What do make of this email???

I think they want to get to know your son much better, and they are willing to invest the time in an un-OV with a full schedule. 

This is a great opportunity for your son to gain some insight into their program, and also gain experience in dealing the recruiting process.  IMHO it is real important for these young men to form opinions and better understand what they like and don't like.  If it is financially affordable (un-OVs are on your dime) then I would jump at the opp, and begin doing some homework ahead of time.  Good luck!

Offer or not, they're extremely interested

The "sit down meeting" with the Head Coach suggests that they could be prepared to make an offer; but, regardless, it sounds like a great opportunity to get to know the program and school better...and vice versa.

A couple of off-the-top-of-the-head thoughts: (1) Fall Baseball may have wrapped up by 10/21 if that's the weekend you choose; but, if it hasn't, don't miss a chance to watch a practice or scrimmage. (2) As you're probably aware, the school is pretty limited as what they can provide; but, one thing they can do is provide the player and his parents tickets to a football game. If that's of interest, I'm sure that it can be arranged. (4) Look for some time in the schedule for your son to spend some time with players while coaches aren't present. It's a great time to ask questions that reveal what it's really like to play and go to school there.

It's hard to imagine that an invitation as specific as that one won't be followed with other expressions of strong interest from additional programs and, ultimately, offers. 

Try to relax, have fun, take it all in, and enjoy it!

Best of luck to him!

Sounds like they do have interest.

You might want to ask if this unofficial is exclusive to your son or will others be there that day.

It sounds to me like they have 3 dates because they have others recruits they will be inviting as well.

In other words how many others got the same email?

LD22: Thanks for sharing.  Quick question - is this (as well as the others) a school(s) that you knew was interested in your son prior to Sept 1?  Had there been direct (or indirect) contact?  Discussions after camps?  Just curious if any of these schools were watching "from a distance" and you were not aware of their interest level until very recently.  Sounds like he is a stud (congrats!), so you probably aren't suprised by the amount of interest in any case.

Fenway no cost involved for the visit, it is within an hours drive, thanks.

Prep, yes we are having a blast, thanks

TPM, great question, kind of got me wondering hmmm...

Bucs no surprise, they have seen him back from last Fall and have always had interest,have made comments in the past about him being one of their first 2015 signees.

All great stuff but honestly they are towards the bottom of our top 5 list so we want to play it out a bit, plus BIG $$$ to go there....

LeftyDad - For certain it demonstrates a great amount of interest.  No question about it.  I would say do your homework ahead of time so you can get your questions answered.

Now, on expectations for this unofficial visit.  I have 2 sons, both play(ed) in the Pac12.  They both had these types of invitations.  Just anecdotal data here, but this is what we experienced:

Older son (was a big recruit with lots of opportunities) - Took 4 unofficial visits, received an offer on only one of those initial/unofficial visits.  All offered later plus more.  This was in summer of 2003 when timelines were a bit later than now - son was a 2004 HS graduate.

Younger son (not as big of a recruit, but had multiple opportunities too) - Also took 4 unofficial visits including 1 that was a 2-hour flight away (about the same time as your son will).  No offers on any of those the first time.  What did happen?  Tours, meetings with coaches (including HC), campus tours, academic discussions incl. advisors, gauging son's interest, in two cases our son was put in a room with current players/no coaches and encouraged to ask whatever he or we wanted...in one case a football game and another a basketball game.  2 of the 4 offered later, but I am convinced the other 2 would have also if he hadn't taken one of the first 2 offers.  This was in Fall/Winter of 2009/2010 - son was a 2011 HS graduate.

Bottom line in our experience, it was more of a mutual 'feeling out' than anything else.  No way does that mean your son won't get an offer...many do.  Just advising not to get discouraged if he does not.

One legitimate question in my opinion, "Coach, what time frame are you thinking makes sense for you to make any potential offer?"

I asked it and got what I thought were good/honest responses.  One coach for younger son's  response was something like, "We really like your son and we will recruit him hard over the next 6-9 months, but we won't make offers until next summer."  You may also learn things about academic constraints on offers (e.g. Stanford requires going through entire admissions process after Junior year).

JustBball WOW great info, thanks so much for sharing. Its funny you know...As flattering as it would be to get his first offer I am kind of hoping they don't do it because we are not ready to answer them at this point.(Its a Big 10 School) If it was his 1st, 2nd (ACC schools) or even 3rd choice (Big 10), depending on the offer he would most likely verbally commit....

LeftyDad22,

Sounds to me that they are trying to get the jump on other schools that they know or think has interest. Great place to be! I would go sooner than later, interest changes as others commit.It will give your son the opportunity to see the baseball culture first hand during fall ball.

Great advice/questions to ask from above. Have they asked for transcripts or test scores, that shows serious interest.

My 2013 LHP was invited to several unofficial visits after sophomore year. Those were great experiences for PO Jr. He learned a ton from them, and they proved helpful when it came time to make his final decision.

Good luck to your son, enjoy the process, because once he chooses, and lands on campus, the work begins. 

If your son is not likely to accept an offer now but wants to keep this school as an option, I would suggest going to visit as late as you can. Many times, if an offer is tendered, the "clock" starts ticking for a decision.

Be prepared with a ready answer to the flip side of that question, "What is your time line for making a decision?"

It is fair to let them know that you have a deliberate process, that you intend to make a well considered decision, and that you won't be rushed.  

Most coaches will respect an answer that indicates a mature approach.

PO thanks and yes we sent in transcripts about a month ago.

Swamp  and Blue I agree with both of you, thanks.

LeftyDad22,

I totally agree with Swampboy and Blue10 to go in there with an approach, prepared answers and your agenda.   

Here's something more to think about.......Do you plan to go with your son even though the college is somewhat close by?  Has he gone on un-OVs of this magnitude before?  If not, I'd like to make a suggestion.  Go with him.   Observe how he handles himself in a new adult situation, and coach him for future visits.  He'll probably be a little bit nervous which is understandable.   For us, it was like riding a bike.  He did a few un-OVs with either my wife or I in the beginnning.  After that, he was ready to do it on his own, and he eventually went on many un-OVs by himself. 

My oldest son is an introvert, so we thought it was fairly important for a parent to attend the first few un-OVs.  I recall one pitching coach asking my son about his pitches and grips.  On thing led to another, and then my son went into a 10 minute monologue about the intricate physics of the knuckleball which drew the Head Coach out of his office.  These coaches are pretty good at getting the recruits to talk, but sometimes talking too much can be an issue too.

Good luck! 

Fen I definitely plan to go with him as he still only 16 and no DL yet. But also they are requesting the parents. We will certainly have a plan/agenda. My son emailed them back yesterday and said whatever works best for them during the week of Oct 21st. RC responded saying it will be around 10 am but he will coordinate all involved and confirm a day and time and let us know by mid-next week. Suddenly Huge (size) Big 10 team coach emailed twice yesterday to see if we could come to visit 11/2. Unfortunately that is Homecoming so we can't go but he will see them the next day at a Showcase that he will be at and the coach who originally was not going now says he will.