New to this recruiting thing

Sounds like you found this place right on time Momof#24!  Knowledgeable people will be around soon, I can assure you, in the meantime, CONGRATS!

A 2017 getting offered isn't "early" any more...especially if he's a CF that's 6'2, 185.  Obviously the school saw something they liked.  Chances are if one D1 likes you this early, there will likely be plenty more but no guarantees.....that's the chance you're going to take if you decide not to take this offer.

 

I know it's early....but if he likes the school, both for baseball and education...and it fits your budget, then don't be afraid to take the offer....knowing full well that once he commits, other schools will like stop recruiting your son (or never start).  You mentioned the decommitting thing.  You don't want to go into this with the thought that "if someone better offers, we'll just decommit".  Yes, it happens...and obviously there are times that it makes perfect sense to do so....but to be thinking about it before you commit as some kind of "fall back" plan is probably a bad idea. 

 

In my son's case, he took the first offer he got....though there may have been others to come.  He liked the coaches...and the campus and just felt "right".  Everyone always says that  your son will know when it's right for him.  Only you and your son can make that decision.

Bear with me don't know if I am replying correctly!
Thanks for the info buckeye

First, Welcome!.

 

Second, Congratulations!.

 

Third, advice:  This decision about your son's future should be made on your family's timeline, not be driven entirely by an unexpected offer with a one-week expiration date. 

 

How much has your son thought about his college choice?  How many schools has he visited? How many coaches has he talked to?

 

It sounds like this offer came before you were ready to evaluate it in comparison to other options, and it also sounds like your son will have other options.

 

A verbal commitment right now costs the coach nothing, but it costs your son the opportunity to be evaluated and recruited by every other NCAA school.

 

I recommend your son thank the coach, tell him he is very interested in his program, and eager to learn more about his school--but not far enough into his college search to make a commitment.

 

. . . Unless everyone is sure that you're ready to close every other door.

 

 

 

I'm not one of the experienced folks that will hopefully chime in, just another dad of a 2017, but I'm going to differ a bit with Swampboy, for this reason:

 

It sounds like your son has played exclusively for his school and for club and/or summer teams associated with his school.  If that's the case, then from what I know the fact that a D1 school found him and offered him a scholarship is pretty extraordinary.  Looks like you're in the Sac area, so it's not totally surprising, as there are a bunch of top D1 guys playing for schools around you, but still, it's not the usual route.  Most D1 recruits are out playing showcase ball or doing camps, and in general racking up thousands of frequent flier miles.  Without joining them on the road, your son may not see a bunch of other offers, so the one you have in hand may in fact be the best he'll get.  If it's a really great school, one that he'd be proud to attend even if he never stepped on the field, I would think long and hard before saying no to that offer.

We're in a similar situation of momof#24.  2017 grad, outfielder, first offer last week from an acc school.    this is new to both mom and dad, i'm guessing it is for most parents.  no deadline was defined, but i'm guessing it's coming, and we are dreading it as he isn't read to make that commitment yet.   my question is around the offer-  what is a 'good' offer for an outfielder? 

 

I know the OP says this is a D1, but ?????.  The post indicates the following:

"So son was invited to school to do some drills, etc., offered scholarship right then and there."

 

The "drills" on campus would be fine for a D2.  They would not be "fine" for a D1 in terms of being invited to the school and doing "drills." Perhaps there is more here and invite occurred where  the drills were part of a camp with others present

I was never given any "deadline" on any of my offers. It may have happened to friends/teammates, but I never heard of it.

 

That's a huge decision. You guys and your son were not expecting that to be dropped on them out of nowhere, which makes any verbal deadline (outside of what would apply to any other recruit), let alone a week, very difficult.

 

He's still got a long ways to go before college and it sounds like he is going to have many other offers. Nothing wrong with taking your time.

It's impossible to say what a "good offer" is.  In our book, a good offer was an offer to save some money at a school he was comfortable with where he liked the coaches and we thought he could play.  At D1's, the minimum offer is 25%....and it can go up from there.  A "good offer" for a player that's ranked as a top LHP and a "national" recruit is going to be much, much different than a good offer for my RHP/IF son, who is a solid all around player...but no where near a "top level" guy.  My son also received a very nice amount of academic money.  His "total" offer is everything we could have hoped for....and then some.  If the offer is good for you and your son....then it's a good offer. 

Buckeye,

 

thanks for the reply- understood and totally agree- i was just trying to get a gage for the 'market' for an outfielder - or even if that can be defined.  

 

Based on this thread I was reviewing the home pages recruiting tips...some of that stuff seems to be outdated, or I could be completely wrong.  Just to help Momof#24 out, isn't it true now that the athletic scholarship can be guaranteed for 4 years?  Also, doesn't the person have to be REALLY specific when receiving a percentage offer?  For example 25% might be 25% off in-state tuition of 12 credit hours, not including books/dorm/food...etc. Someone please verify what I have typed in here.

.

Unless it's the dream school keep showcasing, field offers for more options and possibly a bigger offer from the school making the current offer. Just a warning. I saw kids get blinded (wow effect) by getting offers from their dresm schools. They ignored the big picture, the other talent and transferred in one or two years.

CaCO3girl,

what i've learned (or think i've learned) recently is that scholarships can be guaranteed for 4 years (that was part of the verbal that we received, so i verified that it was allowed by ncaa)  as a matter of  policy the big 10 conference guarantees all athletic scholarships for 4 years- for life apparently- meaning if an athlete leaves school for a 'valid' reason and returns later in life the scholarship is honored.  i think this big 10 policy is probably driving other schools to match.

 

 

I wondered the same thing.  I thought that was illegal...

2017's can't be individually invited to workouts at a D1.  Whether it's 1 or 3...it's illegal.  If it's a camp then he's fine...but he can't go for the sole purpose of working out for a coach.  If that's what happened, I'd be very careful about spreading the word that that is what happened as I think you're opening yourself up for potential problems.

Thought this would be the forum to ask questions but I guess not,
Not sure what you are asking but we abided by the guidelines.
So I am just not going to post here anymore.

Hopefully there is just some confusion as can occur on a message board.

Even if there is not, I don't think this player is in trouble or open to potential problems.

On the other hand, there could be enough smoke with "drills" with 2 other "committed 2017's", when combined with the offer and one week decision time frame, to take a very long pause and make sure everything is right.

As I understand it, NAIA,  DII of NCAA and JC's do allow coaches to invite players to non-camp work-outs.   So if this happened it was either illegal or if legal it was either a Division II,  an NAIA or a JC.  (perhaps it was a DI JC?)  Or perhaps it was really a take all comers camp and Mom is just confused.

 

Mom, neither you nor your son has done anything wrong. In fact, your questions are very, very appropriate.  There is a lot to be gained.  What concerns me from your posts does not relate to your son. 

That's not the case at all....we are just trying to provide some information based on what we know.  You did come here asking for help.  Nobody is accusing you of doing anything wrong DELIBERATELY....we're just trying to make you aware that the situation you described...as you described it isn't legal.  Not sure what "guidelines" you abided by.  Again....don't take anything we are saying as any kind of dig against you.  People come on here all the time asking these same questions.  We answer as best we can based on the info you provided.  If we took it wrong, that's on us....please stay around, we're all happy to help in any way we can.

Momof#24.  this is a great forum for asking questions.  You will get a wealth of good advice and information here from people whose sons have been there and done that.   People aren't raising questions to criticize you or your son.  It's more asking for clarification.  That's because what you said happened -- that your son was invited to an individual workout with a D1 coach -- is strictly forbidden by NCAA regulations.  People are just wondering whether it was really a NCAA D1 school or not.  If it really was than either you must be mistaken about what exactly happened  (i,e. maybe it was a take all comers camp)  or the level  (maybe it was a D2 school or an NAIA school or a JC which can invite players to workout)  or maybe the coach is breaking the rules -- which if he is, you want to be wary of him.   Coaches who commit recruiting violations -- especially one this blatant -- are coaches to avoid, I'd say.   

 

So please don't go away just because people are trying to help you be clear about what actually can and can't be done under the rules or are trying to help you get clarity about what exactly your son was invited to.  That would be  big mistake.

I am a little confused as to why you are upset.  None of the responses seem to be an attack on you, but rather, an attempt to help you understand the process. 

 

The only reason anyone mentioned the D-1 workout would be illegal is for the protection of your son.  Additionally, if this did happen, it may be good reason to question the HC.  If he doesn't follow the rules, will this cause issues later on down the road.   What other rules is he not following?

 

Is it possible that this is not really what happened, but we just need additional information to understand?

 

I think Mom may be gone for good.  But I have a question for those better in the know. If a coach commits a recruiting violation by, say, holding a private workout for a player, are there any direct repercussions for the player?  Or is it all on the coach and the school if the violation is discovered?

I do not know the answer, but I would bet both could suffer consequences, even if the consequence is just that the player is not allowed to sign with that school.

that was my understanding as well- that short of accepting money or items of value, the repurcussions are on the school?  but i'm not sure, and i agree, that it would be a coach and program to be wary of if they were blatantly flouting the rules.

 

Completely hijacking this thread, but while meeting with a D1 coach last week, we were discussing all the recruiting rules, etc., and he told of a time that he was texting with multiple prospects at once, and accidentally replied to player that had not yet reached Sept. of his Jr. year.  Honest and simple mistake where he replied "OK" to the kid.  Immediately reported to NCAA and penalty was that he could have ZERO contact with that recruit for one month.

 

While the penalty was levied against the school/coach, it "affected" the player as, by virtue of this, was not allowed to have any discussion with this school during that month.

Her loss.

And that is why NCAA is crazy. Hurt player, hurt school potentially and over a mistake. If I were that coach and it was an honest mistake like that one. Next time I wouldn't say a word. That kind of repercussion invites silence.

 

I am a boss of 70 people. My basic policy is if you make a mistake, own up to it, learn from it, no worries. If it happens over and over again, that may be different. Now if it is done on purpose or is hurtful to a customer to the point real harm, that is different but then I find those kinds of things people are hiding anyways.

I do believe that is the first time I have seen a poster being told the NCAA rules forbid a certain activity and react by deleting a post and leaving.