Early Verbals for the 2010 / 2011 Class

Questions?

Don't shoot me but I am trying to learn. When did the trend of the signing of the younger kids get started? Why did it start? Say a team recruited a kid to be a 1B and then they sign 2-3 more from the same class does it make the kid look bad if he decommitts and goes to another team? Do most teams over recruite and then pick their team in the fall for the spring season? Thanks for your help!!!

 

A thought

Here's a comment which is just food for thought and possible discussion. But before I say it let make this clear. I don't like early commits. My son was an early commit and I didn't like it then and I don't like it now. The college coaches will tell you they don't like it. For reasons we all know, it can be potentially dangerous for both sides. Also being loyal to your word and your handshake is something that we all should live by. It has worked out great for us and most cases do but as the process gets younger it becomes more of a liabilty. But it is what it is and is the landscape of baseball recruiting today.
Now here's my thought. Because it is getting more younger and riskier, I see some colleges beginning to do some things to protect themselves. Two examples, bringing kids in early and bringing in more kids than they "potentially" have room for. So with colleges beginning to hedge their bets and look out for their own best interest, why shouldn't the kids have some leverage as well? We often compare on this site about how things are in the "real world". Well in the real world if a better opportunity comes along normally we take it. This is probably why you see more mind changing in football and basketball than baseball. But with things getting younger every year, you may begin to see it happen in baseball as well. Hope it doesn't come to that but eventually, somethings got to give.

 

Excellent points...and with the advent of early and now earlier commitments, it would seem that would be a logical conclusion. I understand the concept of early commitments, but it skews the positives towards the schools and leaves the players with very few options, outside of breaking their commitments. Do I think it will happen in the future? Will it become more prevalent? I believe it will. As the landscape has changed, this is an area that will reflect that change.

 

IMO PD, This question should never be asked (whether or not to let him "trade up"). Because he should've waited until he had all the offers he could've possible received. Then make his decision weighing all the options. However I am with you 100%, What does this teach the young man?

Also, someone mentioned about not recruiting a verbal commit (Kudos btw! Shows great character, exactly what we should be teaching our youth today). But what this says, is that now that he has verbally commited, a larger more baseball renoun college who has a coach such as this (in a sense a great one), will not recruit him no anyways. So he pretty much shot himself in the foot.

Summary; Your taking a big chance commiting verbally or in any way so early. Because you may just be taking a chance on being "counted out" by a more baseball renoun school. However the kids you mentioned, aren't going to get much better offers. This message was more pointed to the young athlete getting offers from the smaller schools. I'm really on the fence about this one. Tough decision. Great topic!

 

I just have a general question about early verbal commitments in sports other than basketball and football. I am unfamiliar with the exact NCAA rules for this calendar year but I thought that during the Sophomore year the athlete could contact a college coach - but the coach is not allowed to contact the athlete at all. How can early verbal commitments take place in any sport if those contact rules are followed? I may be wrong about the rules - I plan to check the NCAA website tonight. Don't have a dog in the fight - just curious. Sounds like these 2 kids are to be congratulated in any case.

 

"the athlete could contact a college coach"

 

For those who are interested, this recruiting guide may be of some use.

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/resources/file/ebb70605b322f06/other.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

 

The College Coach can contact the HS Coach or Travel Coach to relay any info or request for an on campus meeting or for the player/family to call the school. The player/family can contact any coach at any time.

 

CBS's post can help you but just a quick note.

I am a little bit familiar, more so in football. Until a certain date (football) the athlete can call the coach but the coach cannot call back. Same applies in baseball. You ask how can offers be made when a coach can't call the athlete. If you are on campus the coach can talk to you all he wants except specified dead periods and quiet periods and such. They can make you a NON-BINDING verbal offer in person and on campus, but in the case of football, not at a camp. camps are for teaching and not to be used as a recruiting tool. I am much less familiar with baseball rules. But essentially, if you are on campus, they can talk to you at an age younger than the contact age. It varies by sport.

there is much more too this tan what I have shared I mean lots more. To get the specifics I suggest reading the link or going to the NCAA website.

 

Showcase Baseball has given us this type of early offer, in that kids get on campus and play at that schools facility early now. Coaches get to talk to kids once their team completes play in the Showcase.