You Never Know Who’s Watching: Why Character Matters in Recruiting
We recently hosted a social media workshop for 25 high school athletes, grades 9–12. At the end, nearly every athlete gave it a thumbs-up. That felt great, but what stuck with me most came the next day. The coach shared a story I can’t stop thinking about: a story that perfectly illustrates today’s message — you never know who’s watching.
Leading by Example – Even in Practice
The coach told us:
“Our shortstop this season was incredible. He consistently made diving plays —accurate, aggressive, and committed. And he did it every single day in practice, not just during games. It didn’t matter if the ground was hard and dry. It didn’t matter if he was dog-tired from a full day of classes. He would lay out for the chance to stop a ball and make an important play.”
Some might say that’s just a shortstop doing his job. But here’s the twist: underclassmen started watching him and mimicking his effort. Soon, they were all laying out for balls in practice. His quiet leadership elevated the entire team.
The lesson? You never know who’s watching and learning from you.
The Scouting Starts Long Before the Game
It’s tempting to think scouting only happens during a game. After all, that’s when stats happen. But coaches start watching long before the first pitch.
They’re looking at how you:
Warm up
Interact with teammates
Respond to failure or mistakes
Carry yourself when no one seems to be looking
One of our Grit athletes, now committed to an SEC D1 program, was scouted for months before any contact was made. The coaches took notes on his attitude and effort long before they interacted with him.
It’s Not Just Coaches Watching
The bleachers are filled with more than just scouts. Parents, alumni, media, trainers, and even local influencers attend games, and many of them are looking for athletes to promote, mentor, or recommend.
You may be getting photographed, filmed, or tagged without knowing it. Some of the best “press” happens when someone posts a short clip and tags a school or scout.
Free press is the best press—but you have to be ready for it.
Social Media Is Your Digital Resume
Love it or hate it, social media is a powerful recruiting tool. Many college programs don’t have the travel budgets or time to see everyone live. But they do check Instagram, Twitter/X, and YouTube.
And they’re not just watching your highlight reels. They’re checking:
Your captions and hashtags
How you interact with others
What you post outside of sports
Tip: If you’re an athlete and don’t have a Twitter/X account, create one. It’s where many coaches search first.
Your Character Shows in Small Moments
You can tell a lot about an athlete by how they act when no one’s clapping.
Examples of high-character moments:
Hustling to back up a teammate
Cleaning the dugout (even if you’re a senior)
Supporting a teammate after a strikeout
Coaches value these soft skills just as much as performance. In fact, they often use them as tie-breakers when deciding between athletes.
Coaches don’t expect perfection. But they do expect character.
The Power of Reputation
Before a coach makes contact, they’re gathering information. They ask your current and former coaches:
What kind of teammate is this player?
How do they respond to coaching?
Are they consistent off the field?
Why? Because one bad teammate can undo the cohesion of an entire roster.
My son was invited to throw a bullpen for a college. We found out afterward that the school had already talked to his coach and several other people before ever contacting him. They were checking his reputation first.
The Grit Takeaways
In a world full of talented athletes, your character, consistency, and humility can be your edge.
Always conduct yourself like someone is watching — in games, before and after, and in practice.
Use social media wisely. Make it easy for others to tag and find you.
Check your platforms occasionally — pull tagged content into your feed.
Be a great ballplayer, but be an even better human.
Remember: you’re not just building stats — you’re building a legacy both on and off the field.
