I'm a newbie to this site, seeking advice from you veterans of the recruiting process (which I similarly know little about, but am learning on the fly). My son is an '06 catcher in one of the best h.s. programs in Florida. Good size, good mechanics, good arm, good bat, good head. He's being actively recruited by several major-conference D-1 programs in the southeast. They saw him play in a series of showcase games last fall. He was clocked by MLB scouts popping two runners at second in times of 1.94 and 1.91 in a game in September '04. He's an excellent student, with a 4.0 GPA (4.7 weighted), and truly wants to play major college ball. However, he's not a starter.
He plays behind a Sr. whose baseball abilities are similar, whose friendship he has held and respected for eight years, and who also had to wait his turn to become a one-year starter at our school. Further, the senior’s die is cast. He has a full ride to a junior college this fall, though I believe he has high hopes concerning the June draft. My son has never challenged or questioned coaching decisions regarding starting assignments or playing time, and understands his "fate" as a product of the road he chose; that is to say, the program he plays for which is his districted h.s. He's a quiet, happy kid, and a fierce competitor and leader on the field. He accepts and embraces his role on the team while continuing to bust his hump for any and every opportunity to play. …a team player all the way. My son’s positive attitude through this is a testament to his character.
Though his mother and I are frustrated by this situation, we have never challenged a coach, and will not start now. I admire and respect the job he does which cannot be easy. However, is there anything we could, or should say to the coach here? He’s very high on my son, though that hasn’t translated to playing time. …maybe broach the topic while seeking advice concerning visibility? There are often coaches at our games but I’m not aware of any who have seen my son catch. While I recognize that the senior has paid his dues, worked hard, and holds “seniority”, I also know that wheels that don’t squeak never get oiled. I understand further that the coaches are at every practice and team meeting and are privy to more details concerning the development of these boys as baseball players than any parent could be. However, it was intimated by an assistant who helps out with our team’s catchers in the early weeks, just before he left for spring training, (he’s a AAA catcher, non-roster invitee) that my son would see plenty of playing time based on what he saw in the first few weeks of practice. This man is not generally one who “blows sunshine”. All of this has made it difficult for me to accept his primary role as a bullpen catcher in this all-important junior year.
He's gotten a couple of calls this month from coaches or recruiting directors who are interested in him. Fine. ...very exciting and encouraging. There's one school however that my son is pursuing who has not seen him play. ...happens to be one of the premier programs in the country, both athletically and academically. They have been responsive because he looks good on paper, and likely received a positive report from my son's h.s. coach. Their director of recruiting called him last week. Conversation was going well until the subject of playing time arose. When he learned that my son has seen limited action this year, (6 plate appearances, one game behind the plate plus scattered mop-up innings) he was less than positive in his assessment. ...something to the effect of, "If you aren't starting as a junior, what do you think you can do for us?" And that call came the same day as a conversation with his summer coach who expressed his surprise at lack of playing time, and advised him that he needed to be on the field. Now my son is notably discouraged, given the importance of this window in his baseball life to the recruiting process. ...NLI day less than seven months away. This is where I need some advice from y’all. (That’s you all to any of you who are unfortunate enough to live anywhere other than the south.)
He will play this summer for a national team out of Atlanta and will, I expect, get some great exposure. Further, we will get him to a showcase or two this fall. We will continue to do all we can to get him seen on the field and to get his name and ability to the schools on his short list. And I remain confident that any recommendations or profiles supplied by his h.s. coach are positive. ...but how do I get him back up after what this recruiter said? The man is recognized as one of the best in the country, having been at it for more than twenty five years at the same school. Surely he understands issues of seniority such as my son's situation. Is it possible he was merely testing my son to see if he has the self assurance and confidence necessary to play this game?
We've always told our son to treat good games and bad games alike. Never think too much or too little of yourself. Never put too much stock in what others say about you. Set your goals, stay focused, and pursue your dreams, whatever they may be, with all that is in you. ...a process that will serve him well throughout life. ...a strategy he needs to be employing in this situation.
What should I be telling him here to help him through this challenge? Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
"If you want it bad enough, it's there for you."
Buck Oneil
Original Post
), but a little story to help in the "never know who's watching category"; A scout told me last week that Stanford has a pure stud first baseman, Mr. Mayberry, but there's a backup that gets little playing time. Last year a scout saw him in BP mashing balls, and he was drafted in the 20th round, even though he does not even start for his college team. (and I understand a bench player for Stanford would start at an awful lot of schools) You just never know. Sounds like showcases and camps are the ticket. My impression is a lot of kids get seen in camps and showcases rather than they do when coaches actually come to their high school games-hard to do when the colleges are playing 4 days a week, and practicing on 2 other days.