Baseball

A couple of points. 

 "Offers"  are a little trickier than you might think at the D3 level -- because there is no concrete thing like a scholarship that is binding on both parties in play.   So in a sense, everybody is a walk-on.   

 That said,  If you are an absolute D3 level stud and you impress the coaches,  they'll definitely want to know more about you -- including your grades.  They will want to determine whether they can get you admitted to their program.  And they will want to know how committed you are to them.  They may ask you to apply ED to gauge your level of commitment.  It varies with the school but D3 coaches have  a certain degree of pull with admissions.  If they are willing to use some of it  on you,  that's a very good sign.  It means they want you to come to their school, if they can get you in.

This is still not  quite an "offer" in the sense you might think.   Depending on the program, its degree of competitiveness, and the academic  selectivity of the school a fair number of  guys may be to some degree recruited, with possibly varying degrees of enthusiasm.  Depending on the  coach's approach  being recruited may amount to little more than being given an opportunity to compete for a spot.   It may also amount to much more than that.  Only way to know is to ask direct questions of the coach as to where he sees you fitting in. 

On the other hand, suppose you don't get this kind of "offer?"   What should you do?  Hope is not completely lost, but I definitely wouldn't try walking on anywhere sight unseen.   I assume that if you don't attract the attention of a coach who wants you to apply ED,  you are going to apply to lots of different schools  (unless there is some school you are just dying to go to for other reasons.)     If and when you do,  let the coaches at those school know that you have applied.  Send him video.  Keep in touch about your season.     If you get in, let him know that you're in.   Send him updated info.   Put him in touch with your HS or Travel coaches.   Even if he hasn't recruited you, he is likely to welcome you to at least try out.  And you won't be trying out completely cold turkey.    I'm not saying that you will be high on his list,  if he didn't directly recruit you. But you will be given a chance.  What you have to do then is show up on campus, game-ready, ready to open some eyes. 

Good luck!

My 2016 son attended Headfirst last Aug.  It seems like you have been in direct contact with several coaches and it may be a little different given your geography (they may not want to make you come all the way east again) but in his case he was asked to visit several schools as a result of how he played (D3 schools).  Only one of those invites came right while he was there onsite at camp.  

Most of the other invites came the last week of August while we were away on vacation - so not right away.  And a few others came as late as the middle of Sept when we were getting ready to start the visits.

Timing wise it seems like they all traveled back to their schools, re-grouped and sorted through their lists and then started contact a few weeks later.  The emails all started coming through around he same time.  That was just our experience, it could be different for everyone.

Eli- the more contacts you have made in advance, the better. You want to be on as many "lists" as possible when you go to HF camp. Do your homework ahead of time as well about the schools that know a little about you. What majors do they have that interest you? How did the team do this year? Conference they play? Number on roster, positions that graduate your year? Have some reasons that you like THEIR school specifically, should you have a chance to talk.

My son went the high academic route, and went to HF as a "rising junior". Most of the schools there were still recruiting the year before his. Good luck! Given your distance, prep work before you get there will make your trip more worthwhile. My son had copies of his transcripts and board scores "just in case." HF lists coaches to be in attendance--see whether the attendee is HC, RC, PC , etc.

Lastly your measurements are close to my son's. I didn't see in your post what position you play. How is your 60 time?

Thank you for the response. My 60 is 7.21, and I play Middle Infield. I have done lots of research on about 5 or 6 schools which I have kept in good contact with, 2 of which I have visited. My top choice (A D3 in Penn) has told me they will "let me know where I stand" at the end of Headfirst. All the other schools, I assume, will let me know my stance at the end of August/September if I follow up with them. 

Eli,

You've received some excellent advice about the recruiting process, exposure, and the right baseball level.  It appears to me you are very self aware which is a good thing.  However, one thing that hasn't been discussed is matching your academic level to the school.   You mentioned a high academic D3 in Penn.  Just as you are matching your baseball skill level make sure you are matching your academic skill level.  Just as Coaches want the best baseball players, so do Admissions offices want the best students.  So, the rule of thumb is if you are projected to be in the top 20% of an incoming class they may incent you (give you some merit money) to attend their school.   This helps with their published admissions numbers.  On the other hand you may be in the bottom 10% of an incoming class and there is a chance you may struggle balancing baseball and academics.   I like to use the College Navigator ( http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ) to gauge the appropriate level of SAT or ACT standardized score as a measuring stick or starting point.  It breaks down the 25% th and 75%th percentile of an admitted student to a school. 

Good luck with your search and recruiting efforts.