First Offer

I wasn't aware that 2012's could get offers already?

50% for an OF is pretty good, but like you say, by 2012, it could only equate to 40% or less.

If he gets better, there will be a better offer.
If he doesn't, then the offer you have will likely go away, since it is not binding.

I would wait!

I think everyone will agree with me on this, an offer from anyone at this age is not binding on anyone and I can't imagine that a coach would make this offer.

So he is between his freshman and sophomore seasons? Wow, if you don't mind me asking, what stands out on him that he is that highly sought after?

No way I would make a commitment three years away and for a specific amount. As has been said, much can change between now and then. While this "commitment" wouldn't be any more binding on your son than the school, you want him to take his promises and commitments seriously. That just seems very far away with all the unknowns at this point. I'd say WAIT!

I ask the player this----how many schools has he visited?

Has he seen any college games?

At his age how can he even be close to sure that this is the place for him?

And I agree--I cannot see a coach offering anything to a 2012 unless the kid is a 6-6/240 LHP/Hitter--lots of things change from the frosh to senior years

re tuition rising:

probably not an "if".......more like a "when"

has anyone not seen tuition rise?

I appreciate all the advice, but for those who have gotten offers, have they been percentages of a full ride or a flat dollar amount? That was my question, not whether or not he should accept.

Lefty's Dad-
I will answer your question.
My son just finished his freshman year.
His scholly was for a percentage, not a flat dollar amount.
Every graduating SR I know that has SIGNED an offer (as well as current Freshman/rising Soph players), their scholly was for a percentage.

IMHO, I think you will see MOST offers be a percentage due to the NCAA DI rule change that requires a minimum of 25% (25% of what, I will let others comment on).

Gone are the days of giving a player "book money", which in that case could/would be a flat dollar amount.

I can only speak form my experience but every LOI and/or offer was for specific dollars. I did see percentages for a couple but always next to $$

I didn't think that coaches can talk to players until July 1 before their senior year. I realize players have contact at camps, etc., but can they really make scholarship offers that are binding before the sophomore year?

None of the offers are truly binding until the LOI is signed. They can talk to players who are on their campus either at a camp, or playing in a tournament, or just on an unofficial visit.

Every offer my Son received (he had 6) was for a % or for specific things, never for a dollar amount.

The offer he accepted was spelled out as 1 semester of tuition, 1 semester of meals, and books for both semesters. It worked out to around 43%, which is exactly the average if you take 11.7 (scholarships allowed in D1) and divide it by 27 (maximum # of scholarships)

My son's offers were all dollar amounts. X dollars BB and X dollars academic. He also was called into the coaches office in his soph year at the beginning of spring and was given an X dollar increase.
Tuition rose 5% each of the 4 years.
I have seen almost 100 offers and all were dollar amounts.

Gitnby and Prefersummer,

The topics of early offers and the extent of communications permissible at various stages have been covered on HSBBW at great length in the past. You may want to search for those threads because you do have some misinformation apparently.

As to the question about the offer, first I'll say WOW. Your son must be one heckuva stick with some serious speed. Outfielders are usually the last recruits otherwise, behind pitchers, catchers and infielders, respectively. To get an offer like that after his HS freshman year is really indicative that he is a national caliber prospect.

That being the case, I would suggest you thank the coach, express your very strong interest, but take at least another 20 months before you consider making any commitments. Too, too much can change in that period, and even after 20 months you'd be committing before he played a single game of his junior year, which is plenty early believe me.

Make sure you're not missing the boat on what might be a better fit somewhere else.

And, if he is as good as the early attention would suggest, 50% is not necessarily the max he'll see.

As for percentages vs. dollars, the coach's budget is set in dollars not percentages. Some coaches parcel it out to players in percentages, some in dollars, some in "full tuition" (i.e., excluding room, board and books), some in a combination of all of those and more. There are no rules, so it's just a matter of how one specific coach chooses to handle one specific player. It's a big jigsaw puzzle for the coach to fit together and I have often thought the math must keep them up nights.

quote:

Originally posted by Lefty's Dad:
I appreciate all the advice, but for those who have gotten offers, have they been percentages of a full ride or a flat dollar amount? That was my question, not whether or not he should accept.

Every one that I know of has been a precentage. BTW, you have a PM.

Midlo Dad is right about budget, it's set in $$$$.

However, as we have all seen/read ad nauseum for the last couple of years, in the 08-09 academic year, NCAA DI baseball instituted a "25%" rule.

Straight from the DI manual:
15.5.4.1 Minimum Equivalency Value.
An institution shall provide each counter athletically related and other countable financial aid that is equal to or greater than 25% of an equivalency.

(My comment- I am not going to try and define equivalency here. Too many variables)

REMINDER- In 08-09, DI baseball teams were allowed 30 counters (simplified = 30 guys could get schollys), In 2009-2010 AND beyond, that number drops to 27.

As a side note, when my son committed to his school (DI), he actually signed 2 forms: National Letter of Intent AND Athletic Agreement. The Athletic Agreement was a triplicate form which looked like it was produced by the school.

While there were a number of stipulations, here is what the "Aid" section read (I am looking at it):
XX% of tuition, fees, room and board*

*Unless student athlete is receiving a full scholarship, books are NOT included.

For what it's worth, my son's aid ($ amount) changed from Fall to Spring. WHY? 2 reasons:
he took 16 hours in the fall, 13 hours in the spring AND he switched from an unlimited meal plan in the fall to a 14 meal plan in the spring (on the road more).

So a lot of different ways coaches/schools can handle this, as long as they stay within NCAA rules and coaches stay within their budget.

Good Luck!

Another aspect to consider especially committing so early---what if the coach is fired, resigns or retires---

Hey jbb,

Midlo Son got the unlimited meal plan. He goes in whenever, some times 5 times a day when he's in town. Otherwise the card is good for footlongs at the on-campus Subway!

And oh, yeah, the Subway is built in to the dorm building he'll be living in next year, just to make it easier. (The bread smell hopefully will overpower the odor of musty socks around his dorm.)

Even with all that, he lost 20+ lbs. this year. How the heck is jbb, jr. holding up on a 14 meal plan?

Lefty's Dad,

TR is right, this is always a risk with committing early, but in your case you guys are so very early that you have to think about whether you are taking your son off the market to where he'll be passed over by others, and then the other situation could go south on you before he gets there. I would be wary and patient.

Also, bear in mind that offers are not always final offers. If your son does get to where he wants to commit, you can make a counter offer. There must be something special about your son to be getting a substantial offer this early, so you don't have to be shy about asking for more.

But also bear in mind, promises as to future years can be broken with impunity, even after that first NLI is signed. Deals run year to year and it's not at all unheard of for %'s to be cut from one year to the next, especially if you're not producing.

Yes coaches can leave at any time even to take a better position. It can be just as bad if it happens when you are attending the college and on the roster. New coach , new look to the team.

My son got a percentage and that is the only way he would accept an offer. That was his personal preference. That doesn't mean that coaches give other types of offers, either dollar amounts or percentage.
Ok so the coach is offering a specific dollar amount, smart guy, he knows that in 3 years tuition will be much greater than it is now and the player will cost him less and he will have more money to spend on others, PLUS if son accepts an early commitment, no one else can talk to him.

I know you didn't ask, but if it were mine, even if it were his dream school, wouldn't commit 3 years in advance. If tehy want you that badly they will wait.

hi,

my son received percentage only and he just verballed.

Now I hear aftger he verballed that they are not binding which i thought they were. So can he still attend camps and showcases and talk to other colleges just so they know who he is?

Or is this a big no no?

thanks,

Camps -- no reason to do these. Expensive, and word will get back to the guys he committed to that he's still looking around. Nothing good can come of that.

Showcases -- ditto.

Talking to others -- ditto.

Tournaments -- OK. Players play, that's what they do. No harm in participating there.

Verbals can be pulled but instances of that are very rare. The risk in your son's case is extremely slight unless he does something to blow up the deal. So don't.

I agree with Midlo but don't stop talking to other coaches. Let them know you have a verbal on the table. also let them know you are all ears when it comes to a offer. Speak the truth to the coaches and it will play out as it should. Don't play one against the other but let them know you are open to all helpful info.

Thanks midlo n ozone,

great advice, in my sons case we have nonrefundable travel monies and we did ask the coach if its ok to attend the camps even after the verbal. He said no problem.

I will as suggested mention that there is a verbal right now and we are NOT shopping.

But I just want them to see him as a youi never know what can happen down the road.

Any thoughts?

thanks