I'll go for 6 and raise you a beamer!

bbrulz

i don't know where your from in nh, but don't sell our baseball short. we have some good hs baseball players here, and you might very well be one.
IF you want to play there is a place for you. i know a few d3 coaches that are always looking. there are some juco's over the border that play some good baseball as well. unh has club baseball if your education is more important, but still want to play. snhu often overlooked. just a few off the top of my head.
many places around to play. where did you play legion? what hs?
i will add that 5,10 isn't an issue,i know a few your size that have been drafted. and they come from nh.

quote:

Originally posted by Bee>:
even a non-athlete hs sr should be very well informed re colleges at this point - AND should have narrowed down a pile of college options as well (just a few months before hs graduation)

This is a true statement.

Now hitting 90 replies and 2504 views.

fanofgame,
Have no clue what you are talking about.

I have no problem understanding what fanofgame is talking about. He's talking about wanting posters to not be so mean-spirited in their dealings with a high school senior who is obviously behind in more ways than one, but wants to play on the next level.

I just said goodbye to a houseguest who got a real kick out of putting other people down. Some of her opinions may have been correct, but it was the way she said things that was the problem. Maybe there are some snow-bound posters who are ready to climb the walls. Maybe there are some who have personal problems we're not aware of. I don't know what is causing so many people to be so crotchety, but all the rudeness, heavy-handed remarks, and condescension is getting very tiresome.

Fanofgame there is alot more to it than what you are actually seeing in this one thread. We have spent countless hours talking to people that come on this site asking for advice. They get all types of advice. From the tough love advice to the soft I understand advice. Some of the advice is good and sometimes it might not be so good. But the fact is if you come on here and ask for advice you can not choose what you are going to get in the form of that advice. If you like it and it makes sense to you go for it. If you think it can help you fine. If you dont like the advice then dont use it. Heck sometimes you might not like what you hear but it may still be the truth.

The point made was what are you doing asking for this kind of advice in your senior year? What have you been doing the last three years? As far as the weight comment it was an attempt to say "Hey what have you been waiting for?" Sometimes I wonder what some people are thinking. You are a senior you are four months from graduating from HS. Now you are wondering what you should be doing? Did you get in the weight room as a freshman? Have you been to any showcase events in your area? How many? Have you been evaluated by anyone that has a baseball rep that can vouch for you one way or the other?

Sometimes people need to be hit in the face with a 2 X 4 to wake their butt up to reality. Some posters specialize in making sure that happens. Some take other approaches. That is what makes this site so special. You are not going to hear what you want to hear. You are going to hear from people that have been there and done that. You are going to get the cold hard facts. Sometimes you will like what you hear. And sometimes you will not. But one things for sure , it will not be sugar coated bs.

I saw Bee's posts as an attempt to hit the kid in the forehead with the 2 X 4 of reality. Quit looking for reasons on why you can not do it and start looking for ways to do it. Otherwise you are done.

I know alot of kids playing at the D-1 level that dont have those kind of attributes as players. It sounds like to me your son is a very very good player. Any level you achieve past hs is a tremendous accomplishment. Sometimes it comes to being in the right spot at the right time.

You all are making me look like a fool, which is completely fine based on the information that I gave you. But I did leave out a big part after all of this. It's not that I procrastinated and didn't have the drive to began all of this a few years ago.It wasn't until my Junior year that I found a true love for the game.

I have been a multi sport athlete my entire life and baseball was just another sport that I played. The thing is I have always been good at baseball even without going all out with practicing. Trust me, had I had the drive that I do know I would have started this process way back as soon as I could. I would have been joining AAU teams,etc., etc. Unfortunately I can't go back now and all I can do is focus on today and the future.

I commend your son for all his hard work and determination. It appears that he has done his homework and, while he is not where he would like to be, he has a game plan to achieve his goals. Additionally, he has a strong supportive parent who is helping guide him.

I did not get any sense that this is the case for our original poster. He has come on here in his senior year asking for advice....which has been getting (97 responses!) Bee is correct - he is 2 years late in the recruiting process. That being said, there are still things that the original poster can do. But, the reality is that time is slipping away quickly.

He has been given some very specific suggetions on things to do. My hope is that he will listen and quickly develop his game plan and get working on it. Only BBR will know if he actually will do it. It is his turn now.

BBR -
It is terrific that you have found the passion for this game that is shared by so many posters. Now, use that passion to fuel your game plan using the advice you have rec'd here.

Time to stop typing on this thread and go to work. Good luck to you and let us know how things work out.

quote:

Originally posted by BaseballRulz1789:
You all are making me look like a fool, which is completely fine based on the information that I gave you.

BBR,
Whatever, you seem to have an excuse whenever you post. Actually I think that we are beginning to look like the fools, not you.
Because you have a love and desire to play the game, doesn't get you a scholarship.

My suggestion, focus on the future and not this message board.

Best of luck.

Having read the post in response to this young man makes me wonder whether he should have offered his questions up for the ridicule, insults and downright nastiness of some of the responses.

Since noone here really knows his circumstances, of either his personal history, or of his athletic abilities without seeing him in action, evaluating him specific to the five tools, it would seem to me that a more probing approach of those five tool areas would have been more useful. Other than that the advice is esoteric and its value could result in just confusing someone who sounds like he really needs some mentoring through the process..
JMO

quote:

it would seem to me that a more probing approach of those five tool areas would have been more useful

One hundred posts later he's still ignored questions on foot speed and throwing velocity. Not even a response in relation to other good players around him if he doesn't have clocked times.

I apologize if my earlier post in this thread seemed too critical of a long-time member of this site. I didn't mean it to offend anyone, but rather to defend the original poster.

I appreciate the variety of advice and opinions in this thread, and I agree that "tough love" and a good kick in the butt are sometimes needed. My husband and I have two sons in college, and he was responsible for administering the occasional verbal boot when they were teens, while I was responsible for being a little too understanding.

But I still don't think we should gang up on a young poster... a player... a non-parent... non-adult...a 17- or 18-yr-old...

...and ridicule him or insult him for not having understood earlier what he needed to do to play college baseball. Most of the posts in this thread were thoughtful and helpful, and even the tough posts seem mostly appropriate even in my Mom-ish opinion, and I'm not arguing with those. Most of us have been here for quite a while and understand a lot about the steps in the process. But this new member is a HS aged kid who seems to have just found our site and might not know the answers yet. And that is who the site is for. I am truly thankful for the members who share their knowledge after having successfully made the trip, but we can't forget that the site is also, or especially, for those who haven't even started the journey yet.

Julie

quote:

by fan: please let me know the how someone puts on 35 pounds in two years? am i missing something? ... If it is a joke then I'm not laughing. if it is true statement then its nonsense

the example has your own player on track to weigh in at 180# adding 25# in 2 yrs on "shakes"

I don't really understand your surprise, but you are correct that it's tough for some younger guys to gain weight - and yes, metabolism does vary, however from your example adding enough calories to support gaining 1/4 pound per week is not at all extreme and on the low side of the results many athletes that age expect and get ...

the key is not calories consumed, it's the calories/nutrition added to support muscle growth and working those muscles properly

btw, in a controlled/supervised program such as happens at college it's not unusual for a guy to put on his "freshman 15" by Christmas

I couldn't follow the DIII observations so I can't comment there

Jimmy Rollins is barely 5'10 and won the MVP award last year.

Dustin Pedroia about the same size or even smaller. Won Rookie of the year award this year.

Eckstein World Series MVP two years ago.

Houston Street and Tim Lincecum are small as well.

These guys found a way to get it done and they did not sell themselves short, no pun intended.

Good luck!

Guess I must have missed something here, so went back and read all the posts. Especially those by the original poster.

Here it is

quote:

Since most of you seem to be very knowledgable about the game, I figured I'd ask you.I've been playing baseball my entire lifeand I have dreams to continue to play as long as I can.
I'm entering my senior year.After high school I have aspirations to play college baseball and even pro baseball.However I havent got a look from any scouts not even division 3 schools. I've been starting on varsity since my sophomore year and play outfield. I batted around .330 last year and for the legion team i hit.400. I have dedicated myself to the game of baseball and feel like my game will improve greatly next season.
The problem that I have is that I'm a very small player. I'm only 5'11 and weigh around 150. I also don't have much muscle to me, but I have been lifting.
My main question I guess is what is the likelihood of me playing college baseball(any division) and from there do I have any shot at being drafted, if I continue to hone my skills. Should I continue to chase this dream or should I face reality? I fear that no matter how much I practice and train it will never be good enough for college or even the bigs, can. What should I do?

Soon after he stated this

quote:

my arm strength needs some improving but I have thrown runners out from the outfield sometimes on a line and sometime with one or two bounces. My foot speed is good I just need to get better jumps off pitchers

Then this

quote:

TRhit I got an invite to the Joe Wladyka preseason showcase in February down in New York, which I'm planning to attend. I play legion ball and I'm slated to be starter next summer for that team. As far as college coaches, I've only contacted a few via email and I'm waiting to gather all my information until I respond back to them and set up a meeting.

Everyone keeps asking him for more information. It seems he may never have thrown to a radar gun or even been timed in the 60. He answered the arm strength and speed questions very early in this thread. Maybe not with actual numbers, but with his own non inflated opinion. I think he understands he is behind in the process. Guess I don't see where he has avoided any questuions that he can actually answer at this time.

That said, he did get a little defensive a couple times. Sounds like a smart kid who loves baseball. I hope he sticks around and asks more questions. Not just for his sake but others in his situation.

Also, no matter whether someone says something good, flattering or blunt. Hearing all opinions can be very helpful. Whose to say if the nice or not so nice stuff will be most helpful to "BBRulz". I'd like to think it was all said to somehow help this player rather than demean him. I think it was and hopefully he received a lot of information that might help him.

BBRulz, Hope you get what you want. I'm pretty certain you will find most everyone here pulling for you. Like Coach May said so eloquently ... sometimes it takes a 2X4 to the forehead to get the job done.

You should be glad that you got so many opinions and that someone is willing to get tough with you, too. Take both what you want to hear and what you don’t like hearing to heart. Both can be important!

Good luck

quote:

Originally posted by Bee>:

the key is not calories consumed, it's the calories/nutrition added to support muscle growth and working those muscles properly

btw, in a controlled/supervised program such as happens at college it's not unusual for a guy to put on his "freshman 15" by Christmas

On this point I agree with Bee>. It is not only a matter of taking in calories, but also the proper nutritional balance, and matching up with the proper workout routine.

Son went from 5'11" 170# as a high school sophomore to 6' 200# as a junior and currently 6' 215# as a senior, with a ripped physique, and increased speed and strength. Yes, some natural physical maturing, but mostly through a VERY disciplined diet and training program over a two year period. The key is, he is extremely SELF-MOTIVATED. You can't force this upon someone. He has to want it for himself.

Yes, there are some great inspirational stories about the little guy who made it big, but that is the exception rather than the rule. Generally speaking, size DOES matter when it comes to top level draft prospects and D1 recruits. We have heard over and over again from scouts that they love son's physical size and presence, as well as speed for his size. It's what sets him apart from other athletes with similar baseball skills.

I'm not trying to brag here, just relaying what we have learned and heard through the process. That is not to say that a 5'11" 150# kid can't be a top level recruit, prospect or successful major leaguer, but he better bring something special to the plate, so to speak, such as amazing arm strength, freak speed, and/or a big bat.

This is only my opinion, and I am referring only to top level recruits and prospects. In any case, there is a roster spot for nearly everyone who wants it badly enough. Just find out where you realistically fit in, and get it done.

Kids develop differently. My oldest was full grown as a soph. Full beard , thick and very physically developed at a young age. My youngest who is alot taller and bigger still has that baby face. When he was a freshman he started working really hard in the weight room and core agility as well. He was a 5'11 200 baby faced pudgy kid. He has continued to work so hard in the weight room and on his diet as well as continued the core and agility work. Just over the last few months he has had quite a change in his physique. He is now 6'2 and 223 and really looks alot slimmer. His speed has drastically improved and his over all quickness and agility has as well. Its almost like the last 6 months he has totally grown into a mans body.

My point is its not a sprint its a marathon. You have to stick with it and stay the course. A proper diet with proper rest and hard work will pay off. But it takes a highly motivated self driven person to do these kind of things. You have a short window of opportunity in this game. Most guys are out of the game before they physically develop. Usually because they did not understand that time waits for no one.

There are a load of things to take into consideration with a HS player---I learned this from my sons AD while sitting watching a JV basketball game-- he pointed out on of the players--fully blossoming with body hair--- and my son who was stark naked at that point when it came to body hair---he told me your son won't physically mature until he is 19/20 years of age---the other kid is done--- and he knew what he was talking about---my guy went to college at 5-9/150 came out at 5-11/195 and the other kid never played college sports despite being a superb three sport athlete in HS

PARENTS===sit back and let it come to the player