Sophomore Year — Summer Quarter
ABOUT THIS SEASON
This is an important summer for high level colleges to be evaluating the recruits they have identified as a freshman or sophomore.
Make sure you are playing for the best travel team for exposure but be sure you are receiving playing time as well. If you know of college coaches coming to particular tournaments you will participate in over the summer, be sure to introduce yourself a few weeks beforehand. This same advice is important if you are playing a tournament at a particular college or for showcases. Always be sure to follow up with coaches after tournaments, camps and showcases to see if they saw you play and to tell them how you did.
Get proactive and continue calling and emailing college coaches.
Let them know you recently updated your profile and ask them to go check it out! Keep sending introduction emails to new coaches you have not been in contact with yet. Visit more college campuses this year since you can make as many unofficial visits as you like. If you travel for any tournaments or showcases, research colleges that may be nearby and use your free time to check out those schools.
Just remember NCAA contact rules when you're reaching out to college coaches. DI and DII can personally contact recruits starting in September of your junior year. DIII, NAIA and Junior Colleges can contact you anytime!
Now is a good time to shoot video.
IF YOU HAVE SOME FREE TIME, TRY TO VOLUNTEER IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
College coaches like players who are involved with their schools and their community. We recommend taking the SAT and ACT in the fall semester of your junior year. Both tests are different, so you won't know which test you'll do better on unless you take both. Also, taking them early in your junior year allows you time to study before your high school season begins. Don't forget, you can always re-take the tests if you're not happy with your scores.
YOU ARE HALFWAY DONE WITH YOUR HIGH SCHOOL CAREER!
Review your progress over the last two years and set goals for yourself for the next two years. You should be happy with the improvements you’ve made so far, but remember, there is always room to get better. Be honest with yourself and address your weaknesses with hard work and preparation. If you aren’t the fastest player, try to incorporate some speed and agility work into your workout routine. If you aren’t the strongest, make sure you carve time out of your schedule to hit the weight room. Baseball players work night and day on their game, do you?
Junior Year — Fall Quarter
ABOUT THIS SEASON
Big news this quarter:
High level players may verbally commit to colleges at this point. Keep in mind that you cannot sign a National Letter of Intent until next November of your senior year. (Check out their website to learn more about the NLI.) Also beginning September 1, DI coaches may begin sending you personalized emails as well as begin calling you.
This should make communicating with college coaches much easier.
Start narrowing your colleges of interest by developing a 5-5-5 list: five programs that either you are not sure if you can get in to academically or that you may not be able to play for athletically, five programs that are a good fit, and five that are back-ups.
You may begin to do this by asking more serious questions if there is initial interest and by setting up personalized unofficial visits with these colleges.
Even though Division III, NAIA, and junior college programs can email you anytime, beginning this year they start to identify student-athletes in your class. Most don't seriously start recruiting your class until next year but start building relationships with these programs now if you haven't already.
At this time, you may be asking, "how do college coaches show interest?" Below are ways a coach may show interest in a recruit, beginning with the highest interest level.
-Colleges have offered you an athletic scholarship
-Colleges have offered you a spot on their team, detailing your amount of playing time
-Colleges have told you that you are high on their list, but at this time they have offers out to their top recruits. If one falls through, they may offer you a spot
-Colleges have offered you an official visit (When you become a senior)
-You have visited and met personally with the coaching staff (possibly multiple times)
-Colleges have told you where you stand on their recruiting list
-Colleges have been communicating with you by phone consistently (starting summer of your junior year, DI and DII coaches can begin calling you personally)
-Colleges have been communicating with you by personalized emails (back and forth, consistently)
-Colleges have called your references to learn more about you
Now is the time to prepare for the upcoming season and school year. Set goals for yourself athletically and academically. What skills do you want to improve next season? What is your goal GPA? Consider taking more challenging courses like honors or AP classes if you can.
At the beginning of the academic year, register for both the ACT and SAT tests if you haven't already and start studying.
But, don't stress! If you're unhappy with your results, you only have to report your best scores.
Taking these tests early this quarter or next quarter allows a lot of time to retake them in the future. Also, research the ACT/SAT requirements at the schools you are interested in and strive to be beat the required score. Remember, it is important to track your NCAA Eligibility Center core courses list and make sure you are on pace to graduate, so set up an appointment with your guidance counselor to discuss your schooling.
Junior Year — Winter Quarter
ABOUT THIS SEASON
If you have been communicating with Division I coaches, it may be important to start asking serious questions like, "What, Where and When." For example:
What else do you need from me to make a final evaluation?
Where do I stand on your list of recruits for my position?
When do you usually make offers to student-athletes in my recruiting class?
These questions are great on visits so be prepared if a coach asks you to visit at this time.
Keep in mind, if you ask serious questions, expect serious questions back about what offers you have on the table, what other colleges you are visiting, and who you have been communicating with personally on a regular basis. Many times, on an unofficial visit to the college campus and an offer could be extended. This is a great way to verbally commit early!
As for DIII and NAIA schools, they may ask for you to stay in touch and keep them updated on your progress.
Since these programs tend to do most of their recruiting during your senior year, this is a great sign! Keep sending coaches your season schedules and academics, but don't be afraid to still set up visits to their campuses. You don't want to try to cram all this in during your senior year.
Keep training during the off-season, but most importantly, make sure to attend college camps where the coaches have written you personal emails and have shown serious interest in having you attend their college.
Academics should still be your number one priority.
If you are not where you want to be, make an adjustment since graduation is only a year away. Grades are becoming more and more a part of recruiting since colleges need to ensure that you meet their school's academic requirements. College coaches want well rounded athletes that perform in the classroom as much as they do on the diamond.
Please ask your advisor for a copy of the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete. Now that you have taken your SAT and ACT, be sure to see if you are on your way to being an NCAA qualifier. The NAIA also has requirements so be sure to check out their NAIA Eligibility Center website to learn more. If you are a qualifier or if you have more questions about this be sure to reach out to our team of Recruiting Coaches.
Junior Year — Spring Quarter
ABOUT THIS SEASON
This season, focus on being a leader and a team player so you have the chance to be a captain next year on your high school team.
Be vocal and encouraging while working to improve your skills and be the best at your position.
Be sure to ask your high school coaches if any college coaches have inquired about you (and follow up with those coaches as soon as possible). We recommend having communication back and forth with college coaches through email before picking up the phone. Then, you can ask college coaches directly, "When is a good time to give you a call to talk to you more about your program?" or "When is a good time to call you to set up a time to visit?"
Reminder:
Email is a good way to begin reaching out to colleges you are interested in. After you have sent your introduction emails, it is smart to have a timeline for following up with each coach. Below is a guideline you can use:
1st e-mail
2nd e-mail - 2 weeks later (unless the coach responds - if coach responds make sure to respond promptly)
Phone call to coaching staff - 2 weeks later (if no response, leave a voicemail)
Follow up the voicemail with e-mail the same day as the voicemail (tell the coach on the voicemail that you will follow up by e-mail)
Follow up with coaches each month by phone and e-mail - once per month
You have to remember that many times it takes persistence with these coaches in order for them to get back to you.
If after contacting the staff five times in three different ways (questionnaire, email, and phone calls) and you do not hear anything back, we recommend that you just follow up with them once per month (step 5) if you are really interested. Sometimes coaches are very busy so do not be discouraged. Other times coaches just may not be interested. Either way, what you are after is a “yes” or “no” in terms of interest, and if you are really interested you should be determined to follow up as much as possible.
Start identifying 2-3 college camps to attend during the summer and research showcases to attend. Also, keep visiting college campuses and attend a baseball game to evaluate and talk with the coaches.
Continue working hard in your studies through the end of school.
Review the grade requirements at the colleges you are interested in and put a plan in place to make sure you finish high school with the grades you need to get into your schools of choice. Ask your high school guidance counselor to send your final transcript from the last three years and ACT/SAT scores to the NCAA Eligibility Center (they need this information in order for you to start taking official visits to colleges during your senior year). Finally, if you're looking into top academic programs, you may need to take the SAT Subject Tests in addition to your SAT and ACT. For more information go to Collegeboard.com.
Junior Year — Summer Quarter
ABOUT THIS SEASON
You should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center for many reasons, but one reason is you have to be registered in order to make official visits when your senior year begins.
Recruiting alert:
Division II college coaches are allowed to start calling you on June 15. Division I coaches can start calling on July 1. After your junior year is complete, Division III coaches can start meeting you off-campus.
Just because coaches can start calling you, doesn't mean you should wait for the phone to ring! Be proactive and start calling coaches who have expressed interest or have come to see you play live. Don't be shy; make sure you are asking questions! If you have not heard from Division I coaches, make sure you are reaching out to lower level programs more frequently.
If you are talking closely with an NAIA coach, make sure to register with the NAIA Eligibility Center and possibly try out for the team. Tryouts at the NAIA level can take place anytime. Also, make sure you tryout for a fall baseball team as they are invaluable to your baseball career.
You should also think about filming your (first or second) skills video to post to your Recruiting Profile if you haven't done so already.
Senior Year — Fall Quarter
ABOUT THIS SEASON
After starting your first day of classes senior year, you are allowed to make official visits to colleges.
Narrow your list of potential colleges by developing a 3-3-3 list: three programs that either you are not sure if you can get in to academically or that you may not be able to play for athletically, three that are a good fit, and three that are back-ups. This will give you a more narrowed list of colleges to choose from when deciding which colleges to visit.
Some colleges at the DI level may be finished recruiting for the senior class at this time while others may be just getting started.
When communicating with high level programs it is best to first ask if they are still recruiting for your position versus assuming they are still looking around.
As you're getting ready to accept an offer, think about targeting additional programs outside of your 3-3-3 list that compete against your top colleges athletically and academically to create leverage for financial aid.
Have you considered possibly attending a junior college? Here are a few reasons why you may begin thinking about this:
-To gain experience. Many college coaches want recruits whom have had success in college already or have proven themselves against good competition.
-To polish your skills. Many student-athletes need help developing and being taught the proper techniques to perform at a high level.
-To mature as a student and athlete. Sometimes students need to start over academically. Others may need to mature physically by becoming bigger, faster, or stronger. Lastly, many student-athletes need to mature by learning to prioritize their academics, athletics, and social life.
-It is cost effective. Most junior colleges are less expensive to attend versus four-year colleges.
Academically, you should re-take the ACT or SAT since a good test score is a crucial part of getting into your school of choice.
Whether you scored better on the ACT or SAT, only re-take that test and try for a better score. Meet with your guidance counselor to ensure your upcoming classes match the NCAA Eligibility Center core courses. Also, start putting together your college applications and writing your essays. Ask your favorite teachers to write letters of recommendation for you, and talk to college coaches about the application process at their school.
Look into application deadlines including applying early and early decision.
Senior Year — Winter Quarter
ABOUT THIS SEASON
November and December are usually slower months;
However, the Early Signing Period usually takes place during the second week of November and during this time a student-athlete can sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI). The NLI is a program that most DI and DII programs use in order to secure the verbal commitment between the student-athlete and the institution for one academic school year. You can learn more about the NLI at this website: www.national-letter.org.
You can also sign an NLI in the spring as the Regular Signing Period begins in April.
IF YOU DID NOT SIGN IN THE EARLY SIGNING PERIOD, THERE IS NO NEED TO WORRY.
Most student-athletes in baseball do not sign in the Early Signing Period. Most baseball recruits commit in April, May, and June of next year so there is still time in the recruiting process. And remember, January 15 is the first day you can sign a letter of intent with a Junior College.
Use this off season to train and develop your skills before your first day of practice. If you haven't posted a skills video to your profile yet, be sure to get one filmed.
Be ready in case you're not handed a full ride.
Start your financial planning early by registering for the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You can submit your FAFSA beginning January 1st or later, but remember that financial aid money is first come, first serve, so submit your financial aid application as soon as possible.
Senior Year — Spring Quarter
ABOUT THIS SEASON
DID YOU MAKE CAPTAIN?
If not, that's ok. Continue being a team player and a leader, even without the title. Finish your senior season strong and have fun!
Beginning in the second week of April the Regular Signing Period begins. Make sure to ask your high school coaches which college coaches have inquired about you and follow up with those coaches as soon as possible. Start looking ahead and plan on attending any final college camps or showcases this summer.
Send college coaches your season schedule so they can watch you play if you have not made a commitment yet.
Be sure to update your Recruiting Profile on the Website with your final statistics, grades and possibly a final video demonstrating your best skills.
If you decide to walk-on at a university, prepare yourself for the best walk-on situation.
Remember that your grades matter through the last day of school, so keep working hard even if you already have several offers.
Check with the NCAA and make sure you are a qualifier and have met all the eligibility requirements.
Senior Year — Summer Quarter
ABOUT THIS SEASON
HOPEFULLY, CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER, AND YOU WERE RECRUITED TO PLAY BASEBALL IN COLLEGE.
If you haven't committed yet, then keep in mind that August 1 is the last possible signing date.
Keep playing for a travel team this summer to continue developing your skills and stay ahead of the competition your freshman year.
Contact your college coach for a summer workout schedule. Showing up to school in shape will only help make the transition smoother and it will also show your college coach that you are serious about being a member of his team and winning championships. Being a college freshman, your playing time will be based on how prepared you are to play at the college level. If you put the time in this summer to hit, throw, and work out, coaches will take note.
Now that high school is over, have your guidance counselor send a final transcript and proof of graduation to the NCAA and NAIA Eligibility Centers.