Reading between the lines

I would call. Have questions ready.

What has he got to lose by calling?

Yes call! They don't give out their cell numbers to just anyone.

Call. If they do not answer leave your name and the number you will be calling from next time (as well as email address - see below). Many coaches screen calls (by necessity)and will only answer calls from recognized numbers. There were times when my son would call a coach from a cell phone when that coach was used to seeing our home number. No answer. Then an immediate call fron the "regular" number and an immediate pick up.

Remember that the coach cannot return your call at this point - but he can email - so if you have a BlackBerry he can email and ask you to call back at a particular time.

I have a slightly different opinion...maybe?

2013...still heading into junior year. Yes, things could be happening for real. But the coach really can't be putting anything personal in the letter until September 1 (unless the rule has changed). That would suggest to me that the comment in the letter is indeed just part of a form letter...a 'general' invitation to all.

If something real was happening with our two boys at this point, it was communicated to their HS or summer coach. It might have included a specific invitation for them to call the coach, or maybe not. But that was the sign that it was 'real.'

The experience we had was the same, they don't give out cell phone numbers to just anyone. Once a coach gave my son a cell phone number, he took it as an open invitation to call...

Honestly, you don't need the board here to tell you when to blow your nose. When you feel a sneeze coming on, you pull out your handkerchef or kleenux and do what comes natural.

None of us can possibly know why he gave his cell phone number

Scenario A - poster here convinces you it is not real so you give up and don't call. Only problem is it was real - duh!

Scenario B - you call. Coach tells you he needs to see your player before making a decision on him. Offers camp invite.

Scenario C - Coach says he has seen your son play and describes him to a T. Says he would like to see him at the camp but they are highly interested.

Seems like it would be pretty useful information to hear what the Coach has to say. Not sure how any of us can provide anything useful - i.e., help you read between the lines

Reading between the lines makes no sense to me. If you want to go unrecruited, don't return phone calls like this. I can almost guarantee the coach will tell you something useful - regardless if he wants to recruit your son or not. For example, he might say we are not really recruiting middle infielders this year but I know Coach B would be highly interested. Or... he might say what your son needs to do to get recruited at a place like that. Seems to me that type of information would be highly useful. You can't get it from us and you most certainly can't get it by letting one of us talk you out of calling.

Get off your duff and call and don't be afraid of your own shadow

Perhaps a different slant:

Let your son's level of interest determine whether or not he returns the call. If sincerely interested in the school and program, I don't see anything wrong with his calling the coach. If the school is still "one among many" for him, I'd forgo the call at this point.

If he calls, he can "kill a few birds" at one time. He can (1) thank the coach for his reply, (2) express his genuine interest in the school/program, (3) indicate something specific he knows about the school or program that helps fuel his interest, and (4) communicate something about his summer playing plans. If the coach's interest is genuine, it'll leave a positive impression and give him some insight into where to see your son play this summer.

Best of luck to him!

I think most calls should be made in your situation.

Something to consider.

• What your son wants / thinks he wants /in a college baseball program today may change before he makes a decision.
  
• Also - he will not play on a college field for 3 years - so the coach he talks to at college X today may be at college Y by then.
  
• Finally, the whole "talking to college coaches thing" gets easier for the boys over time - so calling coaches that may not coach at your dream school is a great way to practice.

I suggest that first call to/with any college coach with a 2013 be made on speaker phone with parent around - tell the coach of coarse. This lets coach know parent cares - and lets parent gather info on coach and sons performance on call. We never had any coaches object to this.

Good luck!!

This is a must call. If not for any other reason than to get experience talking to coaches, invaluable. Also, in our limited experience only the interested coaches gave out the cell. Important, as stated in this thread. BE PREPARED!!! Good Luck,

Something else to consider in working up the nerve to make his first call. The coach is good at this kind of conversation and wants to make it a pleasant experience.

If the coach asked for the call, he'll carry the burden of moving the conversation along.

There's nothing to fear. Go for it.

CD, good points, of course the hard part for 90% of these kids is they are very uncomfortable to speaking to a coach or in our son's case, didn't seem to care.
With either approach, the word gets out and your son's choices become very limited. Have son make up a list of questions beforehand so he doesn't lose track speaking to the coach. Good luck.

Coaches do not give out their cell numbers to people unless they want them to call. What better way to start building a relationship with the coach than to call him and simply talk.

"Hey the kid contacted us so he must be interested in our program. I gave him my cell number. Why didn't he call if he is interested?"

Call the coach and talk some baseball with him. You might just find out he is a baseball guy just like you. He likes to talk about his program , baseball , fishing , etc etc. He might just like you? These guys are not aliens. They are just other people like you and I.

I just went back to look at the e-mails my son received from coaches. Nearly all of them include the coach's office and cell phone number even though the e-mail looks like one of the classic form e-mails. Should this also be considered an invitation to call?

Of course, after having problems getting him started with the e-mails, I can only imagine how difficult it will be to get my son to make a phone call. He literally does not know what to say.

quote:

Originally posted by VaRHPmom:
I just went back to look at the e-mails my son received from coaches. Nearly all of them include the coach's office and cell phone number even though the e-mail looks like one of the classic form e-mails. Should this also be considered an invitation to call?

Of course, after having problems getting him started with the e-mails, I can only imagine how difficult it will be to get my son to make a phone call. He literally does not know what to say.

Good questions. If it were me (and one time it was), I would call each coach who provided a number. If your son was reluctant to call, I would place the call for him in order to scope things out. Actually, my personal style was to make the initial calls to see if there was any interest. My son's job was to improve his baseball, athletic, and academic skills. We formed a good team that way and things worked out great. When coaches wanted to speak to him, they called and asked for him.

If I were calling, I would say something like "Hi Coach, I was calling on behalf of my son. He received an e-mail (or letter) and we were not sure if this were sent out to many kids or only the one's you have actually seen play and have some interest in?... (Coach Answers) How did you find out about him for example?... (Coach Answers) Also, he is out on the summer travel circuit right now and it is hard for him to call so I thought it might save time for all parties if there were any interest before having him call..."

"Also, he is out on the summer travel circuit right now and it is hard for him to call..."

You're kidding, right? You expect coaches to believe that high school age kids have NO time in their busy busy day to make a brief phone call about something this important?

I would think the coaches would think it's time to cut the apron strings?

quote:

Originally posted by VaRHPmom:
Of course, after having problems getting him started with the e-mails, I can only imagine how difficult it will be to get my son to make a phone call. He literally does not know what to say.

He doesn't have to know what to say, coaches do this all of the time, they know how to make the recruit feel comfortable. It's important for your son to establish these relationships on his own, you can come in later to ask questions when it gets more serious.

Right on TPM! Coaches know they are dealing with HS kids who don't know what to say. Tell your son to talk about the one thing he and the coach have in common...Baseball!
"Hi coach, my name is 2013 Son. I got an invitation from you that included your phone number. I took that to mean that I should call you and ask about your program - so am calling."
The coach is a professional, he will take it from there. We wrote the above opener and a few other questions on a card for our son so he would always have something in front of him when he called. The calls got easier and easier after the first one. Sometimes the coach knew exactly who he was. Sometimes the coach had to be reminded, and sometimes the coach didn't call back. In each case calling was a good idea and it started to get fun after the first couple. I suggest calling every coach that hints that you should call. Guys move around a lot and they take their lists with them. If your son thinks this is hard, wait until he shows up for fall practice. Calling coaches is easy.

quote:

If your son thinks this is hard, wait until he shows up for fall practice. Calling coaches is easy.

An excellent point, leftyshortstop!

All very good suggestions.

2013 has called the coach twice but missed him, leaving messages. Received a camp letter in email yesterday, then a "follow-up" to that asking for additional information if he can't attend camp and also asked again to call if he'd like to talk.

2013 sent requested video and gave a time he'll try to call again next week. So . . . at least coach knows the kid is trying to reach him. Hopefully they'll have a conversation soon.

Thanks again, everyone!

No Guts no Glory...stop being such a sissy and call.