COLLEGE - Some elements of the recruiting process from the coach's box

During the college recruiting process, many players and parents have concerns whether the coaching staff at a particular college is recruiting multiple players for the same position. If their son, for example, is a catcher and is being actively recruited by University X, is University X recruiting other catchers? The answer to that question is 'Yes,' and it's not a product of that coach over-recruiting, but rather a necessity based on the recruiting system.

College coaching staffs are often criticized for over-recruiting, but they are forced to seek more than one player to fill a program need. They simply can't put all of their eggs in one basket and doing so would be naïve. The reasons for this are many and for families to have a greater feel for the entire recruitment process, they should attempt to view things from the eyes of the coaching staff.

College coaches understand that players are interested in and apply to more than one college. Applying to a single school would be short-sighted (with the exception of some unique situations). Despite earning admission, being offered a roster spot and possible scholarship money, the player may opt to attend an alternate school of his choice. That is the right of the student and his family, but also an outcome of disappointment for the coach. His time and efforts towards that student-athlete has been lost and he's failed to secure an area of need for his program. Secondly, even though a coaching staff recruits a player for his baseball talents, it doesn't guarantee the player will be accepted by the school's admissions department. At every college, a coach may covet a player only to find that his academic record is below standard. He may continue to pursue that player with the hopes that their grades or SAT scores improve, but there are no guarantees. Should the student fall short in raising his grades to a level of acceptance, the coach is still left with a vacancy on his roster.

An ever-growing trend in the recruiting process being practiced by many prospective players is giving a "verbal commitment" to a coach and the school. While this should signify an honest vow to attending the school, students often abandon their word and opt for another choice when a new institution conveys interest. It is fair for a family to say that selecting a college may be the most important decision in that students' life and they should be able to change their mind. If that is the case, then parents should expect and understand why college coaches must recruit multiple players to protect their own interests. The best way to avoid these questions of ethics is to never give a verbal commitment unless the student is 100 percent sure he will attend that specific school.

There are times (and this is simply the law of averages) that a coaching staff will customarily pursue multiple players at a similar position and each player will opt for his school. This is when a coach is accused of over-recruiting. Hopefully, there will be time for the coach to contact a player or players to withdraw his interest before the player enrolls with the institution. This can be an uncomfortable conversation and one that causes confusion and resentment for the player and his family. But at this point, the coach is doing what is best for a player who has fallen victim to the recruiting system.

Finally, there are coaches and programs that do over-recruit. Not all coaches are angels and unfortunately the actions of some evoke a branding of many. But for the most part, a coaching staff must pursue more players than they need from the outset to withstand the many variables that will curtail the actual number that select their college and program. So if a college is recruiting your son who is a catcher and you hear that they're also recruiting a catcher two towns over, it's not that the coach is over-recruiting. He is simply showing his experience and doing the best job he can within the recruiting system.