Can non Travel Players Get to the Next Level?

Swag, lots of guys get to the next level without travel ball, but it's usually more difficult. But talent is absolutely the most important factor, so that's where you should focus your effort. Did you play baseball last summer? If so, what kind of team? Do you have a local America Legion team?

Nothing changes for you on July 1 with D1 schools. D1 coaches can start contacting you on September 1. However, you can talk to a D1 coach on the phone right now if you call him and he answers. That normally takes some kind of intermediary like a travel coach to arrange the time. The July 1 date is for after your junior year. That’s when D1 coaches can talk to you off-campus. Juco coaches can talk to you right now.

Your financial situation might make your recruiting decisions simpler in some ways. It sounds like you might need to attend an in-state public university, and you may also start out at an in-state juco. You probably know by now that 50% is a pretty good baseball scholarship at a D1. That still leaves you to pay almost $10K/year at one of the UNCs. Juco can be less expensive than that, especially with a scholarship and/or living at home. You won’t find many people on this forum in favor of running up big student loan debt.

My thoughts changed completely when you went from a "2021 RHP throwing 84"  to a 2021 RHP throwing 84 that just happens to be 6'3 and 165.   I know kids who play for mid majors that don't throw harder than 84....heck, my son's team played a team last week that threw 5 pitchers (non-league game) and none of them were over 84.   At this point, if you've got good off speed, I think it's just a matter of being seen.  You've got a couple months until summer.  If you can be 85 or 86 by then, you'll start getting noticed....whether it's at a showcase or hopefully you can find a travel team to bring you along for a weekend.  Good luck

As the father of 2 collage age boys, 1 playing 1 not. Find the college you like and want to attend, if the baseball fits you there play and if not don't. College baseball is a cold nasty business, in some ways tougher then real business but easier in others...it is not a for the feint of heart. The coaches who love you today won't give a damn about you on campus if you struggle. 

This is not to scare you, just the truth of the business. Go for the school. 

3and2Fastball posted:

6'3" & throwing 84.  You are definitely a D1 prospect over these next few years.  I also really applaud you for taking the initiative on your recruiting path, that is great to see.

One way or another you are going to need to be seen by the college coaches, in person, before they will offer.  Opinions differ re Camps, but in my opinion things have changed in terms of Camps being a viable part of recruiting and not just a money maker.  

Another route you can take towards a D1, if you don't have any offers by August or Sept of 2020, is to consider going the Junior College route for a few years to develop more.  With JUCOS you can arrange to just go & tryout while you are still in high school, at no cost. The rules are much more loose.

Thanks for the info. What is the best means of getting in touch with a target school? I’ve been using email primarily, is that the best way for now? Also, JC is for sure an option for me, it not only gives me better chances at reaching my top school but offers a different experience that some bigger schools can’t offer.

baseball_swagg posted:

Thanks for the info. What is the best means of getting in touch with a target school? I’ve been using email primarily, is that the best way for now? Also, JC is for sure an option for me, it not only gives me better chances at reaching my top school but offers a different experience that some bigger schools can’t offer.

When you send your email make sure you put highlights in the subject: "6'3" 2021 RHP 84 velo" should get some opens.

The direct answer to the headine question is of course, yes, you can get recruited without doing travel ball.

But the question is not just whether someone, somewhere will take you.  The question is whether you are taking charge of the process, so that you end up at the school that is the right fit for you academically, socially, financially, and as to level of baseball.

It's possible to do all that without travel, but doing without travel ball makes it much more difficult to succeed.

FYI, if the problem for your family is money, many organizations (including ours) offer fee reductions or even total waivers, if there is proof of genuine financial hardship.  Car pooling/ room sharing with teammates also helps.

I do get somewhat perturbed, though, when families say they intend to send their son to college, but they cannot fund travel ball.  First of all, how are they intending to pay for college if things are that tight?  Financial aid, even when obtained, seldom pays for everything.  Secondly, the minimum D1 scholarship is 25%.  Four years of that would equate to roughly one year out of your four years in college getting fully paid for.  Elite pitchers tend to do substantially better than the minimum, too.  Getting stingy now is penny wise and pound foolish, especially since a player with your characteristics might hope to get a deal done by just playing this June and July.

So forgive me, but I think a family discussion is in order to revisit these issues.  If there is enough drive to see this through, it makes no sense to sit out the coming summer.

There is such a thing as being a pick up player.  Send emails back to some of those elite travel teams, tell them you can't join the team due to money constraints; but let them know if they ever need an extra pitcher you would be happy to pitch in. 

MANY teams have parents that would gladly let you tag along in their hotel room if you could help the team....just bring enough money with you to pay for your meals, maybe attempt to offer them some money to help with the room costs and poof...you are pitching at a PG event in Ft. Myers.

CaCO3Girl posted:

There is such a thing as being a pick up player.  Send emails back to some of those elite travel teams, tell them you can't join the team due to money constraints; but let them know if they ever need an extra pitcher you would be happy to pitch in. 

MANY teams have parents that would gladly let you tag along in their hotel room if you could help the team....just bring enough money with you to pay for your meals, maybe attempt to offer them some money to help with the room costs and poof...you are pitching at a PG event in Ft. Myers.

That is great advice and will get you exposure that will help your recruiting.

K9 posted:

baseball_swagg posted:

Thanks for the info. What is the best means of getting in touch with a target school? I’ve been using email primarily, is that the best way for now? Also, JC is for sure an option for me, it not only gives me better chances at reaching my top school but offers a different experience that some bigger schools can’t offer.

When you send your email make sure you put highlights in the subject: "6'3" 2021 RHP 84 velo" should get some opens.

If you have a strong GPA and good test scores (when available) be sure to include those in the email subject line as well. Good luck!

Enjoying the Ride posted:

K9 posted:

If you have a strong GPA and good test scores (when available) be sure to include those in the email subject line as well. Good luck!

That is not good advice. Grades do not matter until they establish you as a prospect. Unless you are taking the D3 HA route, grades are not what will open doors on the recruiting trail, baseball talent is. Adding test scores and GPA will just take away from the main point - that he is a tall 2021 with decent speed - and make the coach less likely to read an email with a massive subject line. A 3.9 and a 35 are not going to open any doors for now. His fastball and his size will. They don't need to care about grades until they know they want them. 

I would respectfully disagree. There is no downside to including this information, assuming it reflects positively on the player. I do not buy the idea that coaches will be distracted by it.  Strong academics say something about a player’s work ethic and ability to balance sports and school.  There are definitely coaches out there who will care about this from the get go. You only get one chance to make a first impression - why would you not want to make it the absolute best you can. 

Enjoying the Ride posted:

I would respectfully disagree. There is no downside to including this information, assuming it reflects positively on the player. I do not buy the idea that coaches will be distracted by it.  Strong academics say something about a player’s work ethic and ability to balance sports and school.  There are definitely coaches out there who will care about this from the get go. You only get one chance to make a first impression - why would you not want to make it the absolute best you can. 

It won't be a distraction, it is just not something that is important until they like your game. Include it in the email, but these coaches are getting hundreds of emails a week from kids that want to play there. The subject line should be short and catch the eye of the coach. SAT scores and GPA don't matter until they show interest, the same way work ethic is not important unless a player shows he can play. Hard working player with average skills = non recruit. 

The higher the level of baseball the less important grades are. Admissions standards are lower for athletes, even the HA D1s. Not every Notre Dame baseball player had a 34. Last week I watched a game on ESPN between a HA P5 and a mid major, I couldn't believe some of their majors even existed. Some sounded fake. 

I always stress the importance of grades, but the truth of the matter is for most coaches it is - can they meet the minimum requirements to get into the school. Most coaches they trust their staff and team tutors to keep their kids eligible. 

CTbballDad posted:

My son played 19U Legion after his freshman and Sophmore years,  only played travel ball after his junior HS season.  His Sophomore year, he made the All Legion team and invited to a free showcase, where he had College’s reach out.  Admittedly, they were “lesser” schools,  but it was interest.  Plus, we’ll never know if that was also the start to the D1 interest he received, invite to Area Code Games tryout, etc.

If you are able to play Legion this summer, I would reach out to your town’s representative.  Let him know you want to play at the next level, gain exposure and see what options are out there.  I’m sure he’ll want to promote you as it’s good for your Legion team.

I would not stay away from camps, even if not throwing 90.  But find ones that have multiple schools and those that fit for you.  Many schools work with each other and you should be able to find some with 8-10 schools present.  My son went to one of these this past summer and eventually received 2 mid-D1 offers from schools at that camp and interest from a few more D3.  Now, the offers only came after they came out to watch him pitch in games for his travel team.

UCONN has a 2019 commit who only played Legion ball, so it happens.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info! I will look more into Legion, I know it's in my area but need to look more into it. Best of luck to you also.

tequila posted:

Hi Swagg. There has been a great amount of information shared in this thread already but I'd check out the following website if you haven't already. https://keepplayingbaseball.or...o-if-money-is-tight/. These guys provide quite a bit of well-organized information on this topic, and at no cost. In addition to this board, they're one of a handful of resources that I found most valuable through my son's journey. Good luck!

Thank you, sir, for the excellent link. I was not aware of the site, and I have already found quite a bit of useful info regarding recruiting. Best of luck!

Buckeye 2015 posted:

My thoughts changed completely when you went from a "2021 RHP throwing 84"  to a 2021 RHP throwing 84 that just happens to be 6'3 and 165.   I know kids who play for mid majors that don't throw harder than 84....heck, my son's team played a team last week that threw 5 pitchers (non-league game) and none of them were over 84.   At this point, if you've got good off speed, I think it's just a matter of being seen.  You've got a couple months until summer.  If you can be 85 or 86 by then, you'll start getting noticed....whether it's at a showcase or hopefully you can find a travel team to bring you along for a weekend.  Good luck

Thank you for the info and encouragement. I'm going to do some work this summer to send me to some showcases where coaches from all levels will be attending, hopefully, I can get on someone's radar. Good luck to you also.

PABaseball posted:

Enjoying the Ride posted:

I would respectfully disagree. There is no downside to including this information, assuming it reflects positively on the player. I do not buy the idea that coaches will be distracted by it.  Strong academics say something about a player’s work ethic and ability to balance sports and school.  There are definitely coaches out there who will care about this from the get go. You only get one chance to make a first impression - why would you not want to make it the absolute best you can. 

It won't be a distraction, it is just not something that is important until they like your game. Include it in the email, but these coaches are getting hundreds of emails a week from kids that want to play there. The subject line should be short and catch the eye of the coach. SAT scores and GPA don't matter until they show interest, the same way work ethic is not important unless a player shows he can play. Hard working player with average skills = non recruit. 

The higher the level of baseball the less important grades are. Admissions standards are lower for athletes, even the HA D1s. Not every Notre Dame baseball player had a 34. Last week I watched a game on ESPN between a HA P5 and a mid major, I couldn't believe some of their majors even existed. Some sounded fake. 

I always stress the importance of grades, but the truth of the matter is for most coaches it is - can they meet the minimum requirements to get into the school. Most coaches they trust their staff and team tutors to keep their kids eligible. 

All I can say is this was not what our son experienced. 

old_school posted:

As the father of 2 collage age boys, 1 playing 1 not. Find the college you like and want to attend, if the baseball fits you there play and if not don't. College baseball is a cold nasty business, in some ways tougher then real business but easier in others...it is not a for the feint of heart. The coaches who love you today won't give a damn about you on campus if you struggle. 

This is not to scare you, just the truth of the business. Go for the school. 

No, I appreciate the honesty. Not only do I want to play at a good school (academically and athletically), but I want to play somewhere where I am supported by the staff and program. 

PABaseball posted:

Enjoying the Ride posted:

I would respectfully disagree. There is no downside to including this information, assuming it reflects positively on the player. I do not buy the idea that coaches will be distracted by it.  Strong academics say something about a player’s work ethic and ability to balance sports and school.  There are definitely coaches out there who will care about this from the get go. You only get one chance to make a first impression - why would you not want to make it the absolute best you can. 

It won't be a distraction, it is just not something that is important until they like your game. Include it in the email, but these coaches are getting hundreds of emails a week from kids that want to play there. The subject line should be short and catch the eye of the coach. SAT scores and GPA don't matter until they show interest, the same way work ethic is not important unless a player shows he can play. Hard working player with average skills = non recruit. 

The higher the level of baseball the less important grades are. Admissions standards are lower for athletes, even the HA D1s. Not every Notre Dame baseball player had a 34. Last week I watched a game on ESPN between a HA P5 and a mid major, I couldn't believe some of their majors even existed. Some sounded fake. 

I always stress the importance of grades, but the truth of the matter is for most coaches it is - can they meet the minimum requirements to get into the school. Most coaches they trust their staff and team tutors to keep their kids eligible. 

PABaseball,

I'm seeing a significant amount of student athletes majoring in Sport Management and Business.  IMHO to generic.

I know a kid playing at a Patriot school well known for engineering. They told him forget it you are a business major. College coaches have little no concern about academics outside of you staying eligible 

My 2020 recently committed to a high academic school. One of the major considerations for him was to find a school that would not put restrictions on his major and where coaches and faculty would support that. He asked the coaches directly about this in the recruiting process. It narrowed his options for sure, but what's the point of going to college to study something you're not even interested in and that will not set you up for success in the future?