Parents' Role in the Recruiting Process

Parents play an important and valuable role in the college baseball recruiting process, but it is critical to understand that the process ultimately belongs to the player. College coaches are recruiting the family, but it is the young man that they are evaluating. The coaches are evaluating more than just talent. They are assessing independence, maturity, and communication skills, amongst other factors.

When parents clearly understand their role and allow players to take ownership, the recruiting process becomes more productive and less stressful for everyone involved.

Parents should focus on the following key areas:

Help with organization and planning

Parents can be instrumental in helping players stay organized by tracking timelines, important dates, academic requirements, and recruiting tasks. This support provides structure while still allowing the player to remain responsible for execution.

Support communication, not replace it

Parents should encourage and guide communication with college coaches, but players should be the ones sending emails, making phone calls, texts, and asking questions. Coaches want to hear directly from the player to evaluate interest, confidence, and maturity.

Encourage accountability and maturity

Recruiting requires consistency, follow-through, and responsibility. Parents can help by holding players accountable to deadlines, preparation, and behavior while allowing them to learn from mistakes and grow through the process.

Provide perspective and emotional support

The recruiting journey includes both highs and lows. Parents play a key role in helping players manage expectations, stay patient, and remain focused on long-term development rather than short-term outcomes.

What parents should communicate with coaches

While most communication with coaches should come from the player, one area where parent involvement is appropriate is financial discussions. Coaches understand that financial decisions are made by families, and questions regarding cost, scholarships, and affordability are acceptable from parents. Parents should also understand that some financial questions cannot be answered by the coaching staff and may need to be directed to the school’s financial aid department.

College coaches consistently express that they want to recruit players who can advocate for themselves. A player who communicates professionally, takes initiative, and demonstrates ownership of their future stands out in a competitive recruiting environment.

When parents take on too much of the process, it can unintentionally signal a lack of independence. When parents provide the right balance of guidance and support, it empowers players to develop the skills coaches value both on and off the field.

Action Step: Define clear parent and player roles early in the recruiting process. Establish expectations that allow parents to support organization and decision-making while ensuring the player remains the primary driver of communication and accountability.

—KG Baseball Consulting Team