<p>I do not want to play baseball in high school, only because it will take up time I need to keep my grades up. I play above high school level during the summer, and am thinking about going to showcases and college camps?
Any replies will help.
Class of 2017</p>
<p>Hi, I am currently a senior in high school and I have been recruited by various D1 teams. I was never offered a scholarship because none of the schools were able to see me play; therefore, I am trying to tell you that you need to go to them because they will not come to you. They will not spend $$$ on flights and stuff just to see one player unless you’re extremely good. In order to be recruited, continue playing club, attending showcases, and communicating with the coaches. So no, you do not necessarily have to play high school baseball to be recruited. Look up Tanner Rahier, he was drafted and he only played baseball his freshmen year for his high school. Our generation is starting to transition to only playing travel ball because there is more exposure. </p>
<p>Thank you very much, this takes a lot of pressure off of me…looking into showcases right now</p>
<p>Interesting question. </p>
<p>Several perspectives:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you can’t keep up your grades if you play HS baseball, how could you possibly keep up your grades when baseball will take up between 20 - 60 hours a week in college? This question will be posed to you by college coaches - they will not waste time on a player who may not remain eligible.</p></li>
<li><p>Southern California has a league which plays during the HS season for college aged players who are not on a team (perhaps rehabbing from injury, etc.) which includes HS players who, for one reason or another are not playing HS (grades, coach friction, small school attendees and the school doesn’t have a team, home schoolers). The league has had a rocky existence. One reason: coaches want to know a players make-up and any time a player who has a HS option doesn’t play on that team, a red flag is raised. Not necessarily a deal killer, but one to which a coherent response must be provided.</p></li>
<li><p>If you can answer the questions which will be raised (coaches are generally not out of the box thinkers), and have the skills, scores needed for a school, and grades, you simply need to perform at whatever venue recruiters are present. Because the HS season coincides with the college season, many coaches - especially if they are out of the geographic area - cannot effectively scout during the HS season. So, showcases, camps, East Cobb, Jupiter, and the like are the venues where you will be seen (have big bucks at your disposal since it costs a small fortune to attend).</p></li>
<li><p>Your missing a part of the baseball experience if you don’t represent your HS. But, there are certain circumstances where that might not be possible.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>stemit, to be completely honest, the reason I’m not playing is coach friction, I just did not want to say that…grades aren’t a problem. I have been looking into other high schools, because I feel I have a pretty decent chance of going D1. My dream is to pitch at Dartmouth, like my grandfather did. I may be going to their camp over the summer…but I do understand why it would raise concerns to colleges</p>
<p>I think Coach Whalen just will care about talent. Think about the Headfirst Honor role camps and the Stanford camp. Seek out other places Dartmouth will attend. Also, find a pitching coach who has connections into the recruiting pipeline and who can explain your unique situation and advocate/explain on your behalf.</p>
<p>While coach friction is regrettable, I know of several players who experienced it. Two are playing milb (one out of HS, the other after three years in college) and two are playing D1 (one didn’t play his senior year in HS and, while drafted, chose to go to college). </p>
<p>I agree with Stemit on the pitching coach. For now you are probably just a freshmen right? I would invest your money during freshmen and sophomore year on training. So, getting proper mechanics and becoming physically fit for the position. Try and build mass, pitch lightly and don’t go to excessive. Then once you get to your junior year, that’s where you go all out by attending showcases and stuff like that. </p>
<p>In regards to the Stanford Camp, have you contacted Dean Stotz? He was the one I kept contacting in regards to the recruiting process at Stanford as he gave me tips and advice on possibly playing at Stanford. </p>
<p>Goodluck! </p>
<p>You guys were more than helpful with this…if you get any other info about camps or showcases please let me know</p>
<p>This website has a lot of pure baseball info - it may take a while to find what you need. It’s the CC of baseball.</p>
<p><a href=“http://community.hsbaseballweb.com”>http://community.hsbaseballweb.com</a></p>
<p>My son played two years of HS soccer and did not play junior year, and may not play senior year (next year). He is being recruited by D1 and D3 colleges. Not ONE of his club coaches or college coaches he has talked to, or people who help with recruiting has mentioned not playing in HS as a problem at all. It’s a non-issue.</p>
<p>Contact the college coaches and talk to them. Get some game film if you can. Go to college showcases. Get your club coach or trainer to write you a recommendation.</p>
<p>Soccer is a sport that is almost never recruited out of high school and for which a lot of players either choose not to play HS or are not allowed to because they are playing Academy (at least in CA where players may not do both). For soccer, it is very true that college coaches do not care if players play HS, as they realize that HS soccer is not usually very competitive. That may not be true of baseball- we are a soccer family as well so I am not familiar with baseball recruiting. </p>
<p>For baseball, it raises questions which must be answered. </p>
<p>For the most part, during the spring baseball season, there are limited opportunities to play outside of the high school season. Pro scouts scout HS games; local colleges scout HS games; during mid-season college breaks (e.g., college mid-terms) coaches will travel outside their area for select potential recruits. </p>
<p>There is a world of difference between soccer and baseball when it comes to in season alternatives to high school ( except, I believe, in Iowa where the HS baseball season is in the summer where there are plenty of alternatives).</p>