High School Baseball Player Recruiting Calendar
This timeline for the college recruiting process was pulled from the “Baseball Factory’s Recruiting Binder,” as
well as some supplemental items.
As a parent and player, there are THREE things you must ask yourself every year:
(1) Am I doing ALL I can to train one-on-one with the top professional instructors who can get the most
out of me as a baseball player.
(2) Have I tested myself against top competition around the country? Played in big tournaments?
(3) Who knows about me? What am I doing to promote myself to colleges?
You as a high school baseball player MUST be doing all three of the above to enhance your opportunities.
Freshman Year (9th Grade)
Use this year as a transitional year into the high school environment. You should begin developing good study
habits and learn to budget your time. You are a student/athlete. Student comes first. Your academic
standing will determine your college options and opportunities you have upon graduation.
June-August
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Summer Season-Try to play on a team with an extensive, competitive schedule. The more you play,
the better you’ll be.
Make sure you seek quality instruction and training from professional coaches. You can only get
better through the practice of proper mechanics.
September-October
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Play fall baseball with your local team.
Long toss after school.
Run sprints and medium distances.
Make sure to look for notices on baseball meetings, workouts, or lifting sessions that your high school
coach or team captain may hold. Take every opportunity to gain the coaches’ attention.
November
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Plan your winter baseball schedule. Do as much as you can to stay involved with baseball through-out
the year. You should always be thinking, “How can I get better as a player?”
Assess your strengths and weaknesses. Take the steps necessary to improve every aspect of your
game.
Begin off-season conditioning – workout with your high school/summer team if they have sessions,
otherwise, take the initiative yourself to get stronger, faster, more agile, and better. Run sprints
and long distances and develop a plyometrics program.
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December-January
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Continue winter conditioning workouts in an effort to get ready for high school team tryouts.
Assess your first quarter of high school academic progress. Determine which areas you need to
improve and make the appropriate changes. Contrary to what you think, your freshman year grades
DO MATTER!
Obtain position specific training that will help you prepare for spring tryouts.
February
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Take every opportunity to throw outdoors. Find a teammate to throw, hit, take groundballs, etc. with
as the season approaches.
Find an opportunity to play in a game situation in order to get a jump-start on the competition.
Begin to plan your schedule for spring season. Develop a plan that will allow you to effectively manage
schoolwork, practice, extra conditioning workouts, and social life. Proper time management will be
the key to your success.
March-May/June
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Make the most of your high school season by working hard everyday. Coaches notice work ethic,
desire, and heart. The harder you work, the better your chances are for receiving additional playing
time.
As a freshman it will most likely be the first time the coach has seen you play. Relax, but try your
best and you will perform to your highest level.
Plan next year’s academic schedule and personal GOALS.
May/June – August
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Allow a professional to evaluate your skills. Use this critique as a guide to improve your game in all
areas.
Summer season – Join a team that plays an extensive, competitive schedule against the best
competition in your area. Strong competition will allow you to take your game to the next level. Make
sure the team travels to top national tournaments for the best competition and most exposure.
Begin looking at college programs that might interest you. Make an initial list of schools that you
would like to attend. The earlier you start thinking about college the easier it will be to make your
decision as a senior. It is never too early to start looking at possible universities. Use the Internet
as a research tool in order to decide what location, size, extracurricular activities and academic
programs they offer.
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Sophomore Year (10th Grade)
With the transition year behind you, this is an important time for you both academically and athletically.
Most importantly, this is the time to focus on your schoolwork and set the marks necessary to attend
college. The better your grade point average, the more options you will have when deciding where to attend
college. Athletically, this is the year for you to emerge as a contributing factor on the high school team.
Your hard work should pay off with improved playing time and results whether on Varsity or JV. Don’t let up,
give it your all and see what you can accomplish.
September – October
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Meet with your high school guidance counselor to tell him/her of your desire to play college baseball.
Make sure you are “on track’ with the required core courses, as well as other needs, such as foreign
languages.
Set dates to take the PSAT.
Go to college nights and identify 15-20 colleges that you might be interested in attending. Continue
to research these schools and consider all they have to offer academically, athletically, and socially.
Continue to “Hit the Books” hard, your grades this year count as much as any other year, don’t let up.
Play fall baseball either with your school or your local organization.
Run sprints and medium distances.
November
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Plan your winter baseball schedule. You should always be thinking, “How can I get better as a
player?”
Work to improve position specific skills and hone your fundamentals.
Begin off-season conditioning. Workout with the high school or summer team if they have training
sessions, otherwise take the initiative yourself to get stronger, faster, more agile, and better.
Begin developing your baseball resume. This will be a great tool when sending information to college
coaches. Include GPA, SAT, ACT, PSSA, baseball awards, names of leagues and tournaments that you
have participated in as well as the dates of participation. Collect articles in which you are mentioned
because you may want to include a few of these with your resume.
December – January
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Continue winter conditioning workouts in an effort to get ready for high school team tryouts.
Hit off of live pitching as often as possible.
Work on your college profile – begin gathering all information that prospective colleges might require
for admission.
Contact your 15-20 schools and request information on both the college and the baseball program –
they will be more than happy to provide you with this information (brochures, pamphlets, etc.) free of
charge, take advantage of all information you can receive.
February
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Take every opportunity to throw outdoors. Find a teammate to throw, hit, to take ground balls, etc.
with as the season approaches.
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March – May/June
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Make the most of your high school season by continuing to work hard everyday. Take every practice
as if it were your last. Even if you have gained a more secured position on the team, use the tryout
to reestablish and improve your standing. Coaches notice work ethic, desire, and heart. The harder
you work, the better your chances are for receiving additional playing time. Become a leader on your
Junior Varsity or Varsity team.
Investigate financial aid sources – there are numerous grant, loan, financial aid, and scholarship
opportunities out there, you just have to be persistent. Speak with your guidance counselor to find
out the best way to explore these possibilities.
Update your list of schools – your list of schools will change constantly.
Plan next year’s academic schedule and GOALS. Remember, you must have the right grades in order
to have a chance to play at the next level.
Be sure to establish positive relationships with a few teachers/administrators so that you can ask
them for letters of recommendation in the future.
May – July/August
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Summer Season – Join a team that plays an extensive, competitive schedule against the best
competition in your area and across the country. The better the competition and the more
opportunities you have to play against that level, the higher you will raise your game.
Hone your skills through structured one-on-one training. Develop a training regiment that will
generate positive results.
Continue to update your list of possible schools. As you grow as a player and a person you will want to
add and remove schools form this list.
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Junior Year (11th Grade)
Your junior year marks the most crucial point in the college recruiting process. The GPA and class rank you
earn after your junior year will be submitted to colleges. Therefore, do your best to improve your academic
standing and study for the SAT/ACT/and PSSA’s. This hard work in the classroom should be reflected in
your effort and play on the field. The more time you put in the better the results you will see from your
performance.
September – October
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Beginning September 1, written contact by college coaches is allowed. Be sure to respond to any
questionnaires and letters quickly as it will show your interest in their program.
Discover ways to promote yourself to college coaches. Update video footage and evaluations will
allow coaches to recruit you from the comfort of their office. Speak with your Regional Player
Development Coordinator to find out how Baseball Factory can help get you exposure.
Meet with your high school guidance counselor again to refresh your college plan and discuss your
academic and athletic goals. Make sure that you have successfully completed all required courses.
Begin the registration process with the NCAA Initial – Eligibility Clearinghouse (your high school
guidance counselor should have these forms)
Register for the fall ACT/SAT standardized tests. Keep in mind that most students take these
tests at least twice and that it is best to avoid the spring dates, as they may conflict with your high
school season. Visit www.ncaa.org for a list of national test dates. Request that your ACT/SAT
scores be sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse (there is a box on the application form that you check for
this.)
Visit college fairs at your high school to learn more about prospective colleges. Ask questions about
the school’s size, location, class size, majors and social scene.
Complete practice applications to sharpen your essay skills.
Send out contact letters or emails to college coaches immediately after your Baseball Factory BATS
session. Make sure to include the link to your personal player web page with your online video and
professional scout evaluation.
Ask your college coach to write letters to a few preferred colleges and include these letters of
recommendation with the follow up letter.
Schedule unofficial visits to schools in your area that you are interested in. Set up to take a tour of
the campus and meet with someone in the admissions office. If possible, set up to speak with the
college coach. Make sure to watch a fall practice or game while at the school. This will help you
gauge the level of baseball at the college. You will also be able to assess the coaches’ coaching style.
If you meet with the coach on this visit, make sure to review your online video and evaluation with the
coach and get instant feedback.
Continue to “Hit the Books” hard, your grades this year count as much as any other year, don’t let up.
Play fall baseball with the high school, or local organization.
Long toss after school.
Run sprints and medium distances.
November
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Plan your winter baseball schedule. You should always be thinking, “How can I get better as a
player?”
Work to improve position specific skills and hone your fundamentals.
Begin off-season conditioning – work out with your high school or summer team if they have training
sessions, otherwise take the initiative yourself to get stronger, faster, more agile, and better.
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December – January
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Continue winter conditioning work-outs in an effort to get ready for high school season.
Attend baseball camps and tournaments in the off-season which will allow you to improve your skills
through game play. Attend camps or clinics offered by the schools you are interested in attending.
Continue to visit local colleges that you have interest in – also begin narrowing down our choices to
approximately 10-15 universities.
Familiarize yourself with the NCAA admission/eligibility requirements at NCAA Online
(www.ncaa.org) or check with your school’s guidance counselor.
February
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Take every opportunity to throw outdoors. Find a teammate to throw, hit, to take ground balls, etc.
with as the season approaches.
Meet with your guidance counselor to review academic and athletic goals.
Send out your spring high school schedule to coaches that you sent follow up letters to, or coaches
who have contacted you regarding their program. Even if you aren’t totally interested in the coaches
program, send him a schedule. The more interest/exposure you receive the more leverage you have
against other institutions – take advantage of all opportunities.
It is essential that you take the initiative in the college recruiting process. Do not wait for a college coach
to find and recruit you. Use the tools that Baseball Factory has given you to attract the attention of college
coaches. The more effort that you put into the process the more successful you will be and the more options
you will have when ultimately selecting a college program.
March – May/June
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High School Baseball Season – continue to work hard every day. Take every practice as your last.
Even if you have gained a more secured position on the team, use the tryout to reestablish and
improve your standing. Coaches notice work ethic, desire, and heart. The harder you work, the
better your chances are for receiving additional playing time as well as improving as a player. Become
a leader and a force on your Varsity team. This is your season to shine and set a name for yourself as
a college prospect.
Pick an off day from your high school season and plan a trip to see a college game in your area. This
should help you gauge your ability level verse the ability level of the college players. Be honest in
your assessment of their ability and yours.
Continue conditioning and weight training regiment. Find a schedule that will allow you to successfully
manage school, homework, practice and outside conditioning.
Some colleges/universities have “Junior Days” during the spring season – don’t be shy, write a letter
to the coach and ask about them. Make sure that you are taking the initiative in all circumstances,
not your parents. Coaches want to hear form you, NOT your parents. All of these visits are
unofficial which means that the college cannot pay for any part of the visit. Remember, unofficial
visits are unlimited.
Continue to investigate financial aid sources – there are numerous grant, loan, financial aid, and
scholarship opportunities out there, you just have to be persistent. Speak with your guidance
counselor to find out the best way to explore these possibilities. Visit school websites for
information on available scholarships.
Update your list of schools.
Plan next year’s academic schedule and goals.
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May – July/August
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Phone contact from coaches is allowed beginning on July 1. Speak clearly and eloquently with college
coaches. Express interest in their program and the school. Ask questions! Have a prepared list of
questions on hand in case nerves make it difficult for you to carry on a conversation. If a coach
leaves you a message, make sure to return his call promptly, even if you are not extremely interested
in his program. The more interest you generate the more leverage you have in the college recruiting
process. Do not mislead a college coach, but take advantage of every opportunity to receive
exposure.
Summer Season – Join a team that plays an extensive, competitive schedule against the best
competition in your area and across the nation. The better the competition and the more
opportunities you have to play against that level, the higher you will raise your game. Make sure the
team travels to top national tournaments for the best competition and most exposure.
Send your summer baseball schedule to college coaches.
Finalize your main application essay. One essay may be appropriate for a few schools though it may
need to be modified slightly.
Complete your baseball resume and cover letter for colleges.
Make sure to update your Baseball Factory pro scout evaluation and video footage by attending a
BATS session. Coaches want to see how much you have improved over the past year. The more
improvement you show as you progress through high school the more potential you have to improve
you are a part of that coach’s program.
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Senior Year (12th Grade)
It’s finally here, the year you have been waiting for. You have worked so hard to get to this point th have
the opportunity to play college baseball so do not let up now. You need to buckle down and focus on your
GOAL even more that you have in the past. Take advantage of every baseball and academic opportunity that
you are presented. Be a leader in all aspects of your life. Remember to enjoy yourself.
September – October
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Send out contact letters to college coaches – these letters should be sent after you attend the
BATS Collegiate Scholarship Program. Make sure to utilize the sample follow-up letter provided.
Make sure to mention that you went to the BATS Program last year so the coaches can see the
progress you have made.
Continue to “Hit the Books” hard, your grades this year count as much as any other year, don’t let up.
Schedule visits to prospective campuses and arrange to meet with the coach while you are there. You
are allowed to make official visits after the 1st day of classes your senior year and unofficial visits
can be made at any time throughout your high school career.
Meet with your high school guidance counselor again to refresh your college plan and discuss your
academic and athletic goals – review core academic requirements. Make sure you are “on track.”
Request recommendation letters from teachers and coaches.
Schedule college interviews with the admissions office.
Remember to send “Thank You” notes to colleges (admissions office and coaches) that you have
visited.
Seek out a team that plays fall “showcase” tournaments.
Send out your fall baseball schedule to prospective college coaches.
Prepare financial aid forms in order to eliminate some of the cost associated with college tuition.
Narrow your college list to five schools – consider schools at which you can play, schools of which are
actively recruiting you, and take into account what your priorities are when selecting your college.
If you are an Early Decision or Early Sign candidate, begin applying to schools - talk to your guidance
counselor about the common application. This is becoming more regular at universities across the
country and can save numerous hours that would have been spent writing essays and organizing
applications. For more information Early Decision and Early Signing contact your Regional Player
Development Coordinator.
Long toss after school.
Run sprints and medium distances.
November
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Early signing period begins – dates vary slightly from year to year, contact Baseball Factory for
specific dates.
You can contact college coaches (by phone) at any time – prior to July 1 after your junior year, they
were not able to call you. Realize that coaches are very busy – if you are not hearing from them, it
does not necessarily mean that they are not interested. Take the initiative.
Plan your winter baseball schedule. You should always be thinking, “How can I get better as a
player?”
Begin off-season conditioning – workout with your high school or summer teams if they have training
sessions, otherwise take the initiative to get stronger, faster, more agile, and better.
Run sprints, long distances and include a plyometrics program.
If you are offered an official visit, prepare for your visit with a list of questions. Also make sure to
be ready for any questions the college coach may have for you.
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December – January
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Continue winter conditioning workouts in an effort to get ready for your high school team. This is
the season you have been waiting for, work hard – desire wins championships (and scholarships).
File your financial aid forms after January 1.
Retake the SAT/ACT standardized tests if necessary – stay focused.
If you are accepted to a school through Early Decision, notify the other colleges you applied to of
your early acceptance and thank them for their consideration.
Attend showcases that will allow you to be seen by DII and DIII coaches. Remember that DI
coaches will be unable to attend because of the newly instituted recruiting calendar. Professional
evaluations and videotapes are excellent tools to provide these coaches since they can not recruit
off-campus.
February
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Take every opportunity to throw outdoors. Find a teammate to throw, hit, take ground/fly balls, etc.
with the season approaching.
Meet with your guidance counselor to review academic and athletic goals.
March – May/June
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High School Baseball Season – continue to work hard every day. Take every practice as if it were
your last. As a leader of the team, use the tryout to help other players improve. Demand more of
yourself and of your team. The harder you work, the better your chances are for going out on top.
Become a leader and a force on your Varsity team. This is your last season in your high school
uniform so enjoy it.
Make an effort to watch several college baseball games. Assess the type of play and the coaches’
coaching style.
Send an update to colleges on how your season is going.
Concentrate on your schoolwork – there are many distractions as a senior, stay focused.
Now the fun part – weigh your options; see what offers you make been made both academically and
athletically. Make a final visit to the colleges you are deciding between if necessary. Decide with
university is the best fit for your needs academically, athletically, and socially.
Contact coaches of the school you will attend and those you won’t to let them know your choice.
Have your final grades sent to your university.
You have done it! You have successfully weathered the confusing and complicated college recruiting process.
Give yourself a pat on the back, and make sure to give your parents a few pats as well. Thank all those who
have helped you including your teachers, coaches, and guidance counselors.
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