Senior year, you may feel as though you have come to the finish line. However, we want to stress that this is more of "closing one door, while opening another". Hopefully, at this point you have made a significant decision about your future, both academically and athletically, and we congratulate you on your success.
However, if you are still a recruit looking for a home, it can be a bit stressful, but it is manageable. This is the time for you to talk to your high school and summer coaches about the options available to you. All is not lost, there will still be many rosters with openings left. Do not give up, make a concise plan, and forge ahead!
If you have made your commitment, contrary to what you might be tempted to do, now is not the time to develop "senioritis" and sit back and coast. Now is the time that makes the difference between a player of character and commitment, and one who does only what is necessary to get by.
Be the player your prospective school recruited and needs!
PREPARE TO PLAY COLLEGE BASEBALL
Become a valued teammate:
Baseball is a team game. Just because you are a talented player does not mean that you have what it takes to be a great teammate. Becoming a teammate that is valued is one of the most important ways of demonstrating quality character on the field. Whether you are the star player or sitting on the bench should have no impact on the way that you interact with your teammates and support the team goals. Make it a priority to give all your teammates positive encouragement and support. Every college roster has players who are “good team guys” and help create good team chemistry. College coaches will watch how recruits interact with their teammates during the game. What is their body language between innings, especially after they make an out or error. Are they supporting their teammates and do they have a laser focus on the game while in the dugout? If you bring a strong character along your baseball skills, there is a good chance there will be a place for you on a college roster.
Stay strong academically
At many college levels, baseball and academics are closely tied together. Your reputation at school and your academic standing are things that coaches will monitor closely and lump into their evaluation of your character. In order to be eligible to play baseball for a college team, you’ll have to make good grades and meet academic eligibility requirements. Beyond that, coaches and college recruiters will want to see that you treat your teachers and classmates with respect and that you have a good reputation around campus. Your academics are also often lumped in with your character because they represent your effort and attitude in the classroom. College coaches care a lot about your grades and SAT/ACT test scores. The easiest way to receive a college scholarship and an offer to play baseball at the college level is to make good grades and have good test scores. Simply put, your grades and reputation at school will be a major checkpoint for interested college coaches. Keep working to be the best student and classmate you can be and finish your high school career strong!
Avoid "off-field issues"
College coaches often ask if a recruit has any “off-field issues” to find out about their character. College coaches want to ensure that their focus remains on coaching baseball and winning games. Any off-field issues serve as a distraction not only to you, but to the team and its goals. By treating people with respect and standing up for what’s right, you can avoid a negative label and the recruiting problems that come with it.
Become the teammate that players look up to!
Team leaders don’t always have to be the best players on the field. In fact, anyone can become a team leader. Leadership is about building relationships, treating people with respect, and doing the right thing at all times. This may start between the lines, but being a leader doesn’t stop once you leave the field. Character means doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult. Not only will this show coaches that you have the guts to stand up in big situations, it will show them that you can help build a positive and winning culture in their program.
Don't Panic When the Unexpected Happens
BE PREPARED
There can often be bumps in the road that develop, even in your senior year. The best thing you can do is be prepared.
Make sure that you have done your homework on alternatives to your first choice.
It is rare, but sometimes plans can change. Perhaps you don't get accepted at your first choice school or the coaching staff changes after you have made a commitment to a program. Don't panic. As long as you have taken the time to do your research and have options available to you, you will be just fine. Just because you didn't commit to a program as a "first choice" does not mean that they don't still value what you can bring to the table.
You didn't meet eligibility to play, what now?
This can happen. Again, don't panic. Sometimes all it requires is spending a year at a junior college to bring up your grades, or simply taking a class or two over the summer before your freshman year, to make sure you meet eligibility requirements. Meeting with your college counselor on a regular basis is important, even after you have made your choice so that you can avoid this complication.