The Framework to Pick the Right School

Most players think picking a school is about exposure.
It’s not.
It’s about making the right decision once you have options.

The Backstory

I’m working on a new project (you’ll hear about it soon), and to make it happen, I needed to outsource part of the work.

I reached out to several companies—some responded, some didn’t. One was local, another on the West Coast. Each company told me how they could help and what made them different.
Eventually, I had three offers on the table.

And as I was going through this process, I realized—this is exactly what players feel when they’re talking to multiple schools.

It was a significant investment, and I didn’t want to make the wrong decision. One day I’d talk to one company and feel confident, then I’d read reviews on another and start second-guessing myself.

I was doing what most players and parents do in recruiting—making decisions based on emotion.

So I hit pause and did exactly what I tell players to do when choosing a school.

Step 1: Ask the Right Questions

I sat down and asked myself two questions:

1. What is my long-term goal?

2. Who gives me the best chance to reach that goal?

Once I got clear on those, the noise started to fade.

Step 2: Get an Outside Perspective

Then I asked a few trusted people for their thoughts.

Here’s the key: ask a trusted third party—not your parents.

Parents care deeply, but that also means they’re emotionally invested. You need someone who can look at your situation objectively.

That step gave me clarity and confidence to move forward.

How This Applies to Recruiting

When you’re picking a school, ask yourself:

1. What’s my long-term goal?

2. Which school gives me the best chance to reach that goal?

3. Who are the people I’ll be around every day?

4. Do I actually want to spend time with them?

And before you commit, run it by a trusted third party (not your parents).

When you use a framework like this, you remove emotion and status from the equation.

You stop chasing logos—and start choosing the right fit for your future.

Final Thought

If you’re in the middle of the recruiting process and want help using this framework to make the right decision, that’s what I do every day.

I help players and families cut through the noise, get clear on their goals, and find the right college baseball fit—not just the flashiest one.