Recruiting Timeline

The following was provided by Perfect Game, who reminds all baseball players to work on their school grades, as playing college baseball requires solid academics.


FRESHMAN (9th)
Settle into the high school environment. Get to work developing good classroom and home study habits. Learn to manage your time. Never let up on your academic progress.
September
  • Play fall baseball, if available.
  • Long toss after school.
  • Run sprints and medium distance.
January
  • Play Spring baseball with your high school team.

SOPHOMORE (10th)
  • Continue to "hit the books" hard your grades; these years count as much as any other year.
  • Follow the same off-season schedule as 9th grade year.
  • Meet with your high school guidance counselor. Tell him/her of your desire to play college baseball ... you want to be "on track" with the required core courses, as well as other needs, such as foreign languages.
  • Follow the same spring and summer schedule as last year.
  • Play as many summer baseball games as possible. The more you play, the more experience that you will get, and the more you should improve. 
July - August
  • Attend a Pro Try-Out Camp in your area; these will be listed in the message section of your daily newspaper’s sports section or on recruiting websites.
  • Start learning about Showcases and make contact with several of the directors -- find out if they may be interested in including you in one of their events.

JUNIOR (11th)
September
  • Send out your first contact letters.
  • Ask your high school coach to write letters to a few preferred colleges.
  • Include a copy of your fall schedule (if available).
September 1
  • Written contact by college coaches is allowed.
  • Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (www.eligibilitycenter.org).
  • Register for the fall standardized tests. A player should write early and often; most students take these tests at least twice. Try to avoid the spring dates, as they may conflict with your high school season. Check into pre-SAT study groups in your area. Request that your ACT or SAT test scores be sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse (there is a box on the application form that you check for this).
  • Familiarize yourself with the NCAA admission / eligibility requirements.
February - March
  • Send out your spring schedule.
  • Prepare a video to be sent out when requested; do not send unsolicited tapes. Plan visits to as many schools as possible this spring and summer.
  • Some schools have "Junior Days" during the spring season; don't be shy -- write a letter to the coach and ask about them. 
  • All of these visits are "unofficial" which means that the college cannot pay for any part of the visit. These are done on your own.
Summer 
  • Play a top schedule against strong opponents where you will be seen. 
  • In this environment you will be able to gauge yourself against some of the best players, at each camp.
  • The college coaches will be able to do the same. 
 July 1
  • Phone contact from college coaches is permissible.

​SENIOR (12th)
July - August
  • Seek out a team that plays fall "showcase" tournaments (pro scouts can be helpful with this).
  • Review core academic requirements with your guidance counselor. Make sure you are "on track." 
  • Send out your fall baseball schedule. 
  • Request information on Christmas camps, especially from schools that you are most interested in or those that have shown an interest in you. 
 November
  • Early signing period. Dates vary slightly from year to year; update college coaches on any changes to your fall schedule.
  • You can contact college coaches (by phone) at any time (prior to July after your Junior year they cannot call you).
  • Continue your fall and winter schedule as you have in previous years. 
Official Visits
  • If you are offered an official visit, prepare for your visit with a list of prepared questions.
  • Be prepared for any questions the college may have for you. 
  • See the Recruiting Questions section for information about official and unofficial visits.