When do you know they are actually serious?

Most of the advice on this board seems to be along the lines of "when they are calling and texting you, you are somewhere on their board." 

About how many kids are typically on the board at a school?

I sure as heck don't know. One RC told my son they were looking at 30 kids. I have heard 50 or 60. I wish a college coach would come on here and answer (anonymously, of course). Though I'm sure it varies from early in the recruiting process to late.

That said, 50 seems like the right order of magnitude. I mean, it doesn't make sense to me that coaches are having phone conversations with 500 kids in a class, and it sure isn't 5, either. But, really, I don't know.

Yes , RC's call and text serious prospects . No phone calls / texts? They are NOT interested . As to your original question 'When do you know when they actually serious?" that answer is simple . They OFFER your son. It's not serious until that happens. Strong interest looks like this : Phone calls / Texts from RC, Inquiry about grades test scores, request to come on campus.

Most quality programs will not offer a kid until they've been on campus.

The infamous board is a whole other thing. Every program has a dry ink board listing 2018 commits , 2019 offered recruits and a basic depth chart. For example one column is gonna read ' RHP 2019 ' then there will be names listed by priority underneath that. Same with '2019 SS'

If your son is speaking with a school it is of absolute importance that he call the RC and ask ' Coach, where do i sit on the board for 2019 catchers ?' . RC's will tell you the  truth. Generally , you want to be in the top 3-4 on any given board .

The most important thing to remember is that your son only gets 1 shot at this . And he has to get it right . RC's can swing and miss. It doesn't matter because there is always ' another player ' or another year. Also, if your son is receiving phone calls / texts , know this: He is one of a dozen calls texts that RC is making at that time of day. They are talking to several players at your son's position .

If they haven't offered it's because they've already offered another player at your sons position. They are waiting to hear back from the other guy. Your job as a parent is to try to position your son to get an OFFER. It's doesn't matter if it's D1, D2 or D3. He needs an offer from a school that loves him.

Once you receive your first offer, THEN the real recruiting begins

We knew they were serious or had a greater sense of urgency when:

Local D1s - Scheduling (local college) meetings with the RC and HC.  Campus tour.  My son told me their tone changed.  They were more serious on the phone, and they actually did what they said they were going to do from previous conversations.

Remote D1's - Tour and meet with the RC and HC and to do an alumni interview(s) while on campus.  Meet with a College Dean.   Official Visits were also offered at some schools.  They were more serious on the phone, and they actually did what they said they were going to do from previous conversations.

Local & Remote D3's -  Tour campus, overnight on campus, football game.   Scheduled face time with HC. 

All of these led to offers for my son.

Also, look at the roster of the school and get an idea how many guys they have at each position and also how many kids in each grade, though kids leaving, draft, etc can change those before your son gets there.

Typically a school won't bring in more than 1 catcher per year (son's school has 4 on roster now, though on is converting to OF) .  Pitchers will be 3-5 depending on how many open spots they have.  1 first baseman, maybe a couple OF and the rest MIF (those guys can usually play multiple positions).  

Schools are announcing their 2018 signings right now...if you are in a PBR state you can search the 2018 commits by school and see exactly how many kids they've signed at each position.  You can get this info thru Perfect Game also...or just have your son follow the school on Twitter...the schools have been announcing signings the past 2 days.

Good luck!

What fenway posted and as Coach May says. " You will know when they are serious". 

When they engage your son repeatedly, talk about a visit and attend his games. Emails are easy to respond to but i was surprised at how few actually responded until they wanted his time/attention. I know they get a ton....so ease up on any (# of emails per day received replies) thats why the cell phone and texting, IMO is a sure sign you are on their board.

For my son, when the schools started contacting our travel coach to schedule phone conversations.

**The Head coaches/RC’s then invited us on campus for UV’s. In my opinion, this step is when there is serious interest because they’re taking 3+ hours of their valuable time and spending it with you.**

Some have asked my son to call them every week or two in an effort to build a relationship. 

Also, some came to watch several high school and/or travel games. 

StrainedOblique posted:

Yes , RC's call and text serious prospects . No phone calls / texts? They are NOT interested . As to your original question 'When do you know when they actually serious?" that answer is simple . They OFFER your son. It's not serious until that happens. Strong interest looks like this : Phone calls / Texts from RC, Inquiry about grades test scores, request to come on campus.

Most quality programs will not offer a kid until they've been on campus.

The infamous board is a whole other thing. Every program has a dry ink board listing 2018 commits , 2019 offered recruits and a basic depth chart. For example one column is gonna read ' RHP 2019 ' then there will be names listed by priority underneath that. Same with '2019 SS'

If your son is speaking with a school it is of absolute importance that he call the RC and ask ' Coach, where do i sit on the board for 2019 catchers ?' . RC's will tell you the  truth. Generally , you want to be in the top 3-4 on any given board .

The most important thing to remember is that your son only gets 1 shot at this . And he has to get it right . RC's can swing and miss. It doesn't matter because there is always ' another player ' or another year. Also, if your son is receiving phone calls / texts , know this: He is one of a dozen calls texts that RC is making at that time of day. They are talking to several players at your son's position .

If they haven't offered it's because they've already offered another player at your sons position. They are waiting to hear back from the other guy. Your job as a parent is to try to position your son to get an OFFER. It's doesn't matter if it's D1, D2 or D3. He needs an offer from a school that loves him.

Once you receive your first offer, THEN the real recruiting begins

Agree with the bolded.  Coming out of JuCo, my son had a lot of "interest" - mostly D3's and a few D2's, but no serious offers until another D2 invited him for an official visit.  Within days after the visit, an offer was on the table.

He did visit a local D3 that had invited him for a visit, but they didn't have the program of study he wanted to pursue.

I don't disagree that texts/calls are a good sign, but I'm going with Strained Oblique's answer: when they offer you.

My son has been on a couple UVs -- in one case, spending two days on campus, attending classes with a baseball player, attending practice (in the dugout), meeting with athletics academic advisor, going to a football game etc., etc.  -- and doesn't have an offer. And texts/calls with 10-12 schools. Transcripts requested. Calls to HS coach, travel coach, and scout ball coach. Out of the blue inbound interest from schools that have seen him play but that he had never contacted or reached out to. But no offer. So I'll default to: when they offer you.

There can be "interest" which is a good thing.  But it is when that interest turns into desire that they will make things very obvious.  They don't waste much time when they really want someone.

Unfortunately they might show some level of interest in many players.  I can see why people get confused by this.  It really is a good thing, compared to no interest.  But as others have said, the offer is the only thing that tells you what they are thinking.  No offer doesn't mean they think you can't play in their program.  It just means you are not a high priority, possibly because of position needs.

Personally, for the most part, I don't believe in emails, phone calls, texts, etc.  They identify you by what they see and know.  If they don't see or know about you, how do they take those thousands of emails they get seriously? 

I think many people are confused by the process.  There is nothing wrong with contacting the colleges and once in a great while it might even help create interest.  Player A might contact a hundred colleges expressing interest and giving them information.  Player B doesn't ever send an email or make a call, but the college knows he is what they are looking for.  Which one gets an offer?

I know we hear all the stories about getting a response from sending out emails.  Once again, the real interest is the offer.

For those that do choose to correspond via email or in other ways.  I would suggest you provide something more than HS achievements and honors.  Hopefully the player has done something that shows he can compete at the highest levels.  This is an area where Travel Ball, showcases, camps, etc., can help create enough interest for the recruiters to see you play.  It's one thing to say you run a 6.5, it's all together another thing if that 6.5 is documented somewhere reliable.  Yes, video can be helpful, but make damn sure it shows the player has the necessary ability.  Hate to say it, but some of the videos we see only tell us the player can't play above a certain level.  Make sure the video shows something that would interest them.  If you don't know yourself, find someone and ask them if the video will create some interest.

Don't send the same exact email to every coach saying this is my dream school and there's no one else I would rather play for or similar things.  I remember a couple years ago I was in the tower at LP watching games.  There were some college coaches in there when one of them said something about an email he just received.  It was similar to what is mentioned above.  Another coach laughed and said he just got the same exact email word for word. 

Funny thing is, some of that correspondence that players get from colleges is also exactly the same message to all players.  Then there are the players they really want, and that message is loud and clear as a bell.  And usually those players are getting the same message from other programs.  Colleges choose who they want.  Typically those players are the players that get to pick the college.  Then the vast majority of players are left wondering what to do next.

Bottom line when it comes to DI anyway... If the recruiters see what they want, they get extra serious about things and waste no time.  Might be some negotiating, but nobody is left wondering about interest.  The rest have to take a back seat until that stage is finished.  The rest should keep trying to get in front of coaches and show what they have or start looking at other options.  BTW, I will say the High Academic DIIIs would be the exception to all of the above.  If that is what you are shooting for and you can qualify academically, by all means start emailing them today. You will get lots of serious interest from several colleges.  The better your academic record the more interest you will get.

You will know when they are "actually serious"; if you don't, then they aren't.  It is said all the time on this board, and it sounds snarky.  But, it is true.  Until they start talking offers/timing/etc., you have to assume that you are 1 of many (numbers discussed above are likely very close to reality) that they want to keep warm or in touch with.  When in doubt, ask.  Most of the coaches will be candid.  But, listen to what they actually say versus interpreting or spinning it into something you want to hear.  Just remember, they probably invite in many dozen if not close to 100 for campus visits / UVs per class.  One mid major invited 5 players from my son's travel team and not one of them even came close to an offer.

PGStaff posted:

There can be "interest" which is a good thing.  But it is when that interest turns into desire that they will make things very obvious.  They don't waste much time when they really want someone.

Unfortunately they might show some level of interest in many players.  I can see why people get confused by this.  It really is a good thing, compared to no interest.  But as others have said, the offer is the only thing that tells you what they are thinking.  No offer doesn't mean they think you can't play in their program.  It just means you are not a high priority, possibly because of position needs.

Personally, for the most part, I don't believe in emails, phone calls, texts, etc.  They identify you by what they see and know.  If they don't see or know about you, how do they take those thousands of emails they get seriously? 

I think many people are confused by the process.  There is nothing wrong with contacting the colleges and once in a great while it might even help create interest.  Player A might contact a hundred colleges expressing interest and giving them information.  Player B doesn't ever send an email or make a call, but the college knows he is what they are looking for.  Which one gets an offer?

I know we hear all the stories about getting a response from sending out emails.  Once again, the real interest is the offer.

For those that do choose to correspond via email or in other ways.  I would suggest you provide something more than HS achievements and honors.  Hopefully the player has done something that shows he can compete at the highest levels.  This is an area where Travel Ball, showcases, camps, etc., can help create enough interest for the recruiters to see you play.  It's one thing to say you run a 6.5, it's all together another thing if that 6.5 is documented somewhere reliable.  Yes, video can be helpful, but make damn sure it shows the player has the necessary ability.  Hate to say it, but some of the videos we see only tell us the player can't play above a certain level.  Make sure the video shows something that would interest them.  If you don't know yourself, find someone and ask them if the video will create some interest.

Don't send the same exact email to every coach saying this is my dream school and there's no one else I would rather play for or similar things.  I remember a couple years ago I was in the tower at LP watching games.  There were some college coaches in there when one of them said something about an email he just received.  It was similar to what is mentioned above.  Another coach laughed and said he just got the same exact email word for word. 

Funny thing is, some of that correspondence that players get from colleges is also exactly the same message to all players.  Then there are the players they really want, and that message is loud and clear as a bell.  And usually those players are getting the same message from other programs.  Colleges choose who they want.  Typically those players are the players that get to pick the college.  Then the vast majority of players are left wondering what to do next.

Bottom line when it comes to DI anyway... If the recruiters see what they want, they get extra serious about things and waste no time.  Might be some negotiating, but nobody is left wondering about interest.  The rest have to take a back seat until that stage is finished.  The rest should keep trying to get in front of coaches and show what they have or start looking at other options.  BTW, I will say the High Academic DIIIs would be the exception to all of the above.  If that is what you are shooting for and you can qualify academically, by all means start emailing them today. You will get lots of serious interest from several colleges.  The better your academic record the more interest you will get.

Question.

I emailed a power 5 school video and stats and got this reply from Assistant Coach directly

"Appreciate you shooting over that info and video.  Let’s get you on campus for one of our prospect camps.  Would love to have the opportunity to see you play live and work with you during the prospect camp."

How would you rank this as far as interest goes?

One other thing that I've observed -- these coaches know way, way more about various players than we may be aware.  There are all kinds of conversations going on between college coaches and travel coaches, college coaches and high schools coaches, and between college coaches, a lot of whom know each other. And I've seen college coaches ask kids about other kids. And other schools -- a lot of the conversations my son is having with coaches appear to be soliciting more information like this -- who else have you been talking with? where have you visited? do you have any offers yet? Interest level seems to go way up if you do a visit (or ideally have an offer) from a school in their conference. Although I generally find it distasteful, sometimes I think the football practice of tweeting and instagramming out visits and offers is pure marketing genius.

BaseballAddict1020 posted:

Question.

I emailed a power 5 school video and stats and got this reply from Assistant Coach directly

"Appreciate you shooting over that info and video.  Let’s get you on campus for one of our prospect camps.  Would love to have the opportunity to see you play live and work with you during the prospect camp."

How would you rank this as far as interest goes?

 

I would rate that as:

"Come on down, we'd love to take your money so you can help pay my salary, and if for some wild chance you are throwing over 90 or are a 5 tool player than this blind squirrel just found a free nut" 

I'm assuming all this applies to those in the 2019 or older classes.......how does the NCAA "no contact" rule for the 2020 and 2021 classes allow them to really know about level of interest?  It seems those making the early commitments and interest from Power 5's get the RC or HC phone number from their travel or hs coach and are asked to call and it goes from there.  Thoughts?

My son is a 2020.  They either call his club or his hs coach and ask him to call. Once he calls, they set a plan for how often to call and he will text the coach before he calls so they answer.