I'm very nervous

Absolutely. If you have what it takes to play college baseball it will show in the form of present ability. You don't have to play varsity as a sophomore. My son didn't, and he's playing in college.

These college coaches know there are many factors involved with "playing varsity", including many baseball factors, such as program philosophy, older players who are ahead of you who may be better (for now), and even non-baseball factors, like politics.

But give your program the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure they have your best interest in mind. Don't give up, or even be worried, just work twice as hard as anyone else on the team. It'll work out for the best.

Thank you so much. I will definitely take that to heart.

One thing you can do without even stepping on a field is show this coach at your dream school that you have what it takes to be admitted and excel, academically.

quote:

Originally posted by xbaseballkidx11:
About contacting college coaches yet. I am yet to even play a varsity game. I plan on attending multiple showcases this summer, and one of them will be attended by my goal college. I guess my question is, if I don't even play Var in this (my sophomore) season, should I engage the coach that is in attendance, or not?

If it were my son, I would have him already lay the ground work with the schools and coaches that he is interested in by starting the relationship way before the showcase. You can do that by contacting him by phone and/or email (see recruiting tip on the pull out tab toward the left), let him know your interest in his school and what you can bring the table.

Once you have done that, going on unofficial visits and going to their games when they know you are there are also very effective.

Once you are in the showcase, you have already differentiated yourself from the rest of the pack and they maybe more apt to watching for you perform well.

You may not be able to say more than a hello at the showcase, but it will be much more meaningful than a first time meeting.

Good Luck and enjoy the ride!

baseballkid - I have read several of your posts and you seem like an enthusiastic go-getter kind of kid. I'll give you some unsolicited advice. Take the tag off your posts. Things are not always as anonymous as they seem and the impression given is sometimes more important than reality. You would not want to have to explain the tag if the Head Coach at your goal college asked about it. Little things.

I've been meaning to remove it. It was just a favorite line me and my dad share from the book. Very good point.

Antzdad- I can excel academically, but I am just not sure how to go about showing him that?

Keep your grades up. Way up. I wish I took a picture of my son squirming when a head coach was grilling him about a D he got during one freshman marking period.

Haha, whether I am playing baseball or not, straight A's is expected in the house.

Homerun04- Which do you think would be better? A phone call? An email? Or follow one up with the other?

quote:

Originally posted by xbaseballkidx11:
Homerun04- Which do you think would be better? A phone call? An email? Or follow one up with the other?

I would start with Email, include what is suggeted in the recruiting tab on the left, since it will most likely be difficult to get a hold of him on the phone and based on your year, he would not be able to call you back.

I know its a little tougher finding good showcases/camps in Oklahoma, more of a football state. I am from there but moved to Tx.

Its never too early and never wrong to contact the schools you would like to attend and play ball. Be proactive, do your research. Just play hard whatever team your on, get seen and get heard. Visit schools whenever you can, fill out the questionaires at the school website and introduce yourself. Secondly, very important, is grades, because 1, when you do go to college, it will make it easier on you and your parents financially, which will keep you there and 2. Other schools will take notice as well realizing you are a good student. Dont sell yourself short, contact all juco's in Oklahoma if that is where you want to play, D2's like Cameron U in Lawton, E Central in Ada, N Eastern St in Talequah, Ok Panhandle in Goodwell, Se Ok St in Durant, SW Ok St in Weatherford and U of Central Ok in Edmond. If you havent used berecruited.com, I recommend it. Set up a free profile and invite all your favorite colleges to view it,(TX, NE, MO, AK, LA, ANYWHERE.

You have got to get your name out there so the best way to do it is let everyone know who you are and talk to every coach you can right now. Send them videos of game situations; several times if needed. even if they don't watch them they will remember your name eventually. You really have to be a salesman in this very competitive game. Good luck to you!