another part of the decision making process. It all goes toward how we form our opinion of the school and the program.
It is a huge learning process and hence why the veterans on this board that have been through this, some multiple times, are so so valuable to those of us like me who are rookies.
Well put!!!!
We, too, have used these conversations as an example of treating people the way you want to be treated (and how even adults sometimes are lousy at it). 2013 has much more respect for the polite "thanks so much, kid, you're a talented ballplayer but just not what we need this year" than those who called and called and texted and then vanished and now won't return a call or email. One coach even replied to an email saying he would call that evening to talk with 2013. He did, and the call was to personally let him know that he's no longer on their board, but he thought he was a great player and a great kid and deserved the phone call. 2013 said he couldn't tell him how much he appreciated the honesty.
In that vein, a recruit coordinator starting pursuing him and they had a few discussions leading to an offer for a visit. After doing some research about the institution, we determined that the size, location, and academic reputation of the school were not something we would ever remotely consider if baseball weren't in the equation. That's our family litmus test. So, 2013 very politely emailed the RC and said something along the lines of, "We have done some research about your institution and I'm flattered that you think I might be able to contribute to your program. But, I don't think the size and location is a good fit for me. I would want you to be honest with me, so I am giving you the same respect in letting you know."
