The thread on the commitment of Ethan Stringer caught my eye, and there is a thread with similar discussion over on Yappi-the Ohio version of this-pertainining to the early commitments. I am new here, and not sure how much we can discuss one kid's commitment, so I thought this was a great topic. Full disclose, I am very involved on both the Ohio and Kentucky side of the river in select baseball, and know the kids pretty well. Kids are committing earlier and earlier these days in all sports, not just baseball. LSU had an 8th grader commit to play football. Ohio State just got a commitment from a freshman QB from Massilon. In baseball, with the commit of Stringer, that's 13 of the top 20 ranked 2016 baseball players in the midwest (per PBR) that have committed, and my guess is several more will commit before their sophomore years are over. Stringer makes the third kid off his Midland Tomahawk team alone, other two to Kentucky and Vandy. So, why is this? I see here that some say it is "risky". Why? I understand there is nothing binding on either party, it is just a handshake. What is the risk, that the school changes their minds? Why is that an issue? I can assure you that Stringer and all the other commits will continue to get phone calls, there is not a recruiter that is worth his paycheck that will stop calling. I can also assure you that the parents are fully aware, and will not sever the phone lines. The pressure is on these kids big time from the schools to commit. Louisville is really hot right now, this is their their third 2016 commit already. Vandy has more than one, as does UK. I personally see zero risk, other that public scrutiny if the kid, or school, decides to go another direction. You wait to commit to UC, or Xavier, or any other up and coming program. The big boys ask for your commitment immediately, and while you are mulling your decision they keep recruiting, and are very upfront that the offer is there unless someone else takes it. I personally know a 2015 had been offered by a strong D1 school back in the fall, did not commit, and was just called and told sorry man, another guy took your slot and we have no room. Luckily this kid did not quit taking calls, and has several other options. I guarantee you that Ethan and the others that are committed will have plenty of opportunities should their dream school not pan out. I understand Louisville was Ethan's dream slot, so if I am him I jump on it too. The kid that committed to Vandy, his dad chimed in on the thread in yappi and explained that Vandy was his "auto-yes" school, and he jumped on it. There are exceptions of course, there is a lefty on the same Midland team that is being offered by every school in the country. He is 6'4 and sits in 84-86 range, and has touched 88. These are legit numbers, from Perfect Game and PBR, and this kid can afford to wait as long as he wants. Kid with those measurables don't grow on trees, and they hold all the cards. By the same token, another big lefty from that team in the 2016 already pulled the trigger to UK, which was his top choice. In Stringers case, I don't want to say outfielders are a dime a dozen, but they kind of are. He was targeted by Louisville as their top OF choice in this class, so they offered, but I can assure you they were staying hot on #2,3,4, etc. So I ask again, a couple on here talked of risk. What exactly is that? The only way these kids don't end up at their school of choice is if their skills erode, in which case the offer would not be there if they hadn't signed anyhow. If it was your kid, could you convince him/her to wait? The girl at Notre Dame, the VB player, she committed to Penn State in the 8th grade, right? That one worked out just fine. Look forward to the responses.

Kids can't decide what they want for dinner much less picking out their future as an 8th grader.

Junior or Senior season is OK by me.

It's never too early imo. Just because they give verbal doesn't mean they can't go anywhere else if they choose to later. They can't sign letters as a sophomore as far as I know, I may be wrong,but making a verbal doesn't rule them out of other schools or being drafted etc.

It's never too early imo. Just because they give verbal doesn't mean they can't go anywhere else if they choose to later. They can't sign letters as a sophomore as far as I know, I may be wrong,but making a verbal doesn't rule them out of other schools or being drafted etc.

 

I think this is true. So I am not sure I understand what the point is. Other then letting the kid know they are interested. Seems to me either party could change their view.

I think this is true. So I am not sure I understand what the point is. Other then letting the kid know they are interested. Seems to me either party could change their view.

 

Either party can change their view, which to me makes it a no risk scenario. I will take you that no school wants to be known as the one that is randomly throwing out offers and reneging on them. I will admit, I completely did it wrong in my process, committed to two schools and ended up signing with a third. I have regretted that most of my adult life. I hope these kids kids have families that instill integrity in them and teach them a commitment is a commitment. I was on my own from an athletic standpoint, had no role model or mentor, and screwed it up. As for what is the point, as I mentioned it's like taking number at the deli. It ensures you a slot, at least it should as long as the coaches honor their word. Most conferences, save the SEC, are putting rules in place around over signing, which is a way to protect the kids and a great practice.

Good stuff, Malibu. I see no risk. Heck, I'd be more concerned if I was the school.

 

I know a guy whose son is one of the top players in the country - plays at the same high school that ARod attended. He is a junior this year and committed to Vandy in the fall. Had an offer from UNC and was planning on other visits. Loved Vandy. Committed.

 

As one guy always says recruiting doesn't really start until a top kid commits somewhere. He'll still get recruited and can change his mind.

 

P.S.Dylan Moses is the kid that committed to LSU. He's a frosh. Got offered as an 8th grader. Crazy.

I marvel at these schools ability to evaluate talent, then to evaluate it that early and are able to project that a kid can make their roster always amazes me. It would seem their is too much room for error offering that early. And any kid that thinks that early offer will be binding is sadly mistaken.

Awesome for Stringer! I will say I know of players who committed freshmen yr who when it comes down to signing only get a walk-on spot. Its their senior year and are left scrambling to find another D1 team. That won't be the issue with Ethan.