We share all kinds of advice about how to increase your chances of playing college baseball. While all of our resources and advice is free, following our advice will sometimes cost you money. How are you supposed to do that if money is tight? Can you get noticed and play college baseball even if you don’t have extra money to spend on recruitment? Yes, you can!
If you find yourself in a situation where money is tight, don’t panic! It’s never been easier to get recruited on a shoestring budget. During the pandemic, with D1 programs unable to recruit in person but still signing players, we have seen that many of the things that you’ve been told you need to spend money on if you want to get recruited simply aren’t true. While spending money can help increase exposure, it is by no means a necessity in the recruiting process. In fact, there are inexpensive routes to every level of college baseball, and we are here to help you find them.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember about your financial situation is that you’re not alone. Most kids these days have to worry about how much things cost. Families are trying to make ends meet, and we know that sometimes cutting back on things includes money available for equipment, camps, travel ball, and traveling to visit schools. There are a number of things that you have going for you. The digital age has made it easier than ever to land on a coach’s radar, even if they haven’t seen you play in person. It’s also easier than ever to find out about schools through online research. All you need is an Internet connection. If you don’t have one that is fast enough or reliable at home, you can get access at your school or local library in most towns and cities, or even right outside of a Starbucks. Once you are connected, all you need to do is put together a plan and use your resources. You’ll find that you are likely in a better position to get recruited than you think.
Below we outline five things you can do to get more bang for your buck and maximize your resources.
1. Use this website! This may seem like a shameless plug, but you will find everything you need to know about the recruiting process, playing in college, and more, right here on the KPB site. We’ll help you through each stage of the recruiting process with information and guidance on what to expect next. The best part? It’s all free and set up for players like you! Start here to get acquainted with the best practices for using our site!
2. Speak to trusted adults and coaches about your situation. There is often a way to earn scholarships or work off team/facility, equipment, or travel fees. If money is going to prevent you from playing anywhere, speak with the coach or have an adult speak to the coach for you so that you can find a way to make costs more manageable. Seek help and advice, and don’t be shy about your financial situation. You are not alone! Many camps and showcases will waive or reduce fees for players who demonstrate financial need, especially if you’re willing to help them set up or break down. The same is true about asking organizations that evaluate players. Many times, they will give you useful feedback about your game if you just ask. The worst that will happen is they will say no. Here’s more on leveraging your network for recruiting success!
3. Instead of attending expensive camps and showcases, focus your efforts on building a network of support and using free video and social media to create interest. Having credible references to share with interested coaches is almost as valuable as having coaches see you play. College coaches rely on their network of trusted coaches and scouts to identify players. If you build up a group of high school coaches or other baseball people who can vouch for your talents, that alone can be enough to get coaches to follow up. Add in a well thought out plan of using free DIY recruiting videos and social media, and you are well on your way to creating recruiting interest. Don’t know how to get started? Take our free online course on creating recruiting video using a smart phone and after 1-2 hours of learning, you’ll have everything you need to create a video and use social media/email to get it in the hands of interested coaches.
4. Put the money you do have towards maximizing your development. Development is a prerequisite to getting noticed. If you are good enough and proactive enough with your recruiting plan, college coaches won’t miss you. Instead of seeking exposure early in high school, save your money and time. Work on becoming the best player you can and getting as strong as possible. A quality strength and conditioning program will do wonders. If you have the resources and want to showcase, your junior Summer and senior year are the best time when money is tight. The NCAA does not allow high school players to attend camps or showcases on college campuses for free so you won’t be able to get fee waivers for some of these events. If you have enough money to attend only one camp or showcase, choose the one that will give you access to the most college coaches at schools of interest. There is no substitute for a high level training program or playing baseball at a high level. Seek out the best opportunities for you and don’t be shy about asking about ways to reduce or even eliminate the fees.
5. If you are concerned about the costs of attending college, remember that there are a number of ways to finance your education other than scholarships. For information on financial aid and other ways to pay for college, click here.
Need more resources for a low budget recruitment? Check out these three articles:
Six Steps to Getting Recruited Without Spending Money
How to Balance Spending in the Quest for Scholarships
Development is King: Why Development is the Key to a Low Budget Recruitment
Still have questions? Send us an email! keepplayingbaseball@gmail.com
