The Process of Recruiting

Every year, 30 or so summer collegiate leagues around the nation compete to recruit/sign the best college baseball players in the nation. Typically, the recruiting starts the day after the season ends, which generally is in middle-late August. What is each team looking for? That depends on who you ask. Each coach/organization come from a different background and only they know what they want in a player. With that said, we strive to recruit players that are obviously talented ballplayers. Every team wants to win and the Marlins are no different. At the same time, we also recruit high character athletes as well. Most dedicated players understand the importance of summer collegiate baseball, but there are some that do not. We are facilitating the process of becoming a professional baseball player. Each player is here to refine their skills so that down the road they will be more prepared for tougher competition and ultimately will mature in the process.

Each player will be under a microscope by their family, friends, scouts, teammates, coaches, staff, and mainly...you the fans. Players serve as role models and pillars of the community and are required to act in a professional manner on and off the field. They represent our organization as each wear the 'Marlins' across their chest. We expect them to engage in proper activities off the field and perform on a high level between the lines. With character athletes, it makes it easier to play as a team and teamwork ultimately leads to winning. I've seen super talented players in this league, but eventually struggle because they are not 'team-players'. I certainly give most, if not all the credit to our Manager Jay Bergman. He's certainly been around the game for quite some time and not only knows the game inside and out but commands respect. He is also an effective communicator and leader. He wants every player to learn more about the game of baseball and apply it down the road.

Coach Bergman has done the majority of the recruiting this year and has put together a wonderful group of guys. Recruiting is all about who you know and who trusts you. Fortunately for the Marlins, Coach Bergman has many connections in Texas and Florida in particular where these areas are perceived as 'baseball hotbeds'. I on the other hand do not do any of the recruiting. I handle all contracts though. Many organizations are quite different where roles are reversed.

I believe I touched upon some of this in a previous blog, but schools must have to trust each summer organization. You don't want a summer coach to run a pitcher in the ground or have someone catch 50 games. Just doesn't work like that. They are only human and the wear and tear of the game can be extreme a lot of the time. Ideally, any and every coach wants to put the best team on the field. If you don't perform well, then we will find someone else to do it. Just like anything in life. Winning certainly is a great remedy for the long summer season. It also brings more fans out to the ball park.

We do try to sign local players from the area, but we are searching for specific players. Once again talent and character is what we are looking for. Our coaches have been doing this for a long period of time and they are pretty good at it. We let them do what they are best at and that's finding the best kids possible to play in Morehead City for the summer.

There are 27 spots available on each roster in the Coastal Plain League and each one is as important as the next. The roster is ever-changing throughout the offseason and during the season as well. Every year there are injuries/problems, but each team has to deal with that as well. It's part of the game.

At the end of the day, every player was targeted and recruited for a reason; because we believe they will be a valuable asset to our organization and community. After one successful season in the books, the results have been seen. You win on and off the field.