Baseball recruitment is a game unlike any other. In baseball, more than any other sport, good players are easy to miss. How do you avoid becoming yet another talented player who never gets recruited?

In more general athletic recruitment, with sports like football, soccer, and basketball, good players frequently stand out. It's very easy to get every player involved. Sure, players have bad games from time to time, but most of the time, the talented players are easy to spot.

The same is true in individual sports, like swimming, tennis, and golf. In fact, in these sports, a coach knows that you will be involved in every play. It's easy for a coach to get a feel for you. Recruitment is much simpler.

With baseball, this isn't the case. At some recruiting events, you may only get to play in the field for a few innings. What if a ball doesn't get hit to you? How can you show coaches your soft hands and strong arm?

By the same token, you may only get a few at-bats during a given showcase. What if you're in a bit of a slump? What if, while most people are facing untalented pitchers, you're unlucky enough to face the best pitcher at the camp? For these reasons, baseball recruitment is very difficult.

Here are a few crucial steps you can take to better navigate the baseball recruitment process:

• Send coaches a video: This makes baseball recruitment a lot easier. You can't guarantee that you'll be successful at every recruiting event. But you can make sure that you look good on film. Try to combine game footage with film from practice sessions.
• Talk to coaches: If you didn't play your best, let a coach know. Coaches appreciate confidence and are willing to take a second look at you.
• Act like a baseball player: Sometimes a ball won't get hit to you. But that doesn't mean a coach isn't watching. Keep your head in the game, look ready, dress appropriately. Be vocal. If a coach can tell that you will be a good influence on his team, he is more likely to recruit you.

College baseball recruiting is difficult. You have to overcome several obstacles to be recruited, and, hopefully, get a baseball scholarship. (See information about softball scholarships.) The biggest mistake you can make is being too passive, just hoping to be recruited. That said, if you play the game right, you can avoid being one of the guys that college coaches inevitably miss.