You Make The Call

YOU MAKE THE CALL…LITERALLY

Sometimes how you say something is more important than what you say. We’ve all heard the phrase, “You only get one chance to make a first impression.” In this day and age of text messaging, instant messaging, and whatever other kind of messaging that High School Students create on a daily basis, that phrase has never been more true…Especially in the realm of Athletic Recruiting.

Do you prefer to get an e-card wishing you a Happy Birthday or Congratulations, or a phone call? I know it’s the thought that counts, and sometimes those animated cards are very funny….sometimes. Personally, I like getting a phone call, and so do college coaches. You don’t have to call and wish them a Happy Birthday, but instead of sending emails all the time, do something to separate yourself from the pack. Sure emails are easy, quick, and it’s what we do now, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only means of communication. Are you going to email everyone on your team during the game? NO. You need to be able to communicate with the coaching staff, and your teammates. Show that to the college coaches right now, in high school.

In the world of Athletic Recruiting, it’s essential to develop relationships with college coaches. Think of it this way….. In high school, people start to date. Doesn’t it feel good to get a phone call from someone that you like and find out that they like you too? Of course it does. Or, how about getting a call from someone that you didn’t know likes you, but they happen to be the perfect person for you? Great, right? Well, that goes for college coaches too, especially if you want to be the one that gets offered the scholarship. One way to start the relationship is to write a letter to a coach. Another way is to send an email. But one of the most effective ways is still verbal communication. You won’t have the opportunity to meet face to face with every coach during the initial part of the recruiting process, and some of the time you’ll get recruited off of your video and through conversations over the phone. A coach is going to feel more confident about the decision to offer you a scholarship, if he’s gotten a chance to get to know you, over time, as a player and especially a person. Remember, their reputations and their jobs are on the line based on whom they recruit, and the results that come of it.

If you’re interested in some schools, and you fit in there academically and athletically, pick up the phone and call the coaches. They would love to hear from you! I know what you’re thinking, “There are rules about when a coach can talk to me.” Not Entirely True! There may be rules about when coaches can call you, but there are no rules as far as you calling them…Big difference. As a student-athlete, you can call a coach anytime you’d like. By you picking up the phone, you’re showing those coaches that you’re really interested in their school and their athletic program. Coaches want to recruit athletes that want to be there. And many coaches use that phone call to get a better idea about you as a person. How you come across on that first phone call, whether initiated by you or the coach, can have a huge impact on whether the process goes any further. Some coaches translate how you communicate on the phone to your ability to handle the academic, social, and athletic environment at their school.

Always have some questions ready by the phone. Be prepared. You never know when a coach will call. Don’t you prepare for a test, or an athletic competition? Don’t tell me you’re not prepared for the phone call. This could be your one shot to make a great first impression. Remember, it’s not mom or dad’s job to call the coach. Coaches are recruiting you for their team, not your parents. The best line I’ve heard from a coach about parents calling is, “We’ve never recruited a kid whose parents didn’t think they were good enough.” Like anything else, if you want it, you have to go and get it.

SPRING BASEBALL RECRUITING PRIORITIES

The spring baseball season brings many challenges for baseball prospects.  Competing for playing time, preparing for conference games, and making a run at a state championship should all be near the top of your priority list.  Academics and your recruiting are two other priorities you need to make time for throughout the spring.  Coaches at all levels are looking for quality “student-athletes” who have time management skills.  Below are four priorities every baseball prospect should strive to complete this spring

1.  Get it done in the classroom!  This applies to every baseball prospect.  Your academics play a huge role in the recruiting process.  Do not let your grades slip during the spring season.  Study on the bus while traveling to road games.  Turn in extra credit when it is available.  Prioritize your time so you can turn in assignments on time and finish the year strong in the classroom.

2. Send update e-mails!  Hopefully you have been making contacts with college coaches throughout the fall and winter.  During the spring, sending update e-mails to coaches is important so they can track your progress.  College coaches are in season too and have tight schedules.  E-mails are a great way to quickly inform coach of your spring success at the varsity level.  An easy goal to target is sending monthly update e-mails.  If you throw a no-hitter or break a school record, then an e-mail about a specific performance is acceptable.

3. Provide your summer schedule!  The summer has become increasingly important for coaches at all levels of college baseball.  Once your summer schedule becomes available, post it to your profile and send it directly to coaches you have contacted.  Provide as many opportunities for coaches to come out and evaluate your skills.

4. Check out local college baseball games!  Take advantage of the college baseball season when your schedule allows.  Go out and see a local college game (if possible) to get a better idea of the specific programs and level of play.  Even if a coach isn’t available pre or post game to talk, you can still get a good idea of how the program is run from watching them compete.  Try to schedule a campus tour if your schedule allows.

Make the most of all aspects of the spring season.  Having more practices and games on your schedule are not excuses for letting your academics or recruiting slip.  Finishing the year strong will lead you into the summer season full of confidence.  If you completed the priorities above, then coaches will be updated on your successful spring season and have access to your summer schedule.  This will give you a great shot to get more coaches interested and out to your summer games.

3 MISTAKES TO AVOID DURING THE BASEBALL RECRUITING PROCESS

Finding the right college baseball program can be a long and difficult process.  When I was looking for a college to play for, I made some key mistakes along the way during my recruiting process.  Unfortunately, during my time as a college recruiting coordinator, I see many kids and families making the same mistakes that I made.  My goal for this blog is for you to learn a little bit from the things that I did wrong and to see the advantages of having a recruiting profile.

1)      I assumed that my high school coach would help me with my recruiting.

I played for a very strong high school baseball program in Central Ohio.  During my sophomore year, we won the district championship, and my junior year we were the state runner-up in Ohio.  My senior year, while we were knocked out in district play, we still had a very successful season.  I played with five guys who moved on to play college baseball, and I remember college coaches being at our games.  One of my classmates was receiving information from college programs that my high school coach received on his behalf.  Because of these things, I assumed that my high school coach was making all of these contacts and helping expose me to college coaches.

Looking back, I know that he was doing nothing for me or my teammates.  We were a talented group of kids that all played good travel baseball, and college coaches saw us play, especially during our run to the state championship game.  But the extent of our high school coach’s influence was coaching our team and putting together the lineup.  If you are under the assumption that your high school coach knows people and will take the time to contact coaches for you, you may be missing out on a lot of opportunities.  Most high school coaches have 5-6 college connections, they have lives outside of coaching, and quite frankly, they are not being paid to get their high school student-athletes recruited.  Some of you may be fortunate to play for a coach that helps you.  Most of you are going to be proactive.

2)      I assumed that schools would just find me

Playing on that successful high school team and playing high level American Legion Baseball during the summer, I assumed that all I had to do was perform and all those coaches in the stands would be knocking down my door.  Unless you are a guy with standout skills (ex. Throwing in the upper 80s or 90s, running 6.6 sixties, hitting with tremendous power), you are going to have to reach out to coaches.  I assumed that the coaches would see my performance and talk to me, and while it did happen once or twice, I was a decent to slightly above average player with no extraordinary skills.

If you are not actively hearing from college coaches, than you are not on their radar.  College coaches will reach out to the guys they want to connect with and who they know about.  If you want to hear from a college coach or from more college coaches, now is the time!  Create a game plan and start reacing out to them proactively.

3)      I didn’t shoot a skills video

While I did visit a few schools, I really narrowed my college choices down to two programs, Calvin College, which is where I ended up going, and Mount Vernon Nazarene University (formerly Mount Vernon Nazarene College).  The school that I really liked was MVNC.  They were about an hour from where I grew up, were 44-3 during my senior year of high school, they had guys drafted every year, one of my high school teammates was their starting shortstop, and my uncle was a Nazarene pastor who knew people that worked at the school.  I figured that this would be an awesome fit.

I contacted Coach Keith Veale, their longtime coach, and let him know that I was visiting the school and would like to meet with him.  I honestly can’t remember if we scheduled time or if we simply went to his office and asked if he was available, but my mom and I finally connected with him.  The first thing he asked me was if I brought any video with me.  This was the time before DVDs, so it was much more difficult to shoot film in those days.  I didn’t have any with me.  The conversation lasted about 10 minutes, and I knew right away that I was not a recruit for him.

Of course a coach that is working with student-athletes who are being drafted and winning all the time would want to see if I was actually a guy that could fit in to his program.  Fortunately, I ended up being a pretty successful college baseball player and easily could have played at MVNC, but without Coach Veale having seen me play, there was no way that he was going to give me a shot.

Those of you reading this are probably at many different points in the recruiting process.  But these are the three major mistakes that I made during my recruiting process.  If you find that you are making any of these mistakes, it’s time to take action.  By being active with your profile, making sure that your video footage is up to date, and by using the tools that you have in your account to reach out to college coaches, you can easily avoid these mistakes and greatly increase your chances of being recruited as well as finding the right fit for you.  Good luck!

TOOLS THAT SCOUTS EVALUATE IN BASEBALL

TOOLS THAT SCOUTS EVALUATE IN BASEBALL

When a scout is evaluating a player they are looking at what he can do based on his position. There are no exact rules to saying a player must fit a certain type of profile. Example; if you are a power hitting second baseman that is not a bad thing. However, there are certain tools that scouts value based on position.

Pitchers –

Velocity is important. High level pitchers are usually throwing 88 – 92 mph. Left handers will have a little more leeway because they are more rare. Above all, scouts look for command. The Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau defines command as “the ability to locate.” Being able to hit the target is the most important thing a pitcher can do. Also, try to concentrate on throwing 3 pitches for strikes. I talk to way too many high school players who are working on knuckleballs, knucklecurves, split fingers, screwballs, etc. Almost none of those pitches they can throw for strikes. Develop three good pitches you can locate and work off of fastball command.

Catchers –

The first tool catchers are evaluated on is their arm strength. A good to excellent arm can carry you to the next level. Scouts are looking for catchers who throw the good runners out. It sounds very simple, but one of the catchers most important jobs is to catch the ball. Passed balls and allowing other teams to advance on the bases is also important to avoid.

First Baseman –

This is generally a power hitting position. Scouts are looking for a middle of the order hitter with average to good power. Showing your hand speed and bat speed in your skills video is important. If you are not a power hitting first baseman then you must be an excellent defensive player. Much like catching, first baseman are expected defensively to make every pick and help out their infielders.

Second Baseman –

This is another defensive position. Scouts are looking for reliable hands, quick feet and good throwing mechanics. A second baseman that can run and make contact at the plate is ideal. Being able to make all the average plays is expected.

Third Baseman –

A third baseman is an important position both at the plate and in the field. Scouts want a player who can be an average to above average hitter combined with power. Defensively, scouts want to see a quick reacting fielder who is agile enough to make plays charging in towards home. A quick release and throw with on-line carry is important.

Shortstop –

Shortstops have to be the most athletic infielders. They must have great range, above average arm strength, quick feet and soft hands. Typically, the best infielder on a high school team is the shortstop. To play at the highest level as a shortstop scouts are looking for players who can when catching the ball, seem to swallow it up. The ball will become hidden in the player’s glove. There is now a trend to find bigger, athletic shortstops with both speed and power at the plate.

Left Fielder –

This is typically a power hitting position. Scouts are hoping to see this player be a middle of the order hitter who can drive in runs. Being a gap to gap hitter at a minimum is important. Defensively, scouts want left fielders to make all the average plays and have arm strength to get the ball from the warning track to the cut off man on a line.

Center Fielder –

Center fielders must have speed and range. A strong defensive center fielder can carry himself to the next level without being an excellent hitter. Scouts want to see aggressive play with an agile, quick, alert body. Center fielders also can cover up ground lost by weaker defensive players in left and right field. At the plate scouts want to see a hitter who can get on base and use their speed. Being a consistent hitter at the top of the order is ideal

Right Fielder –

Right fielders are very much like third baseman in that a great deal is expected both offensively and defensively. This is a position scouts hope to fill with power hitting. Being someone who can drive the ball and gets the head of the bat out is a great sign. Right fielders are also expected to have the best arm strength amongst outfielders since they will have to make the long throw from deep right to third base.

These are all general guidelines for what scouts look for, but they are not set in stone. As a player you need to continue to work on all aspects of your game, especially your weaknesses. Scouts will also evaluate your character, work ethic, attitude and of course your academics. The work you do off the field is just as important as your performance on the field.