The Verbal Offer - How is it usually made

StrainedOblique posted:

First thing to remember, When a NCAA coach wants a player they make their intentions clear. There is no ambiguity or hesitation. So, whether it comes via email, in person, text . None of that matters.
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Also, one of the schools that recruited my son was an Ivy and Ivy recruiting is a whole other thing. It is it's own entity w/ different timelines and procedures. They talk to a lot of guys but only take a few. Stanford is the same. With the Ivy we eventually asked for a pre read thru admissions when son was close to decision . Son provided Ivy RC official HS transcripts and official SAT/ ACT scores . 48 hours later, The RC got the green light from admissions to move forward with son but in the end it just wasn't the right fit for him.

I type this because if anyone is talking with an Ivy request a pre read thru admissions . That cuts thru the crap. They talk to so many players that the only way you can really find out where you stand is to request the pre-read . If they grant the request than they are serious. And the results of the pre-read will dictate how to move forward.
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This is so true. IMO, I believe that the number 'one' thing is the coach wants a kid. Number 'two' he wants good grades (coaches do not want future problems). In the case of Ivy's, the same thing applies, and like StrainedOblique says it, it is a different animal and coaches act quickly the rising Sr summer. A coach may have (likes) 20 players on his list (that they continue to follow) and request test/grades and through the team liaison will send info through admissions for a pre-read and of the 20, lets say 14 come back as a go. The list will still be in the coach's desired order and he goes to work 'hard' on these kids. Some kids may pull out or go to another school and the list adjusts. As time passes, and around end of July and August the coach starts pushing hard for a commitment for his precious 7/8 players that he wants to present to admissions for the Likely Letter to confirm to the selected player that he will be accepted (if nothing 'really bad' happens on player's side). OV will be offered in August for early September to players on the list to try to seal deals, and presentation (first round of the 7/8) for the LL is around early October, and basically the same day of presentation the kid may receive a call from admissions which is an awesome moment for the kid. If for some 'odd' reason a player does not pass the presentation, the coach may have a second round for the one missing. However, when a coach presents players for the LL he is 'pretty' sure that they will pass and hopes that none of them backs out, because that makes a 'big mess' for him.

Like StrainedOblique said, an Ivy coach is also very explicit on how he wants a player and if he wants a kid he will say/email upfront that he would like you to be one of the kids he can sponsor (for the LL) if all grades/test check out. ALL coaches want the best player they can get and the better the grades, the more they love you.

#1 Assistant Coach posted:

Gov posted:

It would offer better perspective if you guys can tell us "fall or Oct of junior year", or "June as rising senior" etc....  Really would appreciate it....  With 2018 going into spring of junior year and recently having having recent UV's to a number of schools as well as camps this past weekend.

Thank you!

Gladly, as I believe that is an important component for some schools, others not so much.  My son's classification (as far as what year/grade he was when offered) is confusing, and I'm not going to get into it here now.  Suffice it to say, he was offered in October of his 7th semester of HS.  Each school year being 2-semesters. 

StrainedOblique posted:

SanDiegoRealist posted:

Ok, so this is going to be a big summer for a lot of our kids, camps, tournaments, showcases. let's say we have the good fortune to attract the attention of a school and they want to make an offer. How is that typically handled? In person at the event they saw you at? Via phone or e-mail after the event (if not a rising senior then this would probably not be until after Sept 1, right?)

Would appreciate any info you all can share about your experiences here.

First thing to remember, When a NCAA coach wants a player they make their intentions clear. There is no ambiguity or hesitation. So, whether it comes via email, in person, text . None of that matters.

My sons 1st offer came in the fall of his rising Jr year. He threw on NCAA D1 campus at a camp and about 5 min after he finished his last batter the pitching coach pulled him out of the dugout walked him down the line and asked the magic question " Tell me about your grades / Test scores" son answered then the pitching coach presented the offer.

Once again, when they want a kid they act quickly and do not mess around.

*Anything I type is just my opinion based on personal experience

One more clarification on the "7th semester" timing of son's offer and acceptance. 

Offer came from very high academic where ACT/SAT scores and your AP classes (generally loaded during Jr. and Sr. years) really count.  So generally, the highest academics, like Ivy, want to see at least 6-semesters (Fr, So, Jr.) of data.  Son was offered just barely into 7th semester, so school had seen enough of his grades already thru the 6-semesters and weren't interested in his grades one month into 7th-semester, it's just that October was their camp and when they could see him pitch one more time on their campus especially. 

Another interested party wanted to see his grades at end of 7th semester, meaning January.  And another interested party said they "wanted to see son pitch an entire game????"  NOTE: this was October 5th or so.  Not sure when they were going to see son pitch an "entire game" any time soon unless they were going to hit one of his HS school games in maybe April??  During their college season?  Doubt it.  So probably next summer for them?

As SO says above, if "they want a kid they act quickly and do not mess around."  In my son's case, one school had seen enough (academics and baseball) and acted quickly.  Two others, though still interested weren't there yet.  One wanted to see more academics, and the other more baseball.  It may have been they were simply stalling for time, trying to get a yes or no answer from another kid in front of son on their white board before offering son.  No idea. 

Bottom line, one school acted quickly, the others not as quickly.  SO is correct.  It's that simple.

If your son is fortunate to receive verbal offers then he can expect it to be in person, over the phone.  That really isn't the important part, as it is to thank them for the offer, and have a rehearsed response ready depending on the situation. 

In my oldest son's case, sometimes he got a heads up through his travel coach that XYZ was very interested and they would be reaching out with an offer via telephone.   We had two other local D1's offer in the coaches office face to face.  We had other situations where the travel coach wasn't as involved and a high academic D1 offered over the phone and another high academic offered while he was at their prospect camp.  He had a handful of D3s offers over the phone after a high academic camp.  In all cases, we rehearsed his response given his preference for each school.  There were strong recruiting pitches thrown his way but he never waivered from what he wanted most.    These young men go through a lot in the recruiting process.  Learning how to handle themselves is no easy task when you consider this is one of the biggest decisions of their lives.  I'd put a little more emphasis on what is said after the offer is made.  JMO.

fenwaysouth posted:

If your son is fortunate to receive verbal offers then he can expect it to be in person, over the phone.  That really isn't the important part, as it is to thank them for the offer, and have a rehearsed response ready depending on the situation. 

In my oldest son's case, sometimes he got a heads up through his travel coach that XYZ was very interested and they would be reaching out with an offer via telephone.   We had two other local D1's offer in the coaches office face to face.  We had other situations where the travel coach wasn't as involved and a high academic D1 offered over the phone and another high academic offered while he was at their prospect camp.  He had a handful of D3s offers over the phone after a high academic camp.  In all cases, we rehearsed his response given his preference for each school.  There were strong recruiting pitches thrown his way but he never waivered from what he wanted most.    These young men go through a lot in the recruiting process.  Learning how to handle themselves is no easy task when you consider this is one of the biggest decisions of their lives.  I'd put a little more emphasis on what is said after the offer is made.  JMO.

I would love it if you would be willing to share some generic examples.

2018 is expecting a call in the next few days and I like your idea that we  discuss and prepare how he might want to respond.

CMassRHPDad,

Sure.  Please share if this upcoming offer is his top choice, second choice or other.  What grad year is he? Does he have offers in hand and expecting more offers?  Do they see him as an impact player who will be in demand with other programs?  Does your son know a lot about the program and it academics?  Does he need the coaches help to get into the school?  These are important factors in my opinion as you respond.

First, make sure you have done all your research on schools, coaches, programs, rosters, ahead of time and have the schools ranked.... and be flexible on those rankings

Second, keep the coaches informed of events, schedules, and times and locations where your son is playing.  

Son had several friends offered on the spot at 17U WWBA in Georgia in July before their Junior year.   

My son is not a 90+ throwing pitcher,  but a position player, so once some of the top schools got their pick of the MIF litter, he knew where, and whom he didn't want to play behind.  When the college where he is currently playing invited him to come visit the summer before Junior year, they made it clear they were going to make an offer at that visit.  They did.  After the visit, son thanked them and asked how long he had to make a decision.   He called the coach back two days later with a "yes".

Note:  the school was not originally on son's list, but they had been following him since fall his sophomore year, so he just added them to the list and periodically kept them up to date.  He never even dreamed he could get into a high academic school.  

Note to the wise:  Baseball is a small world.  The coaches know each other.  I do not know for a fact, but I am pretty sure a coach that had son for a unofficial visit early on didn't really need MIF's, but we were not aware of that at that time.  I'm pretty sure that coach passed son's name to his  buddy who coached where son plays now. 

This was just our small experience.  Listen to everything Fenway says.

fenwaysouth posted:

CMassRHPDad,

Sure.  Please share if this upcoming offer is his top choice, second choice or other.  What grad year is he? Does he have offers in hand and expecting more offers?  Do they see him as an impact player who will be in demand with other programs?  Does your son know a lot about the program and it academics?  Does he need the coaches help to get into the school?  These are important factors in my opinion as you respond.

Thanks very much! I sent you a private message.

Most of son's were in person during a visit. One was on the phone after he had a solid PG outing and it was everything plus the kitchen sink,  similar but not as aggressive was a private college who told our Travel Coach that my son would not have to pay to attend there.....and another one had us qualify how much we made via the Fafsa, i think or a questionnaire as a tool and then offered what is much less that he ultimately got where is now. While i agree that understanding the financial situation of the parents, i prefer a solid offer regardless of the income....if they really want your son.

My 2018 just went though this process, and all offers were made after an unofficial visit.  With that said, 90% of the offers were made at the time of his visit.  One collage told my son to call when he was ready to make a decision and they would give them their offer, which would only be good for two weeks .  Another school offered on the phone about a week after we visited.

He also had one or two schools say that they wanted to see him after another season of baseball.  These are the schools that we figured had a few kids higher on the board then my son, and were using him as a backup...

After my son accepted an offer, he was very pleased how accepting all the other coaches were when he called to tell them that he chose another school (I think this was really what he was most afraid of in the whole process).

thanks for the great Thread !!! my 2019 is going into his soph year of HS ball so this spring and  summer should be very interesting,

He is uncommitted but was just offered a spot to play in Jupiter  this coming fall .

Head Coach has us up for an Official Visit... After 3 days, during our sit down meeting in his office, he asked for a commitment, son gave it...

Ja'Crispy posted:

Hi, new poster but I have been a lurker for a while.  I have learned a lot of valuable information for free on this site.  Most of all is to relax and enjoy watching your son play baseball.  I will try my hardest for that to happen with my 2020.

My 2017 was pretty much offered after his college Head Coach watched him play 2 games, no numbers but a real hard sell.  We went on an Official Visit and again it was pretty much we are going to going to offer you.  The board was a big part of the visit.  My son asked where the coach saw him fitting in and the coach went player by player on the board and explained how my son could fit.  Do not leave a visit without asking that question, you learn a lot about what your situation could be.  The final offer on paper came a week or two later.

Today I learned to ask about the "board".  Previously on here I was hearing how there were teams with 50-60 to 90 kids on a team.  

Good luck on your 2020!  I too have a 2020 and they both are beginning their HS careers!  Not sure if having a 2017 would make it any easier stress wise with the 2020!  

Kevin A posted:

Ja'Crispy posted:

Hi, new poster but I have been a lurker for a while.  I have learned a lot of valuable information for free on this site.  Most of all is to relax and enjoy watching your son play baseball.  I will try my hardest for that to happen with my 2020.

My 2017 was pretty much offered after his college Head Coach watched him play 2 games, no numbers but a real hard sell.  We went on an Official Visit and again it was pretty much we are going to going to offer you.  The board was a big part of the visit.  My son asked where the coach saw him fitting in and the coach went player by player on the board and explained how my son could fit.  Do not leave a visit without asking that question, you learn a lot about what your situation could be.  The final offer on paper came a week or two later.

Today I learned to ask about the "board".  Previously on here I was hearing how there were teams with 50-60 to 90 kids on a team.  

Good luck on your 2020!  I too have a 2020 and they both are beginning their HS careers!  Not sure if having a 2017 would make it any easier stress wise with the 2020!  

Just be sure your SON 'asks about the board' .......not you. NCAA coaches always want to speak to the player. Never the parent.

However, it is appropriate for you to speak with the coaches regarding financial stuff, Net gap tuition costs, etc.  But that is only AFTER an offer to the player has been made by the baseball dept