I can't take it anymore

[AlwaysImprove]

I do not know a single coach that verbals anyone without running that kid past their academic acceptance office, and work with their AD and compliance team during the entire process. There are no coaches running around verballing, behind the schools back.

Where did I say any did? Then again, that doesn't mean that everyone does, after all, how many of the 294 DI head coaches do you know that demonstrates the weight of your statement?

But still, even if they do, many, many things change in three years in all sections, teenager's & school work and social life, coaching staff, etc.

You know too little about the process to be offering advice to others.

What "advice" did I offer anyone other than to be aware of what is real, official and legal as opposed to perceptions borne of opinion? 40k people can come on this board and all say the same thing. Doesn't make it right or legal, just whatever they opined or worked for them or their cousin, or the friend of the barber who cut's their banker's hair.

There is a reason things are put to paper and it is to keep all parties from being hurt. You see it on these boards regularly. The verbals are great, law of the land, the way the real world works, and that is all fine and dandy. But the minute a coach or school takes legal and what may very well be appropriate action for the team or school in accordance with the pre-determined rules, they are the demon and immoral beyond all realization.

Just what is wrong with people being aware of the rules to which they are subjected? Do you not read the fine print when you sign a contract? Are you not aware of the risk factor of an investment, or conditions of a warranty when you make a major commitment, financial or otherwise? Why would you not believe the same should apply to those seeking a softball scholarship?

The issue is that you tell people that they can a verbal from one school, then shop around and pickup a better verbal. Good luck with that advice.

Tyler made the best case for how things can changed. The problem is that it runs smack into the fact that in softball coaches don't recruit verballed players.

The discussion is getting down to the point. The real question here is why don't softball coaches approach verballed players? It is in their best interest. This is what happened in most other sports.

[ontheblack]

I do not know a single coach that verbals anyone without running that kid past their academic acceptance office, and work with their AD and compliance team during the entire process. There are no coaches running around verballing, behind the schools back.

Where did I say any did? Then again, that doesn't mean that everyone does, after all, how many of the 294 DI head coaches do you know that demonstrates the weight of your statement?

But still, even if they do, many, many things change in three years in all sections, teenager's & school work and social life, coaching staff, etc.

You know too little about the process to be offering advice to others.

What "advice" did I offer anyone other than to be aware of what is real, official and legal as opposed to perceptions borne of opinion? 40k people can come on this board and all say the same thing. Doesn't make it right or legal, just whatever they opined or worked for them or their cousin, or the friend of the barber who cut's their banker's hair.

There is a reason things are put to paper and it is to keep all parties from being hurt. You see it on these boards regularly. The verbals are great, law of the land, the way the real world works, and that is all fine and dandy. But the minute a coach or school takes legal and what may very well be appropriate action for the team or school in accordance with the pre-determined rules, they are the demon and immoral beyond all realization.

Just what is wrong with people being aware of the rules to which they are subjected? Do you not read the fine print when you sign a contract? Are you not aware of the risk factor of an investment, or conditions of a warranty when you make a major commitment, financial or otherwise? Why would you not believe the same should apply to those seeking a softball scholarship?

The issue is that you tell people that they can a verbal from one school, then shop around and pickup a better verbal. Good luck with that advice.

Tyler made the best case for how things can changed. The problem is that it runs smack into the fact that in softball coaches don't recruit verballed players.

The discussion is getting down to the point. The real question here is why don't softball coaches approach verballed players? It is in their best interest. This is what happened in most other sports.

What does a coach have to offer a verballed player? In most cases it isnt more money.

[AlwaysImprove]

I do not know a single coach that verbals anyone without running that kid past their academic acceptance office, and work with their AD and compliance team during the entire process. There are no coaches running around verballing, behind the schools back.

Where did I say any did? Then again, that doesn't mean that everyone does, after all, how many of the 294 DI head coaches do you know that demonstrates the weight of your statement?

But still, even if they do, many, many things change in three years in all sections, teenager's & school work and social life, coaching staff, etc.

You know too little about the process to be offering advice to others.

What "advice" did I offer anyone other than to be aware of what is real, official and legal as opposed to perceptions borne of opinion? 40k people can come on this board and all say the same thing. Doesn't make it right or legal, just whatever they opined or worked for them or their cousin, or the friend of the barber who cut's their banker's hair.

There is a reason things are put to paper and it is to keep all parties from being hurt. You see it on these boards regularly. The verbals are great, law of the land, the way the real world works, and that is all fine and dandy. But the minute a coach or school takes legal and what may very well be appropriate action for the team or school in accordance with the pre-determined rules, they are the demon and immoral beyond all realization.

Just what is wrong with people being aware of the rules to which they are subjected? Do you not read the fine print when you sign a contract? Are you not aware of the risk factor of an investment, or conditions of a warranty when you make a major commitment, financial or otherwise? Why would you not believe the same should apply to those seeking a softball scholarship?

The issue is that you tell people that they can a verbal from one school, then shop around and pickup a better verbal. Good luck with that advice.

Tyler made the best case for how things can changed. The problem is that it runs smack into the fact that in softball coaches don't recruit verballed players.

The discussion is getting down to the point. The real question here is why don't softball coaches approach verballed players? It is in their best interest. This is what happened in most other sports.

What does a coach have to offer a verballed player? In most cases it isnt more money.

The same they are offering eighth graders and freshman.

[Sam]

The parents are the only people that can protect their kids from this intense pressure. Just tell the coach that your kid won't be talking to coaches until she begins her Jr year in school. Period. Problem solved.

[Blind Squirrel]

The parents are the only people that can protect their kids from this intense pressure. Just tell the coach that your kid won't be talking to coaches until she begins her Jr year in school. Period. Problem solved.

I think I've expressed in the past my regard for you Sam as I've said I wanted my kid to play 23U for you. But on this we disagree. It IS a problem when a 15 year old kid wants to play for a school that won't have any money for her if she waits. Unless your kid is named Keilani or Kenzie or Dallas college coaches aren't going to sit on money hoping a kid will commit to them some time in the future. We were given deadlines by more than one college coach. My kid would currently be at a different college if money was available for her freshman year. Pure luck that she has no regrets.

Also, my son was offered money but took too long to make a decision. The money was gone by the time he decided. It cost us tens of thousands of dollars.

John

[jonriv]

Parents and players do not have the power to change this -since there is no "recruit union" Each one would have to act unilaterally and hope others do the same. "Hope" is not a plan.

The status quo will change one of three ways:

1) NCAA decides to change it for its own best interests( not likely)

2)NCAA changes it after the Governement threaten legislation to protect kids(similar to how steroid testing started in MLB)

3) Some deep-pocketed, pissed-off parent with an axe to grind sues a University for breach of contract after they back-out or offer less than the verbal promised

[Sam]

The parents are the only people that can protect their kids from this intense pressure. Just tell the coach that your kid won't be talking to coaches until she begins her Jr year in school. Period. Problem solved.

I think I've expressed in the past my regard for you Sam as I've said I wanted my kid to play 23U for you. But on this we disagree. It IS a problem when a 15 year old kid wants to play for a school that won't have any money for her if she waits. Unless your kid is named Keilani or Kenzie or Dallas college coaches aren't going to sit on money hoping a kid will commit to them some time in the future. We were given deadlines by more than one college coach. My kid would currently be at a different college if money was available for her freshman year. Pure luck that she has no regrets.

Also, my son was offered money but took too long to make a decision. The money was gone by the time he decided. It cost us tens of thousands of dollars.

John

Hi John,

If the parents don't do anything, it becomes a chicken vs. egg issue. The coaches would have more money if all the parents of 14/15 year olds refused to let these vultures at their kids. Would we all be OK with a rich 28 year old man trying to impregnate our 14 year olds? As parents, we try to do things which are morally correct. Sure, she could get knocked up and end up not doing what she wanted to do in life.....but she would be living in a mansion and all of her financial needs would be met.....would we be remiss in not allowing this man to hump our daughter?

My respect for you is enormous. I just don't see anyone having the need to change what is happening, other than the parents.

[B-Dad]

I just don't see anyone having the need to change what is happening, other than the parents.

Freely admit I can't speak from experience here, but I have to agree it seems that the parents are the only ones that have the need to change what is happening. At least until early recruiting somehow starts to backfire on coaches in a significant way. IMHO, the issue is simply that (nearly) all the parents/DDs have to collectively decide this has to change and take that approach. That is not likely to happen.

However, I am an optimist, so I'll start. My DD won't commit until she is a Jr. Now will the other 5,000 +/- parents join me in the pledge?

[Ks softball fan]

I have a 2014 and have been told by numerous people that 2014 is basically over. I sont believe it based on what my gut says as well as data. But i bet every 2015 and 2016 is bwing told money is drying up. Yep. Its the parents fault

[Ks softball fan]

And as i sit and watch my dd work out
...one other rant. Isnt there a correlation between this problem and tb teams now loading up with kids from all over the country? College coaches putting recruits together to "bond" early. Screwed up system