I know this is personal and there are pros and cons both ways.

It really hit home today when Jeff Manship that would have been, by most accounts, a 1st or 2nd round pick last draft (but opted for Notre Dame) is now having Tommy John Surgery.

Wish him the best he seemed like a very nice young man. Hope he recovers.

Do breaking ball pitchers fair as well as hard throwers with this surgery?

I feel bad for this kid, hopefully he recovers and resumes career. If that doesn't work out for him at least he'll have chance for a degree from Notre Dame - with prestige of that degree and alumni connections - may be worth more over lifetime than any bonus $.

Look at the other side of the coin--if he went pro and this happened he would be without the ND scholarship and education and then where is he

I wish the boy the best--he made the right decision in my eyes.

TRhit

TR let us look at the other side of your coin. As a top rounder with "life changing" money. He would be able to go to college and study unencumbered by also having to be a major D-1 athlete. That position has merit as well.

I wish him well. He may never know the other side of his dream.

the Florida Bombers
"I love the HSBBW"

BIG

Not arguing that point-- but "life changing money', I have a true affection for that term because those that use it the most, and BIG I am not aiming the arrow so do not take it personal,, are those whose kids who get drafted 1400 to 1500 or do not get drafted at all.

Also history has shown that the majority of kids who sign out of HS do not go to college when their career ends or is curtailed by injury. Why do you think MLB teams are so willing to grant that clause in the contract !!

My sincerest wish is that he be able to come back next season and be a force on the mound for ND-- one never wants to see a kids career end with an injury such as this.

TRhit

Certainly the boys talent would have put him in the top 2 rounds. JMO Life changing money to one kid might be 100k another may be 1 mill. One kid might want to be set for life. Another may just want enough to supplement, modestly, their income in the minors so that they can live their dream. Top 2 roumds, is life changing by most standards.

I understand that most do not go back to college. I am just not willing to paint everyone with that brush.

Some feel that kids should follow their dreams so as to live life with no regrets. Though that may not be others opinions, it certainly doesn't make it wrong.

I would just point out that one can make a committment to go back to school and that many do use the program. Certain majors are not conducive to playing ball and I certainly see nothing wrong with "planning" to go after your career is over. Or better yet to go every fall and work towards your degree. Failure to follow a plan later is something that you and your family must deal with. I would stop shrt of saying that players who plan for that are making a mistake. Having a plan is just that. Some "do" follow through. It is all about personal committment.

It is wise that people know the facts. That we can agree on.

the Florida Bombers
"I love the HSBBW"

it is my opinion most first or second rounders ,have agents looking out for them and have 4 years of college in their contract,paid for by the team to go anywere they want,at least the few i know of. tough decision real tough

quote:

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Originally posted by TRhit:
Look at the other side of the coin--if he went pro and this happened he would be without the ND scholarship and education and then where is he

I wish the boy the best--he made the right decision in my eyes.

TRhit

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TR, If Manship had turned professional, he would have four years of education at "Notre Dame" paid for and a very thick bankroll also.

Hopefully Notre Dame does Manship a favor by not yanking his $$, if he does not come back well.

Hindsight is easy, but if he threw all those CB's and could have actually passed a physical and cashed a big check with a faulty elbow....well BBscout has a point.

I understand that an education is important. My wife is a professor of Math Ed and it is stressed in our family. To turn down 1st or second round money is not a "wise" decision in my opinion. What it really comes down to is priorities and each family has to decide for themselves. I am sure that my son would not have made the same decision. However, the Manships did what they felt was right. They also felt that the option would be there in the future. If it isn'? Well they get an education.

Let us not be naive, though. If he does not come back he will lose his dollars and have to pay. Had he gone to the pros and got hurt, the college would have been there for him.

The reasoning that "most people don't go back to school" is not a reason to not do it at all, but more of a reason to be well thought out before going pro.

the Florida Bombers
"I love the HSBBW"

quote:

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The reasoning that "most people don't go back to school" is not a reason to not do it

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Big is correct - if faced with that decision, you need only think about what "you" will do with your future, not what others did in the past with theirs

lefties? - - - they just aint right!

As a parent whose son may be facing the same decision in June, I can only say that this is a very personal decision and only the family knows why the decision was made,it is not for us to make assumptions. I well understand the dilemma and I am sure if the scholarship was from State U things may have been different. If the coaches are sincere, they will stand behind Manship and give him every opportunity to succeed. And if you think about it, could this decision have been made because the injury was taken into consideration? Remember, there are physicals that have to be passed before someone gives you millions of dollars.
It was recently brought to my attention that many who sign have second thoughts about whether they made the right decision, whereas many that chose college never regretted the decision. To sign, one must be 100% sure, not 99.9% sure that it is the right thing to do. And life changing money does means a lot to different people.

bbscout

With all due respect we do not know that to be fact--quite possible yes-- fact is we do not know nor will we ever know.

I have known many kids who college education in their contract--they got hurt one or two years into their career and never took advantage of the option.

TRhit

1st or 2nd round money would be at least $750K PLUS college money, if he chooses to go. It's difficult for me to imagine turning down that kinda money, especially with the injury/flameout risk of 17/18 year-olds.

GO TO COLLEGE!!!!!!!!!!

TBross,

Could I be so bold as to ask why you are so emphatic? We like to hear different points of view on this subject. Maybe you have a different perspective.

the Florida Bombers
"I love the HSBBW"

TBross, I think you are the young man that could push 100 mph at one time if I remember right. You were a mystery to me. A well respected agent now, and welcome to the board. As I recall, you are about 6'9" and about 240lbs.

"Hopefully Notre Dame does Manship a favor by not yanking his $$, if he does not come back well."

Notre Dame has honored their one year scholarship offer to Jeff.. (Remember scholarships are only one year at a time)..

In speaking with another ND pitchers parent, ND was all over Manships surgery and now recovery, they are following him very closely and expect him to return to the mound next spring, if he is physically able to return I am sure that they will again honor his scholarship.

But this asks a question.. I am not sure what happens at this school or other D1 schools when a player cannot physically return to participate a second year due to an injury that did not occur while the player was a member of their program as is the case here. Anyone know?

My ND connection states that this is one outstanding young man who fully expects to get his education from ND and wear an Irish uniform next spring.. I wish him nothing but the very best in his recovery and we do hope to see him next season where he belongs, on the mound.

_______________
"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole."

"JustMom"

13th round in 87' Mets in 91 and Giants in 93

the Florida Bombers
"I love the HSBBW"

Justmom,
I know of a situation where a freshman sat reshirt one year due to sore arm. Second year needed Tommy John Surgery another redshirted year because they proved the injury was not related to the school.I don't think you can get away with more than that.