TAMPA - As high school season's across the country have kicked off, some warm weather states season's are hitting the backend of the schedule. Some talented players still find themselves unsigned at this stage in the game - and the uncertainty of their playing days beyond this year can cause stress.
In this stage of the game panic, frustration, blame, confusion and disappointment can settle in.
Some players followed "the plan" to the last detail: Attend a few major showcases - check. Catch on with a good travel team and attend major tournaments - check. Ensure a good web presence with updated player info on the web- check.
Why is there no interest, or limited interest?
First thing's first: Patience.
If you have no offers at this stage you are either grossly under the radar or you aren't a top tier or mid-tier player. It is usually the latter.
College recruiters start at the top and work their way down. Nobody goes out early, and beats down the door of mid-tier or low-tier players. They start at the top of the list, and as the "yes" and "no's" come in, they continue to work their way down.
If you have attended major events and followed "the plan", it is likely that you are on the radar - but just not a target yet. So besides patience, what can you do?
The most important thing is to be pro-active. You need to lower the bar a bit, and use the internet to research other programs. Once you have found a few that you like, you need to e-mail their recruiting coach. The goal is to introduce yourself, let them know about your interest, see if they are still recruiting players from your grad year and position, or find out about their walk-on policy and how many guys from walk-ons usually make the team.
Just make sure you do SOMETHING to let these coaches know that you exist and you are interested in their program. At this stage in the game, you can't afford to sit back and have them come to you. See what the feedback is like from each coach and don't put all your eggs in one basket.
With the quiet period over, coaches are back out on the recruiting trail and attending high school games and high school tournaments.
1. Let them know of any major events you will be at
2. Try to look at the recruiting class of some of the colleges you like and let the coach know when your team plays against one of the players they have signed. College coaches like to watch and keep up to date with players they have signed, and this gives them a chance to kill two birds with one stone and get you on their radar.
3. Let them know you if you are ever playing in their area.
4. Let them know what travel teams you have played on, what showcases and events you have been at, maybe they will remember you.
5. And whatever you do, try not to ramble on with a massive email about your stats, newspaper articles, etc. Try to grab their attention with 1 or 2 things about yourself that stand out, and give them a quick update as to where you have been and where you will be next that may interest them.
The bottom line, you need to be pro-active at this stage. You'll be surprised at how many opportunities you can create for yourself.
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Started in 2004, Prospect Wire has become one of the fastest growing organizers of elite level high school baseball events across the country. As a result, Prospect Wire's player database has grown to over 25,000 current prospects, making it one of the largest scouting services for high school baseball in America.
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