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Note* I understand I am still too young to be recruited, these questions are just to clarify my confusion. These questions are not to get myself recruited at this time. Hopefully the answers I get can help me understand the recruiting process for later.

* I also understand that a Verbal means nothing

1. Early Commitments. I understand that the NCAA prohibits coaches from contacting students before September 1st of their junior year. How do kids commit as 8th graders, freshmen and sophomore if they can’t have any contact with the coaches?

2. Dead Period Early Commitments. I understand that with the NCAA dead period that bans in person recruiting, college coaches are watching games and showcases through streams. Assuming 99.9% of 14u tournaments are not streaming to college coaches, how are these kids committing? I am also confused since the dead period doesn’t allow them to have contact with the coaches. Was it maybe that they had an offer before the dead period and barely accepted? But this leads me to greater confusion since they technically should not have had contact with the coaches?

3. Verbals. What does a verbal offer really mean? Does it mean that the coach just expressed interest and told the kid that he would offer him in the future and the kid said he is “committed”? Does it mean the coach said he would love to have him play at his program? Or does it mean that he gave him an offer which included how much of his tuition would be paid?

Thank you.

Thank You,

       2025

Last edited by 2025prospect
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As explained, recruit initiated phone contact is permissible regardless of age or dead period.  As for the mechanics of kids being recruited at 16u and below, these players have stand out tools already plus a lot of projection left.  They typically already shine regionally if not nationally with well known travel teams.

The big clubs, both regional and national, are in regular contact with the college coaches.  It’s in both the college coach’s and the travel club’s best interest to network regularly to discuss the progress of kids who are already committed as well as what talent  the club might have in the pipeline coming up.

Travel coach tells college coach about the 14U stud that would love to attend Big State U some day.  College coach tells travel coach to have the stud call his cell at 5:30 on Tuesday.  They chat, relationship develops with regular check ins.  14U stud is also being courted by 2 or 3 other programs and things can move quick because Big State U doesn’t want their rival to commit him first.

The cautionary tale is the once 14U stud who stopped growing or stopped working or got hurt and is now 17U average player and he gets a very unpleasant phone call before signing day......

To add, generally a commitment does mean that specifics have been discussed and agreed upon about the financial support being provided by the baseball program (i.e. The offer). It is a gentleman’s agreement until the National Letter of Intent is signed in November of a player’s senior year in High School.

During COVID, coaches are relying even more on video and assessments of travel coaches/scouts.

A verbal offer is one man's promise to another, as is a verbal commitment.  It isn't legally binding, but it means a lot more than nothing.  I don't think a verbal offer or a verbal commitment is given lightly in baseball (football may be a different story altogether).  The vast majority of offers and commitments that I've seen have been honored, with the exceptions being a change of head coach, obvious lack of development of an early recruit, or a kid who was a flake.

Much more common is a poor fit between player and school that results in the kid being cut, never playing, transferring or quitting.  Avoiding this mis-step should be where you spend the next couple years of homework.  There are lots and lots of great threads (and people) on this site that can help.

Lots of good responses here already, but I'll add a little as well.

1. Early Commitments.  These guys have been seen early one way or another (travel teams, showcases, camps, etc) and when being seen, they showed prospective coaches something really good (their performance, their measurables, their frame/size, etc.) right then and there.  It was good enough at that time that the coach either thought: A) this kid is "there" or B) he will be "there" by the time he gets to me - projectability.

2. Dead Period Early Commitments. As others have said, everyone finds ways to get around the rules.  Don't let any dead period stop you from going 100% full throttle (assuming your skills are ready to be presented and garner interest).  When you're ready, get creative and find ways (and reasons) to get in touch with them.

3. Verbals. No one answer to these questions.  LOTS of variation.  While verbals aren't guarantees, they're the next closest thing to the day you actually get the schools' signing day paperwork in November (or later) of your senior year.  My 2021 son's first 2 verbal offers came in June.  Both were given to him via text message.  Zero specifics.  Something close to "I want to offer you right now.  Let's get you on campus for a visit soon."  My son wasn't super interested in offer #1 and it was from his summer travel ball coach who also coaches a JUCO team as his main gig. They were out playing ball this summer, so the visit basically had to wait.  But my son did have a larger interest in offer #2 and he visited 2 weeks later.  At the visit, my son was given a piece of paper that outlined his offer - what money he was getting.  I'm told not all coaches do that.  Many - at that point - will talk in generalities.  Like "we can give you 25%" or whatever.  My son's was very specific ($X for books, $X for tuition, 10 per week meal plan, etc).  Now, even though it was on paper and specific down to the dollar, it was still just a verbal offer.  Could've been pulled completely, truncated, augmented, etc.  When the NJCAA announced the 20-21 season would not count as a year of eligibility, I worried the offer would change.  But it wasn't and didn't and my son signed his LOI last month. 

It’s good to be loaded up with information. So, never be afraid to ask any question.

If you’re a D1 prospect chances are you know it. Someone knowledgeable in the game is telling you you’re a D1 prospect. Travel teams that funnel players to D1 programs will be recruiting you.

It’s always possible a D1 prospect drifts down to D2 or D3. There’s overlap in talent levels. Sometimes the player realizes he’s not going past college ball and the smaller program is a better academic fit.

For non D1 prospects post junior year is the big recruiting time. Maybe these players do something to get on the radar post soph summer.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The questions for this thread are ones someone new to the process typically wants to know. It’s better than being the poster who writes, “I wish I had know that two years ago.”

@CTbballDad

My dad is not around. That’s why I came here to find out and learn about the recruiting process myself. Nobody to really guide me on what choices to make. These forums have seriously helped me a lot.

I stand corrected and highly impressed at your writing ability at such a young age.  Props to you.

Unfortunately, when it comes time for you to email coaches, you might need make some adjustments, as your written words come across quite advanced for your age.

Keep up the good work!

@CTbballDad posted:

I stand corrected and highly impressed at your writing ability at such a young age.  Props to you.

Unfortunately, when it comes time for you to email coaches, you might need make some adjustments, as your written words come across quite advanced for your age.

Keep up the good work!

Gotcha. Thanks for the tip too. Thinking about it now, it can come across as if a parent was writing it for me. Appreciate the tip

@RJM Thank you. My current travel team has lots of players now playing D1 and at all levels of college. They had 250 players from the 2019, 2020 and 2021 grad class commit to a college. However, this is because the travel teams has LOTS of branches in California. San Diego, OC, IE, SGV, LA, Central Valley, Nor-Cal and even Utah, Florida, and in the East. Should I try to move to a program that doesn’t have as many branches and still places lots of players at good colleges and develops them? Currently, exposure and college connections will not affect me but for the future it can. Current travel team has lots of connections but I feel that since there are so many branches, it will not help if a coach in the same program I have never played for has a connection since he has not seen me play. Another team I am considering has lots of connections as well and only has one branch. Has very well established connections with lots of West Coast Colleges. What should I do? Any advice is helpful, thanks.

What matters is the coaches who see you and know you either have contacts or can convince those with contacts in other parts of the country to recommend you. Chances are if coaches from the program in other parts of the country are willing to make a recommendation the college coach will speak to your coach. Be more concerned with who your coaches know. My son’s travel coach told college coaches about players who never expressed an interest in certain programs. He recommended them to college coaches as potential fits regardless. My daughter ended up playing softball at a college that wasn’t on her radar screen.

Teams are going to want to see you. Recruiting will likely be back to normal by the time you’re heavily involved. If they see what they like they will talk with your coach. Don’t expect to be recruited cross country without being seen. It’s not impossible. It’s very unlikely.

Don’t confuse the program you’re in with the team you’re on. I’ve seen lower level and B and C teams used as revenue generators for the business and then toss less talented 16u and 17u players overboard when they get to the legitimate “college prospect”  level. Every level in a quality travel program has to be earned.

Not too much more to add, and not necessarily answering your questions, but here goes:

1)  baseballhs mentioned that coaches have eyes everywhere.  Play every game as if someone is watching.  If you are in podunk cornfield Georgia, play as if someone is watching.  There was a post years ago about a player that got referred to a college coach from an umpire that the coach had a relationship with.  (btw, son got his first serious look from the coach of his college in podunk cornfield Georgia).  Sometimes college coaches sit in the parking lot and watch players come off the bus at tournaments to see how the prospect carries himself.

2)  In a post above, there was a mention of "upside" of a prospect, and if the player will grow anymore.  For that reason, I wouldn't let keewartson grow a beard in high school, and explained why (tips from this site).   In those eyes,  it then looked really odd to see a player hit for power, sporting their facial hair, as a 16yo uncommitted player.

3)  Welcome to this site.  The members aren't all dads.  There are a good amount of moms here, giving great advice from their experience because, like in my case, the dad knew baseball but not the recruiting process.  There are a TON of dads on here too with great advice of course!    Reach out if you need to.

4)  Keep asking questions!  We are here!  Good luck!

Last edited by keewart

Yes, current club has the national team. 99% of the players on that national team are on one of the branches in Southern California.

It sounds like you are with a good club with lots of connections that may someday work to your advantage.  For example, my oldest is a 2022.  He plays for a club similar to yours.  One of his top choice schools is in another region of the country.  His local club coach, who does not have relationships in that area, reached out to the national guy who does.  The national guy reached out to the recruiting coordinator for the school who then called local coach.  After they chatted local coach reached out to my 2022 and gave him the contact info and when to call.  2022 then began a direct relationship with a school four states away that he otherwise would have had no way to access.

When I was umpiring high school ball, a bunch of scouts showed up to watch a pitcher for one team and a rf strong hitter on the other at a summer game the week before draft.  Before the game, I was talking to several pro scouts I knew and they were asking me about the two guys.  I told them they were missing the best player on the field.  The SS who played with RF never played travel but was a great all around player.  During the game, he hit 3 HR's off the stud pitcher and made 2 crazy plays up the middle.  Around the third inning, one of the scouts came to me between innings at the fence and wanted to know if I knew who his parents were.  I did and pointed them out.  Throughout my time umpiring, I had several college and pro scouts who would call me regularly and ask about players or if I had seen anyone they should be looking at.  The SS got drafted in 8th round and no one had known him before that game.  Never know how your life can change in one game.

@PitchingFan posted:

When I was umpiring high school ball, a bunch of scouts showed up to watch a pitcher for one team and a rf strong hitter on the other at a summer game the week before draft.  Before the game, I was talking to several pro scouts I knew and they were asking me about the two guys.  I told them they were missing the best player on the field.  The SS who played with RF never played travel but was a great all around player.  During the game, he hit 3 HR's off the stud pitcher and made 2 crazy plays up the middle.  Around the third inning, one of the scouts came to me between innings at the fence and wanted to know if I knew who his parents were.  I did and pointed them out.  Throughout my time umpiring, I had several college and pro scouts who would call me regularly and ask about players or if I had seen anyone they should be looking at.  The SS got drafted in 8th round and no one had known him before that game.  Never know how your life can change in one game.

Were you an associate scout? I’ve known, and known of umpires and coaches who are associate scouts. For those who may not know an associate scout gets paid when he submits information on a player to his affiliated team and that team drafts and signs him. Otherwise, he’s not paid.

2025, if you don't mind answering a few questions:

Where does your branch of your travel team rank in the organization?

Where do you bat in the lineup? What positions do you play?

Do you have any dream colleges, with or without baseball?

Have you seen many college games played?  (I'm guessing you already know that there are good to great teams at all levels in your backyard)

What level do you see yourself playing in college?

@RJM posted:

Were you an associate scout? I’ve known, and known of umpires and coaches who are associate scouts. For those who may not know an associate scout gets paid when he submits information on a player to his affiliated team and that team drafts and signs him. Otherwise, he’s not paid.

So from what I have gathered, associate scouts tip off the area scouts of good players on their team or other teams? My family knows 2 associate scouts very well.

2025 ... Size isn’t everything. But lack of it has to be overcome. It’s all about talent. But those with ideal size get noticed first. How tall are your parents? Older brothers and sisters?

My son was 5’4 120 in 14u. But with me being 6’1”, his mother 5’8” and his older sister 5’10” we weren’t worried about growth.

You are probably close to having a growth spurt. My son was 5’11” the next year. He was 6’1” senior year of high school. He grew to be 6’2”.

In the mean time you can borrow my son’s old line. When he saw an non athletic tall guy he muttered,, “What a waste of good height.”

Lot's of great advice here. I enjoy seeing someone your age with the maturity to seek advice and you definitely articulate yourself very well, bravo. You should use those resources in both your travel program and family scouts to help with making connections with the different programs you are interested in addition to reaching to them. A multi-pronged approach is not overkill and imo would demonstrate your resourcefulness to the program recruiters. Hopefully your genetics puts you over 70" but that is something out of your control and keep grinding and being the best student you can be. You will be facing a lot of distractions and it will definitely test your commitment to playing in the next level. Try your best to stay in circle of like-minded kids so you can challenge each other to improve everyday, especially with grades. Best of luck

This is a for you to consider when you are a bit older but D3 and NAIA (and I believe JuCo) don’t have black out periods say like D1 and D2.

Here is a nice overview.

https://www.ncsasports.org/nca...ter/recruiting-rules

My son started reaching out the summer before his sophomore year to recruiting/assistant coaches to about 15-20 colleges he liked with video/recruiting profile and PBR profile. Would send updates with new video every few months to establish a relationship. He was personally invited to some winter practices/campus visits over his junior year. Signed his LOI in October with a NAIA school that was good fit for him. Athletic/Academic $$.

2025prospect,

As you have no doubt discovered, HSBBWeb is a GREAT resource.   There are a lot of HSBBWeb people that have taken many different paths to play baseball in high school, college and professionally.   It is a very confusing time right now with Covid-19, so anything you learn now will be far and above what it is like normally.   

Keep at it, keep asking question and learning as much as you can how it works and why it works the way it does....think like a Coach!   I love your dream schools.   There are posters here who know all about these dream schools (and schools like them) and what it takes to get there.   Keep working hard on your baseball skills and your education.   Great grades and great baseball, opens many coaching doors.

Good luck and don't be shy!

@CTbballDad posted:

I stand corrected and highly impressed at your writing ability at such a young age.  Props to you.

Unfortunately, when it comes time for you to email coaches, you might need make some adjustments, as your written words come across quite advanced for your age.

Keep up the good work!

I"m sorry, I call BS on this. Having the ability to express yourself at a high level is a huge asset — among other things it helps reinforce the idea that you'll be able to handle college level work. Be who you are and be proud of it.

Telling you to dumb down your emails smacks of when I was in high school and people told me to stop volunteering so much in class because boys don't like smart girls. Hopefully we're past that in the classroom and in athletics.

As long as you communicate as well in texts and conversations with the coaches, you'll be fine.

1. My travel team branch ranks pretty good in our organization. 2022 team has a few commits, CSULB, USC, etc. My team(14u) has only got to play one tournament due to COVID and they lost in semi-finals to teams with pretty good players. I would say we are high up in the organization. Top 10.

2. I bat 5-6 in the lineup and my positions are OF,1B and when I am rehabbed, will be working on 3rd base.

3. I do have dream colleges with or without baseball. Stanford, UCLA, Berkeley, Pepperdine and Vanderbilt.

4. I have seen college baseball games and seen them take BP, pregame etc. USC vs Vanderbilt and TCU vs Vanderbilt. I was planning on attending games for UCLA, Pepperdine and Stanford.

5. I am not sure what level of college I can play at. I have not started lifting weights really.(I am doing strength training but very light and heaviest I will go is 25lb kettlebell) . Right now I am still small and have not hit any growth spurt, 5’3,130 but I have a pretty strong arm. My swing is good too, but I could use a little more power. Right before my injury, I had just started to really discover my swing and what I can do. Was starting to really drive the ball with a wood bat and get solid hits. This summer, I plan on starting training with either 90MPH formula, Driveline, or another well known baseball strength training facility near me. I feel that when I start lifting I will tap more into my potential.

Thank you to everyone for the advice.

Thanks for the reply.

Great list of schools. If Pepperdine is on your list, you might consider the rest of the West Coast Conference as well.

To get a better idea of what play looks like at other divisions, once things return to near normal you might check out a D2 game, like at Cal Poly Pomona, and a D3 game, like at Cal Lu or Occidental.

You have gotten lots of great advice here already, but none better than the advice on working as hard as you can on your academics.  You will be very glad you did.

@Iowamom23 posted:

I"m sorry, I call BS on this. Having the ability to express yourself at a high level is a huge asset — among other things it helps reinforce the idea that you'll be able to handle college level work. Be who you are and be proud of it.

Telling you to dumb down your emails smacks of when I was in high school and people told me to stop volunteering so much in class because boys don't like smart girls. Hopefully we're past that in the classroom and in athletics.

As long as you communicate as well in texts and conversations with the coaches, you'll be fine.

Agree with this because when son was being recruited it was noted to us that he spoke very well and they enjoyed the conversation.

Nowadays, with emails and texts, the written word has replaced the spoken word, and I am impressed with how you express yourself.

@JCG posted:

Thanks for the reply.

Great list of schools. If Pepperdine is on your list, you might consider the rest of the West Coast Conference as well.

To get a better idea of what play looks like at other divisions, once things return to near normal you might check out a D2 game, like at Cal Poly Pomona, and a D3 game, like at Cal Lu or Occidental.

You have gotten lots of great advice here already, but none better than the advice on working as hard as you can on your academics.  You will be very glad you did.

Thank you, when things are back to normal, I will want to go see Orange Coast College as well as some other D2, D3 and JuCo programs around me. I was told by someone to attend a practice if I could. Would you recommend it? Or just games and get there early to watch BP, pregame e.t.c.

Last edited by 2025prospect

I would not attend a practice uninvited, and I don't think seeing one would be important until you are ready to start choosing a college. For now, you just want to see what the level of play looks like to get an idea of what you need to do to be able to fit in. Sounds like you may be in OC. If so, Chapman would be a good place to check out.  They practice and play in a public park, so if you really did want to check out a practice you probably could.

As a note, Biola is D2.  The only D3s in California are in the SCIAC.

I'm not sure about the advice to "go watch teams and see if you could compete at that level."  Kids who are confident, especially when they are younger, think that they will be able to.  The question is, what level do your coaches think you will be able to play?  As already said, if you have the size and skills for D1 right now, they will say so.  Otherwise, it will be "wait and see" all the way up to summer after junior year.

You are ahead of the game and doing research which will serve you quite well.

So I'm assuming you're on the West Coast.  Do you want to stay there? If not you need to get on teams that will be seen in areas of the country you wish to attend. Showcases are showcases and cost way more than attending a high visibility tourney against top talent and you get more than 1 day at it than a Showcase. ONLY go to a showcase IF you have something to show and stand out. They are not required in order to get recruited. You don't want to document an off or bad day. Way better places to spend your money.

Some decent guidelines on Height and weight, etc here. Nothing is in stone, but realism is nice to see.  Remember all these coaches/scouts have a "type" they're looking for and you're speed dating at a future date to get noticed. (You have nothing to worry about now. NOTHING You have plenty of time and a few more years the Covid backlog will take care of itself as well. The big year as mentioned is summer SO/JR and JR fall. Unless you're a unicorn.)

As of late November this fall only 2% of the 2024s were committed (probably likely to change as well). You have plenty of time on the clock.

  • 2022's 20%
  • 2023's 8%

For now, focus on grades, speed, and eating. Keep Social Media clean. ALL of it.

As a position player you're going to need speed on your side to wow someone. Exit velo, etc. Play multiple sports if you can. They want ATHLETES. Document your breaks from baseball. Try other sports.

Get a baseball profile ready and underway for you to catalog and document your achievements, videos, tweets from 3rd parties, PG, PBR, FiveTool, etc. Great to have that at the ready to share with Coaches when you reach out and express interest. Keep it short and sweet. PM me and I'll share one with you.

Here is a short video with an offer from the Coach of Tennessee, Tony Vitello. Hopefully he is still honoring the offer to review and respond. Use the code word and get his impression of your email or message....

Another short video of what NOT to do.....

Still go out and be a kid, travel, have fun, sleep overs, go snow and water skiing, surfing or whatever and be a kid.

Again PLENTY OF TIME.

Only 7% of HS kids make it to college so keep a goal in mind and be realistic with it. Shoot for the stars and have multiple backup plans, schools, Divsions, etc. Talk and be polite to anyone that speaks to you. Practice, practice, practice talking to adults and communicating. Don't snub anyone interested in you. Tim McGraw says it all....Always be Humble and Kind. You never know where someone will end up and who they speak to. You have YEARS before you go to school and people change jobs and careers..... Hustle. Always.

Best of Luck. You're ahead of the curve being on here and researching. It and this website will serve you well.



@Eokerholm posted:

You are ahead of the game and doing research which will serve you quite well.

So I'm assuming you're on the West Coast.  Do you want to stay there? If not you need to get on teams that will be seen in areas of the country you wish to attend. Showcases are showcases and cost way more than attending a high visibility tourney against top talent and you get more than 1 day at it than a Showcase. ONLY go to a showcase IF you have something to show and stand out. They are not required in order to get recruited. You don't want to document an off or bad day. Way better places to spend your money.

Some decent guidelines on Height and weight, etc here. Nothing is in stone, but realism is nice to see.  Remember all these coaches/scouts have a "type" they're looking for and you're speed dating at a future date to get noticed. (You have nothing to worry about now. NOTHING You have plenty of time and a few more years the Covid backlog will take care of itself as well. The big year as mentioned is summer SO/JR and JR fall. Unless you're a unicorn.)

As of late November this fall only 2% of the 2024s were committed (probably likely to change as well). You have plenty of time on the clock.

  • 2022's 20%
  • 2023's 8%

For now, focus on grades, speed, and eating. Keep Social Media clean. ALL of it.

As a position player you're going to need speed on your side to wow someone. Exit velo, etc. Play multiple sports if you can. They want ATHLETES. Document your breaks from baseball. Try other sports.

Get a baseball profile ready and underway for you to catalog and document your achievements, videos, tweets from 3rd parties, PG, PBR, FiveTool, etc. Great to have that at the ready to share with Coaches when you reach out and express interest. Keep it short and sweet. PM me and I'll share one with you.

Here is a short video with an offer from the Coach of Tennessee, Tony Vitello. Hopefully he is still honoring the offer to review and respond. Use the code word and get his impression of your email or message....

Another short video of what NOT to do.....

Still go out and be a kid, travel, have fun, sleep overs, go snow and water skiing, surfing or whatever and be a kid.

Again PLENTY OF TIME.

Only 7% of HS kids make it to college so keep a goal in mind and be realistic with it. Shoot for the stars and have multiple backup plans, schools, Divsions, etc. Talk and be polite to anyone that speaks to you. Practice, practice, practice talking to adults and communicating. Don't snub anyone interested in you. Tim McGraw says it all....Always be Humble and Kind. You never know where someone will end up and who they speak to. You have YEARS before you go to school and people change jobs and careers..... Hustle. Always.

Best of Luck. You're ahead of the curve being on here and researching. It and this website will serve you well.



Thank you. And yes, I would prefer to stay on the West Coast but I am not limiting my options. By getting on teams across the country to be seen by East Coast colleges in the future, do you mean filling in for teams? Or do you mean just playing at the big tournaments in the East Coast(WWBA, East Cobb tournaments, etc)? My current organization typically goes to the AZ or Florida JO’s. The National Team goes to WWBA World Championship, WWBA National Championship,

All depends where you want to be seen. Yes to the East Coast Tourneys (East Cobb and Florida). Huge college density on East Coast.More eyes the better. Bigger tourney the better.  Get on a team that goes and can compete at those so that you're in the field when other scouts are there to see other kids, they also see you, etc. Doesn't matter what team, but coordination and informing recruiters where and when you'll play (easier than pitchers) is easier if you're on the same team or within the same org.

My son was a PO and played on East Cobb Astros and would fly in from Austin, TX. Great thing about East Cobb was that he had 6-8 guys from his and other Georgia Tech signing classes on his team and it was great for him to hang out and bond with his classmates. Another nice thing is on a team like that is that there are a boat load of scouts there to see most of the guys. So helps to be on the field and in the lineup with all those scouts in the stands and/or recruiters watching video streamed events like East Cobb.

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