Let's Have a Good Discussion

Region 10 Lists and the NJCAA Poll (2/1/08)

NJCAA Division I - Region 10
Blue Ridge Community College
Florence-Darlington Technical College
Guilford Technical Community College
Louisburg College (#30 Ranked – 2/1/08 Poll)
Pitt Community College
Southeastern Community College-Whiteville
Spartanburg Methodist College (#12 Ranked – 2/1/08 Poll)
Surry Community College
USC Lancaster
USC Salkehatchie
USC Sumter

NJCAA Division II – Region 10
Brunswick Community College
Johnston Community College
Lenoir Community College (#14 Ranked – 2/1/08 Poll)
Patrick Henry Community College
Rockingham Community College
Stanly Community College
Wilkes Community College

 

Outstanding advice...and this is from the proverbial "horses's mouth". Thanks Coach for providing this.

 

Indy 85:

I so wish there were an easy answer to your question; but, unfortunately, I don't know of one. Instead, I think the answer is highly dependent upon your son's profile as a player and student; along with the appropriateness of the available opportunities in your area to your son's situation.

Speaking generally, the fundamental question that you or any other player's family has to answer is that of how you go about making your son known to the APPROPRIATE set of recruiters (For the moment, I'm excluding professional scouts.). That presumes that you and your son have done your homework and determined the level of baseball program and academic curriculum to which your son is best suited.

Once that's done, find out where recruiters from your target group of schools routinely show up to watch players and ask yourself if local teams give your son the opportunity to be seen by recruiters from those schools. In some cases, local high school, legion, and/or travel teams will accomplish that; particularly if your son is determined to play close by. Occasionally, in that sort of situation, a highly respected local coach can be a valuable ally in your effort.

However, if the schools you've targeted don't send recruiters routinely into your area, you're going to have to find a way to expose him to them; whether it's through showcase events you know they attend or via travel programs outside your region that regularly play in front of them.

How do you find the answers to these questions? You ask some combination of knowledgeable people like high school coaches, professional scouts, baseball instructors, showcase organizers, well-informed parents, and recruiters, themselves. These are the people who know the patterns that recruiters follow.

By arming yourself with as much information as you can and being rigorously objective about the determination of "fit" for your son on the front end, you can save yourself a lot of time, trouble, and money as you walk down the path.

Best of luck to your son!

 

I can say this unequivocably, you are in an excellent position. Is he your best resource? Absolutely! There is no better evaluator of talent and he is very helpful with all his players. There is not a college coach or scout that he doesn't have on speed dial.

If he feels that a player would benefit by playing on a certain Showcase team, he will support that decision 100%. But he is a wise man. If he feels that one of his players will not benefit, he will recommend that as well.

As far as learning to play the game the right way, developing one's fundamentals and improving on a player's strengths and weaknesses, I don't believe there is a better coach to do that then the one in your area.

If a player is extremely talented and has the skills that would attract schools regionally, he will do everything in his power to ensure his players get the attention, even if it means recommending a program that will help to get that exposure.

 

Our experience...

Some of these have already been mentioned, some haven't. First of all, don't try to evaluate your son yourself, you'll either over-estimate or under-estimate his abilities. You are his parent and as hard as you try, it is almost impossible to be completely honest and unbiased when judging your own son. Second, does he truly, truly love the game? The next level requires total dedication. This includes the academics as well as the athletics. That being said, what do you do?
First, if your son is lucky enough to have a high school coach like Coach27, or others like him, that's the first person to ask advice from.
Next, if the first option isn't available, then talk to people in your baseball "network". Parents with older sons that have gone on to play college/pro ball can advise you better than folks that haven't been through the process.
If you have made any friendships over the years with any college coaches (especially asst. coaches) through camps etc. then contact them. Ask them to give you honest opinions on your son's ability and where he needs to improve.
Get in front of the most college recruiters that you can! Showcases, State Games, college camps that have more than just the host schools coaches working them are some ways to get exposure.
The reality today is that college recruiters are not going to see a kid that just plays HS ball. Unless there is a "stud" player or two on his team, or an opposing team, that draws scouts and/or coaches to watch a game during the regular season, the chance of being "discovered" is just about zero. If his high school team or legion team makes a serious run in the playoffs then that might change but that's putting your eggs all in one basket.
Okay, now that your son has gotten some exposure and the mailbox has become of interest to your son for the first time in his life because of the stuff coming in from schools, what do you do next? Well, unless your son's name is actually "Prospect" you know what you can do with those. Questionnaires should be filled out and returned. Invites to camps can go either way. If it's a school your son has no interest in then you may not consider going, but if it's a school high on his realistic list of schools then he may want to attend. Call the coaches at the school and ask them if they are interested in your son and do they really want to see him at the camp to further evaluate him. Be upfront, but polite, in your conversations. It would be even better if your son made these calls! Always remember HE is the one being recruited... you're just extra baggage!
When the phone starts ringing is when you get on the real roller coaster ride of the recruiting process. Your son will say "yes sir" and "no sir" more than he has any time in his life! Honestly, some of these coaches can really talk... and talk... and talk! The one thing to remember is, that unless they are inviting your son for an official visit or are making a scholarship offer, no matter how much they say they like him and how great a player they think he is, he just one of the guys they are saying that to. Talks cheap! He needs to be respectful to all of them and never say no. You and he don't have a decision to make until there is an offer on the table, don't give an answer until that happens. It's like saying you'll buy something without knowing the price... not good business.
The last thing I'll mention is always remember that it only takes one recruiter to see your son one time and like what he sees to make things happen. For his part, your son needs to always be aware that he needs to do his best. Play every game, make every play, at his highest level. If you do the things to get him exposed and he gives it his best, good things will happen!

 

Coach, this is again a very helpful post. Thanks. However it raises the question(s) that I still cannot answer.

Where do you go to get this honest evaluation? Sometimes I hear things about my son but then I have to be objective. Is that guys saying that because I am paying him something? Does this person really know? Is he just trying to make my son feel good? Who out there will be objective in their comments? Is the person evaluating your son just telling you what you want to hear because it's good for them? In the workplace I see a lot of people that tell you what you want to hear because it's easy. Not everyone wants to give it to you straight. I make the assumption that baseball is no different.

It's not that I don't trust someone but nobody wants to spend a bunch of time and money marketing your child to a market they cannot be a consistent contributor. It needs to be a win/win for both parties. Finding that objective opinion has been tough. Then again, maybe I have gotten an objective opinion and have not recognized it. One of those "can't see the forest for the trees" type things.

27, you've been helpful and I appreciate it. We don't always agree but I always try to see your viewpoint and give it thought. I've learned more from this site than anywhere else.

I've heard so many good things about Freddy Suggs in this area. I hear he'll tell you like it is. Is that true? Who else is out there? Do you look at Perfect game? What are some other ideas?

 

G-Man---you hit a HR!!!!!

 

I wish I could speak like Prepster types. Indy, this amounts to the best piece of advice you could receive. Prespter's wisdom and experience in this area is unmatched

 

To be honest, this is TBR at it's best. To gather the information from Pro's about this process is priceless. You will not find this information from other areas in our region.

Keep it coming!

 

Window shopping

I wish my wife would log on and read this. Great advice Gman.