The recruiting process must have been invented by men.

It is all yours folks---

Time for THE WIRE and CARNIVALE reruns--- and oh yeah--OZ will be on at 2:00AM

Thats what they say about Italians of old age

"SHEER GENIUS" or is it EXPERIENCE and KNOWLEDGE???????????

BY the way she/he/it is not pressing my buttons.

I am just waiting for the reruns at 10:30 PM and needed something to do between now and then

I was hoping to be at Pedro's signing party with the Red Sox but it hasn't happened yet

This reeks of anti-Constitutional Schwarzennegerism!!

There are many problems with baseball.

Thanks tr for for the bit of wisdom.

why limom84?

The recruiting ride can be a very frustrating experience for those that fail to understand or it can be a very rewarding journey for those that take the time to research and understand the process. You have come to the best resource available to understand the process of recruiting. The High School Baseball Web allows you access to many parents and players that have been there and done that. You also get information from coaches, scouts, and showcase promoters. It’s all here if we take the time to learn...
“Those that fail to read a good book are no better off than those that can’t read.”
Fungo

Playing baseball in college is not the true reason for attending college. I was talking with a Mom yesterday whose son has his choices down to a final three--all excellent Division III schools with fine baseball programs as well as fine academics--the baseball programs are relatively equal but the academics are not, nor are the costs the same---their decision will be based on the academics and academic $$ award.

Yes the boy is going to play baseball and he is being recurited to play baseball at each of the colleges but that is not the key to the overall plan--it is the overall picture that counts--he has to like the school and the academics as wellas like the coach and the players --the parents have to like the academics and the financial aspects.

One can also look at the roster and see how many players are ahead of him at his position(s). This should be done before even talking to the coach--they had already done this and they know where he stands playing wise at each of the three schools

Folks --- the NCAA will never change the rules to fit everyones liking--in fact they are now stalled on the change of season start they had been discussing--it may not happen for two years at least.

My suggestion to you all is to keep on doing what you are doing and adjust to the rules, whether you like them or not--the simple fact is that they are what they are and it gonna change. we just have to work a bit harder on our end.

limom84

My suggestion is that you educate yourself as to the process. There can be early offers to Juniors, all depends on how interested the colleges are in your son. Below is a link to a guide that will definitely help you with your questions:

The Varsity Edge

I think LI has a legitimate issue. You may not like her somewhat negative approach to bringing her perspective to this website, but I don't think she is the only parent that is trying to understand this process to help her son.

I'm not sure why the NCAA has decided to make the recruiting process a minefield of gotchas but it is obvious that many coaches have run afoul of the system out of ignorance to all the rules. Can you imagine how much more difficult it is for parents to get their minds around such a convoluted system. My take-on-it, the NCAA is simply perpetuating its own importance.

The real prize in all of this is the gifted athlete, not the NCAA. But they can use their politics to ruin the college careers of the gifted athlete, and it happens all the time...just read the bio on what the NCAA tried to do to Tiger Woods. He finally left Stanford to go pro to get away from the NCAA's shenanigans.

There are none of these considerations in countries like Australia...and players can be signed to contracts as juniors in HS so the MLB can own a players rights to play Minor League ball. The Aussie team managers are both team coaches and MLB scouts. A player can continue to go to HS or on to college in Australia and play summer professional baseball while getting paid and still maintain his eligibility status. He just can't do both of those here in the USA.

Tiger Woods got himself in trouble with the NCAA because he was receiving support from sponsors while he was on tour playing in the NCAA tournaments...they felt they were entitled to all the money, even though it was
Tiger who was the attraction...it would be better if student-athletes were able to support themselves, at least earning money playing summer ball. I think the NCAA is unrealistic in its approach to dealing with the "student-athletes needs".

....one of the easiest places to play is where they say, "We want your son to come help out team. He has a chance to be very successful here. We hope he will come play with us."

And you know they mean it.

Would it be any easier to cart your kid from try out to try out than it is to cart them from showcase to showcase? Don't see how it would be. It would get just as expensive also.

The fact is we make the recruiting process a lot harder than it really is. If we so chose, and our kid had the talent we could simply sign with a local college and avoid all the hassle of showcases, travel teams etc.

But most of our sons have loftier goals than to play for home town school (and there is nothing wrong with that). That is why we take them to showcases. So they can be seen by those colleges far, far away.

If you want to simplify your life you always have that option. But don't be surprised when you have to give up something in order to make it simple.

The NCAA doesn't exist simply to make life difficult for baseball players and their parents. Consider basketball and football where colleges are 'the minor leagues' and whether throwing out the rules (or bureaucracy, if you prefer) would leave that mess. And if there must be rules for one sport, there must be rules for the others.

limom84...I'd say let liDad handle it...after all, as you say, it is a man's process

Whoa Horse!!, I mean Starzz

This mom is handling the process just fine!

Sent him to great showcases, & am planning out next summers' he wants to attend, had him write his bio & fill in the profile forms, made sure he's returned the questionaires,along with his spring schedule, checked out all the schools & rosters,etc, etc, etc. Sat's are set. We've followed the recruiting tips found here to the letter. Just being patient & have confidence enough that it will all be fine. Whats meant to be will be.

It seems to be time consuming, but not tedious or frustrating (yet).
I'm just thankful that so many of the folks here, especially the Grand PooPah, have the formula so well tuned!
Mine's a junior (already) & is looking forward to Christmas being over, so he can get out there on the field & play!

It's not a "gender specific" process.

We are early in the process but here are my observations:

- Every program has their own style of recruiting so you can't judge interest by comparing them to each other

- Most families only go thru this process once, coaches have experience and other coaches to help

- 30-50 year old mostly masters degreed business men are recruiting 16-17 year old young men

- You don't really know how interested a school is until they make you an offer because you don't know what they tell their top recruits vs what they tell the guys on the bottom of their list.

- I think the dawn of email is both a blessing and a curse. It's a great way to establish dialogue between coach and player before July 1. But, the expected response of an email is much sooner than written communication. In some ways email can be as personal as a phone call.

- Some times it's really difficult to even find a phone number for a coach to call and even harder to reach them, especially when kids are in school the most likely hours that coaches are in the office.

- Unofficial visits are one of the best things going. Thank God the NCAA lets us do that. Wish more schools did Junior days. They have been a great way to get to know more about coaches and programs.

baseballmom...just making fun...there are many moms that are the driving force...why do you think they always say "HI MOM" on TV??

Good Luck!

quote:

---

Originally posted by baseballmom:
Whoa Horse!!, I mean Starzz

This mom is handling the process just fine!

It's not a "gender specific" process.

---

Then you have to realize that this thread is just as insulting to men as you took Starzz response to it.

Personally, the only word that comes to mind is "TROLL" when reading this thread.

LIMOM !!!! Go somewhere else and get a life first, then come back when you grow up.

I think the original post is missing several points. First part of the design of the recruiting process is to protect the player and limit the amount of time coaches can be in contact with a student. After all, they are supposed to be student-athletes and not subject to unlimited recruiting contacts.

To this end, limiting the coaches ability to contact a student until after July 1 after their junior year is not designed as an obstacle, but as a protection to allow an athlete until a certain stage of their high school career to gain a certain maturity, exposure and understanding of college options before they find themselves in the recruiting/negoitiating process.

As far as tryouts, most colleges in effect have tryouts through their camps. My son went to "camps" at about 6 different schools. At one in particular the head coach gave the opening introduction and then did nothing else but watch HS sophs and juniors hit. The "camp" was open to kids 6-18 but he wasn't out there holding drills for T-ballers. He was there to see potential recruits. You want your kid seen by a particular school just go to their HS age camp. Besides the coaches chance to make $$$$$, seeing players is the point.

Stanford is a great example. Their "all-star" camp typicially has 25 or so schools "officially" present and probably another 25 or more 'unofficially' there. Although "open" for registration and organized as a "camp" its amazing how year in and year out there are 300 of the best HS juniors there (A sophomore is rare and a HS senior rarer still). The exposure is tremendous and most everyone is there to be seen, to be showcased, to "tryout" in effect for all these schools. I don't believe anyone is going there primarily for the instruction. I think this camp is a great, great opportunity and almost the ultimate "tryout" with nearly 60 schools present. ( I would add that you better have grades 'cause most all the schools present there typically have very high academic standards. The year my son was there, just about every Ivy school was present, along with all the service academies and some excellent liberal arts college from around the country).

I also don't agree with what appears to me to be the underlying notion that the process should be changed to allow for earliest and easier decision making. Kids are signing earlier and earlier. Not that long ago, the senior HS season was the time. Now "early signing" is becoming the big deal. A few west Coast D-1 programs have already "singed" some '06 graduates- so you have a kid who has not yet played his junior year of HS committing to a college. Seems waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to sooon to me. Kids change tremendously from year to year in HS and the choice you make in the fall of your junior year may have nothing to do where your interests are in spring of your senior year.

Bottom line, the process may not be perfect but it works pretty well and it strives to keep protections in place for everyone involved, especially the kid and yes, the NCAA is trying to protect your kid. Except for the top prospects, the process typically just requires a little work on the part of the student and their parents and I'm not sure that's such a bad thing.

Starzz & PhoenixDad,

we're on the same page:

I laughed @ your first post. &

Heybatter,
My 13yo was at a UCSB camp (13-18yo). It was very definitely for recruiting purposes and they switched from 2 days of instruction to 1 day of instruction and 1 day of games a few days before the camp. On the instruction day my son got the same instruction and attention as anyone else. Also, since the coaches decided before they saw him that it wouldn't be a good idea for him to play on Sunday they offered to provide private lessons in place of the game day.

Heybatter brings up some very valid points re: protecting players.

Limom-
Why are you in such a hurry for your son to commit as a junior? Slow down and enjoy the process. Believe me, if they want your son, they will make an offer.

It's kinda funny how you want the rules changed to suit you and the Limom son. Comments about remaining unsigned players annoyed me too.

quote:

---

Originally posted by AParent:
Would it be any easier to cart your kid from try out to try out than it is to cart them from showcase to showcase? Don't see how it would be. It would get just as expensive also.

The fact is we make the recruiting process a lot harder than it really is. If we so chose, and our kid had the talent we could simply sign with a local college and avoid all the hassle of showcases, travel teams etc.

But most of our sons have loftier goals than to play for home town school (and there is nothing wrong with that). That is why we take them to showcases. So they can be seen by those colleges far, far away.

If you want to simplify your life you always have that option. But don't be surprised when you have to give up something in order to make it simple.

---

I don't know what part of the country you're from but it costs me around $250.00 for each showcase my son attends. Tryouts at the colleges would be free. They can be by invite, they can be restricted, on recommendation, etc. That, to me, is real simple. Ten tryouts would cost only food and lodging. Ten showcases would cost the food and lodging plus $2,500.

You must be a man...

I have had to go to NCAA night at the HS, get information on how to get my son recruited, print out the recruiting timeline and am now following it. Next, I will have to make a video. Then, we will plan our spring and summer around showcase events, pro team tryouts, the area code games, the Empire State games, tournaments, all to make sure that our son has the proper opportunity to get into the college of his choice, when all we would need to do is just try out for that team.

How can this not make sense to you all? If you want to protect the kids until after July 1st, that's fine. But...I think y'all afraid of competition because my son might be better than yours. We already know he's faster...

Which brings me to my next thread, "My son is better than yours."

limom84

I let the degading statement regarding men go by the first time but no longer

You now bring it up again

Question: you husband lets you talk about men that way? Is he included ????

Love your phrasing:

"I had to go to a NCAA .........."
" Next I will have to make a video"

Nobody makes you do anything--too bad it is a chore for you-- for us ( can I speak for the other parents on the site?) it is a pleasure to do these things-- that is why we are parents!!! If you don't like why did you have kids????? This is part of the job of parenting

Why are you planning on Empire State Games--tryouts arent until July arent they?-- or is he already selected at least in your mind? Area Code games are also a selection and invite process? as are most showcase events !!!!!!



"I think y'all afraid of competition because my son might be better than yours. We already know he's faster"
What competition? This isnt one kid against another-- it is about all of them making it !!

Faster than who ? The Road Runner because you are in a cartoon world

Limom your ship just sunk--- we are not here on this site competing --we are here working together to help each other--I dont see any award program from the HSBBWEB

What HS does your son attend?
What summer/fall team does he play for?

No need to give your name--just the answers to the above questions will suffice

Until the time you furnish that info I consider you a SHAM !!!!!

Tr-

It is because of you that I keep posting.

You know, there is a rumor out there that limom84 is really TRHit, and that I, limom84, create these threads so that you/me/TRHit can reply to them in fashion favorable to build you/TRHit up. This groundswell views you/me/us as the good cop/bad cop, and now I am starting to wonder who I really am? Am I limom84 or am I TRHit?

Am I a SHAM and if so, does that make you a SHAM because we are one?

Limom-

Your post indicates a lack of understanding of the recruiting process in many ways.

It's too bad you have to put forth all this time and effort and spend all this money to promote your son. It's obviously making you a very unhappy person.

Limom,
Enough of the insults!
I, too, let the first "male bashing" slide. But now you have crossed the line.
For your son to "go to the school of his choice", all you NEED to do is LET him apply. If he has the credentials, he'll get in.
Forget you ever found this site.
I just pity your son!


I apologize, folks, but this is ludicrous!

Now it's time for HW or fungo to shut this thread down!

limom? I never post on this site, just sit back and learn from everyone else,but your attacks on TRhit are obviously personal and uncalled for on this site. I will tell you that when my son needed a boost after some bad baseball experiences, TR sight unseen gave him an opportunity that has changed his entire focus both academically and baseball. If the young men on his team are any example of the type of organization he runs (which I believe is true) we were proud to even briefly be associated with him. His team was a group polite respectful young men who understood the importance of academic excellence and hard work. He gives good advice and support but it is up to the parent and student to make the whole process work. Your attacks add nothing to this process and make New Yorkers look bad. If you are from NY.

NYBB13

nybb13

Thank you

I need not get into a battle with her/he/it

The bottom line is success for the kids--that is the goal

Tr-

Did you call your friends up or are these your other aliases?

My son uses this great site to obtain some very valuable information, to chat with friends he has met on this site, to ask for advice, and provide some of his experiences as well.

This is one of the best sites around and mostly all the posters on this site contribute in one fashion or another. I am always telling players and parents about this site and how valuable it is.

I hope that the moderators on this site can see what has started to happen here. It is quite obvious that a select few try to intimidate others. I believe this was not the intent of this forum. Everyone has their opinion, but when these opinions continue to invoke others, we must all remember the main reason this site was established, to assist the players and parents of baseball.

For all the players and parents who become offended or angered, I ask that you remember what this site is about. It’s about all our kids, friends, and parents who love the game of baseball and want to further their education in this sport or just to help others understand all the processes involved in baseball.

Let’s just try and leave it at that and ignore others who have alternative motives.

i DONOT mean to appear presumptuous and TR certainly doesn't need my defense, but he is definitely one poster (among many) that I certainly respect, even if i don't always agree with him (oh actually, maybe just as to barry bonds

I see time and again his offering assistance to anyone who can use it. Unlike most of us all, he has posted his name AND phone number and made himself TRULY available.

I hope that those viewing this thread and many others aren't deterred from using this site or get the wrong impression of what goes on here. IMO the focus is not how to change the NCAA or the process etc., but how to get through it. All the negative, bashing, etc. doesn't really help. Maybe we should start a controversy section and folks can just battle it out there.

I used a great deal of info from this site, the time lines, sample letters and advice of many such as TR in helping my son navigate the recruiting process. He's now a freshman in college and having the time of his life, baseballwise, academically, etc. and I have many thanks to give to this site for that. He found his true fit and I continue on here out of interest and hoping that, maybe, I might have something to say to help someone, as I and my son were helped.