Questionnaires

At semester end, send the schools an update, reflecting the "latest" GPA info, & at year end. This is a good way for your son to start that relationship building, if these are schools he is interested in.
Things change with kids so much over the next couple of years. He may become interested in other schools. Best advise is to follow the time line here on hsbbweb. Next summer is when things will start "popping" & continue thru his Jr. summer, when things may become hectic!

Enjoy the ride!

Thanks. We will be sure to send the schools updates. I was a little concerned that they are already sending him questionnaires. I really like this board. It helps to have someone who has more experience with this process to help me along. Again, thank you.

Contacting a sophomore? Isn't that a NCAA violation?

obrady, that is what I thought, but come to find out that they can send camp information and questionnaires out. They just can't talk to him or send him recruitment letters until I think after his junior year. At least that is what I have been told.

Tobette - My son was a similar kind of kid. Schools know that they've got a long way to go yet and GPAs can go down or they can go up. You should absolutely return any questionnaires. What I would suggest is that you do continue to follow up with those schools that your son has serious interest in out of those questionnaires as well. When GPA goes up, summer schedules, etc. Make sure he stays on their radar.

Thanks lafmom. He is going to go to the two winter camps for the D1's. I am trying to figure out how he can get noticed down south. I think we are planning on sending him to two summer camps/showcases down there. We are looking at LSU and Auburn. Any other ideas?

quote:

I am trying to figure out how he can get noticed down south.

I would consider Perfect Game regional showcases in the area(s) of interest. The Sunshine East and Sunshine South showcases could be helpful. I would suggest following up by repeating the showcases the following summer before Senior year, during recruiting. Teamone South in Atlanta attracts many college coaches as well.

Thanks Dad04. I will look into that. I really do appreciate all the help I am receiving.

Tobette, My son is a JUCO freshman and prefers to eventually go south - he has several schools he's interested in with Auburn being at the top. Everything I've learned about their program is impressive. Also, one of the Auburn assistants is now at Western Kentucky University as head coach - my son has several friends and summer ball teammates there that appear very satisfied so far. That might be a school you want to investigate. There are so many schools that are superb - I would recommend that you also consider looking at some DII schools in the south. Good luck!

Tobette - You're getting really great advice here. One other thing I would add (which you probably already know)...but this is a really good opportunity to have a talk with your son to reiterate that his grades will matter...that he needs to turn it up a notch. Its a great incentive he has hanging there in front of him...use it to his advantage.

Best of luck!

Tobette,
There is a big difference in a camp & a showcase.
Typically, a camp is used as a money maker for that particular school. As a result, your son will not be getting much "exposure" to other colleges. maybe some, but NOT MUCH!) If your son is wanting to work on skills within a particular program, or specific coach, then it may be the way to go.
A showcase (or a showcase tournament, like WWBA events in June or Oct), on the other hand, will "show him off" in front of many, many different schools.

My son first went to a "regional" showcase the summer between freshman & sophomore year (2003). A few months later,(out of the blue), he was in Fla. for WWBA Underclass Tournament. He was "playing up", folks thought he was a junior.
The following summer & fall (2004), he went to J.O. in Fla, WWBA Underclass (Marietta & Jupiter, & PG Top Prospects @ Baylor. The fall of 2004, things started "popping".
This last summer, again WWBA, & several other tournaments across the Midwest & South. So, on July 1, the phone rang alot! Several very nice offers from several great schools in all "the wow" conferences. He signed a few weeks ago with Tulane.

Personally, I'm thankful that we went the showcase route.

ps...Please forgive the "brag"...Friends here on hsbbweb understand & are pretty supportive! Without the great advice I've gotten here, I'd have never known what to do...Thanks everyone!!

baseballmom, I love hearing about the sucess stories. Congrats on your son signing with Tulane. I will look into showcases in the south since that is where he really wants to go. He has really buckled down on school work and starts open gyms for baseball tonight. Again love to hear a success story. Have a Happy Holiday Season.

You may also want to contact Greg Legg, aka Bama Bomber. Greg holds several great tournaments in the summer. Great man & contact to have!! Post to him in Alabama forum, or send him an email by hitting on his name to view his profile.
Thank you, & have a wonderful Christmas, too!!