So do you ever just show up???

If that is a target school for your son by all means go. I beleive at some level coaches appreciate a kid that really wants to come to his school.

Remember, the Coach is busy with the opening of his season in a few weeks, and as far as recruting goes, he is still looking at Seniors. Juniors are more than likely to hit his radar screen come summer.

I don't envy a recruiting coordinator, as they must prepare a team for the season and keep tabs on seniors and begin targeting Juniors.

Sure you can just show up. There is no protocol here. We did this a number of times while playing tournaments in the towns of colleges my son thought he might be interested in. Walk onto the field, look around, check the locker room doors (if unlocked peek in) go up to the press box and size up the facilities. If the coach or his staff shows up as most will, they will either ask you to leave (which never happened to us) or show you around (which happened a couple of times). We went on one official visit and a number of “just show up” visits. I think “show up” visits are fine. I wouldn’t drive 500 miles for a “show up” because you might show up and everything might be locked up.
Fungo

rc,

I say don't waste your time.

Happened to my son when he was being recruited....Went to Ole Miss on our way to Mississippi State for an official visit.

Rented a car in Memphis and drover through Oxford and caught the coach of Ole Miss and his assistant in the locker rooms....told them where we were going. Got a nice tour of the facility and they never followed through.

To make a long story short...Son played for Ron Polk at Mississippi State and had 3 very good seasons before being drafted by the Mets in 1993.

Out of baseball now, but my advice to you and your son...don't chase someone who doesn't want you and shows that with their actions.

rcmax....we faced the same situtation........son wanted to attend a certain NoWest college....and play ball....but there were never any returned calls from the baseball office.......coaches always busy, etc....we visited the college.....stopped by the baseball office....and......would say it was a wasted trip....except we got to visit family.....

Bottom line...don't think I'd go out of the way......if son is not going to the college...... if he can't play ball.....

Did you try email? Some of the coaches we worked with checked and responded to email on a regular basis. If you don't have their email, there is probably a staff directory on their baseball web page - or a staff directory for the university.

If it's not out of your way, go ahead and see if they are in the office.

Now that the practice season has started you are just shooting in the dark. They are pretty busy right now.

quote:

Originally posted by wisbballmom:
Did you try email? Some of the coaches we worked with checked and responded to email on a regular basis. If you don't have their email, there is probably a staff directory on their baseball web page - or a staff directory for the university.

Excellent point. I'm sure you can look up the rules on NCAA.org but I think they are allowed to respond to e-mails but not return phone calls until after July 1 of their junior year. Could be totally wrong though so check it out.

They can't call but they can text message you are day and night. Go figger.

After a couple of unofficial visits to Texas D1's, we decided to back off because the "vibes" were very discouraging.

If you're visiting the school because your son is interested in a certain degree program they offer, go ahead and stop by the baseball complex while you're there and check it out. If you're going just to make contact with the baseball coach, keep your expectations low. They are very busy right now.

In some cases it works and in others it doen't

I always like to have the player call ahead if for no other reason than to leave a message to say "I will be visiting the campus on so and so day and I would like to drop by and say hello. Just wanted to let you know."

This way your visit to his office is not unexpected

I also feel that the more campuses a player visits the better his final decision will be

I say since you are going to visit the school anyway take all the info and indeed stop in. If you are unable to see the coach, someone may be able to give you a tour of the bb facilities.
You can leave the info and know that you have done everything you could to facilitate interest.
This is a busy time of the year for coaches who may not be in the recruiting mode.
Advice given on the HSBBW is always do whatever you can to get attention, so why not on this as well. Take my NIKE attitude, JUST DO IT!