Verbal Commitments

If a high school junior accepts a verbal offer from a college coach, does that prevent that player from listening to other offers? Can the college take away the offer given?

 

NO & YES

Technically neither a verbal offer or commitment are binding.

 

EastOfRaleigh is correct. There is nothing "binding" about a verbal.

However, when you commit, you should view it as "giving your word". When you commit, you should plan to honor that commitment. Understand, college coaching is a community. They talk amongst themselves. Many won't consider making an offer to a kid that's already committed.

Hence,
- commit only after are you sure it's what you want.
- If you have second thoughts, talk to your TB/HS coach and discuss how to handle to avoid "burning bridges" with the coaching community.
- Avoid soliciting additional offers. If an unsolicited offer appears, then you and your TB coach can evaluate.

 

In spirit, I agree with this. However a verbal commitment is a two way street just like a written commitment and implies that the coach and school have made a commitment too and if they change their commitment in any way - coach leaves, coach breaks promise regarding your future relationship, school curriculum changes, etc.... - then you morally have the option to bow out of the commitment.

 

And there you have the problem with 'early' commitments

They can be a good deal or bad deal for both the player and the coach but the person at most risk is clearly the player. If she cuts off her recruiting (as the ethics implies she should) then she's completely at the mercy of one person (the coach at the school to which she committed). That coach really can't make a iron-clad offer because (1) it's a violation of NCAA rules and (2) he/she can't know with 100% if they'll still be the coach next season.

The only time a player should make such a commitment is if she's 100% she wants to attend the school to which it would be made regardless of whether the coach is there or not and whether she plays ball there at all. Otherwise, tell the coach you appreciate the offer and would like to make an official visit before deciding. If you're a recruiting priority the offer will still be there.

 

Softball recruiting is very different from football recruiting. In football, coaches almost wait for a commitment before pouring it on heavy....now they know their main competition and can script their message accordingly.

In softball, there have been girls who have changed, coaches who have pulled offers and coaches who have tried to get players to flip. Girls changing their minds are the most common. If a coach pulls an offer in this community, they will get crucified on message boards and out on the recruiting trail.

So to answer your question, players can change their commitment and coaches can pull offers but neither is common.