Seriously???

[default]

I have some mixed feelings after reading the article and watching the video about the basketball player. First of all, it does happen ... as Tony says, not to very many kids and not to as many kids whose parents think it will happen, but it does happen. The question is should it be allowed to happen? Should colleges be able to offer scholarships to kids not even yet in high school???

This young lady and her family have their heads screwed on straight with regards to recognizing that it is important to let her still be a kid and to be well-balanced. But the whole changing schools thing really bothers me ... it sounds like she originally transferred to be with a better program and coach, but then her dad transferred her back so she could play a certain position as a freshman so that her development wouldn't be stunted ... really? Isn't her travel/AAU ball and own workouts the place to develop these skills, and doesn't it make sense for her to play for a good high school coach and play other positions where she can continue to develop other skills? It sounds to me like there was a power struggle in this case between the dad and the coach and I'm sorry but without knowing more, I side with the coach. Now of course, he "lost" since they took their ball and went home (i.e., transferred). But she's already been offered scholarships and I can guarantee you that she's not going to lose those scholarships if she played post as a freshman because that's where her team needed her.

It's just crazy to me that these kinds of discussions and decisions are taking place about kids who aren't even in high school.

 

[default]

In regards to the basketball parent in the article, he's just a nut job. There is nothing worse than an athlete's parent who feels the entire team and its strategies should revolve around their daughter's wants and aspirations. Bet the coach is glad to be rid of them.

 

[default]

Wrong, you verbally commit to an OFFER from a college coach. Verbally committing is not just anybody saying "I verbally commit to _____". To be verbally committed you are committing to an offer to join the team upon graduation (usually with some sort of scholarship agreement of some kid).

I think you have some fuzzy understanding of what actually goes on in the recruiting process. I can tell you definitively that there are 14 year olds verbally committing to big DI schools for full rides on a consistent basis across the country. It's a small percentage of them. But it is happening regularly.

And by the way, the story about the 13 year old at a fall showcase getting clocked by the college coach is 100% true.

This is all fact. My step DD is one of these players that are a freshman and verballed (Northwestern) and I too have seen the young pitchers getting clocked by a lineup of major D1 coaches, all true. Also, yes, 8th grade infielders being sought after is also reality, although rare, I too am witnessing it first hand.

His explanation of verballing is also spot on. Many players on her team (Tony's team) are apart of this rare scenario and it's a blessing to see it all transpire. I've seen more D1 coaches in the fall than most would believe if I told you. And I got to meet SoCal Dad lol.

By no means is this chest pounding by jumping into this discussion. Prior to going through this process it might easily be touted as such...after living it...no way. I have to much respect for the process, the stress of managing your player and her issues (school, workouts, teenage stuff, time management, process education, revisiting hard discussions multiple times, travel needs, etc), and the D1 coaches that we worked with to run amuck with rumors or false info about the process and surely not going to since it happened very quick for us. Doesn't make any of it easy other than we are done thank goodness. No value in it.

 

[default]

... It's just crazy to me that these kinds of discussions and decisions are taking place about kids who aren't even in high school.

Agreed!!!

... but, times do change. It's sort of like debating whether or not $2, $3, $4 gas is good or bad. It is what it is and most coaches from major D1 schools will continue to recruit the best 8th and 9th graders they can find as it is a market driven phenomenon (i.e. they do it because they have to do it to remain competitive). I think it is also worth mentioning that many of these verbal arrangements between parents/athletes and coaches are for dollar amounts that will exceed $200,000. I'm sure many times the parents feel overwhelmed and ill-equipped to make good decisions (essentially "on the fly") for what they believe is in their child's best interest. Mistakes are made I am sure as there is really no "how to manual" for parents of 13-14 y/o phenoms. It seems to me the less a person knows about what these families are experiencing, the easier it is to be "outraged" and take pot shots at their decisions.

 

[default]

Tom ... agree with you ... except on the gas thing ... $2 is better than $4! Lol

But having had 4 kids myself who were once 13-14, I can't imagine being faced with those kinds of decisions when they were at that age. Their personalities and interests all changed a lot between that age and when they went off to college. I guess it's a good problem to have ... but you are right, that as long as the rules allow it, people will have to figure out how to deal with it.

 

[default]

An honest parent has to step up to the reality plate when these decisions come up. So true to think about where will she be in 4 years...mentally and physically. And let's be honest....my kids are more than likely going to college whether it's on a softball scholarship or not....so who cares if they say no mom/dad...I'm going but just as a student. As a parent we have to be real and for us this has been discussed with her for years. Either way it will be ok. If you've had rosie goggles on for years, this process will nock them off. From start to finish, which is graduation, college graduation. We are super honest about all facets. No drama about the decisions, just hard looks in the mirror. We had to teach her those mirror evaluations in this process. The good thing is there are lots of good people in the softball world that have helped us mature as well as our DD. So please understand that maaaany families in this situation have put countless hours into the process and it's amplified when they are soo young. Again....don't assume anything and I see lots of that in this discussion. Not calling anyone out. Just seems a lil controversial when it should lend those still trying to obtain their goals that "hey they did it, why can't we" thought process.

Will they be recruiting at 10u-12u....probably not so much, lol. Again...the young ones like pinwheels and yo-yo's, but some are mature enough at 13-14 to run this route with a strong support cast at home and they will be just fine. The coaches doing the recruiting actually have a ecific recrutitng plan/agenda for them at younger ages...a plan that seeks out the doubts that any of us adults have and many have stated in this discussion. They really care...believe it or not. Afterall, their job and wallet is attached to these decisions.

 

[default]

Need help understanding ? where does a young athlete benifit from verbaling to a school so young ???? what are the pros and cons of doing so ? I thought no contract can be sign till 12th grade ???? thanks

 

[default]

The pro is you lock in an offer (usually scholarship related) before the coach moves on to someone else. The cons are that the player may lose interest in the school or sport (unlikely) and may feel the immense pressure (very likely) of being "that university of ________ full ride recruit" before she even takes a swing or pitches a pitch in high school.

These kids will be scrutinized the next four years and will inevitably get the stray "she's not THAT good" comments and ridicule. It can be tough to deal with.

 

[default]

And another thing, unless it has already been mentioned in the 5 pages of comments... How many players - who aren't even in high school - know what they want to be "when they grow up"? To pick a school without knowing your career path will be a major gamble.

( More than half of college underclassmen eventually change their majors anyhow) What do you do when your initial "Dream School" suddenly isn't?

 

[default]

It would be a interesting statistic to follow these early verbal's and see how they are in 4 or 5 years. A wise pitching coach once told me when he has a student that verbal's young they usually aren't that happy when they get there. As a counselor, parent, and have a senior that just signed, I feel the difference between 13 and 17 is great. The difference between 18 and 21 is great. Heck, I had a 14 year old cheerleader once. Thank goodness she gave that up!

 

[default]

Since so few are in this decision process it affects so few, obviously. So...it's not like we are talking about hundreds of thousands all of a sudden behind the "my degree has changed 8-ball" ( in this context, as a verballing player). Pick a school that is very diverse and covers up to 75% (or some high percentage) of what you do like or that's not a school for you. And if it changes, then other things change too. Life happens... Holes can be shot in every deal, always. Especially when you apply it to a teenager. All things in life have trade offs and risk.

We looked into this issue. Many do change. Coaches warn of this issue and probe deeply to help you make educated assessments and decisions.

How many adults work in a field that matches their degree? Ponder that too.

 

[default]

Need help understanding ? where does a young athlete benifit from verbaling to a school so young ???? what are the pros and cons of doing so ? I thought no contract can be sign till 12th grade ???? thanks

g3 ... great post for a seperate thread!
The athlete and parents benefit, of course, because they just got a promise of full tuition for thier daughter and a chance to play D1 softball. That is a six-figure prize, and most of these do work out!
Cons: not an enforcable contract ... sometimes verbals fall through when coach leaves for different school or is fired. Sometimes kids lose thier motivation to keep working hard ... lots of pressure added to player and family at an early age!
As far as the actual contract you are correct that no contract can be "signed" until the specified NLI signing dates. However, neither the school, the NCAA or anyone else restricts individual coaches from making a verbal contract with a player at anytime. They just have to follow the established rules when doing so.
Hope that helps...?

 

[default]

I have a feeling the vast majority of these young athletes verbally committing early will be very thankful for their free education (since most of these very early commits are for full rides).

Whether I agree with the trend or not, I think the athletes benefit in the end. If the coach leaves before the commit graduates high school, the athlete can take back their commit without having a negative stigma attached to them.

Also, these early commits usually go to very large Division I schools that offer a multitude of programs and degrees. If they change their mind in a major, they will have eight dozen other academic programs to choose from.

I think people are presenting valid points questioning this trend, however, in practice it really is a winning scenario for those blessed with the opportunity to verbal to the "school of their dreams" at a young age.