I apologize in advance if this is a dumb question. Should a player follow the same steps in reaching out to college coaches, etc regardless of division. I really don't know where he stands, but since we don't know its probably D2 or 3. We're in NJ and he knows the education will be the most important thing. We have over 10 local schools with his program and they are at all levels. Follow the same steps? Letter to coaches as is written in most advisory articles?
Thanks in advance!
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I think letters are great for getting on the radar, but a kid could write a couple hundred of them and still not find a place to play.
The most important thing is having coach eyes on the player. Obviously that's a problem right now, so video is the next best thing. I would send video to the schools of interest - making sure that it's video that shows the player in a good light. If you don't have video, get some.
Of course you should also be planning on getting to showcases and camps when things open up.
All of this assumes your player is a 2021. If he's younger, there's no hurry at all for D3 recruiting, and not that much for D2 either.
Thank you. He is on a showcase team whose management has ties with almost every school under consideration. From what I read it seems that he should show initiative and maturity by reaching out himself. The showcase team is aggressively trying to hold on to the tournaments scheduled for this summer.
Mike232FD,
The process may be similar but what you say should probably be different. Think of it like looking for a job. As a recruit or job seeker, you have to have something to offer or you have to be solving a problem. At the D2 level there is the possibility of a scholarship. At the D3 level there is no scholarship so your pitch or appeal to the Coach is most likely going to be different. D3 runs the gamut of recruiting process and requirements so there isn't much of anything I could say that would apply to D3 universally except no schollies. However, you can almost always be guaranteed any Coach is looking for the best possible talent he can recruit and get through Admissions. If a kid has baseball talent but his grades are going to be a challenge then he might be looking at other candidates because getting a questionable recruit through Admissions is going to take a lot of work....and Coaches don't want more work. They want the slam dunk recruit.
So, I think a little bit of research needs to be done before hitting SEND to the Coach. I would strongly encourage you to put yourself in the Coaches shoes. Absolutely include videos as JCG suggested as well as recommendation letters from travel coaches, scouts, Legion coaches, high school coaches if you have them.
Good luck!
Luckily we don't have grade issues, he probably has a better shot at academic scholarship money. He's very well grounded, has size at 6'4', has always had great pitch control and control of the game. What he doesn't have is great pitching speed. He's young for his grade with a September birthday so I'm hoping he still adds to that.
@Mike232FD posted:Luckily we don't have grade issues, he probably has a better shot at academic scholarship money. He's very well grounded, has size at 6'4', has always had great pitch control and control of the game. What he doesn't have is great pitching speed. He's young for his grade with a September birthday so I'm hoping he still adds to that.
RHP or LHP? Exactly where is he sitting and touching? Don't mean to press, only provide what you are comfortable with. But specifics matter given how competitive the world is. Ive found that advice from the group helps the more specific you can get.
Can't say this enough: ask your showcase team director or coach what he thinks about your son! Go over your son's list of schools with him now, before tournaments or showcases start, so that you are on the same page. Then yes, your son can send emails, but they will be reinforced by the travel coach when needed, which will be even more important this summer.
@Mike232FD posted:Luckily we don't have grade issues, he probably has a better shot at academic scholarship money. He's very well grounded, has size at 6'4', has always had great pitch control and control of the game. What he doesn't have is great pitching speed. He's young for his grade with a September birthday so I'm hoping he still adds to that.
Great! Then why not use his grades as a lever with Admissions and the Coach? If you've got it, use it and make sure they know it!
Go to College Navigator (https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/) to figure out which schools he is in the top 15-20% of incoming freshmen. Typically, I would advise top 25% but in these Covid-19 times, I don't know how willing schools are to part with their academic scholarship money. Once you've identified the target schools that your son could be in the top 15-20% of incoming freshmen academically then include that in your email note to the school. Follow up with Admissions by calling and writing with your interest level and request an Admissions Tour if/when they are offering it. Coordinate that Admissions visit with a visit to the baseball coach. Rinse and repeat. When you have it narrowed down then call the Financial Aid office to get more information.
Good luck!
