How do you say “Hi Coach! I really want to play baseball at your school!” without sounding over-the-top sappy, but still enthusiastic? Easy. Here are 6 MUST-KNOW tips when writing to a college baseball coach.
Be sincere and have a sincere interest. It’s imperative that you choose a school you would actually be happy to attend, first and foremost. If the school also has a baseball program you’d like to play for, then that should be the second reason for choosing it. Any good college coach will tell you… “Studies, first. Baseball, second.”
So what do I say to a college coach to peak his interest in me?
1. Introduce yourself, your position, your graduating class and the high school you’re attending.
2. Let coach know what you’d like to study in school. If you don’t know yet, that’s ok. Tell him that you’re “undecided”, but then let him know specifically what attracted you to his school in the first place—the location, the size, the top-rated math department— and let him know your academic strengths what you think you might want to study in college. If you have a great GPA, tell him! Sharing your positive assets catches a coach’s attention!
3. Tell the coach about YOU and your game. Give the coach your physical attributes—weight, height, bat left or right, etc. List the baseball accolades you and/or your team have achieved. Are you a starter? What kind of player are you? What goals do you want to achieve this coming season?
4. Ask GOOD questions! Do your research on the team, the coach and the program! Make sure you ask valid questions that aren’t easily answered on their website, like “How big is your roster?” or “How many outfielders do you have?” Ask specific questions like “Will you be recruiting catchers next season?” or “I’m interested in attending a camp or a clinic at your school this fall, but didn’t find one on your website. Will you be offering any this coming fall?” This lets the coach know that you’ve taken the time to check them out online. That being said…
5. Never make assumptions! When you’re researching a baseball program, never make assumptions on your own about the roster or make decisions about whether or not there might be a place for you on the team. You don’t know what the coach has in store for his team, and you don’t know what the coach is looking for. Ask questions!
6. Seeing is believing! Add a link in your email to your skills and highlight videos! Make it easy on the coach right out of the gate, by letting him see your technical skills and game play. Your letter with your personal information is important, but just as important is letting the coach get a quick snapshot of your ball handling, foot work, ball tracking, and timing.
Providing the coach with your complete package at your initial contact jumpstarts your recruiting process with a bang! Be impressive! Be enthusiastic! And most important—be sincere!
