Not Looking for $$

Terk - great question. If everything were equal, I think it is meaningful and can really help a program. The first requirement is always going to be your son's talent. If a coach sees something he likes from him, and starts to pursue him, it could be a deciding factor for them to make an offer imho.

Before blurting anything out like this, I would wait to see if you can get an offer somewhere. You can always offer to give the money back to the program. If they seem like they are on the fence, perhaps then it might be a good time to fire that bullet.

Much like CD said, I would also withhold that information. When it comes to sports, you should go where they really want you, not where they'll take a chance on you. I think expressing that true desire comes with scholarship offers.

If it were me, I'd wait until the offer were made, and then tell the coach that you appreciate the offer very much, but that you will be paying for your sons college and he may use that scholarship money on another player.

Now, if your son is considering D3 instead of D1, that's a completely different story, but you asked about scholarships, so I assumed a higher division.

Just how I'd handle it.

The more and more I see, it is better to not offer going the recruited walk on route too soon, make them value your son's skills and want him to be a key part of the program or he may commit and end up not making it through the fall or just take up a roster slot.

That being said, schools like DIII and DI Ivy's don't offer athletic scholarships and of course mostly offer very good educations, so money is not the key determiner anyway.

Good Luck and enjoy the ride!

Do not volunteer the recuited walkon status. You could end up in a situation where the coach will say to himself "I've got nothing to lose, why not?"

Instead, its preferable to select a program that envisions a place for him in their future......

We've hinted at it at a school where he wasn't admitted and they said they'd get him in if they want him, but we'd have to weigh that against playing at a JC where he's definitely wanted. We know of a recruited walk-on who is a freshman Sunday starter but that is pretty rare and the norm is few or no innings as a freshman for a recruited walk-on. College coaches play to win and if you are good enough you will play, however the recruited walk-on is going to have to wait for the scholarship kid to get his chance first.

He who speaks first loses. Wait to see if money is offered before commenting. I was in the same position when my daughter went through the process. After academic and athletic offers I'm paying 8K a year for her college. That's 27% of the total cost.

Listen to what CollegeParent and CADad say. They are on target. You do not want to be a walk on. It really depends on the coach but generally scholarship players get more playing time. My son was a walk on and through the entire fall had an ERA of 0.00 and only ever allowed 2 hits. Averaged 2 strike outs per inning. He never saw action in the spring. He said it was a waste to spend 6 hours a day watching others play. Money means they have an interest in you.

Talking a school into money v.s a recruited walk-on situation is not always an option for most players. Its at this point you must decide whether or not to take your chances as a walk-on and/or to attend a JC.

In CA its possible to attend the fall practice as a walk-on and then leave for a JC in the spring semsester if things aren't working out with the team and/or academics. However you may still be taking a risk with the JC and the transfer can be a pain especially if you go from quarters to semesters.

Its always better to start in the right place, but the location of the right place is not always clear and its not an academic crime to attend a JC if you're not sure about 4 year schools.

How are the boys grades?

With the new roster situations the academics are now key when it comes to scholarships

All very good and interesting feedback. Thank you. Boys grades are good - 4.0+ at a high-academic HS. Son's priority is college fit (academics) first, baseball 2nd. The reason I ask is that some of the schools that have contacted him have asked whether we will be looking for/needing financial aid. In one questionnaire (for private school camp) my son received an enthustiastic response from the school/coach, suggesting that he was a more attractive candidate as a result (all else being equal - meaning assuming he can compete).

This is a very important question these days. While I wouldn't volunteer the info, I would certainly be up front with your response.

I know of many players that have no scholarship because their folks can well afford the expense and are an integral part of the team. It all comes down to talent and what is needed by each coach.

There is a big difference between a walk on (no money) that is on he team as a back up player and a walk on (no money) that is a starter.

Best of luck.