committing in middle school?

[boo201]

I was reading about someone now playing D1 who had committed in 8th grade and I'm curious how that works? That's basically 4+ years until she actually plays for the school and a lot can happen between when she commits and actually starts playing for the team. Is the school obligated to take her at graduation? Or is it something more symbolic? I'm feeling a little down for DD who's in 6th grade and I'm not sensing that any schools have her on their radar

 

[_MIA_]

I was reading about someone now playing D1 who had committed in 8th grade and I'm curious how that works? That's basically 4+ years until she actually plays for the school and a lot can happen between when she commits and actually starts playing for the team. Is the school obligated to take her at graduation? Or is it something more symbolic? I'm feeling a little down for DD who's in 6th grade and I'm not sensing that any schools have her on their radar

They changed the rule about that. Cannot verbally commit in MS anymore so you are good

 

[Top_Notch]

Thankfully that foolishness stopped with the change in recruiting rules. Some say too much towards the other way.

When it comes to your time be informed.

Here is a good article by NSR about verbals.

Three Things to Consider Before You Verbally Commit

Verbally committing to a college or university is up for debate in its relevancy and importance. However, when athletes verbally commit it does mean something and they should stay true to their word. For many athletes and coaches, a verbal commit means something and holds some value. However, acc

www.nsr-inc.com

 

[Cannonball]

When a player verbally committed, what really happened was they created a one-way commitment. The university was not under any binding agreement.

 

[Eric F]

I was reading about someone now playing D1 who had committed in 8th grade and I'm curious how that works? That's basically 4+ years until she actually plays for the school and a lot can happen between when she commits and actually starts playing for the team. Is the school obligated to take her at graduation? Or is it something more symbolic? I'm feeling a little down for DD who's in 6th grade and I'm not sensing that any schools have her on their radar

Unless your DD is a legit top-level D1 prospect, it's most likely that your DD won't need to make a college decision until her senior year of HS, and even then a verbal commitment isn't binding until the National Letter of Intent is signed. Most of the players I know who will be playing at mid-level D1 schools committed in the fall of their senior year. I know 2 players who committed to Oregon State (Pac 12) this past fall. One is a senior, one is a junior. Another future D1 player I know had verbally committed to one school, and the day before signing her NLI, switched her commitment after getting a last-minute offer from a preferred school.

For your 6th grader, her only softball concerns should be...
1. Have fun
2. Get better

 

[boo201]

Thanks, I get it now. Although it's good to be on a school's radar a such a young age, but I can see it being abused by trying to close girls from being considered by other schools early on. It's like when DD's travel team asks for a commitment for the next travel season in May (though I admit with not as much at stake!)

 

[Vertigo]

My dd’s year (2021) I saw a lot of players verbally committing to a wide range of D1 programs in the fall of their junior year. I think the 2022’s had more of the trickle-down effect of Covid where they weren’t seen by college coaches the summer after their sophomore year and they had to wait to see which current players would be returning as super-seniors, hence the majority of commitments in the fall of their senior year.

 

[Lance Steckler]

verbal commitment is not binding on either side. Until that NLI is signed.

 

[radness]

verbal commitment is not binding on either side. Until that NLI is signed.

Not binding either side!
Which by the way is still the situation.

 

[KrisHur]

Thanks, I get it now. Although it's good to be on a school's radar a such a young age, but I can see it being abused by trying to close girls from being considered by other schools early on. It's like when DD's travel team asks for a commitment for the next travel season in May (though I admit with not as much at stake!)

Unless she is *really really* good it's not necessarily so good to be on the radar before she can make a good impression. I've seen freshman at college camps who maybe should have taken one more year of development before going. JMO