The spring season has arrived in parts of the country.  The Northeast and parts of the Midwest may be getting some snow, but the southeast is in the full swing of their spring season.  For players that are continuing their recruiting process, the spring can be an extremely busy time of season.  Between games, practices, and school, the day-to-day schedule is pretty full.  Even with a full schedule, there are several things prospects should be doing to upgrade their recruiting process.

1. Stay in touch with coaches

Technology is a wonderful thing.  College coaches are extremely busy throughout the spring.  As players have their day-to-day, so do coaches.  They are managing their family life, player development, game management, and recruiting.  Technology has allowed coaches to work more efficiently as information can be at their finger tips. 

Players can use technology to their advantage.  Coaches need reminders on players, much like players may need reminders on what schools offer.  Players should stay in touch with schools that have shown interest and use this time to reach out to potential schools.  An email, or text, every other week will keep the player on the minds of the coaches in the office.

When texting or emailing, keep the information short and to the point.  Make sure each correspondence has useful information for the coaching staff.  Adding in schedule updates, recent game stats, or updated video can be useful for college coaches.  Remember their day is loaded, so keep the information short and to the point. 

Finally, use some of this correspondence to let the staff know you are following their season.  Mention big wins, or upcoming big games.  You can talk about the play of individual players.  Coaches want to talk to recruits that may fit with their program, and a player that has an interest in a program, may fit with a program.

2.  Use the spring to visit Colleges, Universities, and baseball programs

Uncommitted players should visit a number of Colleges, Universities, and baseball programs.  Prospects should look to see what the level of play is like at Division I, II, III, NAIA, and JUCO programs.  While a prospect may have his heart set on a Division I program, understanding the level of play across all levels will give the prospect some appreciation for coaches that may contact him from other levels. 

While visiting baseball programs, players will get a sense for the community at a school, as well as the size and makeup of the student population.  All information that is gathered in the process can lead to a better decision, when the time comes.  An added plus is the ability to see baseball in different environments.

When visiting a program, reach out and let the staff know you are planning to attend, preferably about a week in advance.  At the NCAA level, the school can provide up to three free tickets to any home contest.  This would be considered an unofficial visit to the school, but there are not any limitations on the number of unofficials a prospect takes.  Some programs will make more time for a prospect on campus, offering a tour, and inviting the player in for pre-game BP.  However, this is a busy day for college coaches, so don't read to much into a program that just leaves tickets and is not able to meet with a prospect. 

The recruiting process, and what players and families evaluate in their decision making process, can be daunting.  The more a prospect sees from different programs, the more the prospect has a feel for what he wants and needs from the college of his choice.

3. Continue to take advantage of the development process

Players working through the college decision process need to take time to continue to work on themselves, on and off the field.  Many coaches work to put multiple evaluations on players, and players that make noticeable strides from one season to another can continue to increase the grade a coach may assign to the player. 

There is a lot going on for players and families, but don’t forget the goal and the dream to PLAY at the next level.  The goal is not to get to the next level, but to play.  For that to happen, high school players will have to bridge the gap between their current level of play and that of a JR or SR in college in one year. 

Baseball is a game of repetition.   Players that spend time taking quality swings, developing arm strength, fielding ground balls… those players will make jumps and will be ready for the everyday grind of college practices in the fall. 

My final piece of advice for the spring… Breathe and enjoy!  Baseball players working through the recruiting process are very lucky.  You will be given options by schools that want you to attend.  Most students do not get to experience that level of service from a college in the decision process.  There is work involved to keep up with college coaches and to keep them apprised of your development, but in the long run the work allows you to choose a school that allows you to continue to play a great game.  Breathe and enjoy!

 

ABOUT BRANDON HALL

Prior to becoming the PBR North Carolina Scouting Director, Hall spent 18 years coaching at the Division I level in North Carolina. Raised in Raleigh, Hall coached 14 years at UNC Charlotte, including seven years as associate head coach and 11 seasons as the recruiting coordinator. Prior to joining the coaching staff at Charlotte, Hall spent four seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, UNC Wilmington, where he also worked with the pitchers. In his 18 seasons as an assistant at the two schools, Hall's teams have won eight regular-season championships and seven of his pitching staffs have been ranked nationally in ERA, including the top spot in the nation in 2007 (at 2.64).