Early Verbals for the 2010 / 2011 Class

It is

way more than just words. It is speaks to the credibility of the coaching staff and the program. When a coach gives his word to a player then he is putting his own credibility at stake as well as his programs. They are not going to throw that away with other recruits down the road by not honoring their word. Any school that asks for and gets a verbal from a player and then backs out of it for reasons that are not justified would do serious damage to their ability to secure verbals from other players down the road. Its just not going to happen with the schools we are talking about.

When a player is as talented as the ones we are talking about in this thread it doesnt take a rocket scientist to see that they are a player that everyone is going to want in their program. The players that emerge as top players as Jrs and Srs will be recruited by these same schools as well. I dont know of a top player in this state that had the grades that was not recruited by the top schools in this state.

If a young man gets the opportunity to commit to a great school with a great baseball program and he is ready to make the decision I think thats great. If a program believes that the player is going to be a top level player if not already then of course they want to get him locked up before someone else can. We are talking about two young men that picked UNC and USC. Coach Fox and Coach Tanner. The ACC and the SEC. I guess they could wait and see if a better offer comes along?

These players stand out because they not only have outstanding tools but can play the game at a high level. They are already some of the best players in the state. They are only going to get better.

As long as the players are happy with their decision and the coaches are happy with the guys they have I think thats all that really matters.

 

Guess justified would be grades, injury, poor performance, player changing their mind. And in all things considered these players are outstanding no question. But as a coach you know players change over time. Up or Down. Just think a little early thats all. If I am correct these kids are sophomores this year thats three HS seasons, summer & fall ball. A lot of wear and tear. Just MO.

 

Kids back out of verbals all the time. But 27 is right that if a school backs out for no good reason they get a black eye.

 

The

coaches are thinking - if he is this good this early just think how good he will be in three years. We are talking about high charcter kids here that work extremely hard. The coaches do their homework before making offers. You can bet these kids are very good right now. But in three years they will be even better. And the fact is they are already outstanding players and not even close to being where they will be when they graduate.

Now as far as the wear and tear - If your working hard and doing the right things your getting bigger , stronger and faster at these ages not wearing down. Of course there is always a risk of injury the only way you can reduce the chances of getting hurt is to sit inside and lock the doors. But I dont know any player that takes off hs baseball to avoid injury so they can be signed their sr year.

 

Early Verbals/Commitments

If a kid gives his word, I expect that kid to honor it. I have been approached a few times by parents of kids who have "verballed" to anoher school. My answer is always the same ~ "your son has already given his word; I would expect that he would honor it". As coaches, we should teach these young men about life. I was raised to understand that a "man's word is his bond". I will never recruit a player who has already verbally committed to another school. For this reason, I do not encourage kids to commit to our school early. tell them to take their time and consider all of their options. After thoroughly considering all options available and we are still their choice, so much the better for us! We know then that we have a sudent-athlete who will give us their all. We typically issue our NLIs in the Spring of a recruit's senior year. As an alumnus of the school where I coach, I do not want any student-athlete who does not want to earn a degree from our school. Baseball is a means to an education. As our head coach says ~ "we do not offer a degree in professional baseball".

When I read of these sophomores who are verbally committing to a school, I hope these young men and their families are committing to the SCHOOL and not the coaching staff. Coaching staffs change. I realize the "verbal" is non-binding on either party but one's word is one's word.

 

There have been very few commitments withdrawn from either parties in baseball. This is something more prevelant in football and basketball. Of the players that have committed early, they all have received an outstanding offer and they will be attending a top flight school. Regardless whether the coach moves on, retires or something else happens, the programs are strong and will continue to be.

And if a program is noted for withdrawing commitments, that reputation would get around faster than a wildfire in Cali....and I suspect it would cause irreperable harm to the program.

 

CBS, most of where I see this is in football instead of baseball. I agree with everything you have said. Rceently I spoke with a father and son my son knew. They had made a verbal commitment to a school. They planned to attend some camps in hopes of raising his stock and then 'trading up' to a better school. I was kinda in shock. They felt they had to lock down a spot and then trade up from there if they could. I would say I was surprised but nothing surprises me anymore. I walked away wondering what this teaches the son.

 

IMO

I am sure that many would trade up if they could. Say if you have a kid as a sophomore or even a junior verbals to say App. Then he goes to a couple of camps of a bigger D-1 example UNC. They invite him to play. Would you let him? I would think that would be acceptable. As long as the coach releases him? How many players transfers from school they committed to play at then to a better school to play.

 

PD, I hear what you're saying about transfers but I just feel like when you give your word that should be it. In some situations once you commit the schools back off another kid. If you then back out it leaves the school and another kid hanging.

Again, Braves is correct. This is much more prevalent in football and basketball than baseball. Why, I don't know.

 

I agree...not much surprises me anymore, but in my opinion, this would be a horrible mistake. Baseball coaches are known for their "hands off" after a player gives their commitment. They realize the college coaching fraternity is very small and to develop a reputation of breaking one's commitment is not healthy for a long term employment...as well as it would speak volumes toward the type program that it represents.

Also, if I was the school the player committed to and caught wind that he was using my offer to TRY to bargain with others.....there is absolutely no way he would play for me. The ignorance of a parent to believe that the college coaches don't communicate with each other and know what has been offered and who has committed and who is bargaining is beyond me.