What to do when you can't get in touch with the coach?

It depends on what school you are calling and what time of the day you are calling. Some coaches are full time, others are may not be.

The dumb question is do you have the correct / current contact information?

As for email, he may not be impressed with your email address if it is the same as your profile....

Two thoughts.

1. Contact the AD and politely mention that your calls have not been answered and you are wondering if the names and/or contact numbers have changed.

or

2. Maybe they know what you want and are just not interested in talking to you. Cold hard facts but some coaches are inundated with mom/dad and even prospects making calls to the baseball office. Personally, knowing some parents and their pain in the arse personalities regarding their sons, I might not blame them for not taking calls.

quote:

Originally posted by rz1:
Two thoughts.

1. Contact the AD and politely mention that your calls have not been answered and you are wondering if the names and/or contact numbers have changed.

or

2. Maybe they know what you want and are just not interested in talking to you. Cold hard facts but some coaches are inundated with mom/dad and even prospects making calls to the baseball office. Personally, knowing some parents and their pain in the arse personalities regarding their sons, I might not blame them for not taking calls.

I guess your post would then beg the question:

Do NCAA coaches look at parents as "pains-in-the-rear" and not return calls and choose not to talk with them let's say after a game and Johnny didn't play one ounce of baseball even though Dad drove 400 miles to watch his son play shortstop like he did in high school and watch his son go 3-5 at the plate like he did in high school? Can you imagine how many parents around the nation go to their kids first college game and leave completely and totally disgusted because their kid didn't get a lick of time and that kid was a total stud in high school. I just can't imagine how often that happens not just with the first game but of course, all along the college career of a kid. It is kind of a shame if you think about it.....the utter disappointment that some parents must experience.

I just started a thread in the General Forum about those pesky, pain in the rear parents who need a direct line to a coach.

quote:

Can you imagine how many parents around the nation go to their kids first college game and leave completely and totally disgusted because their kid didn't get a lick of time and that kid was a total stud in high school.

I wouldn't know. Seriously, if the kid is happy, or at least not despondant, with his role on the team, that's all the parent can realisticly hope for. The parent can only hope the kid made the right school decision for the right reasons and do his best to make it work. All I care about is if the best nine are on the field, and they usually are everywhere, and if my kid is helping his team and taking care of class work.

The rest is pure gravy to be sopped up with a big biscuit.

quote:

Originally posted by switchitter:
Do NCAA coaches look at parents as "pains-in-the-rear" and not return calls and choose not to talk with them let's say after a game and Johnny didn't play one ounce of baseball even though Dad drove 400 miles to watch his son play shortstop like he did in high school and watch his son go 3-5 at the plate like he did in high school? Can you imagine how many parents around the nation go to their kids first college game and leave completely and totally disgusted because their kid didn't get a lick of time and that kid was a total stud in high school. I just can't imagine how often that happens not just with the first game but of course, all along the college career of a kid. It is kind of a shame if you think about it.....the utter disappointment that some parents must experience.

This depends on your expectations.
How about driving 1400 round trip and not seeing your son pitch one inning? Or 1200 in airfare car rental and hotel for a 3-4 day journey for an inning or two?
Being a stud in HS doesn't translate into playing time in college.
Son's HC was accomodating to those that traveled very far to watch a game and son was not a usual starter. That might mean one at bat, or a sub in the last inning. How about the day before you have a flight to find out son needs to do some "bench thinking" to get his head back into the game and won't be pitching? No problem. Coaches don't run their program around parents desires and wishes and a parent should never speak to a coach regarding playing time.
The first two years son was used in releif for weekends and starter on weekdays which didn't work into our schedule. We went to support the team and to visit with son, who we didn't see often. Summer at the cape, we spent a bundle but came out of his rotation day, we saw him pitch one inning and that was only because his HC was also there, it wasn't for us.
The utter disappointment is only the reality of the game of baseball. Get used to it.

quote:

The utter disappointment is only the reality of the game of baseball. Get used to it.

It is a game of failure. Luckily I'm well adjusted to that.

quote:

I've been trying to get in touch with the coach at a certain university for about a month now. I've sent two e-mails, and called probably about 10 times. Is there something I don't know here? I haven't been able to get in touch with any of the coaches I've tried calling so far. Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated!

Just a suggestion and it might not have anything at all to do with your case. But check out these topics...
College Parents and Coaches
Getting Recruited

There is a delicate balance a coach must walk in determining playing time. The thing that many parents do not realize when the emotions and love for their child enter the equation is that coach's job is dependent upon him winning games among other things. He must do what he feels is the best for his program. He needs to play the pleayers he feels gives him the best opportunity to win that particular day. There are a lot of external factors that need to be ignored by coaches, not that they don't care, rather they just can't afford to get caught up in everything else that goes into the situation. Most coaches would play every kid in every game if that was an option.

The discussion I had about my new freshmans playing time, with the head coach actually went very well. I will only be able to come to a few series this year and wanted to express that my wife and I would appreciate it if he could start my son on the mound during the series that we will be able to attend.

His exuberance was so overwhelming that I had to hold the phone away from my ear during his celebratory chant. I think I'll have to fax him the games that Mom and I will be there though, because somehow our phone call got cut off with a large crash.

His instructions for packing were a little weird though. If the first series is in San Antonio, why would he want me to bring sand?

I guess I am different but I NEVER EVER talked with his college coaches about playing time etc


This may get people steamed but perhaps I had more confidence in my sons ability than other parents so I had no need to ask questions---my son(s) would do what they had to do with their talent---thye did not not need DADDY calling the coach about playing time


But then that is me-- by the way it worked

quote:

Originally posted by CPLZ:
The discussion I had about my new freshmans playing time, with the head coach actually went very well. I will only be able to come to a few series this year and wanted to express that my wife and I would appreciate it if he could start my son on the mound during the series that we will be able to attend.

His exuberance was so overwhelming that I had to hold the phone away from my ear during his celebratory chant. I think I'll have to fax him the games that Mom and I will be there though, because somehow our phone call got cut off with a large crash.

His instructions for packing were a little weird though. If the first series is in San Antonio, why would he want me to bring sand?

quote:

His instructions for packing were a little weird though. If the first series is in San Antonio, why would he want me to bring sand?

CPLZ,

That was a good one!

Sorry, kind of embarrassing, but I'm kind of slow... Just don't get it... the sand in San Antonio part. Please forgive and explain.

quote:

Originally posted by PGStaff:

quote:

His instructions for packing were a little weird though. If the first series is in San Antonio, why would he want me to bring sand?

CPLZ,

That was a good one!

Sorry, kind of embarrassing, but I'm kind of slow... Just don't get it... the sand in San Antonio part. Please forgive and explain.

don't feel bad.,,,I don't get it either.

I was wondering why he would tell me to, pack sand? I thought they had plenty of that in Texas.

Can someone help me with a couple of things too?

It's getting pretty close to the season, when does the coach distribute the treats and drinks list to the parents?

Also, are we allowed to go on the field to make the players tunnel after the games?

In the recruiting process, we never had to call a coach more than once. So I cannot respond to that.

Having worked in college now 17 years; my husband works day in and out with college athletics (Coaches, AD’s SID) - I think we have gotten a feel for college coaches. Started working with a Community College, Moved to D-I SEC, and now D-I in Conference USA.
I will make my comments PC.

College coaches are unique. I would never discuss playing time or lack of. They were hired to be the experts and to win. Many of them have “U-Haul, An Adventure in Moving” stamped on their forehead from all the releases and hires in their careers. I don’t envy them. But the coaches were hired, you and the player signed the NLI and you hug your son and say “good luck,” I’m here if you need us.

My son knew going in that playing time is earned and he will pitch when it is his turn in the rotation. If he does not hit his spots and get outs then his butt will return to the bench until he earns his playing time again. If we happen to be in attendance when he “earns” his playing time; ok, otherwise we will go and show support of the team, the coaching staff and hope to see him play.

Don’t tell a college coach how to do his job or you may get an ear full and the relationship the coach has with your son may be diminished.

Sorry, didn't mean to go off course. If a coach didn't call my son back after a couple of attempts- I would move on- different coaches/ or different division. I would assume they are not interested in my son.

To answer the question asked earlier, my e-mail address is just NLCollege@hotmail.com. Not trying to be rude here everyone, but the discussion here is sort of drifting away from what I was originally intending for it to be about.

MS,
I love yur posts!

Hornets, sorry you got to bear with us. There is another post going on regarding this same thing.

Do know that a college coach (unless you are a senior) CANNOT call you back. So it becomes a hit or miss thing. As a player I have a suggestion. Get the number of the baseball office and whoever answers tell them that you are trying to get in touch with the recruiting coach, not the HC, and ask when is teh best time that they will be in the office as you are aware they cannot call you back (unless a senior).
Hope that this helps.

Thanks TPM. That means alot from a HSBBWeb member with 7,342 posts.
Just trying to help but it is tough trying to break into the golden circle.

FYI Hornets20 is a high school senior.

My son found most D1 coaches didn't call him back unless they contacted him first. Sometimes the coaches that contacted him didn't return his phone calls

If colleges are not contacting you at this point you should consider calling a JC coach/s. - as there are not many colleges that scout your HS league.

Good luck

They all work differently. Some will not call you back regardless of how much you try to contact them unless they are interested in you already. Some will call back regardless. Some are Johnny on the spot until they are not interested anymore and then they are nowhere to be found. One thing for sure is if they are interested they will find a way to get in contact with you. If you have tried this long to make contact and they still have not contacted you there is a reason. They are not interested.

Its time to move on. As a player you need to return all your paperwork in a very timely manner. Return all your phone calls and emails in a timely manner. You should expect the same in return. So if you are not getting a response you have to realize they are just not interested. Should someone call you back? Yes I think they should. But thats just me. But move on to plan B and good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by MSgrits:
Thanks TPM. That means alot from a HSBBWeb member with 7,342 posts.
Just trying to help but it is tough trying to break into the golden circle.

There is nothing you need to do to break into the golden circle. Being involved in the college scene places another perspective on issues we discuss here and I find them to be very helpful. Keep them coming!

Hornets: Besides emails and phone calls, I assume you've sent a letter with your stats, academics and photo, etc. Some coaches might decline taking a
"cold" call from a player, preferring to having something in hand to refer to.

The other thought is your academics: is it possible that your grades/scores might not be a good fit with the university you're pursuing?

quote:

Originally posted by MSgrits:
Just trying to help but it is tough trying to break into the golden circle.

I sure hope we don't give the impression that there is some insider thing going on.

Mostly, after having been around awhile, I just learned to relax and after getting to know some of the personalities, kid around with each other a bit.

Sometimes we're serious, sometimes we're goofy, but after all, it's just baseball.

And then there is fishing !!!!