EMD Baseball Blog | Issue 1 | November 9, 2026
As the fall season winds down and the weather turns, now is the time to step back and ask three questions: Where am I right now? What do I need to get better at? And what does the path look like for next spring and summer?
For most of the country, baseball goes quiet for the next four to five months. That makes this the perfect time to get into the weight room, build good habits around rest and recovery, take a break from playing, and sharpen your strengths while you work on your weaknesses.
Take an honest look at where you stand
November gives families a natural pause to sit down and talk about where the player is in the process. Review your school list, your contact with coaches, and every piece of feedback you’ve gotten from camps, showcases, and your own coaches.
Feedback is one of the most valuable tools in recruiting. It tells you what to improve this offseason so you have the best chance to be recruited next summer, and it should guide every decision you make going forward.
Build a school list that fits
Your school list, coach outreach, and the events you sign up for should all reflect where you fit in the college baseball landscape. Too many families chase programs where the player either can’t play or can’t get admitted, and they lose valuable time in the process. Make sure your list matches your ability both in the classroom and on the field.
If you’re reaching out to Division I coaches this offseason, keep the D1 recruiting calendar in mind. November includes dead periods and recruiting shutdowns when coaches can’t have contact with prospects, so plan your D1 outreach around those dates. Division II and Division III programs don’t follow the same rules, so you can contact those coaches whenever it makes sense.
Start planning your summer now
November is also the best time to map out your summer and decide which camps, clinics, or showcases to add. Not every event is announced yet, since most on-campus camps come out later, but you can get a head start on the bigger events and see how they fit your schedule.
Eventually, you have to get in front of the coaching staffs you’re interested in. Live in the Northeast but want to play in the South? How will those coaches see you play and evaluate your skill set? The same question applies at every level: high-academic schools, D1, D2, D3, or programs on the opposite coast. Penciling in the right events now gives you the best chance to be seen by the programs you want.
Use the offseason well
Keep giving yourself the best chance to be recruited when the time comes. This offseason matters most for the 2028 class, but younger players can build habits now that make the process easier later. For younger players, the weight room is the easiest place to get more physical and better at baseball. Above everything, keep your grades and schoolwork at the top of the list.
Want help building your plan for next summer? Book a free 30-minute recruiting call with EMD Baseball.
