Should a recruiting prospect ask the college making him an offer the names of other players they are recruiting for the same position as his.
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Texbbfan: If one must ask the better question might be if there are any other players from your area being recruited. Other good questions would be about returning players in your son's position and how many players in his position are typically on the roster.
If you are curious or concerned with playing time, etc. (as you should be) and while it might be good to know who the 'competition' is, in my opinion it's not such a good direct question. If the coach is worth his salt he will give your son a legitimate opinion as to what would need to be done to gain a starting spot. A coach may also be concerned with discussions among prospects regarding the amount of scholarship dollars being offered.
Just my opinion.
If you are curious or concerned with playing time, etc. (as you should be) and while it might be good to know who the 'competition' is, in my opinion it's not such a good direct question. If the coach is worth his salt he will give your son a legitimate opinion as to what would need to be done to gain a starting spot. A coach may also be concerned with discussions among prospects regarding the amount of scholarship dollars being offered.
Just my opinion.
I agree with its, that's not a question to ask directly, and I would bet the answer would be something along the lines of "your son will have the opportunity to compete for a starting position". That, when you think about it objectively, is a diplomatic non-answer.
Names or numbers of others being recruited at your son's position are also meaningless unless you know their order of priorities --- is it your son they want most or another player? Coaches have to court several players per needed position as there is no guarentee that an agreement will be made with their top choice, sometimes with the further consideration that a player signed may be successfully drafted. Coaches are also aware of the baseball grapevine, and they're not going to want specific-name gossip out there.
I'm assuming you've checked their roster for players at your son's position, their year, stats, and history of starting/playing. That's the known, established competition.
Names or numbers of others being recruited at your son's position are also meaningless unless you know their order of priorities --- is it your son they want most or another player? Coaches have to court several players per needed position as there is no guarentee that an agreement will be made with their top choice, sometimes with the further consideration that a player signed may be successfully drafted. Coaches are also aware of the baseball grapevine, and they're not going to want specific-name gossip out there.
I'm assuming you've checked their roster for players at your son's position, their year, stats, and history of starting/playing. That's the known, established competition.
I have been on both sides of this issue. As a coach, when I was asked this sort of question, I wondered if the player was perhaps intimidated by competition. I always told players that they were competing with dozens of players for playing time, not just one or two.
As a parent, when my son was being recruited, I hoped that the coaches were recruiting the best players out there, regardless of their positions. Coaches want to win, and hopefully they are recruiting players who they think will help them win.
As a parent, when my son was being recruited, I hoped that the coaches were recruiting the best players out there, regardless of their positions. Coaches want to win, and hopefully they are recruiting players who they think will help them win.
We never asked specific names and never had a coach tell us specific names. As has been said, a coach should be willing to tell you how many he's recruiting and where your son fits in that equation. Some coaches are more open with this information though than others IMO. After you talk with several schools, I think you get to where you can "read" coaches a little better though as to their true level of interest.
One of the coaches at the Missouri camp told the players that they ONLY recruit SS and CF -- then convert them for the other positions (not C or P), so if your son is a SS -- you might be "mislead" by an honest answer .... "We are looking at 6 other SS".
On the other hand, you might be able to get an idea of what kind of player the school is looking for if you ask if they have seen anyone else in the area that has caught their eye -- they (the school) usually asks the players this question on the questionnaire.
On the other hand, you might be able to get an idea of what kind of player the school is looking for if you ask if they have seen anyone else in the area that has caught their eye -- they (the school) usually asks the players this question on the questionnaire.
Belive that it is valid question, and agree some coaches are more comfortable. But I think asking such difficult questions gives you and insight into the coaches and how they handle difficlut situations, and how well they communicate. Would submit that THIS is more valuable to me than the answer you get concerning players.
Agree, players may change positions in collge and coaches will make that decision in fall camp as well, not just in the recruting process. Needs change, recruits are not or are more than coaches thought when recruiting, Players move school, some develop, some lose interest. While players must go in with their eys open they also have to have faith in their ability to grow and adpapt and faith that the coaches will see appreciate and use their skills for the betterment of the team, and the development of them as athletes and people.
The only question that is OFF limits is schoalship % or $ for other players or recruits.
Agree, players may change positions in collge and coaches will make that decision in fall camp as well, not just in the recruting process. Needs change, recruits are not or are more than coaches thought when recruiting, Players move school, some develop, some lose interest. While players must go in with their eys open they also have to have faith in their ability to grow and adpapt and faith that the coaches will see appreciate and use their skills for the betterment of the team, and the development of them as athletes and people.
The only question that is OFF limits is schoalship % or $ for other players or recruits.