High School Baseball Web

The High School Baseball Web -
An internet home for high school baseball players, coaches, parents and fans.
If you like what you see please tell others about the site. If you have comments
or suggestions you can send them to us using the "Contact" link below.

 

Home Contact FAQ

  What Do I Do Now  
Welcome
About Us
Message Boards
Recruiting Tips
Team Websites
Interviews
Articles
Addresses / Email
Showcases
Pro Scouting
Camps & Training
Photo Gallery
Editorials
Links
Site Map
Advertise
Donations
Chat Room
Link To Us
Online Store
Free Poster
HSBBWeb Award
Feedback Form
Report Broken Links

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 
WHAT DO I DO NOW?



By: Tom Rizzi
Director
College Select Baseball Showcases




The late signing period is here and your family is not
sure what to do .... Who do you call?
What do you do now?

Did you spend your money on the right elite summer travel team or showcase group? Will they be there to help you?




When the late signing period arrived last spring I was flabbergasted by the number of calls we received and from whom!!! We, COLLEGE SELECT BASEBALL LLC, maintain a toll free 800 number for baseball questions and inquiries. We also now have a “LIVE HELP” feature on our website whereby you can chat “one on one” with us and get questions answered. The bulk of our calls, obviously, come from players/parents who have participated or have an interest in our program. Under no circumstances do we have all the answers--- however, due to our experience and years of involvement we are extremely knowledgeable on the subject of college baseball recruiting.

This past spring we received a plethora of calls from parents/players around the country, who were never involved in our program, asking the question---WHAT DO I DO NOW??? I found it rather peculiar that scores of parents/players from other programs were calling us throughout the late signing period for guidance. Why us and not the programs they had spent money and time with??? We have no problem answering the questions but it does tell us that perhaps people are not doing their homework.

My intent here is not to discredit any showcase or recruiting program. My intent with this article is to assist those of you entering the recruiting process in making the correct decisions up front before it is too late. We hope that this article will do this for you.

  1. When do I start the exposure process?
    When a player makes the varsity AND is a contributor is when you need to start to make sure he gets the proper amount of exposure so as to be known by college coaches, particularly those at the schools he has an interest in. This exposure can happen through select/elite travel teams and/or reputable showcases. Keep in mind that all select/elite travel teams are not going to give you what you need, nor are all showcases. They key is to match your desires with those of a certain program or showcase.

  2. What do I want to get out of any service/select travel team/showcase?

    This will vary from player to player. It’s also up to you. Do you want certain colleges to know you? Are you interested in being seen by coaches and scouts with no relation to your specific desires? Are you interested in the pro aspect more than the college realm? Are they, the programs, going to be there when you call? Are they going to return your calls in an expeditious manner or will they leave you hanging? Will they give you the answers and guidance that you need?

    Some programs are pointed more to the pro aspect than that of college. Make sure you know where their direction lies before you sign on or enroll.

  3. What is the background of the service/select travel team/showcase?

    This is where you’ve really got to do your homework. Utilizing the Internet can be very effective in finding the answers you require. Find out all you can about the program and the people running it. What is their background and background of their staff—both on the field and in their office? Are they ambitious sales people making a pitch or do they appear to be knowledgeable about baseball and even more precisely, college recruiting? When you visit their web site is it self-explanatory or do you have to ask too many questions? Is their web site laden with “testimonials” which seem outlandish in terms of words and number?

    More importantly, have you spoken with people who have been involved with this program? If so, what have been their reactions? Talk to college coaches you know about them. When you visit their site do they have other sports involved as well? When you go to a specific web site spend time viewing all that is there--you may be surprised what you find both positive and negative. You may see things like agents, softball, football combines, basketball combines, etc. If I am a baseball player, do I want baseball people talking to me or a self-proclaimed “jack of all trades”?

    How long they have they been in operation? With all the programs popping up you want to be with one that has shown longevity and success.

  4. Costs are relative to your pocketbook and really mean nothing if you get what you expect to get out of the program. Of course, some of the costs are outlandish and there is no way you get the proper return on your investment. Whatever you spend you have to look at it as an investment in the future of the high school player. Just keep in mind that a higher cost does not mean a better product for, you, the customer.

The problem is not as easy it would seem from item 1 through 2 herein. You need to ask in depth questions regarding the program that you have an interest in.

I have heard of some programs not accepting “No” for an answer. Even to the point where they call the player’s mom or dad at their place of work. Does this seem right? Is this who you want on your side?

I read a blurb in a newspaper recently for a showcase promising “over 250 college coaches will be in attendance and will be giving scholarships to qualified players after the one day event”. Two hundred fifty? And “giving scholarships”!!! This would certainly give me cause for concern if I were a parent of a player looking for the right place for my son.

If you find yourself in April or May of the senior year and you don’t have anything on the table in terms of a college situation there is a problem. Where are those you paid money to for assistance? Why are you calling another for help? Things should have been happening way before this stage of the game. They may not be offers from the schools you desired on your wish list, nobody can guarantee this, but you should have some offers. This is what you paid your good money for--- college offers

REMEMBER!!!

With all the “programs” that keep popping up, one must do their homework before laying down the cash.

NOBODY CAN GUARANTEE A HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER A SCHOLARSHIP! AND DON’T EVER FORGET IT !!

100% scholarships are extremely rare. If you’re a position player, and between academics and baseball you’re offered a deal in the 50% range you have a great deal. If you are a pitcher the sky can be the limit but even this is not necessarily so. Also, don’t go looking down your nose at JUCO or Division II and III programs. They can put together financial packages that are in some cases better than you will get at a Division I program.

Find a program you have faith in from the very beginning, based on your research and study, and stay with them! BUT YOU MUST DO YOUR HOMEWORK !!!



To Contact Tom Rizzi and College Select Baseball at the following:

College Select Baseball, LLC
PO Box 783
Manchester, CT 06040
telephone: 800.782.3672
facsimile: 860.645.1067
EMail




Search this site powered by FreeFind

 

 


Dichos y Refranes