When a coach asks what other...

Yeah...best be honest. Chances are the coach already knows the answer before he asks. Seems the College baseball world is pretty small...

We told them. Didn't feel right not telling them. But I don't know what the best "strategy" would be.

It was amazing to me how much they knew about who else was recruiting him anyways. I remember one coach calling (maybe on July 1) and saying, "so I hear Coach X is coming over tonight." He was right - how did he know? Another coach asking, "did he get into Y University yet?" Again, he was right - how did he know? It just proves that coaches talk amongst themselves. So why not tell them the truth. Seems to me it gives them incentive to move on with it and put their cards on the table.

Our experience was that the college baseball info line rivals the internet for speed of information dispersal. We've been told that the schools being considered can indicate to a coach the nature of the firmness of the plans of the recruit-if a player indicates big schools small schools two in cities, one in the mountains, and one at the beach, in all likelihood the kid has no real idea yet, but if there are similarities found among the schools named, that can indicate some facet of college that is attractive to a particular recruit.

No need to lie--- they will know or already know anyway

Their pipeline is vast and quick

TRhit

We were at a fall tourney in November. Son on the mound. JUCO coach from 300 miles away asks "Who's that pitching?" He is told and then says "Oh yeah he committed to ULL, right?" Yup. He runs a top program and travels thousands of miles in the summer and fall recruiting. literally sees all and knows all and he's not alone. I was very surprised at that.

You may not have contacted or been contacted by someone who is watching closely.

Geaux Cajuns!!

Good idea to tell the coach who else is recruiting you...only after he tells you who he's recruiting at your position and who has committed before you (so that you can make an informed decision about his program).

Parents and recruits talk, too.

College coaches do not have a monopoly on telephone lines/conversation.

My son had no problem telling anyone who asked who was also calling. I think it actually made for better offers in the end.
We also found out that everyone knew everyone else's business very quickly. One day my son called to turn down the official visit at one school and that night another coach called and told him he had heard my son was not going to visit.
Remember,lots of coaches worked together at one time and still talk on a daily basis. They also help one another in the recruiting process.
They also are pretty tight with the scouts. Yes, it is a small circle! Be honest.

Small world indeed...

When my son gave his verbal...he rec'd 2 calls the very next day saying "Congrats" from 2 other colleges he'd not called to say thanks for your interest, etc...

Amazing how fast things travel....

(Why not be honest? We expect (hope) for the same in return....although that's not always what you may perceive as happening...keep in mind business is business...the process is not an exact science)

Well, thanks everyone, I didn't mean to imply I thought he should be "dishonest". They ask, he tells. Just seems like a nosey question to be asking. What if they said, "who have you had offers from?" "What were they?"

_______________________
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." Rogers Hornsby, Hall of Famer

MM...If they ask about your "offers", I would ask the coach how much he makes!

mrandmrs...

I remember when my son's call began. We had never ever been thru this process. We even rehearsed (a bit) with son on phone etiquette so he would not appear quite so nervous (and he was at first).

we too wondered what was expected ...what we should share...the what,why,where and how of this entire coaster ride.

Some coaches were persistent and asked seemingly lots of questions, while others worked on building a relationship (as best one can by way of phone)...

Sometimes it is an open door for you. Perfect way to bring up questions of your own that you just weren't quite sure how to bring up.

Tell them up front who is recruiting you - then ask quite politely who the other kids they are recruiting. Not necessarily names, but a shortstop from such and such high school etc.

They open the door you may as well walk in.

MM,
You can certainly tell a coach who offered your son an opportunity, but it is no one's business how much it is, unless you decide when it comes to choices who you would like to tell. Be careful though, if not done correctly, could blow up in one's face.

We considered the "how much" to be our own personal business.

Sometimes coaches ask this question to get a sense of what type of school you are looking for. If you rattle off 5 business schools, the coach you are speaking to may emphasise his schools business prorgram and compare it to other programs.

Same thing for size and location of schools. It gives them an idea of what you might be looking for and if they don't offer that, then the coach may be less inclined to recruit you or more inclined of they match up well with other schools.

Good read "Unofficial Visit". Interesting how he handled this topic, we learned what not to do!

MM,
You have a prvate message.

Per Ben Harrisons dad, "Unofficial Visit" author:

Don't drink when dining with the coach.

Don't try and string along U. of Miami.

Geaux Cajuns!!

Baseballs50 - Did you mean "Official" Visit as opposed to "Unofficial?" Not trying to be nitpicky, just making sure I read the same book.

Justball,
Yup. I stand corrected, sorry Mr. Harrison!

quote:

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Per Ben Harrisons dad, "Unofficial Visit" author:

Don't drink when dining with the coach.

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How silly. I had a beer with the head coach.We were crying into it after Sox lost to Yankees.

honesty is the best first impression quality you can give. Besides, in an economic sense, as the as the demand is identified the market price (scholly offer) may also increase. However, it is a process that must be tred on lightly with much thought.

mh,
I think he meant before your son gets the offer.