Offer timeline..

With apologies, all of the above.  We've been through this with two sons - and we saw all of the above.

A top player may get an offer right away.  A 'not quite sure' player may go on a list and be further followed and/or offered when the coaches become more confident or a player higher than your son on their list says 'no.'

Offers can be communicated every which way.  If the player is younger, the offer may even be transmitted through the HS or travel coach - or a request to call the coach through the HS or travel coach.  If the player is on campus, it could come then - or not.  They may be sizing the player up on their own turf.

If the coach as 2 slots for pitchers, but 4 pitchers identified, he may indeed offer all 4 and take the first 2 to say 'yes.'  I've known a player who wasn't given a deadline, but waited too long and his slot was gone.

Deadlines are not uncommon at all - but the higher the player, the longer (or non-existence) of a timeline.  Deadlines could be days, weeks or months.  Again, the skill level of the player may dictate that.

Negotiate?  I would only do that if you're ready to walk away.  That is, if getting to a better number is required to get your son to accept (might be a cost issue, or other offer issue).  In any case, if you're going to negotiate, I wouldn't recommend 'bluffing.'  Be honest, be open and listen to what the coach says back.  He may have a very good reason he cannot negotiate?

This is how it went with us

1. They see him pitch after hearing from our travel coach or seeing video we sent

2. They invite us up to campus for visit

3. They offer on the spot or call you shortly afterwards and offer.

4. They use the "ABC"s of Sales 101 and turn on the pressure...well not all but most do. 

5 Wash Rinse Repeat

Here's our scenario:

Coach who we have never seen at a game, talked to us, or replied to any of my son's emails calls out of the blue on a Monday....says "we saw you throw and like what we saw"....schedules a visit for the following Tuesday (8 days later)

Over the next weekend, travel coach says "heard from the coach, he likes you...probably gonna get an offer"

Go to visit the next Tuesday....great visit, all seems to go good....no offer.  Coach says "I'm going to come watch you throw one more time tomorrow morning"

Coach comes next day (Weds)....son has great outing....and before we get back to the hotel, he has an email saying call me tomorrow.

Son calls Thurs morning.....gets offered and accepted on the spot

-----not sure that helps, because from what we saw this wasn't typical, though his school did get a late start on recruiting that summer due to HC having surgery and RC was considering another job...which he ended up passing on

Buckeye 2015 posted:

Here's our scenario:

 

...

-----not sure that helps, because from what we saw this wasn't typical, though his school did get a late start on recruiting that summer due to ...    RC was considering another job...which he ended up passing on

Actually, I think that part is very typical