Offers

I edited the OP. Didnt want this to come across the way it sounded. As one never knows if and from whom you'll even get an offer. We've just heard that getting 1 offer can sometimes grease the proverbial wheels of other offers to come in. So let's just say this team is in his top 10, but not in his top 5.

Texas 2 Sons posted:

My 2019 has a D1 school (5 hours away) that is really interested in him. They want him to come to their camp this next sat and the coach texted him and said he would be glad he came. Going on the assumption this means an offer is coming. This is a school that is in the town we moved away from 2 years ago. He would prefer not to play at this school because of the town. We are considering going and getting the offer anyway because you never know. There's several that say they're interested in him, but haven't made an offer and thinking this might provide motivation.  My question is would this be something you would suggest or not? Thx for the responses.

I deleted my response since you edited your post.

My opinion only, if your son has no intention of attending, not sure I would advise a trip just to get an offer because you feel that would motivate other coaches to make offers. 

It doesn't work that way usually. If those other programs want your son to play for them, the will make an offer regardless of whatever happens with other coaches.  

However,  consider the fact that this could be the one and only offer he might receive.

Do what's best for your son and family, nothing else matters.

JMO

But...you didn't edit the "Going on the assumption..."

I really don't believe anyone can safely assume anything...Since your son is certain he isn't interested in that school, why lead the coach on? Baseball is a small world...

I think it would be best for your son to focus on impressing the coaches at the schools he DOES want to attend. Have him chart out & prioritize those things that he wants from his college experience. Those things that will most reasonably assure his success, both academically & athletically, while making a positive contribution to the success of the team. 

50/50 IMO on whether or not he gets an offer based on our experience.  Actually, probably more like 25/75 he gets an offer.

And...I don't think it really works how you state - "getting 1 offer can sometimes grease the proverbial wheels of other offers to come in."  Heck, I can even tell you that with our younger son, he got his first offer about the same time your son might(?) be getting his - we communicated to other schools who had shown good interest that he had an offer that we were seriously considering in case they wanted to know - I'd say one school responded quickly with their offer, the other 2 or 3 said they'd rather wait.

He ended up going to the school that made the first offer.  And loved it.

I would have to advise that this isn't a poker game.  If he has no interest in school #1, I don't see a reason to visit.  We did not - just didn't seem right to play that game, and I don't see how to get an advantage by doing it anyways.

Visit if he likes the school, otherwise, pass.

This has nothing to do with the school and everything to do with your son.  If he wants to learn to see what the school/program can offer him then go.  If he is not interested then don't go.  

Overwhelmingly in my 3 sons experiences visiting many colleges and talking to many coaches they learned a lot about programs/college and alot more about their own preferences.  There were a couple schools that we visited (that we thought we knew everything) that we learned we really knew nothing.  In one case the academics and baseball were at the right level for my oldest son but the social life (military) wasn't.    We went in with an open mind and were pleasantly surprised.  We went back to that school with my youngest son and learned even more

Good luck!

We are in a similar situation. Son is a 2018, invited to a camp at a very good D1 — probably the highest level of school talking to him. He considered not going because if he attended that school he would have to take another year of foreign language to graduate.

How much would your son have to deal with the town if he attended that school? You may do the camp and find out he loves the school. Or not. If you can go with an open mind, then go. if you can't, don't waste your time or money. Or the coaches.

If your son is at a D1, I think you'll find that most of his time is spent on campus....either school, practice, working out, games etc or traveling for out of town games.  The amount of time he'll have to interact "in town" is going to be minimal.  My son is at a D1 that is in what most would call a "college town"....and the amount of time he spent doing things in town (at least his first two years) was very, very minimal...there just isn't time.    I would say this....would he like the school/coach/program if not for the town?  If so, go to the camp and see what happens. 

Buckeye 2015 posted:

If your son is at a D1, I think you'll find that most of his time is spent on campus....either school, practice, working out, games etc or traveling for out of town games.  The amount of time he'll have to interact "in town" is going to be minimal.  My son is at a D1 that is in what most would call a "college town"....and the amount of time he spent doing things in town (at least his first two years) was very, very minimal...there just isn't time.    I would say this....would he like the school/coach/program if not for the town?  If so, go to the camp and see what happens. 

I really liked this advice when I read it.  It said the school was "top 10" so one can only assume that it has some positive attributes.  If there are a few possible issues as it relates to the city, then it could be easy to get a better feel for whether those issues come into play when the kid is on campus, in part by attending the camp and having additional discussions - maybe an unofficial visit in the fall.  If those issues are simply too large to begin with, then drop the school from your list altogether and move on.

If your son isn't interested then don't waste your time or the coaches time. He's there to play baseball. If he wants to play division 1 baseball, then i don't understand these issues he has with the town... he's there to play baseball, not hangout around town.

go to the visit. Look at the school and talk to the coaches. This may be his one opportunity.

Very sensible answer, D1Catcher! 

D1catcher posted:

If your son isn't interested then don't waste your time or the coaches time. He's there to play baseball. If he wants to play division 1 baseball, then i don't understand these issues he has with the town... he's there to play baseball, not hangout around town.

go to the visit. Look at the school and talk to the coaches. This may be his one opportunity.

We are both very familiar with the school and town as he was born in and lived there for 14 years. There's a lot more to the situation than I'm willing to say on a public forum. One of the reasons we are willing to consider the school is that they got a new HC right as we left. He is trying to right the ship and get his own players there, but it will take time. For now I think we will pass on going down there, but keep the lines of communication open. Thanks for all the responses!