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29 replies

How do you know...

M mofireman10+ posts
...what level of college baseball your son may be capable of playing?

Son is going into his Junior year in high school. Like many other players, he has a sincere love for the game and tells his mom and I that he would love to play in college one day. He has been to a variety of college summer/winter camps as well as different showcase events in the past couple of years.

Unlike some who post on here, our phone has not been ringing off the hook since son was a freshmen in high school. Really, outside of his communication with the coaches at these showcase/college camps, we've really not heard anything (which is just fine). Son is not a high profile pitcher like many of those whose phones tend to ring off the hook, but he is a strong throwing, competitive playing 3B who swings a serious bat.

If his playing for a college one day is to become a reality, what can/should we expect to hear/receive throughout his Junior year? If we just don't hear a single word from anyone, should we fret? I'm not at all indicating that we/he would ever "give up," but many people would probably get a little bit nervous going into their Senior season without one word from a coach from any school.

Things we intend on doing still...

1. Contacting schools/coaches where he is interested in going to school (While being realistic).
2. Playing with a college prep team next summer to increase his college level exposure.
3. Have some sort of video footage available (just in case we're asked first, to forward something).


For those who may have been in the same situation with your son, how/when do you know if/what level your son can play at in college? Are we to assume that if he was DI DII or even DIII material that he probably would have already been contacted by someone or not?

I always respect your thoughts, so please don't hold back! I'm trying to learn what to expect here.

Thanks!!
Father 2 Baller
Original Post

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Rob KremerRob Kremer1,000+ posts
F2baller:

I am just one year ahead of you in the process, and so one year ago had many of the same questions.

A short answer to your first question is: you DON'T really know what level your son is capable of playing. No matter how objectively you try to look at your son, as a father, you just don't know.

The good news is it doesn't really matter what you think anyway! Just let him play, and try to get him playing in as many situations as your resources allow where colleges can see him, and let things take their course.

I think all the things you plan on doing are totally correct. And no, you should not have expected to hear from schools yet. It isn't until this September that college coaches are allowed to contact your son by email, and they can't call him until July 1, 2009. So don't jump to any conclusions about the phones not ringing yet.

So, you never really know what level you son can play at. That is something the college coaches tell YOU.
Infield08Infield081,000+ posts
Mofireman, it's time to relax! You and your son have plenty of time before needing to be concerned.

Here are a few bits of information which may help or encourage you:

* Your son cannot receive any letters from colleges (other than camp/showcase invites) before Sept. 1 of his junior year
* Your son cannot receive any phone calls until July 1 following his junior year
* Many, many, many future college players do not receive phone calls until after they begin their senior year
* You most likely will not know what level your son is capable of playing at until the actual recruiting begins in the summer after his junior year and all throughout his senior year (and even afterwards). You will get a sense of the level he's capable of playing at when you start getting contacted by college coaches.
* If you want to get an expert opinion, have your son participate in a Perfect Game showcase. The rating your son receives will indicate at which level the staff feels your son can compete. Even then, however, there's some room for your son to move "up" or "down" a little. (For example, someone with an "8" rating, which equates to "Definite D1 prospect," may or may not get picked up by a D1 school. He may end up getting recruited by a D2 or Jr. college.)
* Keep doing what you're doing and everything will be fine. It will all play out in the end. Just enjoy the process!
collikarcollikar1,000+ posts
mofireman,

My husband told my son the game would dictate when to get out.

As for your door being knocked down, my son is an outfielder that hit for average and gained power throughout his junior year.

He recieved mainly generic mail from various colleges/universities. Some was personal, most was form. This went on throughout the year. Once July 1 hit, he recieved a few phone calls from colleges/universities that had never sent him an email or letter. Because of his strong summer team and production at the plate, he recieved many offers, and has committed to a D1 program that was always at the top of his list. He did a lot of the persuing of this institution early on.

Many players don't committ or sign until after their senior high school season. Every situation is different, but that doesn't mean one is better or worse then the other.

Remember, the game will dictate when to get out.

Good luck,
Collikar
M mofireman10+ posts
RK and Infield08": I already feel a little more at ease. Thanks so much for your insight and the information about when/how college coaches can begin to communicate!!

This is our oldest and only son that will have this desire to play college ball, so I like many of you, am always trying to gather information and learn as much about the process as I can.

So starting in September of this year, a recruitable Junior in high school can begin getting letters/emails from interested schools? So for those soon to be Juniors who have good projectability, this month of August could prove to be a long one for them, huh?

Thanks again!!
08Dad08Dad1,000+ posts
This fall is also the time for your son to be proactive. If he is interested in a school, send the coach a letter. How will the coach at Big State Univ. know that your kid is interested if your son doesn't let him know.

Have him (and you) read http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/recruit_timeline.htm

This is a great source of info on what to do when.

Think of the whole recruiting thing as somewhat like a junior high school dance - all the players on one wall all the coaches on the other... someone has to get out there and ask the other one to dance... Smile
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
mofireman - you are getting great advice. The fact that you are this proactive about things makes me think your son will find an excellent college to play at. You can make some of your own determinations to set your mind at ease. You have your showcase ratings for one thing. You also have your own eyes. Not asking you to post an answer to this but how do you think your son performed against the other kids that were at the showcases? If he stood out in your mind, more than likely he'll stand out to the college recruiters as well. You and him can attend some college practices this fall and next fall. Attend all levels. Attend some JUCO's, D3's, D2's, D1's if possible and watch the skill levels you see at practice. See if you can see where your son might have comparable skills. My son and I attended a practice the fall of his senior year and we both could tell his skills were better than those we saw on the field that day. It also encouraged us to pursue a higher level of baseball.

Finally, there are objective things you can work on to almost guarantee things. Keep working on long tossing to build arm strength. This can be objectively measured when at the end of a session, let one fly and mark where the ball landed. Hopefully, over time, the mark will move further out. Keep working on his speed. Help him work on his diet so he gains proper weight and muscle. Keep hitting. If he is not a power hitting third baseman, maybe he makes up for that by being a great hitter and perhaps a really good gloveman with a strong arm. If power is his game, some coaches will look the other way on his speed. Keep working to improve. It will happen for him.
T TripleDad500+ posts
MOfire, I would not expect too much comunication from coaches this fall other than questionnaires and possibly a few letters or hand written notes. And of course camp invites. You should understand that this fall coaches are busy recruiting their 2009 class. They may love your son, but he ain't going anywhere and they can get a good look at him next summer. (Monster stud ball mashers and 85+ lefties exempt from last sentence)

I cannot stress enough: NOW is the time to lay down the foundation for next summer.

Writing letters and/or e-mails is a great start, but I would suggest 1 or 2 showcases this fall.
Some coaches may like what they see and plan to track him next summer. You can also see how he stacks up talent wise.

My son is an 09 and was injured last fall and part of the spring. We were not able to attend any camps or showcases and I think it really would have helped get on the radar better. Letters are important to send, but there is nothing like being seen in person. I think it is especially true for a position player.


Hey Rob, I see you changed your pic. Very cool! I am hopeful I can change mine sometime.

B
YoungGunDadYoungGunDadHSBaseballWeb member since 2005
It's really amazing just how much and hard schools are still recruiting for players after graduating. I know that the June MLB draft helps some clear up some roster spots along with finding diamond in the roughs on occasion.

My son had D1 dreams and aspirations early but soon found out that he wasn't D1 material so he backed up and punted. He started focusing on D2, NAIA, and D3 schools.

One thread you may want to read mofire is a thread over on the recruiting questions thread that the subject line is "UGA over-recruited?". It wouldn't hurt to read this and share with your son the ups and downs of what signing D1 could mean.
FungoFungoHighly Regarded and Beloved Old Timer
mofireman,
If it makes you feel any better most parents don't know what level their son can play after high school including myself. All have given you great advice.

Rob Kremmer is right on when he said: "No matter how objectively you try to look at your son, as a father, you just don't know."
Example: When my son was 14 he had a coach named Charlie Lea a former MLB pitcher (Charlie Lea) . Charlie also had a son the same age as my son on the team. Charlie approached me when his son was about a sophomore or junior in high school and asked me --- "What level of college ball do you think my son can play"? I was caught totally off guard --- I asked him -- "Why in the world would you ask me that question? You know a million times more about baseball than me?? I will never forget his answer --- "I don't have a clue --- I'm his father".
Fungo
M mofireman10+ posts
Thanks again for the information you all.

Cleveland: Personally, I think my son can play baseball at some level in college. I can tell you that he has the love for the game, work ethic, an arm that's been called "very live," the competitive approach to the game, and the ability to hit for power from both sides of the plate. He is a position player (3B) and most recently ran a 7.33 60 yd. I will heed your advice about trying to attend some college practices at the different levels of college. Would be great for him to see that first hand.

Tripledad: Thanks for your advice also. How about a few more specifics on the foundation of a good summer?? We're already looking at working out for a coach this weekend, who has a college prep team that plays at different levels of college campuses for next summer. Venues like KU, Emporia State, Central Missouri, K State etc. I've always heard that the summer after their Junior year is often times the most important season to get out there! Obviously you agree with this??!

Thanks to all! I've just been wondering lately how to anticipate if/what level he might be able to play.
Rob KremerRob Kremer1,000+ posts
Fungo that is a great story! He knew a lot about baseball, to be sure, but it seems he also knew quite a bit about parenting!

mofire: sounds like he has all the physical and mental tools he needs. Your job over the next year and a half to two years is to guide him toward the best possible fit.

The goal we always had with my son was to end up at the best combination of academics and baseball at which he could compete. Until very recently I did not know whether this would be a DIII college, and Ivy, or a DI somewhere. There was no reason to shut any doors.

I know exactly how it is as you enter that critical junior year. It can be a bit nerve wracking because of all the uncertainty. What does it really mean when a coach sends a handwritten note ... is a program really interested or do they just want you at their camp ... there are all sorts of unknowns that will be settled only in an excruciatingly slow motion drama.

So relax. All you can do is put him in the right situations to be seen. If his talents match what a program needs, they will pursue him.

Here's my one bit of concrete advice: look at the rosters of the programs your son is interested in. Ask the coaches if they will be recruiting a 3rd baseman from the 2010 class. If they are not, then move on. (Unless your son also plays another position, or could do so.)

But enjoy watching him play, and make sure that the pursuit of college opportunities doesn't ruin your enjoyment (and his enjoyment) of just playing.
M mofireman10+ posts
RobKremer: Once again...great advice. Thanks for that! We do enjoy watching him play and do all that we can to assure him that he also needs to enjoy playing the game.

I also appreciate your "concrete advice." I've come to realize that in determining the right fit, coaches are usually very specific with what they are looking for out of a particular recruiting class. If a player is one dimensional, he limits his opportunities at many schools based on their needs for filling that one position. Thanks for reminding us.

We have a lot of work ahead of us and you are all making it a little bit easier. Thanks!
CPLZCPLZ1,000+ posts
My son also was not a blue chipper and between Jr. and Sr. year was virtually unknown. He did wind up with a number of very good D1 offers (RHP).

I have seen two different tacts taken by parents, exposure or marketing. We choose the exposure route. A simple 4 page website that contained,
1. bio and contact info
2. HS, travel and showcase schedule
3. Video of him pitching
4. True Stats

Then when coaches would show interest, either from our initiation or theirs, we would direct them to the website. Most often, after viewing, they revealed their sense of interest.

Our efforts guarded against "marketing" as we thought it just better to let the stats, info and video do the talking. There seemed to be so much "hype" out there from people who were marketing, throwing around big numbers, we thought it better to keep quiet (a hard thing for most parents, myself included) and put my son out front to speak for himself.

Best of luck to you and your son.
W Will1,000+ posts
quote:
what level of college baseball your son may be capable of playing?


Now matter how you slice it it is not what you think but what college coaches think. what they see or dont see. a couple years ago I was attending a high school game and was sitting with a friend who was an assistant d1 coach. he was there because somebody reccommended he come and watch a kid pitch. so he did. After a few innings he saw what I saw. It was objective. the kid did what he did. Nothing special. Maybe the next game that coach attends he might have a "wow" A wow is when you see something and you say wow.

The bottom line is what the objective evaluation brings. As far as level there is this feeling if for some reason a kid does not play d1 he is somehow playing inferior baseball. Maybe you should look and see the success of d2 and d3 players.

Just let things happen. If the kid can play he can play. period
M mofireman10+ posts
I guess part of my reasoning in asking how/when could we know if/what level he may be able to play at is due to the advice of "contact those schools you're interested in playing at," and "put yourself on the coaches radar of those schools you'd like to attend."

I suppose that even if he were to (hypothetically) be a DIII or even an NAIA caliber player, that he wouldn't be hurting anything by contacting a few higher level schools early on in the process. At least he's being proactive and taking action in the process.

A lot of what I'm hearing is "be patient" and that's what we're going to do.

Thanks again!!
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
quote:
I suppose that even if he were to (hypothetically) be a DIII or even an NAIA caliber player, that he wouldn't be hurting anything by contacting a few higher level schools early on in the process. At least he's being proactive and taking action in the process.

mo - no need to limit yourself to anything at this point or have any pre-conceived notions. Based on your asessment:
quote:
I can tell you that he has the love for the game, work ethic, an arm that's been called "very live," the competitive approach to the game, and the ability to hit for power from both sides of the plate. He is a position player (3B)

There are coaches at all levels of baseball who would like to have someone like that imho. Expose him to all of them so you can find out. It never hurts anything and it is always good to try.
Last edited by ClevelandDad
O Orlando1,000+ posts
Mo, you've already gotten good advice, and there is a wealth of information on this site. The message boards are a fantastic source of information, but so are the archived articles --- take a look around the whole place!

Choosing colleges to concentrate on can be overwhelming. There's the level of baseball and the matchup there....and there's academics to consider with his choice of field of study, where it's located, and costs. Some research together will make the process more focused and manageable.

One of the best bits of advice given here is to choose a school where your son would be happy without baseball; it keeps the baseball decision in perspective.

Along with preparing him for baseball, remember academic preparations, like the NCAA Clearinghouse and to make sure his grades make him an even more attractive candidate for recruitment. Coaches don't want to be concerned about a player's academic eligibility.

Exciting times ahead!
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
Great story Fungo!

Good posts and advice. We didn't know what level our son could play either until he attended a PG showcase. I suggest for any parent during sons junior year (if not already done so) to attend a RELIABLE showcase that will evaluate his skills, this gives you a direction to head in when doing your own homework when contacting coaches and programs.
Attending different levels of college games is helpful as well if you get a chance.
Last edited by TPM
M mofireman10+ posts
So it seems that many of you believe that the rating that the players receive after a "PG" showcase is actually a pretty good indicator of what level a player might project at??

Your sons' rating at these events were "right on" with what level of colleges pursued him, or that he ended up attending? Interestingly enough, we received an invite for an upcoming PG Showcase in Cedar Rapids coming up in October. I've just not signed our son up for it yet. Sounds like a handful of those posting here believe it would certainly be a worthwhile investment though!!

Thanks TPM!!
M mofireman10+ posts
pitchersmom2012: A prospect team is basically a competitive team that is made up of quality players who more than likely have good college or mlb projectability. These teams are hand picked by someone who hopefully knows what it takes to compete at the next level and has an understanding of how to help further develop these players.

Welcome to HSBBW fellow Missourian!!
P pitchersmom201210+ posts
Mo, thanks for the info. Another question: How do those doing the hand picking find out about a player? How do you get hand picked? Oh boy, this is too much for a mom to handle. I liked when my son was on a CYC team and it was all for fun. Now I need to become knowledgeable! What a great website as my son moves into high school Smile We live in St. Louis and my son will be going to DeSmet. You?
P PGStaff10,000+ posts
pitchersmom,

DeSmet has produced some top "prospects". I suggest that you talk to the coach and ask for advice.

BTW, two of the nation's best prospects over the past two years are from the St Louis, Mo. area. 2008 grad Tim Melville (RHP) from Wentzville and 2009 grad Jacob Turner (RHP)from St Charles. Both were Aflac All Americans.
infidel_08infidel_081,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by mofireman:
So it seems that many of you believe that the rating that the players receive after a "PG" showcase is actually a pretty good indicator of what level a player might project at??


I think so. Click on the advertisement at the top of this page. On the PG website's upper left corner is a player search. Enter a last name randomly; yours, a friend's or maybe look up this year's #1 draftee Tim Beckham. Chances are that they have evaluated someone who shares that name. Check out what they have written for this player. Look at the related websites as well. There is a ton of free content which should convince you that PG really knows what they are doing.
Last edited by infidel_08
P pitchersmom201210+ posts
PGStaff, thanks for the info. I will definitely talk to his coach when (if) he makes the team Smile From the short time I've been a member here, I have gathered that although I have to be proactive for my son, things will definitely play out if he has what it takes. What a great site. It's tough being the mom and "dad" when you have a son who loves playing sports as much as mine does. I think I've done a good job so far, but boy do I have a lot to learn if he starts to get noticed. And since he is supposed to be 6'9", he WILL get noticed! LOL Is there a forum on where to buy used cleats for a 14-year-old who outgrows them every month and just got a new pair of 14's today? Lord have mercy.
Last edited by pitchersmom2012
08Dad08Dad1,000+ posts
As a parent of a pitcher who went through that phase of growing through cleats like crazy and has large feet, we found that buying them this time of year on eastbay.com was a good value. They are clearing out this years model and making room for the new models. Since he was going through cleats every 6 months, model was not that critical. Smile

As for Perfect Game, my son's experience was that they were the best showcase organization by far... it was not even close...
Last edited by 08Dad

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