Baseball Player Magazine

 The 411 on Recruiting

1. The recruiting process started “yesterday.” College recruitment staff are looking at prospective players earlier than ever before.
2. The most recent educated calculations (April 2010) by the NCAA has determined that 6.3% of senior boys interscholastic baseball players will continue to play at a NCAA member institution.
3. Approximately 9.1% of the senior players on NCAA baseball teams will be drafted by a professional baseball team.
4. Don't set yourself on playing only Division I baseball. Explore your options at all levels of NCAA Baseball. 

Knowledge Is Power

1. From day one in ninth grade, you are “on the clock” academically. If you take Regents classes in middle school, it begins that much sooner.
2. GRADES FIRST. Why? Coaches won't recruit if they can't get you accepted. If there are three recruiting prospects with GPAs of 3.3, 3.4 and 3.9, who do you think is the coaches #1 recruit! Better grades = more money and less academic risk. 

What Sells A Recruit?

• Recruit knows what he is looking for in a college.
• Ability to show leadership characteristics both on and off the field.
• Work ethic both on the field and in the classroom.
• Commitment to yourself and your team.

FRESHMAN

Do you have a challenging academic schedule in place for September? 

July / August

• Play the best and most competitive baseball available to you. Try for the best teams and 
• top tournaments and position yourself within the highest level of competition as possible. 
• Check out college baseball program's upcoming camps. This is a great way to get noticed by a school you may be interested in attending.

SOPHOMORES

Is your academic schedule set for the upcoming year? Is your guidance counselor aware or your goal to play college baseball?

July / August

• Start learning about local and national Showcases. Find out what it takes to be a part of these events.
• Prepare your athletic resume. Include important stats, game highlights, etc.
• Begin preparing lists about where you'd like to spend the your college career. 
• Keep in mind you'll be there for four years.
• Parents and athletes should be communicating about college expectations. 

JUNIORS

Do you have the core courses needed for NCAA eligibility? 

July / August

• College coaches can begin contact on July 1st, make sure you are prepared!
• Send letters to prospective colleges you feel are a good match with updates of your sophomore year season.
• Attend Showcases and/or college camps. This is an excellent way to get noticed.
• Research the admission requirements for colleges that you are interested in attending. 
• Start planning visits to colleges to see if you like the location and campus.

SENIORS

Do you still have a solid academic schedule? Have you registered with the NCAA eligibility center?

July / August

• Remember your senior year grades count. Colleges track grades through the completion of your senior year.
• Review core academic requirements with your guidance counselor.
• Send out your Fall Ball schedule to prospective colleges.
• If you are unsure that you will be a part of the early signing for National Letter of Intent in November 2010, be sure to research  winter break camps offered by other colleges.

Additional Consideration:

Does a letter from a college mean they want me to play?

Many players will receive generic letters and other mass generated marketing items, none of which are a valid indication of interest. Coaches, for the most part, are more personal with their top recruits, who will receive either hand-written notes, personalized emails, phone calls or requests for school visits. 

A word (or more) for the “folks” on attending camps

Before committing to a camp, talk to the coach about where your son stands with his program. Is he being evaluated for a scholarship? Inquiring about WHY you are being invited will help you make an informed decision so you can spend your money wisely.