when is too early/too late to commit?

Welcome aboard Lou. There's already been some good discussion here on early commits; more will likely follow. The trend now is for colleges to try and get early commits, but is that in the players best interest too? It all means nothing unless the school and player have a good fit. You'll know fit when you find it. Look hard and cast a wide net, you can learn from what doesn't look right too. If your son is getting this much attention now then you'll surely see an increase as he gets closer to graduating. That ought to be a fun time for you both. My advice is to not get caught up in keepin up with the Joneses. Just enjoy the junior year, and especially next summer. You still have some time.

baseball lou,

There is no formula. It is all up to you and your son.

I'm thinking your son must be a pitcher and a very good one. The trend now at many highest level colleges is to recruit a year ahead. Some are even looking two years ahead.

They usually gear in on the very best players. Recruiting is very competitive. They are not doing anything wrong at all. Still, you have control of the situation. There is nothing wrong no matter what you choose to do.

quote:

Are we foolish to continue looking at our options?

It's always a good idea to continue looking at all your options. It would be more foolish to not do that.

It's actually our business (really) to know who all the top players are, so I must admit your post has peaked my interest. I'd like to know who your son is. If you feel so inclined, please PM or email me.
jerry@perfectgame.org

If you'd rather not, that's OK too, I understand.

Thanks and welcome to HSBBW

Best of luck

Sizzlepop, PG - Nice posts!

I am going thru this a second time with kid #2. The process has been completely different for both of my kids & you always have the advantage of not making the same mistakes the second time around. Don't be forced to take a deal if it isn't the right fit. Most times you get what you pay for. My underlying theme the second time thru is "don't let money be the biggest factor in you decision." Go somewhere that is going to make you a better player (baseball) and find the right school to fit your academic goals. JMHO

Good advice so far- Here's some more...

If I read between the lines correctly, your son is a blue chip player. So my advice is based on that.

If he's good now, he will be good later. Yes, the trend is for the top players to commit early, but that is really in the school's interest. But what if they fire the coach who recruited him, or he leaves for another school? (This happened to our son). Would your son still go then? And what if it's not the head coach, but the pitching coach or some coach you wanted for your son? (This happens all the time). What if there is a necessity (financial or personal) that your son stay closer to home? This should not be about ego (especially parental ego) but about what is best for your son. Does the school "fit" him socially, academically and monetarily? If so, then commit. I am sure you realize that kids do change a lot from the sophomore to the Senior year of high school. What is the school promising? What have they done in the past with players at his position? How many more recruits at his position? Oh yeah, what about the draft?

Nothing is binding until you sign a NLI, but giving your word and then backing out teaches a reverse moral lesson.

Hope this helps for your list...

I am not a fan of early commits but we see it happen with some of our kids

The bottom line is simple: if it is right then do it

The one thing I advise though is to make aure you have done enough homework so there is no looking back

There are lots of reasons why a player might back out of a NLI and many are completely released, its not always a moral issue either.
I think its great these really good kids know theyre already being looked at, but I think its so early when sophmores are committing in HS. I guess if your really know what you want, but kids do change a lot as Brod stated.
My son didnt have that option but from a sophmore to a senior he just grew into a completely different player and person, boy to man.
I think I agree with TPM on this one, that its a lot of pressure too young. It will be intersting to watch this all play out and see what happens to many of these players committing so early. I imagine if theyre that good they might get drafted out of HS.

Thank you Sizzlepop for reminding me about not "keeping up" with the Joneses...whatever is right for one may not be for the next...sometimes I forget that (and need to be reminded)! It's just all that getting caught up in the process, and not focusing on my son alone!
PG-Yes he does pitch, as well as plays 2 other postions..it varies depending what best suits the high school and then the summer ball team. I sometimes think it is a blessing and a curse at the same time for him.
NC-Good advice. I will assume now if my 2nd is lucky enough to play someday, it'll be a completely different event unique to him, a new and different journey....
Brod-A blue chip player?.....I'm just not that good of a judge, nor am I really sure what that all entails...there are times and days where I may feel that he is a very good player, and then other times I think that he just must be average(like I posted earlier, I get caught up in the other players and what they are doing, thinking we must be doing something not quite right since he hasn't committed.. but I am learning from Sizzlepop and the rest on here). Most important thing I will take from you is about being a person of your word, couldn't agree more-thank you.
TR, I think that you are right, and I will continue to get alot from you all throughout this coming year. I have been following this site for awile and the information everyone offers has enlightened me on many questions and made me look twice at alot that I "thought" I already knew (How hard could this be? Right?!).
Fanofthegame-That pressure you spoke about is so true, my son found himself flabbergasted that an offer would come at his young age (shockingly it became real), and then he carried that back to the field last year, his personal performance expectations ...were crazy, he felt the weight of the world on him, so as not to disappoint anyone...Blessing and a curse?!
Thank you all for your posts and help!

baseball lou,

One more thing I would like to add esp. what you said about your son taking it to the field and trying to live up to the attention. I think thats what I am trying to say about pressure. The last two years of HS, playing varsity are a great time. Try and enjoy it becasue it will be over just like that. My sons varsity yearts were just so much fun, and as a family we will never forget them. Enjoy, tell your son to stay within himself and to play his game and have fun.If hes as good as it sounds he is youll have no worries. Good luck

Baseball Lou,

I am of the opinion that if your son wants to get to the right school and he has the talent, he should take the bull by the horn and aggressively seek out the school or schools that fit his needs (academically, socially, financially, and athletically).

Contact the school(s) and let them know he is interested in playing for their program and let them know he is getting offers and that he wants to investigate all the possibilities to make a informed decision. If the school has interest, they may well set things in motion, if not you will know it and will not be waiting around wondering.

Good Luck, enjoy the ride!