I was curious how people notify coaches when your son commits to a school. Other schools may have made offers (DI, DII) or shown sincere interest (DIII).

Do you call all of the coaches recruiting him to let them know? Is an e-mail sufficient?

Beez, I think it depends on the level of communication and they depth of conversations the recruit has had with the coach before they committed to another school.

If a coach knew that his program was one of the kid's top choices and they had talked regularly on the phone, I feel a phone call is waranted. If the conversations had been more general with "we'd like you to consider us" with the player never giving any indication of serious interest, I think an email is completely adequate.

I do think some sort of communication is appropriate with any coach that has contacted the player personally and just good etiquette.

I called every one of them and explained why. The doors were left open because we were up front in case things didn't work out.
You never know what life will bring. make sure they know you appreciate the time and the interest they showed in your son.

Beezer,

This topic has come up several times on the main boards and there are several approaches. Some say that since the coaches don't call you back when they have gone in a different direction, that they will understand if you don't call them back. I disagree with this approach and it has little to do with baseball. I also don't look down on those who may have followed this approach. These are just my personal beliefs.

I made (highly encouraged) my son to call the ones that had pursued him aggressively and let them know of his decision out of common courtesy. One of the coaches indeed hung up on him. It didn't matter to me. I believe in certain principles and it seems to me that someone you have established a relationship with (informal or formal) is owed this much - regardless if they act like children when receiving such information. I believe a well-written e-mail may also be appropriate in some situations as lafmom suggests.

I agree with CD and Lafmom on this. Depends on the level of interest displayed by the specific schools. Regarding the schools who showed high interest and communication, a phone call was definetly made. Having been in the college baseball experience now for a couple of years, I have been VERY AMAZED at the carousel effect of coaching changes and it is now very apparent to us that "you just never know" when you might come in contact again with some of these coaches. Best not to burn any bridges and a simple phone call can alleviate that.

Beezer this is a good question. I agree with all the other posters. I think it is a matter of common courtesy to respond in a manner with what you and your son consider common courtesy. If you and your son feel as if the coach has offered him something I personally think it is common courtesy to say “Thank You”. I don’t particularly like the word protocol in these situations. I believe that recruiting is an area where those players that set the example will be the ones that are remembered. Baseball is made up of many different levels and when trying to make it to the next level, being remembered is important. Like luvbb says; you never know when you might need another option.
Fungo

CD - I'm sure it's been discussed already but I didn't see anything after a quick look.

The reason for my question is that I feel much like you guys do. I told my daughter to CALL the coaches back, thank them for their interest and let them know she's going elsewhere. She, on the other hand, was hoping to do nothing.

Beezer,

I was not implying it was a bad or redundant question at all - sorry about that, just indicating that you may also be able to find more information on the topic. I would stay on your daughter until she follows through imho

quote:

She, on the other hand, was hoping to do nothing.

Beezer.... I do not think your daughter is alone in the "hoping to do nothing" category. If I had left it to my own kids devices, I am pretty confident ONE of them would have made the phone calls without reminder...the other KNEW the phone calls had to be made but was uncomfortable in doing it and had to be prodded somewhat. The whole recruiting process is a great life lesson, and the lessons aren't over when the offer has been made and accepted.. it continues with making the follow up phone calls (IMO).

Beezer,

Good question. There have been so many that I have lost track of some. My guess would be more likely yes than no. Andy's Niners is a famous travel team in the Cleveland area and has represented different age groups over the years. They have produced some outstanding summer travel teams.

We were there last night. Pretty neat place!!!!

Cleveland-Dad ... you've jogged my memory, but it needs more jogging re the history/founding of Andy's Niners

there's a good story there

Our team played Andy's at ForestHills in East Cleveland, the CSU home field this past summer.

I asked about the origin of the team, someone told me the team was a memorial to a young kid, or something like that.

They put together a nice team.

Chariman and OS - You are indeed correct. I guess the team was put together as a memorial to a youth ballplayer who had passed away. I wish I could tell meore of the story but that is all I know of it.

OS - My son's team also played Andy's Niners 18u last summer and they were decent - not great. Some of the Andy's teams I am thinking of go back several years and to younger age groups.

They had a ton of pictures, newspaper clippings, plaques and trophies from past teams all in the stairwell that leads up to the training area but I didn't see anything about how the team started.

OLDSLUGGER8---

FOREST HILLS!!! OMG, you have just NAMED the place of my very fondest childhood...no...lifetime memories!! I LIVED on the Forest Hills softball fields that formerly occupied the grounds where the monstrous Cleveland Heights rec. center now stands at the corner of Monticello and Mayfield. But playing on the "newer" fields inside the park on a team sponsored by "Forest Hills Sunoco" in the late 70's changed my life. My (unbeknownst to me at the time) future husband coached 3rd base for our team...I was the 3rd baseman. My life now is the rest of the story!

BEST years of my life happened in Forest Hills Park! Thanks for the smile!

PAmom,

That was a nice Paul Harvey story for St. Patrick's day

My son has played at the park many times. I believe Cleveland Heights still plays all their hs home games there.

CD---

Many, many memories tug at my heartstrings when I think of Forest Hills Park! You know Madonna's song (I can't believe I'm admitting to actually LIKING some of her music!), It Used to be My Playground? "IT," for me, is Forest Hills. Oh WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

The talk of the Andy's compels me to say I am sad the past 2 days. You hate those jolts of reality butting-in from time to time in our escapes, like baseball.

NEO's heard on the news of a little boy, age 12 who passed the other day. The boy attended our Middle School, lived 1/4 mile down the road, a classmate, and choirmate of my daughter.

We still don't know the story, but he became ill on Monday, and passed on Tuesday. The only thing this has to do with baseball, is NOTHING, except I asked my 2007 to hit a few bombs in his honor this Spring.........

We all have been in tears lately, as I am now, while typing this.

I hate this stuff

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/14121120.htm

Oh dear! Your last two posts have put me on a roller coaster, OS8! What a horrible tragedy! I hope your son sends his dingers right up to heaven!