I live in Pennsylvania and any college would be nice, but how can you get colleges from far away to look at you. I am interested in California and the Southeast. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Once you have reseached schools that interest you, simply write a letter to the coaching staff to let them know of your interests. Most will qickly reply with a series of questions and if the coach likes what he sees, he will call you or one of your coaches to find out more about you.
mtownfan
There is a method to this recruting process
I do not necessarily agree with DBL2THEGAP.
It takes more than just a letter and a questionnaire to get their interest-- most do not have time to get into a correspondence thing until they have seen you play--it is better to let them know where you can be seen--travel team, showcases etc
What year in HS are you?
What position do you play?
How good are your academics?
Have you got a coaches /scouts recommendation?
There is a method to this recruting process
I do not necessarily agree with DBL2THEGAP.
It takes more than just a letter and a questionnaire to get their interest-- most do not have time to get into a correspondence thing until they have seen you play--it is better to let them know where you can be seen--travel team, showcases etc
What year in HS are you?
What position do you play?
How good are your academics?
Have you got a coaches /scouts recommendation?
I guess I should clarify that it depends on the size of the school you are contacting. If it is a SEC or Division I school that TRhit is correct, more is needed that one simple corrisponsence. However, if the school is of the smaller variety, the process is usually more simplified.
One of the easist things to do to see if there is any recruiting interest in your area is to check the schools team roster you are interested in and see where the players are from......
You will find that many schools in the south and out west have no need to recruit outside of their areas. If your set on attending there you will have to go to extended efforts to be seen.....
You will find that many schools in the south and out west have no need to recruit outside of their areas. If your set on attending there you will have to go to extended efforts to be seen.....
A lot of the schools have winter and summer camps. If you are able to attend one of those it could get you on their radar.
Get enough exposure along with marketing yourself properly and you will be known---my son, from NY, got an offer from New Mexico State in MAy--all based on marketing and exposure
Mtownfan,
I agree with all that has been posted to this point and might add that we can’t be sure what will work so we have to cover as many bases as possible and see what works for you. One thing for sure is you have to be proactive and do more than one “thing” if at all possible. First, I would evaluate my talent and make the best educated guess as to what level you could play and then I would:
1. Evaluate and Target the proper schools.
2. Get on their radar: The school(s) have to know who you are and what caliber player you are. TRHit calls this marketing and I agree.
3. Let them know you will play for them.
4. Make sure you don’t have excessive baggage... like poor academics.
5. Don’t ever rule out “other” schools.
6. Always strive to build your baseball resume.
There are number of ways to accomplish most of what I have listed above (marketing and exposure). The two best ways is to play on a high profile summer team and to showcase in the region you wish to play...or...if you have the opportunity you should showcase with those organizations (like Perfect Game) that have a national draw. Camps are good, but college camps ONLY touch a very limited audience. Letters are very good but alone they lack a real IMPACT and it’s had to monitor and evaluate your success. Telephone calls are really good and can open doors that letters fail to open but can be very time consuming and frustrating in trying to talk to the coach at a good time. I’m not suggesting that any one thing is the “recruiting savior” or that any should be ignored. I’m simply suggesting that all of them work to a certain degree and none come with a guarantee...so... doing ALL (or as many as you) can will greatly improve your odds.
I have to agree with DBL2THEGAP and TRHit that getting to play for a JUCO in Georgia will not be the same as getting on the roster at Georgia Tech so you will have to customize your marketing and exposure to match yor target market.
There is only ONE thing that is predictable in the recruiting ride....DO NOTHING and you can rest assured that NOTHING will happen!
Best of luck,
Fungo
I agree with all that has been posted to this point and might add that we can’t be sure what will work so we have to cover as many bases as possible and see what works for you. One thing for sure is you have to be proactive and do more than one “thing” if at all possible. First, I would evaluate my talent and make the best educated guess as to what level you could play and then I would:
1. Evaluate and Target the proper schools.
2. Get on their radar: The school(s) have to know who you are and what caliber player you are. TRHit calls this marketing and I agree.
3. Let them know you will play for them.
4. Make sure you don’t have excessive baggage... like poor academics.
5. Don’t ever rule out “other” schools.
6. Always strive to build your baseball resume.
There are number of ways to accomplish most of what I have listed above (marketing and exposure). The two best ways is to play on a high profile summer team and to showcase in the region you wish to play...or...if you have the opportunity you should showcase with those organizations (like Perfect Game) that have a national draw. Camps are good, but college camps ONLY touch a very limited audience. Letters are very good but alone they lack a real IMPACT and it’s had to monitor and evaluate your success. Telephone calls are really good and can open doors that letters fail to open but can be very time consuming and frustrating in trying to talk to the coach at a good time. I’m not suggesting that any one thing is the “recruiting savior” or that any should be ignored. I’m simply suggesting that all of them work to a certain degree and none come with a guarantee...so... doing ALL (or as many as you) can will greatly improve your odds.
I have to agree with DBL2THEGAP and TRHit that getting to play for a JUCO in Georgia will not be the same as getting on the roster at Georgia Tech so you will have to customize your marketing and exposure to match yor target market.
There is only ONE thing that is predictable in the recruiting ride....DO NOTHING and you can rest assured that NOTHING will happen!
Best of luck,
Fungo
To answer your questions I was thinking more along the lines of a bigger school because there are many good small schools in PA. This year I will be a freshman on JV. I play pitcher and third base and I have good off speed stuff with a low to mid 70s fastball. I don't really have big time connections though. I was wondering is it too early to get my name out to schools of interest?
mtownfan
You can do that with the letters but most coaches will not be interested until you are playing Varsity.
Right now you should be concentrating on improving your game and making the varsity in the next year or two while at the same time making sure your academics are in order----with the new NCAA attitude toward grades and graduation academics in HS will now become key for college aspiring players
Just some thoughts from an old timer !!
You can do that with the letters but most coaches will not be interested until you are playing Varsity.
Right now you should be concentrating on improving your game and making the varsity in the next year or two while at the same time making sure your academics are in order----with the new NCAA attitude toward grades and graduation academics in HS will now become key for college aspiring players
Just some thoughts from an old timer !!
You are way ahead of yourself, Low to mid 70's in little league speed, you need to add 10 mph before even thinking about college baseball.. A little pointer go watch a colege baseball game and then see how your kid matches up
DRIVEL
The young man is a frosh and looking ahead
He is on the right track and asking questions
The young man is a frosh and looking ahead
He is on the right track and asking questions
DRIVEl
Maybe you got it this time around !!!
Maybe you got it this time around !!!
Thanks for all your help. I will continue working hard and taking care of my arm. Hopefully I will be on varsity next year so I'll get my name out then. Just wanted to say I'm already an A student.
mtownfan
Make sure you maintain that "A student" situation---that is a important as taking care of your arm
Make sure you maintain that "A student" situation---that is a important as taking care of your arm