Just curious as to whether the parents here pretty much let their sons do everything in the process, in terms of contacting coaches, sending out mail, signing up for camps, etc...

In my own personal experience, I kind of feel on my own through the thing. Sometimes I feel like my parents just want me to stay right here all my life, and I sometimes get frustrated, because I've worked my whole life on getting to a quality D-1 school...and it's my junior year now. Sometimes I just feel like I don't get much support through this although I do know that my dad and mom want what's best for me which may differ from what I think is best for me.

First, do your parents feel like college baseball is something they think you should pursue? Secondly, do they understand that it's something you want to pursue?

I tried to have my son do much of the process. I feel that it's important for the young men to experience making calls, writing letters, filling out questionnaires, etc. You'll learn a lot from doing those things. I did however, always look things over and I'm the one that took them to add postage and drop in the mailbox.

You'll find from the recruiting process that the coaches will want to speak with you most of the time, not your parents. So, to begin to prepare for this experience now would only benefit you.

I would suggest that you make sure your parents know what you want for yourself and also discuss the recruiting process with them. Nate, as much as our kids often think we know what we're doing, sometimes we are as lost as you. Have a heart to heart with them.

I pretty much just wrote a few paragraphs and about hit the send button, but decided not to.

I'll just talk to my parents and try to get on the same page as them. I think that my dad, for the most part, knows where I stand in the process.

Probably shouldn't have started this topic. It's probably a little more personal than I should be getting into.

Thanks for the advice, lafmom. I'm doing well in sending out letters and etc...I just hope that when push comes to shove, my dad will realize that he needs to chofure (sp?) me around some bordering states to get me some showcase opportunies.

Nate - I appreciate your question. If you're wondering about the process and where you fit in, where your parents fit in, etc., then there's probably another young man out there with the same thoughts.

Those college trips provided great memories for me in allowing me to spend some one on one time with my son. Since he's in JUCO, I'm actually looking forward to the trips this summer/fall! I guess he'll still want me along?

You should always feel free to ask your questions here Nate!

quote:

You should always feel free to ask your questions here Nate!

Thanks for that.

It's just hard to get into, because it's so complicated. I just can't describe the situation, because people would kind of have to understand my mom and dad to understand the situaton.

Thanks for the help Lafmom, and enjoy the time in your school searching, with your son this summer.

Edit: And also, to the religious members of this forum, please pray for me. Don't pray that I land at the school I want. Just pray that I would handle the situation the way I should and would be content with however the college situation works out.

Nate - I think this is an excellent question. IMHO, it would be nice if your parents were more enthusiastic but you might as well take the bull by the horns in the mean time. There is nothing in this world holding you back from doing all the things you hoped your parents would help you do. You would be sick to think back someday "Gee if I had only been a little more proactive" Don't let perceived roadblocks stop you from achieving your goals and dreams.

Nate - I just wanted to let you know that I got a good laugh out of your comment "Just curious as to whether the parents here pretty much let their sons do everything in the process..." It's funny to me because my daughter is a senior athlete and if I "let her do everything" absolutely NOTHING would get done!!! Shoot Nate, half the things I beg her to do, don't get done. So no, we don't "let" her do things, we have to make her participate in the process.

On a more serious note, this is the perfect place for your question. I'm sure there are many here who would help you through the process. I can't think of a better place to learn. Please don't hesitate to ask for help!

One suggestion, something that really caught me off guard is the cost of college. You really need to figure out what your parents plans are for covering the cost and target schools that are "reasonable" (I use that term loosely) so you're not shocked when it comes time to decide. One thing you might want to do is make a spreadsheet of all the schools you're interested in or those that are interested in you and figure out the cost of attendence (Room, board, tuition, fees, meals) so you can compare them. I actually have one started and I can e-mail it to you if you'd like. Just PM me your e-mail address.

Where did Nate go?

My son picked 50% of the schools he was interested in and I did all the rest. He was playing ball,studying and workind.
I produced the DVD , the info sheet, sent letters, e-mails and talked to the coaches.
The whole process was a very enjoyable experience and went smoothly. The coaches were great and only talked to son to make sure he was interested in their school.

quote:

Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
I sent letters, e-mails and talked to the coaches.

Interesting. I was "reprimanded" by a coach who said "it's nice to hear from your dad. But we're not recruiting him, we're recruiting YOU."

I only provided transportation and oversight such as looking over his letters or emails. I did feel free to ask my "momma questions" if we actually met with a coach or to ask my questions on the phone if it was a coach that had called several times. Otherwise, it was all son.

He knew I was there and I always offered my opinions on particular schools, but he did the majority of the work. I just did the majority of the worrying!

I guess all those coaches that made offers of tryouts and scholarships were just being polite.
Probably talked to atleast 30 coaches and not 1 said anything like that. Some coaches were so helpful and probably 15-20 phone calls with some. They seemed more interested in what I was selling.

I think Beezer is just pointing out the other side of the coin.

If there's one thing that Nate or any young person can take away from this thread, it's that there is no 'pat' way to handle the recruiting process. Every family, every player, every coach, and every program is a little different. I think it's great for kids to hear the different perspectives and take away what might work for them and their situation.

quote:

Originally posted by lafmom:
I think Beezer is just pointing out the other side of the coin.

Exactly. I didn't mean to suggest that you were fibbing or anything Bobble. I would've much rather preferred to deal with the coaches than to hope my daughter was getting it done. But I got a ton of feedback from several resources indicating that the recruit should be the one to phone, e-mail, etc.

I agree with Beezer. I was told by a couple of coaches that while it's okay for the parents to make contact with them, they would rather the kids themselves do it be cause it shows them the kids have ambition and gives them an idea of their character. Not that they don't have ambition or character if the parents do it for them. It also helps the kids get used to doing things for themselves and will help them in future endeavors like landing a job.

I understand your point.
My son is a great student and was working as well as playing ball (basketball and baseball).
I see it as delegation of duty. I had the time,resoures, experience and can do a much better job than he could. Most the time coaches are hard to reach and I had the time to stay on it.
I did not have one negative response and most coaches understand that dealing with adult coaches is hard for an active student athlete. I always started by expressing that my son was interested in there program but I was doing the preliminary contact. Everyone of them was polite and continued to contact me by phone and e-mail. It was never an issue.
I think knowlegeable parents can express the details that the coaches are interested in and respond to their requests more timely. Some of the coaches gave me info my son would never ask for.
If he wasn't a go getter he would not be were he is today.
The coaches eventually talked to him and wanted to know he was interrested in him. In our case we had to apply to a few schools,get accepted before they would make us an offer. There is no way he could handle the work load that was invoved for all the schools we were dealing with. Logistically impossible.

Nate a few thoughts

don't panic, and cut Mom & Dad some slack

they're in a sense veterans of the recruiting process with your brother and ... "seeing your intensity" are probably confident things will work out

you however, have sought more "in depth" info here and might have higher expectations

hey, they might even think it cool if the bros played together, roomed together ... yikes!?

also, YOU could do a ALOT WORSE than SW Ohio ... it's NOT technicly the "HEARTLAND", but it's right next-door (to the south )

keep positive (PMA) while things shake out

quote:

Originally posted by Beezer:
Where did Nate go?

Haha, I forgot to check back in the thread.

Well, thanks for the advice, Beezer...and everyone else. It's much appreciated. I've talked to my dad recently, and we're on the same page.

Beezer, you have a PM.

quote:

Originally posted by Natedawg:
Beezer, you have a PM.

And you, sir, have an e-mail. For what it's worth Nate, it might be helpful for your parents to check this site out.

quote:

Originally posted by Beezer:

quote:

Originally posted by Natedawg:
Beezer, you have a PM.

And you, sir, have an e-mail. For what it's worth Nate, it might be helpful for your parents to check this site out.

OK, I’ll check my e-mail when I get home tonight. For whatever reason, schools don’t let you check your e-mail from their school computers.