Bottom Line Question

It's a really good question BUT, their answer is going to be yes. Because no matter how good they are behind the plate, they are still going to want one more. If they see a catcher, or any player, they really like at their camp they WILL talk to them. They've got the fish in the barrel, the sinners in the pew, or whatever you want to call it.

So I guess to my thinking is you are still at the point where you have to do your homework looking at rosters, narrow your camps, and go where you think you've got a shot. (that's just my 2cents and I will add that is no harm in asking questions before you sign up for a camp but I just really think they are not going to say anything to dissuade you from coming... I just can't hear them saying, oh, nope, we are set at that position but I hear that our rival down the road is looking for a good shortstop)

catcher5dad, let me start by saying Trojan is 100% right. I will add this, think of looking at schools as buying a used car. The salesman (coaches) will do just about anything to get you to buy their camp. On the recruiting side, if they feel your son is not strong enough (meaning they already have "better" players lined up) they will be up front to a point. Some coaches want to sugar coat things so they don't offend the kids or the parents, but I for one prefer the cold honest truth.

Son had a D1 school come down to watch him at his JC. After the work out he tells son, you would start for us for two years "if" you don't get drafted first. Yeah, right. Son never heard a word from that joker since.

Another red flag is if the only contact is through the recruiting coordinator. If the head coach can't take the time to contact you before you sign, you're fill in material.

Whatever you do, be sure to read the roster bios, stats, and school media reports. Don't even think about taking a specialized position like catcher behind an All American, especially one that was drafted out of HS. He won't get playing time until that kid is gone after his junior year.

The key is finding the program run by an ethical coaching staff. Not all college coaches operate this way but many do, the bigger the program the more recruits are willing to bite. Son was very lucky, was recruited to a good JC program run by the best JC coach in the world. The jury is still out at his D1.

I am not sure that I agree with everything posted, but during this phase all things should be considered.

If your son can hit, he will have a place in the line up, coaches recruit position players for their bat, not always for a specific position. Being able to play multiple positions most likely will be helpful, but keep in mind what gets you in the line up is mashing the ball.

I am not a big fan of camps, if a coach really wants you, you need not attend, keep playing and showing off your stuff to everyone. Perhaps if there is a relationship that develops along the way, camps make great unofficial visits.

JMO and best of luck.

PopDAD and SKIP nailed this one... Ask questions, due diligence and knowledge are the keys. Also, as the parent of a college catcher, Pop has some significant insight.

Also, remember things can change. Kids decide to go somewhere else, they can't qualify academically, they can't get certified thru the clearinghouse, players get drafted, coaches leave, girlfriends, they give up baseball, etc., etc., etc.

The only way you'll know is to ask.... here's an absolute. Coaches are used to questions, if they react badly to your role in son's recruitment, there's the proverbial smoking gun!

GED10DaD

quote:

Originally posted by GunEmDown10:

The only way you'll know is to ask.... here's an absolute. Coaches are used to questions, if they react badly to your role in son's recruitment, there's the proverbial smoking gun!

GED10DaD

GEDdad you hit a home run on this one!

Bottom line for position players, work on hitting, hitting, hitting, be so good they come knocking on your door!