Early Signing or Wait?

Why rush? If they really want him they will wait and allow him to make a proper decision. Think of it this way. All of the top guys will have signed by the HS season. Your son will be the guy they are out there to see because the rest will have already made a decision. Coaches are always out looking for guys to fill in holes created by many factors. Alot of opportunities can come up if he waits. JMHO

Colt45, first of all, congratulations on the interest that has been shown in your son! How exciting!

Given the fact that your son is not overly excited about playing for the midsize D1's, I would encourage him to not commit to them. Once he signs on the dotted line, he is "stuck" and cannot go elsewhere if he gets a better offer later in the game.

Considering your son's size, velocity, and the interest already been shown in him, I cannot imagine him not getting additional interest throughout the spring. Many schools are looking to add arms in the spring; in fact, my son's school was looking for one extra arm as late as July of this year.

I would encourage you to bide your time and see what happens this fall. If by the early signing period he has not gotten an offer from his school of choice but wants some peace of mind and security, he can always commit to his top-choice JUCO. Then, if a D1 program expresses interest later in the school year, he will be free to commit to that school.

Best wishes and keep us updated on how things go!

I agree with everyone that you do not want to rush into an offer that your son is not wild about. Just make sure you have all the information you can. I suggest having a frank conversation with the D1 program your son is interested in. Is there real interest? Is an offer a possibility? You need to know. Of course every ball player wants to play for that major D1 program. But the reality is the competition is as major as the program. Make sure that your son is not left waiting for something that may or may not happen. The most important thing is communication. Make sure he is contacting those programs that have shown interest and getting the true facts on the opportunities out there for him. I hope everything works out great.

I have a different take on this.

In today's recruiting cycle, you are not all that early any more.

I do not think it is wise to pass up several firm offers in the hope that someone will make you an add-on to their class next summer. Yes, it can happen, but the heavy odds are that you'll end up with nothing.

I suggest you look at the schools making offers and strongly consider which do, or don't, meet his academic needs. If none of the mid-majors really do, then the JuCo route offers the hope of big D1 in the future. But I think a lot of people here have had outstanding experiences at mid-majors, and those schools do put plenty of players into pro ball and even MLB.

If you had no offers at all, I wouldn't panic or say you should start worrying. But to pass up firm offers for possibly nothing, IMHO, is not a good approach.

I disagree that the teams that have offered your son a scholarship will still be there several months down the line with open arms. They are trying to fill their roster right now with commitments from the best players available. They are competing with other schools for those commitments. They are not going to wait on your son and let the next best guy go to their competition, they are going to sign the player, and the roster spot will be filled.

My advice, would be to take some official visits to the schools that have made offers. It's very easy to say, from the confines of your living room, what kind of school your son would like to play for. But without visiting a campus, talking to the coaches, viewing the facilities, mixing with current players, it really doesn't mean a thing because it's an opinion without base.

As a matter of practical experience, my son committed in the winter of his senior year, about a month before the season started. He had several offers to choose from that winter and that's when we took recruiting visits. Once he committed, it wasn't necessarily publicly known, because his school doesn't participate in the NLI. He did get more offers from schools that lost players to the draft...very, very good baseball schools....however, the first one of those didn't happen until July. I don't think you want to wait that long.

Colt45, I agree 100% with Midlo dad. I will assume here that your son is on top of his grades. My son had "interest", which amounted to letters/prospect forms. Don't know if that is what your son has from big D1, but if that is all you have from them, I would not hold out any longer. They love to string along as many as they can to stay on top. Going the JC route leaves that option open for your son. If he is a top level player, the D1's will recruit him out of JC. Fan of Game's son is a good example.
Best wishes for your son.

I’m not sure how much contact or exposure you son has had with some of the larger DI schools he is interested in however if your son isn’t already attending I would look into going to Jupiter for the WWBA Championships. If he doesn’t have access to a team that’s already entered you might contact Perfect Game about getting placed on a team.

As I am sure you have read there are 100's of colleges attending this event and while some of the bigger schools might be looking primarily at next year’s class, many of them are also looking for the finishing touches for this year’s signing class as well.

If your son has target schools he is interested in I suggest he contact them and ask them to come watch him play. These type events can be very good for exposure (especially for pitchers). I know of at least 4 or 5 players that had good showings and received offers while they were still at the event.

As for the schools that have made offers to your son, I would imagine they would understand if you told him that he would make his decision after the WWBA event which is still before the early signing period. If they say they have to have an answer before then I’m not sure they would be a good fit anyway. This of course comes with some risk because while they might have made your son an offer, make no doubt about it that they are still recruiting to fill that spot.

Good luck, it sounds like you son has the making of being a good college prospect.

My guess is that most of the big D1s already have their backups committed to cover the players they'll sign who are likely to be drafted. As a result the big D1s probably don't have a lot of scholarship spots open come the late signing period, but there will certainly be a few.

Just guessing but based on what you've reported it sounds like your son is a solid match for a mid-level D1 and capable of pitching at a top D1 but not their first choice and the offers seem to bear that out. You seem to be hoping that with a bit of added velocity he'll be a solid top tier D1 guy by the late signing period. That means you've got two risks - 1. Will he add the velocity? 2. Will they have scholarships left?

As far as the JC route goes I don't see any problem with that either. Mine went the JC route and is hoping for that added development so as to be a good fit at a mid D1. On the other hand mine is still 17 yo and didn't have any offers from schools that fit him academically.

From this point the decision is your son's (within what you can afford) based on how much he wants to go major D1 and it sounds to me like you understand the situation pretty well and are just looking for more insight. IMO, it is just too much of a personal decision for anyone to make any concrete recommendations from the outside.

quote:

From this point the decision is your son's (within what you can afford) based on how much he wants to go major D1 and it sounds to me like you understand the situation pretty well and are just looking for more insight. IMO, it is just too much of a personal decision for anyone to make any concrete recommendations from the outside.

There are just so many variables from family to family.If your son is not receiving the looks he thinks he should or eventually wants to get then he may have a hard time choosing any schools at this time.It is so dependent on what your son wants, and many times as a parent you might not always want the same things.In the end it is their dream, and if it is affordable and they want to shoot for the stars,honestly it will be hard to stop them.
You will know when it is right for your son.he should be excited and eager to go there.If he is just luke warm and not excited I would be concerned.

You need to consider your player's true potential and where he will actually earn playing time.

Will he be happy sitting on the bench at a top program for a few years while he develops or go to a good school with a decent program where he can actually play and have an impact and continue to develop with real playing time. <no playing is guaranteed, but a pgm that wants/needs you speaks for itself>

There are no real answers. Sometimes you need to consider who really wants you, not who you really want.

I totally understand your situation. My son was in the same boat just a month ago. After taking all things into consideration, he decided to commit to one of the only three D-1s that showed interest. Actually, when we contacted all three of these schools only one was making an offer. The coaches at the other two schools were very forthright when we contacted them. We were told that they really liked him as a player but needed to see more of him. This was totally understandable considering that the only real exposure he had gotten was one year of HS ball (although it was a great one). He also played basketball which obviously hurt him and in some cases helped him. His basketball coach did not allow his players to play fall baseball and they also participated in a summer league. To top that off, his summer baseball coach reequired that he play with his HS team during the summer. Thus the limited opportunities for exposure. Basketball did help in a way because it dramatically improved his foot speed and overall conditioning. Two of the three interested recruiters attended his HS basketball games and commented on how impressed they were with his athleticism. When we considered that he would be limited to future exposure because of other commitments and had an offer from a school that he liked and fit him athletically and academically, he ultimately decided to accept their offer. He took the advice of many of the qualified posters here and considered "fit" and went where they wanted him. Already, he has developed a relationship with the entire coaching staff and players there. So far, not a single regret.

All of the info you have received thus far is good advice and you are certainly in the right place to ask your questions. However, as I can attest, there is no one that can answer this question besides your son and yourself. We literally wrote down all of the pros and cons of each scenario (including JUCO)and he based his decision on this information and research. A large factor was the academic opportunities at the school he chose. There obviously is no one size fits all answer. With careful thought and consideration, the answer will find you rather than you trying to find the answer.

Colt45s: Great discussion, Son in similiar situation, We wish you the best of luck.

Infield 08: When you say "stuck" after signing a NLI, what does that mean? Legally? No way to get out of it? We have a coach telling us you can get out of them. Thank you

Lastly, So, a college can cut you after fall ball or at semester?, Isn't it (NLI) binding on both ends?

quote:

Originally posted by bb10:
When you say "stuck" after signing a NLI, what does that mean? Legally? No way to get out of it? We have a coach telling us you can get out of them. Thank you

Lastly, So, a college can cut you after fall ball or at semester?, Isn't it (NLI) binding on both ends?

The NLI is binding with all other schools (most) that participate in the NLI program. The only way to get out of an NLI, is if the school releases you, and that is not a given that they will. It very much depends on the school, the circumstances and the reasons.

The NLI does not guarantee you a spot on the team, only the scholarship. The coach can cut an NLI player at any time, but the scholarship remains in force for the rest of the year, and the roster spot that the NLI occupies is used up.

The NLI guarantess two things after signing...

1. That you will only play that sport at that school that year (within that division, i.e. NLI's are not binding from JUCO to D1)

2. That the school will provide you the amount of scholarship spelled out in the NLI for the complete year.

If you are entering an NLI situation thinking you can get out of it whenever you want you are being misled---not to mention why are you entering into AN AGREEMENT you may want to get out of.

Very interesting thread, especially when we interrelate it to other threads about what is happening in DI baseball, with DI players.
Colt, my suggestion would be for your son to commit to the school that is the very best fit, in terms of education, teammates, caliber of the play, and his ability to compete for playing time and, especially, to play/pitch.
Right now, there are far more players/pitchers who think they are top DI level recruits than there are top DI level positions open. Of those who think they are top DI level players, some of them are correct, many are over-estimating, and some are underestimating.
From my viewpoint, if your son is not being recruited as a top DI prospect, that is a message. It is a message he needs to hear. He also needs to hear and know it isn't a message that says he will never be.
Once heard, he then needs to decide whether to wait it out, hope it happens, and if it happens, hope, and do all the work he can...and more, to show he can compete at that level. He also needs to be fully aware that if it happens, he might not be able to compete at that level, when he is surrounded by many players with his skills,and, perhaps, many with better skills.
Your son is at a point of wonderful optimism, in the process.
Many recent threads are filled with stories of players who are getting released at the DI level. Most of those players were just like your son, at one point.
Of course there are many players who are like your son and are succeeding and thriving in college.
The education/baseball/fit issues your son is trying to decide are very hard.
If he decides to wait, and gets a spot, he should recognize his need to improve, to outwork everyone, and to be able to compete and get guys out who are tremendously talented. He also needs to recognize he might sit, even if he does all the hard work and outworks everyone else. What he will know for sure is that if he waits, gets a spot,and does not outwork everyone else, it is almost certain he will sit.
I would also make sure your son knows that even if he gets better and touches 90mph this Fall, he cannot stop improving.
Playing baseball after high school is a game of getting better everyday. When he is playing baseball after high school, a player cannot be satisfied, at any point, that he is good enough, unless he is willing to watch someone play in his spot. In addition to making that recognition, he also needs to know that has to do all the mental and physical work, every day, at a level higher than he has experienced before college.
Good luck to you and to your son. When it works, it can be a fabulous ride. If he gets his education and degree, it is always a fabulous ride.

Colt45s,

All I can tell you is make sure you know what you're getting into with the school you choose.

If you are not sure...wait and do some more homework to MAKE SURE.

Believe me....

You may want to read this thread:

http://hsbaseballweb.com/eve/f...781/m/2341088713/p/1

quote:

Originally posted by infielddad:
From my viewpoint, if your son is not being recruited as a top DI prospect, that is a message. It is a message he needs to hear. He also needs to hear and know it isn't a message that says he will never be.

Excellent post infielddad and I'll focus on just two of your points. It is possible that he has not been exposed to a top D1 that also has a need for his talents and hence no offers. On the other hand, if he has had plenty of exposure to these type of programs, then the lack of recruitment is indeed a message.

All is not lost however. Today he might not be a top D1 prospect yet tomorrow he might become one. One strategy to keep in mind is looking at the schedule that any given program might play. Even if you cannot play at a top D1 for example, perhaps you can get recruited at a mid-level program who plays them on a regular basis.

As has been said, playing at a JUCO is another way to pay your dues while proving you are worthy of a top D1 offer. In but one example, fanofgame's son tore it up at a JUCO last year and is now headed off to USC - as in the Trojans!

A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. Its an old saying for a reason. Just my 2 cents.

An Old Timer once said on here a long time ago "Go where they want you", and today that advise still rings truer than ever.

With that being said, what does the word "fit" mean to your son? A pencil and sheet of paper can help him define that word. Fit means different things to 18yr olds. It's very flattering to get early attention and get caught up in the hoopla of NLI, early signing, etc. Sometimes too much IMO.

Good luck.

quote:

From my viewpoint, if your son is not being recruited as a top DI prospect, that is a message. It is a message he needs to hear. He also needs to hear and know it isn't a message that says he will never be.

infielddad,I wanted to quote your entire post. Very good points made.The above portion is very true.And the fact that he will have to work hard every day to prove that, and then he gets the look, its still not a guarantee he can compete at the top.And he will still have to outwork everyone.
Many kids decide on mid majors and its a good decison because most likely you will have a better shot at competing.But some kids dream very big, and no one will quiet those dreams.
At the end of the day will he be happy with his choice and do all he can to be the best he can be.if the answers are yes, then he has to go where he feels his heart is.
I am a practicl person to a degree, but I also believe people should shoot for their dreams,you cant let fear of what may happen stand in the way.the bottom line is what infielddad said, wherever they are , if they are working towards a college degee thay are doing ok.
Good luck with your decsions, have fun with the entire process.Keep working hard and you just never know who is watching you at any given time.

Some good replies. I have seen these situations played out many times with kids in the same situation as yours. Many times they decide to take what is offered before their sr year starts, out of fear that other offers will not be there in the spring , the current offers will no longer be there , peer pressure from friends that haved signed and the feeling that they just want to get it over with. The problem with this is they are not happy with their choice. They have a really good sr year and always feel "What could have happend, etc etc?"

If your confident in your ability. If you want to go for it and your willing to make your decision on your time table then why not? You can not tell me that some college coach is not going to want a kid that can pitch and can pitch in the mid to upper 80 range? Many college coaches call me every spring saying the same thing. "Coach any arms still out there? We really need a good arm to add."

Those D2 D3 Juco schools are going to jump all over a kid that can pitch at the level listed above. They recruit all the way into the summer leading up to the college season. Thats not the issue here. The kid thinks he has the stuff to pitch at the major college level and has not gotten an offer at that level yet. Why not go for it and see if his performance in the spring can make that happen? If it doesnt there will be many options still available if the kid can pitch.

And if those options dry up all you have to do is call me or pm me and if those numbers are real and you can actually pitch I know several schools that will snatch you up with no problem.

Dont have regrets about it. When you sign you need to feel good about it not "Man I wish I would have waited because........ If a D2 or JUCO cant wait for you to make the decision then let them move on.

This is just my opinion. But if you believe you got it and you believe in yourself then dont let people pressure you into a decision that you really dont want to make. Go for it and make it happen. You can bet when its all said and done you will be able to live with waiting alot better than making a choice now you are not feeling good about. JMHO

People are wrong all the time. Every year when the draft comes out many D2 D3 guys are drafted. Many were not recruited by D1 programs. I guess they were just not good enough to be recruited by those D1 programs but they were good enough to be selected in the MLDraft.

You have to be able to live with the decision and feel good about the decision. If you cant do that now then dont. Wait , bust your butt , compete and let it all hang out this sr year. And then live with the consequences no matter what they are. Now I think you can live with that alot better than wondering the rest of your life "I wonder if I had waited what would have happened."

First of all thanks for all the excellent input and discussion on our situation. I recognize many of you and have followed your teachings already.

Coach May, Infield08, RHP05Parent, Midlo Dad, CPLZ, Pop Up Hitter dad, jerseydad, CAdad, fanofgame, baseballtoday, philsdad, bb10, TRhit, infielddad, T-T, ClevelandDad, HighCheese, YoungGunDad, Dirtbags, thanks to all of you.

I’ll share a little more detail and thinking to be kicked around. In all that has been said I appreciate that this decision will ultimately be my son’s. I will help him to make the best decision for him regarding academics and athletics with baseball. We can manage varied scholarship money so that is not the top consideration although my son will make the third in college.

I appreciate the fact that he is good enough to get a great deal of attention if he doesn’t commit in the early period. He may even be a great available option in our area in that situation, particularly if he continues to develop and grow. We have had some suggest that the offers will still be there if the teams want him. I think some may, but others may have moved on. If I were these coaches I think I would take it as someone who is not interested enough or committed to my program or may not be as much as the next guy in line. That is not the way we feel. We are honored. These coaches are however paid to deliver the best program and that takes the best talent they can get. Some of the latest phone calls are clear with this pressure. In this regard we have been honest and upfront that we are pleased with the offers from both the JUCOs and the D1s and we are looking for the best academics, opportunities to contribute and grow/develop with the program, and finally to be able to compete and win. We are truly thankful for each offer that we have received. All of the recruiting coaches and his high school coaches believe he has potential to be drafted at some point in the future and offer a path to that end. All of the offering schools have had players that were drafted and one in the early rounds. Each has expressed that he can be one of, if not their top guy with the right work and that is why he is receiving the offers he is getting from them. They also suggest a significant role in his first year. There are no bad offers that we can see. It is just trying to find the best fit for my son and the team.

We have visited all of the campuses currently offering and have one more large D1 coming up soon. We have talked to all of the head coaches and pitching coaches about his fit in their program and the programs in detail. We have also talked to players who are with the programs, and some who are no longer with the programs to get more information from the player’s perspectives. All are good options.

We did not travel this summer staying with the commitment to his school team and coaches although we had two offers to travel which would end in Atlanta for the WWBA Championships. We will be playing this fall including a trip to Jupiter, Florida. The idea of waiting until after to commit sounds great and is what I was suggesting, but that is not going to meet what we are hearing from the offering coaches.

We know of players who have been picked up as late as August by D1s, just before the deadline on signing for the amateur draft and their offers were related to the signings. Rare and certainly not anything we expect to wait for. These guys were not on any backup list, but were known and followed.

One of the toughest things has been holding my son back from every offer. He wants to play sooooooo bad and for as long as he can. We have a spreadsheet with the offers, academics, facilities, fit for my son in the program, distance for us to see him play and many others. It has been extremely helpful. Part of what we are dealing with is that he sat out his sophomore year due to back pain from growing about 7”. He threw during the summer and then at a camp that seemed to start everything rolling. I was told he was throwing 90+ and he did do really well in that camp and two others. That put him on the short list for this particular program. They have since succeeded to a point that they have added the best from many states to their commit list which we believe has changed some of the interest, if they get those committed on campus. I have no doubt that he will make that magical 90+ that appears to be a requirement for many programs as he works very hard at his development. Great advice to never stop working, he has shown a great work ethic to this point and I expect to see that into the future. It is a long road that he appears to be fixed on. Only he can make it happen. But I will be supporting his dreams on this one.

One final or nearly final question. Any concerns over committing to and signing a NLI for the best JUCO and if the right D1 comes along accepting that offer?

Colt this is Coach May I use this screen name on my laptop because for some reason "I am a computer idiot" I can not log on under my real name here.

I think you have gotten some great advice and alot of it differs from my own. Everyone gives advice based on their own personal experiences. If your son felt good about an offer and school and knew that was what he wanted to do then fine. But as I understand it he doesnt and wants to wait to see what happens in the spring. Do not let them pressure him or you into making a decision. Thats not the way it should work.

Of course there are risks. He could have a poor sr year , velo , command could drop etc. He ll he could get hurt and not pitch at all. "Knock on wood" Im sure he will be fine. But to make a decision based on fear or pressure is not the way to make this type of decision. Whatever your son decides to do I wish you the best. I have just seen too many kids rush into a decision only to hear from college coaches "Man I wish that kid was still available we could sure use him."

As far as your last comment about accepting an offer and then taking an offer at another school I have always believed your only as good as your word. If you expect the school to honor their word the least we all can do is honor our own. Good luck

quote:

Originally posted by Colt45s:

They also suggest a significant role in his first year.

Colt45....key word "suggest". These coaches know HOW to play on words when recruiting to get the kids interest. They know the words "early playing time" will make them sit up. If I may suggest something, go onto their rosters over the past 2-3yrs and look at their earlier rosters and stats. That will give you a good indication as to how much this coach actually used former freshman pitching. Truth of the matter, some freshmen can and will be used but I think most on here would agree that in D1 programs it is slim to none. Look your son in the eye and ask him how he would feel getting there to find out that he actually would make little or no appearances on the mound even though he is on a D1 program.

Secondly...

One final or nearly final question. Any concerns over committing to and signing a NLI for the best JUCO and if the right D1 comes along accepting that offer?

Absolutely none whatsover. It happens every year and to me is a win/win situation. Again, look at the past few years Roster on these D1 programs and you can usually get a good idea what JUCO programs feed into it.

But I will say that Coach May gives good advise about giving your word to a coach and program. We expect them to be forthright and honest.

Colts45s; Again, thankyou for this discussion, we are learning alot.

CPLZ; your information is much appreciated!

TRhit: I agree, I really did think this coach was incorrect. And we would never allow our son to enter into AN AGREEMENT that he wanted to get out of. The homework will be done, researched and be the best fit as we(HE) can see it. Once signed, he cannot "look back", same thing we told our daughter who plays D1 softball. Thank you for your input, as I always look forward to your posts.

Dirtbags: " If a D2 or JUCO cant wait for you to make the decision then let them move on. "

I would like to expand on this a little. Are you saying that if they (D2/Juco) are expecting an answer say, by the end of this month, and the answer is just not there yet (still have visits to make) that one could ask them to extend their date? Is it so, "that if they really want you they will wait" until you have made the most informed decision? I don't mean for a long time, but at least until the end of October. Thanks

Coach May, we agree, even though it appears the process allows for that change.

YoungGunDad, Great suggestion, we have seen only one on these rosters that have gotten that work as starters, same for relief. Some weekend starts also.

quote:

Originally posted by Colt45s:

They also suggest a significant role in his first year.

Originally posted by YoungGunDad:

Colt45....key word "suggest". These coaches know HOW to play on words when recruiting to get the kids interest. They know the words "early playing time" will make them sit up.

Another word to beware of is "project" -- as in, "We project you to be our Friday night starter/starting catcher/etc. next year." "Project" does not equate to "promise."

Colt45s,

If your son is attending the PG/WWBA tournament in Jupiter in late October, and if you don't mind, could you pm his name and team to me. There are many DIs calling us and saying they are still looking for pitching. If your son does well in Jupiter, you might be surprised at the options it might create.

If you are uncomfortable about sending his name, that's OK. We will see him anyway and if he's good in our opinion, everyone will hear about it. It's just better when the actual recruiters see him.

Note: Sometimes there is a definite difference of opinion regarding what parents consider "doing well" is and what recruiters/scouts think. Reading the information you've posted, and if he shows that, he should draw some serious interest.

The rest here is probably off topic, but this has happened. College hears a player they are interested in is attending this event and increases the offer, trying hard to get the commit before the event. They are all aware of what could happen.

Also, there have been colleges who have recommended their "verbal commits" to skip this event. Usually advising players to rest. Sometimes for very good reason and sometimes this is done simply because the event is held before the early "signing" period which becomes the "official" commitment. This is not usually a problem if the college is an excellent program.

More often, we have seen agent/advisors tell players not to attend. That is because the easiest thing of all is to change advisors and all the top agent/advisors are in Jupiter at that time. Sometimes this is a direct conflict as to what is best for the player vs what is best for the agent/advisor. Once again, the very best advisors are usually not the problem.

Lastly, sometimes there can be good reasons it is best to not attend. Players and parents need to consider a lot of things when it comes to advice.

Best of luck to your son.

Its really going to depend on the school and what their particular situation is. And alot of it will have to do with how badly they want your son as well. Some will pass on a player if they do not give them an answer at a certain point and time. Others will wait because they want your kid and they will wait as long as they have to. Each schools situation is different.

I just dont believe it is in the players best interest to make a decision before he is ready to make a decision. If your making a decision because you feel pressured to make it and your not really ready to do it that is something I would pass on. If your good enough right now why wont you be good enough in the spring? Of course some schools will move on. But others will open up as well.

I will give you just one example of a situation with one of my players last year. He was offered by several small D1's D2's and JUCO's. The major colleges were just not sold on him. He really wanted to attend a certain D1 here in NC and they never made an offer. Many of these schools said they needed an answer and if they did not get one by a certain date they were going to have to fill that spot with another player. The player decided to wait and was offered by the school he really wanted to attend that spring. He played a significant amount his freshman year.

Would every D2 and JUCO still have passed on him because he wanted to wait? No way. Would some of them? Sure they would have.

Another example is a kid that was told by a mid major D1 that they had to have an answer in two weeks. He verballed to that school. He went on to have a tremendous summer. The HC of his dream school a major D1 coach told me "I sure wish he would have waited. I had no idea he was that good. We would take him in a minute."

There are risks with waiting. Just like there are risks with making a decision you are not really wanting to make but do it because you feel pressured to do so.

I remember going to Jupiter a few years back and one of our pitchers had not received an offer from a Major College program yet. He pitched two innings in relief and after the game was offered a larger scholley by a major college program. Our cell phones were ringing all the way back to the motel. All of a sudden the schools that were interested but had not offered were offering based on what they had been told and what they had seen. Good thing he didnt verbal to one of those "other" schools before he went to Jupiter.

When you go to Jupiter most of the kids have already committed. The pro scouts are there to see the players period. The college coaches are there to see the guys that are still available. Most of the players are not available to the college coaches. That means the ones that are available are hawked by every college coach there. So if you can play and you are available there is no better situation , period.

Beware of the word "projected" and "significant role". As was mentioned, they are attention getters. And they usually work !!! However,as mentioned, research the rosters and playing time of past freshmen. While your son may play that "significant role", the odds are not in his favor as a freshman. Of course there are exceptions. I feel strongly tha the player will determine his role. If his work ethic, attitude and performance warrants playing time he will get it. I suppose my son went against the grain here. As we left our visits he commented to me several times that we could have loaded the back of my truck with the bull we just heard. In most cases, I agreed with him. Consequently, the D1 that he committed to did not feed us these all of these too familiar lines. The head coach and recruiting coordinator told him in no uncertain terms that HE will determine when he sees the field. This meant a lot to both of us as we realistically know that all a NLI provides is a one year scholarship and an opportunity. With the turnover of rosters that we see today we realized that this is all that could be asked for. Of course my son loves challenges and they seem to motivate him. I would think that this is a common thread that most D1 players have. This only solidifies the thought process of pick the school that he would like to attend even if baseball was not a factor. Getting the opportunity to play "the game" while earning a degree is just a major bonus.

Coach May - good stuff. I have a prediction - you are going to love that new laptop of yours

Logging in from any computer should not be a problem. The auto-login feature may only work for your home computer but you should should be able to login from any computer by typing Coach May as your user name, followed by your password. Mn-Mom may also be able to assist you in your new laptop endeavors. Either way, I have enjoyed Dirtbags posts as well

Colt45 - I would take PG up on his offer. That indeed may be the Golden ticket.

PG Staff, I haven't been offered yet and will be in Jupiter. If you look at my PG profile you see I slowly add MPH every year and was 84-86 in Marrietta this year.If you want my name, please PM me. thanks

play9, Feel free to pm.

PGStaff. I pm'd you. I Think!

PGStaff,
I believe I have just given you a pm with my son's name and team. We are looking forward to the event and appreciate an honest opinion. I tend to be more critical rather than less, but may have a tendancy to believe what others are saying. Just want to make sure we are getting some calibration on the differing views. His team will consist of a number of large and successful D1 commitments so we will get an idea from playing ball with them before showing up at Jupiter. Were pumped to be able to play with and against the best. Look forward to meeting you. Again, thanks for all the great information and insights.

philsdad,
Appreciate the post on attention getters. I have softened some of the wording from the coaches. The coaches can give the kids the sense that they are going to build their program around them. That would certainly lead to disappointment. On the coaches behalf I must say none made promises, and I took nothing they said as promises other than the offer in writing. Even that will depend on what occurs with the NLI. They all said his position and play will depend on my son, how hard he worked, academically and on the field in practice, bullpens, hitting to get where he wanted. They suggested it was possible. So I do take your post seriously.

As mentioned by YoungGunDad these words and suggestions get the attention of the kids and they get the sense that I am going to lose all of that if I don't sign now. The early attention has not helped. Now we have to weigh in on all aspects of all the offers to see what is best, understanding we may not have the best offer yet for my son.