I don't see anything wrong with getting professional instruction once approaching or in high school to improve as long as it's affordable and realistic. Wha
Hits the nail on the head especially the realistic part. I have worked camps and I still give group lessons and private instruction at a baseball facility. I really enjoy it. I sometimes run into parents who are unrealistic or always on their kid about doing this or that. I try to be as diplomatic as possible. Basically in the politically correct way telling him or her to leave the kid alone. let him or her have fun. sometimes it is a delicate balance.
Posts: 1564 | Location: Pennsylvania | Registered: January 06, 2003
I know how hard it is. Sometimes you just want to push your kids, but they need to enjoy their youth. They have the rest of their lives to work. As my kids get older I am learning how to find that balance. Any suggestions.
Posts: 3 | Location: NY | Registered: August 08, 2008
I asked my kid a few years back, other than baseball, what would you like to do together? His reply was, fishing...so I bought a boat. Now we enjoy fishing together and we can do that the rest of our lives.
Posts: 846 | Location: Sunshine State | Registered: January 03, 2006
I am sure you have done some reading here, but IMO, Fungo's post is essentially a pretty realistic point of reference for what it's all about. Mine is 22, things have changed pretty much, more travel, more showcases, more camps, more tournies, early recruiting and commitments, NCAA rule changes, etc.
That's acceptable, we all realize that you do have to do more than just rely on HS baseball. What I don't buy into is the thinking that instead of helping a player develop to his own potential, parents feel the need to develop a player that is better than everyone else. No offense to anyone, but you will find this with people that have more dollars to spend than others. I have seen very wealthy people spend lots and lots on their players, talented too, nothing left out imagineable, yet the offers don't fly in or the draft doesn't happen. Then I have seen a player show up to one showcase as a senior and do well, scholarship that weekend to a top D1 program or another who never traveled much in HS, senior summer gets a small schollie and ends up one of the top pitchers in his state the following June.
I don't buy into the theory you have to spend a lot, you just have to spend it wisely.
And it's not just a baseball thing either.
JMO.
Posts: 10893 | Location: South Florida | Registered: July 28, 2003
It is really amazing how the business of baseball (youth) has exploded over the last 10 years. This would not have happened if there was not a demand for it. Is the demand justified? It depends on who you are. I know some parents that have spent ridiculous amounts of $ on baseball training, camps lessons etc.. for their son and it has not made him any better. Was the money wasted? probably, but I don't think the parents care. They just wanted to give their kid the best chance at reaching his potential and buying lessons and clinics was the only way they knew how. They could also afford it.
In my family with 3 boys traveling, we have to be very careful how the money is spent. However, with our 17yr old this year has been the most expensive yet. This summer he has already spent 26 nights in hotels and the other expenses that go with it. After all of that travel and games he has yet to receive an offer. Was the money wasted. No way! If he doesn't get a sniff from a college coach after summer ball it was money well spent for reasons too numerous to mention here. Now we will head to the fall season where he will be participating in camps, showcases and games. It will not be cheap. However, it is my opinion that going to these events gives him his best chance to to get exposure and possibly play college ball at a school he really likes. We will see what happens.
One benefit of 17u summer ball... My wife mentioned to me that when the kid is in town she never has to go get themail
"Clear the mechanism"
Posts: 989 | Location: Midwest | Registered: May 16, 2007
Fungo ... I didn't realize you were a commie. And if you are going to be one, please don't be thepinko kind 'cause it such a weak color choice. Be the BIG RED kind.
CPLZ ...
Surely you jest !!!
Mary Ann * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 [8/21/08]
Posts: 3937 | Location: Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight ... | Registered: January 02, 2003
No clue. But I'm game. What kind of a communist sells his bass boat?
I am a little surprised no one has called CPLZ out on this one yet although I think Fungo did by re-asking the question. Obviously, communists do not sell things since everything is "collectively" owned by the state. Since communists do not sell things, Fungo cannot be a communist by suggesting that someone might sell their boat. Just thought I might clarify that in case anyone was confused by the implication.
No clue. But I'm game. What kind of a communist sells his bass boat?
I am a little surprised no one has called CPLZ out on this one yet although I think Fungo did by re-asking the question. Obviously, communists do not sell things since everything is "collectively" owned by the state. Since communists do not sell things, Fungo cannot be a communist by suggesting that someone might sell their boat. Just thought I might clarify that in case anyone was confused by the implication.
Ok I admit I was confused and still am and wondering (as some others)what prompted the comment. I was thinking perhaps a joke, as FBM suggested?
Posts: 10893 | Location: South Florida | Registered: July 28, 2003
Originally posted by infidel_08: I certainly took it as only a joke.
Maybe if recent threads had not been so heated, there would not have been any second-guessing.
Infidel ...
If I thought Fungo & CPZL were good friends who bantered back and forth, then I too would think it a jest. However, the fact that Fungo didn't give a pithy reply tells me that he and CPZL are not friends of the bantering kind.
Mary Ann * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 [8/21/08]
Posts: 3937 | Location: Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight ... | Registered: January 02, 2003
As long as our son enjoys his lessons and learns from them we will continue to make the investment in our child. I have seen kids with NO desire to even be at a pitching or hitting lesson, being drug in week after week cause pop thinks he is a superstar. Now thats wasted money! However,We are lucky enough to have a pitching coach that is straight forward enough to tell a parent I can't make your kid be a better player if they have no talent or I won't take your money till your son WANTS to LEARN. It's nice to have a trainer that is more for player development than the money.
"Practice the way you play!!"
Posts: 278 | Location: StL,Mo | Registered: September 07, 2007
