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This is D2 prime recruiting time. This is when D1 programs let players know they won't have much of a role and Juco players know they won't play everyday at the elite programs. These connections do come through HS or travel coaches.
Sons program picked up an SEC pitcher and an ACC pitcher he offered went to Tampa. These guys will play big roles in their programs.
I think a lot depends on the programs conference. At sons program, freshman pitchers don't always get major roles.
thanks TPM....makes sense now
Yeah, still standing at the alter at this late hour certainly isn't the preferred route but it happens far more often than people think. Generally, a player (and parent) only goes through this once so by the time they figure out what is (or is not) happening, it can be really late. In addition to the scenarios TPM spelled out, there are also many graduating HS seniors who kept waiting for those coaches from schools A,B and C that showed a little love to call them back or they finally putting together the pieces of the financial aid puzzle and realizing that school D and E are not going to be affordable. Lots of JC's, NAIA's and, to an extent, D3's still working the pipelines. Heck, many are even looking to fill voids in November/December after they go through the fall practice season and experience injury or unfulfilled expectations at a given position.
I suppose this is as good a place to ask this question as any:
A kid I coached just graduated from high school, was All-Conference & honorable mention All-State, had multiple D3 offers and Junior College offers but says he's done playing Baseball. What if he changes his mind? How long is "too long" away from the game? A year? 2 years?
If he changed his mind a year from now how would even go about opening up recruiting as a 19 year old?
3and2Fastball posted:I suppose this is as good a place to ask this question as any:
A kid I coached just graduated from high school, was All-Conference & honorable mention All-State, had multiple D3 offers and Junior College offers but says he's done playing Baseball. What if he changes his mind? How long is "too long" away from the game? A year? 2 years?
If he changed his mind a year from now how would even go about opening up recruiting as a 19 year old?
I've had a couple of kids who did this. Both just felt burned out and weren't D1 recruits. One picked it up two years later at an NAIA and another caught on at a D2 after one season without baseball.
Edit: Kids I coached, not my own kids.
Some levels of college ball have unlimited rosters. If a kid can perform, great. If he's recruited to be player #50, not so great. But the door is always open.
3and2Fastball posted:I suppose this is as good a place to ask this question as any:
A kid I coached just graduated from high school, was All-Conference & honorable mention All-State, had multiple D3 offers and Junior College offers but says he's done playing Baseball. What if he changes his mind? How long is "too long" away from the game? A year? 2 years?
If he changed his mind a year from now how would even go about opening up recruiting as a 19 year old?
How long is too long? As always, different for each individual. But, generally, after a year or two passes, so much of real life happens, it becomes far less feasible or likely. Already in the work force and, perhaps, going to school as well (or the other way around), it becomes very difficult to get off of that cycle. There are also some "on the clock" issues that are triggered by either starting to attend college, starting to play college athletics or in some instances (I think) becoming a certain age.
With the player you are describing, he has some tangible recognition as well as some coaches who have shown strong interest, so I would think some of those connections could still come into play next year. He could potentially also latch on to a lower-mid level summer program next year for some additional looks. This would likely apply more to the JC route.
As mentioned in a previous related post, usually if a kid has some doubt about committing to the workload that is being a college baseball player, they don't want it bad enough to change their minds a year from now. Many will have regrets and think about it but when it comes to actually acting on it and staying with that direction, few will actually do so. Just my experience.