Is something wrong with my son? I feel like I'm missing something

@Giff posted:

He's on a top of the line travel team (maybe too good as they have several of the top 2024 catchers so he doesn't get much time behind the plate, he DH's every game) that team includes a catcher committed to LSU and one committed to Vandy who are both ranked in the top 50. option right now.

Seems to me you just answered your own question. Coaches want to see a kid play and they aren't seeing yours do that. And, I'll just say it, the first thing that came to my mind is why on earth would this guy let his son sit the bench behind two top 50 players.

Your son sounds like he is a very talented player.  I think there are many here who have been in your shoes, and wonder what is going on here.     Based on what you shared, I'm questioning the outbound communication by your son to these programs that have seen him.....you didn't mention anything there.   It appears he is attending many showcases and tournaments but not getting traction based on your post.   How is he introducing himself to these coaches, attending the showcase/camps and then following up?   Is his travel/high school coach involved in the process or reaching out on your son's behalf?

There is a big difference between marketing and sales.   Your son is marketing his capabilities, but it appears he is not really selling himself to these coaches.   Selling is the grunt work, on-going communications, and operations that needs to happen to close the deal.   I didn't get the sense your son was constantly selling himself to these programs, nor any mention of a travel coach helping sell your son's skills.   It is possible he is doing these things, but you didn't mention it so that was my first thought.

JMO.  Good luck!

Thanks JMO! I can say we have been sending out e-mails and have just recently hired an agent from Elite Sports Advising. Maybe that's the way to do this. It just didn't seem like many of our emails were being read (although I cant prove that, of course). I'll stay at it on that front.

As far as the travel team, I think it is accurate to say we should have gone in a different direction. It feels pretty late to switch teams now, but it is a team where most of the guys were in the top 300. And anytime I think to switch teams, I worry about any fallout from that move--it happens. This team was competitive to win the whole WWBA each of the last few years, but this seems to be the down-side of the "stacked" travel team, lots of talent at each position.

Have you had a conversation with the travel coach or head of organization about this?  That is essential; they are the people who should be able to tell you what is going on.

I think that is the real problem "anotherparent", we're having communication issues with the travel coach. I generally like him, but we're in crunch time and need help. The agent we hired has actually been very responsive thus far. Maybe I'm just so used to failing to get a response that I'm just happy to get one-- it is nice to have him around.

As a retired Marine and combat veteran I sometimes wonder where we find all the fake tough-guys in this travel ball world. As a father, I'm looking for a good human being that loves the game to Coach my son and hopefully teach him the skillset and passion for the game necessary to succeed. That seems to be a hell of a lot to ask for in the modern travel ball world.

Giff:

As the "founder" of the Area Code games [1987 to 2004], during our 12 tryouts from California to Texas to East Coast, I attended every tryout to observe the players, pro scouts and College Coaches. Never did I receive this question from the parents.

Why DO YOU NOT CHARGE THE PLAYERS?

The College Coaches are NOT interested in Showcase "ranking"!

They are interested in players, who know how to "win" games with their bat, glove, feet, arm and above all their brain. What catchers glove, Wilson or Rawlings?

Does he have the 6th tool?

Bob

@Giff posted:

and have just recently hired an agent from Elite Sports Advising. Maybe that's the way to do this.

OK, any one here will tell you that I have always loathed others that were willing to call out someone for being "that parent". I got the vibe after the first post, the above confirms it for me. The problem most likely isn't your kid, it's you. My son didn't have the metrics yours apparently does coming out of HS, but he had 7 offers his jr year, including some from highly ranked schools, ended up going to P5. No agent needed.

It's Akums Razor. Your kid hits all the marks but nobody wants to deal with him. Not trying to be a dick. I do understand the desire to help your child. Sometimes one just gets caught up in it.

Recruiting classes are shrinking as D1’s are still dealing with roster logjams coming out of the pandemic, and also utilizing the transfer portal more than ever.

Most likely, that is a large part of what is going on.

@Giff posted:

As a retired Marine and combat veteran I sometimes wonder where we find all the fake tough-guys in this travel ball world.

thank you, sir, for your service!  

Hopefully things will pick up.  If not, a JUCO might be something to look at.  If he was All District in Texas there will likely be several JUCO’s that would want him.  

“Somebaseballdad” —thanks for the help. You seem like you’ve got this nailed down. You reminded me why I left this site before. thete are several nice people on here trying to help others out, unfortunately surrounded by “experts” like you with an axe to grind. Bizarre posts with inferences out of nowhere.

Thank you 3and2! Juco is definitely on the table for him, we’ll see.

@Giff posted:

“Somebaseballdad” —thanks for the help. You seem like you’ve got this nailed down. You reminded me why I left this site before. thete are several nice people on here trying to help others out, unfortunately surrounded by “experts” like you with an axe to grind. Bizarre posts with inferences out of nowhere.

I knew that wouldn't go over well but I tried. If your kid is so good, why isn't he getting offers? Either he's not that good or.... The whole baseball world didn't get together in a group text and decide to f*** your son.

Recruiting for HS players has been getting more difficult every year since 2020. And the recruiting timeline has been getting a little later each of the past few years too. Texas, as you know, is full of good players and a lot of really good 2024s don’t have offers yet. But I have noticed that very few of them have adjusted their sights in light of all the events that have negatively impacted recruiting - the most obvious being the trifecta of extra years of eligibility, the transfer portal, and the reduction of the MLB draft to 20 rounds. All these things have had the combined effect of keeping players in college longer. Rosters are full of older guys that have enough experience that a kid straight of of HS rarely has a chance to take playing time away from them. My first comment is to forget about the metrics. Metrics alone don’t make any player a D1 guy. Coaches need to see your son play. Maybe he could guest play on another team that will put him on the field more often. My second comment would be to cast a wider net. If you aren’t looking for JuCo opportunities you should be. There is a JuCo showcase in Dallas on July 13 that I will be attending. If that doesn’t work for you look for other events on JuCo campuses. JuCo baseball in Texas is very good and is the best route for the majority of non HA players coming out of HS. Feel free to send me a PM if you want to talk specifics.

My son got offers later than a lot of guys in his cohort. I do think your son is being impacted by the transfer portal and last year of COVID seniors. I also think he might be in that space where mid majors might not think he's interested.... What kind of support is his travel coach providing?

@SomeBaseballDad posted:

I knew that wouldn't go over well but I tried. If your kid is so good, why isn't he getting offers? Either he's not that good or.... The whole baseball world didn't get together in a group text and decide to f*** your son.

Tequila? Vodka? What we drinking!

You mentioned you've had contact with Pepperdine. I personally know a 23' who committed to Pepperdine in January of his Senior year, and got athletic money. So it looks like maybe they recruit a bit later than most D1s, and you may have some time with them.

@IAmThatGuy posted:

Tequila? Vodka? What we drinking!

Nothing. Coaches don't pass on talent for no reason. Either the reason is he's not as talented as stated or he is but there is a big red flag. Maybe that red flag is he hits to all fields with power while batting .197 and k'ing 75% of the time, but there is something there. The #3 ranked catcher in TX doesn't get recruited by the Naval Acadamy, because they would know they don't have a chance. My son's former team, that made it to a super regional, would jump all over him, given the stats stated. Or KY, or IU, or NC, or TCU. I could go on...

adbono— awesome advice, thank you! We are spoken for on that July 13 date but I’ll reach out. JuCo in Texas is really good from all I hear and want to make sure my son is aware of all those opportunities. Here locally, the JC has reached out and he really liked the Coach. But yes, you hit on so many important issues changing the landscape. The top of the top don’t seem to be affected but those underneath, the “mid major” types are feeling these changes.

947– yes sir! He’s heard from Coach Worth and Hirty. That seems like an amazing opportunity but some of the communication fell off the last few months. I’m glad to hear that this may just be the ebb and flow of the recruiting process.

Thanks to all for preaching patience. It’s stressful for me and I am trying to maintain distance through this process so it’s his recruiting. I get that, I just need some advice now and then on when and where to be. Also the “sales” vs “marketing” above is excellent advice. Thank you

@IAmThatGuy posted:

Tequila? Vodka? What we drinking!

Iced tea. Now it’s up my nose after reading your post. Cheers!