Remember when I ask this question that I'm just a mom who's never been through this before! Is it necessary to have an official visit before an offer is extended?
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The timing of the official visit has nothing to do with the offer. There are a lot of players who go out on unofficial visits and feel very comfortable with the program. Then they go out on an official visit at some other point.
quote:Originally posted by bballmomssr:
Remember when I ask this question that I'm just a mom who's never been through this before! Is it necessary to have an official visit before an offer is extended?
Nothing is necessary unless the recruit and family feel it is necessary.
Mine wouldn't commit unless he toured the campus, met coaches and wanted to spend time with the team. He had never been there before. If son has been to campus before, it might not be necessary. I certainly would never have my son committ to anything sight unseen! JMO.
If your son committs before an official visit, they should extend one to him later on.
bbmomssr,
How did the camp go this weekend?
No, an official visit is not required, coach can make an offer at any time. You can think of an official visit as part of the "courting process" between a school and prospect. It is used to get to know each other, the facilities, program, players, etc... It is a "date" that the school pays for. Where as, an unofficial visit (like your one this weekend) is like going on a "dutch" date or out with friends where you/player pay your own way. As in dating the willingness of the school to pay for an Official Visit usually indicates a greater degree of interest. I believe D1 schools are limited to extending only 25 total official visits in a school year.
How did the camp go this weekend?
No, an official visit is not required, coach can make an offer at any time. You can think of an official visit as part of the "courting process" between a school and prospect. It is used to get to know each other, the facilities, program, players, etc... It is a "date" that the school pays for. Where as, an unofficial visit (like your one this weekend) is like going on a "dutch" date or out with friends where you/player pay your own way. As in dating the willingness of the school to pay for an Official Visit usually indicates a greater degree of interest. I believe D1 schools are limited to extending only 25 total official visits in a school year.
Still Learning
Evidently the camp went well. The head coach did the hitting evaluation of my son himself and he received the highest marks. My son said his throws to second where right on target and he felt like they were faster than the last time he was timed (at National Showcase in Arkansas). They didn't tell the boys their pop times. He also threw two kids out at second during the few innings he caught.
He was going to try to talk to the coach after the camp, but the coach was swamped by parents. He emailed the coach as soon as he got home.
We are trying not to get our hopes up.
Evidently the camp went well. The head coach did the hitting evaluation of my son himself and he received the highest marks. My son said his throws to second where right on target and he felt like they were faster than the last time he was timed (at National Showcase in Arkansas). They didn't tell the boys their pop times. He also threw two kids out at second during the few innings he caught.
He was going to try to talk to the coach after the camp, but the coach was swamped by parents. He emailed the coach as soon as he got home.
We are trying not to get our hopes up.
quote:If your son committs before an official visit, they should extend one to him later on.
Yep, we did this. Son was very familiar with the program, but the visit after the commitment solidified everything in his mind. It also gave him a connection with the players before he attended school that was easily revived when he got there as a freshman.
Back to the original question...I think all of our son's offers came BEFORE any official visits. The visits were intended to close the deal as best as I could tell.
I'm glad your son had a positive experience this weekend!
I think it would be beneficial to call the coach on the telephone as a follow up to the weekend. Emails are ok but some coaches are really into their computers while others may not be. A coach is only allowed to call once per week but a player can call a coach as often as he needs/wants, per ncaa rules.
I think it would be beneficial to call the coach on the telephone as a follow up to the weekend. Emails are ok but some coaches are really into their computers while others may not be. A coach is only allowed to call once per week but a player can call a coach as often as he needs/wants, per ncaa rules.
quote:Originally posted by bballmomssr:
He emailed the coach as soon as he got home.
AND................
Beezer,
We haven't heard a word from him. My son's high school coach followed up with the recruiting coordinator who had started this whole thing and all he said was that the head coach said my son did really really well in the cage! No mention about his catching ability good or bad. My son is playing in an early sign showcase this weekend and they are going to be there. This is REALLY FRUSTRATING!!
We haven't heard a word from him. My son's high school coach followed up with the recruiting coordinator who had started this whole thing and all he said was that the head coach said my son did really really well in the cage! No mention about his catching ability good or bad. My son is playing in an early sign showcase this weekend and they are going to be there. This is REALLY FRUSTRATING!!
quote:This is REALLY FRUSTRATING!!
Recruiting can be crazy! Some schools you expect that will make offers won't.... but at the same time there will be schools that will pop into the equation and made an offer that you've never even heard of! Just have faith that in the end, the right one for your son will appear!
Laf is correct. You all of a sudden hear from schools you often have never thought of. Keep proactive and working all options. Hanging your hopes on one school can leave you high and dry.
It is very important to select some schools that you like and promote your son to them. Also call the coach if he hasn't responded to your email. You may have to track him down but stay on it until you get him. I got an offer from a coach that I played telephone tag with for alomost 2 months.
It is very important to select some schools that you like and promote your son to them. Also call the coach if he hasn't responded to your email. You may have to track him down but stay on it until you get him. I got an offer from a coach that I played telephone tag with for alomost 2 months.
Let me use this example again to show how crazy recruiting can be
the first school to contact my son was a major D-I in Texas and they called on July 1---they set up the official visit and made all the arrangements--- son had a great visit and then they offer him $ 1500 . You go figure !!!!
The school he ended up attending made the offer in June of his senior year and the offer was substantial
the first school to contact my son was a major D-I in Texas and they called on July 1---they set up the official visit and made all the arrangements--- son had a great visit and then they offer him $ 1500 . You go figure !!!!
The school he ended up attending made the offer in June of his senior year and the offer was substantial
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
The school he ended up attending made the offer in June of his senior year and the offer was substantial
My daughter verballed in March (signed in April) and we were just about spent at that point. I can't even imagine going till June!
bballmomssr - It sounds encouraging they spoke highly of him and very convenient that they'll be there this weekend, Hopefully he'll get some feebdback.
bballmomssr. Sounds positive and good luck to you.
Funny-our experience was same as justbb
Offers before visits and our son did not want to take an official visit at a school unless he was very serious about the program because we didn't feel right having a school spend $ on visit unless we knew son very interested and it was do-able from our end.
Son did committ to school verbally as soon as he was admitted and later took visit to meet team etc.
But we knew the program and had previously lived in same area for 14 years and son had unofficial visit to campus in August.
Funny-our experience was same as justbb
Offers before visits and our son did not want to take an official visit at a school unless he was very serious about the program because we didn't feel right having a school spend $ on visit unless we knew son very interested and it was do-able from our end.
Son did committ to school verbally as soon as he was admitted and later took visit to meet team etc.
But we knew the program and had previously lived in same area for 14 years and son had unofficial visit to campus in August.
bballmomssr - So how was the showcase and did he get any more feedback?
Beezer
The showcase went great. Saturday he hit several out during BP on the field (only one in his round to do so), went 3-3 with a single, double and HR and threw two people out at 2nd!! He hit the only homerun of the showcase evidently. Sunday he was 1-3 (my husband didn't think many scouts were there Sunday afternoon). WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM A SOUL!!!!! No clue if the coach that was supposed to be coming back to see him was even there. The scouts had all cleared out by the time the kids had packed up. Our HS coach was gonna give him another call since that is how they left it last week. You'd think at least someone would call!!!!! It's so disheartening. My husband and son now think it was a waste of time and money. Are we just being impatient?
The showcase went great. Saturday he hit several out during BP on the field (only one in his round to do so), went 3-3 with a single, double and HR and threw two people out at 2nd!! He hit the only homerun of the showcase evidently. Sunday he was 1-3 (my husband didn't think many scouts were there Sunday afternoon). WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM A SOUL!!!!! No clue if the coach that was supposed to be coming back to see him was even there. The scouts had all cleared out by the time the kids had packed up. Our HS coach was gonna give him another call since that is how they left it last week. You'd think at least someone would call!!!!! It's so disheartening. My husband and son now think it was a waste of time and money. Are we just being impatient?
BTW lhpmom. Sounds as if your son had a pretty good Fall. I saw him pitch in the alumni game and thought he looked pretty good.
C u this year?
C u this year?
bballmomssr - That performance has got to be noticed! Everyone must be on vacation or something!!?? I can not imagine that he will not get very positive feedback.
What year is your Son?
What year is your Son?
I think we're in a blackout period right now. When the blackout is lifted, hopefully you'll hear something.
My son heard from a couple of colleges a full month after they saw him. Hang in there!
floridafan
My son is a senior.
Can anyone tell me if there is some reason why there would be a great rush to get something done by this signing period? I mean, can they offer him something say in two weeks but just not have him officially sign until April? Does that happen?
My son is a senior.
Can anyone tell me if there is some reason why there would be a great rush to get something done by this signing period? I mean, can they offer him something say in two weeks but just not have him officially sign until April? Does that happen?
Somebody can jump in and correct me if I'm worng here....
Assuming it's a dead period as Midlo said, they can't contact you or your son. The rush to sign this week as opposed to April, in my opinion, is simply to get it over and off your chest and relax. Once the dead period is over (check the NCAA and NLI sites posted elsewhere) you can gets offers and he can give a verbal commitment and then sign in April (or later). That's exactly what my daughter did. Keep in mind, November is the early signing period. If he doesn't sign this week, don't sweat it.
Assuming it's a dead period as Midlo said, they can't contact you or your son. The rush to sign this week as opposed to April, in my opinion, is simply to get it over and off your chest and relax. Once the dead period is over (check the NCAA and NLI sites posted elsewhere) you can gets offers and he can give a verbal commitment and then sign in April (or later). That's exactly what my daughter did. Keep in mind, November is the early signing period. If he doesn't sign this week, don't sweat it.
bbmomssr,
We are definitely in a "Dead" period and they (D1 coaches) are not allowed to contact you at this time. I believe it is posted elsewhere on the site that the dates are Nov. 6 thru Nov. 9.
I agree with Beezer that one of the reasons players like to sign "Early" is to be able make a decision and move forward. As exiciting as the recruiting process is, it is also stressful and time consuming for High School players, as it is often the biggest decision they have had to make at this point in their life. However, it is not the end of baseball if a player does not sign early.
Yes, an offer can be made at anytime and sign in the Spring. I know of some 06 seniors who did not sign until the summer after their HS graduation. They played on some highly competitive summer travel teams to gain exposure and find the "right fit" from JUCO to a Super Regional D1 (he is a catcher
)
Hang in there!
We are definitely in a "Dead" period and they (D1 coaches) are not allowed to contact you at this time. I believe it is posted elsewhere on the site that the dates are Nov. 6 thru Nov. 9.
I agree with Beezer that one of the reasons players like to sign "Early" is to be able make a decision and move forward. As exiciting as the recruiting process is, it is also stressful and time consuming for High School players, as it is often the biggest decision they have had to make at this point in their life. However, it is not the end of baseball if a player does not sign early.
Yes, an offer can be made at anytime and sign in the Spring. I know of some 06 seniors who did not sign until the summer after their HS graduation. They played on some highly competitive summer travel teams to gain exposure and find the "right fit" from JUCO to a Super Regional D1 (he is a catcher
) Hang in there!
StillLearning - Did you tell us where your son is signing yet? I missed it if you did.
Justbb,
Not yet, We're waiting until after he signs and faxes everything in tommorrow and it is "Official".
Not yet, We're waiting until after he signs and faxes everything in tommorrow and it is "Official".
Okie dokie. Lookin' forward to it.
Another reason for "signing early" is for academic monies that are available. Most schools start handing out that money shortly after Thanksgiving. While there are a ton of scholarships available that can be used anywhere...each school also has scholarship money available, ( more than I imagined) in particular fields of study, for early decision makers. If your son happens to be an "academic qualifier" these funds do not count toward the scholarship money offered by the baseball coach and can make a 20-30% scholarship jump up to a 70-80% ride. The only scholarships to be careful of are those that are sports related as they can be counted toward the university's allotment of scholarship funds.
"This is REALLY FRUSTRATING!!"
bbmomssr, I think your statement reflects the feelings of many players and parents around this time of the college recruiting calendar.
Read the thread about Newcomer's son. They get a call from the Coach saying "we want him" and when the son calls...voicemail and no return call as of the last post.
We were in the same position some years back, didn't have the HSBBW for assistance. We assumed that college coaches did decent things like return calls, follow up on expressions of interest, showed up to see your son when they committed to do so, and the like. What we found is that some do and many don't.
My recommendation for your son and family is to take control of the recruiting procedure and do it quickly. Leave this coaching staff a message that if they can't show the courtesy of returning calls/voicemails/emails, your son is moving on. It is my view that the experience in college athetics isn't much different than in the recruiting. If the coaches are indifferent in recruiting, they will be the same if your son plays in that program.
Also, I would expand your list of schools of interest. Take the showcase evaluation you describe(hopefully there will be one and it reflects accurately what happened) and get it faxed and mailed to a number of coaches and programs. Stop working through the high school coach and get your information first hand. Be aggressive and assertive in getting your son marketed and his talents exposed.
You have plenty of time in the late signing period which goes from April until school starts in the Fall. But waiting is not the right answer because it provides the college with all the leverage and you with none.
We, like many, thought our son's talent would get him recruited and he would end up fine. For other than top tier players, that isn't the case. Even with some top tier, it isn't always the case. Fungo is one of the best at describing the need to market your son, and Fungo Jr. was and is a very top tier talent. I would access some of Fungo's past posts and also the recruiting information on this site.
I hope this input is valuable. I hate to see comments like the above but know how it feels from personal experience. While the process will continue to be frustrating, it will be less so the more you and your son take control, do the marketing, expand the colleges and don't allow coaches to treat you the way that is coming across in your posts.
bbmomssr, I think your statement reflects the feelings of many players and parents around this time of the college recruiting calendar.
Read the thread about Newcomer's son. They get a call from the Coach saying "we want him" and when the son calls...voicemail and no return call as of the last post.
We were in the same position some years back, didn't have the HSBBW for assistance. We assumed that college coaches did decent things like return calls, follow up on expressions of interest, showed up to see your son when they committed to do so, and the like. What we found is that some do and many don't.
My recommendation for your son and family is to take control of the recruiting procedure and do it quickly. Leave this coaching staff a message that if they can't show the courtesy of returning calls/voicemails/emails, your son is moving on. It is my view that the experience in college athetics isn't much different than in the recruiting. If the coaches are indifferent in recruiting, they will be the same if your son plays in that program.
Also, I would expand your list of schools of interest. Take the showcase evaluation you describe(hopefully there will be one and it reflects accurately what happened) and get it faxed and mailed to a number of coaches and programs. Stop working through the high school coach and get your information first hand. Be aggressive and assertive in getting your son marketed and his talents exposed.
You have plenty of time in the late signing period which goes from April until school starts in the Fall. But waiting is not the right answer because it provides the college with all the leverage and you with none.
We, like many, thought our son's talent would get him recruited and he would end up fine. For other than top tier players, that isn't the case. Even with some top tier, it isn't always the case. Fungo is one of the best at describing the need to market your son, and Fungo Jr. was and is a very top tier talent. I would access some of Fungo's past posts and also the recruiting information on this site.
I hope this input is valuable. I hate to see comments like the above but know how it feels from personal experience. While the process will continue to be frustrating, it will be less so the more you and your son take control, do the marketing, expand the colleges and don't allow coaches to treat you the way that is coming across in your posts.
I hope that all of the parents out there just "looking" for answers will print out infielddads post and save it in a special place for when the time comes to begin the recruiting process!