Baseball College Recruiting: 10 Facts Baseball Players, Coaches, and Parents Need to Know

Baseball College Recruiting: 10 Facts Baseball Players, Coaches, and Parents Need to Know
By guest author: Kenny Buford

Although many of the colleges want you to believe you have to be the top of the top for baseball college recruiting, that isn't always so. In fact, many times colleges are assuming that they are not looking at the top 5% because those student athletes may already be spoken for.

Some things to remember:

1. Grades count. Sure, athletic ability is important, but do you have the grades to get into the college admissions office and catch their eye even without your sports ability? You should have grades that support you as a well-rounded student, not just an image of a ball player alone.

2. Do you know what a college coach values in a player? Is it the same as a high school coach or a teen-level coach? What do you bring to the coach that is different from the myriad of other players your age and ability that makes you a step above? Can you bring the values to the team that your coach is looking for?

3. What is your motivation? Not just "are you motivated" but what motivates you? Is it fame, money or a passion for the game? Do you work at your game based upon only your motivation? Do you have many motivators for your game? This is important; because parents, students and coaches will need to understand the motivators.

4. Are you motivated? As a verb, do you have it? Do you have what it takes to look into adversity and tough times and still shine? This is going to be important to be able to display to prospective colleges and future coaches as this may be a tie breaker trait.

5. Don't wait until the last minute. Some students start as early as their freshman year in marketing themselves to colleges. If you are a senior and haven't started, don't let that discourage you, but do get moving on that! Market yourself as early as you can as a true athlete, because every moment you are no exposing your abilities, your peers are.

6. Do you, or do you plan to, meet the core requirements of entering college? If you are a great player, it's important to have pretty good grades and decent SAT scores. There are a myriad of Internet sites that can help you make sure you are not lagging, and your guidance office should be able to help you. Again, it's never too early to start working on your sports collegiate career.

7. Know the reality. According to statistics, less than 15% of high school baseball players will play college baseball. Just know your realities so if you don't make the team, you are not devastated. It's as important to know the realities of the situations as well as how to best get into a situation. Never enter any situation blind to both sides.

8. Look at the bigger picture. You may want to play ball but you may also want to have a certain climate, social life and academic schedule that fits your desires. Look at more than just the team; because you are more than just a ball player.

9. Do you have what it takes? It's more than just the above. There is also something called "Luck and Timing". Absolutely realize that you have to have both in addition to all the things you can control. Realize that a little of this is going to be out of your control.

10. Finances: not everyone is going to be playing ball on scholarship, or at least on full scholarship. Decide if the cost is worth the sport participation. If you are reading this, the answer probably is "yes, of course it is" but realize an injury or a sudden lack of passion means you still have the finances to deal with but none of the glory of the sport. Really weigh your financial realities.

All of this is meant to get you thinking - be it a parent or a player. Even a coach reading this needs to understand that you are going to be looking at some kids who have the research down pat and can impress you, but some other youth will be just as impressive deep down, but you may have to scratch the surface a bit. Not everyone knows the ins and outs of impressing a coach and a college but may be an exceptional player, student and person under it all. It's everyone's responsibility to learn as much as possible and do what they can to ensure the best options for all involved.

Kenny Buford spent years playing baseball at the college level. Today, he coaches 3 youth development teams and shares his extensive coaching knowledge on his blog, you can visit him here: http://www.baseball-tutorials.com/

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College Baseball Recruiting - An Interview With a Junior College Baseball Team Coach

By John Riedling

What is the most important factor other then athletic ability that will determine your interest in a high school baseball player?

First of all, I am looking for a player who wants to play for my team at my school. The student should show a clear interest in playing here, specifically, at my college. They have to want to come to this institution. And the reason for this is that I don't want my players to transfer to another school after playing only one season. Yes, we do lose some players every year to the professional draft but that comes with the territory. The ability to qualify for the professional draft at any time is one of the main reasons that we are able to attract the high level of talented players that we do.

What is something that you have seen high school players overlook in the past when trying to get recruited at college baseball teams?

One very important thing that I see too many high school students not doing is the proper research. And by research I mean that the students need to research the team rosters of the schools they are applying to very carefully. Because the bottom line is that if a coach already has a great freshman and sophomore shortstop, for example, and you are shortstop trying to get recruited to his team your chances of success of greatly diminished. You may be a great shortstop but if my team doesn't need a shortstop you will be overlooked for another player who fits into our roster. The one position on the team that is an exception, of course, is the pitcher. We are always recruiting pitchers. We have ten to twelve pitchers on the roster. High school players need to be thinking about finding a college team that will be a good fit for them and think less about the prestige of the team. They need to research the team and the school very closely.

What are some other factors outside of pure athletic ability that you look for in new recruits for your team?

I look for good character. I actually ask around. I will call a student's high school and ask him about the character of the player before I make my recruiting decision. I will also speak to his other team mates. I want to find out what kind of reputation this person has because I am concerned about how his character will affect the overall quality of my team. Trust is a major factor. I have to know that this person will be trustworthy. There are three red flags that will immediately disqualify someone from being recruited to my team: lying, stealing and drugs. I will not tolerate either of those three things. Trust is major issue. Our players spend a lot of time in dug outs and traveling to other cities where we simply can't have someone is might be stealing from other players in those situations.

What is one, often overlooked, piece of advice that you could give to a high school students who are narrowing their search for a college baseball program?

Take a look at the junior colleges and smaller schools. If you are really serious about continuing your baseball career then you need to be considering the junior colleges. All too many times I see talented players get recruited at the big division I schools and then spend the next two years on the bench. When you are sitting on the bench you are not playing and you are not improving. Unfortunately, I have seen situations where a player will see very little game time during their first two years and then get "recruited over" by a new recruit who spent the last two years playing and practicing at a junior college. Many people don't realize that the top 5 or 6 junior college baseball teams in the country can compete with any division I program. At a junior college you are going to get more play time, you can get recruited every year and you generally receive the same education for the first two years as any other college or university. If you want to play professional ball but are playing for a division I school you won't be allowed to be recruited for three years. If you are playing at a junior college, in those same three years, you have three separate opportunities to get recruited.

If you are truly serious about playing college baseball and you want to know exactly, step by step, how to get recruited at the college baseball team of your choice then you must read my Grand Slam Guide [http://www.nlprospects.com/grand-slam-college-baseball.html] to College Baseball Scholarships and Recruiting.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Riedling

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Blogger (Blogspot) - baseballcoachesdigest
Blogger (Blogspot) - baseballparentguide
Blogger (Blogspot) - baseballhomeworkhelp
Blogger (Blogspot) - batactionbaseballtraining
Blogger (Blogspot) - battingcagebuyingguide
Blogger (Blogspot) - coachesbest
Blogger (Blogspot) - teeballcoachingclinic
Blogger (Blogspot) - hurricanebaseballtrainingmachine
Blogger (Blogspot) - teeballparentsguide
Blogger (Blogspot) - youthbaseballcoachingclinic

Shop CoachesBest.com for your baseball coaching needs including baseball training aids, training videos, and other coaching supplies. Check out the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting machine by SKLZ at HurricaneTrainer.com.

See the “Original” Rotational Hitting Machine at BatAction.com. Are you looking for the perfect trainer to teach proper timing and swing mechanics? You can stop looking and go to HandsBackHitter.com.