Watching you play....

if a HS game, I believe they have to notify the school of the player they want to see. 

Our experience was that they nearly also notified our sons.  But not 100%.  

We've had them just show up, no notification....but most already know who they are there to see

can be both ways, it can also depend on their interest.  

I appreciate the responses. I have a follow up question. Were you or your sons aware that the schools had been following them prior to watching them play?

"if a HS game, I believe they have to notify the school of the player they want to see."

JBB, if anyone else had said this I would shrug it off.  Definitely not in accord with what I have seen as the norm.  But I'd be interested in whether there is some NCAA rule that is not being observed around my area.

Lots of times we see coaches who don't want anyone to know they are there.  The only reason they may announce themselves is to try to avoid the ticket charge!  And sometimes (though more rare) they truly are just checking out a game to see if anyone pops out at them.

I know of one high profile pitching coach who often stands in the woods beyond the outfield fence just so no one sees him there watching!

Last Dec 2015 RHP son contacted a school he is interested in.  They replied that they have seen him throw three times and are very interested.  We have no idea when or where they saw him.  Point is you never know who is watching.

He must have a heck of an eye if he can analyze pitchers from there!

At the beginning of the year, the coach pulled me aside and said that my 2015 would be pitching on Wednesdays.  Several coaches/scouts had asked the coach when he would be pitching, so he relayed it to me. Most of the coaches emailed my son ahead of time whether or not they could make it. My son also emailed them his schedule per their request.   The contact is/was pretty regular, especially after they saw him.  That doesn't mean there weren't others there.  If they didn't show up, they would always email to see how he did.  From my perspective, it was pretty exciting.  My head is always on a swivel to see who's around.

justbaseball and MidloDad,

Regarding the need to notify a high school if a D1 or D2 college coach will visit the school: 13.1.4 requires that a coach's visit which will occur during normal class hours must be approved by the school.  However, in my experience baseball games/practices aren't played during normal school hours.

Additionally, 13.1.6.1 requires approval if the college coach will contact (talk to) the player on campus.

D3 only requires approval if a coach will make contact during school hours.

My understanding was that college coaches could have no conversation with any player till their junior year. Could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time.

Tom that's some what true...  A coach could talk any any time to a Freshman or sophomore if the student initiates a phone conversation or a visit on campus.  A coach could only send camp info to freshman and sophomore by email.  But I have seen many ways around that as far as how to get the student to initiate the phone call. 

shortnquick, very true, coaches find a way. I just remember a SEC coach came to see my son as a sophomore, son walks by and our assistant HS coach starts to introduce them to each other and SEC coach says , whoa , I can't even say hello to him      here. LOL. junior year he blows son's phone up . But if kid attends a college camp. coach can talk as much as he likes.

"He must have a heck of an eye if he can analyze pitchers from there!"

The particular fellow I have in mind has a pretty strong track record.