Prepster ... put on your thinking cap.

very.

 

The first thing you have to find out

as a player is: What level can I play at? The next thing is: Is it more important to me to continue to play baseball in college regardless of what level I have to play or is it more important what college I go to?

If you have an answer to those questions now you can focus on your way of getting there.

 

What level does he play at.

How do you determine what level if any can he play at?

 

and herein lies the problem.

 

What level can I play at? Most of the Pro Scouts at games will honestly direct you to what they feel is the right level for your child if you ask an open ended question asking for honest feedback. Keep in mind they are their to see a particular player or 2 and that is their job. But if you approach them nicely before the game starts and simply say "Could you give me some help in evaluating what schools might be right for my son?" The majority will try to.

Another way is to setup some tryouts with the DII schools your son might be interested in attending. DI can't do this, but the DII schools can. It gives you and your son a chance to visit the school and get a feel for the coaches and the facilities. You should be able to measure your skill level after visiting a few schools and analizing the feedback and followup conversations from these coaches you'll know where you stand.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

Great advice yankee.

I can tell somebody what not to do.

- Do not pay someone to give an evaluation of your son. What do you think they will say?...whatever they think you want to hear.

- Do not ask a friend whom you value their opinion. What do you think they will say? ...they won't risk alienating your friendship.

 

Frustrating.

 

Videos

Would agree. Most coaches do not what the uninvited tape or CD. On a recent college visit this question was asked of an AD. His response was not so much not to send but the content. Be sure that the content is not a highlight tape. Coaches want to see how you react in games. What you do after a strike out, a booted play just as much as the homerun, solid hit or the throw out. As it has been said. Send an intro letter. Give solid facts height, weight, stats, grades, class rank, SAT scores, what you are going to be doing, where you are playing, for who, their contact info. But keep it short. You want them to come and see you. You want to get their attention. Many schools have profile sheets that go to the schools athletic dept and then to the coach. Vist school websites, learn more about the school. If it is one that you what to go to. Show them that you want to. Learn about the team, coaches, program even some older players. This never hurts and it will put you ahead of the cookie cutter guys.

 

This is True

It might not be easy to hear. It might have already been said but you weren't tuned-in? Some messages are subtle. Sometimes it's not what is said but rather what is NOT said.

Recruiters and Scouts have years of experience (and historical references) and are trained to evaluate talent. They see with a different filter. They have made countless comparisons and have access to players at every level. They see them up close and personal which gives them a better understanding of where each player fits. (Not to mention that they measure and time just about everything and apply numeric values each time.)

Sometimes a player is a better fit in a different position and/or role at the next level. Some are just not a fit at all.

When you see some players get physically overmatched in an environment where the game is played at a faster pace and where there is "day after day" baseball with very little recovery time you get a better understanding of why it's so difficult to play at a high level.

If you are interested in your son playing at the next level, see those players play up close. Measure (in your minds eye) how your son would do in that setting. Some are overlooked but if your son has not been asked to play at a certain level chances are it's because the evaluator cannot envision him on the field with his current players.

Sometimes recruiters/scouts are interested in someone solely because of their "upside" or "projectability." There is usually room for a few "projects" in hopes that one of them will pan out. It's almost always someone who can really run or someone who is unrefined but very strong. Often times it is because they are LHP's.