Hurricane Helene brought devastation across the southeast United States. While not as important, it also shifted the recruiting calculus of many.
Often known for its presence by professional scouts, the Perfect Game 18U WWBA World Championships at the Roger Dean Complex in Jupiter has also for years served as athletes' last opportunity to showcase their skills in front of Division 1 college coaches prior to the recruiting shutdown. This year, however, kids were left without that opportunity.
Due to the hurricane pushing the tournament to October 16-21, instead of prior to the holiday weekend, many uncommitted amateurs will finish the week still searching for a new home. Premier juniors heading to Florida for the Upperclass division without a collegiate destination is nothing new nor a surprise. For those juniors who have elected a more drawn-out process, the WWBA can serve as an opportunity for them to play in front of those schools at the top of their lists.
For seniors, however, entering the weekend without a commitment next to their name has become more common. In the wake of the new NCAA Division 1 Baseball rules as determined by the latest settlement, college rosters are being truncated from 40 to 34 players beginning in the fall of 2025. The rule change has caused many, especially at the Power 4 level, to lose their offers. Others, due to the rise in transfer portal, have elected to decommit from their original choice in hopes of finding a school they believe will invest in player development once on campus.
