The “Exposure” Trap: Unmasking the Big Business of College Recruiting

For many parents, the dream of seeing their child play sports at the collegiate level is a mix of pride and anxiety. We want to support their passion, and we certainly don’t want them to “miss their shot” because we didn’t sign them up for the right team or tournament.

However, over the last decade, travel sports has exploded into one of the most lucrative industries in America. With that growth has come a wave of “expert” advice that is often less about your child’s future and more about someone else’s bottom line.

If you’ve been told that your child must play for a specific organization or attend a specific “showcase” to be seen, it’s time to look behind the curtain.

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The Conflict of Interest Nobody Talks About

The recruiting world is currently rife with misinformation designed to prey on a parent’s lack of experience with the process. Here is the reality of the “agenda” you may be encountering:

• The Referral Kickback: Many individuals offering “consultation” or advice receive incentives for every athlete they refer to a specific travel organization or every team they funnel into a tournament.

• The Coaching Conflict: It’s common to see local college coaches, assistants, or camp instructors heavily involved with local travel organizations. While they are often great coaches, they are frequently making their primary living through these private entities. This creates a massive conflict of interest.

• The “Elite” Illusion: You are told you need private lessons from a specific person to reach Division 1. In reality, that person is often just trying to fill their own schedule.

When someone tells you that a specific team is the only way to get exposure, ask yourself: Who is getting paid for that recommendation?

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By the Numbers: The Reality Check

The “one size fits all” advice given by travel organizations is usually tailored to the “Elite” athlete, but those athletes are the exception, not the rule.

Level of Play	Percentage of HS Athletes
Any College Level	7%
Division 1	1.6%
Power 4 (Elite D1)	0.02%

The advice for a Power 4 prospect is fundamentally different than the advice for a Mid-Major D1, D2, or D3 athlete. If 99.98% of athletes are not Power 4 recruits, why is everyone being sold the same expensive “exposure” package?

A travel team will not get you into college. A tournament will not get you into college. Your skill, your grades, and your direct engagement with schools will.

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A Healthier Path: Three Steps to Real Success

Instead of chasing expensive “exposure” ghosts, focus on these three pillars to help your athlete find the right fit.

1. Find the Right Competitive Fit

Don’t choose a team based on its “clout” or a promise of scholarships. Look for:

• A level of competition that challenges your athlete but is appropriate for their current skill.

• A great team culture and a coach who is an effective communicator.

• A team that prioritizes development (at least one practice per week) rather than just playing games every weekend.

2. Specialized Instruction vs. Recruitment

Find an instructor who is an expert in a specific skill (pitching, hitting, footwork, fielding).

• The Red Flag: If an instructor tries to recruit your child to a different travel team or bad-mouths your current situation, find a new instructor.

• The Philosophy: Encourage your athlete to follow this hierarchy: Practice with the team, Develop with an instructor, and Train on their own. Personal accountability is what builds college-level talent.

3. Target Schools Directly

Once your athlete is in high school, stop waiting for scouts to “stumble” upon them at a massive 50-field complex.

• Research colleges that offer the academic and athletic balance your child wants.

• Attend prospect camps and clinics hosted by those specific schools.

• This gets your athlete directly in front of the coaches they actually want to play for, rather than hoping a scout is watching the right inning at a random tournament.

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It is unfair that people take advantage of a family’s dreams for financial gain. By understanding that the recruiting process is personal—not a “pay-to-play” machine—you can protect your wallet and your child’s love for the game.