You have put in the hard work and it is starting to pay off. Schools are contacting you to express interest. That’s great news! But, now you are probably wondering what to say or what questions to ask when coaches reach out. This is a good problem to have! An open line of communication gives you an opportunity to ask college coach important recruiting questions. The information you get from these questions will help you determine if the program fits your goals and needs. If you don’t know what to ask, were here to help!
In this article, we help you come up with good questions to ask during different stages of the recruiting process. Use these lists as a brainstorm or starting point, not a final list. Every player has different needs and will ask slightly different questions!
Getting Over Nerves
Talking to coaches and recruiters can be nerve racking and intimidating, even if it’s just on the phone. Remember, you are both looking for the same thing—a program/player match. When you choose a school, you will spend more time with your coaches and teammates than anyone else. Coaches know this and are trying to get a feel for your personality and whether the school/program would be a good fit. You should be doing the same thing. Remember, you and the coach/recruiter share baseball as a common interest, so talking can be easy. Our best advice—be yourself and ask lots of questions! This is the best way to find a program and coaching staff that will work best for you.
Questions for Initial Contact/Conversation
In addition to getting a feel for who you are and seeing if you can hold a conversation, coaches will also be trying to gauge your level of interest in their school and give you information on the program during initial contact. Remember, even if you are unfamiliar with the program or it’s not your dream school, it’s always good to keep options open. Furthermore, you should always be receptive and thankful during initial contact, even if you aren’t sure if you want to be a part of their program or haven’t even heard of the school. You can always let them know you aren’t interested after you’ve had time to think about it and learn more. Coaches will generally lead the conversation early in communication and ask you plenty of questions. A few questions you will want to ask them include:
- Do you have information about your school and program that you could email to me?
- Is there any information I can get you (transcripts, game schedule, contact information for references, recruiting video links, etc.)?
- Is there a time I could come on a visit to check out the campus, baseball facilities, meet the coaches, and find out more about the program?
- Give the coach your upcoming game/tournament schedule and ask, will you be attending any of these events?
- Do you have any upcoming prospect camps or showcases that you could send me information about?
- How has your program done the last few seasons?
Questions to Find Interest Level
Sometimes recruiting can seem like a game of cat and mouse with a lot of back and forth. However, it is best to be honest with coaches and ask them to be honest with you. If you have been communicating with a coach for some time but don’t have a solid feel for where you stand with them, the best thing to do is ask directly. Ask direct questions that will get you direct answers, even if they are difficult. Here are some questions you can ask to get a better sense of a program’s level of interest:
- Where do I stand on your recruiting list?
- Is there anything specific I can work on to improve my chances of playing at your program?
- What is your timeline for making a decision on me?
- What does your current recruiting class look like?
- Are you currently looking for players at my position?
Questions for Programs with Serious Interest or Who Have Offered
Once a school has expressed serious interest or offered you a roster spot or scholarship, the ball is in your court. Always be respectful and unless you are positive you don’t want to play for them, engaged and interested. The more serious the interest, the more specific you need to be with your questions. You should ask a lot of direct questions that help get you the answers you need to determine a program fit! The more information you get, the more informed your decision will be. Accordingly, your questions at this stage will depend largely on your interests and the particular school, but you may ask:
- How would you describe the culture of your program?
- Where do you see me fitting into your program on day 1?
- How will your program help me develop into a better player? (ask for specifics)
- Is there a restriction on what major I can have?
- Will I have the opportunity to compete for playing time right away?
- Do you reduce scholarship based on performance?
- What does a verbal commitment mean to you? Do you decommit players? If so, under what circumstances?
- Did anyone’s scholarship get pulled last year? What was the reason?
- How many players have transferred out of the program in the last 2-3 years?
- Where do you see the program in 4 years?
- What is a typical daily schedule like for a baseball player at your school?
- What kind of academic support is offered to baseball players at your school?
- Where do baseball players normally live?
- If I get injured and can’t play, will you honor my scholarship? What happens to my scholarship or admission if I get injured before I come to your school?
- What specific parts of your program’s philosophies or training do you think will benefit my development?
- Do you know of any other scholarships or sources of aid that could help me reduce the cost of attending your school?
- Can you connect me with current players and/or recent graduates?
- How many players do you bring in during the fall?
- What is the total cost of attendance?
- How much will I have to pay out of pocket after my scholarship?
Coaches Are Open to Questions
Most college coaches are open to or even welcome all kinds of questions, assuming you ask them in the appropriate way. To avoid overstepping that line, follow these general guidelines: always be respectful, engaged, and receptive to what the coach/recruiter says, practice good manners, and frame questions so that it doesn’t sound like you are attacking the coaches’ beliefs. Your tone is just as important as the way you ask questions.
Speaking with coaches will become easier the more you do it. And remember, they love baseball like you do and they are trying to get YOU to come to their schools. Enjoy getting to know them and don’t be scared to ask questions to make sure the school and staff are a good fit for you. It’s always smart to ask around about a coaching staff’s reputation and track record of player injuries and player development. And, you need to do plenty of research and investigating on your own before you make your final decision.
For more resources about questions to ask during the recruiting process, read the following articles:
Asking Questions That Matter to You (For Players)
Asking Questions That Matter to You (For Parents)
7 Difficult but Important Questions
Asking About Coaching and Development Philosophies
