Unhappy player

He most definitely needs a release from his current school before he can talk to any other school. The summer collegiate leagues are a great place to be seen by other schools. In addition, his summer coach and players on his team can help make connections for him for next year as well. Good luck to him.

Curious why he is unhappy ?

You have to be careful you don't jump from the frying pan into the fire.

personal reasons!

good info re contacts often happening thru summer league players or coaches

IF your resume is good enough a couple phone calls should do the trick

IF your resume isn't that good your time-line expectations may be unreasonable

good luck

Can a parent make calls to college coaches before a release is given????

Yes, but the first question from the coach will be, "Does he have the release to talk?".

Nothing can be done(openly) until the school(AD and coach) gives the player a consent to
talk to other schools. And they are allowed to restrict certain schools if they so desire.

I'd be prepared to answer the prospective coach when he asks what the "personal reasons" are...something you seem to be unwilling to do here.

Well excuse me PopTime, I just came on here with a question and I appreciate all the answers, but I do not have to share with you any reasons why he is unhappy!!!!!

quote:

The summer collegiate leagues are a great place to be seen by other schools.

I’m not disagreeing with that statement simply because I don’t know ---- so let me ask--- Wouldn’t the college coaches be too busy looking at the better high school summer teams, players, tournaments, and showcases where virtually 100% of the participants are prospective players instead of a college league where few if any are prospects ---- unless these college teams were comprised of JUCO players?
Fungo

base4,
I think Moc1 gives good advice. Buy the way, you don’t have to share on a public internet message board why your son is unhappy ---- I know I wouldn’t. That information is not a requirement to get and answer about how to go about transferring to another college. Putting information on the HSBBW message board is like having a party line with thousands listening in. That’s the reason the PM (private message) feature is used.
Fungo

base, I honestly don't care what the "personal reasons" are, I was just stating the obvious. The coach is going to want to know what the problem was.

base4,
the release is for the "player" ...
friendly "chat" by parents, uncles, friends, etc are not covered by NCAA rules

guys that formerly recruited your son will often help if you didn't burn any bridges with 'em.

IF I was gonna do it, and IF face to face contact isn't possible, I'd have someone
(parent, player etc) forward a note of interest to coaching staff with your # & that of a hs or summer coach ...
if there IS interest on their part they may feel better calling the 3rd party
(**btw ... don't pick a parent who's son will be affected by your transfer)

re personal reasons;
I know a guy who told the NEW coach that his current pitching coach was a *?#%%^@! A** ...
trans was completed, played in CWS & now in pro ball

again, good luck

Chairman

Caution must be exercised if others are out there asking questions on behalf of the player--

TR, you are correct ... there should be pretty close control over what is communicated by a third party

that said:
transfers are no big deal & happen EVERY year for a variety of reasons ...

some players getting out of a "bad" situation ..
some players are chasing a "better" situation ..
some programs/boosters/friends of pgm, even "recruit" players not previousy thinking about a transfer ..

I'll add this as well,

IMO the NCAA's transfer rules are generally good for college baseball, when they are not abused by either side

coaches who overstock at a certain position can't "lock up" a player who is burried in their depth chart for 4 yrs

programs with guys leaving regularly are likely to draw the attention of the AD & alum who will find the problem and fix it .. even if it takes a moving van to do it

some players "thought" being far from home would work out fine .. but doesn't

some players "thought" staying close to home would be fine .. but isn't



wishing base4 the best for his son, & hope everything works out

Fungo - I think you're correct on the summer leagues. The league Michael is playing in is just that - full of JUCO kids and thus will have more exposure to college coaches.


Base4 - My own JUCO son is in the process of transferring this summer to a 4 year. I strongly recommend that you contact previous coaches/scouts you/player had relationships with. Their words and opinions mean alot more than a parent calling a coach.

I am with POPTIME here-- no need to know the personal reasons but sometimes the grass aint greener on the other side of the fence -_AND you still have to mow it--and no power mower

Too many kids get what I call "Itchy Feet" ---they look to jump before the situation is fully developed--typical of the kids today--"If I dont have it here I will go somehwere else"--great attitude to carry with you into the business world (Real world)-- it gets stale very quickly-- spoonfeeding doesnt go on forever

Sorry I even asked this question. I thought I could ask and not get comments like "Itchy Feet"! No spoonfeeding here Mr. TRhit!!!

TR - I think you're right. I've seen kids over the years change their leagues or HS multiple times because they're not happy. It is usually about playing time. Not a good lesson for kids to be learning IMO.

However, I've seen college kids transfer for many and varied reasons. It's difficult to really know how a school and a baseball program fits someone until they're there. A friend of mine pointed out to me that 60% of marriages end in divorce and most people marry feeling like they've made a lifetime commitment. Things just aren't what they seemed sometimes and/or things change.

If it's not a place that a player is happy academically or athletically, may be best for all to make a change. However, I don't think the decision to change should be made lightly.

Also, if a scout or coach is going to recommend a player - they're not going to do it if they think that kid is going to embarrass them or is a problem "hopping" schools.

Fungo--

I didn't mean to imply that college coaches hang out at summer collegiate league games to troll for players. But between the summer coaches, the other players on the team, and the player's own contacts, discussions with college coaches can be initiated and followed up on. In my son's case, he had a couple of colege coaches travel to see him in a summer collegiate game. Also, because one of the schools interested in him had players on one of the opposing teams, that school's coach had his players "scout" my son and report back. If you are transferring, summer is quite a fertile season to garner some attention.

Base4 -- I think you are being a little sensitive. Students transfer for a variety of reasons, many of them legitimate. But the other side is also true -- freshman year being what it is, some kids lose patience and think they want to transfer, but it sometimes isn't the best idea.

Just keep in mind that it can be TOUGH to transfer, both in baseball and in the classroom, so make sure it is the best solution to the problem. There WILL be a price to be paid.

Sheesh base4, you take such offense at everything offered here. Did you want help or not? Sorry if everything said is not exactly what you wanted to hear.

You are awfully touchy - maybe you answered the question I asked.
You didn't have to give a reason but it is importanat if you want advice. If it is because he dosen't get along with coach or players you will get different advice than if he is unhappy about playing time. Maybe he dosen't like the city or many other reasons.
Simply as stated get the release and you take your chances. Every coach will ask why he was unhappy and some may care and some may not.

Whatever, the true reason does not have to be disclosed, even to the new coach. A release is a release, means that the player has been released of obligation for that school. Period.

As far as summer, many transfer after developing friendships in the summer leagues. But word of caution, sometimes as TR says, the grass is NOT always greener and may not be in players best interest.

However, players should keep in mind, happy or unhappy that you don't want to burn bridges.

Good luck to your son!

Thank you Tiger Paw Mom!!!! Yes we know things are probably not always greener on the other side, and we would never burn bridges!!!! It has nothing to do with playing time, which makes the situation harder!

TPM, how are you this morning?!? When you say that his reasons don't have to be disclosed are you saying that the prospective coach has no right to ask, or that base4 isn't compelled to answer? I don't think I'd be in too much of a hurry to sign this kid if he can't be forthcoming enough to state why he was unhappy with his other team, or school. I think it would probably be the first thing I asked. Would the prospective coach be forbidden to contact the previous coach to try to get to the bottom of it? How'd your son do last weekend? I haven't had achance to check.

TPM is correct ...
all the NEW coach really needs to know is ..

you are in good academic standing and progressing on track

YOU asked for the release & not the other way around

I give up.

CHAIRMAN

The college coaching circle is tight---dollars to donuts any and all prospective new coaches will want to know why--- perhaps they dont want the same problems the precipitated the request to leave--playing time is usually the norm but in this case it is said that playing time is not the problem--If I am the new coach being contacted I would want to know what the story is if it isnt playing time

The question of why you are transferring comes up in the business world all the time.

The prospective employer may say:

"Why are you seeking to change jobs?"

Response 1: "My boss is a knucklehead and the management at that company are all cheap skates" (Exaggerated for effect).

Framing things negatively will give the impression that you are a problem employee and you will thus very likely not get an offer from them.

Response 2:

"I really like that company and the opportunity that they gave me, but I just don't feel challenged enough at this time and therefore I am seeking an opportunity for professional growth like you are offering."

I advocate truthfulness but my advice is to frame potential loaded questions in the positive and that will hopefully prevent any negative red flags from getting raised.

You can practice these skills with your son as well. Pretend you are the coach and ask him all the potential questions or concerns a coach might have and practice how to frame the responses in the best possible light.

Thank you ClevelandDad! Best advice yet!!!! And if you knew my son you would know that he would be responding on the line of #2!!! We know you have to be positive! Thank you.

if coaching circles were REALLY that tight the new coach would already know the reason

again ... if the player is in good standing with the school & the team that's all that matters

it's irrelevant whether the old coach choked him for breaking up with his daughter ... etc

I also agree with CD, that lying your a** off is a viable option

I guess I just assumed that there was a problem with the school or the team. I guess "personal reasons" doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem. If he's in good standing with the school and the team though, there wouldn't be any reason to "frame" the answer any way at all would there?

good question poptime ...
but sometimes it's a matter of common courtesy or being "classy" on the player's part rather than throwing his former coach "under the bus" (revised for proper grammar)

CHAIRMAN of the POOL HALL

Nothing is irrelevant when you transfer--trust me on this

Lying does not work---not today--not tomorrow

I also do not see where CD recommends it

I would never advocate throwing a former coach under the bus that's for sure. That goes back to the whole burning bridges thing.

Mr Hit, tho I agree ... sometimes things can be understood without being "detailed"

ex: recently a university in S. Orange fired their coach of 31 yrs because his "transfer classes" regularly exceeded the size of his "recruiting classes" and the resulting paperwork generated by the school(s) & the NCAA were beginning to endanger forests in the pacific NW ...
plus it pisst off boosters and alum

there would be no need for the steady stream of guys leaving to "bad mouth" him or the program ... other coaches understood the "problem" without a player going into details

to other coaches, picking up good players from that program was like "shooting fish in a barrel"

For the most part, all of these answers apply, EXCEPT lying. Since the employer/employee comparison has been made. It is logical for most employers to call and "check references". TR is correct in that many (if not most) college coaches make that phone call. Lying would be ill advised. It all depends on the "personal reasons" (which should be kept private, and not discussed here!). Just as with old employers, you definitely don't want to leave them any room to give you a "bad reference". Find out the legally "correct" way (NCAA) to transfer,weigh the pros & cons of leaving, ask for transfer in a civil, business-like way, Evaluate EVERYTHING to make sure you make the best decision/choice to assure that the "personal reasons" to not re-occur. Hopefully you should then be able to go have fun, work hard and play baseball!

lying your a** off?? ...
oops, I should have said "frame potential loaded questions in the positive" ...
it sounds better but means the same thing

oops II ... unless the old coach is HELPING the player leave via his contacts ...
it is NOT LIKELY there will be ANY communication between coaches ...
some will even consider the NEW coach "lower than a snake's belly" for years

jmo ... but one you can "bank" on

OK, I guess I am lost but I never caught where anyone said anything about lying!!! That would totally not happen!!!!!!!!!!! Positive, and truthfulness is the only way to be!!!!