College Coaches, When do they start their search?

Some are finishing up 2004 year...most larger programs are going to be looking at 2005's this spring.

I would imagine the search process is never ending. Don't forget, they may have signed their 04's, but might chose a transfer somewhere along the way to fill a need for a particular college graduating class.
They might even be following an 07, 08. Rules only allow contact after a particular time, for each particular class.
The summer entering senior year is the most important, make plans now.

cvsting....

Good topic! I have a question that I believe coincides with your topic.

Knowing that all coaches have different methods for selecting 'new' players, and for filling roster spots, when does a coach start looking at filling a particular position, knowing that he has kids graduating or leaving the program? Is there a "norm", i.e., 2 year cycle, 3 year cycle, or is it dependent upon each individual position?

"You observe a lot by watching."

I know a 2005 player who was contacted last summer via third party for an unofficial visit, which he took. It happens. Not at our house but some.

Geaux Cajuns!!

I know that in my son's Junior year (last year)...two different JUCO's had prelimnary offers on the table..they came to watch son during a couple of games...

I also know that son took two different unofficial visits during his spring of that same junior year...both of those universities offered after July 1...now, they both saw him throw during summer and early fall too...but without those early contacts from our son they might not have pursued it...son made sure they rec'd spring/summer schedules, too..

Stir the pot. Even though those 4 schools weren't where son signed..they led us down a path...and gave us things to compare along the way.

Dad,
I have heard of 04's who agreed LAST YEAR to play at certain schools. This was done on "unofficial visits". Seems to me this goes on all the time.

We have already gotten info from college coaches telling us what they will be looking for in 05 and 06 and would we be good enough to keep our eyes open

The normal sequence as we have seen it is for the burners to get turned up in the spring for this years palyers to fill whatever needs are still open while on the backburner they begin getting in touch via letter with the next years group, 05's.

It is truly a neverending process

TRhit

Tom,

Once is enough, just kidding. You must of gotten trigger happy.

CV

"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."

Earl Weaver

sometimes the post now button repeats itself

TRhit

let's not forget many, many schools have not completed their '04 recruiting yet. Mine is still being courted by half a dozen schools with a few friends/coaches still pitching him to other schools as well. Plenty of interest in '04's.

No, TAR, not offered to everyone on their list.

You are right, however, that none of it matters if they don't get any calls after July 1st.

TAR,

Sometimes I think "recruiting" gets interpreted as "begging". I'm not saying that you have.

There are schools that you probably are not interested. The coaches don't know if you are or not.

The letter means what it says. They would like to recruit you, please come to a game at our campus, or stop by to visit to see if you like our school.

It gets said on this site that it has to be the right fit. The coaches know that, too.

It has also been noted on this site that many times colleges are selected within 30 seconds after arriving on campus or, in other words, it is an impulse decision. The coaches know that, too.

It's good to visit. You may find out that you don't like the school or you may decide that its the perfect place for you.

Recruiting is just a process like shopping. (The ladies are gonna love that!) The coaches are shopping and so are the families.

Sometimes a deal is struck.

Taratko...

We had some which also invited son to games...other letters did not, which seemed less personal yet we were glad for the initial contact...

still, do take them up on the tickets if your son is interested...we did this to let BK see the campus to gauge our interest or should I say his after seeing the campus first hand...

I think it's a nice way to meet the coaches, get a visual account of surroundings...and a feel for the personality of the campus.

Son visited one ...it was way up there on the list...but after the visit son moved it down a few notches...

TAR,

I stated that I didn't mean to imply that your interpretation was begging, but sometimes I think we all would have like to have seen the word used "We are begging your son", then we would clearly know the level of interest.

I think it is great to be enthusiastic about getting contacts from schools inviting you to visit their campus.

Its normal to try to gauge the amount of interest in your son from the correspondence.

They are interested in having your son come to the campus.

Are you interested in their school?

If you are, call the coach and tell him.

Would it be a school where you would like to, or be practical to use one of your official visits?

If so, then maybe the dialogue about where your son attends can continue in person on an official visit.

When an "Official Visit" offer is extended, you might know that the letter is coming ahead of time, but as I recall, the NCAA requires that they send you a written letter stating that you are invited on an "official visit", so many days in advance of your trip.

TARatko....

You mentioned July 1st, is this the date that marks the end of high school summer baseball, and the beginning of opportunities for colleges to start their evaluations? I thought it was August 1st?

"You observe a lot by watching."

Boomer

July 1 after the junior year the colleges can begin the "assault"

Enjoy the ride

September I of the Junior year they can begin mail contact

TRhit

During the recuiting process, one coach told Bull Jr that he has seen him play off and on since 12 years old!

It proves the old baseball quote,"you never know who's watching"

Bullwinkle is going commando.

TRhit....

My son was at a camp this past weekend, and when we returned home, he
e-mailed one of the coaches running this camp (the catching/hitting/RECRUITING coach), thanking him for the educational experience. The coach e-mailed him back yesterday stating that he couldn't be in "contact" with him until September 1st. Makes sense, right?

"You observe a lot by watching."

Boomer

Your son is an '06 correct !!!

Then the coach is correct in his procedure

But your son is now on his radar screen --proactive move in the proper fashion

TRhit

TRhit....

Yes, he is an 06, and thanks for the re-enforcement!!!

"You observe a lot by watching."

An invitation to attend a baseball game maybe standard practice at some schools. Other schools are a bit more selective. I agree it may be a tool for players to "unofficially visit". My son eliminated one school by attending a game. When he got an invite to attend and was not able to come, he wrote to the coach thanking him for the invite and to let him know why he was unable to attend (distance, schedule, etc.)
Be aware that Junior Day invites might arrive shortly. This is another opportunity to unofficially visit the school. Also, respond if you are unable to attend. You can see that many schools extend opportunities for you to check the place out before they consider you for a scholarship.
These invites are signals that they have interest in you due to the information you have supplied them in the questionaire. They might also have been following your son for some time. Or have someone who has highly recommended you.
Putting all in perspective, do not stress after all of this that your son never gets a call, offer. Remember by that time they have really narrowed down their choices.
As some of us who have gone through this process have said before, have productive seasons both academically as well as on the field and plan your summer before senior year begins. The rest will take care of itself.

baseballs50

Very well put

One reason we like to play in showcase events is that there is usually enough down time to visit a few of the campuses in the area. Even if a boy has no interest in the school it does give him another campus to see and use in comparison as he goes thru the process.

If a school invites you to visit,even unofficially for that matter, and view them in action or practice DO IT if ay all possible !!!! It will give you a chance to see the coaches and team in action. You may find out they play a running, small ball game and you don't have the speed to fit into their style. Or it might be reverese in that you are a pseedster and they like to play long ball--again not for you---

It is all about FIT and you find this not by visiting one school but a number of them and putting all the pieces together to make the puzzle work. It takes some addition and subtraction and the more you see and evaluate the better you will be when you make the decision YOU DON'T WANT TO LOOOK BACK OVER YOUR SHOULDER AFTER YOU MADE THE DECISION !

And as always keep the grades up and work hard on the field as well. Do not slack off just because you think you hagve it "made"

TRhit