Initiating Contact

Welcome to the posting side!

There are many threads on this site about contacting coaches and the proper way to put together videos.  Just search the topic - it will be very helpful.  There is also much discussion about timing of recruiting.  Yes, D1 P5's are of course the earliest as he has witnessed by three of his travel teammates having already verbally committed.  A few things to keep in mind though... one, you said he has "potential" to be a D1 P5 OF.  You want to make sure he is currently showing enough of that potential before putting him in front of those schools.  Two, be aware that the earliest recruits are almost always P's and SS's.  Also, many top schools will recruit a bunch of SS's and after one wins out at SS, others will be disbursed to OF spots.  Is he a speed guy or a power guy?  What are his plus plus tools?

It may make sense for him to initiate contact during summer ball when travel coaches can advocate for him.  I say this partially because there are restrictions with player contact when players are that young (on the school's part - not on the player).  And also, it gives him a bit more time to develop more of his potential and stir up more awareness and demand.

I obviously haven't seen the player so you have to take this FWIW.  If he is clearly already a D1 stud, that can change things.  There is also much more to consider when it comes to colleges.  Remember, after all, the primary purpose of college is to get a degree in the student's desired career field or field of interest.  

Thanks CABBAGEDAD, you honed in on my exact concerns about not putting him front of coaches before he is ready. He's really good, but as of now he is not a stud that would draw national attention. He's a speed guy (6.5/60) who is a consistent, clutch hitter, and can steal bases. He also had 3 in the park homeruns this year between HS and travel. He is a defensive beast in the OF. His arm and hitting velos are avg/slightly above for his age, but he needs to get stronger. As far as academics, he is a 3.6 GPA kid taking honors classes. He probably will not be "high academic" (though possible), but we are definitely keeping his academics a priority. He doesn't have any idea what his career goals are at this time, but all of the schools on his list are good academically as well. 

When it comes to deciding when to initiate contact at a school, does it make any difference if we know he's already on that HC's watch list? In other words, should we wait if we know a coach might be interested already? 

Good advice on video's above and in prior threads.  If he is D1/P5 etc, make sure he is on a travel org that plays the tournaments most viewed by his "ten" local schools.  There is a limit to what you/family can do.  Biggest thing is for the kid to get the right instruction, play for the right travel team and get bigger, stronger, faster.

The worst you can do is worry about the other 2021's and their commitments and recruiting.  Nothing wrong with talking to the parents of these kids to learn what you can, just have filters on and consider if what they say fits your nephews situation.

Schools choose the kid in most cases, not the other way around.

When you reach out to schools be prepared to get camp invites scripted in many ways to include semi-personal invites and one's that appear to be for YOUR son. It's the way colleges fund their various coaches in the program. I would attend the ones on your target list even if your son is a freshman. That is one way to absolutely get in front of the coach/es and establish contact.

Zia2021 posted:

When it comes to deciding when to initiate contact at a school, does it make any difference if we know he's already on that HC's watch list? In other words, should we wait if we know a coach might be interested already? 

Not sure I would take the "initiate contact" route myself. When the time is right put him in front of the coaches at the schools of interest. Either by attending camps or showcases/tournaments where they will be. If they are interested they'll get a hold of you. Yeah you can send videos etc but why? Like I said if they are really interested they'll contact you. If they're not "really interested" I'd move on. Not sure I'd send my player somewhere I'd had to sell him to.

Having done this I'd advise you to be ready for some disappointment and stress if you are going to pick schools ahead of time unless the kid is a absolute stud. Some coaches have a certain kind of player they look for and no matter how good they are short of the "stud"  thing if you don't fit that mold they just won't be interested.

My kid was a pretty good player. Received a lot of interest. Had seven different offers when he committed. The school he ended up at didn't come into the process until late. Didn't think they had a chance. As of now he couldn't be happier. 

Zia....you say he's "on the radar" of a couple of the schools.  If this is truly the case, then yes, go ahead and initiate contact.  Even if it's just an email that says "Hi coach, ' my names Jonny, I am a 2021 from  Jonnyville HS.  I am an OF.  I'm interested in your school and your program.  I play summer ball for Jonnyville Travel"  Include any "verified" measurables....especially the 6.5/60 time, that will draw notice immediately.  If you have some video, include that too.  No need to worry about stats from HS or travel....they aren't interested in those numbers.   Agree with others....find a travel team that will get him in front of the coaches of the schools he's interested in.  If possible, include the phone numbers to his HS coach or travel coach.  College coaches can call them they can't call your nephew.   This is a great place to get info and get your questions answered.  Most of us don't mind a PM if you are asking specific questions that you don't want to ask publicly.   Good luck

I have a son who is a 2021 as well,   checks a lot of the boxes good projectible size,  throwing hard, but he wouldnt be ready to verbally commit to a team right now.   Im assuming this summer he will get seen and thats our goal is to be ready to show what he has and keep getting stronger, faster and more consistent between now and then and then hopefully get a chance to visit schools to see what they are about.  

At this point I think you are on the right path  if he has teammates with offers  your on a good team,   he's got a list of schools he is interested in,  and he got good grades 1st semester.