I just want to say thanks to all of you who do such a good job keeping this website going. I first came across the site when my oldest son was in grade 12 (2001), sending out letters to colleges, and getting nowhere. I knew so little about the possibilities that it was hard to give any advice. Although I haven't made many posts I'm sure there are many like me who have appreciated being able to go to the HSBW site and learn more as our children go through different experiences. Thank you.

(Jimmy has now completed his 4th year at a Division 1 school under excellent coaching and he was just drafted by the Astros.(8th round) My younger son is also attending college in California and he was just drafted in the 35th round!)

cdnmom - huge congrats to both your sons

Best wishes for them and your family in the future

quote:

sending out letters to colleges, and getting nowhere

And, now, two boys, one in the 8th and the other in the 35th round...

Wow, that is awesome.

Congratulations to the Van Ostrand boys.........

cdn...Mom,

Congrats to you, your son and your family...from your fans in Chicagoland.

CDNMom...this is so very inspiring!! We are just embarking on the journey that you have travelled already...and with great success. I live vicariously through the postings where I read about the goals your sons and others have reached. I hope somebody I can post the kind of news you've received!!

cdnmom,

Congrats!!! - Not too many families can say they have 2 drafted - and in the same year!

Awesome. Enjoy!

Awesome and amazing...congrats!

Mrs V I thought Jimmy shpuld have gone sooner.

Congrats

Wow, what an exciting week this must be for your family! Congratulations to both of your sons, and to you for helping them along the way!

Julie

Amazing!! It must be something in that cool, clear water!! Congrats!!

I'd like to echo cdnmom's thanks. I've been lurking and learning on this site for a couple of years without ever posting. The advice and perspectives by the many posters on this board are invaluable. I thank everyone who has posted. You can't find some this information anywhere else. My older son was drafted last week (45th round) and will soon be starting juco ball. I'm planning to start posting some to "give back." Again, thanks to all.

RadioBall,

I just noticed your post about your son being drafted, congrats to him!


Best wishes to him in college next year, and there are many parents of younger sons who would really appreciate your posts about your son's experiences, both with the draft and with college baseball.

Julie

Radioball - congrats to your son and family from the North Coast as well. Welcome indeed to the hsbbweb

Cdnmom....wonderful news.....congratulations to both your sons....you must be very proud....and you are so right about this site..

I would like to echo the remarks of cdnmom. This site has been wonderful over the years for us also. It seems like it was just a short time ago that I was getting info from this site to help our son plan and make a college choice. It has been 7 years ago.
Our son enrolled at the University of Evansville in the fall of 2003. He became the Friday night pitcher 2 years ago,and now leaves UE as the all time leader in games started in a career at 57 games. He finished in the top 5 in many other catagories.
He graduated this spring with a degree in sports management, and was selected to the Missouri Valley Scholar Athlete first team the last two seasons.
Our team won the MVC regular season, and the MVC tournament championship. We advanced to the NCAA Regional at Charlottesville, VA and made it to the Championship game before losing to South Carolina on June 5th.
Two days later, on a golf course, our son Adam got the call he had been hoping for all his life. He had been drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 31st round!!
What a thrill it was for all of us! To think that his playing days might be over, and then find out he'll have a chance to continue playing, was a great experience.
Thanks to all the posters that have answered questions along the way, and for all the good advice that is on this site.
The last chapter is just beginning!!

Best of luck to cdnmoms sons and Adam also.

BballDad02, I got to watch the Purple Aces in Lafayette in March. I thought they had a very good team. I thought they would have a good year. Your son pitched well in a tough venue. Nice to have that sheepskin out of the way too!

I hope you won’t mind if I too add my thanks to HSBW, also.

While I had a lot to learn in a very short time, I was given a lot of help from some very patient posters. Some of the things we did I would do over again and some I would change.

Since, my son did not fall where he wanted in the draft he became unsignable, but did get drafted as a draft and follow. I know a lot of posters will not agree that giving up a Division I school for junior college is a very good idea, I do believe it will be best for my son.


Things I would do different:

1. Go to PG events no matter the cost
2. Get an advisor


Thanks for all the help and support.

HowUbe - It's probably different in each case, but I agree with you and the JUCO route - especially if all your son wants to do is play baseball and does not really know what they want to major in at school. If they spend 2 years at a JUCO - still chasing baseball - they can still end up at a D1 for their last 2 years. In the meantime you've saved on 2 years of tuition, they are still getting an education and still playing ball and chasing their dream. Of course that's JMO.

Dad04,

Thanks. We had a great time in Lafayette. We met Cormier's dad at one of the games. Hope I spelled his name correctly, his son is now with the Braves as a reliever.
Evansville made it a good run for 2006. It was fun.
Adam won his first professional game last night by pitching 2.1 innings of scoreless relief for the Pulaski Blue Jays. Another milestone!

BBallDad02 you have a PM