college scouting during high school season

I have talked to a scout (D1) during a HS game (my son was not playing at the time therefore he could talk to me) so that tells me the ones that are the recruiting coordinators likely go out during a lull in their college season.

RHP22 - I think a lot may depend on the proximity of your HS to colleges. We have at least 7 D1 schools in close proximity...lots of JCs. And we have warm weather.

We've had both college coaches and pro scouts at every one of our games so far. The other night, there were at least three 2010 pro prospects and at least two 2011 college/pro prospects between the two teams and there were around 15 pro scouts and several college guys there.

But again, we have good weather and lots of colleges around us. Not sure how this translates for your area.

It can also depend on the HS coach. Some coaches cooperate with scouts, others don't. Funny, in a sad way, story but a couple years ago I was talking to a parent who told me that several years back a scout asked him "What the bleep is wrong with that coach?" when the coach refused to return any calls. Fast forward to a couple weeks ago and I'm talking to a different scout and he tells me the coach won't return his calls and he asks "What the bleep is wrong with that coach?" I just happened to run into the parent a couple days later and had to check to make sure we weren't talking about the same scout.

BTW, sometimes the pro guys who do make it to the HS games will pass on info to the college coaches.

quote:

Originally posted by Eric G:
I have talked to a scout (D1) during a HS game (my son was not playing at the time therefore he could talk to me) so that tells me the ones that are the recruiting coordinators likely go out during a lull in their college season.

Not sure there is a lull in any college baseball (maybe final exam time). When teams aren't playing they are practicing, but do have mondays off.

JBB is right is stating that if the HS's are close they will go to games, or if they travel will visit players they are watching but not sure how many just show up for no reason, unless there is a reason.
At some of our games the local college coaches were in attendance, FIU, FAU, Lynn University, as examples (as well as JUCO), at some games, but I think they came to watch players they were recruiting. Coach Calvi (FIU) who is now at South Carolina was often a fixture in the stands, looking for local players.
I saw Jim Morris once at a HS game years ago, but he came out to watch one of the players that signed with him.
If you have an interest in a school close to where you are, by all means contact them, you have to be proactive at this time.

RHP22,

Being from NJ as well, I can tell you that in our experience unless a player was already being recruited we saw very few colleges at HS games in our area (South Jersey). We did see some of the local schools that could get to games between their schedule(Rutgers, St. Johns, Seaton Hall, and D2 and D3 schools) however as others have stated unless the schools are close by you generally don't see them during the HS season.

A great season will get your name out there and if you create enough interest then even the big boys will break away from their season to come see a player that they think can help their team.

Good luck!!!

Last year a senior at son's high school started the season with no interest from any school. Kid played legion in the summer after being a part time starter as a junior.
He had a very good senior season starting at 2B and batting 2nd in the lineup. By the end of the year he had interest from a couple of local schools and wound up going to a different school than he had planned on going to before the season started.

I'm not sure if he got any money but his senior season got him recruited and is now playing for the college.

I have seen local schools at games the past couple of years. They might come to see a kid they saw somewhere else or a kid they have already signed, but they always notice the other good players. So be ready you never know!!

First D1 coach attended son's game this afternoon. Just curious if his approach at the plate should be different give the "showcase" nature of the game? He is a 6'1"/198 catcher/3b.

Why would you change your approach at the plate?

The player should be himself at all times

I agree with TR.

I'm no expert but I would think the last thing you want to do is play to the scouts. Just do your thing, whatever that is. That's what has attracted any attention he may have to this point. The minute a player trys to do things that are not part of his natural games is the minute things go bad.

The only thing I would recommend he do if he doesn't already do is hustle on and off the field.