Son did not make college team. Could have transferred to play elsewhere, but loves his college. Wants to play highest level summer ball, but worried all the young men are successful college players and he now isn't. He has played travel forever and high school varsity, but has confidence shaken. Would play a wood bat league, but is he now out of the loop to do this?? Please advise us! Hate for him to be so down about his pasion. He will play club at college.

A lot of teams have already been filled for the summer. It may be hard finding a roster spot. However, google summer college leagues in your area and you may find some locally you can contact and they may have an opening or give him a tryout. Good Luck.

Have you contacted Bob Williams and his Goodwill Games program? I believe they have a 20-under team that travels to Australia. I have heard nothing but great things about his program. He is a regular on this site and often has great advice for at-large players needing a spot in a pinch. Check him out. He has a website, too...goodwill games..google it.

I have to say we are proud of son for staying at his wonderful college, which, in fact, is a great fit for everything except baseball, sadly. He is mature enough to know that it's college that's the most important thing. Having said that, he still would love to play in Maryland on some sort of team this coming summer!! Ideas?

Your son was cut and he wants to stay at the college he is enrolled.

Move on. There is life beyond baseball.

If there is a burning desire to continue to play the game, this would be evident in his desire to transfer to another program. There is no shame in this, just reality, and perhaps reality should be observed.

The Cal Ripken Senior League (http://www.ripkensrcollegebaseball.org/) has several wooden bat teams in Maryland. I don't think Big Train would look at a player who isn't on his college team, and neither would Youse's Orioles. The others might be a bit more accomodating. I know the Silver Spring team often has kids who play for Montgomery College.

Is he young enough to play on a Legion team? I know RBBA has a new summer team, but I can't remember if it's for U18 or U19.

Good luck.

LHPMom

quote:

Originally posted by Bum:

Your son was cut and he wants to stay at the college he is enrolled.

Move on. There is life beyond baseball.

If there is a burning desire to continue to play the game, this would be evident in his desire to transfer to another program. There is no shame in this, just reality, and perhaps reality should be observed.

I hate to say it but I agree with Bum on this one.

While it is admirable for a young man to grow determined after a small set back or failure and vow to work harder, etc. In sports, I think a very good lesson should be learned rather quickly and that is, maybe it's time to hang the cleats up. Maybe there is something else out there in college that he is meant to discover and do. Who knows. I can also appreciate you the parent wanting to help out with this flame that supposively still burns but you might help even more by having a heart to heart with him.

Good luck.

i also agree with bum. i recentlly went through this, i have come to terms with the fact that i can still play adult league ball to fill the void. your son should do just fine.

club ball and then some type of adult league(it doesnt have to be the most competetive league around), should be enough.

As much as I love baseball and as much as I have loved watching my sons play baseball, sometimes it is not all it is cracked up to be. The best of baseball for most players in terms of fun, I believe, comes in high school, where you are playing for sheer fun with and in front of your friends and family. In college, it can still be great, but it is far more of an obligation. In the pros, it is your job -- very rewarding, perhaps, but still a job.

I did not play baseball or any other sport in college (other than intramurals, which were unbelievable), and I cannot imagine having a better college experience.

Baseball ends for everyone, and, taken in context, it is just not that big of a deal when it is actually over. It's far worse thinking about it.

Bum has given you great advice.

You guys are all right! Just that my baby is now in college and will miss
that era of his and our lives! We will move on, but giving ourselves the
right to be a little sad... he is playing club baseball this spring at UMW,
and they play some very good schools... so the end is not quite here, but
approaching fast! Thanks for all the good advice.