I don't want you to just take my word for it, so here is an email from Lantz Wheeler, a former Division 1 coach, about what it takes to be recruited at the Division 1 level.
1. At what point does it make sense to contact a college? Velocity? Grade? Size? etc.
I wouldn't waste your time early in the process unless you have a burning desire to attend a specific school, UNLESS you have desirable velocity in the range of 85 +.
Obviously, lefties have an advantage but unless you're going to place them in a position to pull the trigger to keep other schools from scooping you up.
99% velocity will be the deciding factor early in the process as well as the scholarship offer.
If you're thinking early, you better have a separator, velocity!
2. Do college coaches care about what travel team or HS or National team you're playing on or your stats? Or is it mostly about velocity?
Stats DO NOT MATTER! Here's why:
- If they are outrageously good: "I wonder who kept these stats, DAD?"
- If they are average, "He must suck, wonder what his stats really were?"
Velocity, although lefties or match up guys with one pitch that can serve as a match up, most time left on left. Side arm guys are 99% walk ons because they feel like they can take a current guy that can't get outs from a traditional slot and drop him down.
3. Is it better for a coach to contact the college on your behalf, your parent or you?
How to contact a college baseball coach
4. What velocity are college coaches looking for? What other factors? How much does height and size matter? Do coaches care about projectability or is it mostly about current performance? Do I list my height with or without cleats?!
Bigger is better. Depends on level of game but all levels are looking for 85+. SEC, upper mid-major 90's unless your just a local kid that they've acquired a taste for. Again, lefties break the curve.
5. Is there a point where good grades/test scores helps make you more attractive even with lower athletic measurables (height, velocity)? Do coaches look for players who will also bring up the academic averages of their program?
Absolutely, so many players are grouped so tightly that they will take the "grades guy" to save money. Lower measurables, No. They will take a chance if YOU can help THEM WIN!
End of the day, they have a job their trying to save. Best quote I've heard comes from my buddy Chris Finwood, HC at Old Dominion......
"It's not the players you miss in the recruiting process, it's the ones you get that will hurt you!"
6. How much do secondary pitches matter?
Velocity first. Most coaches want to see a "Feel" for a breaking ball b/c most don't believe it can be taught believe it or not.
7. How do you know if you're good enough to play college baseball? Are there any basic standards?
See where you stand velocity wise against the others on your team. If you're not one of the better ones on your summer team, you're probably not good enough to go D1. Unless you're on one of the top elite teams.
8. When do you get an offer? How negotiable is it? What details do I need to know about the terms?
Scholarships are one year only. They can cut you at anytime, only guarantee is the school is protected, not you.
They will give you a deadline, if you're being contacted by several schools let them know. It's a poker game, just like anything else, They want what they can't have.
9. Should I share interest from other programs with a college coach (ie, I have offers from UCLA, USC, UNC)?
Helll YES, if they are legit. Not if you're just getting letters, letter only signify your on the mailing list and could make a fool out of you if they aren't legit. Legit is phone calls, texts and unofficial/official visit invites.
10. What should I send a coach? Should I include videos (game? practice?), and most recent radar gun readings?
Read how to contact a college baseball coach.
College Baseball Recruiting Cheat Sheet (Do’s and Don’ts)
How not to make a recruiting video
11. At what age and level of development should I go to a showcase? Throwing over 80? 85? Over 6'? Freshman?
At least over 80 if you're young. Total waste of time and money if you're not. Will actually cost you more confusion and money. Because you will be on every school attending "camp email invites"
12. What other questions should I ask the coach about the program? [Graduation rate, how many pro players, where do I fit in terms of playing time, etc.]
Up to you....
11. At what age and level of development should I go to a showcase? Throwing over 80? 85? Over 6'? Freshman?
At least over 80 if you're young. Total waste of time and money if you're not. Will actually cost you more confusion and money. Because you will be on every school attending "camp email invites"
12. What other questions should I ask the coach about the program? [Graduation rate, how many pro players, where do I fit in terms of playing time, etc.]
Up to you....
**Bonus: I would highly recommend that you filter your (parents') questions through your son- encourage him to ask them. It promotes ownership-accountability and maturity. College coaches would much rather the questions come from the kid, versus Mom or Dad! Trust me!
13. Should I attend a camp at a school I'm interested in?
Those are the best.
14. When do I know a coach is serious?
Personal invite to college (Not through emails!) and phone calls. Not emails!!
15. How do I stand out?
Throw harder than the rest! It's sad but true- velocity is the most important, especially with RHP.
13. Should I attend a camp at a school I'm interested in?
Those are the best.
14. When do I know a coach is serious?
Personal invite to college (Not through emails!) and phone calls. Not emails!!
15. How do I stand out?
Throw harder than the rest! It's sad but true- velocity is the most important, especially with RHP.
Here's one thing I watch as much as pitching mechanics and arm action combined!
Unfortunately, if you didn't have it... I wasn't interested!
Do you know what it is?
I can tell you what its not...
- Velocity
- Command
- Arm Health
Because even if you had all 3 but you had this, I didn't care!
It's called Body Language...And it says everything about you, without you ever saying a word!
It's true...
Especially on the baseball field.
As a college coach, you're watching every move they make.
- How they walk on the field
- How they respond after success...
And most importantly, how they respond to failure!
I always said I had to see a kid fail before I could ever commit to spending 4 years with him.
It's so easy to do the right thing when things are good...But how do you respond when things don't go your way?
That's when true character is revealed!
- Do you point the fingers at others?
- Blame the coaches?
- Umpires?
But, you want to know something that I've found true?
Many times (not always) after spending just 20-25 minutes on a recruiting visit, I would have a pretty good idea of how his parents would act, and respond to the same line of questions!
I know, I'm guilty of parent profiling...don't call your lawyer just yet!
But...it's true!
Your kids behavior on the field and how he responds to failure is a learned behavior-just like anything on the physical side...because kids are usually a direct reflection of their parents!
- If the kid made excuses, there's a good chance the parents made excuses for the kids.
- If the kid blamd others for his failures, there's a good chance the parents blamed others for the kids failure.
And you want to know what really set off the alarms?
If the parent carried the kid's back pack into the visit, we alerted security, sounded the fire alarm and pretended the campus was on lockdown!!!
Just kidding (not really), but you need to realize there's always someone watching you..and many times you say everything without ever saying a word!
At the end of the day, college coaches are watching, pro scouts are watching and high school coaches are watching...
So, I want to leave you with this final thought....
The name on the jersey represents your coaches, school and teammates...but the name on the back represents your mom, dad, grandma, grandpa and so many more before you and what's to come!
It represents how you were raised!
Both are important, but the name on the the back of the jersey is here to stay, there is no transferring from this school!
