early signing

baseballregie,

I dont think anyone can give you a definitive answer. Each situation is different.

I know a countless number of players who have signed early - and have done very well - or got drafted - and are happy.

I also know many that signed early (including my son) and experienced nightmares. Some bounce back - and some dont.

There is no easy answer. You have to assess your own individual circumstances - think critically about every piece of information you have in hand - and hope for the best.

IMO.

Good luck to you.

itsinthegame:

Very sound advice. Way to go!



baseballregie:

I read your post in the Midwest Forum...don't worry about Mr. Sarcasm...you'll get good advice here as you did from itsinthegame.

baseballregie

Well done to your son. He landed on his feet and the cream does in fact rise. I am not sure If I would wait just to wait. If, in fact, he is TOTALLY satisfied and happy with the offer(s)available, I don't know what there is to wait for.

If his dream is to perhaps get to Omaha and the offers he has are from long shots at best, maybe he has more work to do before he signs.

This all assumes he "likes" all the coaches evenly.

baseballregie

Bottom line is simple--if your son is comfortable with his choice then all is well

Almost everything in life is a gamble and this is one of them.

He may even find some of the schools who wanted him to sign early still sitting on his doorstep in the spring, especially if he puts up some great numbers

Good luck to him

Hard to add to all of that great advice.

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.

http://www.collegebaseballinsider.com/


Arizona State
Robby Alcombrack C Grass Valley, Calif. (Bear River)
Adam Bailey OF/P Scottsdale, Ariz. (Chaparral)
Brett Davis OF/P Elk City, Okla. (Seward County CC)
Dan Duffy IF Glendale, Ariz. (Mountain Ridge)
Brian Flores P Carlsbad, N.M. (New Mexico JC)
Tommy Hanson P Redlands, Calif. (Riverside CC)
Joe Hatasaki P Mountain View, Calif. (Mountain View)
Tyler Hoechlin UTIL Corona, Calif. (Santiago)
Michael Leake IF/P Fallbrook, Calif. (Fallbrook)
Jason Mitchell P Phoenix, Ariz. (Mountain Pointe)
Scott Mueller P Glendale, Ariz. (South Mountain CC)
Mike Petello IF Scottsdale, Ariz. (Saguaro)
Travis Snider OF Mill Creek, Wash. (Jackson)
Justin Sousa P Galt, Calif. (Sacramento City College)
Kyle Thornton P Lawton, Okla. (Cowley CC)
Raul Torrez IF Phoenix, Ariz. (Brophy)


Florida State
Matt Fairel P/1B/OF Winter Haven, Fla. (Winter Haven)
Devin Gonzalez IF Jacksonville, Fla. (Fletcher)
Cody Johnson 1B/OF Panama City, Fla. (Mosley)
Bo O'Dell P Kissimmee, Fla. (Seminole CC)
Bobby Rauh OF Orlando, Fla. (Edgewater)
Max Sapp C Orlando, Fla. (Bishop Moore)
Scott Thorson P Deltona, Fla. (Pine Ridge)


You should sign now, No college is gonna wait on you.
FSU recruiting coach told me in late october they are done recruiting for 2006 players. IF FSU or ASU had any interest they would have made an offer and signed you in the fall 2005

DRIVEL

You know for a fact that as many, if not more kids sign in the spring as in November

Do you think if the poster above had been recruited by ASU or FSU or LSU he would have waited to make a decision?

God bless the LARGE programs and their early signings but both you and I know that they are but a small part of the overall picture when it comes to college baseball and the recruiting process

When did you sign your NLI?

Thanks everyone for your input. I find it interesting that about half feel like we're making a mistake and half feel we're doing the right thing.

Baseballregi


what do you and your son feel about the decision?

if you are at ease with it then you made the right decision

TR,

FSU and ASU are telling him, if we lose a bunch of people in the draft we will make you an offer then .

ASU has signed 16 players

2006 Arizona State Baseball Roster
http://thesundevils.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/m...su-m-basebl-mtt.html


FSU signed 7 players
2006 FSU Roster
http://seminoles.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/fsu-m-basebl-mtt.html


Best example of what they are telling you. A player 2005 JUCO 1st team allamerican,2005 draft pick was being recruited by a top 25 team. Not made a written offer and told we will after the draft.
That college signed 16 players including 2 at his position and are still telling him you are gonna start. So has the 2 players already signed to that college.

I realize that my son's decision to wait seems stupid to some but what I've learned over the past couple of years is that those "rare" instances do come up, even with the good D1 schools. They DO have guys drafted and leave at the last minute, freeing up a spot. They have guys get injured that they need to replace. They realize they've made a mistake signing some guys that don't turn out and then THEY need to be replaced, They have guys change their minds for whatever reason and THEY need to be replaced. D1 schools aren't immune to the same problems that crop up for D1 or JCs. Are we comfortable with our decision to wait? I wouldn't call it comfortable but if you're ever going to take a chance, then age 18-19 might be a good time to do it. Joey has been a very dominant pitcher ever since his first appearance in college and we're hoping the comment we've heard so often is true. If you're good enough, they'll find you. Playing AA high school ball has made it difficult to "find" Joey but it's coming along.

DRIVEL

They are telling me nothing because half of those signees wont even be there next fall -- they will sign pro contracts ot go JUCO to stay draft eligible

Let ME tell you something-- stop spreading info that is not true

By the way--when did you sign your NLI and where? you still did not answer

Right or wrong depends on each situation when talking about signing early. Here's our experience.

My son attended a JUCO last year (freshman). He had a good year. He played in a wood bat NCAA sponsored summer league and had an even greater summer. In fall ball at the JUCO, he did even better. Had about 12 D1 teams talking to him. Started the fall planning to not sign early figuring on a good spring (2006) and more offers. But then made an official visit, fell in love with the school, the coaches, everything about it. Signed early. He's happy. Mom and I are happy that he's happy.

Just one experience for what it's worth.

Sorpe congrats to your son. If you are 100% happy with the decision, like yours (and mine) was, why wait?

Not taking sides but I've seen most of the FSU signs. FSU could easily lose 4 or 5 to proball/JUCO. Sapp and Cody Johnson, both ranked in the top 20 for Class of 2006 by BA, r likely early round picks. O'Dell is a Braves DNF and could sign after a good spring. Rauh is an awesome talent who could end up DNF or in proball. Thorson is a 6-4 LHP that could end up DNF also. If I had to bet I would bet Sapp turns pro next summer, plus one or two more.

Sorpe

I agree with you

The shoe has to fit-- you cannot dance in tight shows

.
No one has mentioned this...IMO....All other things being equal...

If that "dream situation" does not arrive in the fall... Then IMO it all depends upon if, and how much, uncertainty you and your player are willing to take on.

Some love to play the game right out to the end and can easily tolerate the uncertainty...others would go nuts with things up in the air so "late" relative to their peers and really need to have things settled in their minds early.

There is no right and no wrong, just depends upon your personal uncertainty factor.

.

Sophomores Sign with Four-Year Schools
Kansas City, MO--The Maple Woods Baseball office is very happy to announce nine sophomores and one freshman from the 2005 season have signed letter of intents at four-year institutions to continue their college careers.

Nick Jaros--University of Nebraska (Lincoln, NE)
Ross Kelling--University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS)
Josh Abercrombie--Indiana State University (Terre Haute, IN)
Shane Elenz--Missouri State University (Springfield, MO)
Lonnie Patterson--Lynn University (Boca Raton, FL)
Taylor Spriggs--Southern University (Baton Rouge, LA)
Michael Younghanz--Northwest Missouri State (Maryville, MO)
Tyler Lipscomb--Northwest Missouri State (Maryville, MO)
Josh Norris--Northwest Missouri State (Maryville, MO)

DIBBLE

I'm not understanding why you posted Maple Woods list of last year's sophmores that have signed with 4 year schools. Did I miss something? Probably.

We have just finished an article about recruiting on our website. It is based on our opinion of the direction recruiting is going.

Think I'll start a new thread for discussion purposes. After all, this is the hsbaseballweb

Here's the link: Recruiting - Are Times Changing?

what are you gonna do in june if FSU or ASU dont make you offers, and suppose they do for $200. What is your back up plan?

Dibble,
I think you brought up a good point. While I am not a proponant of rushing to sign early just to sign, it is important to investigate other schools, don't sit around thinking that FSU, ASU might come knocking on your door again.
While it's the choice to wait, go out and find other "choices".

At that point we will become dissapointed and start contacting the other D1s that have shown interest. If none of them are still interested, we'll try D2 or D3. I know this is risky. I wasn't really comfortable waiting myself (probably because I'm not 18). Almost all the Maple Woods boys that were on the list you posted signed after the spring season concluded last spriing. Joey played summer ball in the Northwoods Collegiate league with a guy who signed with UCLA in AUGUST and got a full ride. Joey had much better stats than that guy.

As most know I am not a big proponent of signing early or late .... like many others have already said .... whatever works and fits best for the individual player.

However having said that I do have huge reservations about waiting until June (for the draft). Kind of like chasing a straight or flush in poker .... sometimes it happens, most times it does not.

By waiting until June you are effectively eliminating most of your sons options ....

Just my 2 cents worth

quote:

Originally posted by baseballregie:
At that point we will become dissapointed and start contacting the other D1s that have shown interest. If none of them are still interested, we'll try D2 or D3. I know this is risky. I wasn't really comfortable waiting myself (probably because I'm not 18). Almost all the Maple Woods boys that were on the list you posted signed after the spring season concluded last spriing. Joey played summer ball in the Northwoods Collegiate league with a guy who signed with UCLA in AUGUST and got a full ride. Joey had much better stats than that guy.

Some thoughts for whatever it is worth. A decision was made not to sign early. It is too late to reconsider. Look forward and do not second guess that decision. Your son has taken a path of placing huge importance in this Spring season and that is courageous. He cannot and should not have any distractions.
Second thought: I would not head out of the Spring focused solely on a small number of schools. Expand your horizons and make sure you have something secure if everything else does not work out. Some pretty darned good players can get overlooked for lots of reasons. The schools you have listed are controlled by the "seller." I personally think that understanding your options before the summer arrives is a much better way to proceed.
Third idea: I would be very suspect that UCLA signed anyone in August on a full ride. They had a recruiting class of 12 committed the prior Fall, a total class of 17 and many returning players for the 2005/06 season. The player may have committed then but extremely doubtful any "ride" came out of the baseball side. I base that on discussions with the family of one of the 12.
Lastly, focus on being realistic. If your son did not get a lot of interest coming off the season you describe in the Northwoods league, something does not add up. Coaches and players alike use those summer leagues to find players who can contribute. When mine played in the NECBL, I learned of several players who did transfer based on the summer "contacts." Mine had solid interest and it was clear he could have transfered both summers he was there. If yours did not attract that interest, he may not have been noticed, for whatever reason.
I can only imagine this is all very confusing. You are in the forest and it is hard. My suggestion would be to look behind and around all the trees you can, not just the one that looks the tallest and strongest.
Finally, I am pretty pessimistic about the adage that "if you are good enough they will find you." I know it feels good. We heard it a lot. If they have not found him by this point, I suggest you find them.

INFIELDDAD
I love this site. I just found it a couple of days ago and the input I've received in just those 2 days has been remarkable! Yours was one of the best. I agree that things don't add up unless you're aware of his size. In addition to coming from a small AA HS, he's only about 5'10" and 168 lbs. He's throwing at 88-90 and his breaking stuff is very effective. Everyone that he's played for loves him but his size and the fact that he's not in the mid 90s has been hard to overcome. It's very hard to stand out unless you're big. Add to that the fact that he was the youngest guy on the Mankato Moondogs last summer(including Brandon Crawford who is also at UCLA) even though he had completed his freshman year at Maple Woods. In spite of that he ended up with a 3.10 era in the Northwoods league with 71 innings which was third best on the staff. Also, I wouldn't swear to the full ride for Tyson B. Just hearsay. My son played summer ball with Cory Ashner whose also out there competing with Crawford for SS.

Trying to sum up here, it has been my experience so far that the good D1 schools really don't make offers to many freshman JC players (with a rare exception). He has had several contacts and offers from throughout the country from Elon in NC to U of SD in CA but he's got his eye set on one of the top 20 and this is the result.

If your son has received interest from USD,TAKE
IT!!!!!! One of the very best programs in the nation. Great facilities, terrific school and he will get amazing exposure to pro scouts.
My daughter graduated from USD(magna *** laude , mother's genes, )and it is a great school. San Diego is a beautiful city and the campus is a place you might think to be a place to retire. Can guarantee it is a program that has some of the best players in the US.
I can assure you I am very familiar with the size issue. Most every DI coach who looked at mine questioned his strength.
USD is a school nearly on par with Fla St and AZ St. Much better academically and no comparison in terms of quality of living.Check out USD, they are a top 25 program but get lost behind LBSU, CSU Fullerton. They are on par baseball wise and way ahead in every other part of the college experience.
BTW, the player mentioned was an early sign and apparently one of the top recuits in the nation. If your son is on the radar of USD, do not wait to pass go!!! .

ball,
Welcome. You came looking for advice and you have gotten from some of the best.

Keep plugging away at all possibilities, do not rely on what the larger schools have told you.

Many larger schools find needs after the season to sign players, lose in the draft, found that they had weaknesses that need to be addressed by a transfer ready.

There are sooo many players to choose from, you would be shocked, including those from other larger d1 schools. A coach from a larger D1 is going to go after the best he can find. And when looking for junior transfer pitchers, they want solid 90 guys, draftable, maybe only getting one season from them. That is the way it is, especially the top 25.
To answer your queston, your son is not crazy for not signing early, just know that you still have to pursue all possibilities, now. Going on the assumption that you heard someone got signed in august and got a full ride is hard for me to understand.

.

I would concur strongly with Infield Dad on counts...

Did a great deal of research on West Coast schools (asking former players, scouts, other coaches, parents, showcase directors, travel team coaches...) heard nothing but good things about the USD program. Quality program, great geography, great coaching, great education, gets kids drafted, signed some great players this year whose chose to turn down very high draft positions to go to USD...Was in my son's top 3.

Understand it is about personal fit...but this is a great option....would seriously consider it...


.

baseballregie: A lot of excellent opinions.
Here's our experience. Son was playing a tournament, was told there was a highly regarded college coach at the tournament "looking at" his friend on another team. To make a long story short, coach passed on son's friend, wanted to sign my son...that night. My son decided to sign at that school(early) (mid-level D1), his friend went on to play for a top SEC team, coach who recruited our son left after a year. Later, after son committed early, several top SEC/ACC teams were interested in son. Despite all of above, son is happy with decision. Bottom line, make sure he fits with the SCHOOL.