Now that son is in college, question for the vets out there.......
I know there are a number of factors that go into whether/where a college player ends up playing summer ball.
But, when are players typically given assignments/placed?
I have heard (second hand) that quite a few rosters are set up over the winter, early in the new year (i.e. assignments are made BEFORE the Spring season starts). Is this true/typical? Is it generally the same for upperclassmen vs. freshman college players?
THANKS!!!!
Posts: 648 | Location: Northern VA | Registered: August 05, 2003
Here is a chance for your son to step up...and go talk to the coach about where he would like to play. Tell him to do it NOW, for as Homerun04 stated...rosters are filling up "as we speak."
Different schools have different league contacts. If your son is in VA...the schools will most likely have Valley League or Coastal Plains League contacts, as well as the Cal Ripken, Sr league...all very good leagues.
********************************************** Baseball players don't make excuses...they make adjustments.
Posts: 3966 | Location: Lynchburg, VA | Registered: January 15, 2003
My son got his assignment last year in early October. He came home last weekend and told me the coach was currently talking to him and a couple of teams about his assignment this next summer.
Posts: 313 | Location: Charlotte, NC, USA | Registered: June 27, 2003
Originally posted by momandcpa: OK... great place for me to ask a question.
Son is currently starting his 2nd year at a JUCO. Played this past summer in one of wood bat collegiate leagues. Did well. Looking like he will early sign this fall and continue playing baseball <fingers crossed, prayers in process>.
Who will be responsible for placing him for next summer? Would it be inappropriate for him to ask the coaches he is talking to about this question?
If he is going to sign with a school, I don't see any problems asking them to help finding a place for him to play in the summer before he arrives.
Posts: 1399 | Location: CA | Registered: March 12, 2003
jbbaseball, While it is true that many, many Summer league rosters are being filled, or will be nearly complete by December, those rosters are subject to considerable attrition during the Spring. Grades has played, and with the new NCAA rules will likely play an even greater role. Injury plays a role. Personal issues, family issues and baseball/school matters all play a role. Even if your son is not placed before December, if your son is a good collegiate player and his coaches work hard and have a record of success, they will get him placed. In 2003, our son did not get placed until May. His coach got him a spot in Newport, RI after many months of tenacious effort to get him into the Cape. Newport turned out to be one of the great, great experiences of his baseball life. Wonderful ownership, great community support, and terrific exposure. His spot, and others, came open when grades, injury and attrition impacted a roster they had set the prior November. While it is nice to be have placement early, it is by no means a necessity, even with the best summer league teams.
'You don't have to be a great player to play in the major leagues, you've got to be a good one every day.'
Posts: 2411 | Location: ca | Registered: February 11, 2003
All great advice. The one thing that underlies all of the above postings, but no one actually said it, is "Sense of Urgency". I attempt to impress upon both of my sons in everything they do, that a sense of urgency only works in your favor, if it is employed. I find that young men and women today (probably the same a thousand years ago when we were their age) seem to wait for things to come to them. My experience in life has always been... go out and ask for the order! If you wait, particularly in this instance, factors determining the outcome, may be as a result of issues having nothing to do with whether you deserved a roster spot or not...
"Ask me how I got to be the World's Greatest Polish Joke Teller........
Timing......."
cadDAD
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Posts: 613 | Location: California | Registered: December 16, 2005
My son is a freshman and was just told he would be going to the northwoods leauge. Dont know much about it other than what I read on the web. Is this a good place for a freshman to play. Any info
Posts: 17 | Location: missouri | Registered: September 12, 2008
Originally posted by threestrikesyourout: My son is a freshman and was just told he would be going to the northwoods leauge. Dont know much about it other than what I read on the web. Is this a good place for a freshman to play. Any info
I don't know, does your son like long bus rides some time very late at night, sleeping in hotels and host families homes, coming in late at night after a game, hanging out with his team mates after a victory, playing in front of thousands of screeming fans, if not that is not the place to be!
Posts: 1399 | Location: CA | Registered: March 12, 2003
Originally posted by threestrikesyourout: My son is a freshman and was just told he would be going to the northwoods leauge. Dont know much about it other than what I read on the web. Is this a good place for a freshman to play. Any info
I don't know, does your son like long bus rides some time very late at night, sleeping in hotels and host families homes, coming in late at night after a game, hanging out with his team mates after a victory, playing in front of thousands of screeming fans, if not that is not the place to be!
Posts: 17 | Location: missouri | Registered: September 12, 2008
Homerun04 I should of been more specific I am asking about playing time I have heard stories about that leauge over using pitchers. My son is a two way player in college so that is what they said we will find that out in the spring.I am sure he will not pitch much his freshmen year in college.So the pitching time will be good in the summer.I guess you dont receive much training because of the amount of games. But I sure he will enjoy the fans and teammates .Do I need to leave him a car? Thanks for your help
Posts: 17 | Location: missouri | Registered: September 12, 2008
In the 1st year of the College Summer League; Dick Radatz Sr; Ron Perranoski and Bob Gibson were pitchers. Can you imagine batting against these three future MLB pitchers. This was the Basin League in South Dakota. "The best preparation for the future".
"My suggestion is be prepared, to learn survival and to adjust". Do not worry about a car, playing time or where you will live. Play games using wood bats 30-60 days before joining your team.
"Play ball and Learn the Game" Bob Williams
Posts: 378 | Location: Santa Rosa, California | Registered: February 23, 2005
Is it difficult to get onto a Northwoods team? I believe that I am talented enough, but am only a freshman this year. It probably doesn't help that I go to a new JUCO in Illinois.
How realistic are my chances? I can provide more information about myself if need be.
Posts: 293 | Location: Franklin Park, IL | Registered: February 22, 2007
I can't beleive that it's only september and some are worried that son hasn't a summer assignment as yet especially freshman. So I am in agreement with infielddad. The focus first should be on your college season. Many freshman do not get assignments unless the coach is very familiar with what you can do. My son was the only freshman who got an assignment in the fall, mainly because the coach had been watching him play for a year and how he did against wood. But he ended up not going due to work load. The coach will determine who should go where and why. Mostly, freshman who have not played much and show potential to play will be assigned. Those going into their draft year are priority for most coaches. If your grades haven't been up to par, you don't get the opportunity, you might be asked to attend summer school. As far as over using pitchers, most come with a set of instructions, and there is a balance between what they did that season. My son only put in 30 innings in summer as he had a big load that prior season. Some coaches get spots every year for their players, so they take their time in determining who will go and who won't. Chill out folks, all good things come in due time.
Forget the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey instead...anonymous
Posts: 12757 | Location: South Florida | Registered: July 28, 2003
My son was assigned to a league in the early fall as a freshman by his assistant coach at the time. The coach left later in the fall, and his replacement pulled him from where he was headed and sent him to different league all together. You never know what can happen. I agree with TPM though, the players need to focus and prepare for the season, not worry about what is going to happen next summer.
Posts: 1057 | Location: nor cali | Registered: September 03, 2007
J. Weaver #5, since you're from Illinois you might want to look at the Central Illinois Collegete League, ciclbaseball.com. My son played in three leagues in three years, Northwoods, Coastal Plain, and Valley. His college coach had him placed by early Oct. These teams sign 30+ for 22-24 spots knowing that grades, injuries, draft, etc will get some. Good luck!
Posts: 42 | Location: kingston,tn,usa | Registered: November 20, 2003
