Son was pretty excited today

Another thing is to not count out any level of baseball. It would be nice to say you play for Carolina, State, or Clemson, but sometimes JUCO or D2/D3 ball is the best way. Don't count out the small colleges. When I was getting lettters all I cared about was the big time colleges but I ended up at a JUCO and it has been a great decision on my part. Consider every college you get letters from and don't count any of them out until you sign.

The 3-ringed binder is a great idea. Me and my parents did that and I like to go back through it and just remember it all. That letter from Harvard was pretty funny, never thought about going there, but to just say you got a letter from Harvard is pretty awesome.

 

Reminiscing

The binder is definitely the way to go - Divide it up by D1, D2, D3, NAIA, etc, then alphabetize the schools - great for easy reference and contact info.

LCLefty is right about "that Harvard letter" - our son got one as well - it was definitely an eye-catcher and something neat to kinda "dream" about. I have heard that the Ivy League schools are developing their athletic programs more and more, so one never knows......... like so many posts on here suggest - keep all doors open for as long as possible....

 

Our experience.......

My son also started getting alot of letters come September 1st....and tons of questionaires. About 30 in all. He filled them all out and sent them back in a timely manner, with transcripts, high school schedule and a picture (some asked for it). He began receiving e-mails and some camp offers, but the way to tell if they are REALLY interested is if they do what they say. i.e. send more info, ask for you to call THEM, ask to come to a sporting event, come for a visit, come to see you in a tournament etc. We found the 3-4 who were truly interested e-mailed 3-4 times a week and also texted my son on his cell phone to call (perfectly legal). If he doesn't call or e-mail some of them on his own, they will take the initiative to call or e-mail us just to see how his week is going. You are right about some just wanting you to come to their camps. One big-time D1 Head Coach even gave us his personal cell phone #, COOL!!!

It's an exciting process to go thru and for awhile he was getting something nearly every day either in the mail or e-mail. He recently committed and they are still contacting us just as much, if not more wanting us to visit and keeping up with HS ball, grades, everything. THAT'S true commitment.

Good luck and have fun with it!


We also kept a big tub with each college's stuff sent, emails, mail, cards, programs, extra copies of transcripts, stats for sending, schedules. It really helps to remember what you've sent and who is actively pursuing you. We kept the file in order of interest for each school.

 

Our favorite letter

was from the US Military Academy at West Point. Gave an intro into the baseball program and then proceeded to list the famous Americans that were WP grads .... Lee, Eisenhower, McArthur etc. Not many schools can write that letter. Needless to say that one is a keeper.

 

To be honest my son is borderline smaller D1. The fact that he's a junior this year we're just glad he seems to be on the radar. The showcase team I coached this fall was a real eye opener for me, as being the coach I got to talk to a lot of college coaches. The fact that we were on their campus playing these games they could talk to us if they chose. I've never told him, but I know for a fact there's a couple of guys interested, and I'm sure he would be happy to go to the schools that talked to me. Right now the generic letters are all I expect, and hopefully come July we'll see genuine interest. I like the binder idea, thanks. As for the letter from Carolina, I just wanted to let everyone know how proud he was to get it.

 

Hey blademan,

I know what you mean about the letter from unc- My son got one from nc state and said he was going to run naked down the road(he didn't thank God) but was so excited. These are exciting times in several young mens futures.Good Luck to your son and your family.

PS I'm new to TBR I love it :bananalam

 

Blademan,

Congratulations to your son!! Enjoy every letter, postcard, phone call, any and every contact. Neither of you will ever forget this experience. Remember there are more kids playing highschool baseball that never get to experience any contact than those that do. Your son obvioulsy deserves this experience! Great idea offered about keeping a binder. Expecially the letter from Chad Holbrook. Great person, Great coach and a Great school with a pretty good baseball program!!! Go Heels!!!!

 

Blademan - private message for you

 

Got it Morg, and sent one back at ya.

 

Agree 100% with all the post....enjoy these times. Save everything! You will be amazed how many cards, letters, invitations you will end up with.