My son has been in communication with a coach and was scheduled for a campus visit next week. Son was told that they planned to offer him in person during his visit. Son just received word that another player (same position) just accepted and took the last spot for that position. Is this pretty standard in terms of recruiting?
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The closest our family came to this was my daughter (softball) being told after post freshman year of 18u Gold travel the offer was only exclusive to her until a certain date. Then offers would go out to others on a first commit first serve basis.
My daughter committed. The university is one of the best in her major. Her concern was what if she changed her mind about her major. The university was very average outside her major.
She went through with the major (forensic science major, minors in criminology and French) even though by the end of soph year of college she decided she wanted to go to law school.
@Momball11 posted:My son has been in communication with a coach and was scheduled for a campus visit next week. Son was told that they planned to offer him in person during his visit. Son just received word that another player (same position) just accepted and took the last spot for that position. Is this pretty standard in terms of recruiting?
What position? Coaches are going to recruit multiple shortstops and move them to 2B, etc, then recruit a 2B.
Unfortunately it’s not all that unusual. There are almost always more offers out than there are scholarships and/or roster spots to claim. Often coaches will tell a recruit that other offers are out and if another player commits first you are sol. But not always. Even when they do most players/parents don’t believe it because sometimes it’s true and sometimes it isn’t. It’s all part of the seedy underbelly of recruiting.
Unfortunately, yes, although there is more wiggle room in some sports than others. For basketball they have a pecking order by position with more than one offer out for each. Sometimes they will even tell you where you fall. With smaller rosters and full rides on the line it can get interesting. Good luck to your son. May he find a place where he is their #1 and they are his!
@nycdad posted:What position? Coaches are going to recruit multiple shortstops and move them to 2B, etc, then recruit a 2B.
CF.
So sorry this happened. Who knows what it was - they might have had multiple offers out (in which case they could have told him that), or they might have discovered this other player last week. Either way, it's a shame for your son, but at least you knew before making the trip.
Did the coaches tell him not to come anymore? How deep is the recruiting class at this point?
I was always under the impression that players are not recruited for a specific OF spot but for their bat, speed and versatility.
You often will see that that position players switch during a season for different reasons. Its all about getting in the lineup.
But it is also dependent on how the staff views their recruits in terms of A,B,C, which has been discussed here many times.
I am sorry.
JMO
@PABaseball posted:Did the coaches tell him not to come anymore? How deep is the recruiting class at this point?
Yes. They only need to now fill an IF and C.
Unfortunately yes it is routine.
Fortunately, your son as a CF has the talent he does to have an opportunity to play college Baseball. As PTWood said, find somewhere where he’ll be their #1.
@3and2Fastball posted:Unfortunately yes it is routine.
Fortunately, your son as a CF has the talent he does to have an opportunity to play college Baseball. As PTWood said, find somewhere where he’ll be their #1.
If anyone knows of schools that are needing a CF. Let me know so my son can look into the school to see if it might be a good fit academically and also won't put him into a lifetime of debt.
@Momball11 posted:If anyone knows of schools that are needing a CF. Let me know so my son can look into the school to see if it might be a good fit academically and also won't put him into a lifetime of debt.
Your son's coaches should be able to assist him with finding a good fit. He should contact the programs within state, all divisions.
@Momball11 posted:My son has been in communication with a coach and was scheduled for a campus visit next week. Son was told that they planned to offer him in person during his visit. Son just received word that another player (same position) just accepted and took the last spot for that position. Is this pretty standard in terms of recruiting?
This goes back to go where you’re loved not where they’re interested. If your son was their last outfield choice he may not have received much of an opportunity to get on the field once on campus. Chances are their decision leads your son to a better college baseball experience.
@RJM posted:This goes back to go where you’re loved not where they’re interested. If your son was their last outfield choice he may not have received much of an opportunity to get on the field once on campus. Chances are their decision leads your son to a better college baseball experience.
Maybe. It sounds like this offer may have been made right before they saw my son. Too me it's more honorable to hold to the offer to the one player if they accept it even if you're just days away from offering to another...who may or may not be better.
All coaches have their own recruiting strategy. Our roster is full of HS / College shortstops that convert to OF,2B, even pitchers. Usually the SS on most teams are the most athletic kids on the roster so in our case, since we lean heavily on defense, we recruit the most athletic players.
@Ozone posted:All coaches have their own recruiting strategy. Our roster is full of HS / College shortstops that convert to OF,2B, even pitchers. Usually the SS on most teams are the most athletic kids on the roster so in our case, since we lean heavily on defense, we recruit the most athletic players.
A coach told me, "We don't recruit high school outfielders. I can turn any good infielder into an OF and the portal and Jucos are FULL of good outfielders."
Sure enough, You look at their PG commit list and there are zero OF's on there for 3 classes.
@Master P posted:A coach told me, "We don't recruit high school outfielders. I can turn any good infielder into an OF and the portal and Jucos are FULL of good outfielders."
Sure enough, You look at their PG commit list and there are zero OF's on there for 3 classes.
A coach may be able to teach any good infielder into being a competent outfielder. But he can’t teach an infielder to be a great outfielder in a year or two. There are some instincts involved on seeing the ball off the bat and quick jump that comes from years of playing the outfield.
I spent most of my playing time in center and right. Even after years of playing outfield the first time I played left seemed awkward.
@RJM posted:A coach may be able to teach any good infielder into being a competent outfielder. But he can’t teach an infielder to be a great outfielder in a year or two. There are some instincts involved on seeing the ball off the bat and quick jump that comes from years of playing the outfield.
I spent most of my playing time in center and right. Even after years of playing outfield the first time I played left seemed awkward.
100%.
Didn't intend for a debate to start. I can see both sides. Over the years it's been interesting. When my son first played in Kindergarten he was put at 1st base because he was the only one that could catch a ball. Then played SS for his rec league team and also pitched. For travel ball he initially played a lot of infield, but he eventually shifted to the outfield. It really wasn't because he was fast, it was more of a situation where everyone else was just so dang slow. Up until just last year I'd say he was average when it came to his speed (Spring 2022 60 was 7.1 and Aug 2022 was 6.9). He decided to dedicate more time toward his speed and dropped down to 6.7. I never suspected he could move that fast, but then again I was a sprinter, so maybe it's in his genes?
I will say that good outfielders make line or fly outs look routine because they get a good jump on the ball to position themselves in such a way to make an easy catch. An inexperienced OF that doesn't get a good read may have more spectacular diving or over the shoulder catches because they don't have the time to get in a good catching position.
Son practices MIF during the off season when indoors and does just as well as those that play MIF year round. I can see the logic of recruiting only SS, but I personally think that's a mistake because there are plenty of great athletes that play CF too because that's where their team needed them.
@Momball11 posted:Son practices MIF during the off season when indoors and does just as well as those that play MIF year round. I can see the logic of recruiting only SS, but I personally think that's a mistake because there are plenty of great athletes that play CF too because that's where their team needed them.
It is one thing to play where is needed in HS, it is another to do that for travel. If you spend the entire summer showcasing in CF - you're an outfielder now. If that isn't what he wants to be - that is something that should have been addressed a long time ago.
Every outfielder in two programs I'm currently close to was either a). A lefty b). A center fielder or a weaker defensive SS in high school with a good bat
@Momball11 posted:If anyone knows of schools that are needing a CF. Let me know so my son can look into the school to see if it might be a good fit academically and also won't put him into a lifetime of debt.
I would just add, there are many D3 schools in the midwest (especially Ohio) that offer a lot of academic scholarships and financial aid. Don't write them off due to the price tag without talking to the admissions/financial aid office to see what your son might get.
@PABaseball posted:It is one thing to play where is needed in HS, it is another to do that for travel. If you spend the entire summer showcasing in CF - you're an outfielder now. If that isn't what he wants to be - that is something that should have been addressed a long time ago.
Every outfielder in two programs I'm currently close to was either a). A lefty b). A center fielder or a weaker defensive SS in high school with a good bat
He prefers OF. Plays CF for travel team. Was a corner OF, but since improving his speed he's been in CF.
@anotherparent posted:I would just add, there are many D3 schools in the midwest (especially Ohio) that offer a lot of academic scholarships and financial aid. Don't write them off due to the price tag without talking to the admissions/financial aid office to see what your son might get.
I'll have him check them out. His area of interest isn't at many D3s though, but maybe they'll have his second program of interest. The program that no longer had need for an OF is a D2 program that routinely makes it to the CWS, so he's searching for something comparable.
I think even in college, kids move positions a lot. Our 3rd baseman was a SS in hs but we had a great SS so he played 3rd. Then we recruited a great SS so he stayed at 3rd. He just made 4M in the draft last week and was drafted as a SS. I’m sure he will play wherever they need him. Another kid came in as 3rd base but that spot was taken. He could hit so they put him at OF and then 1st. He was drafted day 2. It’s usually the bat that is the priority. They will find a position or let you DH.
sorry this happened to your son. Recruiting is cut throat and it’s hard to know who to trust. Hope he finds a great fit.
@PABaseball posted:Every outfielder in two programs I'm currently close to was either a). A lefty b). A center fielder or a weaker defensive SS in high school with a good bat
My son was an all conference shortstop. He was recruited to his 17u travel team as an infielder the summer after soph year. Four kids were all conference shortstops. An assistant, a former D1 coach and current associate scout told my son due to his speed (6.5) he had better pro potential as a center fielder.
Playing for me from 13u to 16u if an infielder was pitching he played his position. If an outfielder was pitching he played center. At eight years old I was shooting him high flies out of the pitching machine like a bazooka.
He was recruited to college ball as an outfielder. He spent the first year and a half playing infield.
@baseballhs you are 100% right and something I had mentioned about having a great bat getting you into the lineup.
FAU's first rounder Nolan Schanuel is a great example he came as a SS but ended up playing IF/OF with a hot bat.
Wyatt Langford was a 3 sport athlete and a C and 3B in HS. Most know his 8M dollar story, he played 4 games as a freshman at UF. Next year he comes back as a super stud and is moved to the OF, ending up permanently at LF, because he can hit the cover off the ball!
@TPM posted:I was always under the impression that players are not recruited for a specific OF spot but for their bat, speed and versatility.
You often will see that that position players switch during a season for different reasons. Its all about getting in the lineup.
But it is also dependent on how the staff views their recruits in terms of A,B,C, which has been discussed here many times.
I am sorry.
JMO
One visit we went to, the coach told my son he was an “A” recruit. He then said I’m not giving you a time requirement to make a decision but after a while “I will move on to my B recruit if I don’t hear back from you.”
I’m sure all coaches feel this way - some don’t express it to the recruit and family.
I learned this about 20 years ago and has been discussed several times on this site over the years.
I think it originated from MLB, and how they rely on using their draft boards.
My son had a similar situation happen to him a month ago at high level JUCO (one that is sending 10 kids to D1 this fall). Son wanted to visit this particular school last (he thought it was going to be his top choice) and scheduled the visit 3 weeks out. Coach told him the day prior to the visit that he had his spot and full scholarship to another kid that visited the prior week.
Another JUCO that offered my son the max allowed told him that he had 2 max offers available and they were out to 4 pitchers and him (son is a 6'4" LHH OF who can also catch and play 1B). Coach said the first 2 that signed would get the spot and scholarship.
Good luck to your son. The lesson here for others (and your kid moving forward) is to visit any school that has expressed serious interest (some sort of a scholarship or spot) asap. Lots going on with rosters due to the portal and unprecidented player movement these days.
@used2lurk posted:My son had a similar situation happen to him a month ago at high level JUCO (one that is sending 10 kids to D1 this fall). Son wanted to visit this particular school last (he thought it was going to be his top choice) and scheduled the visit 3 weeks out. Coach told him the day prior to the visit that he had his spot and full scholarship to another kid that visited the prior week.
Sorry this happened to you, are you saying this was your son's top choice and you were waiting 3 weeks to go to the school? Why wait?
@nycdad posted:Sorry this happened to you, are you saying this was your son's top choice and you were waiting 3 weeks to go to the school? Why wait?
See my last paragraph. Lesson learned for him and it definitely began to feel like the musical chairs music was about to stop.
Son chose to drop down from D1. He wanted JUCO rather than go to a different D1for his Sophomore season. He had several great opportunities presented to him within 3-4 days of posting on twitter and sort of ranked them after initial conversations. All of this coincided with the start of the Prospect League and did not want to miss many games early in the season. Coach at school that eventually told him his spot was gone never gave any indication that there was any time constraints and was very interested in my son thru texts and conversations until he was not. Lesson learned.
