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How different are we?

RB Rockford Baseball Mom100+ posts
After being a reader for the past couple of years and now beginning to post, I wonder . . .

How different is the recruiting process for players and colleges in the Midwest? I see much advice about schools and processes in those areas where the HS/club seasons are longer and the practice facilities have grass year-round.

I've read here and elsewhere that the Southern powerhouses don't need to recruit "up north" so I wonder if a DI player here has a different skillset/ranking, etc., than one in South Carolina, Florida, California, etc.

I see lots of advice from members in those areas about going JUCO, and we have some very solid community college teams in Illinois, but I think the competition and exposure is a little different here than what they suggest.

Any thoughts?
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N nc42dad500+ posts
As far as JUCOs go, if you're good they will find you no matter where you are playing. The D-1 JUCO powerhouses are really not in IL but a few are very competitive.

I'm no expert but you do not get better if you sit at a D-1 and don't play. My kid got 80+ innings at a JUCO versus who-knows-what, had he gone the other route. Important thing to remember, regardless of the competition, it is hard to tell anything about a player if he is sitting on the bench!

If you are a top 100 National talent, teams from the South will come calling. Generally though I think you are pretty accurate that teams down South don't need to come up here looking at non-National talent IMO.

Going out-of-State can cost you big bucks too. Even when they give you a 60% scholarship, it might be cheaper taking 25% and stay in-State.
B bballdad1954500+ posts
My intent with the message was just to let Rockford Mom know that there are top JUCO's in Illinois and they have some top players, even ones that have been recruited by D1 schools from the south and the major leagues.

JUCO seems to have worked for my son. He got two good acedemic years where he got his basic college reqirements done. He will go to an excellent acedemic institution next year and continue to play ball. Meanwhile, he was on scholarship.

He also got the advantage of excellent coaching, and was able to play a competeitve fall season as well as spring. Each year 7-9 startrs from the team move on to play two years at D1 schools. JUCO is not for everyone, but it works for many. Heartalnd and Parkland along with several others do great work preparing kids for the future both acedemically and baseball wise. And generally is easier on the pocket book.
B 2bagger1,000+ posts
I agree with you on the juco issue bballdad would work for many players. However as far as aplayer leaving Miami I would think it had more to do with his fit in Miami and a possible draft this spring than his desire to play at Juco. I am thrilled it is working well for him as he is a hard working great young man.

Enjoy the season at Heartland it should be a fun year, just get by Parkland will you.
RB Rockford Baseball Mom100+ posts
I appreciate the perspective very much. Obviously, we have heard a lot about Parkland and Heartland.

Coincidentally, Rock Valley College in our area has a new coach with a new approach to recruiting and the program overall. That school has a reputation for nationally ranked athletics and he'd love to ultimately take baseball to that level. It's his first year, so it'll be fun to watch and see what kind of noise they can start to make.

Academics first, of course, and there is a whole lot to be said for getting your student-athlete in that mindset and setting them up to be successful.
B bballdad1954500+ posts
I agree. He was looking for the right fit. Which was kind of my point. It can be a good fit for a variety of reasons.

One of the things that surprised me was how many players transfer. It is hard to know what is right even with the visits and overnights.

Parkland is very tough. Heartland was a couple of pitches away two years in a row losing come from behind games in the regional finals. They aren't gonna roll over for anyone. Hopefully the Hwaks can get over the hump this year. It should be fun. Thanks for the kind words.
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
Rockford Baseball Mom - great questions and you have received outstanding perspective and advice thus far in this thread.

There are lots of southern schools who recruit in the north. North Carolina is one. University of Kentucky is another. South Carolina, the national champions, had some key players who were from northern states.

Check the roster from Coastal Carolina and you might be surprised. Many from the Chicago area have been recruited to play there including member's here Smokey (Joe Froelich) and Big Guy (Chris Kovacevich). TJ Swank was another one.

Your kids (midwest kids) are are no different than kids who play in the warm weather except they are a little greener because they have played less games over the course of their young lifetimes. Experienced college coaches can see through that however.

Look, my son played here on the shores of Lake Erie where it often snowed during the spring high school season. I can assure you there were no southern coaches or pro scouts flying up to watch those games.

Recruiting is two simple things - talent plus exposure. If your son might like to play in the south, then you have to "expose" his "talents" to coaches in the south. Coaches only recruit what they can see. That might mean attending a college camp at a southern univeristy or a PG event where southern coaches are known to attend.

If you wait for the phone to ring, it is almost certain his opportunities in warm weather will be non-existent. If you give him the opportunity to turn a coach's head in the south, you might be surprised by the result. As has been stated here, JUCO can provide a nice bridge to a bright academic/baseball future.
Last edited by ClevelandDad
RB Rockford Baseball Mom100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
Rockford Baseball Mom - great questions and you have received outstanding perspective and advice thus far in this thread.

There are lots of southern schools who recruit in the north. North Carolina is one. University of Kentucky is another. South Carolina, the national champions, had some key players who were from northern states.

Check the roster from Coastal Carolina and you might be surprised. Many from the Chicago area have been recruited to play there including member's here Smokey (Joe Froelich) and Big Guy (Chris Kovacevich). TJ Swank was another one.

Your kids (midwest kids) are are no different than kids who play in the warm weather except they are a little greener because they have played less games over the course of their young lifetimes. Experienced college coaches can see through that however.

Look, my son played here on the shores of Lake Erie where it often snowed during the spring high school season. I can assure you there were no southern coaches or pro scouts flying up to watch those games.

Recruiting is two simple things - talent plus exposure. If your son might like to play in the south, then you have to "expose" his "talents" to coaches in the south. Coaches only recruit what they can see. That might mean attending a college camp at a southern univeristy or a PG event where southern coaches are known to attend.

If you wait for the phone to ring, it is almost certain his opportunities in warm weather will be non-existent. If you give him the opportunity to turn a coach's head in the south, you might be surprised by the result. As has been stated here, JUCO can provide a nice bridge to a bright academic/baseball future.


Very good thoughts - thanks! Our kid (we think) has a realistic perspective: I will play ball at any solid academic school that might want me. He wants to play "as long as he can" and hopefully pay for a little of his education. We all know that you can't predict how far a 16 year-old can go (or at least you shouldn't try) so it's one step at a time.

As a 2013 he's done regional stuff and will do much more this summer. A PG event will be in his future, as well.

I appreciate the insight and perspective.
F FVCfan10+ posts
I have to say I am always impressed by the quality and knowledge of the people who respond on this site. I think Rockford Mom has gotten some solid advice. You do have to be proactive and get your son some exposure early in the process it doesn't matter where you live. There some great travel programs n Northern Ill that play and compete at the
national tournament like East Cobb and Jupiter. I think this is the best way to get exposure. If there is a school your son is interested in go to their camp. Showcases are also an option, there are so many out there now make sure you get a personal reference from someone who has attended a showcase they liked. If your kid is good they don't care where you are from. In considering if a school is right for your son, you should look at their roster, see where the kids are from, it'll give you a good idea of where they recruit. Several of the SEC schools like MW players, KY and LSU in particular.

Don't rule out JUCO's. In addition to their facilities the coaches at Heartland do a great job at developing their players. Coach Metzger and his staff run it like a major DIV I program year around. Look at how many of their players end up with Div I deals. They have earned alot of respect in just a few years.

Your son is lucky to have a parent that is taking the time to research the process. It's a great time for you and your son, enjoy the journey.
B bballdad1954500+ posts
FVC you are right about Heartland.

I respectfully disagree about one thing. For years I have read that if you are interested in a school, go to their camp. My son went to a couple camps. For the money, I didn't feel it was as good as showcases (although if my son was taken by one of the schools my opinion might be differnt).

It seemed a good deal for the schools. They make money, see a bunch of kids without having to travel, and put them thought the drills they like base. A showcase gets you in fornt of a bunch of coaches. Just the math doesn't work out. More money to play in front of one school instead of maybe 20 or 30 schools (for the better showcases).

The best showcase was Stevenson, most coaches & least money. But, you have to be in the right conference (also Plainfield works). JMO
RB Rockford Baseball Mom100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by FVCfan:
Don't rule out JUCO's. In addition to their facilities the coaches at Heartland do a great job at developing their players. Coach Metzger and his staff run it like a major DIV I program year around. Look at how many of their players end up with Div I deals. They have earned alot of respect in just a few years.



Interesting that much emphasis is on Heartland and Parkland in the JUCO discussion. Are other Illinois community college programs overlooked?
RB Rockford Baseball Mom100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by bballdad1954:
FVC you are right about Heartland.

I respectfully disagree about one thing. For years I have read that if you are interested in a school, go to their camp. My son went to a couple camps. For the money, I didn't feel it was as good as showcases (although if my son was taken by one of the schools my opinion might be differnt).

It seemed a good deal for the schools. They make money, see a bunch of kids without having to travel, and put them thought the drills they like base. A showcase gets you in fornt of a bunch of coaches. Just the math doesn't work out. More money to play in front of one school instead of maybe 20 or 30 schools (for the better showcases).

The best showcase was Stevenson, most coaches & least money. But, you have to be in the right conference (also Plainfield works). JMO


We have done a little of both so far and one advantage we have found at the campus events is that they actually play some innings. We liked the opportunity for 2013 to be seen in game situations. Plainfield would be our showcase, I believe.
F FVCfan10+ posts
I do know there are a lot of other good JUCO programs in Illinois, I just don't know enough about any one program to recomend it to someone. I know the Heartland program and can recomend it with confidnece. From my perspective the facilities are nice, but the real selling point is the coaching staff and how they develop players.
N nc42dad500+ posts
Wabash Valley, John A. Logan, Southerwestern
Illinois College, and Lincoln Trail are all competitive programs (South of I-80). Ha ha, way South.

Logan beat a host of Alabama JUCOs 5 of 6 games the past two weekends.

Wabash Valley usually sends multiple kids to D-1s every year too. Not sure what they did last weekend.

My kid went South of I-80 for the weather!!! They've had bad weather in Carbondale but they have been outside multiple times. Obviously no one up here has probably gotten outside.
RB Rockford Baseball Mom100+ posts
Sometimes it's nice to re-read some of these older discussions and see where they have led.

In addition to a really busy travel season and some expected showcases at his favorite schools, 2013 has attended showcases south of I-80 and had a great first impression of the folks at SIU. And he's getting on other radar we hadn't expected, as well.

It's also looking like he has the opportunity to play with a travel team next year who will do East Cobb in addition to some of the regional tournaments. We wouldn't have known to look for that option without the advice we find here.

We've been reading these forums a lot and learning as much as possible about the process. Thanks everyone, for sharing your knowledge.

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