One final push?

It's funny, with baseball recruiters you have two chances to make a first impression.  The first time they see you and the last (especially with pitchers).  If he really wants to go to one of those two schools, then it's worth it, especially if he can catch their eyes with his next "first" impression.

If he shines, that's what they'll remember most.

Save your $$$.

Do you know a pro scout? can you organize a stimulated 2 inning game and film it.

Ask your HS Coach. send the video [U-tube] to the Colleges coaches. A good coach can

analyze the professional video for arm action and effort of his throwing.

Bob

Goodwill Series Inc.http://goodwillseries.org/

MAM posted:

Throughout the summer, my 2017LHP was high on the radar with Amherst and Holy Cross.  Meetings with HC coaches, attending camps, lots of dialogue over email and text.   ....  Wondering if it is worth his while to give them each one more push and attend their camps in September and October (respectively)  He took a month off, his arm is fresher, etc...  ... The question is -- will a good outing on a fresh arm be smart move to try and grab a roster spot?  Thanks.

 

 

Since your son has had lots of dialogue with both HC's, he should ask that question specifically to each of them. 

  Something like...

"Coach xxx, you saw me with a tired arm at HF.  I am back to full health and prepared to work hard for you to stay that way.  ( optional - Here's a recent video..)  I am really interested in attending xxx and contributing to the winning efforts of the baseball program.  I am willing to come out to your xxx camp in xxx if you think I would be able to contribute to your program.  Can you tell me where I am on your board and if you think this trip would make sense?"

The response or lack of will likely tell you what to do.

Best wishes and let us know how things develop. 

An option besides going to their camps would be to go to the Senior Fall Classic in AZ and also trying out for the All Academic game.  I've heard of a lot of kids committing out of that event.  On the plus side it's a lot cheaper and easier to get from SFO to PHX, and your son might get looks from other schools; on the minus your son would need to find a team that would take him.  NorCal did tryouts already.  It may not be too late for Trosky.

I sympathize with your situation.  Tough place to be in at this point.  I do think the Amherst coach is a straight shooter, so I like that option to start.  Just ask.  Then do the video AND try to connect with a team at AZ Fall classic.  I agree that you've gone too far to bail now, BUT it's very possible that your further efforts will result in a school that's not on your radar taking interest, especially at AZ.  LOTS of schools there looking for kids.

I'm leery of the one college camps at this point.  In fact, we did one in August with my 2017 and I don't think I'll do one again with my younger boys unless there are at least 5/6 schools attending.  Just too hit or miss (pardon the pun).

Best of luck to your son!

By the way, the AZ SR. Fall Classic website has a list of teams with coaches' emails.  I'd write as many as possible to try to get a slot for your son.

I'm not suggesting or denying a particular course of action; rather, a philosophy (perhaps a mantra if you want to use it that way.)

He's a pitcher. They're looking for a reason to bring him on board.

Pretty good feedback here from members.Not sure if I'll be able to add much. But I'll start by saying what JCG said is EXACTLY what I would do. Arizona Senior Fall Classic Academic All-Star Try out.

It's arguably the best Academic player showcase on the west coast....it's also like a secret. Not too many people here write about it. My son did it as a rising Junior and his email blew up the next day.

It's important to try out. The try-outs were 'stacked' with at least 20 schools. Ivy's , Patriot league. A ton of east coast schools.

Here is the link : http://azfallclassic.com/all-academic-game/

Also, your son does NOT have to be on a team attending the event. At least that's how it was in 2014.

The Academic All-Star try-out / game is a day before the actual event. And if your son gets selected for the team. The game is also stacked w/ RC's

Which leads me to my point. Or what advice I would give about your situation w/ Amherst & Holy Cross.

DO NOT go back and throw again. That is a mistake . They've already seen him. And if they wanted him they would have already offered. Period. The fact that he didn't throw great at HF isn't that big of a deal. Recruits have bad outings. They know that.

However, you can take another shot if your son really wants to go to those schools. The way you do that is simple. You need an offer from another school. Once you get an offer you can go back to your dream schools and say:

" There has been a change in my recruiting status.... I just  received an offer from University of X it's a great offer and I'm seriously considering committing , but I only get one shot at this and I really wanted to be at Holy Cross...Where are you guys at with me on your 2017 board?"

That is the only sure fire way to move a school or get immediate response.

My son emailed UCLA 12 times . Never heard back. He received an offer he was considering , notified UCLA of the change of his status........UCLA RC emailed back 10 minutes later.

That is a true story

A west coast high academic 2017 LHP has lots of options. The only way to mishandle the recruiting is to get 'stuck' on specific schools.

Don't do it! It's late for a 2017.....Go get another offer.

Get him to the AZ fall classic Academic try out. Also, get in front of Pomona-Pitzer and Occidental right away.

Pomona Prospect camp : http://www.pe.pomona.edu/sports/bsb/camps

You need other offers or options NOW

And lastly don't forget some of the main truisms about effective recruiting:

1) cast a 'wide net' DO NOT get stuck on 2-3 schools

2) When a College coach wants a player , they make their intentions crystal clear. There is No ambiguity whatsoever. none.

*If your son pitched for the aforementioned schools and they haven't moved forward they are not prepared to offer.Which basically means they are not interested.  It sucks hearing that but it's the truth. These guys don't dilly dally. Especially w/ 2017 Class. They are currently in contact via phone/text with the 2017s they like right now.

The unfortunate problem is that players and parents sort of want to believe or hang on to the idea that this particular school still may have interest. NO. Move on! and as stated earlier if certain schools are important to you , then go get another offer. I guarantee you they will respond ASAP

-Anything I write here is just my opinion based on my personal experience

Super helpful suggestions.  Thank you everyone.  One additional piece of context, my son has three offers currently from good schools (Grinnell, Wheaton (Ill), Rhodes -- with three others considering (Stevens, Whitworth, Chapman).  So there will be some choices, which is great.   FYI -- Amherst came back last night and basically said we aren't interested. As far as Holy Cross goes, he had hoped it would be in the mix when decision time came. We will look at forcing the issue with current offers and doing the Fall Classic.   Thanks again.  

MAM - I admire how hard you and your son have worked to get him the exposure he needs at the type of schools he is interested in.  When we were in the same situation as you, we had some nice D3 schools (baseball and academics) that were of interest.  There was one D1 school we had our eyes on and found out about them by accident.   The recruiting coordinator happened to be traveling though our town during a CABA world series tournament and made an off-handed comment to my son's high school coach that the "shortstop" could play but he appeared to be too "small" to play D1 baseball - my son was 5-9 and 147 lbs. at the time as a rising senior.  After the game, the high school coach told me about the encounter and I said "Who the heck are they?" as I had never heard of them before.  Went home and looked them up on the Internet and I couldn't believe who "they" were.  I called them and they said to attend their upcoming camp.  I arranged to send my son there with one of his summer assistant coaches.  When he returned he was kind of dragging his tail between his legs and moping a little bit.  I said, "What happened?"  He said they said he was not big enough, strong enough, fast enough, nor did he have the arm strength to play at the D1 level.  His 60 time was 7.3 seconds and they gunned him across the infield at 76mph.  The coaches told him he couldn't play for them unless you were below a 7.0 sixty (well below for infielders) and threw 85 mph across the infield.  The one note of encouragement they gave him was they liked his hitting. 

Neither of us had ever heard of 60 times before and up and until then were always told he had a strong arm.  I said, "You can sit around here and feel sorry for yourself or you can do something about it"  They had another camp coming up in three months and I told him to dedicate himself over those three months and to go back down there and show them something.  He enrolled in a speed and strength training program and began working on those specific areas.  I've never seen a kid work so hard.  At the end of October, I went with him this time.  He had added some muscle and was up to about 165 lbs.  The beginning of camp the measured arm strength and foot speed.  He clocked in at 6.8 seconds which was a half second improvement over his August time of 7.3 seconds.  His throws across the infield topped out at 86 mph - almost a 10 mph improvement in three months.  The next day they had intra squad scrimmages.  My son's first at bat he singled.  He stole second.  On the next pitch he stole third.  In the next inning, he moved from shortstop to third base and something magical happened.  All the hitters started hitting hard line drive shots down the third base line and my son started making one diving play after another.  I thought I was watching Brooks Robinson.  At the end of the inning, all the parents in the stands gave him a standing ovation.  After we left the park that day, my son said, "Lets call them and see what they think."  I said, "No, if they don't call and make an offer after all you did, then we don't want to play for them." 

Several schools who were at the camp called and pleaded for him to attend their respective schools.  About a week after the camp, a week before the D1 signing letters were to go out, the head coach of the school we were interested in called an made a "small/tiny" scholarship offer.  We were a little disappointed with the offer but I told my son "If you want to go there, you worry about the baseball and let me worry about the money."  He called the coach back and proudly accepted.  He eventually made his way into the lineup there as a freshmen 18 year old player and had a great four year career.  That school was Coastal Carolina - this years D1 national champions.  Now you know the rest of the story.           

cabbagedad posted:

MAM posted:

Throughout the summer, my 2017LHP was high on the radar with Amherst and Holy Cross.  Meetings with HC coaches, attending camps, lots of dialogue over email and text.   ....  Wondering if it is worth his while to give them each one more push and attend their camps in September and October (respectively)  He took a month off, his arm is fresher, etc...  ... The question is -- will a good outing on a fresh arm be smart move to try and grab a roster spot?  Thanks.

 

 

Since your son has had lots of dialogue with both HC's, he should ask that question specifically to each of them. 

  Something like...

"Coach xxx, you saw me with a tired arm at HF.  I am back to full health and prepared to work hard for you to stay that way.  ( optional - Here's a recent video..)  I am really interested in attending xxx and contributing to the winning efforts of the baseball program.  I am willing to come out to your xxx camp in xxx if you think I would be able to contribute to your program.  Can you tell me where I am on your board and if you think this trip would make sense?"

The response or lack of will likely tell you what to do.

Best wishes and let us know how things develop. 

This is good advice. But don't take yes as a positive. Weigh the tone and response that goes with the yes. The coach has nothing to lose by telling him to come. Make the call from a home phone where a second opinion can be listening on the other line. You're deciding between a costly trip or a be facial trip.

MAM posted:

Super helpful suggestions.  Thank you everyone.  One additional piece of context, my son has three offers currently from good schools (Grinnell, Wheaton (Ill), Rhodes -- with three others considering (Stevens, Whitworth, Chapman).  So there will be some choices, which is great.   FYI -- Amherst came back last night and basically said we aren't interested. As far as Holy Cross goes, he had hoped it would be in the mix when decision time came. We will look at forcing the issue with current offers and doing the Fall Classic.   Thanks again.  

Excellent! Sounds like you and your son have done a great job casting a 'wide net' . Grinnell, Wheaton and Rhodes are great schools.

Now, that i understand you have offers, question: Of the three schools, which one loves him? Not likes, LOVES.

My experience watching my son go thru this was that he picked the school that 'loved him' and he made a terrific choice.

All things being equal, the school that is most enthusiastic about adding your son to their roster next year is always a wise choice. It and carries thru 'phase 2 ' which is life after you commit. Not much talk on here about that because everyone is chasing the commitment , but there is much more to do.

Committing is really just the first step and the momentum created when a highly coveted recruit commits is priceless. I can tell you it carries over into financial aid/ grants and later 'move in day' and fall ball.

ClevelandDad posted:

MAM - I admire how hard you and your son have worked to get him the exposure he needs at the type of schools he is interested in.  When we were in the same situation as you, we had some nice D3 schools (baseball and academics) that were of interest.  There was one D1 school we had our eyes on and found out about them by accident.   The recruiting coordinator happened to be traveling though our town during a CABA world series tournament and made an off-handed comment to my son's high school coach that the "shortstop" could play but he appeared to be too "small" to play D1 baseball - my son was 5-9 and 147 lbs. at the time as a rising senior.  After the game, the high school coach told me about the encounter and I said "Who the heck are they?" as I had never heard of them before.  Went home and looked them up on the Internet and I couldn't believe who "they" were.  I called them and they said to attend their upcoming camp.  I arranged to send my son there with one of his summer assistant coaches.  When he returned he was kind of dragging his tail between his legs and moping a little bit.  I said, "What happened?"  He said they said he was not big enough, strong enough, fast enough, nor did he have the arm strength to play at the D1 level.  His 60 time was 7.3 seconds and they gunned him across the infield at 76mph.  The coaches told him he couldn't play for them unless you were below a 7.0 sixty (well below for infielders) and threw 85 mph across the infield.  The one note of encouragement they gave him was they liked his hitting. 

Neither of us had ever heard of 60 times before and up and until then were always told he had a strong arm.  I said, "You can sit around here and feel sorry for yourself or you can do something about it"  They had another camp coming up in three months and I told him to dedicate himself over those three months and to go back down there and show them something.  He enrolled in a speed and strength training program and began working on those specific areas.  I've never seen a kid work so hard.  At the end of October, I went with him this time.  He had added some muscle and was up to about 165 lbs.  The beginning of camp the measured arm strength and foot speed.  He clocked in at 6.8 seconds which was a half second improvement over his August time of 7.3 seconds.  His throws across the infield topped out at 86 mph - almost a 10 mph improvement in three months.  The next day they had intra squad scrimmages.  My son's first at bat he singled.  He stole second.  On the next pitch he stole third.  In the next inning, he moved from shortstop to third base and something magical happened.  All the hitters started hitting hard line drive shots down the third base line and my son started making one diving play after another.  I thought I was watching Brooks Robinson.  At the end of the inning, all the parents in the stands gave him a standing ovation.  After we left the park that day, my son said, "Lets call them and see what they think."  I said, "No, if they don't call and make an offer after all you did, then we don't want to play for them." 

Several schools who were at the camp called and pleaded for him to attend their respective schools.  About a week after the camp, a week before the D1 signing letters were to go out, the head coach of the school we were interested in called an made a "small/tiny" scholarship offer.  We were a little disappointed with the offer but I told my son "If you want to go there, you worry about the baseball and let me worry about the money."  He called the coach back and proudly accepted.  He eventually made his way into the lineup there as a freshmen 18 year old player and had a great four year career.  That school was Coastal Carolina - this years D1 national champions.  Now you know the rest of the story.           

Great story!!!

MAM posted:

Super helpful suggestions.  Thank you everyone.  One additional piece of context, my son has three offers currently from good schools (Grinnell, Wheaton (Ill), Rhodes -- with three others considering (Stevens, Whitworth, Chapman).  So there will be some choices, which is great.   FYI -- Amherst came back last night and basically said we aren't interested. As far as Holy Cross goes, he had hoped it would be in the mix when decision time came. We will look at forcing the issue with current offers and doing the Fall Classic.   Thanks again.  

None of the school you mentioned is worse than Holy Cross. If Amherst is out of the picture, why bother with Holy Cross?

A few of our HS's past stars are playing for Whitworth. The baseball program is very competitive in the NWC. Chapman looks like a competitive program in the SCIAC also. And if you are considering Amherst, you should be able to get sizable merit scholarships from these schools.

MAM:

Holy Cross has had its share of turnover in the past few years. HC is in his 10th year, but 2 years ago a  long time assistant (RC) went to Navy and now the current RC (another long time assistant) left for Harvard. I recall when 2015 seriously looked at Holy Cross (saw him 5-6 times, attended 2 camps) , the school brought in a class of 21 recruits. That gave him some concern.  Good luck to your son..great academic schools . Son really liked his interactions with coach Tim H of Grinnell.

Echo Ripken's comments about Grinnell. Great school. Great staff. Legit possibility of merit aid, too. 

smokeminside posted:

Echo Ripken's comments about Grinnell. Great school. Great staff. Legit possibility of merit aid, too. 

And if you look at Grinnell's webpage,  it looks like they brought in a class of 10  to augment their 20 some returning players.  (One of them is actually a former travel ball teammate of my son, so thats cool.)

The  coach has already offered an assessment of his incoming class.   If these 10 are it,  that suggest that , unlike some other D3,  they  may not over-recruit and being recruited by them might actually mean something more than being offered an invitation to show up and show what you got. 

http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazon...s_of_2020.pdf?id=593

StrainedOblique posted:

MAM posted:

Super helpful suggestions.  Thank you everyone.  One additional piece of context, my son has three offers currently from good schools (Grinnell, Wheaton (Ill), Rhodes -- with three others considering (Stevens, Whitworth, Chapman).  So there will be some choices, which is great.   FYI -- Amherst came back last night and basically said we aren't interested. As far as Holy Cross goes, he had hoped it would be in the mix when decision time came. We will look at forcing the issue with current offers and doing the Fall Classic.   Thanks again.  

Excellent! Sounds like you and your son have done a great job casting a 'wide net' . Grinnell, Wheaton and Rhodes are great schools.

Now, that i understand you have offers, question: Of the three schools, which one loves him? Not likes, LOVES.

My experience watching my son go thru this was that he picked the school that 'loved him' and he made a terrific choice.

All things being equal, the school that is most enthusiastic about adding your son to their roster next year is always a wise choice. It and carries thru 'phase 2 ' which is life after you commit. Not much talk on here about that because everyone is chasing the commitment , but there is much more to do.

Committing is really just the first step and the momentum created when a highly coveted recruit commits is priceless. I can tell you it carries over into financial aid/ grants and later 'move in day' and fall ball.

 

 

There's a lot about what SO calls phase 2 on this board.  I would familiarize myself with it, if I were you.

 It's especially important that your son think about what phase 2 will be like at the different places he is considering.   That's what's behind the advice to "go where you are loved."

 Think of the phase 1 offer as sort of an invitation to show up and show what you've really got.    When you accept that invitation and commit, you need to immediately start focusing on  the part where you actually show up and show what you'e really got   

Now the invitation to  show up and compete can be a relatively exclusive invitation, But there are also schools where many are invited. but few are chosen.   Definitely be wary  of schools like that -- no  matter what sweet sounding words come out of the coach's mouth.   Actions  speak louder than word, after all.  

No matter how many players he recruits,  the coach isn't  merely taking a flyer on you.     He or his RC or PC  has probably  seen you play against decent to elite high school competition.  He  may have some strong word of mouth on you from people he trusts.   He may like your numbers.   That means he has some sense of what you can do and where you might fit in.   That's all to the good.  

BUT  you have to remember that  he and his staff have been scouring the country  looking for talent.  Though they've turned up you,  they also turned up some number of others.  And he's really eager to throw you all into competition with each other and  with his returning players. While  he may have a view about where you fit he'd be a fool not to be willing to  revise  that view based on what he sees once you actually show up  and have to compete.

Bottom line, phase two  is where the real fun starts.  If you succeed at phase two,  opportunities open up.   If you don't,  you'll be cast aside, no matter what he told you when he was trying to get you to come to his school. 

Thanks for sharing CD. Tremendous story.

Great advice so far in this thread.  You guys are good!  Since he has offers from some very, very good schools I wouldn't invest the time, money and "emotional sweat" to coming back East to any specific school for any reason based on what you've shared.  I like the idea of the AZ Classic, and there is still time to be seen by many schools at that event.  So, go to the AZ Classic and see if something grabs his attention.  Meanwhile, I would spend some time weighing and stack ranking his current offers.  So, if nothing pans out at AZ Classic he can move quickly.

I can't stress enough how much I agree with StrainedOblique on selecting a school that loves you.  You can take that to the bank.

Just my two cents...

+1

Go where you are loved.

Go where you'll be happy even if you can't play.

When you say offers do you mean offers of a spring roster spot in exchange for son applying ED1?  Assuming these are all D3 schools, right?  

What sort of offer would you be expecting from Holy Cross at this stage?  As someone in the Northeast who had/has a 2016 RHP I think it's a common misconception that the Patriot League schools are looking for players closer to the D3 level because they are "academic" schools.  I have seen these schools here in NY at our HS games and at 2016s summer team's games - they were looking at the 2 D1 studs he had pitching on his team and both committed to D1 schools.  They didn't look at or recruit any other players on our team(s) including our 2016 (who is a new D3 player as of a few weeks ago when we dropped him off). 

At this stage for a 2017 it seems like you know where the love is coming from - from some really great D3 schools.  I would not spend the money to travel cross country to visit a D1 school.  

All:  Thanks again for the amazing advice given here.  I've been lurking for a year and only a recently became a participant.   The sense of community and the desire of everyone here to help make some sense out of the process is just great.  A heartfelt thank you.

Quick update:  My 2017LHP has followed the advice and gone where he felt LOVED -- Grinnell.  

After spending the entire Labor Day weekend in Iowa and we were back on the plane  heading  home to the Bay Area -- he had made up his mind.  After going to two classes, spending two nights in the dorms with guys on the team, participating in a captain's practice -- he was sold.  He just felt it to his core.  The facilities are off the charts.  Both my wife and I got a great vibe from Coach Hollibaugh.  What sealed it for me, was the feedback we heard from random people.  As we visited a few shops/restaurants in town -- everyone said "...oh Coach Hollibaugh... he's great..."   We were sold.  The likely letter is in the mail.  

 Got to say it is strange to have a decision after two+ years of stress, planning, traveling, emailing, questioning, speculating, success, failure.  What a journey to get to this spot.  Completely unforgetable.  So blessed to have been around to be part of this experience. 

Honestly,  I had no idea what was in store for us back when he started high school baseball -- and I have a feeling I have no idea what's coming next as we get into the swing of his senior year and one last high school baseball season -- let alone what's in store when college starts.  But that is for another day...I'm sure I'll be leaning on this board for advice along the way.  

For now, it's about watching him enjoy the moment.

Wow, what a great feeling. Congrats to your son and family.

Congrats!

quick questions: I thought only the Ivies send "likely letter"? And what about financial aid?

Congratulations!! to you, your son & your family. Your son just secured a roster spot at an NCAA school. Only 8% of the HS players in the US will do that this year.....And Grinnell is an OUTSTANDING Choice.That is quite a feat. I'm sure you are very proud of your boy.

Personally, I'm really happy he went where the 'Love' was. Can't go wrong with that.

Yes, Coach Hollibaugh sounds like a good man. I know for a fact he's a fierce competitive recruiter. My son was recruited by him. Said he was the most persistent of all the coaches that recruited him.

Next year you'll spend much of your idle time shopping airfare to Des Moines and that's a good thing!  We're the lucky ones. We get to watch our guys play for another 4 years.

Hope your son stay's healthy and has a great Senior year in HS. Enjoy watching HS baseball this year.....It goes by quick!

MAM, sent you a p.m.  and Congrats!!!

MAM, 

The son of one of our members, RyanRod23, recently graduated from Grinnell, and from all accounts it was a good experience. RyanRod23 has been a helpful contributor for a long time, and I'm sure he'd be glad to share tips and pointers for success at Grinnell if you send him a PM.

Congrats to your son and best wishes, 

MAM posted:

All:  Thanks again for the amazing advice given here.  I've been lurking for a year and only a recently became a participant.   The sense of community and the desire of everyone here to help make some sense out of the process is just great.  A heartfelt thank you.

Quick update:  My 2017LHP has followed the advice and gone where he felt LOVED -- Grinnell.  

After spending the entire Labor Day weekend in Iowa and we were back on the plane  heading  home to the Bay Area -- he had made up his mind.  After going to two classes, spending two nights in the dorms with guys on the team, participating in a captain's practice -- he was sold.  He just felt it to his core.  The facilities are off the charts.  Both my wife and I got a great vibe from Coach Hollibaugh.  What sealed it for me, was the feedback we heard from random people.  As we visited a few shops/restaurants in town -- everyone said "...oh Coach Hollibaugh... he's great..."   We were sold.  The likely letter is in the mail.  

 Got to say it is strange to have a decision after two+ years of stress, planning, traveling, emailing, questioning, speculating, success, failure.  What a journey to get to this spot.  Completely unforgetable.  So blessed to have been around to be part of this experience. 

Honestly,  I had no idea what was in store for us back when he started high school baseball -- and I have a feeling I have no idea what's coming next as we get into the swing of his senior year and one last high school baseball season -- let alone what's in store when college starts.  But that is for another day...I'm sure I'll be leaning on this board for advice along the way.  

For now, it's about watching him enjoy the moment.

 

 

Congratulations to your son.

And thank you for proving once again that when its the right fit,  your player will know it.

Welcome to Iowa!!!

Congrats on your son's selection and best of luck!

Congratulations, well done.

Awesome news and congrats to your LHP2017.  Great choice; there does not seem to be a better recruiting HC or nicer guy on this planet!

I only have one comment. (see link)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8-B5cyfK6A

Congrats. 

Swapboy -- thanks for the pointer -- I sent RyanRod a PM...  if anyone else has insights into Midwest Conference or Grinnell -- would love to hear it.

BogeyorPar -- I guess a few other schools do likely letters.  Grinnell's arrived yesterday.  The head of admissions and the coach both told my son that they get a few (2 or 3) of those each season they allocate to recruits.  The letter basically said that unless he screws up badly -- he will be admitted.

Congratulations on Grinnell!  We really liked Coach Hollibaugh and Coach Cooprider!!  Great school.

I'm catching up with this thread a little late, but wanted to comment on what MK said a couple weeks ago.  Holy Cross had 4 players in the Cape league this Summer.  D1 level of play is very high, even at top academic schools.  Rosters just aren't as deep as the top D1 programs. 

At this stage for 2017's, you know if a D1 is interested as they've offered already.  And many players know if a D3 is interested as they've offered roster spots now too.  Always exceptions to this, but it's been our experience.

Congrats to you and your son MAM. From our interactions with Coach H, your son should enjoy playing for him.

At the risk of highjacking this thread, I would like to reflect on this quote from Branson, above:

At this stage for 2017's, you know if a D1 is interested as they've offered already.  And many players know if a D3 is interested as they've offered roster spots now too.  Always exceptions to this, but it's been our experience.

It seems that way to me, too, but my son is trying to interpret an email he got in the last day or so.  It's from the RC of one of the top-ten schools in the  D3 baseball poll  (and also a school that would be considered high academic).  The RC's email invites him to their fall prospect camp, with words to the effect that one of their coaches saw him at a camp last summer and thinks he could be a good fit, athletically and academically. They want him to come to camp to see if the match will pan out.

Other than being addressed directly to my son, it appears to be generic, with a lot of non-specific language (for example, it never mentions what camp they saw him at, nor the position he plays), and the unsubscribe feature is at the bottom of the email.  My son has never contacted the school, and it is the first email he's received from the baseball coach.  He does fit their academic profile, and has received general emails and mailings, like everyone else who's of age and has a pulse, from their admissions office. 

My take on this is that it's pretty late in the game for my son to take seriously.  Besides the fact that my son has other offers that he's been weighing carefully, the camp is AFTER a lot of schools' ED deadline.  If they were highly interested in him, we think they would have contacted him right after whatever camp they saw him at, and he would have seriously considered the school.  We think this invite, while not a straightforward money grab, is more along the lines of them thinking of my son as bottom of the roster insurance. 

Is that too wildly speculative?

Smoke, my son recieved an email from the defending champs with almost exactly that verbiage within the past couple days, and I've seen several camp emails with similar verbiage this summer.

In fact I encouraged kid to reply to one of those as it was a D1 on his radar, and RC got back with a sure, we really do like you and want you to come out so HC can see you.  So I checked PG site and saw that they had two 2017 MIF's commited already. Told my boy, sorry, we're not taking that trip.