Who Are You?

In this recruiting world, it is easy to look at others around us and wish we had their talent, their skill, played on their team, had their coaches and potentially their future. Players are bombarded with messages from other parents, teammates and even the media that tell us that by choosing an NCAA Division 1 college means a successful college search.

Far too many of us are on a wild goose chase in search of some holy grail that will suddenly get you recruited, receive a baseball scholarship, playing time and then be successful at the college level. With all of this searching, more and more players are getting depressed and discouraged with their place in the recruiting world. They feel as though they either just don’t have what it takes to be successful or can't figure out why these other players get to sign or commit early to colleges. The reality is that players need to stop looking outside of themselves and start looking inside, beneath their own skin to find what a successful college search is really all about.

Did you know that in a recent high school graduating class in Arizona, we followed 65 players who signed at an NCAA Division 1 college for baseball. In the fall after their first year of college baseball 47 of them were not on that specific roster any longer ... 39 were on Junior College rosters while 8 were no longer playing the game - ANYWHERE. That means only 18 were still playing at the level they committed to and 6 of those 18 signed professionally. Leaving the final total of 12 of the 65 actually were still playing D1 college baseball. When a player commits to a D1 college we all hear about it ... but when he fails and has to come home ... nobody hears about it except the player who has to live with it. Let that sink in for a bit ...

For those players who really want to find the right fit and actually play at the next level, it is easier to look at the fact that the grass may appear greener on the other side. Yet what really counts is what is going on in your own backyard and what is going on in between your ears. Stop looking at what other people are doing and focus on YOU - pay attention to how good you really are, pay attention to colleges that really do like you and really do want you and the colleges that will help you grow over the next four years with a coach who will help you to get better and give you opportunities when you struggle. One thing I feel people don't really ever come to grips with is that playing college baseball is very difficult ... you go in not knowing anyone, you are away from home for the first time, you have tough classes and it's baseball ... it is a very difficult game. You will struggle - it is hard to be a college baseball player, really hard! But the answer is not to not do it or try to stay conservative and close to home ... WRONG ... Find coaches who are supportive, find a college that supports their athletes and a program that is the very best fit for you - so you can have the very best experience as a college baseball player because guess what ... it is worth it!

Finding the right college for you is just that, it’s for you! Not anyone else. As you move forward through this process don’t ever lose sight of that fact. This recruiting process is all about what you want and never get off track by following the path of your friends or someone other than you!

So when you find the perfect college for you, unpack your bags, dig in and get planted, and immerse yourself into college life, your new team, new friends and new experiences that are waiting for you, right where you are at ... YOUR perfect college.

I am always here to help those who need it.