No solid offers yet

Is he a solid D1 prospect? Or is he a second choice prospect? Is he considering any D2 or D3 programs? It's not the end of the world not to play D1. The objective is to find a program that can provide a quality college baseball, academic and social experience.

Honestly I think he is a solid D1 bat but not sure he is defensively. Not that he cant play just not a freak arm or freak speed. He is just a solid player who grinds for everything everyday. I guess that's what worries me the most sometimes I think he gets overlooked because he doesn't stand out unless he is hitting. And we all know that you can't always look good there against the right pitcher. He would be just as happy with D2 or juco if it was a serious program.

Don't know how comprehensive or reliable it is and I don't know what level of access you need to be able to view it, but Perfect Game maintains a data base of college commitments, which you can search by year, by school, by state. 

Here, for example, is their list of 2015 commits from Alabama, where I think you are:

http://www.perfectgame.org/Col...legeCommitments.aspx

Of course, this won't tell you about offers made, but not yet accepted.  

Worrieddad, it's way too early to hit the panic button.  I understand how your son might feel, as our son felt the same way when a bunch of his buddies were getting DI recruiting calls on July 1 or 2, and he hadn't received any.  The NLI signing date isn't until early November.  Some DII schools lay back until they see who's committed to DI programs, and then they make their move.  Also, the JUCOs don't sign in baseball until January 15.

Your son just needs to keep working hard, and continue to "market" himself.  As your budget allows, continue to go to some showcase events and college camps this Fall.  Some schools also offer camps during the Christmas break period, so he's still got plenty of time to put himself out there.

Thanks slugger I have looked at that list and that is part of my worry we know several of these kids for years now from playing with or against them. They are all very good players but honestly and trying hard not to sound like a dad here some are no better or as good as he is. Personally I could care less if he plays or not but I know how much it means to him and if I can help him I want to. Just wont to make sure we are doing the right things.

Rick thanks for that reply that was my next question should we still be hitting some late camps.

You may want to try to get him on a team that will participate in the World Wood Bat Championships this Fall in Jupiter, FL.  Tons of coaches there and he'll have a chance to compete against some of the top players and teams in the country.  If he's not already on a team that will be involved, you can see if he can get on one of the teams that Perfect Game puts together for guys without a team.

Is there fall scout league ball in your area? Frankly a lot of recruiting in California at least happens in the fall of the rising Sr year during scout ball. There is the Arizona Fall Classic also, & academic game, and other fall events. My son did not start to get offers until fall of his Sr year, and he was still doing school visits during his Sr HS season. He had teams coming to watch him in HS when they were travelling and had breaks in their schedule. The DIII's came out of the woodwork right after the NLI period in November. He did not "commit" until May 1st of his Sr year. Was it ideal and stressful? You betcha, but recruiting for borderline kids goes well into the Sr year in some cases. I have seen kids commit during the summer right before school, not a good situation, but for pitchers in particular it happens. 

Rick I think his summer team may be carrying a group but he plays football but so not sure that will be possible. He played with a very good organization this summer I only wish we had got with them a couple years sooner. He had a good summer so I hope that helps him. He has had some very encouraging conversations with people telling him basically what you are saying just be patient, but when he hears about kids he knows as you said in your post he gets upset all over again.

BOF no fall leagues that I know of we may try to play a few tournaments if possible. I think we fall right into your borderline category though. He played with a strong showcase team all summer went WWBA withem hit 3 4 in lineup all season. So offensively he is there but not sure he is D1 3rd basemen and only 5 11 so some don't like that on first.

Back to basics: Does he have a plan and a list of schools that fits his profile? Has he been communicating with them? Does he have on that list DIII programs that fit him? Your in Alabama have you considered Birmingham Southern? (an outstanding DIII program) Here is a link to D3 programs by location. 

https://maps.google.com/maps/m...b3b44&dg=feature

There is plenty of time as long as you/he have a plan and are working it. By now he should have a list of programs that he is in communication with and maybe just sending his profile with schedule. 

Check if your team is going to the Arizona Fall Classic. Excellent venue. You have not mentioned academics but if he fits he HAS to go to the Academic game at the Fall Classic. 

Good luck!

I know a few D1 coaches who recruit P, C, SS, CF only.  They move those players to the other spots.  This really started with the BBCOR bats.  Maybe the new ball will change it.  If his goal is D1 find a solid Juco first then he can move to a D1.  We had a 2 time District offensive MVP in a very competitive 5A district not get any D1 looks because he is not blazing fast.  He is going to the national champion D3 Juco school first and I'm guessing will still get his shot.  just depends on how bad you want to play.  

Lot of things can happen during the senior year. Don't get hung up on the July 1st phone calls.Many good players don't receive them. Continue to work hard, get stronger, work on weaknesses.

  My own went to a JC and picked up by a PAC 12 school after first year. Played three years as a starter and did well.

 If he goes to a good JC lots of players get recruited.

Look at UC Irvine this year, they had a few JC transfers. Lots can happen in a year, or two.

  Your son needs to worry about what he can control and continue to work hard.

worrieddad,

You've received a lot of excellent advice and insight here.

A quick point to remember about Alabama's or any other major program's entering class: Not everyone in that entering class will succeed. Typically, a handful will contribute from the outset, a few will find their way onto the field occasionally, and a handful will struggle to get any competitive innings at all.

So, as you're sizing up that or any other class, try to keep in mind that some of those players you wonder about may well find themselves wondering how they're going to get on the field once they're thrown into the highly competitive environment that is major DI baseball. As I've written here before, it would be impossible to exaggerate the magnitude of the leap from even the best high school environments to that of the upper tier of college baseball, regardless of the division.

Meanwhile, I'm very much in the camp of those here who recommend patience. There are still many college vacancies to be filled for your son's class.

Best wishes for his success!

I'm not sure of your exact situation.  You haven't shared what types of schools your son has sought, and your son's academic profile.  Those can be huge factors.

Whatever you are doing, you are not getting the results you want YET.  I'm not sure what you expected, but there are a lot of uncommitted recruits and a lot of programs at many levels.   You just need to find them..  So what to do?  First, I would look at what has worked and not worked in your specific recruiting process.  Continue to do those things that work..  Second, I would expand my search criteria to more schools and a larger geography.  I would reach out to these schools ASAP to see where their coaches will be this summer and fall.  Third, don't panic.  There is time 

Good luck!

I agree with Fenway, I am not sure of the situation either so therefore it is rather tough to just give "hang in there" or "its not too late" type of advice.

What has he worked hard at?  In the gym, on the field, in the classroom?  Sending out letters, contacting coaches, attending showcases, tournaments?  What type of schools is he targeting, if all D1 is he truely a D1 prospect?  What does offensively "he is there" mean? 

Why would one need to do a search on a  list of commtiments? Is that productive towards the process?  Saying that you dont see how these players got commitments and your son didn't doesnt add up. You see your son through a different pair of glasses than those coaches do.  What positions do they play, pitcher or hitter what are their grades, what was their commitment worth?  All of these things have answers and each player has a different set of circumstances.  

You received great advice about the fall, a very important time for seniors but you said he plays football.

Maybe it is time for him to decide which has more priority, getting seen on the diamond or on the football field?

I agree there is plenty of time left, but only so if you have a plan, and you guys dont seem to have one.

I don't mean to be difficult but this is a tough process and if you and your player are not doing more than just showing up at WWBA, only targeting SEC type of schools, it is gonna be very tough.

Thank all of you for your advice and help and TPM you are right I do not think our approach has been the correct one. We have relied to much on travel tournaments in the summer and not enough on getting in front of and contacting the right people. That changed this summer he played with a great organization ECB who did get him seen but I only hope its not to late. D1 would be great but he is not hung up on that he just wants to continue playing after high school. He has good grade 3.8 GPA hopes to raise his ACT score some made 24 1st time but I think he can do that. My concern is really that I have let him down by not steering him in the right direction on this process because he really grinds hard in the weight room sometimes twice a day,tee work everyday,,hitting coach twice a week, long toss extc extc work ethic I can honestly say is off the chart. And I have always told him outwork them all and you will be rewarded. Now sometimes I feel like maybe my old school train of thought might need updating. It sounds like we need to broaden our search I do not think we are in contact with enough schools. Any help from folks with experience is appreciated I have a thick skin so tell it like it is TPM and others. LOL

I have become a firm believer that telling someone that if you outwork them (in the gym on the field)  you will always be rewarded.  You got to figure out that there are certain things that have to be done in the recruiting process to be successful at getting an opportunity to play at the next level.  Its about talent but also how and where you do present that talent. 

Why is not that great organization your son joined this summer helping out?   My sons travel ball coaches in HS were instrumental is making sure that coaches who were interested came to see him and the others on the team play?

TPM they have and will I hope most of them are still in Atlanta with the 2016s they have been there for almost a month now. I plan on contacting them next week when they get home. My son just got really agitated when we got home he had 2 or 3 bad games at the plate in Atlanta so he automatically thinks well I blew it. He should have played enough baseball by now to realize its the body of work not a 2 or 3 game snapshot. I just think we have wasted a lot of time last year and the year before I wish I had found this site then. We have not really contacted any JUCO s do think that would be a good route to pursue.

Why is your son not contacting them? I dont you said you dont care, if this is something he WANTS, as a senior he is old enough to take care of his own business.  I strongly suggest you let him take care of business, and remember you are there for the ride.

Unfortunetly with so much competition these days, unless someone has been following the player, you need to have a good at bats, unless one has speed and a power arm,etc that makes him different for someone to notice for the first time.

No problem with help, its the least I can do for a Yankee fan!

"We have not really contacted any JUCO s do think that would be a good route to pursue."

Sometimes it just doesn't happen out of high school, and/or the choices are not a good fit.   Playing at a JUCO in a competitive league is a good way to be seen by a lot of college coaches from all levels.  Some JC leagues are better then others. Just like a D1 check it out before your leap and make sure the coach is interested in your son..... don't make the particular JC a last minute decision, do some research this fall and spring.

If his goal is to play, not just make the first year roster, then there are some possibilities which require serious consideration Look at it like being a  late round draft pick. He still might get drafted, but will he struggle to find a role on a team?

There are kids whose dreams come true and they get picked up by a D1 college the fall semester of their senior year of high school. For some, this fulfills their dream, and just having the hope of playing at the D1 is enough. They are willing to be patient to get their chance to play. They might not make the travel squad their freshman year. They may not play an inning.

Playing college baseball at any level is hard work. Working that hard and watching the team play on your computer takes a lot of dedication.

Don't get me wrong, being a D1 athlete is a big deal, and I'm sure an incredible experience for many, many players. However, the sacrifices and possible outcomes require serious consideration, especially for someone who is not an obvious, no-doubt-about-it D1 prospect.