You are right TXMom about throwing baseball into the mix making things very complicated.

My son wants to play baseball in college but what I was trying to say is that because there are so many uncertainties associated with collegiate sports, like in all of life, a sound decision regarding your education is the best place to start.

It seems that many young men and their parents get caught up very quickly in the "ego boost" that recruiting provides and that they may compromise a quality education along the way. It is nice to read about all of the players and parents that have made their own decisions and things have worked out great. You don't read to often on this site about the reality of players who went to schools that they normally would not have if it were not for sports and things simply did not work out for one of a million possible reasons.

I certainly want my son to follow his dreams of playing collegiate baseball but also realize that he has a long and hopefully gratifying life/career ahead of him when he is done with baseball and a quality education is where that all begins.

Roundingthird...

It's so hard to know what to hold on to when your son is making these decisions. I've been there and know what you're going through. I know that we, like you, valued education over anything. Baseball does eventually end for everyone ...even Barry Bonds.

However, I honestly don't feel that any college decision can be a mistake if it's what the kid wants to do...even if things "don't work out." Life is a journey and your son, at 18, is just beginning his. All of his experiences will factor into the twists and turns his life will take.

I really believe that God has a plan for our sons' lives and we need to get out of the way and let Him speak to our kids. If that means they go to a college for athletics and later change schools, that might all be part of the plan in their growth and development.

I clearly remember how frightening the college selection process was for us the first time through. I desparately wanted to be the best "guide" for our son. In the end, however, God did a much better job than I ever could have done.

quote:

It seems that many young men and their parents get caught up very quickly in the "ego boost" that recruiting provides and that they may compromise a quality education along the way.

AND there are those that say players should NOT give up their dream of playing baseball because of academics. As TXMom say there is really no down side to either. Most parents would be more apt to hang their son's baseball awards on the wall than his college degree.
Fungo

rndg3rd,
a few thoughts about your situation as you describe it -

if there is interest and it's just not "blowing you away" yet, there will be a temptation to get it over with and accept an offer you're not really thrilled about just to get locked in for early signing - DON"T DO IT!

things really change in the spring for most in your position - hs grades, injuries and the draft all have a snowball effect
if you are getting polite interest and basicly walk-on or books offers, things can only get better, and it's to a schools adavantage, not yours to get you to commit for book $ - tho as a walk-on no commitment would be necessary

also the "academics consideration" position must have been mass emailed to everyone but me (and txmom & fungo?)

my son sorted his college list on baseball programs period -

he assumed then that the colleges recruiting him "ALL" held classes teaching math, science and the other "stuff" he would be forced to learn around his baseball - I'll probably catch some grief for saying that, but, oh well

if a kid is going to college to play baseball & get educated, why not chose the best baseball situation available?

hope that helps
good luck



.

Classic posts today TxMom

PS
One of the hardest things we've had to do was swallow our pride and let our youngest son, who was recruited by some of the top academic schools in the nation, attend a JUCO for their baseball program. He struggled with injuries for the entire 2 years, but LOVED being a part of their program. He left with a 4.0 GPA, a ton of wonderful life experiences, and many invaluable connections and resources. He misses the place terribly, but is ready for the next challenge...confident that everything happens for a reason.

All of the posts have been well thought out and appreciated.

quote:

Originally posted by Bee>:
he assumed then that the colleges recruiting him "ALL" held classes teaching math, science and the other "stuff" he would be forced to learn around his baseball - I'll probably catch some greif for saying that, but, oh wel


.

Bee - another poster here shared those same thoughts with me last spring. We looked at the schools recruiting him and started with the baseball fit first. Then we looked at the other things -academics, costs, location and went from there. Academics played a major part in making a choice of JUCO, but we looked at the baseball fit first. Baseball was my son's motivation in HS and I felt it would have a place in college as well. Nothing wrong with your route IMO. Baseball helping to get a college education - works for me!

One other thing, does the late signing period in April have a start and end date like the early period in November and if the amatuer draft is held in June do that many college coaches know by April how many players from their team will get drafted?

I know it is still early and many doors will open while others close before any decision is made. To make matters more confusing he received a football recruiting phone call last week.

I better tighten my seat belt for this wild ride.

RoundingThird - the college signing period goes right on through the summer. College Coaches will have an idea of what kids will be drafted. They may also have an IDEA of who will sign as far as the draft, but no way to know for sure. There are kids signed right up until school starts in the fall - not that I'm advocating that route!

While I thought the recruiting process was one of the most stressful things we ever went through, in looking back there were many blessings attached as well. You and son will meet many people that you never would have otherwise. Those road trips and conversations with son are also priceless memories now - very thankful for them! Good luck!

quote:

If that means they go to a college for athletics and later change schools, that might all be part of the plan in their growth and development. I don't view that as a failure anymore.

Flying along their just observing and caught that first jewel, bringing a tear to my lonely eyes.......

Open mine eyes that I may seee....

Glimpses of what thou hast for me......

Oh, lawd, glory be!

AND THEN BROTHER BEE from all the places on earth but OHIO brings forth a most powerful message....

quote:

he assumed then that the colleges recruiting him "ALL" held classes teaching math, science and the other "stuff" he would be forced to learn around his baseball

Surely the lawd must be watching the playoff game tonight...............

Almost make you want to get off the couch and sing................

Bee and Fungo,

You guys are funnyyyyyyyyy!

Being through the recruiting process, I know just how difficult it can be. You all might be surprised to know that it is just as frustrating for the recruiting coach as well.

Player is average student, very good player, qualifies for D1 school. Receives many letters of interest. It becomes quite exciting.

College recruiter sees the player at a showcase and gets quite excited, he feels this player may be able to play and make an impact on his team.
Many weeks later the coach finally receives an official transcript. As excited as he was about recruiting this player, he sadly realizes that the player, though he has good grades, would be unable to keep up with the demands of the program AND all the other "stuff" at school (like math and science, etc.).

The player who was now receiving many letters because he attended a showcase and did very well, sees the interest is slowing down. It becomes very disappointing. It has nothing to do with their height, lack of 90+ velocity or not being a 400 hitter. It has to do with grades.

I do not believe that one's decision should be based around the baseball program but rather around the area of academics first, baseball second. I have stated that before. After talking about it this weekend with son's coach, I have not changed my thinking.

I admire the parent and player who realize that going to college is for an education, the dream of continuing the game as a bonus.

One should never give up the dream of playing college ball, but be realistic in the possibility that a particular program may be where he wants to play, but not necessarily the best academic opportunity.

Sorry to have gotten off of the subject.

quote:

by TPM - I admire the parent and player who realize that going to college is for an education, the dream of continuing the game as a bonus.

by definition ALL colleges provide an education, if I'm wrong about that, please list those that don't


there are some fine schools with baseball programs that struggle, or are in turmoil, or not well supported and hanging by a thread

you're welcome to recomend a situation like that - -
but, given a choice, I'd suggest one with the best quality baseball program that a player can get into which still meets his academic requirements

We have taken the academic aspect to heart---we not only give the coaches at our showcases the players GPA and SAT/ACT scores but list the players intended major as well.

I agree with Bee. If you want it, you can get an education at any school. Going to the (insert your best academic school here)doesn’t guarantee an education. You’ve still got to do the work.

I’m listed as an “old timer”, however, unfortunately not old enough to have found out about the HSBBW before I did. The “old timer’s” know my son’s story, but suffice it to say had he been recruited by a top tier baseball school, he would not be where he is today.

That said, I believe things happen for a reason. He’s gone places and done things he never would have had things been different, and thus no looking back to a woulda, coulda, shoulda. It will just make you old! That’s why everyone says, “DO YOUR HOMEWORK”!

I wish everyone the best on their decisions.

TR,
Everyone lists the GPA/SAT, funny thing is, it's not official until they get the official transcript. Things change after that.

Quoted by BEE:
but, given a choice, I'd suggest one with the best quality baseball program that a player can get into which still meets his academic requirements.

Correct, not arguing that point. However, you better know that if you don't meet the educational requirements, which in some schools are more than general math and earth science on your transcript, in some colleges you're not going to make it academically. Coaches know this, they sometimes have a tendency not necessarily to go with the best player, but the one who has potential and will not struggle in school.

by FO - I admire the parent and player who realize that going to college is for the dream of continuing the game and the education as a bonus.

You don't make the requirements, you ain't gonna play.

For many coaches, if you are not hovering around HIS GPA (forget what the NCAA says), you don't play.

IMHO "the best academic opportunity" is very subjective.

I personally was disappointed in the type of instruction our #1 son received in core classes at a UT system D1 noted for its high academic standards...and were pleasantly surprised at the quality of instruction our #2 son received in the small classes at his JUCO.

quote:

We were pleasantly surprised at the quality of instruction our #2 son received in the small classes at his JUCO.

I share that minority opinion with you TXMom.

There is a broad opinion that JUCO baseball and academics are simply inferior to the large schools.

Sometimes we do hear that education is what the student makes of it.

I attended a JUCO, my son did not, didn't make much of my education, (especially English), but my JUCO history class had Washington crossing the Delaware in the wrong direction while the English crossed the Pacific and not the Atlantic.

But, in the real world, it seems that most of what I learned in JUCO history was similar to what actually happened............

However, Economics, at Texas Tech, is not the same subject at Niagra or St. Anselm.

And, so far, my son remains academically eligible...........with the help of a solid B in a JUCO summer semester history class ( and is where I learned the proper direction of Washington's Delaware Crossing and the English came across the Atlantic....sad that I have been confused all these years)

TPM

Up this way not everyone lists that info not have I seen it listed in many events I have attended out of our area

And transcripts are not official until the player graduates