THE ‘RECRUITING’ PROCESS
Robert R. LaRochelle
The most important question a player needs to ask is where playing baseball fits into your life. Do you think you REALLY want to play in college?
Depending upon the school, playing a sport could have an impact on the courses you can take and when you get your degree.
Playing a college sport also takes up a lot of time
The reality is that there is VERY LITTLE Baseball Scholarship money out there. Even big name Division 1 programs divide up slightly over 11 scholarships among many players. With some player s getting more, there is little left over for most.
THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION IN COLLEGE SELECTION IS NOT "Where can I play baseball?”. It is: “ Where can I be comfortable at school?”. The baseball part is a piece of the overall college selection process. You should work closely with your Guidance Counselor on that question and follow the procedures of your School Guidance Department.
IF BASEBALL IS IMPORTANT TO YOU, THOUGH, AND YOU WANT TO PLAY IN COLLEGE, YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH MAY HAVE TO EXPAND SO THAT YOU CAN FIND A SCHOOL WHERE YOU CAN PLAY AND BE HAPPY WITH. This is where things get tricky!
ELIMINATE THESE MYTHS FROM YOUR THINKING PROCESS:
If it’s not Division 1, it’s not good college baseball. NOT TRUE! While D1 teams do tend to have a lot of good players, anyone who has watched Eastern Ct State or Trinity( Division 3) can tell you about the quality of players in each division.
There are going to be scouts out there looking for me. With the rare exception of the tremendous blue chipper, this is not true. YOU HAVE TO DO A LOT OF YOUR OWN MARKETING! You need to contact coaches who might then either come see you or talk with your coach or someone they know in your area. Most colleges have very small recruiting budgets.
**In addition, BE CAREFUL of programs or individuals who tell you that you are on their list and they are contacting coaches on your behalf. Many college coaches just take these lists and toss them aside!
Work with your counselor to discuss the range of schools you might consider applying to.
Seek input from High School and Legion coaches regarding your potential playing level in college.
When you have identified schools you want to look at, do the following:
Contact the coach. I think email works best, but use a style that works for you. Many web sites of individual colleges have PROSPECTIVE STUDENT ATHLETE QUESTIONNAIRES ON THEM.
When you go to visit schools, ask to get a separate appointment with the Baseball Coach.
Have specific information you want to ask that coach. Find out HOW HE LEARNS ABOUT PLAYERS: does he want a schedule to see you play in summer? Does he want to contact your High School or Legion coaches? Does he want to see videotape? What does he want on the tape?
Be ready for some frustration and disappointment. There are schools and coaches you will not like, coaches who tell you that you’re a nice kid, but we are set at your position for the next three years, and coaches who won’t promise you a thing other than a chance to make the team.
Be ready too to put a few miles on the car!
IT ULTIMATELY COMES DOWN TO A QUESTION OF WHERE YOU WILL BE CONTENT. Along the way, consult carefully with your parents, your coaches, look for special camps and playing opportunities that might help you( there ARE good showcases out there, for example!)
BEFORE YOU MAKE A FINAL DECISION, soon after you are accepted, contact the Coach again and ask where he would see you fitting in. DON”T LOOK FOR WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR! BE HONEST…………and listen to what he is saying!
American Legion has a great reputation for helping to develop collegiate level players. Your coaches are here to help you with this process. Summer baseball provides great opportunities for college coaches to see you play or to learn about you in some other way. Legion has an outstanding reputation in the college coaching community.
Coach LaRochelle blaRochelle@swindsor.k12.ct.us