Maybe it's just me, but I have noticed that the general Camp/Recruiting letters have a more personal feel to them this year compared to years past. I have had to double take on a few of the to realize they are the standard mass mail out...any one else?
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Now that we're in the electronic age, do you think actual letters show more intrest ? My son gets a boat load of emails . I'm sure there are some sprinkled in that may show a true intrest . Unfortunately , outside of do you want to be removed from this mass email . I'm not good at picking up on hints . I just feel like a lot more goes into a letter than an email. I don't know maybe that's where we're at in time , when paper junk mail carries weight .
I'd agree. My son treats those as they are unless he's already spoken with the coach.
I don't think it matters whether they have taken notice of you or if they have no idea who you are. It's a captive audience. All that matters is whether you bring something that interests them and that can be circumstantial. If you are a Sophomore throwing 87mph, it doesn't matter. They are going to take notice. However, if you're a junior lefty throwing 84 mph, it's best to know if this particular school is actively searching for left-handed pitchers in your class. It's the same with position players. They may have sent you a personal letter because something has raised their attention, but if you are a cf running a 7.7 60 and hitting with a 78mph exit velocity, you are not in a better position than the cf running a 6.67 with a 90 mph exit velocity that just showed up mout of the blue.
I agree with Lefthook. I work with families on this recruiting journey. These letters across all sports are getting a lot more personalized, but not necessarily filled with personal info related to the player.
My 2016 has been getting camp / showcase invites this year that are from specific coaches/schools attending multi-school showcases. The typical format is the coach introducing himself and his school. Letters state how they've heard good things about my son and want to see him in action. And btw, they'll be at this showcase and really hope he'll be there. There's no specific info about my son.
But it's really baloney. Sons hs teammates have all gotten the same letter.
This has been the norm for college camps in my experience where the coach invites player to the camp. But for a multi-school showcase not affiliated with any specific school, it's a newer and more personalized approach. And it's not real. You'll know when they really want to see you IMO.
I always used this mentality:
"(generic) Letters are slightly above meaningless, Personal emails are good, Phone calls are even better, a request for an Official Visit means they are very serious."
Letters are actually very important as it gives you an assessment of what level of ball you are generally being recruited at, as well as what level of academics you are generally being recruited at. One letter isn't a make or break, but in the aggregate they can reveal patterns on how your recruiting journey is going.
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Amazon: Going with the Pitch SE
Author of "Going with the Pitch: Adjusting to Baseball, School and Life as a Division I College Athlete" (Second Edition)
Something I have found interesting over the years.
2013 heavy camp letters, showcases etc.... Juco --> midlevel D1
2014 unbelievable amount of emails , mass mailings etc Juco
2016 a few but not many D3
2018 none... committed top 3 program......
I would have thought 2016 and 2018 would be getting email and letters , not that I want it or that it matters just an odd observation through the years. It seems that the traffic has slowed a bit
