Should You Call a Coach Multiple Times

A good sales person knows how and when to get in contact with a customer, your son is selling himself. Too many calls may seen as too eager, and too few does not get the job done. Your son should learn when is the best time to catch a coach, usually it is right before or after lunch, since they will likely be at the school and getting ready for practice. The evening also works but since many baseball practices go to 5:30 - 6:00PM. My son would talk to coaches around 7:30-8:00PM.(local time)  I would also not leave a message on every call, just try to connect live with the coach, a message every other day seems reasonable, after a week with no return call the message is sent, move on. As CoachMay always points out if they want you you will know it!

Just curious why are you emailing or in contact with a recruiting coach? This should only be your son IMO. The only time I was in contact with a coach was during an UO or OV to coordinate travel. 

The coach and I had been in contact previously, because we spoke about the camp.  Son is playing football, and I wanted him to know that he wanted to attend, but we didn't know if football would be over by the time of the camp.  I didn't want to pay for the camp, if son could not attend. (I have been burned on this one before.)

After son had conversation with the coach, he told me it didn't seem like a good fit.  That is when I wrote the coach back to say thanks for his time, but it was obviously not a good fit from either side.  At that point the coach wrote back and said he was Extremely impressed with my son on the phone, and that he would be following him.

Maybe I shouldn't have e-mailed, but I feel strongly that receiving the very positive e-mail returned by the coach, proves that I made the right decision.  I try to view everything in a case by case manner, and I think it turned out positive.

Sounds to me like that one coach may have been frustrated by too many calls/emails from both you and your son.  Its JMO that you should not have emailed him back. If one particular coach tells your son to keep calling, then he should do that, but not everyone subscribes to that same philosophy, they are all different.

My suggestion is to get football out of the way, then concentrate on baseball. And let your son handle everything.  

If a coach is truly interested he will find a way to get in touch with him.

Hope that this helps.

Do you think it was the number of calls, the number of messages, or the actual message content that coach was lecturing about? I've never heard anything negative about calling often in an attempt to reach the coach at a time that's convenient for him to pick up. Missed call, no big deal. However, multiple messages aren't usually necessary and the coach will have to take the time to listen, erase, etc. The tone of the message could also turn a coach off... "I need you to call me back...".  I'm not suggesting that your son did that, just going through all the possibilities.

I don't disagree at all.  The e-mails from me were regarding the camp, because son's football could be an issue with attending the camp.  If son's team keeps winning, the playoffs would keep him from attending the camp.  My call to the coach was regarding the payment of camp.  He told me not to worry, and I could sign him up at the last minute depending on the results of son's football.  When you receive e-mails from coaches inviting son to camp, which also included they had seen him play, yada, yada, yada, but if you don't sign up by xx date, because they are filling up fast...I decided it was a good opportunity for my son, because of his current situation, so I wanted to make sure the coach held a spot.  As for the follow-up e-mail telling him that it didn't appear to be a good fit, and my son would not be attending, I felt it was the right thing to do to send him an e-mail since he was gracious enough to save a spot for him. 

In all reality, it doesn't matter, because it doesn't appear to be a good fit. 

My question was regarding the son calling too much, and I believe that you have all answered that.  Thanks!

Ryno,

FWIW,

It sounds to me that you are way to involved. All communication with coaches should be with your son.

I once heard a RC say that they pay attention to the parents as well, and at times, don't recruit kids who's parents could be a problem. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you are. Just be cautious.

You are only there to be supportive. The only time you speak to the coach is when he speaks to you and I would limit that to just pleasantries. Nothing you can say that will get your son recruited, everything you say can hurt his chances. 

I've spoken to my sons HC four times and only once regarding baseball, and that was in our meeting at the official visit and offer. 

Please don't take this the wrong way, I'm just trying tho help. 

And yes, calling a coach 4 times without getting a return call is to much. If you have ever been around a RC during the open recruiting times you will see that these guys live with a phone in their ear. If they are truly interested, they will waste no time in letting you know.

JMHO!

Good luck o your son.

Good points.  Thanks!

If someone you really want and your really interested in calls you have no problem with it. In fact your glad they are calling. This coach sounds like he is irritated and bothered by the calls . I would advise my son to have no further contact unless the coach contacted him. You don't have to bug coaches that are truly interested. They will bug you. 

Ryno, I'm sending you a PM

I think this is one of those situations where it is very contextual....you have to be the one involved to understand exactly what the coach is suggesting or more importantly his interest level.

In general, I agree with Coach May that I would ask my son to back off with the calls.  I'd suggest your son email the coach with academic & baseball milestones, schedules and anything he would find useful in recruiting your son.  When and if the coach is interested he will call your son.   Your son should continue to reach out to other coaches and programs.  Return a call with a call or an email with email until the coach is ready to take it to the next level....follow his lead.

As a parent, I'd probably back off of future communication with recruiting coaches for fear that it would undermine my son.  It is his responsibility alone to communicate with college baseball coaches.   If he needs help and guidance (they all do!) then you can help in the background or when it comes time to discuss the school's financial offer or when the coach directly communicates with you.  JMO.

Good luck!

Well said fenwaysouth! I wish I could have written in such an eloquent way. I have since apologized to rynoattack for blunt comments above. 

Coach May hits another one out of the park.  Coach, I don't know what your slugging percentage is but its really high!!!