Email Prior to Camp

I'd send one with a subject line with the camp name in it.  In the SHORT email, just say that you will be attending their camp and leave a link to your video.  Let the video do the talking for you.  If they like, they will be watching closely.

Thank you for your advice ygbb321, sounds very good.

 

I recommend that you address the email to the assistant coach and cc the head coach and recruiting coordinator. Include a brief reference to the time/place where you spoke to him.

 

First off Congratulations on making Varsity as a freshman and best of luck with your sophomore year . And secondly, its great to see you here looking for info on how this whole damn recruiting process works. There is a wealth of experience here and I'm hoping it helps you as you move forward.

My son is a 2016 . One of the first things we were taught by a top recruiting counselor that works with my sons travel team is : " Never play anywhere unannounced" What that means is you ALWAYS email. Also, on email format you will get many suggestions but the one we use is:

 

in the subject line ( UPPER CASE ) JOHN SMITH 2017 RHP CRESPI HIGH SCHOOL MAYBERRY KS

Next:  you ALWAYS email the recruiting coordinator. NEVER the head coach.

Your 1st paragraph should be strictly business " My name is John Smith I'm 6'0 170 Lbs I'm a RHP and I throw 3 pitches . My FB sits 84-85 and tops 87 my CB 74 and my CH 77 I play for Crespi HS in ( City ) on the Varsity team . last summer I played at JO's attended ( camp names ) worked on pitching skills at UCLA pitching camp and attended PG Evosheild last fall

NEXT PARAGRAPH:

I'm extremely interested in pitching for ( school name) after graduation and I'm excited to be at camp this weekend. I feel that ( school name) is both a great fit for me academically and on the field and I'm looking forward to playing in front of you.

 

SIGN YOUR NAME

          \

YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

         

YOUR PHONE #

         

YOUR HS COACHES EMAIL

          PHONE #

 TRAVEL BALL COACH EMAIL

TRAVEL BALL COACH PHONE#

 

My son and the guys on his team DO NOT send video. That is just the way they / we do it. The thinking is that it is way to easy to dismiss prospects and too much to dislike or find wrong about a player watching video. We feel that the cons outweigh the pros. Also, the conventional wisdom  is that no one gets an offer from video so make them see you play LIVE. They're gonna have to see you play at some point if they are going to offer you right?  However, you may feel differently. If so just add at the end of you email that you have attached a youtube link, Then attach one!

 

What I just outlined is called an INTRODUCTORY email. After camp be sure to send a FOLLOW UP email. Nice and short about how much fun you had at Camp.

The idea is to create a dialog and a way for them to remember you.

 

Anyways, hope some of that helps. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions . Also, once again, there are a lot of people here with a lot of experience so use it! My comments or suggestions are just things that have worked for MY kid. You may find someone elses advice that works better. Good Luck this weekend!!

 

In this instance, I tend to agree with StrainedOblique about the video. They're about to see you in camp. Let your performance there speak for itself. At this point, they simply need to be well aware that you're going to be there and that they need to be on the lookout for you.

 

Best of luck to you!

If your video (which is your resume) doesn't show your best, then you need to make another one. If it does show your best, but you are not getting the response you want, maybe you need to better your best. If you are scared to send your video because you think you're not good enough, then work on getting better. If you are a good player and something the school is looking for, video is a great tool to use as a way to get them to come see you.

Before every camp or showcase that my son attended, he wrote a short introductory email to every coach who was going to be there from a school in which he was interested and had the grades and athletic ability to have a good chance of getting admitted and making the team. The email was like the one that StrainedOblique outlined for you. My son always included a youtube link to a short video (less than 3 minutes). The idea was that these coaches probably receive a lot of similar emails before they work at camps and my son wanted to be on the coaches' list of players to watch. Good luck!

Thanks everyone for your advice! I really appreciate it.

StrainedOblique,

 

May I ask why NEVER email to Head Coach. Or do you mean in the beginning not to do so?  At some point, it may also need to contact HC?

Thanks.

Several reasons. The first being that it is a waste of time. HC's generally do not read recruiting email. They get forwarded to RC. HC's are the last guys to meet or speak with the prospective player. Secondly. it's the respectful way to do it. Emailing the HC instead of the RC looks like the player hasn't done his home work or clearly doesn't understand the recruiting chain of command. That being said, if the player is a pitcher, Recruiting etiquette is that it is ok to email the PC as long as you are also emailing the RC. That doesn't mean the PC will respond , but it's fine.

Also, All this is recruiting etiquette that applies to D-1 programs and some larger D-2, 3's . Many D-3 programs do not have a RC so the HC is the guy you email. Best rule of thumb is to go to program website and do your home work. If there is a RC well then that is the guy you email. It is his job to receive recruit emails. Not the HC

Thanks and the information is very helpful!!

And then, of course, don't forget to BALL OUT at the camp!  

Thanks everyone who contributed to this thread! I emailed the coach using your advice, and now it's time to go out and perform. Great first posting experience!

Just one more thing to think about, rileno17:

 

If you have a relationship with someone who's respected in baseball, like a travel coach or local scout, you might ask that person to notify the college that you'll be coming to their camp.  

 

It always helps to have someone speak on your behalf (except mom or dad)