Verbal Commit Today!

First of all, congrats.  It sounds as though you're extremely grateful for this opportunity and that you have found the right place to make your mark.

If there is no athletic money, there is no LOI.

 

Here's a bit more info for you:

 

http://www.athleticscholarship...letter-of-intent.htm

 

Thanks you for the information! 

Congratulations 2016lhp18! You sound really excited. Please, don't take this the wrong way. Caution, buyer beware! No mention of recurited walkon, no money, only hard work might get you money next year. Remember that these coaches get paid to recurit, but more importantly to win. If you're ok with this school without baseball, then go for it. If they thought you were going to have an impact, they would be offering something more. Forget bragging rights, ego and impressing your friends. Go where you will play and in most cases that means school has skin in the game. You commit today, their recuriting your replacement tomorrow. It's just how it is in most big DI programs.

There are so many great options in Texas, find one the loves you. If not, take the JC route and get the experience and exposure to get offers. LHP's are a premium. 

If you don't mind, can you post some bio info, height, weight, velo, grades. Dialog me if you want to keep it private.  

6'1 184lbs, 3.7 gpa act 23 top velo PG 87

I assume I'm a recruited walk on? Not sure what that is? They scouted me at my High School playoffs and had me visit the school twice. 

 

I know stats don't matter. but My High school stats are excellent, First all District PO 2014 & 2015 and 5A pitcher of the year 2015. PG rated 27 LHP in Texas. I feel I was overlooked because I did not play on a well known travel team like the Banditos, just my opinion.

 

I feel that they over recruited and that I will earn a spot with my work ethic, determination, skill and open mind.. I know they are salesman but they represent themselves as Christians and family men. Leap of faith? But I understand winning is the only option for them. 

 

Worst case scenerip I get a degree from a respected school in Texas

 

If I find out they are not men of honor can I transfer my sophomore year to a Juco and not lose any eligibility?

Yeah. You can transfer to JuCo without penalty. Don't keep us in suspense - what school?

2016lhp18,

 

Great answers! Those are good numbers as well. Do you have offers anywhere else.

Yes you can transfer to a JC. 

I'm thinking a 6'1" LHP max 87 with good grades should be loved some place willing to invest more then "work hard & maybe a scholly next year". If a 6'2" LHP comes next year who throws 88, where does that leave you if you're still at 87. I would suggest that you thank them for their interest and let them know you're seriously considering their offer to commit. You have nothing to lose at this point. Maybe you can use that offer to leverage a better opportunity. At least it will by you some time to hear what others have to say. Dialog me when you get a chance & I will share a story with you.

Congratulations bud! I'm happy for you and hope you get everything you want from this experience! Good luck and work hard!

Congrats and keep working hard. The best part 

Sam Houston State is the school. 

 

I feel I will continue to increase my velocity, but my off speed is my best stuff. Max out this year at 88 MPH, but it was not official. 87 MPH was in the top 93% percentile at the last PG tournament 18 U BCS finals in Ft. Meyers July 2015.  Ranked # 1 in strikeouts 20 K in 10 innings. Upside young senior graduating at 17.

 

I like the coach Degg's blue collar work ethic and the "Pack" team work philosophy.. PC is a ex pro left handed pitcher, feel he can help me because of his experience.

 

Not sure why the interest is not better. but 5A school may be a factor. I've pitched against high talent at the PG but this may be one of the reason why. The scholarship money would be great but playing with a solid team and school to me out ways the $$$. I was a late starter that began playing at 10 yrs old. every time I moved up to the next level I was told it would be hard to compete. Each and every time I ended up improving my game and becoming the starter. So being the underdog has served me well so far and I'm confident that I will earn a spot scholarship or not. The coaches want to win and will field the best talent.

 

Only god knows,

 

Thanks for listening.

 

 

All have expressed interest. 

 

Incarnate Word 

SFA 

San Jacinto 

Blinn

Texas State

 

 I'm attending the Perfect game showcase in November in Texas. Maybe other will have interest. The last  PG in Texas I attended every scout focused all their attention on the RHP throwing 93 MPH gas regardless of location.  I feel that my ability to get batters out is more important for me  throwing gas. My goal is 90 MPH by the end of my Senior year in high school.

 

I've tried to figure out who you are, 2016lhp18, because I'd love to know more about the school. I'm sure I would know who you are, if you wanted to tell me with a PM -- but more importantly, I would urge you to look on PG at the number of commits to whichever Texas school you are referring to. If that's not available without a membership, PM me. I'll send to you.

 

Because there's too much over-recruiting going on in a couple of our Texas D1's, and I don't want to see you lose out for the wrong reasons.

 

That said: You sound like a young man with extreme confidence and obvious talent, and clearly this is something you and your parents have talked about a LOT ... so if you and them are certain, I say go for it. 

 

But if 'picked off' or others have given you any doubt, I hope you'll take their counsel seriously. They know what they're talking about.,

How do you PM?

I have premier access to PG to look at most stats

Congratulations but....what exactly have you committed to? Walking onto a program that probably has invited other players as well?

What you need to find out is if they fully fund, if not, that maybe how they recruit. If they do, you essentially are one of how many others that will be playing just for a spot on the team, not just on the roster.

Did you ask them how many other players did they extend the offer to.

 

I know how excited you must be, but I am not sure you understand about committing to a program worth nothing but a handshake is all about.

 

As long as you are OK with attending this school without baseball, that's good, but after all the work you have put in, shouldn't you be rewarded in some way for your efforts?

 

JMO

Good question. 11.5 scholarships can only go so far. Maybe I'm trusting to much or I'm overconfident in my ability. I will make the team that is not a option. I will ask the coach for more details. When I left the school after our last meeting I told my parents that I wanted to play at SHSU scholarship or not. Just a feeling I got from the coaches.   

 

First off congrats, but your original question has been answered no LOI and TPM nails the reality piece of the equation.

What folks are trying to say kindly is a walk on is a very tenuous situation. There is a wealth of knowledge on this site from players and their families who have experienced this. I would ask the question differently: what has been their experience? I would also suggest you research your specific program and know how many walk ons are still with the program. We like you live in Texas and of the 8 guys  my son played with or against in HS or Travel ball who were walk ons, only one is still with the program and he redshirted. None saw an inning freshman year, and 50% were gone by Christmas. The others transferred after freshman year.Some had other offers but wanted their dream school.

 Long winded way of saying LHP throwing 87 I would keep my options open and go where you are wanted and the fact is that is normally where they offer scholarship money.

If not congrats and good luck and be the exception we will also love that story

Sam Houston State is selling you on a great chance to play in the CWS? Research how many times hey have played in the CWS. Is this based on their 31-28 record last year? The CWS statement would are me leery of anything else that is said.

 

Walking on is a no risk deal for the coaching staff. It's a very high risk deal for the player. I'll bet they've told a bunch of pitchers the same thing. You could be competing with several pitchers for one roster spot. 

 

The he only plus is if it's a school you would be happy at if baseball is removed from your college experience. My advice is don't go where they're interested. Go where you are loved. Walking on is not love.

I don't want to pile on. But I will two cautionary tales.   I know two 2014 kids personally who were recruited as D1 walk-ons that year  -- one my son's HS teammate, the other my cousin's kid.  Both celebrated big time when they got recruited.  The HS teammate  had his "success story"  written up in the local papers.  The cousin sent out a happy announcement to lots of members of the extended family.  (Lot's of HS and colleges athletes in the extended family, so we like to share stories with one another.)

 

Neither of the kids made the Spring roster of the relevant school.  The HS teammate with the big write up in the local rag was cut within the first three days of fall baseball.   Ended up playing club baseball at his school.  It's  a fine school, but I'm told he is searching for another to try and continue his career.   The cousin's son made it through more of the fall, but was dropped just as the season got underway.   Fortunately, it's a great school.  And he's otherwise happy, but there is no baseball in his future.  

 

On the other hand,  a kid from my son's travel team walked on at a major D1 this fall.  Frankly,  I always regarded him as a major stud.  He's a tremendous athlete.   Was surprised he didn't get more highly recruited.  My own guess was that it had  to do with being a 2 sport guy and a consequent lack of exposure, more than anything else. Anyway, I hear through the grapevine that he has actually earned himself a spot  on the Spring roster.  We'll see what sort of playing time he gets.   So I'm not saying it never happens.   But like a lot of folks have already said -- it's a very precarious path being a recruited walk-on. 

 

 

SHS have made regionals under this coach but 143 in RPI and 133 in strength of schedule.  

Many coaches sell their program on the concept of playing in Omaha. I just don't think that most understand who you have to beat to get there. 

Going to Omaha pretty tough trying to get past their region once you see what programs are in the region. And pretty tough with that record, much needs to be improved upon.

 

I feel pretty badly, I just don't think the poster understands what the absence of a NLI means. 

 

Back to my original suggestion, you need to ask how many other players will be walk one that you will be competing with.

 

Understand that most of us here understand that a very high percentage (very high) don't make the first roster or do actually remain their for 4 years.   We would much rather see a program show you some love by awarding you a scholarship, even if the coach could help with academic dollars only but you have not indicated your academic situation other than good.

Best of luck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm going to take a different direction since there is no love for walk ons here.  I agree that a walk on is in a precarious position relative to a scholarship player.  But given the numbers, every team has to have some. The question for the OP is how committed are the coaches to him.  I have to believe some coaches are more committed to their recruited walk ons than others. is he "guaranteed" a roster spot or does he need to compete with 50 other walk ons?  I just think the kid just needs to get a little clarification of what he committed to. If he's good with it, then because he loves the school (a primary important issue) he should be fine.  Just my $.02. 

Thanks for the help. I will ask about guaranteed spot and the number of walk ons on the team last year.

 

On the last visit the HC told me that they had zero scholarship money left. Is this something you all believe is untrue? Do you feel he has $ and is not being upfront? I felt he was honest from the start, Based on the comments most people believe that all coaches all lie. I hope this is not true. He says he is a Christian, I came away feeling he is a man of his word.

 

Does anyone know or played for coach Deggs at the Cajuns or A&M? Can you share your experience? This is the second season for the new HC Deggs not a lot of history to go by. 

I wouldn't assume that the coach is lying to you about not having any scholarship money left.  Who knows if his program is even fully funded?

 

The question is how many walk-ons has he recruited and what does he really see as your role?  Are  you a guy who he expects to make a contribution from day 1?  Or are you a guy he's brought in to compete for a spot?  If so, with how many other guys are you competing?  

 

I assume you want to make the most informed decision you possibly can.  To do that, you need to ask the coach direct questions.  You may or may not like the answers you receive.  But getting the answers will put you in a much better position to make an informed decision. 

No one suggested he lied. But you are aware that he can only award 27 max scholarships minimum of 25% ,  if  he even gives that.
As sluggerdad suggests arm yourself with knowledge and go back and ask him questions you didnt know to ask before you posted here.

I see 3 commits to SHSU on the PG site. Seems like a small incoming group for 2016. Only one Pitcher, LHP. Are other recruits for 2016 listed somewhere else besides PG?

 

I'm not sure how the scholarships are divided each year. I'm told they divide the 11+ scholarships each year  among all current sophomore-senior players and the new incoming freshman. That would leave several players without $$, 10 or so?

 

SHSU 2016 current roster 38 players

19 fresh

4 soph

9 jr

6 senior

 

2016 roster LHP fresh, 0, soph 1 jr  2, sr 1 = 2017 LHP 1 jr, 2 senior (not including walk ons and assuming everyone returns for 2017)

 

2016 recruiting class LHP for 2017 roster 1 LHP listed on PG as incoming

 

My competition at LHP 2017 3 returning players and the other 2016 LHP recruit. This would be a 5 man battle, seams like good odds?  What do you think 

 Good advise

 

 

The question is how many walk-ons has he recruited and what does he really see as your role?  Are  you a guy who he expects to make a contribution from day 1?  Or are you a guy he's brought in to compete for a spot?  If so, with how many other guys are you competing?  

 

Look at it this way.  If everything went on a "normal" progression, only 6 scholarships open for 2016s when the seniors graduate.  Of course, with 19 freshman a lot will shake out in the next two years since only 9 can "start."  Bottom line, what I see is new coach, rebuilding his roster.  A lot of uncertainly.  You just need to find out where you really stand.  But it sounds to me like you where comfortable with the guys and I'll bet they are being honest.  Good luck.       

As SluggerDad says he is quite possibly telling you the truth. It is late in the game and most D1 programs have their roster spots committed. You just need to clarify your position with him. You want to know where he sees you fitting in. What the likely hood is of your earning a roster spot. You want to maintain your belief that he is a man of his word while trying to determine exactly what your chances are of being on the team and getting to play.

 

Good luck,

 

Ted

Update: The coach let me know I have a guaranteed spot on the 35 man roster st SHSU.

 

Go Bearkats!

That is AWESOME!  Now you can fully celebrate.  Congratulations!

 

Now get back to work on the never-ending task of getting better and fully enjoy your HS season

And get used to spelling it right... it's Bearkats. 

 

Surprised to see this is a program with several regional appearances recently and one that is recognized as on the rise.  Pretty exciting if you ask me.

 

I think the many knowledgeable posters did give you good advice regarding concerns about walk-on status.  I wonder if you found out about your guaranteed status based on asking more questions or if that came about anyway.

 

 

Thanks BEARKATS got it!

I took the advise and asked the question. 

 

Thanks again

This Bud's for you.  Congrats.  

I'm not sure I would wait to find out.  Have you talked to anyone that has played or is playing with this school right now? 

There ya go...and keep working to get better!

Congratulations...saw that you started playing when you were 10.  My oldest also started when he was 10, is 13 now, and has worked his way up each time.  I don't know if he will ever progress to a college level, but he's just focusing on working hard for HS.  It's nice to see others in the same type of situation work hard and achieve like you have, congrats.

Happy to hear. Enjoy your senior year. Continue to work hard, each year the challenge gets harder. Keep us posted on your progress!