Once at a JC, how to get noticed by higher programs

He needs to be a NCAA qualifier out of HS in order to leave without his AA degree.

Short of that, not many JC coaches will want to loose their impact freshman players to a four year school after only one year, so they most likely not market the freshman to many schools, in fact, I have heard some four year schools back off of players because they did not want to disrupt their relationship with the JC coach.

Other than that, you can always continue the proactive practice of contacting schools you are interested in and hopefully they will be interested in you after seeing you play against So Cal JC competition.

Good Luck and enjoy the ride.

You need to either be an academic qualifier for a four year program out of HS to be eligible to transfer after one year or you need to stay for two years and get your associates degree. Thats my understanding, but others may be better informed.

As far as exposure goes, IF you make the starting roster and put up good numbers you will be noticed, assuming the JC is in a decent conference. I recommend you figure out how many four year transfers the program typically has each year. The better schools seem to get 5-10 players to the next level each year. Four year college recriuiters are at nearly every game watching the top prospects.

A couple of points worth noting is 1)making the starting squad at a Californa JC is far more difficult than most high school players/parents think and 2) some four year colleges refrain from recruiting players from a JC after only one year out of respect for the JC coach's program.

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some four year colleges refrain from recruiting players from a JC after only one year out of respect for the JC coach's program.

I would say Most all 4 year schools refrain.We were told that they will call the coach first and ask permission to talk to a player, and or recruit him.So if your JC coach doesnt want you to leave it can presentnet a problem, if you are trying to get out of there.

There are some high profile four year schools that do recruit freshman transfers like "USC"

Well actually USC generally does not recruit freshmen JC players.They called our sons coach and asked permission to speak to our son, and then called him again to ask him if they could make him an offer.They handled it very respectfully, and USC being a top pick for our son, his JC coach let it happen. If he had said no, we would of never heard from USC. The 4 years just cant afford to burn bridges with JC coaches. Because of losing players to the draft, opened the door there. sue>c

I am just giving you a hard time, congratulations to Matt for putting himself in a position of being highly desired. I am sure USC handled things very professionally as they would not not to lose the relationship with a very good program.

Yeah, I know you know that, but just want to put that out there for the newbies.Hope your son is enjoying his new place.great school, great education, and beautiful area.

Homerun04,

Left you a PM. Good night.

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Basically to sum up the above, what is needed to leave a JC for bigger better things after a players Freshman year?

I think you are getting way ahead of yourself here. I would generally plan on spending 2-3 years at a jc. I would not worry about leaving early until i could prove i can play.

quote:

Also, how would one go about getting his name to college coaches as being a JC player that wants to leave and either Red-Shirt or hold a bench position and work to the top?

If you are a "player", this won't be a problem in So Cal. Lots coaches and scouts will see you play. However i am not sure many 4 year college coaches are looking for red shirts or bench players at a jc. Generally, the 4 year schools are looking for jC players that can play "now". Any jc player that can't play "now" is likely a walk-on canidate.... at best.

I watched FOG'a son play and he is a PLAYER. He had the presence of a D1 player. I feel moving on will be determined by what he does on the field first of all.

Oh yeah as FOG said a little luck with roster spots opening up such as a player being drafted.

Good luck to your son.

FOG's son non-with-standing...

Word to the wise...

I could be wrong, but it's what I am seeing....given the current ability and willingness of many of 4 years to pull baseball $ from players over 2.6 GPA without program retribution, I would not go early unless I had a full head of steam and was certain, and had third party confirmation that my son was/would be a very, very important part of the college program was was leaving for. At the moment Bench players and RS with high GPA's at DI's are very muhc "at risk" as their $ is being pulled and redirected to increasingly large freshman recruting classes. One year might get a JC player a roster spot, two years and he might be assured to keep that spot.


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You might want to consider what impact asking these questions online might have. There probably aren't that many players from Alaska who are freshmen at SoCal JC's. While I'm sure your coach understands that players see JCs as a step to the next level he might not appreciate it if you went around him to try and find a spot. Good JC coaches put a lot of effort into finding spots for their players but they generally expect the players to stick for two years. In other words, focus on success on the field and in the classroom then worry about exposure. You'll get exposure if you are playing even though the coaches will be making more of an effort to help the sophmores find a spot.

Generally speaking the 4 year schools don't particularly mind seeing players develop at a JC and will wait until a player is ready to make an immediate contribution before going after him.

If you are ready to contribute after your first year the schools will come after you and the JC coach will probably work with them. A JC coach also wants to keep a good relationship going with the 4 year schools and generally won't hold back a player who is clearly ready to contribute at a 4 year school that really needs him.

JMO, and every situation is unique.

So, it would generally be bad form to let 4 year schools that you are interested in transferring to where you are playing and that you still have interest in their program?

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While I'm sure your coach understands that players see JCs as a step to the next level he might not appreciate it if you went around him to try and find a spot. Good JC coaches put a lot of effort into finding spots for their players but they generally expect the players to stick for two years. In other words, focus on success on the field and in the classroom then worry about exposure. You'll get exposure if you are playing even though the coaches will be making more of an effort to help the sophmores find a spot.

I agree, good advice from all the above posts.

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So, it would generally be bad form to let 4 year schools that you are interested in transferring to where you are playing and that you still have interest in their program?

I do not think there is anything wrong with letting programs know you are interested. I would not be trying to leave after one year.There is a fine line of respect that occurs between JC coaches, 4 year schools, and players as well.If you contact a four year school, they will contact your JC coach.
I would just let it play out, go to the JC, do your school work, play hard, get stronger, better, and the 4 year schools look at the JCs, esp. the better conferences.
I agree with OBserver 44, about caution to leave early.All of it is a risk no matter what.

I don't think there's an issue with contacting a 4 year school. I just think it should be on the level of letting them know that you're interested and that you hope they'll follow you at your JC without putting a timeline on it.

think of the so cal JCs leagues as a giant year long showcase. If you are a "player" in so cal, the d1 schools will generally notice you w/o contacting them. if you have to contact d1 coaches during your first year....you are likely not a "player'...yet.

First, thank you all very much for the replies, I realize that none of you had to reply and I appreciate all the help.

Ill leave my information at this. I was accepted at Washington State University for Academics with WUE. So I know for a fact academics is not an issue, I exited high school with a 3.2 gpa, and solid SAT and ACT scores. I know for certain, grades were never and issue at any school. Coming from Alaska, I was not able to work or play against the best on the west coast baseball wise, and it also severely limited my abilites to go to camps at colleges. I attended the AZ Fall Classic 2 times, but only JC's contacted me from that, despite me sending tons of information out.

Second, I understand why it may be disrespectful going around coaches and such. It is not in my personality and I am not interested in burning bridges with coaches at all. I pride myself on my coachability and teammate traits. I am in very new place, and I am adjusting to teammates and new coaches. The baseball I absolutely love, without a doubt, it leaves me speechless everyday I take the field. I suppose what I am feeling is the adjustment. I am used to really working hard to achieve the next level. I am used to constant progression, and setting daily goals and achieving them. I set long term goals to achieve aswell. This means lifting really hard, and working extra on things to achieve these goals. I just feel limited by things outside of my control, like a shotty weight room at the schoool, certain times when I can hit extra an cant hit, and only early outs and practice to take ground balls extra. Furthermore I am severely limited because I do not have a truck here yet. It is in the works with my parents and I just have to wait only a small amount of time (mid-october) till I will have the freedom of a vehicle.

The wall I run into is that, I am an extremely hard-working, very motivated kid. I love baseball, and have the aspiration to reach the higher levels. I love to take extra time with things baseball wise and work hard. Baseball is my passion. Now while the game may be passion to other kids here sometimes, they love to party and do off-field things. Right now, I rely on my roomates for rides to the field and school, they are very very party oriented on the weekends, and rarely show for early outs.

My fear is that because I am not able to work to adjust as much as I would like to, mainly because I have only certain times to ride to the field, I will lose my opportunity to start at 1B or DH my freshman year, and become a Red-Shirt. Now there are other kids that have the same ideas as me work wise, but its hard because they are sophmores and are very set to go to a 4 year school next year. They do extra work, unfortunately, when I have class. I know I have the tools for a starting spot or a bench spot, but am afraid I am getting thrown into a mixing pot of stereotypes of not being passionate about the game and am heading for a red-shirt spot, like most of the partying, drinking, weekend loving kids.

Wow as I type this, I am having thoughts that I am answering my own questions... If anyone has any suggestions as how to deal with this, I am all ears. I have talked to my parents about it tonight, and just want to see what other parents/coaches/players have advice wise.

I really appreciate the help everyone. But overall in no way am I miserable, I can handle it down here for when I hit the field, its the same game in a new place, and I love it!!

Call the sophmores and ask if they'd like to work out....and mention that you need a ride.

i would not refer to the weight room as ******, your coach/a/d might not appreciate it. you could always join a club if the jc weight room doesn't work for you. my son used a club while he was at a JC. he also worked out at a local hs on occasion,all you need is a tee and a fence/net.

There will always be kids who dont work as hard as you.The partying will go on at 4 year schools as well.Just keep working hard, keep your goals and let it play out.
If you make the starting line up this year, you will get looks. Dont focus on that right now, focus on what you can control.There will always be distractions.Good luck on hopefully starting this year, but remeber lots of freshmen do not and many redshirt.

Well I see Fan of Game is online tonight helping out as always. AK, you are one of the rare ones who truly loves the game and working towards a goal. If you stay healthy, I'm sure you will be noticed. Best to you on your journey.

Thank you all once again for the replies!!

Im sorry I have been extremely busy with things, and have not had the time to drop a reply.

I have had some great developments in the last week!

First, I have decided to try and set up a meeting time with my Coach, and talk to him and ask him some questions.

Second, one of are assistant coaches was a 1 year JC guy, he went to my school for 1 year, then to San Diego State (in 1999 i think, and played for 3 years, then drafted by texas and played). I am going to talk with him, I work with him the most, he is the hitting coach.

Third, I had a great week last week, actually hit like a power hitter, drove in some runs!

Fourth, my dad and mom suprised me with a call that I will have a truck here by 2nd-3rd week of OCT! That was excellent news!

Then the best news of all, Saturday, we play are first fall game, I am so excited I can barely contain myself.


Thank You all for you help, I have absorbed all of he suggestions, and may end up contacting schools I am interested in and just expressing interest. Not setting a time line, but my personal goal is to still exit after 1 year. I was accepted at 4 year schools and was originally planning on walking-on at one, but after talking with recruiting coordinator weekly, they were over recruited and had problems narrowing to 35, so I decided to head south to So-Cal.

Well I love it here, and am working very hard still!

Thank you all for the advice and everything. Things have really 180'd this last week,

Ill keep you posted!

quote:

Originally posted by AKFirstbaseman:

Thank you all once again for the replies!!

Im sorry I have been extremely busy with things, and have not had the time to drop a reply.

I have had some great developments in the last week!

First, I have decided to try and set up a meeting time with my Coach, and talk to him and ask him some questions.

Second, one of are our assistant coaches was a 1 year JC guy, he went to my school for 1 year, then to San Diego State (in 1999 i think, and played for 3 years, then drafted by texas and played). I am going to talk with him, I work with him the most, he is the hitting coach.

Third, I had a great week last week, actually hit like a power hitter, drove in some runs!

Fourth, my dad and mom suprised me with a call that I will have a truck here by 2nd-3rd week of OCT! That was excellent news!

Then the best news of all, Saturday, we play are our first fall game, I am so excited I can barely contain myself.


Thank You all for you help, I have absorbed all of he suggestions, and may end up contacting schools I am interested in and just expressing interest. Not setting a time line, but my personal goal is to still exit after 1 year. I was accepted at 4 year schools and was originally planning on walking-on at one, but after talking with recruiting coordinator weekly, they were over recruited and had problems narrowing to 35, so I decided to head south to So-Cal.

Well I love it here, and am working very hard still!

Thank you all for the advice and everything. Things have really 180'd this last week,

Ill keep you posted!

AK, sorry but I had to take care of a little housekeeping in your post being that you are a College Freshman and probably just made a typo.

Congrats on the truck. Now show Dad and mom that you can be responsible with it and make them proud.

Maybe I missed something. In your post above you say you still have plans on leaving after 1 year, then say "so I decided to head south to So-Cal." Does that mean you headed to So-Cal to play JUCO?

I would highly suggest you speak to the Head coach most importantly about this. But I must suggest to you that it COULD come across that you are only there to showcase this year and he could be concerned of you pushing to hard which could adversely affect your play.

My suggestion would be keep it all to myself and play like there was no tomorrow letting my game and hard work speak for itself. If that's not enough to attract the D1's, then there's a reason. You are not ready for that level and playing a 2nd year at JUCO might be just what the Doctor ordered! JMHO

I can assure you that the "thought" of playing D1 ball after the 1st year entered FanofGames mind at the beginning of his freshman year. What did he do? He didn't worry about it and only went out and worked his hiney off, won earned some awards, and USC stood up and noticed. Anyone here will tell you that this scenario is an exception, not a rule.

YoungGunDad,

Wow, I did make some spelling errors on that post, I am sorry. I did not proof read it after.

But no I am at a school here in So-Cal and have been for 4 weeks and about to start week 5.

My original plan back in June/July was to head to Washington State and try to walk-on. I was accepted academically with WUE scholarship for academics back in November 2008. At the beginning of 2009 I was not 100% sure I wanted to go the JC route, my options were only in the NWAACC, and I was not sure if I was interested in going that way with baseball. I worked really hard to prepare for a walk-on tryout at a PAC-10 school. I was setting up nicely to try to walk-on. I had talked to the recruiting coordinator there over Feb-May, and he was waiting on drafted kids decisions (or hopefully going to be drafted kids). He was pretty good about keeping me posted on what the news was bi-weekly-ish. And what happened was that kids that they had assumed were going to sign pro-contracts did not sign these contracts after the draft and decided to come back and finish college and play ball. This had there figures showing they were over-recruited and were going to have to cut scholarship guys back. So a walk-on would have been a huge challenge, not that I was not up for it, but the cards were stacked against me and it would have been really really risky.

After the season started at home, and I graduated and all, I had an epiphany that I wanted to try and make everything work baseball wise. I was really getting prepared more than ever to walk-on at WSU. But the call came that it would have been extremely difficult and that things out of my control were going to play into it.

Then about mid-July an offer came from a coach who got a call from a past player that saw me play in Spokane. This coach that called was he coach that I play for now. I am not going to reveal the name because then I would be a dead give away incase my coach reads this board or teamates do. I can give you personal info, just PM me!

I will do just what you said, keep everything very quiet, and talk to my coach and just WORK HAAARRRD!


May I ask, did FanOfGame's skills reflect that he was ready for a D1 or did he work to that level over his Freshman year?