Questions For College Coaches

quote:

Originally posted by RedSoxFan21:
Is it fair to compare year over year rosters of a college team you are interested in, and ask the coach about trends you see there? Such as large numbers of frosh shrinking to moderate numbers of seniors? Or year over year missing players, i.e. the Sophomore catcher is no longer on the roster in the Junior year?

Or is that a red light for the coach that a player may be a pain in the neck? I know what I think is right, but this forum is a great place to get feedback from others on this question, or other 'good' questions to ask when trying to winnow down the list.

I think those are fair questions.

Here is one secret about college baseball. Many outstanding players are called but few actually get to play. Look at the numbers for any program. For example, 9 guys get to bat and a couple of guys get to pitch on a given day assuming the starter does not go nine innings. That is far less than the 35 guys on the roster. If you look at season stats, about 10 pitchers might see action and maybe 12 or 13 position players with many of them getting fewer than 20 at bats.

There are injury problems, academic problems, transfers, and attitude problems that weed them out over the years. Many freshmen are called and the reality is that few ever get to play imho.

One thing people need to remember in the recruiting process is that the player / parents are the consumer and the school / team has to sell themselves as well. Sometimes what I see is that the player / parents think that the whole entire decision is left up to the coach completely. That's not entirely true because the school / team has to present reasons why player / parent should choose their school. Realize that once you get a coach talking to player / parent then then the school / team has made their decision they want this kid.

Now with all that your questions are completely reasonable as long as you don't ask about individuals and you're respectful. As CD said there can be numerous legitimate reasons WHY there is a huge turnover but there could also be a shady reason why as well. You won't know if you don't ask.

Sometimes the best information to questions such as those comes from current or recent players and their parents. Make sure if you do so that you ask a cross-section so that you get a representative view.

Don't be shy to ask any reasonable question or doubt you may have. If the coach is a serious guy he should not have any problem giving you a clear response. If he doesn't then that should give you a clue as to the type of program he runs. You are the "client" and he is the "salesman" so the "Buyer Beware" principle applies.

quote:

Originally posted by Prepster:
Sometimes the best information to questions such as those comes from current or recent players and their parents. Make sure if you do so that you ask a cross-section so that you get a representative view.

EXACTLY.... During the due diligence phase we spoke with a number of current parents as well as parents who's player had left the school. Archived stats were also a big help in the decision.

quote:

Here is one secret about college baseball. Many outstanding players are called but few actually get to play. Look at the numbers for any program. For example, 9 guys get to bat and a couple of guys get to pitch on a given day assuming the starter does not go nine innings. That is far less than the 35 guys on the roster. If you look at season stats, about 10 pitchers might see action and maybe 12 or 13 position players with many of them getting fewer than 20 at bats.

This is the reality; look at stats from year-to-year it will tell you the story. As to talking with players; the ones that get it will tell you what is going on. As to talking with parents; I have talked or should I say "listened to" parents that don't realize it isn't HS anymore. The best kids play; those that contribute get some playing time and those that they are being grooming for the future will get a shot.

Track rosters for a couple of years; you will generally see a patern. Kids that play "some" their freshman year then play more their sophomore year will generally be around. There are many a freshman that don't play their first year and then "choose" not to come back. Kids find new interests in college (education, frats, girls, travel abroad, etc.) once a kid finds out that they are not likely to get much play time, then they evaluate the importance of college ball. You can generally see the changes if you track rosters over a couple year period.

Recruiting is about getting as many options as possible so that the program can grow and succeed. There are never any real assurances that your kido will play.