Coaches list of potential recruits

I'll take a stab at answering your question.  But really only you can answer the question "if they end up calling" you.

The short answer:  You want to go where you can play.

Would you be content sitting the bench on YOUR #1 team even if you were not their #1? If yes, remember, you still have to get up at 5:30 am on cold mornings to work out, practice, and then possibly not travel with your team to away games.  Those away game weekends can get lonely if you don't make other friends, which is hard to do when you are with your team almost 24/7. 

I don't think my son knew where he was on the depth chart at any school.  If you aren't a pitcher throwing 88-92 or a top recruit, things sift out quickly.  The top schools nab their #1 and #2 pretty quick.  You can check on perfectgame.org to see players that have already committed, per class, and their positions. Then, you have to see if a school even NEEDS your position the year you graduate, so you have to go look at school rosters, maybe even for several years back.

Once you accept an offer to play, each following year you need to compete for playing time.  If you go in to a school at #3 or #4, there could be new #1s and new #2s coming in each year after you.  It will be hard to move up the ranks, unless you go to one of the colleges that take ALL #1s .  And even on those teams, someone is sitting the bench.

So, you will know a coach is not interested when you don't get an offer.  When you DO get a offer and accept, make it your/ (son's) business to work out, stay healthy, show up at college ready and able, so you/he can be THE #1.

Welcome.

Recuiting is a game of musical chairs. Multiple schools may have the same player as its #1 recruit, but obviously all schools except one will be looking deeper into the talent pool.

Recruiting is just that; it's not playing time. Playing time is earned; recruiting is based upon a coaches projections. Deliver and a kid will play - as simple as that.

During the process, a kid (and his parents) may have an audience in the coaches office during a visit. Many coaches have "white boards" in the office which represents the depth chart for current players as well as recruits; during the meeting take that board into your conscious!

As for considering where a recruit was initially ranked and whether that should impact the decision, I'd say "it depends."  For example, if the baseball is leveraging a kid into one of the truly elite academic schools, IMO, who cares where a kid was ranked - take the offer and run (assuming the player likes the school itself).  For other players, sitting in a bench while doing the same work as starters for four years might not be so appealing.

It really helps if a family has an honest idea of the level of play of both the school they are considering and the present and potential skills the player brings to the table.

In my daughter's experience when she visited several schools, they had a "master board" of recruits listed.  My daughter took her official visit at a time when four or five others were to take theirs.  They all met in the HC's office and the board was right behind him.  One recruit from the South said to my daughter as they left the office, "You're the #1 recruit.  You're huge!"  LOL this was from a little slapper. 

Lots of variables at play here, but if you're on the list, then they're interested. It's difficult to know whether they love everyone on the list, or they think the #4 guy is a huge drop off. If there are scholarship $$ involved, then you know they want you. If no sports scholarship (incl D3), then the player is faced with the usual questions. Do I think I can earn a starting spot at this school (and when)? Would I be happy at this school not starting, or even not being on the team? The first question can be tough to judge accurately, but you have to be honest with yourself and hope for the best.

Let's say there is a list of OF's five deep.  Number one is obvious to the recruiter, faster, bigger, power potential, etc. He's also obvious to all schools, and most likely is number one to lots of schools.  He has a choice.

Might not be that much difference between 2 - 5.  Maybe some, maybe a little difference.  Maybe lefty batter is higher than the righty.  So how does the RC rank the remaining four?  He wants the kid who REALLY wants to be in his program.  He wants the kid with the true desire.  He wants the kid who will call and be honest with him and has the burning desire to succeed in his program.

If an RC misses on a kid and he goes to another school, oh well.  If an RC misses on a kid that he takes to his school, that's four years of no help for the program, with a scholarship tied up.  Coaches take the desire every time.

So if you are that kid that really wants to be at the program, call and tell the coach how important it is to you.

D1 coaches usually narrow down their choices ABC.  A is the guy they want. You know if you are an A guy. YOU KNOW.  B is their choice if A goes somewhere else. C is the guy they offer when A and B say no. C more than likely may get 25% at a D1or a walk on opportunity and maybe nothing at a D2. He may all of a sudden get that call when he thought the coach moved on. But he can easily be replaced the next year by the freshman who was the A recruit who accepted.

As far as job opportunities most employers will let you know where you stand for the position. Recently son was hired for a coaching position over 3 potential applicants, which he was told during the interview process.  That was from a list of 122 total resumes emailed to the HC.

So during the recruitng process, think about how many guys the coach saw before he narrowed the choice down to 3, or 4!  If this is some place that you want to go play and attend school, go for it, but remember if you are that C guy work know your role and work your butt off!

FWIW, good recruiters will never tell you where you fall on their board, except if you are their #1 guy.

GOOSEGG had it correct that there is a "board".  My 2015 when on an official visit saw the "board" while speaking with the HC in his office.  He noticed his name as #2 and funny enough knew the #1.  In my 2015's case the coach was honest with him and said that they had an offer out to #1 and if not accepted in 2 weeks he would be their guy.  2 days after the visit coach called and made an offer even though #1 still had not decided.  Never give up on your #1 school but also always keep you options open.  In our case their  #1 and #2 were the same eval with #1 being slightly better, I guess.  #1 never did commit.

FWIW the board is available at times on purpose.  

It worked out well for your son, good luck to your player.

Thanks for all of the responses. 

RKBH posted:

Thanks for all of the responses. 

Dont be afraid to have your son call the coach.  Most are very open and honest.

Ask the coach. Don't trust the "boards". As part of my scholarship, worked in athletic dept. of a D1. Recruiting boards were changed daily. 

I think my initial question was taken in the wrong context.  This is a D3 school and the info came directly from the coach.  I think I just wanted to know that if the coach tells you that you are 4th on the list and they only need 2 outfielders but they do end up calling what should a player do?  This probably will not happen...but I just wanted to know what the opinions are from this site.  Thanks again for all the input, appreciate it.

GoodTimes posted:

Ask the coach. Don't trust the "boards". As part of my scholarship, worked in athletic dept. of a D1. Recruiting boards were changed daily. 

GoodTimes said it best. 'Ask the Coach' If your son is a 2017 he needs to ask the following question at any school he is considering or want to play for :

"Where do I stand in your 2016 class of ( OF_____fill in the bank) on the recruiting board ?"

Players generally are uncomfortable making that call , But Baseball culture is such that RC's will tell you the TRUTH. And if you're a 2017 at this stage of the recruiting process , Well......you NEED the truth.

Colllege RC's recruit anywhere from 6-12 recruits a year depending on the school. They can and will 'shoot and miss' . Your son only gets ONE SHOT at this and he has to get it right based on the information at hand.

Thank you - we will keep plugging away...thanks for all the info!!