Ok i've been told to get looks you must contact the programns your interested in. That is fine with me, but now my question is what do i say in these letters? Is there anything very important to say besides just introducing myself?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
You are on the right web site but there are a lot more than just message boards this site offers.
Check out the recruiting area for great advice:
http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/recruiting_tips.htm
Check out the recruiting area for great advice:
http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/recruiting_tips.htm
on my intro letter should i put a bio...telling all that stuff or just write a letter to introduce myself
oriole - There's not set pattern...otherwise it would look like everyone else's letter.
Write the letter from your heart and if you want, include a 1-page bio with information about your year of graduation, grades, significant accomplishiments and coaches' contacts (references).
Write the letter from your heart and if you want, include a 1-page bio with information about your year of graduation, grades, significant accomplishiments and coaches' contacts (references).
floridafan -
That's great that you are helping your son with recruiting, but the actual contact with the coaches needs to come from your son. (sure, ghost-write if you want, but his signature & contact information is what needs to get on the letter!) They need to know if HE is interested in their program, not his parent. Sorry, there are just some things you can't do for them at this stage of their baseball career. If their desire is to play college ball, then they need to get seriously involved in their own recruiting.
That's great that you are helping your son with recruiting, but the actual contact with the coaches needs to come from your son. (sure, ghost-write if you want, but his signature & contact information is what needs to get on the letter!) They need to know if HE is interested in their program, not his parent. Sorry, there are just some things you can't do for them at this stage of their baseball career. If their desire is to play college ball, then they need to get seriously involved in their own recruiting.
FloridaFan - Your son needs to get involved in the process. When coaches begin to call, they won't be calling you, but your son. If they have his cell number, your house phone will never ring! I provided guidance for my son in keeping questionnaires organized and made copies of things for him, but definately made him be involved.... you get much of the "feel" for the coach and program during the recruiting process and how he feels about things is what really matters. JMO
Now, when it gets to serious matters of money, I told him that was a question for mom!! As with many parts of this process, you'll find people do things in many different ways though.
Now, when it gets to serious matters of money, I told him that was a question for mom!! As with many parts of this process, you'll find people do things in many different ways though.
quote:Originally posted by floridafan:
I indicate that it is I the Dad sending the info. Does it really matter that my Son is not authoring the correspondence?
Floridafan,
Think about it, if you were a college coach receiving many introductory letters a day from moms and dads, what would you do with them?
I agree with the above posts by RHP and Lafmom, you can be the ghost writer, but he needs to be involved in the process.
As far as listing skills, I would refer to any publication or site where they can go to look up son if he has been scouted (PG, BA, Teamone, etc). Sounds a lot better coming from an objective party, than mom or dad. JMO.
I'll start ghost writing tonight! I only mention stats and awards that are verifiable.
Thank you all for the clarification on how to best persue the goal.
Thank you all for the clarification on how to best persue the goal.
The more personal the intro is the more impressed the college coach will be be and let it be written by the player-- they can tell when daddy "ghost" wrote the letter
A funny story from my experience with my son back in 1994 and I still chuckle about it.
I am a pretty good marketing guy and did the job for my son, back them the "exposure" scene was not like it is today. I do not think there was a baseball program that did not know who my son was.
In fact because of the "job" we did he got a scholarship without ever being seen by the coaching staff at the college where he ended up.
A year after he graduated I am at tournament behind the coaches at the backstop and all of a sudden one coach asks another " Hey anyone know where the Rizzi kid ended up? His dad must have worked the bejeebers out of the process. Everyone knew who the kid was." Another coach pipes back "Well he must have done something right because the kid is at New Mexico State and on a scholarship."
Were we proactive? Yes and to a fault and all to the good. You have to go for it
I had done it for myself previously---I fished on Northeast Pro Bass Tournament circuit and paid for nothing--rods and reels, motels, lures etal-- I marketed myself and made it work--you can do the same in the college baseball recruiting process
If you so desire feel free to contact me
TRhit@msn.com
A funny story from my experience with my son back in 1994 and I still chuckle about it.
I am a pretty good marketing guy and did the job for my son, back them the "exposure" scene was not like it is today. I do not think there was a baseball program that did not know who my son was.
In fact because of the "job" we did he got a scholarship without ever being seen by the coaching staff at the college where he ended up.
A year after he graduated I am at tournament behind the coaches at the backstop and all of a sudden one coach asks another " Hey anyone know where the Rizzi kid ended up? His dad must have worked the bejeebers out of the process. Everyone knew who the kid was." Another coach pipes back "Well he must have done something right because the kid is at New Mexico State and on a scholarship."
Were we proactive? Yes and to a fault and all to the good. You have to go for it
I had done it for myself previously---I fished on Northeast Pro Bass Tournament circuit and paid for nothing--rods and reels, motels, lures etal-- I marketed myself and made it work--you can do the same in the college baseball recruiting process
If you so desire feel free to contact me
TRhit@msn.com
There is as mentioned no 1 way to get your son noticed but I did all the recruiting until the coaches wanted to talk to my son. Always started by saying my son was interested in their program and that he was a 6'3" LHP. My son reaserched your school on the internet or had heard about it in various ways. Made up a separate bios and cover page for the DVD which outlined in point form what each video was and results, level of competition etc. Very brief. Mot 1 in 25-30 coaches asked for him until they had looked at the DVD. Several schools made offers without seeing him in person.
The point is that there is no right or wrong way. Most coaches welcome the interest, understand that a parent knows more about the finanaces. I tried to keep the verbal oversell to a minimum and let the videos show his ability. Most coaches get turned off by the parents who see their kid through rose coloured glasses. Real game video was against high level competition was the only way to show his skill and the coach would decide whether he was interested or not. We showed good and bad outtings. This made it real and showed how he handled himself under pressure.
There are coaches who would not make an offer based on the videos alone. Those schools invited us for a workout or to a showcase.
The important thing is to be pro active. Being good at marketing is a bonus but coaches will understand if you are not good at it.
The point is that there is no right or wrong way. Most coaches welcome the interest, understand that a parent knows more about the finanaces. I tried to keep the verbal oversell to a minimum and let the videos show his ability. Most coaches get turned off by the parents who see their kid through rose coloured glasses. Real game video was against high level competition was the only way to show his skill and the coach would decide whether he was interested or not. We showed good and bad outtings. This made it real and showed how he handled himself under pressure.
There are coaches who would not make an offer based on the videos alone. Those schools invited us for a workout or to a showcase.
The important thing is to be pro active. Being good at marketing is a bonus but coaches will understand if you are not good at it.
I agree with TR, all intro letters should be written by the recruit, in his own words. And all follow up should be done by receipt.
I was more or less referring to the bio part, that can be compiled by mom or dad, nothing wrong with that, IMO.
Floridafan,
My suggestion may not be the best, but I do suggest you make it appear that your son is very interested.
I was more or less referring to the bio part, that can be compiled by mom or dad, nothing wrong with that, IMO.
Floridafan,
My suggestion may not be the best, but I do suggest you make it appear that your son is very interested.
Is it too early now for my son to send letters? He's only a sophomore and I know the recruiting timeline on this website suggests he do it next fall. He plays in a conference that features two prominent programs, so I know when his team plays those teams, there will likely be scouts/coaches in attendance.
NCMTNDAD
It is never too early especially if he is a starter
It is never too early especially if he is a starter
TRhit,
He was a JV SS/P as a freshman, but is the starting SS for the varsity team this fall. He'll be participating in IMPACT baseball's underclassman showcase in November, so we'll have a better ideal where he is talent wise. His coach, who was an asst. at an ACC school the past 6 years, says he's got the tools to play after high school. It will depend on how hard he's willing to work that determines if he'll be D1-D3.
He was a JV SS/P as a freshman, but is the starting SS for the varsity team this fall. He'll be participating in IMPACT baseball's underclassman showcase in November, so we'll have a better ideal where he is talent wise. His coach, who was an asst. at an ACC school the past 6 years, says he's got the tools to play after high school. It will depend on how hard he's willing to work that determines if he'll be D1-D3.
Go for it !!!
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
A funny story from my experience with my son back in 1994 and I still chuckle about it.
I am a pretty good marketing guy and did the job for my son, back then the "exposure" scene was not like it is today. I do not think there was a baseball program that did not know who my son was.
A year after he graduated I am at tournament behind the coaches at the backstop and all of a sudden one coach asks another " Hey anyone know where the Rizzi kid ended up? His dad must have worked the bejeebers out of the process. Everyone knew who the kid was." Another coach pipes back "Well he must have done something right because the kid is at New Mexico State and on a scholarship."
Were we proactive? Yes and to a fault and all to the good. You have to go for it
TRhit@msn.com
I admire that effort. Others, like a certain MOM would call it boasting, or cheap, or would even "out you personally" with confidential information from a PM. I suppose there are no RULES on this site!! My better half logged out because Lady Sherlock has no class!!
If a kids evaluation from multiple sources say the same good thing, then somebody who has an agenda needs to question themselves when taking cheap shots........bad form lady, you are on the SHlist
TR...I bet you marketed for similar reasons. What is the best venue for achievement.
By the way MA...........try dealing with 95 programs. It is a full-time job.
Experts call that "issues"
as far as you are concerned.
Bully'smom is your better half! Oh darn I thought it was you, I must be slipping.
Why would you take a cheap shot at others and me, call me names, send me pics of your son (that's egotistical isn't it) and pm me about how perplexed you are a coach never called or offered, but how well your son is doing????? When you KNOW I do not like you.
You posted:
"By the way MA...........try dealing with 95 programs. It is a full-time job."
Very revealing statement.
Why would you take a cheap shot at others and me, call me names, send me pics of your son (that's egotistical isn't it) and pm me about how perplexed you are a coach never called or offered, but how well your son is doing????? When you KNOW I do not like you.
You posted:
"By the way MA...........try dealing with 95 programs. It is a full-time job."
Very revealing statement.
Keep it to yourselves. This conversation detracts from any positive information you might offer in the future and it is totally off topic. Every snide remark does not deserve a response.
quote:Originally posted by Redhead:
Keep it to yourselves. This conversation detracts from any positive information you might offer in the future and it is totally off topic. Every snide remark does not deserve a response.
You are correct, my apologies to all.
It is great that you have begun the process for your son...but dont you think it is important for him to take on some of the responsiblity and show how interested he really is in baseball and the process of getting into a college of his choice...my son was blessed this summer with many colleges recruiting him...No letters were written, it was mainly from showcases...and he handled all the phone calls and contacts himself...until the home visits were involved and the official visits were offered...I saw such a change in my son...he grew up and showed some responsiblity and his desire for the love of the game...he learned so much from talking to the coaches...and they were able to establish a relationship with him...they could read his character...I think this was important because he was blessed with several offers...good luck
quote:Originally posted by OLDSLUGGER8:
My better half logged out because Lady Sherlock has no class!!
Your "better half" lives in North Carolina? And you in Ohio?
quote:Originally posted by Bully'sMom:
Who is oldslugger?
I was disagreeing with some TigerPaw lady?
What are you talking about?
I live in North Carolina people.
Oldslugger - Look, you come here and ask questions...ask for help. But it seems you rarely listen? You get angry. You already have all the answers? If you don't want to listen, why do you ask? Very reasonable answers are given to you, yet you get angrier and angrier.
You stated in an earlier post you told off a coach for "telling a lie." Why? I don't see how you can help your son deal with the "95 programs" effectively with all that anger? Don't you think your anger comes across to them? Might THAT be the reason there is no offer from the school your son hit bombs at?
Please, for the sake of your son...don't take this recruiting thing personally. You will go crazy and could possibly hurt your son's opportunities in the process. You son deserves better...take a deep breath and let it flow.
The coaching community is pretty small and they do talk. If a player is "working" so many schools, the schools will perceive that it is just not worth getting in a bidding war with other schools or even deal with the player/parents.
The schools like to know if there is true interest in their program, schools that feel families who are mis-representing the fact that they are really true interest in their program may not take the time to pursue the player.
For those who are not working “95 programs”, do the research of what type of school you want to attend, Big/small school, private/public, level of play, in the south/north/etc. and target a few specific programs that fit your need and a few that are stretch and go for it!
Don't send letters to schools that you have absolutely no interest in and waste your time and that of the program.
The schools like to know if there is true interest in their program, schools that feel families who are mis-representing the fact that they are really true interest in their program may not take the time to pursue the player.
For those who are not working “95 programs”, do the research of what type of school you want to attend, Big/small school, private/public, level of play, in the south/north/etc. and target a few specific programs that fit your need and a few that are stretch and go for it!
Don't send letters to schools that you have absolutely no interest in and waste your time and that of the program.
Spanky we didn;t do the showcase thing. My son was already mature and his coach at college loves him. Wrote me a beautifull email saying what a wonderful young man he was. The school administration has done likewise.
You do what works best for you. All coaches were curtious and had several long talks. My son was at practice, work or school. I found that phone tag was the biggest problem. There was only one coach i didn't talk to directly and that was Jim Morris of Miami. He viewed the DVD and invited us to a camp through a staff member. In all I talked to about 20 coaches/coordinators and not one wanted to talk to my son instead of me. A few called and if I wasn't there would ask for him. As talks progressed they would ask to talk to him but that was usually after several calls and emails.
A lot of the preliminary talks are geared to sending transcripts and other info. It was time consumming but I enjoyed it.
If I had a second son I would do it the same way except for some minor changes.
You do what works best for you. All coaches were curtious and had several long talks. My son was at practice, work or school. I found that phone tag was the biggest problem. There was only one coach i didn't talk to directly and that was Jim Morris of Miami. He viewed the DVD and invited us to a camp through a staff member. In all I talked to about 20 coaches/coordinators and not one wanted to talk to my son instead of me. A few called and if I wasn't there would ask for him. As talks progressed they would ask to talk to him but that was usually after several calls and emails.
A lot of the preliminary talks are geared to sending transcripts and other info. It was time consumming but I enjoyed it.
If I had a second son I would do it the same way except for some minor changes.
Homer the schools know you are not just talking to them. We were honest but did not reveal all. The coaches typically would ask if they were competing and we answered truthfully.
One school said they appreciated our honesty and if things didn't work out with the school we chose their door was open. He even went through the amissions with that school and had a student number. That school made a verbal offer only after he was admitted. Very nice coach and a great academic school.
One school said they appreciated our honesty and if things didn't work out with the school we chose their door was open. He even went through the amissions with that school and had a student number. That school made a verbal offer only after he was admitted. Very nice coach and a great academic school.