Catcher

jjjrea,
Welcome to the HSBBW! Sounds as if your son has something to offer a college program. If I were you I would get my son to a showcase, like Perfect Game, and get him some exposure ASAP. You need to start the ball rolling. Send letters!!!! (see the recruiting tips section below). Academics OK? Is he registered with the NCAA clearing house? Be sure you read the recruiting tips section of this website. Here's the link Recruiting tips
It's hard to believe that your son has the talent you say he has, is playing baseball in Texas, has been a varsity starter for 3 years and has not been seen (and contacted by a college)??
Fungo

He received quite a bit of notice during his sophomore year - but his school has had quite a bit of turmoil in the baseball program - with constant coaching changes and last years disastrous year - probably the most talented team but did not come together as a "team" - This year he is performing well and hoping to show off his talents and grab the attention of some scouts - His new coach has lots of confidence in him and has offered to help him with his recruiting - thanks for your info.

At this point I would talk to the scouts (or showcase operator) that have seen your son play and expressed an interest in him. The scout(s) could probebely tell you what level your son could play in college. Make sure you ask for an honest evaluation/opinion of your son, as some scouts don't like to hurt feelings. If a scout is upbeat on your son you should then consider asking him to "help" make a call or two to the coaches of college programs your son is interested in. Idealy you'll find an upbeat scout that has a good relationship with the coach of a school you are interested in AND is willing to put his credability on the line for your son.

----Prior to talking to the scout you should do some homework to identify schools your son is interested in, and then narrowing it down to schools that haven't signed a strong catcher canidate. Limit yourself to 3-4 schools and discuss them with the scout.

There are number of sites like TeamOne and Perfect Game tbat list college signings and also have player evaluations that can help you determine where the "openings" might be.

Good luck.

Fungo covered most everything in his post, but I'll add one other thing that is important. You and your son should figure out what schools he has a REALISTIC chance of playing at. Target those schools where he has a realistic chance to make the team and where the school is a good fit and be proactive in staying in touch with them. I see many players out here in California who list Stanford, Cal, USC, Fullerton, etc. as their colleges of choice, when their ability plays more to programs like lower level D1,D2,NAIA or jr. college programs. It would be wonderful for all of them to be in a top program, but it is much more important to be realistic about where he could make it and spend your productive time focused on those opportunities.

It's great to want to play in the top programs around, like UT, but if that isn't realistic remember that there are many other very fine colleges. There is much more to college life than just the baseball team. Look for colleges that are a good all-around fit - baseball, curriculum, campus life, etc. Those are the places toward which your son should turn his focus.

jjjrea,

Check out the message board at:
www.perfectgameusa.com
view: scout talk

Good Luck!

jjjrea,

quote:

His new coach has lots of confidence in him and has offered to help him with his recruiting

I get nervous when I read that!!

It's great the coach has offered to help but there are many horror stories out there where players and parents thought the coach would help with the recruiting needs and it just never happened... so be careful. Going on the assumption that the high school coach will be instrumental in the player getting to the next level is very DANGEROUS. The existence and success of the hsbbw is based on that very fallacy.
Fungo

jjrea, fungo offers good advice, don't take it lightly
also you seem to attach significance to his hs baseball team's performance/success -
no dis intended to hs baseball, but the recruiting & exposure action we saw was summer and fall leagues and showcases soph & jr years - actually no one asked about the hs team till he had signed and they were composing his bio

Thanks for that info. We will be working on our own too!

BEE-
We've had only 1 exposure to a fall team - he played last fall in Dallas - but we did not feel he received any exposure outside hs ball - all of the teams we played were hs ball teams - His coach was great and he received instruction that I believe helped him - but all - in all - we were not impressed with the fall ball- I think he has received more benefit during the Dixie tournaments hes been in -
He's a Sr. so we will concentrate on contacting colleges and requesting their attention as much as we can during this last season of hs ball. - Thanks for the info - we are learning alot! - just hope we didn't wait too late!

The advice here is right on the money. It is really necessary these days to be proactive in your college search. Some schools have a great recruiting program but most do not. Having a quality player interested in coming to your school really means something to a college coach. As has already been mentioned, finding a good fit it critical. Do they need help at the position I play? How does the coach handle his freshman (JV opportunity?). If it's a JUCO, how well do they place their sophomores at 4 year schools?

Don't be surprised if some schools say they are waiting to see how things turn out this spring with the draft and all. JUCOs are notoriously late recruiters for that reason.

There is lots of competition out there...you are doing the right thing by being proactive. Good luck!