Does anyone have any experience at the JUCO level as far as if an interested JUCO is located 4 states away, who would pay for the visit? Or how would arrangements be made to visit the school that far away at the JCO level?
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Son's JUCO paid for flight and he stayed with team members at their apartment. If they are interested in you the head coach will be doing the contacting.
My son had a JUCO pay for his flight meals and hotel
My son visited JUCO in neighboring state. They paid for flight, hotel and meals. Ditto earlier comment about head coach. That's who you want as your point of contact.
Is it common to sign an NLI without meeting the head coach? I know sometimes assistants or recruiting coaches handle this but shouldn't the head coach want to meet upcoming recruits?
Is it recommended not to sign until you meet the coach?
What about meeting players or watching practices? I think all these are common things that should be done or asked correct?
This probably happens to many recruits but it shouldn't.
Is it recommended not to sign until you meet the coach?
What about meeting players or watching practices? I think all these are common things that should be done or asked correct?
This probably happens to many recruits but it shouldn't.
baseballdad13, I don't know if it's common or not, but in my opinion no prospect should sign an NLI without meeting the head coach. They're the ones that make out the lineup card, not the assistant that's been doing the recruiting!
Thank you Rick, informative as always. Prospect was given a substantial amount in athletic aid but wondering why he was and has not talked to the head coach. Everything sounded great and with the amount of aid at stake, prospect has a starting job next season. Prospect has had contact only with an assistant coach and even visited the school while the head coach was away.
Questions to those who were flown in at the JUCO level, did you work out with the team as well as stay with the players. What else to expect? Did they offer while you were there and if you accepted what things did you take into consideration? Was it hard to make a decision based on one visit to the school?
Each school can and do things little different.
Based on best experience, we didn't fly, we drove. Coach asked prospect if he wanted to stay the night at the dorm where the baseball boys were and it was optional.
Overall experience was about 5 hours. Arrived early, met coaches, toured campus, including weight room, dorm room, practice facilities and field. We then made way to admissions office to go over requirements and received info package. Lunch was next and paid for by school. After that, back at office where it is explained to you why you were recruited and where you fit in their program followed by a question and answer period. Then an offer is made, an NLI, and then a timeline is set to accept it, in this case 14 days to talk it over with family. Yes, you are able to stay and practice with the team on the field until the whole team arrives then its official practice and you have to leave the field and watch. You can also use batting cages so coaches can evaluate you. If the following day they have a home game, you can attend along with 2 others at their expense. If not you are free to go home.
Then you keep in contact with the coach, going over any missed details or questions. You can ask for an increase in athletic aid if you think you can get more, then settle on accepting the offer. Then you apply to the college and get things going from there.
Based on best experience, we didn't fly, we drove. Coach asked prospect if he wanted to stay the night at the dorm where the baseball boys were and it was optional.
Overall experience was about 5 hours. Arrived early, met coaches, toured campus, including weight room, dorm room, practice facilities and field. We then made way to admissions office to go over requirements and received info package. Lunch was next and paid for by school. After that, back at office where it is explained to you why you were recruited and where you fit in their program followed by a question and answer period. Then an offer is made, an NLI, and then a timeline is set to accept it, in this case 14 days to talk it over with family. Yes, you are able to stay and practice with the team on the field until the whole team arrives then its official practice and you have to leave the field and watch. You can also use batting cages so coaches can evaluate you. If the following day they have a home game, you can attend along with 2 others at their expense. If not you are free to go home.
Then you keep in contact with the coach, going over any missed details or questions. You can ask for an increase in athletic aid if you think you can get more, then settle on accepting the offer. Then you apply to the college and get things going from there.
This has nothing to do with this topic but I'm posting it here because my son plays at a Juco. My son is a sophomore at his Juco and is seeing limited pitching opportunities because of some pretty talented kids ahead of him. He was recruited out of high school by a few D1's but decided to go Juco to get even better. Here is my question. Would it be ok if he went to the coach and asked him if he could make calls on his own to a few 4 year schools and try and set up a time to throw a bullpen with them. I mean if he isn't going to pitch at the Juco, it is hard for the other schools to come watch when he is on the bench. He can stil pitch and wants to play at the next level but needs to prove himself. What to do?
In my opinion, it would be best if your son waits until the end of the season to pose that question to his coach. I understand your son's not getting many opportunities, but if his coach is like many, you can be sure he won't get any chances after asking that question.
Besides, if I understand your phrase "set up a time to throw a bullpen with them" to be asking whether he can request a tryout on their campus, keep in mind that Div. I schools can't offer tryouts, and Div. II's can, but only after your son's season is concluded.
Good luck to your son.
Besides, if I understand your phrase "set up a time to throw a bullpen with them" to be asking whether he can request a tryout on their campus, keep in mind that Div. I schools can't offer tryouts, and Div. II's can, but only after your son's season is concluded.
Good luck to your son.
I think once a four year coach is contacted the first thing he will do is call your son's coach to get an opinion about your son. So I would tell the coach what he is doing before he starts the process. Even ask the coach what he thinks about him doing this.
Recruiters come to jucos all the time to see prospects. They watch BP and bullpens. Players are encouraged to reach out to colleges they have interest in. If asked properly his coach shouldn't be offended. Part of what juco coaches do is help their players find spots to play after sophomore year.
Recruiters come to jucos all the time to see prospects. They watch BP and bullpens. Players are encouraged to reach out to colleges they have interest in. If asked properly his coach shouldn't be offended. Part of what juco coaches do is help their players find spots to play after sophomore year.
Agree with fillsfan, player has to move on to 4 year after sophomore year, JC coach understands that. The sooner you start the better chance of getting into a program that wants you.
I see a big red flag for any recruited player that hasn't had any contact with HC.
I see a big red flag for any recruited player that hasn't had any contact with HC.
64,
Son flew in on a Saturday morning by himself in the fall. Head Coach picked him up at the airport and took him out to lunch.
After that, they went to campus for an extensive tour of the facilities, the school and to meet with the pitching coach. As basketball season was in swing, Coach then took him to a tournament there at the school, and introduced him to several members of the alumni booster club, as well as several school administrators who were there.
After the game, Coach checked son into a nearby hotel, and told him he would be back in an hour to take him to dinner. After dinner, it was back to the hotel for the evening.
Coach picked son up next morning, and took him to breakfast, where they were met by the pitching coach. Offer was extended over breakfast, then son was dropped off at airport for return flight.
No time frame was set for acceptance of the offer, as my son had told coach that he had several visits lined up and wouldn't be making a decision until the spring.
No workout was done, no practice attended as the fall season was done at that point. My son had already talked with some players before making the trip, so had a good feel for their viewpoint ahead of time.
Son flew in on a Saturday morning by himself in the fall. Head Coach picked him up at the airport and took him out to lunch.
After that, they went to campus for an extensive tour of the facilities, the school and to meet with the pitching coach. As basketball season was in swing, Coach then took him to a tournament there at the school, and introduced him to several members of the alumni booster club, as well as several school administrators who were there.
After the game, Coach checked son into a nearby hotel, and told him he would be back in an hour to take him to dinner. After dinner, it was back to the hotel for the evening.
Coach picked son up next morning, and took him to breakfast, where they were met by the pitching coach. Offer was extended over breakfast, then son was dropped off at airport for return flight.
No time frame was set for acceptance of the offer, as my son had told coach that he had several visits lined up and wouldn't be making a decision until the spring.
No workout was done, no practice attended as the fall season was done at that point. My son had already talked with some players before making the trip, so had a good feel for their viewpoint ahead of time.
wwjd, Thank you for sharing, this board has been a wealth of information and is greatly appreciated! Wish I had found it years ago. Unfortunately, the more I read the less I get done and the more questions I have. Hope there's not a limit, lol.