NCAA D-1 schools contact with sophomores in HS?

They cannot contact the player directly until junior year. If they want contact, they typically go through HS or summer coach..."Have Johnny-sophomore give me a call please."

'Johnny-sophomore' calling them is perfectly fine.

They can and do offer scholarships in sophomore (and even freshman) year. Not commonplace, but becoming more common than a few years ago.

Titles from "Recruit Scoop" on the Perfect Game home page (I am not a subscriber so I can't get to the articles):

" '14 FL Two-Way Prospect to UVA"

"UCF Lands Local '14 Arm"

"UCLA Adds a '14 and a '15!"

I would say some talking was was going on between coaches and sophomores (and freshmen) and I can't imagine those young players committing without talking about money.

They can send sophomores information on their camps and include questionaires. Then once on their campus they can talk to them, offer them verbal scholarships, etc...

A lot of discussions happen through travel coaches as the players do their travels. When there is high interest, an unofficial visit can be arranged. That might happen in conjunction with a team sponsored camp (in which case the player must pay the full camp fee), or just as a visit to the school done at the player's expense.

When a player is standing on the college's soil, they can talk to their hearts' content.

There is no restriction on when offers may be extended or accepted. However they are non-binding until the NLI is signed, which cannot happen until November of senior year.

quote:

A lot of discussions happen through travel coaches as the players do their travels. When there is high interest, an unofficial visit can be arranged. That might happen in conjunction with a team sponsored camp (in which case the player must pay the full camp fee), or just as a visit to the school done at the player's expense.

Midlo,
Knowing a bit of your background from the site and your HSBBW interview, I can fully accept this is what is happening in many travel teams and situations.
My question is whether this is a "positive" aspect of travel team/coaching?
Do HS freshman/sophomores truly have the experience, ability and depth of baseball/life in college awareness to be able to walk into a situation and verbally commit?
Posts in this thread are about 2014's and 2015' giving verbals to some high level program.
Does a HS freshman and his family really have the ability to sit and talk with a Coach Savage at UCLA and make good decisions looking 4 years into his future.
Should travel team coaches support this?
I would really value your views and thoughts. I recognize this is the "present" and the wave of the future but I still consider this a tough topic.

I posted about these UCLA commits over on the General Forum last week. And I'm still shaking my head about it.

I think it's putting the cart before the horse. I mean, so many things can happen that why even have the conversation?

* Coaching carousel

* Freshman kid gets a whiff of the "fume" phenomenon and quits ball altogether (fume referring to perfume and car fumes..lol)

* Finds another sport and pursues it

* College team put on probation

* HS player doesn't make the "academic" grades to enter

These are just a few but I would think that any College coach who knows the weather of recruiting knows it's hard enough getting a talented Senior into the institution/program let alone a freshman.

IMO

quote:

Originally posted by YoungGunDad:
I posted about these UCLA commits over on the General Forum last week. And I'm still shaking my head about it.

I think it's putting the cart before the horse. I mean, so many things can happen that why even have the conversation?

* Coaching carousel

* Freshman kid gets a whiff of the "fume" phenomenon and quits ball altogether (fume referring to perfume and car fumes..lol)

* Finds another sport and pursues it

* College team put on probation

* HS player doesn't make the "academic" grades to enter

These are just a few but I would think that any College coach who knows the weather of recruiting knows it's hard enough getting a talented Senior into the institution/program let alone a freshman.

IMO

+1!
Amen

Surprised that a college coach at a top D1 program would offer a player who has yet to play any varsity or played last year at the U-14 level unless the kid is next Bryce Harper.

I too was curious about this as the #10 2014 Prospect according to PG has committed to Vanderbilt, based on PG information.

I am not a fan of (really) early commitments.

I have 2 sons who have or will play in the Pac10/12.

Older son 'committed' as first 'commitment' for his school (perennial top-20 program) in September 2003 as a HS senior. To me, it was the best timing in every way.

But times have changed. Younger son 'committed' after 1 game of junior HS season in 2010.

I will admit that with younger son, I was a bit concerned about the 'earliness' of the offer...and there was more than one offer. It happened 1 game into junior season because I needed to see him pitch at least a game as a junior to be a little more comfortable that he wasn't reaching too high.

If son #2 wasn't 'committing' to one of his top-3 'dream schools,' I wouldn't have let it happen. But thats me. Our HS coach was tremendously helpful in sifting through the weeds. Without him, even though it was our 2nd time through...I don't know how it would have gone?

These are verbal commitments only which are non binding both parties and my understanding is that no NLI is presented unless certain criteria is met, that would be performance, grades, no off the field issue.

I think that you will find that most of these early commits are not strangers to the coaching staff, most likely been a camp attendee for years. Parents are often alumni and support the athletic programs. Not all, but in some cases.

What I don't like is the hype it gets, this only adds to the anxiety.

I was just wondering, why does one have to be a subscriber to read about commits that will or will not even sign an NLI until 3-4 years from now?

quote:

But times have changed. Younger son 'committed' after 1 game of junior HS season in 2010.

Umm.... Junior in HS or Junior HS?

If a sophomore sends an email to a coach after meeting at a college camp, can the coach respond to the email?

quote:

Originally posted by 2014Prospect:
If a sophomore sends an email to a coach after meeting at a college camp, can the coach respond to the email?

Not likely.

I remember one story popping up of an 8th grader that committed to the University of South Carolina.

quote:

Originally posted by 2014Prospect:
If a sophomore sends an email to a coach after meeting at a college camp, can the coach respond to the email?

They can but are limited to the reply.

Expect a similar response to this:
___________________________________________________
<PLAYER>,
Thanks for attending our camp. Because you are a 2014 there is only so much we can do as far as contacting you. We cannot call until July 1 after your Junior year. We cannot write you until September of your Sophomore year. You can contact us at any time. Keep Working!!

Thanks
<Coach>
____________________________________________________

Now, you can call them and, if they answer, they can talk to you. Also if someone familiar with the program takes you over to the campus, and happens to run into the coach while on campus, they can talk to you.

They can also send you invites to their camps, where they can talk to you while you are there.

Thank you for the information 2014 Lefty Dad!