Following are some tips to help you market your skills to college coaches and
scouts.
1. Send letters or emails to any colleges that you might have an interest in
attending. Include the following information on a profile sheet. Personal Information,
Academic information and Athletic Information.
Download and print sample profile (Acrobat
Reader required).
2. Call coaches from schools that interest you. They can't call you
until after your junior year, but you can call them. Let them
know you are interested in
their program.
3. Attend the college and pro tryout camps. It's a great opportunity to spend
quality time with their coaching staff. Check the college baseball websites
for dates/times on tryouts.
4. Contact the showcases to see if you can get an invitation. Several of
the showcases have in excess of a 100 scouts/coaches in attendance. This
can be expensive,
but it is a great way to be seen by many recruiters in one weekend.
5. If you receive a letter or Player Profile form from any coach, fill it
out and send it back quickly. Add a copy of your spring schedule and list
any showcases
you will be attending.
6. Keep your grades up. It’s one of the first things a coach/scout
will check out. They will also check in with your guidance counselor
to see what
kind of citizen you are.
7. Hustle at all times on the field and off. You never know who is watching.
Recruiters are impressed by your hustle and desire for the game. Run
every ball out – even if it’s a sure out, then hustle back to the dugout. You
can catch the eye of a recruiter on a routine out. Things NOT to do: throw tantrums,
bats, helmets, argue with umpires, coaches, pout – all of these
things are noticed by scouts.
8. If you know a scout/recruiter is in the crowd, relax and play your game.
Good things can happen if you just stay focused on the game.
9. Prepare for your SAT/ACT tests. Take them more than once if your first
attempt isn’t high enough. Coaches will look at that and grades
before going any further in the recruiting process.
10. Start marketing yourself during your junior year – or at least the
summer after your junior year. Start sending those letters, going to tryouts
and showcases. If you have the skills to make it to the next level, you’ll
get noticed. Let your coach know your desire and see what tips he may give you.
Don’t give up hope.
