High School Baseball - Seniors

The early signing period has come and gone, the high school season is about to start. You may have received a call or two phone calls from college coaches but nothing is really going on, contact from colleges just isn't happening. You are not alone...Thousands of high school baseball players are in the same situation that you are. Now what? You can't give up the dream of playing college baseball. You've worked too hard to do that.

Have you explored every option?

There are more college scholarships awarded in the late signing period (April on) than in the early period. The large D1's sign the bulk of their kids in the early periods. BUT the majority of the DII, DIII, NAIA and Juco schools sign their players in the later periods. Parents this time of year say they sent out 50 or so letters just like the experts in recruiting say to do but their son or daughter has not heard back (by mail) from almost all of them. Why didn't any of them pursue him further? There can be a variety of reasons. In a lot of cases the letters went to the 50 or so strongest Division 1 baseball programs in the country. These schools get thousand of letters (each year) from hopeful high school players who all think they are good enough to play for these programs and many of these players do get a letter from a school. Getting a letter DOES NOT mean that they are recruiting you. Remember what I said earlier in the blog that many reasons why players get recruited or not can be as simple as when that player was scouted what the coaches saw was lack of hussle or determination, maybe attitude, or maybe just had a really bad game...it can be that simple. It may also be like I said earlier that those schools signed players that are at the same position and at this present time do not need another player at that position. Also, remember that you may play more than one position and may actually be better suited for another position. An example of that is me...I was a 3rd basemen first...in my mind I guess. I hit over 300 and was very good at the corner. I was also a pitcher that just happened to throw in the mid 90's...so, I became a pitcher. It is probably time to step back and take a second look at the caliber of college baseball that you are really capable of playing. Not everyone can play for a Top 10 team. There is nothing wrong about that and nothing to feel let down about you still have options...many of them. It is probably the time to contact some of the smaller schools, again the DII, DIII, NAIA and in some cases, especially if grades are in issue - Juco (Junior College) programs. Most players and parents miss these the first time around. Focus your search closer to home, if there are schools in your area. Keep in mind that the college programs will be playing the same time that you will be. It would be very difficult for a college coach at a school several hundred miles away to make it to one of your games. Here are some ideas...Make a phone call to any coach that contacted you before the early signing period, ask the coach if there is any interest still. If not then ask the coach for any schools that he might recommend. Coach's talk and know eachother and their individual programs pretty well he may know of a school that would be a good fit for your abilities.

Start a new list of schools - Keep it small - no more than 20
Send letters of introduction to those schools - You can use college baseball web sites. This link will take you to the "College Baseball" section. Always include a copy of your high school baseball schedule with the letter.

This is very important - About one week after mailing the letter get off the sofa and CALL THE COACH. It will show initiative and let the coach know that you are interested. (Note:) The player should make the calls not the parent.

There are no restrictions on high school players calling a college coach. If the coach is not in ask to leave a message or voice mail and ask for a return call. Tell them you are following up on a letter that you sent. Do not mumble or fuddle around which means know what you are going to say before you say it, don't ramble...You can use email for this too, but the phone works better in my mind. If these coaches are not interested ASK them if they could recommend any schools - immediately send a letter to those schools. Follow these letters up with phone calls. Don't be affraid to ask your high school coach to make a few calls to college coaches that he may know. The same for your summer team coach. Another source might be the Coach/Trainer or owner of the training center that you workout at in the off-season. Many of these guys have great contacts with college coaches and scouts for those colleges and in some cases pro scouts. Be PRO-ACTIVE and make contact with schools. As the baseball season starts you will have even less time to make follow-up phone calls, etc. Time is still on your side so use it wisely. You have been playing baseball most of your life. You don't want to quit on your dream now do you?