TPM - I took a little liberty with those questions to hopefully add some humor
Some of those questions are not far off from what we've seen around here however. I believe I have seen the 75% question asked and whether or not to offer refreshment questions. I made up the radar gun question for humor
Advice when adhered to and followed may be beneficial, non-beneficial, damaging, non-damaging, partially beneficial and partially damaging, in reference to personal or social paradigms. In other words, not all advice is either "all good" or "all bad."
Posts: 151 | Location: New Jersey | Registered: September 26, 2007
When my son was going through the recruiting process, I never asked any questions. I just read nearly every thread related to recruiting on this site, where I learned every conceivable question had already been answered in varying ways over the years. The advice -- most of it thoughtful and some of it contradictory -- was incredibly helpful.But I always found the contrasting opinions allowed me to see both sides of issues and then I could form my own opinion about what to use and what to discard.
Posts: 92 | Location: Carolinas | Registered: June 20, 2009
Here here Catfish! Excellent point. Interesting how information can be accurate or inaccurate based on a person's perspective. It is up to each of us to take the information provided and make a good decision based on current and prospective needs. The more "educated" the better. IMHO the more info the better....that includes BOTH sides of the discussion.
Posts: 62 | Location: Colorado | Registered: January 07, 2009
Even the 75% question can be legit (not arguing). It may be like us and whether 75-80% at one school is better than 100% at another. My son is struggling with having to pay to go to his #1 or taking his #4 and going for free. So it may be that some parents just can't figure out how to ask the question correctly, or some can just be bragging. All questions are not equal but I love reading them because it helps me advise my son. So, would you take 80% at your #1 or 100% at your #4? Info, #1 is great team and great exposure. #2 is close. #3 is up and down. #4 is close to home, 100% ride, immaculate facilities, locals can come watch, but team is lacking. HELP!
Posts: 303 | Location: Johnson City, TN | Registered: April 01, 2004
I would tell my son to go where he feels is the best place for him both as a student and a baseball player. If that is why #1 is his #1 then thats good enough imo. Good luck
Posts: 928 | Location: NC | Registered: July 26, 2008
Thanks Coach. That is what I'm trying to get across to him. He is struggling between the winning teams that have a chance to get to CWS and the team that has the other stuff to offer, including the personal fan support.
Posts: 303 | Location: Johnson City, TN | Registered: April 01, 2004
You can go to a CWS contender and sit for two years while at a current non-contender he may play immediately.A player does not develop sitting on the bench
I agree but try to tell that to a 17 y.o. The other factor is that the local is willing to consider playing first and batting when he is not pitching. I am just praying that I can give him advice without pushing him to what I think versus what he wants. That is why I love this site is that someone has been where I'm at, no matter where I am. And guess what, when this is done I will have been there and can give someone else advice. Coach May, how is your son doing with the redshirt at UNC. If you would rather PM me that is fine.
Posts: 303 | Location: Johnson City, TN | Registered: April 01, 2004
The advice here for us has been very useful. It made me realize how lucky we are to have found the right travel team at the right time. Since I joined the board, every piece of advice our coach gives us, I can say, yes, I heard that someplace and I know it's important.
As the HS season approaches, I have a question that I would ask right now if I were a newbie, regarding a situation that will probably be frustrating this spring. But I already know the answer. Relax. Enjoy the ride. Do NOT Talk To The Coach.
Jeff my son did redshirt last season and played this past summer in the Great Lakes League. He really enjoyed the experience. His first college game experience came in the summer playing with wood. He had a blast and loved it. The RS year was very good for him. It gave him a chance to get a year of school under his belt at a very tough academic school. He is now a RS freshman and enjoying the fall season. My son loves the school his coaches and his team mates. He says he is very happy with his decision and would not change a thing. So that makes me happy.
He is going to the CPL this summer and says he is excited about the upcoming college season as well. He told me that he is such a better player now than he was when he first arrived and looks forward to working hard and continuing to get better. All he wants to do is win and do what it takes to help his team win. He is very happy and thats all that matters to me. Thanks for asking.
Posts: 928 | Location: NC | Registered: July 26, 2008
Originally posted by Coach_May: Jeff my son did redshirt last season and played this past summer in the Great Lakes League. He really enjoyed the experience. His first college game experience came in the summer playing with wood. He had a blast and loved it. The RS year was very good for him. It gave him a chance to get a year of school under his belt at a very tough academic school. He is now a RS freshman and enjoying the fall season. My son loves the school his coaches and his team mates. He says he is very happy with his decision and would not change a thing. So that makes me happy.
He is going to the CPL this summer and says he is excited about the upcoming college season as well. He told me that he is such a better player now than he was when he first arrived and looks forward to working hard and continuing to get better. All he wants to do is win and do what it takes to help his team win. He is very happy and thats all that matters to me. Thanks for asking.
That is excellent news Coach May. I'm really looking forward to watching Jeff and company put their signature on another successful season!
CD - I almost spit out my diet coke when I read your post about asking if the scout could move the radar gun... priceless!
"Watchin my boys play baseball is another day in paradise"
Posts: 938 | Location: East Coast | Registered: August 15, 2005
Thanks JD nice to hear from you I hope your boys are doing well. Everytime I think of you I get jealous knowing you still have a younger stud in the wings and you are going through this great time once again.
I got a chance to watch some of the fall world series and lets just say they are going to be very very good this season. And the type of young men in that program are a joy to be around. I am very happy for Q and hope to see him on TV one day. But I often think about how awesome it would have been to have him around for a couple of years in Chapel Hill. Take Care
Posts: 928 | Location: NC | Registered: July 26, 2008
Originally posted by ClevelandDad: For instance, I can advise an unemployed person that they ought to go out and be a senator or the President of the US. It might be great advice (from my point of view) but the practicality of it is zero. Sometimes on these boards, the advice will also be way over the ability/capability of the asker to follow. For example, you sometimes see advice like the best way to get recruited is to get on the Midland Redskins or East Cobb Braves, win a national championship in Farmington, get selected to the PG All-American team, etc. I am sure with those types of credentials a kid will get noticed but to offer that type of advice as a practical tip to someone asking from Montana seems a reach at best.
Finally, sometimes the asker of the advice already knows the answer. The question is rigged as an announcement of some amazing attribute of their kids or themselves or both. Questions like "Is a 75% offer from Stanford a good one?" or "Should we offer food or drink to the scouts when they visit our house" or "Is it ok to ask the scouts to move their radar guns out of our sight-plane when we are trying to watch our son pitch?"
Priceless.
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Posts: 2677 | Location: CA | Registered: May 15, 2005
Simple,we parents are told so many things.We certainly want the best for our children and ask a lot to figure the way best appropriate for our situation.Our situation is that of our sons and the adventure in this arena can be confusing.You are absolutely correct no matter how much you tell us the fire is hot we still have to touch,but it is not done because of stupidity,but of doubt and concern.Please don't stop the advice ,because the very advice you are shaking your head over has allowed me the avid reader of this site to navigate the many trials of my baseball son.He will hopefully be signing soon with the D-1 program he has admired for so many youthful years.You well know this site is very valuable to the "my son" types,those that have to go out and be noticed vs the "Blue Chips".This site has also put me in a position to offer qualified advice to other parents and give them this same site.The advice from certain posters has equally allowed us to know how the direction our baseball programs need to go to offer these kids the same realization of that of my son.Please keep giving and we will keep doubting,thanks-"The Parents"
Posts: 83 | Location: virginia | Registered: April 07, 2008
Many people, when they ask for advice, are really only seeking your affirmation of the decisions they've already made. Which is why people so often become visibly irritated if you should suggest a different course.
When people do this, they will never follow your advice. They'll just continue on, seeking others who will agree with them so they can feel better about what it is they plan to do anyway.
And later, they get mad when things don't work out so well. It's always someone else's fault.
As a lawyer, when I see this trait in a prospective client, I know it's time to politely decline the case.
Posts: 3419 | Location: Virginia | Registered: February 01, 2006
Backstop - that was an awfully nice post. Your boy is a very impressive young man. I can tell that his teammates would love playing with a kid like that. Humble and confident at the same time.
Thanks for the update Coach May. I love this site and the people on it. Don't always agree with everything but that is the great part. When it comes down to it, most of the people on here are just trying to help each other and learn at the same time. Everything passes down. Those of us in high school help those in travel ball beginning and those in college and pros help those below. Some names you read everything they write and others you just skip over because you know it is the same old same old or just don't have the patience.
If there were perfect answers, life wouldn't be so interesting. I will just keep reading and keep trying to help and not hurt my sons.
Posts: 303 | Location: Johnson City, TN | Registered: April 01, 2004
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