By Justin Conner
If your goal is to play college baseball, it is important that you begin to communicate with college coaches as early as your freshman year of high school. Thousands of prospective student-athletes miss out on opportunities every year because they do not understand the NCAA recruiting guidelines.
The NCAA mandates that Division I and II baseball coaches can only send questionnaires, camp brochures and general admissions materials to student-athletes prior to September 1st of their junior year of high school. Division III coaches are allowed to send personal letters at any time, though many Division III coaches follow the Division I/II rules. But did you know that you are allowed to email, and even call, college coaches at any time? The NCAA places no restrictions on contacts made by a prospective student-athlete, and this is your opportunity to get ahead of the game!
When you receive information from a college coach, even if it does not look like a personal contact, it is imperative that you respond as quickly as possible. You should always thank the coach for the material they sent you, include a little more information about yourself such as your upcoming schedule, and express your interest in learning more about the college and baseball program. You also should not wait for the coach to initiate contact. If you are interested in a college, you should be proactive and introduce yourself to the coach. Remember that when you write to a coach you must use proper punctuation and grammar. NCSA recommends that your letters and emails are always proofread by a trusted professional.
Recruiting is a game. If you want to play it is crucial that you understand the rules. Visit www.ncaa.org today and print your free copy of the 2007-2008 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete. More information on how to maximize your collegiate recruiting potential is available at www.ncsasports.org.
