Recruiting for 09's - are we done?

baseball fan 09, I can sense your discouragement, but please be heartened that your son already has 3 official visits scheduled. That is huge! Many prospects don't have that many programs to choose from, especially this early in the game.

In a sense, recruiting for '09's is winding down -- but only for the top-level D1 programs. Many have already snagged their top choices and you are probably right in deducing that your son perhaps was not their No. 1 choice. (Please don't take this personally. I know of a player who was told he was a Big 12 program's No. 2 choice -- and thus did not get an offer -- but was still drafted in the mid-rounds in June. Being "rejected" does NOT mean that you don't possess incredible talent!)

That said, there are still quite a few mid-level to lower-level D1 opportunities still out there. A few programs that I know of will sign only 3-4 in the fall and then fill out their signing class in the spring. The top D1's also add players in the spring and summer after senior year, but it's difficult to know what opportunities will be available at specific schools. Some will add recruited walk-ons and others will have money to offer after their players or early-signees get drafted and sign.

If your son is interested in D2's, D3's, NAIA's, or JUCO's, the recruiting for those programs is just getting underway. If your son already has 3 D1 options, he could have a dozen or more opportunities at some level before it's all said and done.

You will have to weigh your son's interest in his current opportunities. If he is not fully sold on them, continue to look around and express interest in other programs -- including the programs which have stopped calling. You never know what can happen. One option is to sign with a JUCO, which would enable your son to sign with a D1 should an attractive offer come along later this year.

Best wishes to your son. May both of you choose to look at the glass as "half full" rather than "half empty." You have much to be thankful for.

Infield 08 - yes, good advice, I should be looking at his options more positively and he is getting good interest from DII and DIII's, some of which I believe are great opportunities to outstanding academic schools, however, he is choosing to focus his efforts on DI's for now.

You are right, I am looking at the half emptly glass instead of the half full glass. I will work on that.

baseballfan, you got some good advise from infield and I would recommend not to sign a NLI until your son is 100% satisfied with his choice. I think the rule states (help oldtimers)he can sign JUCO and still sign D1 if offered later (am I right?). Therefore, why not make a list of his top 3 schools and see what winter camps may be available. Maybe the school needs to just see him more??? Some of those top recruits may sign pro contracts leaving room for your son, especially if the school does not over recruit. I know the school my son chose only had 10 recruits (2 went pro) in 08 and only has 8 recruits for 09 and it is a SEC Div1 school, which was very important to him.
Best of Luck and keep us posted on his progress!


***Please respond if I am incorrect about the signing rule, I do not want to give incorrect or misleading information. ***

I am not sure sometimes what parental and player expectations are in the recruiting process.

The official contact period (July 1) begins strong for some, slower for others. By this time many coaches have narrowed down their search, just as the player may have narrowed down his search. Your son has 3 OV visits, but obviously not the ones you are happy with. For many, three OV's maybe three more than their sons have gotten this time of year.

You may commit and sign at a D1, then the recruiting process ends according to NCAA rules, you may still commit to JUCO or NAIA.

After the early signing period many D2 and D3 programs begin to search for the players that did not sign D1. So recruiting for 09's is NOT done.

Take the visits, if your son isn't 100% happy don't have him sign. There are many opportunities out there for many different players in many different programs.

Good luck.

TPM - I don't think I would characterize my sons situation the way you have inferred - he is happy with the opportunities that have been presented but for several reasons these programs may or may not be the best fit. For example, if a school does not offer the major you are wanting to pursue, it may not be the best fit. He will continue to weigh his options until he figures it out, and as parents we will try to lend guidance.

We are big believers in selecting the right academic fit so that element is weighing heavy in his decision.

We know the early signing period is important, but with the new roster rules will some schools wait until spring to make all the moves, giving them one more season to evaluate players.

quote:

Originally posted by baseball fan 09:
TPM - I don't think I would characterize my sons situation the way you have inferred - he is happy with the opportunities that have been presented but for several reasons these programs may or may not be the best fit.

If your main goal is for the major and his degree, don't compromise, something I have stated many times. The purpose of going to school is to get your education. Most players do not play after college, if he has aspirations that should come first.
But remember one thing, this is HIS choice, with your advice of course as you will be helping to pay for his education.
Sorry, but that was not what was stated in your original post, you inferred that 6-7 schools showed great interest but he is only going for 3 OV's. For many here, that's not really a problem.

TPM - yes, I do realize he is fortunate to be able to take some visits and I will continue to focus on that. Thanks for your input.

I find it frustrating that the D3 process can last well into the spring. I'd much rather have a school commit so we can get the financial stuff out of the way and be set by January. By the time the spring comes, alot of finanicial aid may have dried up or went to other students. With some of these schools costing way over $40K, this is more than a small consideration.

I think most schools at the d1 level have landed their one or two big prospects by now.I think they will fill out the rest of the open spots up until the spring. Not quite over yet. One camp I went to at a d1 said they typically sign most of their players in the early spring months.

Juco is just starting to kick off.

D3 have no athletic scholarships therefore they have no signing period. I would suggest if you are interested in a D3, jump on it early and do your homework on their recruiting, fall roster, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by goMO:
By the time the spring comes, alot of finanicial aid may have dried up or went to other students. With some of these schools costing way over $40K, this is more than a small consideration.

I don't think that's accurate. My daughter was recruited by some DIII's and received some VERY good packages. At two of the schools, she was awarded the top academic scholarship. And those came late in the spring. I know exactly how you feel but think you should have plenty of time.

I can validate what Beezer has said. With having to send in the FAFSA and all that, and with admissions decisions not coming out until March or April at a lot of these schools, FA packages can still be lucrative well into the spring.

ok, thanks! Maybe its just me who wants to get this stuff over with! A nibble here and there, but nothing substantive yet..

My son will try to get his applications in over the next month. With some schools, I know a coach can "support" an application. I guess if that happens during Oct/Nov, that's a pretty clear indication that he's on-board.

Also, if a coach is supporting the app, there may be a chance to get some more $$. That's why I thought alot of this happened earlier rather than later. If things wait until March, that tells me either the coach isn't involved or doesn't need to be involved (because the kid is a stud academically and/or athletically). That may not be the case with us, especially if its at an expensive D3 school where his grades are at best around the averages for that school.

Thanks!!

quote:

Originally posted by goMO:
That's why I thought alot of this happened earlier rather than later. If things wait until March, that tells me either the coach isn't involved or doesn't need to be involved (because the kid is a stud academically and/or athletically).

I know you're anxious but the reality is, you may not know the full details of your package until the summer.