On another thread a parent was asking about a handwritten note on the outside of a camp envelope. This parent has had several kids go through the recruiting process for other sports and said "I never encountered the smoke & mirror crap that college baseball has devolved to."
That got me wondering what other weird smoke and mirror things have you encountered that made you think "Oh boy this is special" and ended with "wait....maybe it's not so special."
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I understand everyone's path was different, but I have to say, for my son, the recruitment process was very straightforward. There was no "smoke and mirrors". As is stated here often, when college coaches are interested, they make it plainly obvious. Unfortunately, I think we, as parents, are most responsible for the confusion. When my son had the opportunity with college recruiters present (and pro guys for that matter) and performed well, there was no doubt who was and wasn't interested. For all you guys going through the process, go back and search and read through posts by Coach May, PGStaff, TPM and many others that have been around this gig a long time. Even if you don't like or agree with their advice always, once you are on the other side of the fence, you can look back and see how right they were. Again, if a school truly is interested in your player, YOU WILL KNOW!
"Smoke and mirrors" is a euphemism. Let's call it what it really is.....lying plain and simple. As a parent, you kind of get a sense of it immediately. Young recruits not so much, and it takes a little while for them to figure it out. It isn't easy to figure out at first because they are not used to adult deception and they are controlling very little. For my oldest son, It was the coaches constant exaggerations (he knew they were blowing smoke up his butt) and failed timely follow ups that annoyed him to no end. Eventually, he learned and crossed those coaches/teams off his list. It made no difference to him who they were. He went so far as to not call some coaches back (even as a courtesy) after 2 attempts. He still remembers those coaches to this day. I don't recommend his approach to anyone, but I give the kid credit for sticking to his guns.
I've helped a few folks on this board over the years with high academic recruiting and I've been privy to some very sensitive situations where people were just blatantly lied to. There is no other way to put it. Some have been "left at the alter" after committing ED only to find out the recruit was lied to and was not admitted. Yes, it is caveat emptor but the coach did not help matters by saying everything will be fine. Some high academic coaches exaggerate a recruits chances and that is never good when the recruit is left with very few options after committing ED. Others have committed and found themselves in dis-favor and their D1 scholarship revoked leading up to college. This is serious stuff and reputations are on the line all the way around. A recruits only defense is to ask around, do a lot of research, and rub some rosary beads. Sometimes that is not enough to determine a coach is a man of his word and is fair. Does the coach do what he says he is going to do and is he fair. I think that is a realistic expectation of a college coach.
Years ago, I thought The old X-Files TV show had a motto of "trust no one". I would follow that motto until such time as it was necessary. As a recruit, always have a plan "B" or plan "C" ready because I can guarantee you the coach recruiting you has more letters than B and C in his backup plan.
JMO.
Ditto YG.
