While on an official or unofficial vist, narrow down for me the top 3 questions you as a parent would ask the coach.
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My #1 question was, what happens to his scholarship if he gets hurt?
CPLZ's is a good one...but I would ask this type of question after receiving a scholarship offer and I would generalize/expand CPLZ's #1 to, "What is your policy on scholarship renewal?" (i.e. injury or not).
Before an offer?
1. Have you seen my son play and what do you know about him or think about his play?...or...Why are you interested in my son? When do you see him contributing/playing here? (i.e. right away? 1 year in?) <-I think many families, especially SS/Catcher families are not ready for a freshman year on the bench or in a backup role.
2. Tell me about the academic support for your team. Tutors? Counselors? Majors? Typical class load?
3. Why do you think this is a great place to go to school and play baseball?
Before an offer?
1. Have you seen my son play and what do you know about him or think about his play?...or...Why are you interested in my son? When do you see him contributing/playing here? (i.e. right away? 1 year in?) <-I think many families, especially SS/Catcher families are not ready for a freshman year on the bench or in a backup role.
2. Tell me about the academic support for your team. Tutors? Counselors? Majors? Typical class load?
3. Why do you think this is a great place to go to school and play baseball?
1. Besides baseball how are you going to make my son a better person.
# 1
We all know scholarships are for one year, however its very important for a family to get a handle on the finances for entire collegiate career, therefore what criteria is used to determine if a scholarship will be renewed or possibly increased or decreased in year's 2,3 and 4?
We all know scholarships are for one year, however its very important for a family to get a handle on the finances for entire collegiate career, therefore what criteria is used to determine if a scholarship will be renewed or possibly increased or decreased in year's 2,3 and 4?
My son did all the talking. I listened to the coaches answers. My son and I would compare what we heard in the car on the way home. Usually, these were the main questions with specific focus on the academic/athletic balance.
1) What level of academic support or tutoring is provided for engineering major/baseball player combination? How does that program work? Has there been issues in the past? Is there a mentoring program with upperclassmen and alumni?
2) You've seen me pitch. What do I do well, and where do I need improvement? I will work hard for you. How are you going to help me improve to become a starter now.
3) What is your program doing to improve and position itself for conference championships and beyond? What is the program doing well today and where does it need to improve?
1) What level of academic support or tutoring is provided for engineering major/baseball player combination? How does that program work? Has there been issues in the past? Is there a mentoring program with upperclassmen and alumni?
2) You've seen me pitch. What do I do well, and where do I need improvement? I will work hard for you. How are you going to help me improve to become a starter now.
3) What is your program doing to improve and position itself for conference championships and beyond? What is the program doing well today and where does it need to improve?
Related info at this thread: http://hsbaseballweb.com/eve/f...787050395#6787050395
Eric G – For your big ox you might want to check how often they are going to feed him..ha
We were on visits where plenty of questions had to be asked and others where the coaches were already answering the hot topic questions. You may be seeing the same thing.
I do like justbaseball’s questions.
We were on visits where plenty of questions had to be asked and others where the coaches were already answering the hot topic questions. You may be seeing the same thing.
I do like justbaseball’s questions.
This isn't a question for the coach, but do what you can to talk to parents of other players on the team. They will know a lot about things you will not have any other way to find out.
And make sure to ask them how many kids leave the team, transfer, or otherwise stop playing. If you can talk to one of those parents, do so as well.
And make sure to ask them how many kids leave the team, transfer, or otherwise stop playing. If you can talk to one of those parents, do so as well.
quote:Originally posted by igball:
# 1
We all know scholarships are for one year, however its very important for a family to get a handle on the finances for entire collegiate career, therefore what criteria is used to determine if a scholarship will be renewed or possibly increased or decreased in year's 2,3 and 4?
I can assure you this is not the case at many schools. I would say well over 50% of the schools out there (all levels) have University guidelines that do not allow a Coach to take away scholarship $ from year to year.
Please trust me on this one, not everyone does it like they do in the SEC/ACC/PAC 10
3 must ask questions all depends on who you are asking. 
As an example, some HC's have people who do all the looking then come back and report and make recommendations. So asking the HC if he has ever seen your son play may not always be appropriate.
We had already had a question and answer time with the pitching coach on the drive in from the airport and we knew his expectations for pitchers, the discussion with HC was more about the actual scholarship offer and his role and commitment towards players. Then we sat with the academic team, understading their role regarding the athlete as a student. You also should have some time to speak with the athletic trainers as well.
All of these people will be instrumental in your son's success as a student athlete.
As far as food, that seemed to be a top must ask question for son.
As an example, some HC's have people who do all the looking then come back and report and make recommendations. So asking the HC if he has ever seen your son play may not always be appropriate.
We had already had a question and answer time with the pitching coach on the drive in from the airport and we knew his expectations for pitchers, the discussion with HC was more about the actual scholarship offer and his role and commitment towards players. Then we sat with the academic team, understading their role regarding the athlete as a student. You also should have some time to speak with the athletic trainers as well.
All of these people will be instrumental in your son's success as a student athlete.
As far as food, that seemed to be a top must ask question for son.
Ask every question you can think of that might be important. They've already heard them all anyway and there is no such thing as a stupid question except the ones that go un-asked.
A good recruiter and staff will answer most of the questions before you have a chance to ask them yourself.
I agree with warningtrack.
Pay more attention to the interaction with coach/prospect/ and current players. Pay attention to chemistry- do you like these guys?
This also can be tricky, because everyone is in rah, rah! mode. Trust your gut.
Believe in his comfort level with academics. (I know I wanted more for my son
academically....I never knew the demands of D-1 or any other level of baseball).
Not just practice, other commitments that come into play.)
I believe we overthink these decisons.....anything can happen, and often does.
My son has grunted it out all three and going into four years...many have not, and transferrd to something
they should have started with in the first place, a better fit...often said on this site.
It can be said over and over again and yet it is hard to listen to......go where you are wanted, go where you fit, go where you think you will be happy, Status, or Divison doesn't really matter. Try to have fun!
Good Luck!
Pay more attention to the interaction with coach/prospect/ and current players. Pay attention to chemistry- do you like these guys?
This also can be tricky, because everyone is in rah, rah! mode. Trust your gut.
Believe in his comfort level with academics. (I know I wanted more for my son
academically....I never knew the demands of D-1 or any other level of baseball).
Not just practice, other commitments that come into play.)
I believe we overthink these decisons.....anything can happen, and often does.
My son has grunted it out all three and going into four years...many have not, and transferrd to something
they should have started with in the first place, a better fit...often said on this site.
It can be said over and over again and yet it is hard to listen to......go where you are wanted, go where you fit, go where you think you will be happy, Status, or Divison doesn't really matter. Try to have fun!
Good Luck!
quote:
I can assure you this is not the case at many schools. I would say well over 50% of the schools out there (all levels) have University guidelines that do not allow a Coach to take away scholarship $ from year to year.
Please trust me on this one, not everyone does it like they do in the SEC/ACC/PAC 10
This is a very interesting thread. Can you elaborate on this? What schools/conferences tend to have the 'no reduction' policy and which are known to do so? And is there a good source for this information, or best to find on a case-by-case basis? I believe that the D1 university I worked at had a 'no reduction' policy but I am not even sure that was ever a written policy, it was just the right thing to do.
iheart,
I agree with you 100% Well said!!! It has to be the right fit for all because this is a huge commitment with the athlete and university. And bottom line - HAVE FUN!!!
I agree with you 100% Well said!!! It has to be the right fit for all because this is a huge commitment with the athlete and university. And bottom line - HAVE FUN!!!