First offer questions

OMG what happened?? This was almost 10 years ago, but I was reading this thread looking for info on getting the first offer. It's a nutty spot to be in. I need to know more from others. Wish this story had  some follow up posted!

BaseballParent23 posted:

OMG what happened?? This was almost 10 years ago, but I was reading this thread looking for info on getting the first offer. It's a nutty spot to be in. I need to know more from others. Wish this story had  some follow up posted!

He signed with a lower tier D1, where he also had aspirations of being a punter on the football team.  

Football didn't happen, but he had a very good 4-year baseball career as an outfielder. Made all conference twice. Played three years of summer ball including one year in Northwoods. Wasn't drafted. Started to play a season of Independent League ball but was injured. Was briefly an assistant at a D2. 

We need more follow-up posts like this!! I like hearing how the story goes.

WE hear so much about the journey but not about the end of the journey....this helps. Just like to know the end of the story...

As as a follow up, I see decision was made. Good stuff!

Many questions that need to be answered first.

1. Has the No 1 school contacted your son? If the number #1 school has not contacted son then there is nothing to wait for.  Move forward with current offer if that is what your son wants.

2. What year is you son? If soph or Jr and you think there can be a better offer then hold out and know that the current offer can be pulled.  Coaches have a list of 1-5 just like a player does.

3. Is your son ready to make decision? If so, I would communicate to RC/HC that other schools have interest in him and he is considering them. Let No 1 know that their school is better fit for him. Can be communicated via email or phone depending on the relationship with the school.  "Coach_______,  The reason for my email (call) is that I am considering a(n)offer(s) from some school(s) and before I make a decision I would like to consider _____________ if it is an option.  Certainly the schools I am considering are in my top 5 choices but _______________'s academic and baseball program is my No 1 choice. I have a (2 week) window before I have to make a decision on one of the offers.  Look forward to hearing from you."

Nothing wrong with being upfront with the schools. You will know where you stand sooner than later!

Good Luck

Check the date stamp.  2007.  

lol!!  Maybe someone will use it.

Thanks

I checked the names of the posters in this thread. Talk about a walk back through time!

A lot of times the coaches will ask the boy directly who he is talking to, they don't even have to bring it up.

All of the coach's my son has talked to have asked that. 

I wonder if those coaches then call each other to get info on the player, or if they just use it to know what they are up against and to know how many schools they are competing with (or all of the above)?

Honestly, I think a lot of them also do it to make sure they're judging the kid similarly. Anytime you're trying to evaluate talent you like to reaffirm yourself, even if they won't admit it.

If I'm Vanderbilt and find out I'm the only D1 recruiting a kid, I may wonder why (dramatic example, I know). 

I hear it a lot from Juco coaches also when they're asking who else a guy is talking to. 

Not saying it's a bad thing, but I do think that's another part of the motivation for the question.

One out of state coach asked my son if he had talked to another school in a state where tuition would be lower. When he said no, but I'm going to a camp there later, the coach looked very sad. I think that gives them some insight into where they might have to be money wise to even the playing field to get a potential recruit?

justbaseball posted:

Is there time pressure to decide on the offer you have in hand?

If so, I guess I would gently let the #1 school know. Kind of a "where do we stand?" phone call.

Personally, I wouldn't make demands unless you're willing to walk away from school #1.

Hmmmm - interesting to see that what I wrote in 2007 is exactly what we did with younger son when the situation arose in 2010!!

I'm sure there are many counter-examples for me though if I were to read through all my posts.  

Always learning on the hsbaseballweb!!  

Iowamom23 posted:

One out of state coach asked my son if he had talked to another school in a state where tuition would be lower. When he said no, but I'm going to a camp there later, the coach looked very sad. I think that gives them some insight into where they might have to be money wise to even the playing field to get a potential recruit?

Perhaps?  But you can answer that question.  Both of our sons took lower offers to attend the school they most wanted to attend.

Again, if this is the case with one of your dream schools I would let them know, 'Coach, in case you're wondering if the amount of scholarship provided is the top priority, I am letting you know it is not.  So long as your offer is fair, I will be interested because you are one of my top choices.'

ironhorse posted:

Honestly, I think a lot of them also do it to make sure they're judging the kid similarly. Anytime you're trying to evaluate talent you like to reaffirm yourself, even if they won't admit it.

 

I agree with that.  I know for certain that coaches talked with each other on both of our sons.  Confirmation, affirmation....evaluating the competition.  Just like players and parents talk,  you can count on the coaches talking.

justbaseball posted:

ironhorse posted:

Honestly, I think a lot of them also do it to make sure they're judging the kid similarly. Anytime you're trying to evaluate talent you like to reaffirm yourself, even if they won't admit it.

 

I agree with that.  I know for certain that coaches talked with each other on both of our sons.  Confirmation, affirmation....evaluating the competition.  Just like players and parents talk,  you can count on the coaches talking.

This, for sure.  I don't recall ANY of the college prospect questionnaires my son received not asking him to name 2-3 team mates or opponents in which the school should/would be interested.

My son received two D1 offers 50% and 55% last Dec., neither were from his top choice.  He waited until now and then decided to take another trip to those schools to see if he might consider them.  Both schools took they offers off the table, because he took to long.  They are still interested in him, but not at the original offer. Since then another offer of 45% has come in that I think he will take.  It was sad the other schools did not give him a deadline.  Keep in touch with them.

If you are not offered your dream school as early as your first offer, it means that your dream school is offering to their dream kid and is waiting to hear back from them.

As I told my son, "If the second prettiest girl in town asks you to dance while the prettiest girl in town is too busy off courting other boys, you dance."

He got an excellent offer from his #2 school. When he called his #1 school, who had been out recruiting his same year, they basically told him that if he really wanted to go there, he'd wait for them. I think we ended up in a pretty good boat with #2.

Now, this certainly wasn't a 'First Offer' situation, but it fits.