Appropriate timelines for an 08 grad

At this stage does your son have a dream school?
Are a state school he want's to attend?

Those are the school's I would try a little harder at.
But not to pushy.
But you want to know if they are interested also, Correct?
It's a good time to start now.
But be Patient also, It's a long tough road sometimes.
The right fit, Keep that in mind.
EH

First, make sure you keep track of who you've sent stuff to and what you said when you said when you contacted them..so make an excel sheet or something with the name of the person who contacted you from each college, the date and what exactly transpired (sent back questionaire, got email response, etc.). It just saves time and keeps you on track. Second, in regards to making persistent, relevant contact with coaches of interest...you're not a pest if you've got something to say. For example, get Fall Ball stats together for your son along with a schedule of camps or showcases he's going to be attending (design one document with this info so you can send a hard copy and email attachment) and send it to the colleges you're really interested in. Call this your Fall Contact Sheet. Your Winter Contact sheet could consist of son's varsity schedule. Your spring contact sheet could have end of season stats, awards, and a schedule for summer league, showcases etc.Good luck

EH:
Thanks yes he has identified schools that fit academically and atheltically.

I know it is a long hard road, and patience is key just do not want to come across to pushy.

When you say harder on but not to pushy what is the appropriate amount of communication. Understanding that each school and coach are different?
Thanks

There really is no hard and fast answer to your question. The "pest factor" most likely varies from coach to coach. But pest or not, if your boy can play that's really all a coach wants to know. Like EH says, you have to be patient.

Newcomer, great post...

Thanks a bunch for all your responses.
I do have a spreadsheet with who and what we discussed or just corespondence.
I also have a spread sheet this is probably a little annal but the schools that my son would like to attend I have there roster with grad of students how many LHP they have and who they signed so I can track them to see how many of what type of pitcher. Sometimes I think that I am being to crazy about this but it is kind of fun to see where and how many P's they pick up and if the ones they have picked up stayed ot left. But I do understand that can change a little from year to year and sometimes semester to semester.
Thanks again

Because your son is a junior, coaches can only contact you by way of snail mail or email.

It's also that time of year when many coaches are winding down fall and looking forward to some family time. In other words, things do get quiet, especially for the D1 coaches.

Be patient, things will heat up in the spring after their seasons begin, you might get updates on teams progress, junior day invites, etc.

As you get closer to summer and your son makes his summer plans, I would let them know.

The most important thing now is for your son to have a healthy and productive junior season, do well in the classroom, the rest will take care of itself.

TPM:
Thanks a bunch

gjbk1 and others, good question and discussions which pertains to us as well. My son is in very similar position and I wanted to ask a little different question.

Given interest from several schools and two or three top choices are expressing interest in my son, how do you continue to "follow up" with the other schools that show interest?

Not sure if all the others are good fit or not, don't know enough about some of them? (i.e. some are too far away to stop in on unofficial visit), and some of these are excellent baseball programs and good academic schools.

We don't really want to lead anyone on, but we don't have a "bird in the hand" yet either? How do you balance keeping up the interset of others until you find out what can or will be offered?

Great question

I know the D1 programs are in a no contact period, does anyone know when that ends? My son has had indirect contact but the coaches can not talk directly to him unless he calls.

There are periods where contact is prohibited and periods where contact is limited. You may want to visit the NCAA's site to download their whole brochure on this subject, because it's too complex to digest here.

What I can tell you is, the rules apply to THEM, and not to your son. So your son has nothing to lose by contacting people, and if he is genuinely interested, periodic contacts are a good practice to let them know he remains interested. Of course, anything can be overdone, and it seems you are already aware of the risk of becoming a pest, so follow your instincts there.

Just understand that if you don't hear back immediately, they could conceivably be in a quiet period, unable to respond. Or they might just be on vacation, or otherwise slammed with pressing work. But eventually if they don't respond, you either need to follow up or perhaps read between the lines.

AL MA 08, if the schools your son contacted have replied expressing interest, and if you are indeed interested enough to be willing to make time to visit (and to shoulder the expense), a good way to open the lines of communication is to ask if the coaches are planning a "junior day". If they are, you might find your son invited; don't be shy about asking. If they aren't planning a junior day, they might still suggest an individual "unofficial visit", i.e., a visit you pay the expenses for. These can be even better than junior days, because you get one-on-one time, as opposed to coming in a group.

While there is lots of time, you should also know that many schools are already extending offers and not all of these offers are going to headline players. Some are for guys that fit a particular need at a school, guys the coaches feel good about, and guys the coaches know can cut the mustard academically. Sometimes coaches feel like they have a "find", someone who's been overlooked on the ranking lists, etc., maybe a local kid who hasn't done a lot of travel ball, and they may want to lock him up before others lure him away.

If your son needs time to figure out what he wants to do, fine. But if he's ready to talk to his favorite schools, there's no time like the present to get started.

One thing we've seen is, everybody always needs pitchers, but sometimes teams need a 2B and sometimes they don't. If your son is a pitcher, then he may have more options. If he's a position player, then getting a jump on others is a good idea because your favorite school might otherwise fill their need before you get there.

Sometimes I think PARENTS try to out think the process of getting son recruited. The letters and emails parents send will get you invited to very expensive college camps and get you on a very large email list.Simplify the process by getting your son invited to Area Code try-outs,
Scout games that are run by MLB scouts. Network
the baseball people that you know or should know. These are the people that will open doors that every parent is trying to open. Be aggressive and also make sure you can handle the disappointment of some school or scout that doesn't think your son is all that. Play on teams that have goals of playing in certain tourneys that lead to the Connie Mack World Series or other main stage events. Example AABC State Tourney in Dallas
Had every Big 12 head coach or recruiting coach present the whole week the
tourney took place. Its a very rewarding process if your honest and realistic of son talent level. Relax enjoy the ride

Don't forget the Financial Fit. If you have schools isolated on academic fit and baseball fit, then spend some time on their websites regarding the Cost of Attendance.

The grants are nothing like Football and Basketball, but I am sure you already know that.

Timetostepup,
I think that was a really good post. Thank you.

Although I agree with some of Midlodad's post, things do move faster these days in recruiting, there are many reasons for it.

An examplmay be at son's school they are expecting to lose almost half of their staff this year to either the draft or graduation. The next year maybe another half dozen. That means for next year and 08 they have a lot of shoes to fill. This takes time, since most likely freshman don't play immediately. So if their goal is to have an experienced class that can compete by 09 early commitments are necessary. Also, more and more talented players are going to school, and usually leaving after 3 years.
But this may be an exception. Most schools still do not offer early. Lot takes place in two years for a player and the program.

At this point as a junior, returning questionaires, visiting camps, going to junior days or unofficial visits lets the coaches know you are interested. But in the end, it is THEIR choice, no amount of phone calls, emails, camp visits changes the fact that they will choose who they feel is right for their program.

0S8 brings up very good point. Make sure you are familiar with cost of attending. That should be a high priority. Do they have other grants or private donations available for covering costs.Your son may want to play for a school that cost 40-50K a year, but even with a very good offer, will it be affordable in the end. Are you willing to lay out that for an education, or just to play baseball. Spend your time wisely in doing your homework. Spend your money wisely in choosing good teams (Connie Mack) and events (PG events) where he will be seen.

Timetostepup
Thanks for the info. How does one get into area code tryouts. He currently plays in competitve tournaments, and has been seen.

Send me pm telling me hs,summer and fall teams
maybe I can point you in the right direction.

gjbk1 I see you took the right step in another
forum. Thats what you call networking. Some will be willing to help some won't. But those are the type you need to get things happening.

Thanks Timetostepup

Getting invited to Area Code and scout games isn't easy. If you can manage a invite things will happen. Scouts both MLB and college are there. The colleges that attend these normally are the ones in your region. From D1 to Jucos.
The best thing they are FREE

Timetostepup
You have a pm

timetostepup,
If I can chim in again, I thought you had to have a scout recommend you to go to the area code games? At least that is what I've been told.

You know the old saying you never know who's watching. There are scouts everywhere in large metro areas such as Dallas. You might not know them but you need to meet people that do such as instructors, summer coach, the more baseball people you know the easier it will become. Word travels fast
if there is talent to be seen. I didn't know any scouts that I was aware of
but son did and still does play on very good hs team and even better summer team. I know alot of high profile teams talk with scouts and recommend kids for them to see. Sometimes the first time a scout will see kids is Area Code or scout games. It sort of the same way Perfect Game works. They find the talent in ID showcases then invite better players to
larger more talented events to compete in front of large group of scouts and recruiters.