Is the Coach really Interested or ???

You'll never really know unless you start writing back. If you're interested in a school (and not just interested in whether they are interested in YOU), fill out the forms, write a letter to the coach and tell him more about yourself. It's kind of a waste of time if the college isn't what you want or the level you want to play at. But if one of these schools is what you want, you've obviously gotten on a mailing list..better than not being on it. So take advantage. Maybe they are looking for players to come to their camps. If you like the school and swing the money for the camp, maybe you should. But you'll never know what these guys are thinking. Not until they're talking to you about recruiting..then you'll know. But you can't start talking until you take the first step of writing.

Newcomer, ducbollea is correct, write back all the schools you are interested in to start a dialogue with coach. You may get enough out of them to help decide whether to attend their camp. I can speak from experience, my son failed to do any responses to the letters, flyers other than taking his time filling out prospect questionnaires. We'll never know where he stood with these schools because of this. Another way to judge interest is if they ask for your transcripts. I know its hard for young people to communicate with adults in this type of situation but once you get the hang of it, you'll get good at it.

Ask yourself how they got your info especially your email address ? Is it from a paid for list ?

It is said by many that on or after July 1 after your Junior year, if you receive a call from a head coach, not an assistant, you are being recruited.

OLD SLUGGER

Not true in every case

Many schools have asst coaches who are in charge of recruiting and they are "the man" in the process

quote:

Originally posted by OLDSLUGGER8:
It is said by many that on or after July 1 after your Junior year, if you receive a call from a head coach, not an assistant, you are being recruited.

I have never heard of this and I can definetly say that this was not always the case in our recruiting experience. It may just be that all coaches do things differently. A top prospect with many choices is definetly going to get the royal treatment, perhaps even calls to parents to help them feel more comfortable to. HC's pay their assistants well to recruit, and often times they are not even invloved until later or until an official visit.

IMO, who cares where they got your name, answer the questionaire (if you are intrested), do well on the field and in the class, and the rest will take care of itself. Just remember the questionare is most likely the beginning of a fact finding mission, you need to take care of business for it to happen if that school is of interest to you.

quote:

How do you know who is really interested in recruiting you as a student/athlete or is just playing the game?

You don't, but it really doesn't matter.

It is time for you to show them who you are. Be a gentleman, make some new "friends".

Recruiting, in all it's "forms" is a numbers game. The more numbers in play, both for schools and for you, the greater the opportunity to recruite. What does that mean for you?

Write a couple of nice "form letters" where all you need to do is change the name of the school and coach and off it goes. The more schools that you put into play, the greater the opportunity that you can help yourself to be recruited.

In the end, which is more important to you, being recruited or being known as a gentleman? Baseball will come and go, but you have the rest of your life ahead of you, take advantage of the time you have and be known as a gentlman.

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
OLD SLUGGER

Not true in every case

Many schools have asst coaches who are in charge of recruiting and they are "the man" in the process

many is not all

OLD SLUGGER

I know what I wrote

Read it again--not talking about all--my statement says many

Just the same--thanx for your astute advice and your efforts to educate this "old ****"

Ducbollea -

Having just gone through this whole process with my son, here are my best words of wisdom.

1. - Most of what comes in the mail in the form of camps is just that. An invitation to a camp. This is how teams pay for trips to southern areas and/or other things. Camps are usually fundraisers for the school baseball program. However - if the school interests you then consider attending but unless you have a lot of money, be choosy.

2. While coaches can't contact you directly they can send you info. Fill out the questionairres (as many as you want). Coaches change schools and take their "recruiting" lists with them or share them with other coaches. DON'T BLOW-OFF ANYONE. Respond with a letter or e-mail leting them know your interest and fillout that questionairre ASAP.

3. Call, Call, Call. You can call every coach you want. This does not violate NCAA rules. A phone call to the coach is THE BEST WAY to start your relationship with the schools you're intersted in. Coaches can't call you back however until July of the summer between your junior and senior year.

4. Start the NCAA Clearing House registration process.

5. Consider a skills video (short - no more than 5 minutes. It's like a "virtual showcase". Post it on YouTube then when you get contacted you can let the school know about your video. (Before making your video check out others on YouTube - Try searching the term NCSA).

6. It is never to early for you to draw attention to yourself. Research the schools you might even be remotely in. Look at the athletic websites of the schools and fillout those questionarres. The more the better.

Never forget that the best thing you can do is reply to a coach. You never know when or if they might take a job at a school you do like. It's OK to tell them that their school doesn't fit your needs but you appreciate their interest. For those you like, get on the phone. Introduce yourself, tell them you received their information and ask if their is anything they would like from you. If you talk to an answering machine then leave a message. Tell them who you are and why you are calling. Tell them you will try calling again then follow through.
Hope of of this is helpful.