Under the radar

I think when you get your chance, you gotta shine. My son is a 5'9" pitcher/SS that just graduated and is going to a good D2 school in the fall as a pitcher. Most teams he has been on, I think he was overlooked somewhat due to his size. However, by the end of the season, he always wound up the #1 guy on the hill. It's because he got the job done when he had the opportunity. His stuff was good and his mental approach to pitching was better than most. Coaches saw this in him and he had good interest from a number of D2 schools, a few D1's and JuCo's. I think if you perform, someone will want you regardless of the size. Keep plugging, don't give up and take advantage of every opportunity you get, you never know if it might be your last AND you never know who may be watching.

I have to agree with BBallman. Be aware that many D3's recruit just as hard as D1 and D2. They are at many of the same showcases as the D1 coaches. They love to get players that fall through the cracks because of projectiblity.

I think D3 is a great way to go. My son is a Freshman at a D3 here in Ohio. He went to the statewide showcases, The Buckeye scout, and the Crossroads tournament to name a few. He also was on a good summer team that traveled extensively and got him plenty of playing time. Problem was he was only 5'9" and 180 pounds. Most D1 coaches that we talked to it was that he was not big enough and not strong enough. But I will tell you many quality D3 programs in Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania were interested. He had more interest he could ever want.

In short if he is at showcases and tournaments were scouts and recruiters show up and he has the talent D3's will be interested.

Be aware that D3's many times start later than D1's or D2's. My son did not have things really heat up till the end of summer as a rising senior. Some teams did not contact him until Feb. of his senior year.

Good Luck, Enjoy the ride.

quote:

Originally posted by KY5150: in part...How does a coachable solid ballplayer with GPA>4.0 (starting middle infielder & relief pitcher) who is 5'4" at age 15 get noticed by college recruiters?...

Hi KY5150, I suggest going to the winter camps of schools that your son is interested in. There are usually less players at the winter camps so more contact time with the coaches for the players there.

With those kind of grades I certainly recommend Vanderbilt in Nashville TN. They have an excellent winter camp the first weekend almost every December. Coach Corbin usually invites coaches from other top college programs to help with camp so u get exposure to may top schools including some Ivies and the Military Acadamies. You can look at their roster and see they do not shy away from shorter players; Tony Kemp and Steven Rice now and previously Sonny Gray all under 6 foot.

KY5150,

In addition to what bballman said, I'd like to suggest the following. I don't see the challenge being his height. I do see a challenge getting recruited as a MIF at D1, D2, D3, NAIA or JUCO.

It is very difficult to get recruited as a MIF and actually play as a MIF. You have to have unbelievable hands, quick feet and a cannon for an arm. In addition, most schools will look for that MIF player to be a possbile leadoff along with a CF.

You may want to try to research the academic schools that he is interested in, and look at the bio stats on the current MIF. My oldest son's D1 school has a couple guys in the 5'5" - 5'7" range WHO START. They are extremely fast, great hands, quick and difficult to pitch too. One of them has home run power, and he is an absolute nightmare to pitch to. He is our leadoff guy!

So, I think you may want to focus your recruiting efforts towards those potential academic schools by understanding how they recruit, where they recruit and who they recruit. After understanding all of the above you may want to review your current exposure strategy to make sure you are getting in front of those recruiters you want to target. Would you go fishing in a lake with salt water lures? I didn;t think so. Honestly, my son's recruiting effort started the same way until we realized we were going after the wrong fish. It happens. We changed our strategy, and things moved very quickly from there. I wish you the best of luck.

Recruited = Passion + Skill + Exposure + Persistence + Luck

quote:

I have a general question for anyone who may have some insight into how smaller players can be recruited.

Perform on the field and at the plate. Show good speed. Have a good arm. All of these can be optimized with training. As a freshman your son has plenty of time to develop. Create a business plan of where he would like to play college ball. During his junior year make contact with these programs expressing interest. Find out where they will be in attendance in the summer looking at ball players. As each of events are scheduled email the coach reminding him of the interest and stating he will be there along with his team's game schedule.

Nothing is impossible if there is enough talent. Chris Cates was listed as 5'3"/145 as a senior at University of Louisville. He was very good, here is his bio from UofL. Chris Cates

He was then drafted by the Twins and played in their system. He also works for us in the off season and is great with younger players.

I believe smaller kids have more trouble getting that "wow" notice at weekend showcases. What worked pretty well for my kid was extended camps (3-day to week-long, at schools of high interest to him) and week long tournaments (WWBA 17u comes to mind).

The Short Stop

KY5150 I sent you a pm.

Thanks to everyone for their responses. This is really helpful. One message that repeats itself in these comments it to target the schools my son is interested in. Up until now, we have taken a shotgun approach to no apparent avail. My son has not looked at any schools very closely, but it sounds like now is the time to start thinking in that direction.

fenwaysouth - Your cautionary comments about MIF are well taken. However, despite the challenges of getting recruited for MIF, I believe, and more importantly my son believes that MIF is where he primarily belongs and where he performs the best. It's certainly where his coaches put him. I guess we will find out how hard he is willing to work for it.

KY, if your son is looking to get recruited as a position player, I would TOTALLY focus on his hitting. From what I have seen and heard, coaches are looking for hitters. Where they play in the field is mostly secondary. One of my son's HS teammates has always been a shortstop. Got a scholarship to Clemson. Played his whole freshman year this year as a left fielder because they wanted his bat. He may play MIF next year since the SS and 2nd baseman are seniors, but they found a place in the line up because of his bat.

I have also seen teams recruit 7 or 8 SSs in a recruiting class figuring they can turn many of those guys into something else - because they can hit. It really all comes down to hitting. Unless, of course you are a pitcher. Then they really don't care how you hit.

quote:

Originally posted by KY5150:
Thanks to everyone for their responses. ... One message that repeats itself in these comments it to target the schools my son is interested in...

fenwaysouth - Your cautionary comments about MIF are well taken. However, despite the challenges of getting recruited for MIF, I believe, and more importantly my son believes that MIF is where he primarily belongs...

KY,
Yes, you did get some great advice, but based on your "thanks" note, I think you may not have totally gotten the most important message...

He has to be good enough. He has to have college level arm strength and speed. He has to be an exceptional hitter. He has to be an exceptional fielder. This goes for every player wishing to play at the next level. The size thing is one of his "surface" hurdles. Know that every player has hurdles. Don't let the size thing be an obstacle or an excuse. Do what it takes to be a truly exceptional player. Re-read Fenway and RJM's posts with this being top of mind. Bballman speaks of teams recruiting 7 or 8 SS's and moving them to other positions. Note that he does not say 7 or 8 2b's. SS's are usually the best players with the strongest arms on their HS teams and often with very good bat pop. Your son will have to beat out a whole bunch of "best players" to earn a spot.

My kid is small. He may or may not make it at the college level. If he doesn't, it won't be because he is small, it will be because he couldn't produce better than the other guys trying to earn that spot... because he wasn't as good as them.

He is currently playing summer college ball. A good friend of his on the team is a "solid" 2b. One of the other 2b's on the team is phenomenal - started at a fairly strong D1 as a true freshman. So son's friend sits a lot. When a chance does come up, it is at 3b more often than 2b. His arm strength is not a big issue at 2b, but clearly not as strong as the other college 3b's when he has to throw from backhand side at the corner.

The Chris Cates video clip is awesome and inspiring. But Chris Cates is not just small, he is exceptionally talented and clearly a very hard worker. He has very good arm strength and produces very well at the plate against high level pitching. Take note of all of the above, not just the "small" part.

Many here refer to performing well when given the opportunity in front of scouts.. as you put it "make an unassisted triple play to get noticed". Yes, he will have to play well at the right time. But, he also must have worked hard enough to be able to go out and do it again and again when one of them fella's decides to give a closer look or bring you in as part of the team.

I'm telling you all these things to try to help keep the focus off of being small and keep it on being the best player he can be, on having a realistic picture of what he is up against and on not giving up and not giving in.

Best of luck.

Cabbagedad,

I am the parent of a smaller player, and I love your post! I plan to have my son read it, he needs to grasp what he is up against!

quote:

Originally posted by cabbagedad:

quote:

Originally posted by KY5150:
Thanks to everyone for their responses. ... One message that repeats itself in these comments it to target the schools my son is interested in...

fenwaysouth - Your cautionary comments about MIF are well taken. However, despite the challenges of getting recruited for MIF, I believe, and more importantly my son believes that MIF is where he primarily belongs...

KY,
Yes, you did get some great advice, but based on your "thanks" note, I think you may not have totally gotten the most important message...

He has to be good enough. He has to have college level arm strength and speed. He has to be an exceptional hitter. He has to be an exceptional fielder. This goes for every player wishing to play at the next level. The size thing is one of his "surface" hurdles. Know that every player has hurdles. Don't let the size thing be an obstacle or an excuse. Do what it takes to be a truly exceptional player. Re-read Fenway and RJM's posts with this being top of mind. Bballman speaks of teams recruiting 7 or 8 SS's and moving them to other positions. Note that he does not say 7 or 8 2b's. SS's are usually the best players with the strongest arms on their HS teams and often with very good bat pop. Your son will have to beat out a whole bunch of "best players" to earn a spot.

My kid is small. He may or may not make it at the college level. If he doesn't, it won't be because he is small, it will be because he couldn't produce better than the other guys trying to earn that spot... because he wasn't as good as them.

He is currently playing summer college ball. A good friend of his on the team is a "solid" 2b. One of the other 2b's on the team is phenomenal - started at a fairly strong D1 as a true freshman. So son's friend sits a lot. When a chance does come up, it is at 3b more often than 2b. His arm strength is not a big issue at 2b, but clearly not as strong as the other college 3b's when he has to throw from backhand side at the corner.

The Chris Cates video clip is awesome and inspiring. But Chris Cates is not just small, he is exceptionally talented and clearly a very hard worker. He has very good arm strength and produces very well at the plate against high level pitching. Take note of all of the above, not just the "small" part.

Many here refer to performing well when given the opportunity in front of scouts.. as you put it "make an unassisted triple play to get noticed". Yes, he will have to play well at the right time. But, he also must have worked hard enough to be able to go out and do it again and again when one of them fella's decides to give a closer look or bring you in as part of the team.

I'm telling you all these things to try to help keep the focus off of being small and keep it on being the best player he can be, on having a realistic picture of what he is up against and on not giving up and not giving in.

Best of luck.

Great post.

quote:

How does a coachable solid ballplayer with GPA>4.0 (starting middle infielder & relief pitcher) who is 5'4" at age 15 get noticed by college recruiters?

KY5150,
Chances are pretty strong, in my view, that he does not get noticed by college recruiters at age 15 and being 5'4". To be candid, if your son remains small in stature, it will impact his ability to have his "talents" seen and appreciated by some coaches at the collegiate level. It just will.
While I appreciate your comments that there can be quite a bit of hoopla at that age, it is extremely important to realize that "hoopla" surrounds only the very top/elite type players at age 15. Most importantly, the hoopla surrounding other players is nothing you and especially your son can control.
In my view, the current focus should be for your son getting better on the field, keeping great grades, and doing everything he can do to improve his speed, quickness and strength, especially core strength.
By the time your son is 17/18 and in a position to be seen and recruited, what will help him, especially if D3 is still a goal, will be that GPA.
For many of our son's who are not at the top level of talent, recruiting will actually begin, in earnest, during the Summer after their junior year.
As an illustration, the Stanford All Star Camp starts tomorrow. Today, there are coaches from every area of the Country heading to that Camp.
When our son attended, he ended up getting recruited by the Coach from a school in Texas we had never even heard about.
Over the next 3 days, that process will start for a number of those attending the Camp.
While it is helpful to start a process of identifying schools at this point, the process is one where baseball and academics can take your son on a journey you never considered in the plan/planning.
Rather than be concerned about being noticed by college recruiters at this point, I would support you and your son learning about colleges and college baseball.
If D3 is a possible goal for your son, I would get him some exposure to schools and the baseball. You are in a wonderful area to explore the combination of great academics and D3 baseball.
The new SAA conference offers Centre, Sewanee, Rhodes, Millsaps, BSC, Hendrix and others. BSC and Millsaps, for instance, are nationally ranked baseball programs almost every year. The SCAC in Texas offers Trinity, U of Dallas,and others and Trinity is getting closer and closer to an elite type baseball program. A great independent is Emory. Realize, however, the coaches won't be looking or recruiting until after your son's junior year. That does not preclude you and your son visiting in the Spring, getting campus visits, watching games and having your son see first hand the calibre of play and whether and how he feels he fits.
Size and stature is not an obstacle to a talented player at many of the schools I mentioned, especially for a middle infielder who can play. The more DI and DII become a focus, the more size and stature can be a factor in some programs.
Good luck to you and your son on the journey.
Welcome to the HSBBW. It can be a terrific place for learning and sharing the great opportunities college baseball can provide.

As a parent of a 2103, Unless your son is a true prospect, Regardless of his height he won't be on anyone's radar until the summer before his senior year IF he gets serious about get a strength and conditioning program. He doesn't have to be over six feet tall, but he has to look the part with an an athletic build. He needs to have a sub seven sixty yard dash and start a long toss program to build arm strength. He also needs to continue with getting his reps with hitting. He needs to first decide on a major, then start looking at schools that offer his major. Then start going those college camps and getting to know the coaches. Also, don't be so quick to assume that D3 are lower level baseball. Any player that gets to play college baseball is very fortunate, many will not make it to the college level. It also, is good news that grades are good best of luck to your son!

sitback,

Maybe it's different up north but 6.67 and 85 from the OF hasn't gotten much attention down here.

Huntermac ,

The sixty time is good, but at recent area code tryouts at several players sub 6.5. The 85 is good but not great, 88-90 from the OF gets you noticed.
My earlier comments were more for an above average player, not a top prospect. I feel you at least have to do the things I suggested to even get a look. Then you may have a chance of getting someone watch one of your games.
What numbers are getting attention in your area?