In this episode, we are going to try something a little different, I am joined by my friend, Coach Steve Ditrolio of the Diamondjacks Super 17 Program.
Steve and I met when we both were getting our starts in coaching. Together we coached at Bloomfield College, a small division II school in NJ, for Matt Belford.
I then asked Steve join my Edison American Legion staff, and in that season when were one of the final 16 teams in the country, losing in the regional final.
It was at the end of that season that we decided to form Full Count Baseball Club teams, with the owner of Full Count, Matt Belford.
However, Steve never started with Full Count because he was offered a full time position with the DiamondJacks organization where has been working since 2008.
Steve and I have assisted hundreds of players and their families in the recruiting process across all different levels.
And what we are going to do on this episode is give you an overview of the recruiting process – each year both Steve and I give presentations to the parents in our program- and this is an adaption of that.
OVERVIEW OF THE SELECTION PROCESS
- AGAINST THE ODDS
- RECRUITING MISCONCEPTIONS
- If I am good enough they will find me
- High school stats are important
- I should wait for schools to contact me
- I cannot have contact with a coach until the summer of my junior year
- Division III is for the least talented players
- Walk Ons – What does it mean?
- LEVELS OF PLAY WITHIN LEVELS OF PLAY
- SEC vs Patriot League
- NE-10, NJAC
- 9 different levels according to Wladyka
THE ROLE OF THE COLLEGE COACH/SCOUT
- CREATE A DEPTH CHART TO ESTABLISH PROGRAM NEEDS
- SEE (EVALUATE) AS MANY PLAYERS AS POSSIBLE (COLLECTING DATA WITH THEIR EYES AND STOPWATCH)
- SEND AND/OR RESPOND TO EMAILS/PHONE CALLS
- REVIEW RECRUITING VIDEOS
- IDENTIFY PLAYERS WHO FIT THEIR PROGRAM (STYE, FINANCIALLY, SOCIALLY, ETC)
- GENERATE A RANKED LIST OF POTENTIAL PROSPECTS
- INVITE PLAYERS TO CAMPUS (CAMPS/VISITS/TOURS)
THE ROLE OF THE PLAYER/FAMILY
- 100 “THINGS” LIST
- RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH (Financials, Social, Academic, Location, Enrollment, Program Success)
- SCHEDULE SURFING
- THREE FOR THREE (AND BEYOND)
- SEND AND/OR RESPOND TO EMAILS/PHONE CALLS
- Send schedules to coaches. Let them know why you are interested in their school. Send emails before tournaments.
- CONSIDER A RECRUITING VIDEO
- ATTEND COLLEGE BASEBALL GAMES (LET THE COACH KNOW)
- ATTEND CAMPS AND SHOWCASES
- KEEP CLUB COACHES INFORMED OF YOUR INTEREST/CONTACT WITH SCHOOLS
- MONITOR SOCIAL MEDIA – “A retweet is still a tweet” and lyrics
THE ROLE OF CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL COACH
- PROVIDE GUIDANCE THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS (SEMINAR,CONFERENCE,ETC)
- EVALUATE EACH PLAYER
- MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO COLLEGE COACHES
- SEND AND/OR RESPOND TO EMAILS/PHONE CALLS
- PUT YOU IN A POSITION TO BE SUCCESSFUL
Episode Links
Show Survey – will only take 60 seconds
Follow the guest on twitter: @ditro2
Steve’s Resources:
Somerville Baseball Recruiting
The Five that Drive Recruiting
The Baseball Drive on Facebook
Follow your host on twitter: @TIMBANOS
Follow the show on twitter: @DRIVEBALLMEDIA