If you sign JUCO now but D1 calls later

I know several that have done this. The JC coach will not be happy but they don't stand in the way. They really have little recourse. I remember talking to a D111 JC coach who complained about a pitcher who did that and he said there was nothing he could do about it.

An athlete can conceivably sign 3 different letters of intent (JUCO, NAIA, D1/D2) none of which has any bearing on the other.

I'm not so sure this is a common event. JUCO's usually are great options for DI prospects that don't have the academics, i.e. SAT / ACT and GPA to be accepted to a DI school. JUCO letters of intent are signed in January, correct? Early signing for DI and DII is November so I would think the best prospects have already signed.

DI schools are becoming more and more selective academically because of penalties associated with players who struggle to get good grades in school. I don' understand why a kid would commit to a JUCO and then disrespect the coach and go to a DI. If that kid fails to catch on with the DI... the JUCO coach and every other coach he networks with will know that this kid does not honor his word. That's a bad rap he won't easily get over.

Now the scenario between attending DI and singing a pro contract is a whole different animal.

I'd like to know a little more detail about the situation. Why did he sign with a JUCO?

quote:

Originally posted by PA Dino:

I'm not so sure this is a common event. JUCO's usually are great options for DI prospects that don't have the academics, i.e. SAT / ACT and GPA to be accepted to a DI school. JUCO letters of intent are signed in January, correct? Early signing for DI and DII is November so I would think the best prospects have already signed.

There still is a "late" early signing period in April. But for the most part you are correct in that I think the TOP talent has already been signed in November.

DI schools are becoming more and more selective academically because of penalties associated with players who struggle to get good grades in school. I don' understand why a kid would commit to a JUCO and then disrespect the coach and go to a DI. If that kid fails to catch on with the DI... the JUCO coach and every other coach he networks with will know that this kid does not honor his word. That's a bad rap he won't easily get over.

I would have never thought in a million years how many kids actually do struggle with academics their first semester and for whatever reason, transfer to a JUCO during the Christmas break. If a student-athlete is borderline in school I would be cautious about burning a bridge with a JUCO coach. What if you have to come back to him during break needing a place to attend school and be eligible academically to play? Thin ice here to me.

Now the scenario between attending DI and singing a pro contract is a whole different animal.

Is "singing a pro contract" sorta like a singing telegram? lol. (sorry, but it was there.)

I'd like to know a little more detail about the situation. Why did he sign with a JUCO?

Interesting question with some great responses. My son just signed with a great JUCO program. I wondered the same thing. If he has a monster senior season mashing the ball, and a DI happened to need a power hitting first baseman. What would we do?

I have to say it would have a lot to do with the school, the offer and the conversation he has with his JUCO coach.

He's not at the JUCO for academics, he's a great student with good enough grades and test scores for just about any DI short of Ivy league type schools.

He's at a JUCO for baseball. To get to a DI school at some point in the future...or not. If that point comes after his senior season in HS, then I guess he's got some soul searching to do!!

1BDAD hit it on the head, that was exactly the question that my son asked me. If he has a monster senior year & the D1's come calling, is it against the rules to change to the D1 school? I know that it may not be kosher but should he chase the dream of playing at the school he's always wanted to play for or should he honor his commitment to play at the JUCO & hope that his dream school comes calling back after his freshman year? I know it would be a tough decision to make but it could possibly be one that he may face. Thanks for all the replies.

Juco coaches know this is a possibility when they get the LOI from a talented player. If you or your son feels uncomfortable from an ethics standpoint, it could be brought up that the possibility of going DI is there if the right offer pops up.

IMO, signing a LOI with a Juco is nothing more than saying you will not be playing at another Juco within the same governing body. It does not say you will pass up all other opportunities.

One thing that players should consider. JC programs want to win. When certain DI coaches know you have signed with a JC, they might leave you alone. This is because some DIs work closely with JC coaches. Recruiting players “from” that JC. Taking the JC player before he plays at that JC can cause some hard feelings. This can strain the relationship between the DI and JC coaches and end up making it harder for the DI coach to recruit future players from that JC. So in some cases, signing that JC LOI can limit the amount of interest from DIs. Especially if the DI that might be interested works closely with the JC and has reason to believe they can get that player and others later.

Probably not the biggest of deals, but still something to consider in certain situations.

Do these same rules apply if you give a verbal commitment to D3? Can you sign D1 or D2 in the Spring?

quote:

JC programs want to win. When certain DI coaches know you have signed with a JC, they might leave you alone. This is because some DIs work closely with JC coaches. Recruiting players “from” that JC. Taking the JC player before he plays at that JC can cause some hard feelings. This can strain the relationship between the DI and JC coaches and end up making it harder for the DI coach to recruit future players from that JC

My son actually had it the other way around. When he called the schools recruiting him to let them know he was committing to his DII choice, two different JUCO's asked if he would be interested in signing also with them I guess in case he changed his mind. He didn't sign though feeling that might not set well with the DII coach.

PGStaff, another good reason for staying with us. Very well said.

this situation is a touchy one and occurs all the time. Bottom line is that college baseball is a business. these coaches are out recruiting to secure the livelihood of their families. when a coach spends time recruiting a guy and gets a commitment he considers the recruiting done at that position. the coach was probably recruiting 3 to upwards of 10 other players at that position. If he gets a commitment, a good coach will call the other players and alert them to the fact that they have filled the position and will no longer be recruiting for it. if down the road you decide to opt out of the scholarship and sign with a D-1 you can see what a hard place the coach is in. He thought he signed the guy that he wanted for the position. He called all of his backup plan recruits and told them he'd no longer be recruiting them. he's cut off phone calls and emails to them. they have moved on and probably signed with other programs. so now the coach thought yesterday and the months prior that he had signed his top guy. now you back out and no one on his top ten list is left. he has to start from scratch and go find another player. that doesn't bode well for him, his program, or the livelihood that he's trying to secure.

be sure when you commit. if you're not sure and you're looking for "greener pastures" then don't commit. explain to the coach that you would like to see what your D1 options are. He'll keep in touch with you but at the same time he'll be able to recruit other athletes. If you throw him under the bus like that he won't be happy and rightfully so. Coaches put in hundreds of hours recruiting each and every year. When something backfires like that it means a lot of work and probably a lesser product considering the available player pool left.

Dannymac, good to hear from the coaches perspective. We knew of a top recruit who like my son had so so grades for D1, signed with JUCO and then D1 came and he went there instead. Son has his JUCO letter of intent to send back to coach, we don't expect any "better" offers. As far as I'm concerned if they come calling its "tough luck" Charlie. They had their chance, too bad their #1 got drafted. His JUCO coach was very encouraging about son's abilities, myself I wished he got more looks at him first. As many have said before, its hard when they play far from home.

Thats great to hear! I'm happy for you and your son. So many people are always looking for something better. They are trying to peak over the top of those who have them 1st on their list and see if anybody else might catch a glimpse of them. Just like you said, everyone is offering their number one recruits early. If you didn't get an offer from a school early then you weren't their number one. I like my chances of success in a program that values me as their number one recruit for that position. If i walk into a program that signed me at the last second because like you said their guy got drafted then it's probably safe to say that my position has already gone on the recruiting list for next season. If i sign with someone who considers me their first option, that program is under the assumption that the position will be taken for a few years and won't go out and sign that position right away. Congrats again and that's great to hear!

Danny

Is it too much to ask where you worked as a D-1 pitching coach ?

haha not at all. i've got nothing to hide that I know of! I was a grad assistant at Louisiana Lafayette after i got done playing there. Took my first job at Monmouth in New Jersey. Then took a job at Okaloosa Walton community college. Then my last job was at Mercer in Georgia. Not a bad job of seeing the country for a small town boy from Nebraska! And if you don't mind me asking, which juco did your son sign with? I understand if you don't want to reveal it.

Danny


Now I know why your name rings a bell--you were with Coach Ehehalt--

Where did you get the idea my son(s) -played JUCO


I have no problem telling where they played--why wouldn't I ?

Oldest played at SUNY New Paltz
Stepson played at Methodist and then Hartford univ
last played at New Mexico State

By the way why would you think I wouldn't want to tell you or "reveal it" as you say---I am proud of them--also proud of the the one who didn't play ball and is now a school teacher

i got lost in my typing when i put junior college. And as far as saying where they played i didn't want to impose if you would rather nobody knew. Absolutely you should be proud of them! New Mexico State... please Lord tell me he was a hitter.... or tell me he had a great sinker! That place is the launching pads of all launching pads. I'm sure that you made it there to see him play and know the layout with the softball field right field foul line turning into the left field foul line for the baseball field... well our first baseman hits a ball that landed in the softball parking lot!! it was unreal. Guess that's what you get when the only thing around they can call trees are Mesquite trees!!