Establishing Contact with Coaches / RCs

Prior to attending a couple of tournaments this summer, my son sent emails to the RC at schools he hadn't talked with yet and included a link to video that we set up on youtube. That seemed to work well as a few schools came out to see him play based on that communication. I felt that having a little background on him via email and the video was very helpful before actually talking to them. The coaches then followed up with his travel coach and arranged calls.

For the schools he had previous contact with he sent texts letting them know where he would be playing and links to updated video.

Just curious, if there hasn't been any contact - how are you getting the phone numbers to text/call? If it's from the school website, forget it, those calls almost always go to the office phone (which they're almost never in).

Send an email and have something to show or get with a travel coach or trainer that has connections and can vouch for you.

Outside of performing when they come to see you I truly believe the hardest part of recruiting is convincing them to come see you. The network of a connected baseball guy is way more important than any tournament or camp a kid will ever play in.

There is also DM...don't forget many if these coaches are Gen Z-ers.

@johnlanza Your son is a 2022, right?  In my mind, the response rate/interest level should steer how a recruit communicates with a prospective coach.  For a 2022 - now on August 20th - if your son's emails aren't producing any real interest and/or just producing boilerplate, that's a clear sign to me that changes are needed.  I'd A) recommend HEAVILY expanding his target list (starting off with emails to the new ones is fine) and B) start calling his current targets.  I think calling shows a level of initiative and desire that emails never can.  This is one more way to stand out/differentiate yourself from at least of some of your peers.  Some coaches might be impressed with your persistence while others may make it clear they're not interested so you'll quick clocking up their emails or whatever.  But both are "wins" in my mind.  I'd much rather get a hard no than continue pounding someone under a premise of false hope.

How do you call a coach?  By getting creative.  As someone has already pointed out, some of the listed numbers online won't get you connected with the coach.  Get your Sherlock Holmes on.  During my son's search, we were always looking for ways to track down coaches directly.  Google is your friend.  We found phone numbers and emails online that weren't on the standard contact pages of their sites.  We connected dots and sometimes made guesses that turned out to be right.  Also, some email responses my son got from coaches included their signature pickers which sometimes listed their personal cell numbers.  In short, FIND A WAY.  Don't stop until you hit pay dirt.  I see so many recruits that email coaches their stats, measureables, and videos and expect that to be enough.  For some, it is.  But plan on that NOT working and always be looking to do something that no one/few others are.

@PABaseball posted:

get with a travel coach or trainer that has connections and can vouch for you.

This.

Others will/may disagree. And, some will say that their experience is different. But, I'm a big believer that sending emails, while it can't hurt and could maybe catch lightning in a bottle, isn't the best way to connect with a coach and get recruited.

There are coaches out there who say "I make it a point to open and read every email." But, in reality think about the volume of emails that must come their way.

My 2022 first started sending emails early in 2020. It was a researched and targeted list. A few got back to him. Most said fill out a prospect form. Some said we will send you camp information when the pandemic allows. Basic boilerplate copy and paste responses.

Kid committed in October 2020. Spoke to a lot of schools in the Spring and Summer of 2020. None of them were the result of those emails sent in early 2020. All of it was off someone speaking to the coach on his behalf and setting up a call or text exchange with the coach.

Big believer that you have to have a multi-faceted approach and exercise every avenue to try and get recruited. But, I do also believer that some routes have a greater probability of working than others - and networking, being endorsed by a trusted source, is one of the better methods. Unsolicited inquiries might work if you are lucky. But it's not favorable odds.

Given that it is Aug 22 and emails are producing a less than desirable result with some coaches, I'd suggest a different approach...calling but with a two-pronged approach with your travel, Legion or baseball person in the know.    As PABaseball suggested get your travel, Legion or baseball person in the know to call, text, email to introduce your son.  A qualified reference is the quickest way to get through to the Coaches.   I suggest starting with your top 3-5 schools, and adjust the approach as necessary.   Then have your son follow up with his own call, text, email in that order to the same Coaches.  If Recruited = passion + skill + persistence + exposure + luck then you need more persistence and more luck to satisfy the formula.   The young men that really want to play college baseball will find a way, stay after it and make their own luck.

I look at it this way....you have nothing to lose.   Take the shot.   I'm a huge believer in continuing the search until you are firmly committed, because you know darn well that Coach is looking at 10 other recruits.  Even as you get close to committing do not take your foot off the gas for anything until it is done.

JMO.  Good luck!