First of all thank you to whom ever may respond to this, I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out!

My situation is as follows. I am a 17 year old soon to be senior in high school, I live in Anchorage, Alaska and play Am. Legion , and then on a fall/winter travel team. I have a 3.5 gpa and a 1790 on the SAT. I am an allstate firstbaseman as of my junior year in both high school and Am legion. I have been to the AZ Classic last year with my travel team, as a junior in the senior classic, with no contact by scouts (due to recruitment regs). I have played infront of and have talked with a couple of MLB scouts in Anchorage during this summer and last, and my current travel team coach is an MLB scout with the Scouting Bureau. I have not (as of yet) been contacted by any schools to play, but i have not openly sent out letters or emails to any coaches. I have been told that outside of the Alaska Baseball League, generally players in Alaska must contact scouts from D1 and D2 colleges because there is little draw for College Scouts in Alaska due to the nature that the Alaska Baseball League is already committed college players. My number one schools of choice for baseball are San Diego State and second in UCSD, I have not contacted either school yet. I understand that these two schools are heavely contacted by players in SO Cal and in the lower 48, however, i believe i am in contention, but am at a stand still in recruitment so.....

My question is my team has just won state and we are going to legion regions in Bozeman, Montana. Is this a time in which I should start to send letters to the schools on my prospective attendance list (ones i wish to go to) to start an intial contact? I was planning on contacting via letter or email SDSU and UCSD before the AZ Fall Classic this year for sure, or should i go ahead and contact them now before the Am Legion Regional Tournement? Or am I approaching this wrong in terms of recruiting? I have tape, a media guide for my travel team, and NCAA Clearing house literature along with the ability to travel somewhat to showcases at colleges, it all depends. Basically, can someone point me in the correct path as to what i should do?


Thank You for your help, to whom may read! I find it very outstanding for someone to take the time to read and answer a question that a high school kid may have about baseball! Thank You!

-If there is anything that i can provide you with information wise, as it be stats, current coaches, scouts played fore etc, i can do that. Please PM me or post here so that i may contact! Thank You!

OK AKF, You have not contacted any college's yet, Right?
So I would do that, and follow up with a phone call to the college recruitor of the schools you are interested in.

Remember the school want's to recruit for what they need.
Do you fill that need?

Sell yourselve, Thats what your doing.
Interviewing for a job.
They want to see the product there buying.
Your in a tough situation living in Alaska, But not impossible.
Send your schedule, They have eye's everywhere.

Good Luck
EH

I have to agree with theEH. Being in Alaska I would think you would have to be more proactive than say a player in CA.

I think your post is very well written. Your post also contains some very good information that would get the attention of most college recruiters. I would start a rapport with college coaches NOW in order for them to possibly see you in the future. Personally I think the letter will have more impact than the email. You can rest assured that emails will be "screened" by an assistant prior to the coach getting them and it's much easier to hit "delete" than it is to "delete" a written or typed letter. Emails are OK but don't rely solely on them. I would think your video would be very useful to you seeing how the distances are obviously going to be an obstacle. Stay proactive! AKFirstbaseman I know you're a competitor so start competing for that roster spot!
Fungo

You have a PM

You should consider a JC in the lower 48. It will give you more options then your current situation, if you are good enough.

Its a very hard road to travel with few opportunities if you/circumstances limit the number of coaches that can see you play. Most of the So Cal JC leagues are very well covered by D1, D2 and pro scouts.

I suggest that you contact them now and let them know you will be attending the AZ Fall Classic.

Let them know your interest in their school, your background, and that you will be at the AZ fall Classic with what team you will be playing for. Follow-up by email when you get your schedule for the event.

As you can imagine, So Cal has a lot of players to choose from, but it is not impossible to get their attention.

Your original topic name is about over all recruiting, you may want to study the schools rosters to see what type of turnover the schools you are looking at to see if players tend to leave after a year or so and how many new recruits they bring in each year.

http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/recruiting_tips.htm

Good Luck!

First and foremost, thank you all very much for replying!

I will definently contact the schools now, as it is the only means of me promoting myself. My plan is first a letter explaining my interest, second another letter or email stating my attendance to the AZ Fall Classic with my team etc, and scheadule.

Im shooting for the stars, but its ultimately a goal of mine!

CollegeParent, that is ultimately my backup play! I have heard from several coaches at a camp here in Alaska that in SoCAL, players nearly a dime a dozen and taht you have to separate yourself on grades and skill level to go to the big schools. But i am open to just about anything if i cannot go to my top two choices. I have several friends that are going to JC's from other team in Alaska.

Thank you to, theEH, Fungo, FloridaFan, CollegeParent, and Homerun04 for all you help! I will keep updating on how it goes! Thank you!


And Fungo, you must really know me! I love competing, there is just something about it that draws me in! And it really drives me! THANKS!

AK - one thing that has caught my eye in this thread is the politeness and respect you have demonstrated in your writings. That tells me you are a fine teammate and someone who responds well to good coaching. Let your personality (your heart) shine along with your baseball talent. There will be people who will notice those things as well

Cleveland Dad, I know from firsthand experience this kid is a gentleman. I've been on his team the last 3 years and he's really good.

T-Bel, just let the coaches know man. You have the skills and the desire, letting them know is the easy part.