The recruiting process can be a very tough and stressful time for families .  There are a lot of factors that go into making a decision as to what college to attend.  Hopefully, the information here will make the process a little easier. 

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RECRUITING INFORMATION

 

 

Recruiting Colleges:

 

·     * Take a proactive approach and research the college programs that you want to attend. 

 

·     * Target the schools that are an athletic and academic match for you

 

·     * Reduce the number of potential schools to 50 or so from the 1,400 colleges in the nation that offer a baseball program

 

·     * Gather information on the internet regarding universities and their athletic programs. You can also speak with your guidance counselor, look through the Peterson’s 4 year college Guide or The Sports Official Baseball Guide for information.  

Investigate the Team Roster

 

·     * Recent Recruits– Who’s coming in with you. Is the coach stockpiling players at your position?

 

·     * Past Roster Patterns– How many Junior College players are on the roster and what is the ratio of upperclassmen to lower classmen

 

·     * How many players are at your position and what year are they

 

·     * Where are the players from– this indicates how the coach focuses his recruiting efforts. 

 

·     * Playing Time– check underclassmen statistics to see how much playing time they had received

 

 

Criteria for Selecting a College:     

· Location

· Size of School

· Cost to Attend

· Social Life

· Academic Reputation

· Areas of Study

 

Factors in Accepting an Offer:

· Distance from Home–  do you want to watch your son play a lot and will your son become homesick

· Families financial situation

· Playing Time

· Is the school the right place without Baseball

· What size college do you want

· Do you like the Coaching Staff  

· The off-season conditioning and training facilities

· What kind of community support do they have

 

 

Contacting College Coaches:

· Begin your initial contact letter with the coaches last name in the salutation.  For example, Dear Coach Dover, since 95% of all letters that start, Dear Coach, are thrown into the trash can.

· Player should write the letter yourself.  If your handwriting is bad then type the letter.  

· Players should return all questionnaires to ALL schools that contact them even if they are not interested.  Remember, Coaches talk to other coaches!

· Players should fill out their own questionnaire.  Coaches can tell if your parents wrote it.

· Keep your contact letter brief– if you write too much, they will not look

· Do not contact college coaches at their home

· Do not lie about your athletic abilities, accomplishments or academic standing.

· Do not send your school application to the coach to be processed

 

 

 

 

 

1.  What do college coaches look for when they are recruiting players? First the player has to be able to get into the school.  If you don't meet the schools minimum academic requirements for admission, don't expect to hear from those schools.  Also, can you play at their level of competition.

 

2.  What are the usual steps in the recruiting process? During the junior year, register with the NCAA Clearinghouse for initial-eligibility approval to play NCAA Division I and II sports.  Colleges are permitted to write letters to prospects after September 1 during his junior year.  Personal contact may take place after July 1 following his junior year, and once-per-week phone calls are also permitted then.

3.  Does playing at a top 25 school increase my chances of getting drafted?  Scouts are looking for players with major league tools; it can be a small Division III school or a nationally ranked Division I school.  But, attending a top flight baseball program will increase your chances of being scouted because you are playing many teams that have previously drafted players on their roster.

 

4.  How many official and unofficial visits can my son make?  Players can make one official paid visit to no more than five NCAA institutions.  Players may make an unlimited number of unofficial (unpaid) visits.  Official visits may only be made during the players senior year.  Unofficial visits may be made anytime.

 

5.  Does letters or phone calls from colleges mean they are going to offer me a scholarship?  No.  Many schools may send out hundreds of letters to potential recruits.   Some may actually be in a form letter or a press release. Until you see a scholarship offer from the school, don't get too excited.

 

6.  Can a scholarship be taken away if he's injured or not satisfied with his playing ability?  Scholarships are renewable every year.  Coaches can cut your scholarship money increase it or decide not to renew your scholarship at the end of season.  Most coaches, if you are injured, will renew your scholarship, but they don't have to.

 

7.  What is a good scholarship offer?  Division I baseball schools are allowed a maximum of 11.7, Division II schools have 9.0 full scholarships.  They are usually spilt up over 25 players with the highest percentage going to pitchers, then catcher and shortstops.  Anything over 50% is a great offer and remember, they can increase their scholarship offer, which frequently happens if the player gets drafted high in the amateur draft.

 

8.  What percentage of scholarship money is spoken for in the early signing period?  More than 1/2 of the NCAA institutional athletics scholarship money is allocated in the early signing period.

 

9.  If my son didn't receive any scholarship offers before or during the November signing period, should I be concerned?  Don't panic, some players do become heavily recognized during the spring and some coaches save some scholarship money just in case a player pops up out of nowhere.  However, realism would indicate that Division I and most Division II schools do not have a sincere interest.

10.  Will sending a DVD/videotape of me improve my chances of being recruited?  It can definitely help, but keep the tape to about three minutes.  Be certain to show you're throwing during infield/outfield practice before a game and several of your at bats during game competition, plus include some running from home to first on a hit. Pitchers should show about one inning or about 15 pitches.

  

     11.  Do College Recruiters Pay Attention To Recruiting Services?   Non-Division I schools consistently use these services.  Do not allow the recruiting services to oversell the player's ability.   The good recruiting services do more than just send out mass mailings to colleges that play baseball.  Premier services offer a variety of personal services.  Make sure you check out the services provided before spending money with these service companies.

 

12.  Is it a good idea to attend a college baseball camp?  If you are interested in a particular college it is smart to attend their summer baseball camp.  You will get a chance to see their campus plus demonstrate your baseball skills in front of their coaching staff.  Many colleges use these camps to raise additional revenue for their program. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are several suggestions, by school year, that will insure your eligibility and enhance your ability to be recruited for collegiate baseball. Remember, the eligibility standards for recruitment are different between Divisions I, II, and III.

 

Do not make the mistake of focusing only on the biggest and most prominent schools. It is very easy to get caught up in the glamour of NCAA Division I athletics at the expense of a wider range of opportunities and playing time on a Division II or III level. You must make and accept an honest appraisal of your skills and ability.

Freshmen Year

 

 1. Begin now committing yourself to the best grades that you can achieve.

 

2. Remember! The NCAA does not recognize a (+) or (–) for your grades. Work for the next higher grade.

 

3. As an incoming freshman, make sure you have reviewed your schedule with your counselor.

 

4. Meet with your counselor to insure that you are enrolled in the proper classes for NCAA eligibility in your sophomore year.

 

5. Make sure that your counselor knows that you hope to pursue collegiate athletics.

 

6. Develop a sports resume of accomplishments.

 

7. Attend a variety of sport camps.

 

8. Participate in a variety of sports the year around.

 

Sophomore year

 

 1. Meet with your counselor to insure that you are enrolled in the proper classes for NCAA eligibility in your junior year.

 

2. Take the PSAT in the fall when it is first offered.

 

3. Make sure that your High School Coach  is aware of your desire to participate in collegiate sports.

 

4. Continue to develop an athletic resume.

 

5. Continue to attend sport camps and participate in a variety of sports.

 

6. Begin a college and career search in the guidance office.

 

7. Begin to decide which part of the country you would realistically wish to attend school.

 

8. Determine what your financial needs will be and what will be best financially for your family.

 

9. Keep your focus on all appropriate schools on NCAA Division I, II and III levels as well as NAIA and Junior Colleges.

Junior year

 

 1. You must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse at the completion of your junior year. These forms are available on line ( www.ncaaclearinghouse.net ) or from your counselor. The recruiting process will absolutely stop until this has been completed.

 

2. Continue to meet with your counselor to insure that you are enrolled in the proper courses for NCAA eligibility in your senior year.

 

3. Continue to update your athletic resume.

 

4. Continue sport camp participation.

 

5. Take the PSAT in the fall when it is first offered. Take the SAT and ACT in the spring when they are offered.

 

6. Contact schools that may interest you and return all cards back to these schools.

 

7. Respond back to any and all schools that contact you with their return post cards or letters.

 

8. Make unofficial visits to those schools that you may wish to attend.

 

Senior year

 

 1. Review with your counselor that you have taken or will take all the classes that will be required for NCAA collegiate eligibility.

 

2. Retake the SAT/Act if necessary.

 

3. Continue to meet with your High School Coaches as to what schools and on what level you are most suited to play.

 

4. Begin to mail your college applications.

 

5. narrow your choice of schools and take your five official visits to the schools that you might like to attend. Remember, it is an education decision first, followed by athletics.

 

6. Begin to research a variety of resources for financial aid.

 

7.  Any concerns can be directed to the NCAA at ( www.ncaa.org ).