COLLEGE BASEBALL RECRUITING SPECIAL EDITION Special Edition | Page 21

THE HIGH SCHOOL TIME LINE TO COLLEGE BASEBALL
You love baseball and have a desire to compete at the college level. That is where the recruiting process
starts but how do can you land on not only a college baseball roster but a school you want to attend.
Wish it was simple but over the coming weeks we will detail the process that can put you in the best
position to play the great game of baseball beyond high school.
The recruiting landscape is a competitive one. Every coach is scouring the landscape to find the most
gifted and talented players. Each school has its own needs both athletically and academically that
eventually attracts players that ideally fit into their program. Having coached at the NCAA Division III
level for 27 years as well as having a son go through the baseball recruiting process, there is no right or
wrong way to go. What you have to do is begin with a realistic plan that will lead you to your eventual
school. Waiting and hoping for a school to find you until your senior season will typically set you up for
disappointment as well as with limited options. Take as much control of the process as you can by
following some of these steps. Remember – recruiting is about knowledge. The more knowledge you
have, the more educated decision you will make at the end. Let’s start with a general time line.
Your sophomore year is when things begin. It may sound crazy, but college coaches are working ahead
in recruiting as often as they can to identify the next best talent. If you consider all the early verbal
commits in college athletics, this is proof coaches are looking ahead; especially at the DI level. So what
can you do to help yourself during this time even if you are not playing on the varsity team? Get help.
Talk to your coach about what you can do to improve your skill level. Look and ask for help. There are
numerous pitching and hitting coaches out there to help guide you on mechanical adjustment…just be
aware. Ask private instructors questions about how they will help you develop to decide if they will
provide the assistance you are looking for in an instructor.
The next step is to get into the weight room to develop into a bigger and stronger athlete. You will be in
a lifting/athletic development program in college so the sooner you can familiarize yourself with the
weight room, the better. Baseball is an explosive sport with short burst of power – train your body that
way. There are a ton of on-line resources for your to review if your high school has limited resources.
Academics during your sophomore are crucial and sometimes over looked or not taken serious. This is
your foundation. Take the most difficult class schedule you can manage – that is the key. If you are
struggling in a course, learn how to ask for help and see your teachers for guidance. If you need extra
help, look for a tutor to provide assistance in any subject. Taking AP (Advanced Placement) or Honors
Courses will only help you as you go through the admissions process. The key is knowing yourself, but
spend time working at your studies. If you have great grades will never hurt you in the recruiting
process and open up more college/university options and poor grades.
Going into the summer of your junior season is as important for your baseball future as any season. This
is where you can get noticed. Plan to attend one or two national camps or showcases which will provide
you exposure to the area you would like to attend college. Just remember, you never know where you
might end so keep an open mind as coaches contact you. You may also want to consider going to camps