Hamilton and Middlebury

2016Academic,

I don't have specific info on Middlebury or Hamilton, however I think you'll find they (mostly) start recruiting in the summer before senior year like all NESCACs.  At least that was our experience a few years ago, and I don't think it has changed much.  They do recruit nationally because the academic requirements are rigorous.

NESCACs using a "banding system" to rank and rate their recruited athletes.  Bands vary by school based on their admission criteria.  What is important for you to find out is what band you are in, and will the coach support you through admissions.  As an example, here is what a potential banding systems would look like keeping in mind the bands vary by school.  

Band A - SAT scores 700+ avg above 680, SAT 2 720, GPA top 5%

Band B - SAT scores 650+, avg above 610, SAT 640, GPA top 15%

Band C - SAT scores 630+, avg above 580, SAT2 600, GPA top 20%

Band D - SAT scores 600+, avg above 530, SAT2 560,  GPA top 25-35%

http://www.nescac.com/admissions/admissions - Good background info

This topic has been discussed plenty of times.  I'd also suggest you go to the "search" bar in the top left corner and type in various search strings on the schools, "NESCAC", "D3 Bands", "NESCAC Bands", "D3 Slots", "NESCAC recruited athletes", etc.... and then come back with any specific questions.   The topic is somewhat complicated as there is no one answer for each individual school.  

I hope this makes sense, and best of luck.  

Both Struggle in the NESCAC.  If you are looking for playing time and an education, both are good bets.  If you are looking to win, they will have a tough time with Amherst & Wesleyan at the top of their division.

Saw both schools at Headfirst at the end of August this summer and both have no commits listed on PG as of this morning so I think it's safe to say they are recruiting 2016s over the summer and most likely having recruits on campus now for visits.  

Here's a technique I learned from this board: go to the school's Baseball web site, find its current roster, pick players that in the same position as your son, then go to Perfect Game and search with the player name. You can see the athletic and academic (with premium account) info of the player.

These are D3 colleges, so by definition they don't have "Commits" until the Freshman starts at school, right?

They (the players) still go to PG and list themselves as committed for these D3 schools once they agree with the coach that they'll apply ED.  If the coach tells them he'll support them through admissions and give them a roster spot and they apply ED they are essentially "committed" because they can't apply anywhere else (unless they don't get in).  

Well many count themselves as committed as soon as they are accepted and pay their deposit.  The trickier thing isn't knowing whether you are committed to the school.  It's knowing exactly what being "recruited"  by the school amounts to. 

At some D3's being "recruited"  amounts to little more than being given an opportunity, along with many other players,  to try out for the team.   Some D3's recruit way, way more kids than they have roster spots for.    Some D3 have JV teams and many frosh and a few sophomores will end up playing JV.    But JV is not necessarily a proving ground for future varsity.  

Buyer beware.

second what slugger dad writes.  A friend of my son who was strongly recruited to a solid D3 program was cut after fall practice. Tough deal.

I agree with both of you.  I was just commenting on "committed" so far as these players are going in to PG's site and listing themselves as committed as soon as the coach tells them they will be supported through admissions.  I see it on PG for the school my son is speaking too and I've seen it for two players who we know who just recently "committed" to D3 schools.  

A related but slightly tangential question: for Ivy League, which offer no athletic scholarship, recruiting should be similar to D3 as well, right? I.e. no signing of NLI, no guaranteed roster spot, everyone is just invited walk-on?

Isn't the difference between the  IVY's and CERTAIN D3 with respect to recruitment twofold:  (a) the admission standards and (b) the "likely admit" letter -- which isn't an NLI but signals the coaches real and genuine interest in the player.    

I don't think it's the case that ALL D3 do "cattle call"  recruitment.  I think there is a whole lot of variance amongst them from the folks I know who have pursued this route.

Not exactly.  In our experience the processes are similar but the commitment level and quantity is different.

A D3 school (ie NESCAC in my example) will have a certain number of guaranteed slots 2-3 per year which the Coach and the Admissions Committee is committed to as a recruited and rostered athlete. The coach can also support a number of other recruits through Admissions but they aren't guaranteed roster spots nor are they guaranteed admission despite a favorable pre-read.  So, some guys may get the benefit of coaches support through Admission but may not make the team.

An Ivy will have roughly 5 LLs and 3 ED commits (for example) that the Coach and Admissions Committee are committed to.  All 8 slots are recruited and get the benefit of the coaches support.  Who the coach is going to support can sometime change late in the game which is the difference between LL and ED commits.  Just like the D3 example above, a favorable pre-read is not a guarantee for admission.  All 8 are rostered in the Fall plus any walk-ons that may make the team on their own.  The LL is a surer path and coaches have been known to change their minds on who is that best fit for those ED slots.

Just trying to keep it simple (a fluid topic) in this example.  They use the same processes but the latitude, rules and coaches support can vary between the two.  I hope that answers your question.