Please excuse the method of sending this important Open letter from a College Coach. This is very interesting perspective from a College Coach. The same applies from a the pro scouts. For 33 years, I have visited and became friends with over 2,000 pro scouts and college coaches. It is a difficult career.
Please read and adjust your approach to your son's next step. Have fun!
Bob
"founder" of the Area Code games and Goodwill Series International
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Interesting read....the general gist of the article is from the coaches perspective on why sometimes their recruiting doesn't come down to who has the most talent, it can come down to who is the best teammate.
As a parent of a D1 player, I can tell you a couple things.
1) I personally know and can name player(s) who have had coaches stop recruiting them....for one or more of the reasons listed in this article. Some for what I would consider "major" issues....and some for what I would consider "minor". Heck, I can name one kid who was a very good friend of my son who never even got to start the recruiting process because any coach who would have ever come watch a game would have left at halftime....and never called him.
2) One of the kids who had a coach stop recruiting him (RC had been doing the recruiting, HC told him to stop)......was MY SON!! As it turns out, it was a blessing (some of you can probably figure out who/why) but at the time...when my son found out, he understood why...and learned from it.
Great article.....it should be required reading for EVERY kid and PARENT who is considering trying to have a college career. Heck, it's not a bad article to read as an 8th grader when you're hoping to earn a spot on your local HS team....a lot of what was said would apply in that situation
One question that I did have, and I hope this doesn't take us off topic, was "Is this true for EVERY sport?"
There was a thread on here awhile back that got to a not so serious point where someone said a football player could be recruited while reclined in a lazy boy, in his living room, with his shirt off, potato chips crumbled on his stomach, playing a video game and not even looking at the coach and get a full scholarship offer but for a baseball player you are totally screwed if you have your hat on backwards.
The article seemed to address multiple sports, but is that really true?
Cacogirl.....I can't speak for other sports....as my son was only recruited for baseball.....but your description seems about right 
Article actually makes a broader statement than simply sports recruiting. The real message IMO is:
In life you get out of it what you put in.
In general I think most people like to think that the selfish, lazy, unaccountable person ends up on the short end and the honest, hardworking, committed team guy wins. That can frequently be the case however - sometimes talent is the take all trump card.
If you can throw 97MPH you will get a scholarship somewhere - short of a crime against humanity - like not lugging cupcakes to the team huddle or wearing your hat backwards.
CaCO3Girl posted:One question that I did have, and I hope this doesn't take us off topic, was "Is this true for EVERY sport?"
There was a thread on here awhile back that got to a not so serious point where someone said a football player could be recruited while reclined in a lazy boy, in his living room, with his shirt off, potato chips crumbled on his stomach, playing a video game and not even looking at the coach and get a full scholarship offer but for a baseball player you are totally screwed if you have your hat on backwards.
The article seemed to address multiple sports, but is that really true?
I think it is true in every sport to widely varying degrees within each sport. For baseball, specifically, my experience is quite different than what you describe. The very talented are likely to get offers somewhere provided they are getting sufficient grades that will get them accepted. The behavior and all the other characteristics addressed are factors but not necessarily deal-breakers. My son, his playing friends and past players I have coached have had plenty of first hand stories to tell about college teammates that check several of the red flag boxes mentioned in the open letter but were talented enough to be recruited anyway. The coach/writer is correct in the sense that in almost all cases, these players continue to be a "challenge" to deal with at the college level. For some, it eventually affects playing time and/or sticking with the team. For many, they continue to play but are team cancers.
I think, generally, the top D1 programs can afford to be a bit more selective and many of the smaller schools will allow for character to rule the day, but everywhere in between, the pressure to win and to put a talented team on the field factors heavily in the equation. Of course, as always, there are exceptions.
The coaches are very likely to inquire and, certainly, will choose the high character kid over the other when comparing equal talent but talent is never truly equal from one player to the next.
There are some interesting dynamics in play with this discussion. We're talking about 16-19 y.o. teenage boys. Most have been praised and/or given passes here or there due to their above-average talent. Most have that competitive edge that helps them excel but also often results in an air of confidence that can be perceived as something far from being a humble servant.
It will be interesting to hear other takes as I'm sure they will vary. Admittedly, much of my first hand experience is with competitive JC's and D2's where I would expect the likelihood of a bit more tolerance. However, I also have several past players in Christian NAIA's and D3's who have the same experiences and issues, although generally on a lesser scale.
The good news is that the message is still well worth sending and will serve a young man well, regardless of how it does or does not affect his fellow teammates.
Consultant posted:Please excuse the method of sending this important Open letter from a College Coach. This is very interesting perspective from a College Coach. The same applies from a the pro scouts. For 33 years, I have visited and became friends with over 2,000 pro scouts and college coaches. It is a difficult career.
Please read and adjust your approach to your son's next step. Have fun!
Bob
"founder" of the Area Code games and Goodwill Series International
Bob, that was great. I wish that was available when my son's were at that stage and I'll now try and share this whenever I can with people I know or come to know.. Thank you.
Very timely article for our situation. I know so many kids that fit into one or more of the categories listed. My husband and I work hard to make sure our kids understand what a good teammate is, how to conduct themselves, especially when nobody is watching, and how to do things on their own. This could be a guidebook for what not to do in life, not just in sports.
One of her points really jumped out at me - the kid who doesn't help the team break down the field and equipment. We have a set of parents who think the players shouldn't do any of the after game field work. It should be all on the coaches. This year, these parents actually asked if the player could skip field work and leave right after each game and also ride home from away games with his parents (rather than take the district required bus), so he could get started on his after game workout sooner. It never dawned on them how that would look or what kind of a teammate would ever even ask that question to begin with. This kid is being looked at by several schools. He is on a top notch club team this summer (at least for our area). It will be interesting to see if he continues with the same attitude on his summer team and if it affects his recruiting at all.
Thank you for sharing.
"Attitude" as described in this letter is one of the key elements with regard to recruiting. When my sons were growing up this was something that not only I was emphasizing, but I heard coaches and guest speakers they were listening to talk about it. Some individuals get it and other's simply don't (or won't).
My older son had talent, but he had issues much like what was mentioned in this letter. And even though his parents tried to teach him these important lessons, he was a "rebel" and just didn't want to conform. As a result, his time in the sport(s) he loved ended prematurely. My youngest son got it and understood how his attitude and off the field actions affected his future and he has had wonderful success. Interestingly now, when I talk with my older son (who's a young adult and father in his late 20's) now sees and acknowledges the importance of those things and has incorporated them into his life, both at home and at work and is finding good success at his job (because of it, I feel).
Often it's like the old saying . . . you can bring a horse to the water but you can't make it drink. Parent can and should do their best to instill the qualities we're talking about here. Very often (and I'm feel sure many of us here have observed it) the teenage player just doesn't get it or refused to despite a parent's efforts. But if a player reads a letter like this and the player doesn't really get it, a parent can only be persistent and hope that one day he/she does.
Truman and Cabbage Dad; thank you for recognizing the value of the "open letter".
This was received from American Coach in Perth, Western Australia. It reminded me of the Area Code games [17 years], few people realized the many hours answering calls "how can I place my son in the Area Code games" 99% of the calls from parents, except on cal from a player from Tampa, Florida. The young man, BB said "i have the best curve ball in America". Checked with a few scouts and they said he 5'10 and 160 lbs. I called the player and said "you cocky little guy". You will pitch behind Josh Beckett on Friday night. 350 scouts watching Josh at 97 mph and when
BB pitched, his 1st pitch broke 2' and very scout said Bert. He was drafted 1st round after Beckett and the only player to make a donation to Area Code Baseball [no salaries]. BB is now a professional golfer in Florida. One of my favorite players.
Maybe, I should make a list of "no no's" for parents and players. The words "ENTITLEMENT" & "CHAPERONE" will head the list.
Bob
With just a few exceptions, no matter how talented your player is, there's another one around the corner just as good and if he has a better attitude...
Consultant posted:Truman and Cabbage Dad; thank you for recognizing the value of the "open letter".
This was received from American Coach in Perth, Western Australia. It reminded me of the Area Code games [17 years], few people realized the many hours answering calls "how can I place my son in the Area Code games" 99% of the calls from parents, except on cal from a player from Tampa, Florida. The young man, BB said "i have the best curve ball in America". Checked with a few scouts and they said he 5'10 and 160 lbs. I called the player and said "you cocky little guy". You will pitch behind Josh Beckett on Friday night. 350 scouts watching Josh at 97 mph and when
BB pitched, his 1st pitch broke 2' and very scout said Bert. He was drafted 1st round after Beckett and the only player to make a donation to Area Code Baseball [no salaries]. BB is now a professional golfer in Florida. One of my favorite players.
Maybe, I should make a list of "no no's" for parents and players. The words "ENTITLEMENT" & "CHAPERONE" will head the list.
Bob
I'd share that list with my son.
Thanks Bob,
I really hope that letter gets circulated many many times. I do want to add that my daughter's volleyball coaches required her team to be able to recite Charles Swindolls "Attitude" before they could actually be on the team. I really thought that was a good move as there were some girl's that needed an adjustment.
Thanks for sharing, Bob! I will definitely pass it along to my son.
Uncle Rico wished he would have listened to the recruiters
lionbaseball posted:
Uncle Rico wished he would have listened to the recruiters
Al Bundy shared the same sentiments last weekend.
Interesting line in the open letter, "I realize that you have been told repeatedly by many of your previous coaches that you are amazing in your sport." This is especially true in today's youth sports world, because select coaches will compete for great players, flattering them and sometimes treating them with kid gloves. These select coaches are also much less inclined to upset players (or parents) as they can't afford to lose the income or the starting s.s, etc. While I don't completely fault many of these hardworking select and travel-team coaches, there's no doubt that this modern system of paying to be on a team is increasing the poor attitudes of some talented young players. The balance has been shifted from "making the team" to being a customer shopping around for the team you like best. Now the player and parents are consumers, picking and choosing. Especially the best athletes -- they have the most options -- which often means the best athletes develop attitudes of "I'll take my talents somewhere else" if things don't suit them. I actually feel for the young players coming up, as they have to overcome this system. With dozens of programs in even medium-sized cities, coaches can't afford to build character -- not if it means dad is going to take his business elsewhere.
I could have won state
PeaceLove&Baseball posted:Interesting line in the open letter, "I realize that you have been told repeatedly by many of your previous coaches that you are amazing in your sport." This is especially true in today's youth sports world, because select coaches will compete for great players, flattering them and sometimes treating them with kid gloves. These select coaches are also much less inclined to upset players (or parents) as they can't afford to lose the income or the starting s.s, etc. While I don't completely fault many of these hardworking select and travel-team coaches, there's no doubt that this modern system of paying to be on a team is increasing the poor attitudes of some talented young players. The balance has been shifted from "making the team" to being a customer shopping around for the team you like best. Now the player and parents are consumers, picking and choosing. Especially the best athletes -- they have the most options -- which often means the best athletes develop attitudes of "I'll take my talents somewhere else" if things don't suit them. I actually feel for the young players coming up, as they have to overcome this system. With dozens of programs in even medium-sized cities, coaches can't afford to build character -- not if it means dad is going to take his business elsewhere.
maybe this is just a reflection of the real quality programs and the not so much programs but I have not experienced the bolded. What I have found is the program is brutally honest with assessments and how you need to improve to get where you want to go.
