Coach initiates email; then no response

It's legit. What year is  your son?

c5tx posted:

So confused.  My son recently went to a Headfirst Academic Showcase.   He pitched great and has received many positive emails initiated by coaches.  He has responded to 3 so far and now the coaches have gone cold.  Are they just busy?  I showed one to his select team coach who is very versed at recruiting.  He said in his experience, that is about as strong an email as you can get.  It was practically an invite to go play at the school.  Not sure what to think; we are very frustrated.   Any suggestions?   Wondering if Headfirst is legit?  Very strange and frustrating.  

Yes it's legit. Coaches are now preparing for players return this week. Lots of stuff to do including helping in the moving in process.

Give them a chance. 

JCG posted:

It's legit. What year is  your son?

He is a 2018.  He was contacted right away from a D1; and then abut 7 - D3's.  The D1 was the very promising email.  It said...I saw you pitch at Headfirst I hope you feel ___school would be  good for you .  We hope to see you in the upcoming weeks.   My son emailed him back; but no response.  It has been about two weeks since the first email.  He did reply about a week ago.  Said keep me posted?  It's very confusing?  No next steps to recruit my son.

He has responded to two great academic D3's - one inviting him for a visit.   No response.  That was about three days ago.

We are very confused.  I was starting to think Headfirst pays these coaches to initiate emails.  

Any suggestions?  I told my kid he should starting calling the baseball offices.  

LIke TPM says the coaches have a lot going on right now. But as a 2018 your son most definitely needs to be on top of this right now.  Keep emailing those that have contacted him, especially the D3's. If coach gave his cell number, call or better yet text.  Sounds like the D1 has him on the back burner, but that could change. Has anyone asked him for grades? 

Put the thought about HF paying coaches to email out of your mind.  

If your budget allows you might consider AZ Senior Fall Classic. 

JCG posted:

LIke TPM says the coaches have a lot going on right now. But as a 2018 your son most definitely needs to be on top of this right now.  Keep emailing those that have contacted him, especially the D3's. If coach gave his cell number, call or better yet text.  Sounds like the D1 has him on the back burner, but that could change. Has anyone asked him for grades? 

Put the thought about HF paying coaches to email out of your mind.  

If your budget allows you might consider AZ Senior Fall Classic. 

I agree with the above. Son has to do his due diligence and stay on task.

He can call. D3 sounds like a better option right now, D1 may have him down as a backup.

Yes...they have asked for grades; and his ACT.  I'll encourage him to continue pursuing the ones he has interest in.  I think you are right about the D1.  I am pretty sure those coaches at this school are still going to camps etc. and are not done looking at players.  So I am guessing the D1 is just getting a list of potential pitchers before they decide?  One of the D3 asked him to choose a date for a visit.  He replied with a preferred date but no response.   I am hoping communication will pick up next week.   Do you all know if the college coaches see the kid's ACT score and academic info in the packet they receive from Headfirst?  

I don't know exactly what they get, but a coach asking for grades and ACT is a very good sign. Silence after sending them is not good. But you said 3 days - too soon to panic!  Hang in there. But your son should probably reach out again to any school he is interested in by Monday.

c5tx posted:

Yes...they have asked for grades; and his ACT.  I'll encourage him to continue pursuing the ones he has interest in.  I think you are right about the D1.  I am pretty sure those coaches at this school are still going to camps etc. and are not done looking at players.  So I am guessing the D1 is just getting a list of potential pitchers before they decide?  One of the D3 asked him to choose a date for a visit.  He replied with a preferred date but no response.   I am hoping communication will pick up next week.   Do you all know if the college coaches see the kid's ACT score and academic info in the packet they receive from Headfirst?  

Coaches are always going to camps, etc. That's their job, that usually stops when spring arrives. 

I am not as familiar with D3, but I do know,  that they do not give out athletic scholarships, so they have to make sure one can pass the academic requirements before they can even consider offering a chance to attend their program.

FWIW, the one thing that I am seeing is that responses take time, you would be shocked to hear about what goes on in one day of the life of a college coach!!!

c5tx, you didn't answer JCG about phone numbers. Sounds like your son has genuine interest at this point, and text/voice/DM/FaceTime are far superior to email. Can you imagine how many emails these guys get? Then there's spam filters, etc.

Yes, much too early to panic. Coaches are juggling new students, new assistant coaches, showcases, and many recruits. They might have sent similar emails to 4 guys for 2 spots, and they're judging the responses. Stay the course, and proceed with the assumption that none of these schools will work out. One very well could, but you can't just sit and wait for replies and worry.

MidAtlanticDad posted:

c5tx, you didn't answer JCG about phone numbers. Sounds like your son has genuine interest at this point, and text/voice/DM/FaceTime are far superior to email. Can you imagine how many emails these guys get? Then there's spam filters, etc.

Yes, much too early to panic. Coaches are juggling new students, new assistant coaches, showcases, and many recruits. They might have sent similar emails to 4 guys for 2 spots, and they're judging the responses. Stay the course, and proceed with the assumption that none of these schools will work out. One very well could, but you can't just sit and wait for replies and worry.

+1

If I could add...start working plans B & C as well. Assuming you have a fall back plan with other schools in case the schools in plan A don't work out?

MidAtlanticDad posted:

c5tx, you didn't answer JCG about phone numbers. Sounds like your son has genuine interest at this point, and text/voice/DM/FaceTime are far superior to email. Can you imagine how many emails these guys get? Then there's spam filters, etc.

Yes, much too early to panic. Coaches are juggling new students, new assistant coaches, showcases, and many recruits. They might have sent similar emails to 4 guys for 2 spots, and they're judging the responses. Stay the course, and proceed with the assumption that none of these schools will work out. One very well could, but you can't just sit and wait for replies and worry.

Concur completely.  My 2018 has been effectively communicating and setting up calls via texts.  The coaches really do get lots of emails daily and they now have their incoming 2017 class to deal with.... 

Have him text and mention he wants to follow up on the coaches email, as he does have strong interest in the school.  "What time is best for you to talk?"

Did he have any contact with coaches prior to Headfirst.....as a 2018, he should have been contacting coaches of schools that interest him at this time last year....letting them know where he would be playing this summer.  A D1 contacting him at this point is pretty late in the game.  Most D1's are finished with 2018's as school and fall practices are starting at colleges and their recruiting time is limited now. 

As others have said, text or call.....skip the emails, unless it's just to provide info

He has received emails only.  No text messages.  We can see the D1 is still adding players at the moment.  It just seems so weird (and a bit disrespectful) for a coach to say we hope our school is a nd then not respond to emails.  If he has moved on from my son, I would think he could just say that...especially since he sent the first email.  My kid will continue to follow up via email on the D3's.  Some of these are great academic schools.  One in particular looks great.  Thanks for your feedback.

c5tx posted:

He has received emails only.  No text messages.  We can see the D1 is still adding players at the moment.  It just seems so weird (and a bit disrespectful) for a coach to say we hope our school is a fit for you and your family and then not respond to emails.  If he has moved on from my son, I would think he could just say that...especially since he sent the first email.  My kid will continue to follow up via email on the D3's.  Some of these are great academic schools.  One in particular looks great.  Thanks for your feedback.  Any advice on dealing with the D1?  Keep emailing?  Call?  Or let it go?

I know you don't like it, I didn't either, but this is what comes with the recruiting process, in most cases.

I have been accused of being rude, so please don't take this the wrong way. I can only speak for myself. I know nothing about your son, other than he pitches. It would be unfair for me to try to guess why they have not contacted him with the little information you have provided.  And it would be unfair of you to expect answers other than what you have received.

I truly want to help others, but people have to understand that it's the coaches job to cast a wide net, it always doesn't happen the way we wanted it to. Coming late to the process also adds the difficulty. That's why so many here actually contact coaches well in advance to establish relationships. The most successful recruiting stories are because parents understand the process can take years, before the right fit comes along.

If you want, you can shoot a pm with more physical info on your son as well as his info, LHP, rhp, how many pitches, velo, GPA, ACT, etc. These are all pieces of the puzzle you have not provided. What conference is the D1 in, where is it. 

Hope that this helps.

TPM

c5tx posted:

He has received emails only.  No text messages.  We can see the D1 is still adding players at the moment.  It just seems so weird (and a bit disrespectful) for a coach to say we hope our school is a fit for you and your family and then not respond to emails.  If he has moved on from my son, I would think he could just say that...especially since he sent the first email.  My kid will continue to follow up via email on the D3's.  Some of these are great academic schools.  One in particular looks great.  Thanks for your feedback.  Any advice on dealing with the D1?  Keep emailing?  Call? G Or let it go?

Go ahead and call....it can't hurt.  If the coach answers, at least your son will be able to get an answer as to where he stands.  If not, leave a message....something to the effect of "hey coach, thanks for reaching out, I'm definitely interested in your program.  I've also emailed, I'd really like to talk to you...when is a good time to reach you?"

TPM...not sure if you read the entire thread.  My kid went to Headfirst so all these coaches saw him pitch over two days.  My son did great...mostly K's against the batters he faced.  He has received about 10 emails from schools.  So the coach knows what he is.  I just find it strange they are so slow to return emails.  Especially when the context of the email is pretty much an invite to play at the school.  I just wonder what other's experience is as far as coaches returning emails that were initiated by coaches.  

c5tx posted:

TPM...not sure if you read the entire thread.  My kid went to Headfirst so all these coaches saw him pitch over two days.  My son did great...mostly K's against the batters he faced.  He has received about 10 emails from schools.  So the coach knows what he is.  I just find it strange they are so slow to return emails.  Especially when the context of the email is pretty much an invite to play at the school.  I just wonder what other's experience is as far as coaches returning emails that were initiated by coaches.  

I read the entire thread.

However, I was just trying to gather  some more info on your son because emails are inquiries and yes, it is often times a slow process and the letter sent is usually in the form telling a player that they have seen them play and interested. It's an interest letter to get you interested in their program as well.

Just trying to help you understand the process.

Best of luck to your son.

c5tx posted:

TPM...not sure if you read the entire thread.  My kid went to Headfirst so all these coaches saw him pitch over two days.  My son did great...mostly K's against the batters he faced.  He has received about 10 emails from schools.  So the coach knows what he is.  I just find it strange they are so slow to return emails.  Especially when the context of the email is pretty much an invite to play at the school.  I just wonder what other's experience is as far as coaches returning emails that were initiated by coaches.  

My kid recently went to an individual school camp (had 'everyone' call the coach's to inform them he was coming & and have been emailing them for 2 years...lol). Kid hit it out of the park (literally) both offensively, defensively and ran a 6.7 something sixty. Parents in the stands came up to me thru-out and mentioned he was clearly the best looking one there. Coach called him 2 days earlier than he mentioned he would (Monday after the camp). Told kid he is #1 on their board for 2018 MIF's, told him it was a blessing to have a kid like him show up for a camp and said they'd talk program philosophy and money in a month or 2. Asked him to please email transcripts and test scores.

OK...number 1 on the board, luv'd his performance, over qualified academically...but no offer? He is a 2018! lol

Kid emailed the academic stuff that day. Sent follow up texts and emails to confirm all was received....no response. Sent a update/fall schedule email over a week ago...no response.

Either coach feels it necessary to blow smoke up the kids ass on a phone call (he called the kid), or he is a master in the art on NON communication. Either way, I'm less than impressed at this point and if the offer ever comes it better be wrapped in a 'pink bow' with hugs, hearts & kisses all over the box (if he wants it to be considered).

Needless to say, no tears will be shed if an offer doesn't arrive and we get the current message (hope that's the one the coach wants to send).....lol

 There are 2 kinds of coaches/recruiters (IMHO):

1. The ones that treat it like a business (and they want to be successful)

2. The ones that treat it like a game (that they don't know how to play)

 Moral: move on (to plans B, C, D, etc.-sending the occasional email, text to the master non communicator's is still OK) and if something unexpected happens great...if not-no sweat, wasn't meant to be anyway!

*Dad to Coach: Hey Coach, guess what...My kid has 'a board' too. You were moving up it pretty quickly after the phone call, but your recent performance (or lack thereof) has you slipping...rapidly!

DesertDuck...that stinks.  I don't understand what is going on with these coaches.  We showed the email my son received to both the coordinator of his select team (who is very experienced with recruiting and contacting college coaches) as well as my son's pitching coach who has had several of his pitchers commit to D1 schools over the years.  The select coordinator said "Congratulations" and the pitching coach stated the email is as strong as it gets.  It was practically an invite to the program. They see these emails all the time.   I do think it is crappy to get a kid's hopes up with that kind of email and then go quiet.  Wish he had never sent it if he wasn't serious.  I really think he owes it to my kid to reply and say I went with another prospect or I made a mistake, etc.  

TPM...it was more than an interest letter.  It was a "we hope you will come play at our school" letter.