Ian Macdonald
@sowhatnextpitch
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Head Baseball Coach, Indiana Wesleyan University ( @indwesbaseball ) • Helping 170+ players & families navigate the recruiting process in college baseball.
Marion, IN
Joined May 2017
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Pinned Tweet
*Recently Released*
A conversation with Ben Brewster of (
@TreadAthletics
) on all things recruiting.
What we cover:
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Our freshman class moved in yesterday.
How we initially identified each player:
(3) via Twitter
(3) via HS Coaches
(2) via Travel Coaches
(2) via Private Instructors
(2) via Email (from Player)
(2) via PBR
(1) via IWU Prospect Camp
(1) via Email (from Recruiting Advisor)
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RECRUITS
No reply
No reply
Reply; class full
No reply
No reply
Reply; not the right fit
No reply
No reply
Reply, interest, watch you play, not the right fit
No reply
Reply, interest, watch you play, visit, no offer
No reply
Reply, interest, watch you play, visit, OFFER !!!
⬇️
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RECRUITS
Recommendations for what to include in your first email to a coaching staff.
Example emails below.
For pitchers & position players.
⬇️
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🧵ADVICE FOR RECRUITS🧵
On emailing college coaches:
How to stand out & increase your chances of getting a reply.
How to Write
What to Include
How to Send
When to Send
Who to Email
How Many to Email
Expectations for Reply
No Reply?
Coaches Help
Still No Reply?
Got a Reply ?
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RECRUITS
What to include in your introductory email:
🎓 Grad Year
⚾️ Position
📍 HS/Travel Team
📚 GPA & Intended Major
🎯 3 Reasons Why Interested in School/Program
📈 Stat Lines (Spring+Summer)
⏱️ Measurables
📲 Coaches Names/Contact Info
📽️ Link to Film
🫵 Your Contact Info
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🧵 RECRUITS 🧵
2021 TRANSFER PORTAL DATA
Numbers published by the NCAA.
*Specific to NCAA Division 1 baseball.
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Don’t assume that college coaches are going to find you...
Take OWNERSHIP of your recruiting process.
Invest TIME & EFFORT into creating opportunities for yourself.
Social media (DM/posts), email, camps ... there are more ways now than ever before to be identified!
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UNCOMMITTED 2023s
Hundreds of college coaches use this platform to identify recruits.
Reply to this tweet.
Copy/paste/fill in the template below and post WITH film (embedded or direct link).
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⚾️PARENTS OF COLLEGE BASEBALL PLAYERS⚾️
(current & former)
Specific to navigating the recruiting process...
Reflecting upon your son's experience:
What advice would you give to the PARENT of an uncommitted HS player- what worked, lessons learned, what you wish you knew, etc.
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Beyond grateful!
@IWU_Baseball
@IWUWildcats
Indiana Wesleyan is excited to announce Ian Macdonald as the Wildcat's next head baseball coach!😼⚾️
📰
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🧵 RECRUITS 🧵
Recently, I received a DM:
“What questions should I ask college coaches on phone calls & visits?”
Specific to:
Athletics
Academics
Social Experience
Affordability
A list of 30+ questions to consider asking:
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Beyond grateful!
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RECRUITS
Tips to optimize your Twitter bio.
Can be done in under 5 minutes!
⬇️
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Expanding upon yesterday’s tweet:
When each of our incoming freshmen committed.
(1) October of JR Year
(1) January of JR Year
(2) July entering SR Year
(5) August entering SR Year
(3) September of SR Year
(2) November of SR Year
(2) December of SR Year
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Josh Allen had no D1 offers out of HS.
He went JUCO for one season.
He put up great numbers at Reedley College (CA) - but still had little next-level interest.
He sent this email to over 1,000 college coaches.
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🧵RECRUITS🧵
25 MLB All-Stars (active & retired) who played college baseball
…but never at the NCAA Division 1 level.
Who they are.
Where they played.
The level at which they competed.
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RECRUITS
You can’t expect to be evaluated, recruited, offered, or signed ...
... without first putting in the effort to be identified.
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As a pitching coach, what I value most: (1) The ability to command a fastball to three spots: armside, gloveside, elevated. (2) The ability to throw one or more off-speed pitches for strikes consistently. (3) The ability to deal with adversity & move on from failure quickly.
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For the first time in program history…
HEADED TO THE NAIA WORLD SERIES!
So proud of these players, this program!
IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE A WILDCAT!
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Bartolo. Front foot leads the rest of the body. Right before front foot strike, back knee drives (rotates) down & in. Back heel stays on the ground as long as possible. Back hip begins the rotation of the front hip. Hips rotate first; shoulders second.
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RECRUITS
On increasing your chances of being identified by a SPECIFIC school:
1🔍Complete recruiting questionnaire
2💻Email coaching staff
3📲DM coaching staff
4🗣️Ask your coach to reach out on your behalf
5⚾️Attend program hosted prospect camp
6⚾️Attend practice or a game
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🧵ADVICE FOR RECRUITS🧵
In response to a DM that I received earlier this week.
A thread on how we evaluate players in a showcase setting.
What we look for position by position.
First, understand:
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The recruiting process is full of ups & downs -- exhilaration & frustration.
Send the next email.
Send the next DM.
You don't know what door it could open -- opportunity it could create.
Initiative. Effort. Resilience. Persistence. Patience.
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⚾️ COLLEGE BASEBALL PLAYERS ⚾️
(current & former)
Specific to navigating the recruiting process…
If you could give one piece of advice to an uncommitted high school player who aspires to play at the next level — what would it be?
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RECRUITS
Your recruiting process...
Is NOT about how many:
-Coaches contact you.
-Programs recruit you.
-Visits you take.
-Offers you receive.
It IS about finding the ONE school & program that is the BEST FIT for you -- academically, athletically, socially, & financially.
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(1/2)
RECRUITS:
3 years ago (at previous school) we signed a player who was initially recommended to us by an umpire.
2 years ago (at previous school) we signed a player who was initially recommended to us by one of our current players (who trained at the same facility).
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🧵 ADVICE FOR RECRUITS 🧵
Social Media is a valuable tool that can help you get recruited.
Most college coaches & programs are on Twitter.
Some tips on how to best use/leverage the platform.
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There is more than one way to be identified.
It takes effort on your behalf to be recruited (social media & email).
Coaches/instructors help us find you. Give them reasons to speak well of you. Be coachable, be a great teammate, work diligently with a good attitude, play hard.
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Race to advantaged counts. Throw first pitch strikes. Avoid 2-0 counts at all costs. Win the 1-1 pitch. Increase your level of aggressiveness with 2 strikes. Let the 7 fielders behind you make plays!
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🧵 ADVICE FOR RECRUITS 🧵
Audit the rosters of the program(s) actively recruiting you.
Research independently & ask questions.
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RECRUITS
Exposure doesn't need to be expensive.
Use 📱, Record 📽️
1⃣ Send Video To Coaches via Email, Follow Up
2⃣ Create Twitter Account, Post Video, Engage w/ Coaches
3⃣ Send Video To Coaches via DM, Follow Up
4⃣ Complete Online Recruiting Questionnaires
Total Cost: $0
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This morning I accepted a coaching position with Coach
@ucwv_awright
&
@UCWV_Baseball
. I will serve as the Redshirt Coordinator & assist in player development and recruiting. Moving to Charleston on Sunday morning; excited to get to work!
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Good morning from Charleston, WV. 🌄
It’s been 3️⃣5️⃣7️⃣ days since we last played.
Today’s the day. 🗓
IT’S OPENING DAY! ⚾️
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Dayton Moore (KC Royals) on Organizational Principals: "Settle disputes quickly. Care more than anyone else does. Give people more than they expect. Make sure you stand up for your own people. Share the glory. Remain calm in the eye of the storm. Emphasize 1-on-1 communication."
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Kris Bryant & Addison Russell pre pitch movement. Check it out
@INFchatter
@ThatGuy__Kai
#FridayFielders
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Everyone's recruiting timeline is different.
WHERE & WHY you commit — is (much) more important than WHEN you commit.
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RECRUITS
Tips to improve your Pinned Tweet.
The first thing a college coach sees when he visits your profile (after reading your Twitter bio).
⬇️
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Can’t wait to get back out on the road in September! 🚘 2021s/2022s, looking for a chance to be evaluated by our staff? 👀 My DMs are open; send your (a) film, (b) GPA, (c) intended major. 🔎 May take us a day or so, but your film will be watched & you will receive a response. 🤝
Division II to resume normal recruiting calendars Sept. 1:
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(1/2)
QUICK TIP FOR RECRUITS
Re: Phone Calls📱
Wrapping up your first phone call with a coach, ask:
(a) how frequently would you like to connect via phone call?
(b) when works best to connect again?
(c) should I keep you updated with cage-pen/game film between now & then?
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Butch Thompson (
@3strikes_AU
) on recruiting the right players for his program & building the culture at Auburn ... "If we pass on a player who we are not - he may beat us 3x per year. If we get a player who we are not - he may beat us 56x per year."
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QUICK TIP FOR RECRUITS
Everybody's recruiting process is different.
No two timelines are the same.
Players develop at different rates/speeds.
Opportunities present themselves at different times.
Resist comparing your process to another's.
WHERE & WHY you commit > WHEN.
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(1/4) Since the beginning of September, I have been working on a System for Player Evaluation & Recruiting. From the start, my goal has been to finish the project by the end of 2019. Mission accomplished. ✅
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What a season!
Incredibly proud of our players.
And thankful for the support of our alumni, families, athletic department, & university.
*41 Wins (2nd Most in Program History)
*Conference Tournament Championship
*First NAIA Opening Round Championship
*First NAIA World Series
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2/2
Last year we signed a player who was initially recommended to us by a travel coach from an opposing team/organization.
You NEVER KNOW who is watching you play or train.
You NEVER KNOW who those people can/may/will talk with.
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There are over 1,700 programs in college baseball.
You won’t be a fit for every one.
And not every one will be a fit for you.
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10 days away from our only prospect camp of the summer!
We’ve signed atleast one player out of camp in each of the last 6 years.
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RECRUITS
For you to realize your potential as a player...
You NEED to go somewhere where you can PLAY.
Seek out a place with competition … but ALSO opportunity.
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During competition, emphasize what you need to do to win - as opposed to the outcome of winning ... what you need to do to play well right at that moment ... Enjoy the process of competing in the moment ... Keep the focus on the process of improvement.
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TODAY’S THE DAY!
Start of team practice.
A special group of young men!
Excited for what’s to come.
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🧵 RECRUITS 🧵
I received a DM last week:
“What advice would you give a player who is nervous about contacting college coaches?”
I asked the recruit:
“What are you most nervous about?”
His response:
“A coach saying no or receiving no reply.”
Can you relate?
4 thoughts ⬇️
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QUICK TIP FOR RECRUITS
Re: Video/Social Media
Have a 2-5min highlight video posted on YouTube?
Screen record your best 2-3 swings or 4-5 pitches, clip/combine in iMovie, post as 15-30sec video on Twitter.
Link the full video in your bio, or pin to the top of your profile.
⬇️
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RECRUITS
Every coach evaluates every player differently. 🔍
One coach may see something in you that another does not.
You may not be the right fit for one program... but a great fit for another.
NO's are a part of the process ... all it takes is one YES!
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🚨 TODAY’S THE DAY 🚨
Announcing the Foundations of College Baseball Recruiting online course.
The course will go LIVE this Thursday, 12/22/2022.
SPECIAL OFFER & GIVEAWAY AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS THREAD.
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RECRUITS
Hitters: How to Stand Out In a Showcase Setting
⚾️ Ball Flight: Line Drives? Consistency?
⚾️ Power: To Middle of Field? Frequency?
⚾️ Plate Coverage: Use Whole Field? Turn on Inside; Take Outside The Other Way?
⚾️ Swing Decisions: Swing at Strikes? Takes w/ intent?
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🧵ADVICE FOR RECRUITS 🧵
In response to a DM that I received this weekend.
If you are discouraged by the amount of interest that you are receiving from college coaches...
Ask yourself these 3 questions:
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In light of the MLB’s recent decision to take scouts off the road, we wanted to showcase a few of our arms via social media. Rapsodo reports, full bullpen video, game footage, and contact information available upon request. (Thread: 1/5)
@FlatgroundApp
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🧵RECRUITS 🧵
In response to a few DMs that I received recently:
D1, D2, D3, NAIA, JUCO, USCAA
Relative to your skillset:
How to know which level of competition (& caliber of program) you should focus your time, attention, & resources?
Where do you fit in?
⬇️
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RECRUITS
Don’t rely too much on EMAIL.
Don’t rely too much on SOCIAL MEDIA (posts & DMs).
Don’t rely too much on WORD OF MOUTH (coaches, instructors, & advisors).
Don’t rely too much on EVENTS (showcases & tournaments).
ALL FOUR should be a part of YOUR RECRUITING STRATEGY.
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RECRUITS
Re: Academics 📝
Your grades:
(a) impact the # of next-level opportunities that you can/will receive (admission & eligibility).
AND
(b) the affordability of a college education (academic scholarships).
A word of encouragement;
Be the best student that you can be!
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If a coach/program is actively recruiting you...
To learn more about what it is like to play for that coach, in that program, or attend that school:
TALK WITH CURRENT PLAYERS
Their perspective is invaluable.
And most will be straight forward/honest with you.
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2023-2024
Officially underway!
Excited for the journey ahead with this year’s team.
@IWU_Baseball
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Back foot is flat on ground; pushes weight into the ground, through the middle of his foot (not on toes/heel/inside of foot). Back knee stays over ankle as long as possible (doesn’t collapse over toes or inside ankle). Hips drive down & forward as front knee lifts.
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(1/2)
Coach Wright: Thank you for the opportunity to join your staff two years ago.
Coach Britt: Thank you for the opportunity to stay on staff when you were hired.
Dr. Stevens: Thank you for the opportunity to use coaching as a vehicle to earn a Master's Degree.
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🧵 A peak behind the scenes…
@IWU_Baseball
@IWUWildcats
@indwes
Campus 🏫
Baseball Field ⚾️
Indoor Facility 🌧️
Locker Room 👕
Weight Room 🏋️♂️
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🧵A THREAD FOR HS/TRAVEL COACHES 🧵
In response to a DM that I received earlier this week.
Specific to recruiting, how to support your players who aspire to play at the next level.
Stats
Measurables
Video
Social Media
Player Information
Communication
Education
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RECRUITS
Curious about what questions we ask your coaches/instructors?
Beyond questions about skillset & on field ability…
We want to learn more about what you are like to coach & what you are like to play alongside.
Some go-to’s:
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QUICK TIP FOR RECRUITS
Re: Video 🎥
In a workout/showcase setting:
Recommended angles to film (by position).
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🏠: Hometown/City, State
📚: High School
📝: GPA
⚾️: Position
💪: Height/Weight
📈: Notable Stats/Measurables/Honors
OPEN YOUR DMs so that we can contact you.
(✉️ ➡️ ⚙️➡️ “Allow Message Requests from Everyone”)
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🧵Undrafted out of HS, Tim Hill attended a JUCO in CA his FR year & transferred to a JUCO in CO his SO year.
He went on to attend Bacone College, a small NAIA in rural Oklahoma.
After two seasons at Bacone he was drafted in the 32nd round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the KC Royals.
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🧵RECRUITS 🧵
A question that I’ve received multiple times over the last few months:
“The interest that I am receiving from college coaches … how do I know if it is legitimate, serious, vs. soft, light?”
A good question to ask.
A tough question to answer.
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50+ pages of notes from the
@ABCA1945
convention last weekend ...
@CoachSheets3
you were right; I couldn't type fast enough! So many takeaways - a first-class event:
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❓WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR EMAIL?❓
See below. ⬇️
Sample templates included for both pitchers & position players.
Make it personal.
Make it clear that you researched the university & program.
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Accept that temporary failures are an integral part of sports & life ... Failure is a wonderful teacher IF we learn the lessons it has to teach us & then act on them ... Failure is essential to success ... Pursue growth & development ... Enjoy the journey.
@goldmedalmind
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RECRUITS
For most players…
It takes more than TALENT to be identified, evaluated, & recruited…
It takes:
INITIATIVE (ownership)
EFFORT (sustained over time)
RESILIENCE (toughness)
PERSISTENCE (determination)
PATIENCE (where & why > when)
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6+ months in the making.
Announcement: 12.19.22
Launch: 12.22.22
So excited to share this project with you all!
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Had the fellas over for the first ‘fam dinner’ of the new school year.
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1/ Thoughts on Evaluating Makeup
Beyond on-field tools & skills, here are some of the things that we look for in players that we recruit.
Aptitude
Attitude
Competitiveness
Confidence
Discipline
Integrity
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Deceleration: ”Finish down & around the front hip.” Land leg is firm. Gloveside tucks into front of arm pit. Chest finishes over front knee. Back parallel with ground. Back shoulder facing hitter. Hand finishes next to glove side hip. Back foot finishes high to the sky.
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(2/2)
I am excited to share that I’ve accepted a position at Indiana Wesleyan University, serving as a Pitching Coach & Recruiting Coordinator.
Thank you to Coach Benjamin for the opportunity.
Ready to get to work!
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QUICK TIP FOR RECRUITS
Parents & coaches can & should HELP YOU the best they can throughout the recruiting process...
But YOU should DRIVE THE PROCESS. 🫵
You should be the one:
✔️Emailing
✔️Tweeting/DMing
✔️Asking most of the questions on calls & during visits.
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(2/2) I am slowly working through everything, but came across this & wanted to share. Guidelines to careful pitching observation.
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RECRUITS
Level by level, when do programs commit most of their players?
A tough question to answer.
Often times, situation specific & varies based on program/staff.
Nonetheless, based on conversation & observation: general timelines based on level/competitiveness of program.
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Advice for young coaches, Paul Blanchard
@SMSUBaseball
: Be early (reliability). Do more than what’s expected (passion). Speak up & give your opinion (knowledge). Make someone's job easier (service). Treat everyone with respect (character). Be teachable (the most important factor)
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The odds of an offense having 3 consecutive hits in one inning is 27:1 ... 75% of ‘big innings’ in the MLB include a walk, error, HBP, or SB. Win the free base war! (Todd Guilliams, U. of Kentucky)
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QUICK TIP FOR RECRUITS
Re: Social Media
Coaches can see what you tweet, like, & who you follow.
The tweet/account you are about to engage with..
Could it make a coach ask questions?
About character & level of maturity?
Think before you tweet🤔
When in doubt, put it down📲
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Phone lines are hot 🔥, future of
@ucwv_baseball
is bright ☀️. No better place on campus to make recruiting calls 📲. 2020 class will be on campus in less than two weeks 📦. 2021 class quickly taking shape 👀. Who’s next?
#OneVi21on
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Back leg drives (gas pedal), front leg stabilizes (brakes). Front knee lands flexed- with a little bit of bend, hips begin rotation, front leg firms (“straightens” or “knee pulls back”) as chest finishes down & around front hip. Inability to firm neg impacts command & velocity.
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RECRUITS
Re: The Recruiting Process
Spend less time stressing, worrying about what school & when.
Spend more time thinking about & acting on WHAT YOU NEED TO DO NEXT.
To CREATE opportunities for yourself
AND
BE BETTER-PREPARED for opportunities when they present themselves.
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Love this clip! ... Closed, closed, closed - front foot hits, explode (delayed acceleration & rotation). Pushes weight into middle of front foot. Lead leg firms. Chest rotates down & around front hip (back shoulder faces hitter). Back leg finishes high.
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