Hi, I am really happy and excited about seomthing that just happened but am not sure what to think of it. I go to a prep school which has a very big baseball program and I’m a big part of it. I’m junior and have emailed with many coaches before but no one has ever wanted to talk on the phone until now. A d1 coach of a school I was interested in gave me a call and asked about my summer schedule, and what I was doing regarding lifting, and offseason work, and then he invited me to come see the facilities, meet with the coaches and watch one of their games. I know that is an unofficial visit, but I’m not really sure what happens at unofficial visits. 3 kids on my HS team are already commited to Maryland, vanderbilt, and Pepperdine, and they all got offered at their unofficials. They were telling me that I’m probably gonna get offered and should commit then. The coach seemed very adiment about keeping in contact over the winter, and keeping him updated with academic and athletic achievements or accolades. I just wanted to know what any of you think, or if they will offer? Just based on what I’ve heard I think I might I kinda just need some other opinions.
You can take up to 5 official visits and unlimited unofficials. You don’t have to commit at a visit, and often kids need to discuss the finances with their parents.
You can read up about visits and what’s allowed and what’s not at an unofficial.
I know it’s difficult, but try to maintain perspective and go look at the school with an open, objective mind. Ask yourself if you would love being there if you weren’t playing baseball. Make sure the school is a good fit for you academically as well as athletically. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
A few thoughts:
- I echo the comments regarding making sure you like the school enough to attend if baseball doesn’t work out, so make sure to do an admissions presentation and tour while you are on campus.
2)Coach should give you a tour of the athletic facilities, overview of the program, his goals, his style, etc. Be prepared with questions re: playing time, how many rostered players at each position, are there majors that just don’t work with D1 commitment, etc.
3)You will probably have the opportunity to meet some of the team. Some of them may be around on the facility tour, meet you later or even take you to a campus party. Do not make any bad choices such as getting drunk, doing drugs, etc. Be prepared with questions for the players too, such as pros/cons of the team, coach’s style, balancing sports and academics, whether they take a full load of classes during season, etc.
3)If you need scholarship money, know that there are few full ride, or even full tuition, scholarships given in baseball, most are a portion of tuition, as small as 1/8. Rosters are large (35ish) and many coaches like to give some money to many guys, rather than big money to just a few.
4)Don’t feel pressure to commit. I’m not sure if a parent will be with you on the visit, but it’s acceptable to say that you need to think about it or that you have other visits coming up, coach should specify a timeframe for decision. If you do want to verbally commit, be reasonably certain this is the school and program for you. Reneging on verbal offers is frowned upon. College baseball is a small world and your word is important.
Good luck!
Just to clarify, the number of baseball scholarships allowed per team is 11.7. That assumes a program is fully funded. The vast majority of programs are not fully funded and have fewer than 11.7 to divide up, often far fewer. That means there is almost no such thing as a full baseball athletic scholarship. If a high school player is good enough to get a full scholarship, then he’s probably good enough to go in the first round or two of the MLB draft. If someone tells you they are getting a full baseball scholarship, be very suspicious. Doesn’t mean it’s impossible, but is highly unlikely.
The maximum roster in NCAA D1 is 35 players. Of those 35 players, the max that can be receiving an athletic scholarship is 27. That means at least 8 guys, probably more, are getting zero athletic money. If a player is getting baseball athletic money, the minimum award is 25% scholarship. Can’t go below 1/4 scholly in baseball.
And the financial complications are reasons you need a parent’s opinion when accepting a spot. Someone who says he has a full scholarship may be using that as shorthand that all the college costs are met, but some of the money might be merit, or a Pell grant, or even a loan. I often heard the father of a teammate of my daughter say his daughter was ‘on a full ride’ but I know how much she got as an athletic award and it wasn’t even fill tuition. My daughter had 9 different grants and awards, but one of those was a loan. I know a lot of people thought she was on a full athletic scholarship but that wasn’t true. The athletic scholarship was about 1/3, the merit aid from the school a little more than 1/3, and the final 1/3 came from outside merit, need based aid, loans, and working.
All that said, you might not need athletic or financial aid. You should still take your time when considering offers.