Where is the interest?

Maybe you will have to approach it a little differently than other baseball players. Find the academic schools he is intersted in and approach those baseball teams. I think regardless of what they say baseball coaches recruit baseball players then students. In your case maybe a dyslexic approach may be better suited. In other words....

Find some schools that your sons baseball abilities are in par with

Apply to those schools

Notify the coach that you have already applied and include the adademics then ask about the opportunities to be recruited as an athlete also.

Getting the academic issues initially resolved can be a god sent to a coach and they may be more receptive.

Widen the scope of his search. Perhaps another round of letters to other schools, D III's and D II's. You may yet hear from the big boys, but if he was a strong D I prospect, he likely would've heard more by now. Right about now (early October) was when my '06 decided he was likely going DIII as he had heard from several D I's, mostly letters anda small number of calls, but nothing too serious, and he had started to get a lot of calls from D III's. The level of interest kind of defines where a player will go. Could your son get something from the big guys out of the blue later? Sure, but unlikely.

You know I read these posts all the time. Obviously the kid is smart. Number 1 whats more important Baseball or the degree and where its from? He should be able to get academic money. Find the school he wants to go to (or 3 or 4), evaluate the program he wants to study, then go talk to the baseball coach at each school. Try to read him and how receptive he is. Bring up walk ons etc etc. After doing that narrow the selection to 1 or 2 schools. Apply, try to talk to coach some more and find if there is an interest at all. Worst case walk on in the fall, if you make it fine, if not don't look back and get the degree and move on.

Thanks for the responses. There is some good stuff there that we will follow. I know he needs to take the initiative and target his academic fits. However, I am still perplexed on the lack of unsolicited interest from schools. For example, he attended a showcase in late August that had over 30 schools – all levels D I, II, and III, JUCO, and NAIA. He received nothing as a result of that showcase. I know he is not a top prospect. I know that for obvious reasons coaches look for how players will fit the team needs before they check the classroom fits. But it isn’t like he can’t play. In that particular showcase, they posted ratings that had him at the top for power and hitting. That along with his academic record did not warrant at least a postage stamp from one school?

Blue Devil

You are as you say "perplexed at the lack of unsolicited interest".

Two things here

01-- solicited interest, return to your letters emails etc, can just be a response to that which you sent .

02-- perhaps after the showcases et al you get no interest because the player does not interest those that have seen him--keep in mind that regardless of what the rankings say the schools that have seen him have to like him and even more importanly need to have a need for his position to be filled


You sound like an angry father who is hitting the wall of reality in the process

BlueDevilDad - I realize some folks with disagree with me and I'm certainly not making an argument for students to not keep their grades up. However, I found during the recruiting process with my son that ability and need far outweighed the grades. My son had teammates with much better grades that didn't get a look because they didn't have the ability. All I'm trying to say, is don't count on his grades getting him a baseball scholarship. I think great grades are icing on the cake for coaches, but if they don't have an interest in him as a player for whatever reason, they could care less.

It sounds like your son really needs to get proactive and contact some schools/coaches himself. See what they have to say. Are there scouts in your area that know your son that might be able to provide advice on a fit or make suggestions, or perhaps even recommend him to a program? I think your son may have to work a bit harder to know if he'll have any opportunities. Good luck!

.

To add to all the good advice...and have said this before...

No one every got into a college baseball program by being perplexed or indignant. A pile of unsolicited letters is lovely for the ego but as many will tell you often means nothing. The goal is a great fit. Don't get perplexed, get moving. You have work to do and you want get get this done before applications if you can.

1. Research,(academic, athletic, social, grographic, fiancial w/o baseball $) for an overall fit. Looking at it from the west coast...there are so many more options in your area.

2. Identify and target.

3. Contact using grades and PG.

4. Then have your son call. A player/family who has good PG ratings, high grades, AND expresses a researched and well thought out desire to be a part of MY program will be hard to ignore.

5. Follow up.


Get to work. Have some fun. There is a great fit out there waiting...if you work at it.

44
.

.
As almost always...

I concur whole-heartedly with lafmom....

44
.

TR

Your response might make me an angry father. Your response to my post sounds like you are angry with my question. I am fairly well grounded in reality. I am asking those of you with experience to provide possible reasons of which you did provide a couple. I have been through the recruiting process before albeit a different sport.

Lafmom, Yes, I agree. With our older son grades ended up reducing his options, but he still had many options because of what coaches thought of his playing ability.

Observer, thanks will do.

TR spoke of reality hitting home. Sometimes it's cruel. Sometimes it's just a matter of the Good Lord rubbing salve on the eyes and making the blind (we parents) see things for what they are. All of us would like to believe that our sons are DI talents and it reinforces our belief when organizations like PG tell us as much (my son also got a PG rating that stated "DI prospect, possible low draft pick"). They are very good at what they do and I believe they are correct in their evaluations. But they are almost TOO objective when, as we found out, coaches and scouts are very subjective. Coaches know what they want, what size, shape, speed, personality ect...their opinions are all very personal and have a lot to do with "gut feelings" as well. You just can't predict or gauge it all the time. They also know their specific needs for a particular season and that's not always going to match up the way you want.
In our case, as with almost eveyone else, we had our sites set on DI, but when it became apparent that the interest just wasn't there (ie ZERO calls in July) then it was time to branch out and start listening when we saw interest from the lower divisions. My son is at peace with it now. The end result, and it may not be the end yet, is that there has been lots of interest from the DIII level. Among others, he has three DIII coaches really pouring it on, courting him heavily. All three are very good schools and all have a very present need for a solid player at his position.
It's still a bit of a mystery to us why the higher divisions seem to be passing him up but one thing he knows at this point is that he is wanted and needed SOMEWHERE. He also knows that he's going to get a great education and that he will get a fair shot at playing time as a Freshman. We've watched scrimmages and intrasquad games at these schools this fall and there is no question he'll play, and possibly be a stand out player at this level. He's looking forward to it.

quote:

is there usually more recruiting emphasis placed upon the players physical profile.......height, size, speed,etc. and do those players meeting the desired d1 profile or template get the looks instead regardless of their academic strengths or weaknesses?

Fan, I think the criteria is different for every coach and every program. My son is only 5'11" and was recruited by a limited number of DIs in HS and one DI this summer when he decided to leave JUCO. In HS, his grades weren't super, but acceptable I suppose.

I think that just as every player has a "fit" in their mind, coaches have that too. Basically they want a player that they have a need for and one that has the ability to contribute and help make their program a winning one. I think that "make up" varies from coach to coach - JMO!

quote:

but one thing he knows at this point is that he is wanted and needed SOMEWHERE. He also knows that he's going to get a great education and that he will get a fair shot at playing time as a Freshman.

PopTime your whole post was outstanding

My son never got any calls in July but here is the thing with that - we were not even aware players were supposed to get calls in July - thus we never suffered any heartache or worry over that issue

Never heard of the hsbbweb at that point and didn't become a member until after he had signed. This site is a great source of information and knowledge. It can cause people to worry unnessarily however when their sons are legitimate college players in the first place. Phone calls don't change that! Please don't be perplexed that the phone is not ringing when you have the power to make things happen on your own. That is what we did and it worked out for us

BlueDevilDad:

My son is also an 07 grad and was ranked 7.0 by PG at 3 different showcase events. He has also attended 3 DI camps to which he was invited and was invited to 3 others which he could not attend. He played summer ball on a good but not great travel team that played not only in West Virginia, but in Kentucky, Tennessee & North Carolina. Yet the only DI schools that have expressed any interest in him were schools that I researched and sent letters to early in his junior year. [Sent letters and stats to 6 DI schools and received immediate replies back from only one]. None of them came to see him play high school his junior year or last summers travel team even though they had his high school and travel schedule. This summer, after sending out a 2.5 minute highlight tape to all 6 DI schools [and 5 out of state DII schools], we received several more camp invites but no real interest.

The only real "interest" from any school that we did not send a letter to that he has become aware of at this point is from two DII schools all within 100 miles from our residence. It frustrates one to spend that much money and time and end up being recruited solely by coaches who saw your son play in high school and want him based on that alone and I empathise with you.

However, there is still one DI school that my son likes very much and is a geat fit that has invited him down again to visit. We are going to check it out but we KNOW that 2 of the 3 "local" schools are very interested in him for baseball and we have already applied for Early "Advantage" at both schools. He has been accepted at one and we have received the finiancial aid forms and are filling them out and sending it off. He has applied to the other but we have not yet heard about his acceptance. {He is a 3 sport athlete, has a 4.0 GPA, 28 ACT cumulative and will most likely be Valdictorian of his Senior class}. The schools all want him [he gets letters from the admissions offices of Ivy League schools, Patriot League Schools and other colleges ranked among the best academic schools in the country] but the baseball coaches don't seem at all intereted. So, we are reacting accordingly.

You are getting some good advice here from posters like hokieone, lafmom, observer44 & PopTime [especially his last paragraph]. Heed that advice and bcome more pro-active. A lot of things will chage around the middle of November and don't get caught waiting in Never/never Land with no options. Good luck.

TW344

BlueDevilDad,

Our situation is much likes yours and here is how my son has decided to handle it.
My son is gifted academically as well. He is ranked #1 in his senior class in GPA. He is a 6'0 160lb lefy who will be the #1 starter on his team this year. He plays 4A Texas High school baseball which is considered pretty solid baseball in the Texas ranks. Until this year my son had never been to a showcase or camp. My son was able to hook up with a very strong and well respected Select baseball team this Fall who is making the showcase rounds in Texas and then to the PG in Jupiter later this month.

My son and I have sent out many emails and letters stating his interest in their school both academically and athletically and like you have not had very much activity. I will say that I do not know if it is the norm, but some of the coaches have seen him in the showcases and have given his high school coach a call. But as for us, no calls, no letters etc......

First showcase my son attended his high school coach told him a school had called and said they clocked him at 83 (did not specify if cruising)and said he was sneaky fast. That was about it.

Next showcase this past weekend went well and coach said he talked to a couple of strong D1'S who saw him pitch and they liked his mechanics, said they liked his quick arm, said he had above average changeup and above average curveball. They also said the clocked him at 84. His coach then told him one school would like to see a 2-3 mph increase in velocity and the other usually pays money for 87+.

Like I said BDD, it has been pretty quite around our household. Just the coach getting feedback.

What my son has decided to do is work his butt off with his coach and try to reach that magic number. If this happens and one of the schools come calling, great. If not, he already has applied to the school he wants to attend academically and will try to walk on. If he does not make it, he will hang up his cleats, put in his four years, get his degree and get on with life.

He loves baseball and is very good at it. But also is very smart and realistic and knows when its time to move on in life.

quote:

Originally posted by theygrowupfast:
If not, he already has applied to the school he wants to attend academically and will try to walk on. If he does not make it, he will hang up his cleats, put in his four years, get his degree and get on with life.

So, it's D-1 or nothing?

POP,

Sorry if I left that impression. My son has some D2's and D3's on his wish list. My point was if a school that he has interest in never comes calling (baseball) then he will go to the school of his choice for his education.

He is not going to college to try to make it in the bigs, he going for an education and hope he is good enough to play ball also.

Great suggestions thus far. One observation, however. Some posters seem to think that BlueDevilDad's sights are set only on D1, but if you reread his comments below, that is not the case:

"I know that the top prospects are recruited first and schools are working on early signing, but why aren’t any D II’s responding?"

"he attended a showcase in late August that had over 30 schools – all levels D I, II, and III, JUCO, and NAIA. He received nothing as a result of that showcase."

BlueDevilDad, look for a PM.

quote:

Originally posted by theygrowupfast:
if a school that he has interest in never comes calling (baseball)

They will come. May take a little more badgering on your part. Keep in mind I think DII's are still waiting to see if any crumbs drop off the DI table as the early signing period comes and goes in November. Also, the DIII's recruiting season is just starting to heat up I'm told. The DIII coaches my son has been talking to have been at it since the summer though. They had some glaring needs and wanted to get a jump, so they say.

Clevelanddad,

Exactly. That should have been my overall intent of this thread. Although we are occasionally reminded otherwise on this site, it is hard not to believe that everyone else is getting swamped with mail and phone calls. Based on some of the responses already, it is apparent that there are many players out there, who have some talent, took care of academics, went to showcases, played on travel teams and sent out letters and bios without much interest in return. Yes, most players would like to get DI interest, but we are talking little to no interest from any level. Good point made about ego - The right place in the end is the only one that will count.

The suggestions are good. I think it may be early for the less than top prospect. Targeting the right schools, applying to schools with good academic fits and making a determination of what my son wants from college are all important steps in the process. Also important is how does he rank playing baseball, academics, social, school setting, etc.? I think he will try to get a handle on that soon.

Based on many of the responses I thought of this analogy. I had little expectation of being swamped with phone calls and letters offering me jobs when I began to look for a career. I had to look for the right fits and make contacts. There were many “hot leads” that resulted in no response. However, I have found some right fits over the years that provided the things that are important to me in terms of a career.

quote:

Also important is how does he rank playing baseball, academics, social, school setting, etc.? I think he will try to get a handle on that soon.

Absolutely!! A great place to start is with determining what a "fit" means in your and son's eyes.

I've know many HS players that I thought could have and should have played somewhere. For probably a variety of reasons, they were never recruited outright. However, if they had taken the bull by the horns!

One of those players I speak of had actually received a letter and a questionnaire from a school that had called my son. They asked about the kid and I think had some genuine interest... he never replied with the questionnaire or contacted them. He also turned down a couple of very reasonable opportunities to showcase himself his senior year (like $60 and $100 opportunities) that resulted in some opportunities for my son and others. Again, if no calls are coming in, players need to get proactive now!

BlueDevil Dad,

There are more of us in your shoes than you think! I've been told not to panic since we still have the spring to go. Not every kid can be a blue chip prospect, but I know that many kids are great ballplayers and students. Get proactive and keep the faith that if it is meant to be, it will happen.

quote:

I thought of this analogy. I had little expectation of being swamped with phone calls and letters offering me jobs when I began to look for a career. I had to look for the right fits and make contacts. There were many “hot leads” that resulted in no response. However, I have found some right fits over the years that provided the things that are important to me in terms of a career.

BlueDevilDad - your analogy is perfect imho

quote:

Although we are occasionally reminded otherwise on this site, it is hard not to believe that everyone else is getting swamped with mail and phone calls.

You are so right. It's hard to keep a right perspective when you get on HSBBW and read posts like: "I got my first two phone calls today"; "Son got his Area Code invite in the mail yesterday. Anyone else going?"; and "How to I organize the mounds of letters and forms my son is receiving in the mail?"

OMG I hope I don't sound like that, do I?

quote:

You are so right. It's hard to keep a right perspective when you get on HSBBW and read posts like: "I got my first two phone calls today"; "Son got his Area Code invite in the mail yesterday. Anyone else going?"; and "How to I organize the mounds of letters and forms my son is receiving in the mail?"

LOL Infield08, ClevelandDad had a post several months ago in the KY/OH forum that hits on some things like you are! It was very funny!!!

The process IMO is just as frustrating and difficult for the kids getting lots of attention, trust me.

Some odd things we have experienced so far.

The biggest mailbox and email stuffers were the ones who never called? These weren't form letters or camp invites, they were personal, many hand written, Junior Day invites. Of these 2 specific schools I mention, one a BIG 10 and the other an SEC had seen my kid play on numerous occasions, even in their stadium !!

Say your kid goes into an SEC stadium on a hot summer weekend afternoon with his summer team and pitches a no-hitter, or hits a 430 foot shot over the CF wall, right there in front of the eyes of the college coach who has sent you 50 letters/emails over the past year. You may think that the deal is sealed. Guess again.

NO CALL

And when you call that coach, they say 11.7, I have no money, and you walk away shaking your head Like the AFLAC duck

Someone on this website said that during the process of recruiting, you will get calls from colleges you never would think of, and no calls from many you thought would.

That is 100% true.

If you like a school, pick up the phone and call them. The worst thing they can say is NO

***my next post will talk about the "stringer alongs" and you are # 1

There can be many reasons for the things you described oldsluggers. Among them:

* They doubt a player's willingness to attend their school (distance, weather, other schools recruiting him, etc...).

* They have another player with similar skills on their list who is nearly a "sure-thing" to recruit.

* Grades don't work for their school.

* Player's position is un-needed for this recruiting class.

* Player may be perceived to cost too much for them given their other needs.

* Perception that "he's a pro guy."

* Perceived work ethic or attitude of the player.

* Their evaluation of his skills is not the same as your evaluation.

* Perceived parental attitudes.

The best player in the country doesn't get recruited by all of the schools...nor all of the top-25 schools either. There are reasons. Some are listed above. Its not an insult (necessarily)...its a process and it needs to play out.

If one gets offended, they are wasting their time with negative feelings that provide no ultimate benefit. Work with what you've got in hand and make the best decision you can.

Well said JustBB!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Infield08:

quote:

Although we are occasionally reminded otherwise on this site, it is hard not to believe that everyone else is getting swamped with mail and phone calls.

You are so right. It's hard to keep a right perspective when you get on HSBBW and read posts like: "I got my first two phone calls today"; "Son got his Area Code invite in the mail yesterday. Anyone else going?"; and "How to I organize the mounds of letters and forms my son is receiving in the mail?"

I understand, don't let it bother you. The only important thing in the end is the offer.

JBB,

JUSTBASEBALL.

The entire meaning in my post was simply,

It isn't only about JUSTBASEBALL

***and for those folks worried about letters, well, getting a boxfull from a school that had no intention of needing the player makes one wonder why they send them in the 1st place?

quote:

***and for those folks worried about letters, well, getting a boxfull from a school that had no intention of needing the player makes one wonder why they send them in the 1st place?

I don't mean to sound brutal...but I have to wonder if you've listened to those who have done this before you about how this all works?

Take a deep breath, think about what you've read here before...and then expend your energies where they can be helpful for your son.

Or better yet...Why do insurance companies flood your mailbox week-after-week? Why do 2nd mortgage companies call your phone twice a week? And why do Viagra dealers spam your emailbox?

If you worry about these questions too...you must spend an awful lot of time worrying about things that don't matter.

quote:

Originally posted by OLDSLUGGER8:
***and for those folks worried about letters, well, getting a boxfull from a school that had no intention of needing the player makes one wonder why they send them in the 1st place?

Did you ever ask them why they're still mailing letters?

quote:

Originally posted by Beezer:

quote:

Originally posted by OLDSLUGGER8:
***and for those folks worried about letters, well, getting a boxfull from a school that had no intention of needing the player makes one wonder why they send them in the 1st place?

Did you ever ask them why they're still mailing letters?

I did to one of them for my son, and he was taken aback and shrugged his shoulders like this

From our recruiting experience .... Whether a coach's recruiting norm is to send a "boxfull" of mail or a single letter, they've made the first move and need to know who's interested. These days coaches have to start recruiting a couple of years before they will even know what positions they actually have to fill your freshman season! So yeah, they are going to recruit players that later will get "dropped" once they know the make up of their returning team. Harsh reality. The reverse is true. Coaches get "junk" mail too. Thousands of players will fill out their profile forms, many who, when it comes down to making a decision, will drop the school from their consideration. So the dance begins. Is the coach that sent mail or made contact really interested in making an offer? Is the player that sent mail and made contacted really interested in accepting the offer? No guarantees on either end. My advice is always: don't wait, don't guess, have your player pick up the phone and talk with the coach of the program he is interested in. Be prepared to receive both good news and bad news. Good news, go for it. Bad news, time to move on.

Good Luck everyone. As terrific an experience it was for son & family, I would NOT want to do it again!

Patiance's, and a back up plan.
Academic's first. Create's more option's.
Be Pro active, go on unofficial visit's so Coach get's a chance to see you.
Coaches have list of player's.
Maybe your number 50 on there list.
49 other player's either Drafted are go to another school.
Not acadimically eligable.
Guess what your at the top of there list!!!

RHP,
That was a wonderful post!

RHP05Parent --- You are right on! Another thumbs up.

A question for those who have been through this and ended up with a good scholarship offer.

Is your son at, or was at, the college he attended because of you being proactive? Or did he end up there because the college was proactive about recruiting him?

I think somehow people who haven’t been through this are led to believe all they have to do is be more involved. While that in itself is not bad advice, if your son is not considered talented enough or desirable enough for the colleges he is most interested in, all the phone calls and letters in the world will not help him get a scholarship.

Sorry for that tidbit of reality.

quote:

Is your son at, or was at, the college he attended because of you being proactive? Or did he end up there because the college was proactive about recruiting him?

Both...as best as I can tell.