Winning Recruiting Tactics: 6 Ways High School Baseball Players Can Get Noticed by College Coaches
Learn the Insider Strategies and Techniques to Increase Your Chances of Getting Recruited to Play College Baseball
Let's be blunt: not every high school baseball player is cut out to play at the collegiate level. It takes more than just talent to get recruited by a college coach or recruiter. Players need to be physically and mentally prepared, have an idea of their potential major, and be willing to consider different geographical locations for their college experience. But don't let that discourage you! With realistic expectations and an honest evaluation of your strengths and weaknesses, you can still find ways to get noticed by college recruiters and increase your chances of playing college baseball. In this newsletter, we'll explore some proven tactics and strategies for high school baseball players who are serious about playing at the next level.
Before we Get Into The Nitty-Gritty… Your Body is Your Billboard
Before even considering playing at the collegiate level, it's important for high school baseball players to assess whether they are physically ready to handle the demands of college-level play.
Before a college recruiter evaluates a high school players talent on the field, the first thing they are going to assess is the players physical body. In other words, does the player (based on appearance alone) look like they have potential to perform at the college level? Do they look like recruits they’ve had in the past? For this reason it’s important that players assess their own physical readiness. A good place to start is to look at the current players on a college teams roster (at a school that you’re interested in) that play the same position(s). Take a note of their height and weight. What kind of build they have. While players don’t need to be an exact match they should be at or near that size when it’s time to start showcasing their abilities in front of recruiters. Players should aim to look like they are ready to step on a college campus tomorrow and compete for a spot.
1. Tactic #1: Showcases
Baseball showcases are events that allow high school players to showcase their skills in front of college coaches and scouts. Attending a showcase CAN be a great way to get noticed by college recruiters and increase your chances of being recruited. These can also provide a good opportunity to get feedback from college coaches on what they are looking for and how you can improve upon your current abilities.
There are tons of baseball showcases out there. They can be expensive. There can sometimes be hundreds of other potential recruits there. Here’s a few questions parents and players should ask themselves before forking over hundreds of dollars to a showcase organization.
Are the colleges that I would potentially want to attend and play for going to be in attendance?
Is video being taken of my performance and being posted on social media to get my name and ability out there?
Is there time to actually introduce yourself to the schools you are interested in?
Parents and players should be mindful of the showcases they get invited to or sign up for. It’s important to remember that the organizations typically putting on showcases are running a business. The more players they get to sign up, the better (more $$). If you get invited to attend a showcase for free and you want to play in college… go for it. Players should be wise about the showcases they attend, if they answered no to any of the questions above, they may want to skip that particular showcase and be more strategic about marketing themselves, which we will go into deeper in the following sections.
Tactic #2: Travel Teams
Let me start with this, if you’re on a travel team and the ONLY reason you’re there is to get recruited, please revaluate how much you really want to play in college. First and foremost players should be playing travel ball because….1)THEY LOVE TO PLAY BASEBALL and 2) They want to further development their skills.
If those two above desires are there then players can use their time playing travel ball to make a good impression on college recruiters. With the restrictions of COVID mostly lifted, college coaches are back out on the recruiting trail and attending summer travel tournaments again. The important thing to keep in mind for players at travel tournaments and games is that you never know who is watching. Even if you don’t see a college recruiter at your game does not mean you can’t get their attention. People talk and if you make a good enough impression on someone who is plugged in at a particular university or college you never what that could turn into.
That’s why it’s always important to put your best foot forward every game.
Look Professional (BP in Crocs is not the move)
Hustle
Respect Everyone at The Tournament
Show up on time
Do everything as if your dream school was coming to watch you.
Tactic #3: Contact College Coaches Directly
If you're a high school baseball player with dreams of playing at the collegiate level, one way to get noticed by college coaches is to reach out to them directly. While there's no guarantee that this will lead to a scholarship offer, it can be a great way to get on a coach's radar and demonstrate your interest in their program. However, it's important to approach this process strategically and professionally in order to make a good impression.
First and foremost, you'll need to get the coach's attention. This means crafting a well-written, professional email that expresses your interest in the program and highlights your strengths as a player. In your email, be sure to introduce yourself, provide some basic information about your position, and express your interest in the coach's program. Additionally, you'll want to attach a copy of your summer and high school game schedules, as well as any video footage you have of yourself playing. Finally, be sure to include your academic stats, such as your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, as many coaches prioritize academics when considering potential recruits. By approaching coaches directly and providing them with the information they need to evaluate your potential as a player and student, you'll be giving yourself the best possible chance of being noticed and considered for a spot on their team.
Tactic #4: Attend College Baseball Camps
In my opinion, this is the most effective tactic. Playing directly in front of the school that you want to graduate from and play for is the only guaranteed way they will see you play. It’s also an awesome experience because typically the camp will be held on their home field.
Most colleges run their own recruiting camps in the summer and fall. This allows them to see potential talent in a more intimate setting. If you can’t find the specific camp dates on the schools website, most schools will have a recruiting questionnaire on their webpage. Typically when you fill out this questionnaire, you will get automated emails in the near future with dates to their camps.
Example:
Tactic #5: Social Media
In today's digital age, social media can be a powerful tool for high school baseball players looking to get recruited to play in college. One of the most effective ways to use social media for recruiting purposes is to create a dedicated profile that showcases your athletic abilities and highlights your personality and character. This can be done through platforms like Twitter or Instagram, where you can share photos and videos of yourself playing baseball and post updates about your progress and achievements.
When creating your social media profile, it's important to keep in mind that college coaches and recruiters will be evaluating you not just on your athletic ability, but also on your character and attitude. That's why it's important to post content that reflects positively on you, such as photos and videos of you working hard, being a good teammate, and demonstrating good sportsmanship. Additionally, it's important to engage with coaches and recruiters on social media by following their accounts, commenting on their posts, and sharing your own updates with them directly. By building a strong social media presence and actively engaging with coaches and recruiters, you can increase your visibility and help improve your chances of getting recruited to play college baseball.
You can also create a profile on https://www.fieldlevel.com
Tactic #6: Using High School and Travel Coaches as Resources
As a high school baseball coach, my ultimate goal is to help my players achieve their dreams both on and off the field. One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is seeing my players go on to play baseball at the collegiate level, and I believe that there are several ways that I can help make that happen.
First and foremost, I make sure that my players are getting the exposure they need to get noticed by college coaches and recruiters. This means setting up summer tournaments and showcases where my players can showcase their talents in front of college coaches, as well as maintaining good relationships with college coaches and keeping them up to date on the progress and achievements of my players. I also make a conscious effort to repost and retweet any highlights or achievements my players post.
Additionally, I emphasize the importance of academic excellence to my players, as I know that many college coaches prioritize academics when considering potential recruits. By encouraging my players to work hard in the classroom and providing them with the support they need to succeed academically, I am helping to ensure that they have the best possible chance of being considered for a spot on a college team.
Finally, I provide my players with guidance and support throughout the recruiting process, helping them to identify potential colleges and programs that would be a good fit for their talents and aspirations, and providing them with the resources they need to craft strong applications and make a good impression on college coaches. Ultimately, I believe that by working closely with my players and providing them with the support and guidance they need to succeed, I can help them achieve their goals and reach their full potential both on and off the field.
In Conclusion…
getting recruited to play college baseball can be a challenging and competitive process, but by following the right tactics and strategies, players can increase their chances of success. Whether it's getting in touch with college coaches, leveraging social media to boost their visibility, or working closely with their high school coaches, there are many ways for aspiring college baseball players to take control of their own destiny and make their dreams a reality.
If you found this information helpful and want to learn more about the ins and outs of the college baseball recruiting process, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter! Each week, I'll be sharing the latest tips, insights, and best practices for navigating the complex landscape of college baseball recruiting, and helping you and your player to stay ahead of the game. So don't wait – sign up today and start your journey to college baseball success! Keep it Gritty! - Brad