I'm missing something here!

The real deadline varies from school to school. If the coach has a good relationship with admissions he can go as late as the fall semester.quarter starts. On my son's team a HS kid was admitted the week before the semester started. JC players which operate under the same rules as HS players are often recruited last minute including during the summer after their sophmore year.

The problem isn't the application "deadline", its getting genuine interest from a coach.

BB13,
The recruiting process is not over after the summer of HS junior year. You need to be talking to some coaches. It is not too late! It sounds like you are not getting much if any contact from them? What kind of things have you done to generate interest? A lot can happen as the year progresses; after senior year some guys sign pro and open up spots; some guys change their minds and don't sign in November of senior year and open up spots; injuries;... Anyway, point being a coach may find himself in a position to need to fill a spot. So it never hurts to pursue programs you have a "REAL" chance to play for. I agree with CPNM about local JC's, they usually fill up their rosters the summer after senior year. Yet in some areas JC's fill up and are even over run with guys trying to make the team. If you find yourself at a JC, you still need to be talking to 4 year programs to generate interest. Let these schools know you REALLY want to play for them. Coaches also talk and colleges will pick up one or two players to fill holes or gain an arm or utility player on recommendations. So you also need to find out if your school or summer coach will make a few calls or good recommendations for you.

The recruiting process in some cases go on right up until classes start. I have seen a recrutied walk on to a program get a scholarship offer in August when school stated at the end of the month and he switched. Not ideal but it happens. There are a couple of "scramble" periods for colleges and players. After the early signing period in Nov, after the late signing period in April, and after the draft.

BB13 - the baseball recruiting process has little to do with the regular college application process. For colleges with particularly high academic standards there are some questions regarding your academic record - although if they want you - you will not need grades that are good enough to gain acceptance without athletics. If your academic record is particularly weak - there may be some schools that are not realistic. A solid but not exceptional academic record will not scare off most recruiters. Many players are recruited by multiple schools where the player has not made an application.

Think about early comittments - those players are set for a particular college before the application process for their graduation class has even begun.

Thanks, everyone. That is helpful information. I will not assume that the process is over so early! I was thinking of the high academic schools and was wondering if they would be able to recruit after the admissions deadline or whether you pretty much have to dismiss your senior baseball season and get recruited based on your Junior season.

quote:

BB13 asked...I'm confused about the timing of the recruiting process. Specifically, is it all over after the Summer of your Junior year as a practical matter. In other words, does your Senior baseball season mean nothing from a recruiting perspective because you have already made a decision about where you're going to college by then? Even if you haven't made the final decision, what if you didn't even apply to a school that shows interest in you during your Senior season? It seems that you apply for colleges in December and January of your Senior year and make a deposit by May 1st. How will that timing work if you haven't been "locked up" by the Fall of your Senior Season? Further, if you didn't even apply to the school how can they recruit you after the application deadline?

I'm not sure what schools you are most interested in as they all have their own quirks. I'm most familiar with D1, D1 Ivy, D3 and D3 NESCAC schools so I will answer as it relates to them. Sorry in advance as I'm not as familiar with D2, NAIA.

From what I've seen most D1 schools have most of their recruits NLI signed or accepted by the time the Spring high school baseball season starts. You mentioned high academic schools so I'll throw Ivy into the D1 mix above. There are always exceptions, but as a rule that is kind of what happens. Typical Ivy athletes will know in Dec through Early Decision or through a Likely Letter from Admissions starting Oct 1 through Dec of senior year. D1 athletes can sign their NLIs in the Fall, so most of them are also taken care of at that point. There is another Spring D1 NLI signing that is right in the middle of baseball season, so that takes care of almost all D1 recruits right there. Almost all of these players would have been recruited from sophomores all they way to summer of senior year depending on the program and their needs.

For D3 schools it is a few months later. The "hard" recruiting starts to really happen in the Fall of the senior year and ends up until after the high school baseball season is over. The "soft recruiting can happen in their junior year, but they (coaches) don't want to spend their cycles on players who may end up going to a D1. Coaches have to wait for the athletes to be officially accepted through Admissions which doesn't happen until April unless a recruit goes ED or EA. Many NESCACs will push a recruit hard to go ED with a tip or some assistance from a coach called a slot. Also there is a possiblity to walk onto a D3 school without being previously recruited by that school....and these can be very good players.

If you can provide more detail to the board or PM me, we may be able to provide more detail to you.

Thanks, Fenwaysouth...

I was actually thinking about Ivy and NESCAC, so that was helpful. What is confusing me is that it almost seems like you have to apply to the schools (e.g., the NESCACs that you're interested in) and then wait to see if you (a) get in and (b) are "offered" a spot on the roster. If you don't apply to a particular NESCAC school and they want you in mid-season of your senior year, is it too late? Your point about waiting on potential D1 candidates is a good one. In some instances, the NESCAC school may be a better academic choice than the D1 school but if the NESCAC school is not recruiting...instead waiting to see if Little Johnny signs a D1 LOI, doesn't that hurt Little Johnny?

Thanks.

BB13,

D3 coaches are still building their recruiting lists, and they will try to get players that they know what to go to their school by getting them to commit to an ED or EA in the Fall of their senior year. THey can offer the recruit a tip or slot as a way to entice them to go to the school. This actually happens about the same time as the D1 NLI and Ivy LL or Ivy ED. My point earlier was that D3 recruiting starts later because you have the D1 verballing going on in the summer and early Fall. In most cases the D1 (non-Ivy) schools are securing the best athletes before anyone else gets them. If I wasn't clear on that earlier I apologize.

Now, some recruits may have other options with regards to D1s, Ivys, etc...so in that case the D3 coach really wants to get the recruit to go ED to secure his committment. I have been down this path with my son, and I agree it can get somewhat complicated, especially the Ivy stuff. The way we simplified it was to prioritize where he wanted to go. Remember, your recruiting schedule is not the same as the coaches. It is also real important to understand where your baseball talents really are with regards to the different college baseball levels.

Just remember that D1 (non-Ivy) is admission through the Athletic Coach. If the coach wants you, and you meet NCAA requirements you're pretty much in. D1 Ivy and D3 work differently. If a D1 Ivy or D3 Coach wants you,he has to get approval from Admissions and Admissions will have the final word.

I hope that helps. If you have other questions or need clarification, please send me a PM.

quote:

Just remember that D1 (non-Ivy) is admission through the Athletic Coach

I am guessing this must vary greatly from school to school. Based upon my son's experience all of the D1 coaches/athletic department counslers were limted to suggesting certain majors as improving one's chances for admission. The only real effect the coach had on the process was being able to jump the apllication to the front of the line and get it expediated. I know at one college, the coach was not allowed to even speak to the admission's department personel making the decision.

quote:

It seems that you apply for colleges in December and January of your Senior year and make a deposit by May 1st

I would not wait this late to apply if there are schools you are interested in. Almost all D1 schools have a deadline for academic scholarships either December 1st or early December for incoming freshman.

BB13,

You can PM me if you want for more details, but my son applied and was accepted by a high academic D3 after the application deadline. This school was never on his target list and frankly I had never heard of it. He is a high academic kid and the baseball program is nationally ranked year in and year out and they target players like my son. These are kids that are D1 players who have D1 options, but are not blue chip with greater than 50% deals and are looking for an athletic and academic balance. My son’s commitment happened on May 1st (the official acceptance deadline for most schools). He was weighing lower % athletic deals at some D1’s, vs ~ 50% academic opportunities at non-D1 schools. He chose to go the D3 route for a whole bunch of reasons. His options included Ivy’s. Be aware that the admissions councilor at the school did tell me that they would have not considered him after the deadline without his grades and test scores.

He had one D1 that wanted to see him play during his HS season before they would make him an offer and they said that they did not care about the May 1st deadline, and could get him in the school up until August. Like CPNM and fenwaysouth have indicated it can get complex, and coaches may be able to get you into a school, but not in the program/degree your son wants to pursue. I personally know one kid who had a walk on spot at one D1 and was seen in July (after he graduated) and was admitted to another with scholarship $$

My experience is that almost every recruiting case if different, and you need to cast a wide net and don’t leave any stone unturned, and do not assume that your son will be recruited late. As LionPop also said that many D1’s, have academic $$ deadlines in December. Also remember that your chances to walk on to a high performing D3 baseball program are nil unless your son is a total stud, so if you are thinking about a specific school make sure you are in touch with the coaches in advance and apply early.

Good Luck!

My son was called in August a day beofre school started on a Tuesday.He was enrolled and attending classes the following Wednesday.Missed the first two days of classes.Major D1.If they want and need you they can do it.

Now with that said, student still has to have the graades, scores and qualifier vs not to be accepted.The most difficult part was getting everything in oreder for NCAA to be cpmpliant.

Many other kids did not qualify to get in based on the ir Junior college classes as my son had attended JC for one year.

Most players do not leave JC after one year, many dont qualify.By being a qualifier, and taking all the right classes a door opened where it had shut on others.

fan,
I've heard/seen this general statement here before... curious to any detail you can provide. What are the scenarios that create qualifier/non-q from JC to 4 yr? What is the best way to avoid problems?
Apologies to OP for the slight thread diversion.

quote:

Originally posted by cabbagedad:
fan,
I've heard/seen this general statement here before... curious to any detail you can provide. What are the scenarios that create qualifier/non-q from JC to 4 yr? What is the best way to avoid problems?
Apologies to OP for the slight thread diversion.

Qualifier means that the student was eligible for a 4 year program upon graduation (met by clearinghouse). I do beleive if not a qualifier, then the student has to remain in JUCO until the right courses are taken for the right division.
Fanofgame, did I get that right?

TPM correct. So for those kids going the JC route it is beneficial for them to make sure they get cleared by the NCAA, so if an opportunity presents itself they can take advantage of it.

Yes TPM that is correct.

cabbagedad,
The Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete illustrates the requirements to be a qualifier out of high school. Pages 6 to 10.

The Transfer Guide explains the impact on a non-qualifier who transfers from a 2 year college to a 4 year college. Start by reading pages 14-18.

The qualifier rules are different between D1 and D2. For the most part, the NCAA doesn't set qualifier rules for D3.

A prospective student athlete is never required to go to a JC or to stay in a JC. But a non-qualifier typically has to sit out one year, or becomed cured by graduating from a JC. In D1 only, a player may consume a season of competition even though he can't compete.

quote:

What is the best way to avoid problems?

cabbagedad,

Follow 3fingers guidelines, he is the resident go to guy for all the rules.He does an excellent job!!

Im not so good with specifics.

Main thing as a parent :stay on top of it

I know of a 2011 Graduate, RHP, who signed with a top notch D1 baseball school just last week. Somehow he had gone under the radar.

quote:

Originally posted by BB13:
Thanks, Fenwaysouth...

I was actually thinking about Ivy and NESCAC, so that was helpful. What is confusing me is that it almost seems like you have to apply to the schools (e.g., the NESCACs that you're interested in) and then wait to see if you (a) get in and (b) are "offered" a spot on the roster. If you don't apply to a particular NESCAC school and they want you in mid-season of your senior year, is it too late? Your point about waiting on potential D1 candidates is a good one. In some instances, the NESCAC school may be a better academic choice than the D1 school but if the NESCAC school is not recruiting...instead waiting to see if Little Johnny signs a D1 LOI, doesn't that hurt Little Johnny?

Thanks.

My son`s experence with a NESCAC school was a departure from the normal recruiting process.During his Jr. high school season he was being recruited by a few Ivy league and very high academic big east schools. Once he decided that he did not want to play D-1 baseball because of the commitment to the sport during his college days the whole process came to a grinding halt.The NESCAC school he decided to attend he never had any contact with the baseball coaches either before or after the applicaton process but he did contact the coach after he was accepted.He just finished his frosh year there as the closer out of the bullpen after being a catcher his whole career.Granted his school is not to be confused with the cream of the crop in D-3 baseball but there is still very good talent there. Also keep in mind that there is NO fall baseball in the NESCAC.