Camp Invites

My son is also a 2014 and he too has received numerous emails. Camp invites and updates on how the school is doing are clearly no big deal, but if you get a personal email talking about having seen you play you can take that as good interest. If the coach is giving you his cell number then that is clearly strong interest, and it would be best to call him and discuss. Even if it a school that you are not interested in it is too early to burn bridges.

Feels like majority are money makers and not legit interest. Guess it will change once closer to senior year.

Welcome aboard, 2014!

I have a 2014, too, and even some camp emails are hitting my inbox

I noticed one email that invited him to a camp, addressed him by name (but to my email), but at the bottom had a link "to unsubscribe" to the emails. I did.

Read through the emails carefully. Some schools use an automated service to blast out information. We read on this site to be sure to open the email and click on any links that are embedded for such things as "for more information" because the school can track interest that way.

If a coach offered up his cell number, call. If not, reply back to the email, even if you can't go to the camp. Just thank them for the information. Even if you think you may not be interested in the school, you never know where those coaches may land in the next year or two!

Use thes emails to establish a master contact list which includes coach's name, email and phone. Always begin by responding with a thank you and perhaps a short profile including your name, high school name, position, GPA,academic and athletic accomplishments. As your son gets closer to his senior year, schools which make sense to apply to with regard to academics and baseball will become more clear. However don't be afraid to enroll in any camps that work for you as they will only add to your son's experiences and build confidence. Good luck along the way. Happy Thanksgiving!

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quote:

Originally posted by 2014RHP:
So my question is are there any signs on an email that I could tell if its a generic camp invite or if it is more personal?
thanks

The differences are pretty obvious, "I saw you strike out that kid with a nasty slider on Friday night, that was outstanding!" This is a personal email, aimed at your son (assuming he struck out a kid on a nasty slider Friday night).

Agree with previous advice to make a contact list of interested coaches and programs. Many cast a net asking for interest. If you have any, show it!

For background, my son (freshman LHP at a PAC-12 school) received many (100's) emails in the generic format. He went to exactly two camps and received exactly two offers, from those two schools. From those two schools he received many emails in both formats, after the camp.

Recruiters create a large distribution list using scoutware and "spam" anyone on the list with lots of stuff to get you interested in their program. If you SHOW interest in their program, you've taken an important step in the process.

If you are wondering if the invites are generic - it probably is.

When the phone rings and the coaches are calling to talk to your son, then the interest is personal.

quote:

Originally posted by sitbackandenjoy:
If you are wondering if the invites are generic - it probably is.

When the phone rings and the coaches are calling to talk to your son, then the interest is personal.

Except I don't believe that the coach can call until July 1 the summer before his senior year. Don't wait! By then it may be too late! (Or has this rule changed?)

Lots of good info here. I may also suggest that you check your spam/junk file on your email. During my son's junior year, he received an email from the recruiting coach of a school that he sent an email and video to. We are not really sure why it went to spam, but it was a personal email, asking my son to call the coach and included his cell phone. He invited him to make an unofficial visit and to an upcoming camp that was very cheap! It was a good thing that he checked the spam and called....he ended up going to that school on a very generous scholarship.

Son went through the camp invite email phase two years ago.

Our approach was as follows:

Schools which he was not interested in. Reply with Thank you but can not attend. Even in those cases where the school is not a good fit there is a high liklihood that the assistant sending out the email could land at a school in a year or two that could be a great fit. Assistant coaches move often so it is good to keep a positive impression.

Schools with moderate to high interest. Reply with more personal note expressing your interest in the school and ask if they saw you play this past year. Also provide some up to date info on what your doing now (1st semester grades work out program etc). This may establish a dialouge going forward.

Schools of very high interest Reply and possibly attend camp if it is truely a good fit budget wise and timing wise if you learn if there is legitimate interest on their part. In a few of theses cases son called coaches after emailing back. Coach Stotz from Stanford actually responded to his email and they scheduled a time to talk. That was pretty cool night. Other coaches in which there was mutual were easy to talk with which he or they scheduled phone time via email. Through all of the outreach we were hoping to get a pool of coaches(from schools of high interest) that would come see him play the summer before senior year so he could make the best decision.

good Luck!! Exciting Times

quote:

Originally posted by kanga:

quote:

Originally posted by sitbackandenjoy:
If you are wondering if the invites are generic - it probably is.

When the phone rings and the coaches are calling to talk to your son, then the interest is personal.

Except I don't believe that the coach can call until July 1 the summer before his senior year. Don't wait! By then it may be too late! (Or has this rule changed?)

Lots of good info here. I may also suggest that you check your spam/junk file on your email. During my son's junior year, he received an email from the recruiting coach of a school that he sent an email and video to. We are not really sure why it went to spam, but it was a personal email, asking my son to call the coach and included his cell phone. He invited him to make an unofficial visit and to an upcoming camp that was very cheap! It was a good thing that he checked the spam and called....he ended up going to that school on a very generous scholarship.

Kanga:
The rule is still the same: a D1 coach can't call before July 1 after the junior year. However, sitbackandenjoy's point is correct, IMO. The rule hardly impedes a coach's ability to reach a player-- he can send an email (as happened with your son), or make contact through either the high school or travel team.

A camp invite, by itself, generally does not indicate actual interest in a player.

Mine has received several letters from small school coaches recently who say all of the niceties, but then "invite" him to a camp they are attending for a nice fee.

They go in the circular file.

I have a question that I hope some of you can help with. My son, a 2014 LHP/OF got invitations to two "prospect camps" for schools that are very high on his list. He got on a bunch of lists from a PG event as a Frosh, but has not played since July 2011 (injury) He has just been cleared, and assuming he is healthy, is it worthwhile to go and check out the schools at the same time. both schools are in his "top 5-wish list" I know that none of the coaches saw him play, as he didn't, but it can't hurt if he performs well, right? I appreciate the input of those with more knowledge. Thanks.

If you have the contact information (email and/or tel#) of the baseball coaches that had been in touch with your son prior to his injury in 2011, I would try to reach out and reconnect with them. Let them know that your son was unable to attend the two camps that he was invited to because of his injury but that if they have any showcases coming up in the near future your son would like to have another opportunity to attend. Make sure you give your son ample time to train so that his performance will be at the same or better level than before he got injured. Most importantly both you and your son should have a POSITIVE outlook. Your son still has a good year to get stronger, improve and compete for his high school and travel baseball teams. When you attend the showcase, use the feedback as constructive criticism and keep building from there. You might want to reach out to some other schools of interest to help improve your opportunities. Good luck.

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Sorry for the late response,I wasn't around a computer over Thanksgiving.
But thanks a lot for all of the advice.I know I will benefit from it.
Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by LeftyPop:
I have a question that I hope some of you can help with. My son, a 2014 LHP/OF got invitations to two "prospect camps" for schools that are very high on his list. He got on a bunch of lists from a PG event as a Frosh, but has not played since July 2011 (injury) He has just been cleared, and assuming he is healthy, is it worthwhile to go and check out the schools at the same time. both schools are in his "top 5-wish list" I know that none of the coaches saw him play, as he didn't, but it can't hurt if he performs well, right? I appreciate the input of those with more knowledge. Thanks.

July 2011 is 15 months ago (assuming not a typo and it was realy 7/12). I would suggest he be in "form" before showcasing. Let him throw some before you run him out there in front of his dream schools.

No use making a negative impression and having them cross his name off their list on what amounts to a rehab assignment. Send the emails, show interest and let them know that he'll be ready to showcase real soon.

IMHO.

quote:

Originally posted by JMoff:

quote:

Originally posted by LeftyPop:
I have a question that I hope some of you can help with. My son, a 2014 LHP/OF got invitations to two "prospect camps" for schools that are very high on his list. He got on a bunch of lists from a PG event as a Frosh, but has not played since July 2011 (injury) He has just been cleared, and assuming he is healthy, is it worthwhile to go and check out the schools at the same time. both schools are in his "top 5-wish list" I know that none of the coaches saw him play, as he didn't, but it can't hurt if he performs well, right? I appreciate the input of those with more knowledge. Thanks.

July 2011 is 15 months ago (assuming not a typo and it was realy 7/12). I would suggest he be in "form" before showcasing. Let him throw some before you run him out there in front of his dream schools.

No use making a negative impression and having them cross his name off their list on what amounts to a rehab assignment. Send the emails, show interest and let them know that he'll be ready to showcase real soon.

IMHO.

Thank you. It is all contingent on him being "up to speed" for late January. I appreciate the advice.

since he mhas not played since 2011 I would be very leery to attend at this time---he can drop the coach an email with an explanation

It's a long story, but he actually threw all winter and spring in 2012. He had a couple of twinges at times, but we thought it was just "working out the kinks". When he started his first game this season, it was clear he had not fully healed/reaggravated it. He is now with the best Drs in the world, and they say he is full go. Will have about 7 weeks to get ready for the camps, and will be throwing lifting anyway. Plus, it is time to start looking at colleges anyway, so I thought, IF he is ready, might be a good chance to see some schools. Thanks for the advice, maybe we will just wait for the spring/summer, (although that makes me nervous)

quote:

Originally posted by 2014RHP:
So my question is are there any signs on an email that I could tell if its a generic camp invite or if it is more personal?
thanks

The fact that you are on their list is something.

My take on this may be a little different from others. You need to decide which one of these schools you are interested in. Many people advocate sending out many letters/emails to schools giving them your information. How is this different from the coaches' perspective. They have no idea how interested you are in attending their school and playing for them until you let them know! If you are a D3 type player and getting such notices from a high level D1 school, then you can probably assume you are on a list that they are using to fill a camp.

What I am getting at is that you need to assess whether you are a real prospect for the school or not. I have always advocated that you need to be pursuing the school as much as you want them pursuing YOU. Think about it: if a coach is trying to decide between two players; 1 has been to visit several times, been to a camp or two, has shown a lot of interest in their program and the second has been to one camp with no other interest which one do you think the coach is going to favor if all other aspects are even? USE THESE THINGS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE. LEAVE NO STONE (you are interested in) UNTURNED!

the key isnot your or your sons interest in the school but the schools interest in your son

A few points:

1) ALL schools send out camp invites to whoever. Only attend the camps at a school that you have interest in and one that you can realistically get into academically. Camps are money-makers for schools. Most schools do look at and may end up recruiting one kid that attended their camps each year, but they cannot rely on this to fill out their team, especially since every kid with $ is accepted to attend.
2) If you attend a camp, take time to tour the school also. You want to make sure this school is where you want to attend even if you don't end up playing baseball there.
3) Also, contact the recruiting coordinator prior to the camp and let them know you are attending. Make sure to introduce yourself to him at the camp. Contact the coaches after the camp and ask (be upfront) and if they have interest in you.

My son is a 2014 and we have only attended a few camps at schools he is interested in attending. He is not an over the top kid so we are not delusional. 

 

He sent a few emails to the one school he was most interested in asking for feedback and if there was any interest. He also sent a hand written thank you.

 

Should we read anything in to the complete lack of response after three weeks? I even asked the head coach if they would provide feedback while at the camp and he said yes. 

 

The feedback is extremely important as we continue to determine where he fits. D1,D2,D3, etc... Academically he has a core GPA of 3.85 so that is not an issue. A couple D3 schools have shown real interest as has a D2 school.

 

All we really want is honest feedback if even to reply that we have no interest. 

 

He attended a University of Richmond camp and they had a very nice evaluation that was short and sweet. There was no real interest but we got some very valuable feedback. 

 

The process is very challenging to say the least. 

 

Thanks

One of the basic rules of baseball recruiting is: 1) You will know if a program is interested in you/your son.

 

These coaches are getting tons of emails and their camps are money makers for them that give them the chance to find a few diamonds in the rough. 

 

This is a difficult and hard thing to understand while you are in the middle of the process,(we are talking about our sons!)  but it is just the way it is. Some coaches are really great about giving feedback, but most are not. You just have to get used to it.  

 

Best of luck.