Need some feedback on when to send out introductory letters to colleges. My son is a junior this year and when is the best time to contact colleges?
Is fall better to contact than spring?
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If he's a junior, it's never too early. Coaches will have more time in the Fall (as only some JuCos will be involved n Fall Leagues) than in the Spring when they have a full schedule.
I don't see any advantage to waiting. Go for it, and best of luck!
I don't see any advantage to waiting. Go for it, and best of luck!
Longtoss -
I agree with Orlando, now is the time. There are great resources available on this site for getting started. I also suggest taking advantage of the many online prospect forms available on college baseball sites. These are usually easy for the players to use and will contain the specific info the coach is looking for. Then follow-up with a personal letter.
I agree with Orlando, now is the time. There are great resources available on this site for getting started. I also suggest taking advantage of the many online prospect forms available on college baseball sites. These are usually easy for the players to use and will contain the specific info the coach is looking for. Then follow-up with a personal letter.
Looking for some clarification. When you say NOW is the time, are you specifically referring to fall of JUNIOR year or FALL for any year?
jbbaseball,
I was referring to Longtoss' post re: fall of junior year. Your son can contact coaches at any time, but IMO don't wait any later than junior year. At that point you should be researching schools, making a list of those that appear to fit your academic & baseball skills, and starting to make contact. It is a perfect time to provide info on your upcoming spring schedule and plans for the summer where they can see you play.
I was referring to Longtoss' post re: fall of junior year. Your son can contact coaches at any time, but IMO don't wait any later than junior year. At that point you should be researching schools, making a list of those that appear to fit your academic & baseball skills, and starting to make contact. It is a perfect time to provide info on your upcoming spring schedule and plans for the summer where they can see you play.
RHP05Parent-
Thanks for the clarification. The reason I asked is because my son is in his Sophomore year. He was fortunate enough to start on varsity as a freshman. He's received quite a few DII and DIII questionaires, and a few DI's. He has sent them all back with personal letters.
Just wondering if it was too early (as a soph) to contact coaches. Would we be wasting our time?
Thanks for the clarification. The reason I asked is because my son is in his Sophomore year. He was fortunate enough to start on varsity as a freshman. He's received quite a few DII and DIII questionaires, and a few DI's. He has sent them all back with personal letters.
Just wondering if it was too early (as a soph) to contact coaches. Would we be wasting our time?
jbb, not at all - soph yr is great timing - target favorites send intro letters & fill out online profile/questionaires
ltoss - what she meant is, you're still OK, but "times 'a wastin'" - you could have recruiting letters in the box NOW if you had taken action last yr
ltoss - what she meant is, you're still OK, but "times 'a wastin'" - you could have recruiting letters in the box NOW if you had taken action last yr
jb
If you have not already, please take a look at the recruiting time line on the main site. It works.
http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/recruit_timeline.htm
If you have not already, please take a look at the recruiting time line on the main site. It works.
http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/recruit_timeline.htm
It can't hurt to send intro letters, prospect forms, etc., as long as you're not disappointed if you don't get a personal response right away. In fact, I'd send updates each season, highlighting specific accomplishments. My son was so proud of one big award that he actually cited it on the OUTSIDE of the envelope lest the school overlook it in the hundreds of letters they get each week (I'm talking good D1 here). I overheard one scout at a showcase this past season say they do get hundreds at certain times of year and unless something jumps right off the page at them, it gets pushed aside - not trashed, mind you, but let's face it, their resources are limited and they're simply prioritizing. Bottom line, if it's something you really want, keep working it. Prepare yourself and sell yourself. Sophs will likely remain on the back burner for awhile, but don't read that as rejection. It may simply mean you haven't met some threshold (time/talent/need) yet.
Dad04-
Thanks for the info, but quite frankly that's where I'm confused.
The first mention on the timeline of sending out first contact letters is in the fall of your junior year. That is why I posed my question on this thread.
I sense some of the questionaires he received were based on the fact he has already attended two Perfect Game Showcases (Aug'04 SE Underclass & June'05 Sunshine East). We'll continue to discuss his first choices for schools and get some of those initial contact letters out.
Take care.
Thanks for the info, but quite frankly that's where I'm confused.
The first mention on the timeline of sending out first contact letters is in the fall of your junior year. That is why I posed my question on this thread.
I sense some of the questionaires he received were based on the fact he has already attended two Perfect Game Showcases (Aug'04 SE Underclass & June'05 Sunshine East). We'll continue to discuss his first choices for schools and get some of those initial contact letters out.
Take care.
jb
I agree. I don't think you need to start early. Went through the same thing. Attended the PG Undeclass in Ft. Myers after a sophmore fall season on a scout team, all before we found the time line. As such, Jr. was getting noticed (mail) by some before he sent out anything to others. We still stuck to the timeline and sent some intro stuff next (summer) to fall. We were fairly consitant about mailing with updated team schedules, grades, test scores, etc. for the next year. Maybe 3 or 4 mailings total.
I'll tell you why it works. Jr. went on a visit to get his scholly offer. On the coaches desk was his file with every letter he wrote, in order of receipt. That coach went on to win the D2 national championship this past June. sigh. Jr. ultimately picked a D1 school and has not looked back.
The seeds were planted so when he got to Team One South or PG or a tourney between Jr. and Sr. year, he was on watch lists, when it all payed off.
Can you not write one letter, get noticed at a showcase and get signed? I am sure it happens all the time. If I am a coach with 4 letters from a kid and none from another, I know who I'll invite to visit.
As in anything, a little talent and some proactivity goes a long way.
Good luck!
I agree. I don't think you need to start early. Went through the same thing. Attended the PG Undeclass in Ft. Myers after a sophmore fall season on a scout team, all before we found the time line. As such, Jr. was getting noticed (mail) by some before he sent out anything to others. We still stuck to the timeline and sent some intro stuff next (summer) to fall. We were fairly consitant about mailing with updated team schedules, grades, test scores, etc. for the next year. Maybe 3 or 4 mailings total.
I'll tell you why it works. Jr. went on a visit to get his scholly offer. On the coaches desk was his file with every letter he wrote, in order of receipt. That coach went on to win the D2 national championship this past June. sigh. Jr. ultimately picked a D1 school and has not looked back.
The seeds were planted so when he got to Team One South or PG or a tourney between Jr. and Sr. year, he was on watch lists, when it all payed off.
Can you not write one letter, get noticed at a showcase and get signed? I am sure it happens all the time. If I am a coach with 4 letters from a kid and none from another, I know who I'll invite to visit.
As in anything, a little talent and some proactivity goes a long way.
Good luck!