Baseball DadNH:
Don't let others define whether your son has "it." There are plenty of stories of athletes who wouldn't take no for an answer and made it to higher levels - still more of those who were "can't miss" but missed. I don't agree that its all about July 1. You need one baseball person to like you, not everyone, and although it seems like it is a race to sign an NLI, the "race" to develop does not really begin until you get to college and then starts over again in the pros.
You are partly right that being on mailing lists is an indication that others can make money from your desire to have your son play baseball in college. But it is also some indication of interest. Pick the showcases and camps wisely. There is a lot of advice on this site to help you if you search.
The "objective" signs you have listed should be supplemented by the opinion of a pro scout.
Have him try out for a local scout team and continue to get good grades. Understand you are at level one of finding out whether he has "it."
Brod, while I agree that this Dad shouldn't let other's determine or define if his son has "it"..in all fairness he did come on here asking for our opinions and gave us a few qualifications as well.
About July 1. It's not a big secret or myth among any of us here on hsbbw that on July 1st after a player's Junior year that typically D1 schools begin calling and securing the best talent in the land for their future teams. All of us (players and parents alike) hope and pray that we just might get that call. If we don't, then we can begin the processing procedure of where our son(s) stand as far as talent level and his future in collegiate baseball. I for one was not expecting my son to get a call on July 1st, and guess what, he didn't. After learning what the early signing period is the hard way recently I wished he'd never heard of it. There have many distraught players and parents recently that have learned it's not all it's cracked up to be. Save the few exceptions where it is a good fit, etc.
Before he edited his post this particular dad did have on his post that a "scout" had seen his son and made a very positive remark about him. To me, that would have been enough to justify for the time being that my son is "on his way" to fulfilling his dream keeping in mind that much work still exists.
From a lay person and baseball dad myself, just looking at the current prequalifications he gave of his son, he looks like he just may be a blue-chipper. To the experts like PGStaff, he could give a more realistic rating and opinion. As someone suggested, having him attend a PG Showcase would give them both a better ideal where/how his son stacks up this early in the game.
About July 1. It's not a big secret or myth among any of us here on hsbbw that on July 1st after a player's Junior year that typically D1 schools begin calling and securing the best talent in the land for their future teams. All of us (players and parents alike) hope and pray that we just might get that call. If we don't, then we can begin the processing procedure of where our son(s) stand as far as talent level and his future in collegiate baseball. I for one was not expecting my son to get a call on July 1st, and guess what, he didn't. After learning what the early signing period is the hard way recently I wished he'd never heard of it. There have many distraught players and parents recently that have learned it's not all it's cracked up to be. Save the few exceptions where it is a good fit, etc.
Before he edited his post this particular dad did have on his post that a "scout" had seen his son and made a very positive remark about him. To me, that would have been enough to justify for the time being that my son is "on his way" to fulfilling his dream keeping in mind that much work still exists.
From a lay person and baseball dad myself, just looking at the current prequalifications he gave of his son, he looks like he just may be a blue-chipper. To the experts like PGStaff, he could give a more realistic rating and opinion. As someone suggested, having him attend a PG Showcase would give them both a better ideal where/how his son stacks up this early in the game.
Interesting factoid:
A young man we are interested in having play for us this fall touched base with us to let us know that the young man in question is the "real deal" and would be a great addition to the team.
I have been doing this long enough to know that when a player gives us the thumbs up on a player it is usually valid---they do not want stiffs on their team
A young man we are interested in having play for us this fall touched base with us to let us know that the young man in question is the "real deal" and would be a great addition to the team.
I have been doing this long enough to know that when a player gives us the thumbs up on a player it is usually valid---they do not want stiffs on their team
Great point TR. The best word a coach can get on a prospective player comes from other talented players in his program. If they say "Coach this kid can play." Believe me that goes a long way. Coaches know that players want other players. And I can tell you it also goes the other way. If a kid is of questionable character - bad attitude etc players will not want him to be a part of their program. And the word will get back. The baseball world is a very small world especially the higher you start to climb.
quote:I have been doing this long enough to know that when a player gives us the thumbs up on a player it is usually valid---they do not want stiffs on their team
Good point. It works the other way too. This fall, my son (a freshman at a D1) told us that a teammate who had transferred in from a JUCO stank at fielding. "He is horrible!!" our son would say. We couldn't believe it, because the transfer had received 4 or 5 stars on Baseball America's Prospects Plus. Sure enough, however, he was cut from the team at the end of October. Players usually have very good eyes for assessing the talent of other players.
I agree that it goes the other way as well--a few years back we were talking to a player about joining us---one of our players asked to talk with me in private---all he said is "don't get him. He will ruin the chemistry of our team---trust me I listened to him
Actually I just heard that the kid despite having some great stuff on the mound and being a solid student is still looking for a college--
As noted above the players you have can be the best barometer you can have
Actually I just heard that the kid despite having some great stuff on the mound and being a solid student is still looking for a college--
As noted above the players you have can be the best barometer you can have
That barometer is equally important to those with
on official college visit, and is hosted
by the players on the baseball team.
All college coaches will ask his players
about their perceptions, and that eval weighs very heavy.
on official college visit, and is hosted
by the players on the baseball team.
All college coaches will ask his players
about their perceptions, and that eval weighs very heavy.
great point, Bear !!!1
With him only being a sophomore and receiving letters it is a good sign. Here's what it means. These programs have seen your son or received a reference on your son by someone they trust. Are they giving you information about the program? You can easily tell if a school has you in their recruiting database or in their camp database... that's 2 totally different things. Have they personalized any of the letters? Coaches send out thousands of letters each and every year. That's a fact. When a coach becomes truly interested in a player the letters will become personalized. No worries if they're not right now. You're on their list of players to get out and see this spring and summer. They will watch your son play and next year will be the big year. It will be the year when the actual recruiting starts. School won't be able to contact you until July 1st before your senior season. But if they are interested in signing your son, especially the bigger schools, you will be asked to contact them by phone. Enjoy the letters and keep working to get better. March 1st is when Division I coaches can get back on the road and start recruiting again this spring. Once that date passes just keep an eye out at your sons games. It has become hard for coaches to recruit the spring season. They are playing games 5 days a week with the schedule getting crunched by the NCAA. That leaves one day to practice and they usually take Mondays off. So unless you play on Mondays or unless a coach is going to skip practice or a game they won't be out this spring. This summer however will be a different story! Learn all the facts now and understand what you're getting into next year so that you can ensure a smooth and productive recruiting process.
When you tell them who you are and who your son is
When you tell them who you are and who your son is