Wow. Long time since being "on board". Looking for some seasoned advice.
Son is freshman position player at DIII school. To make LONG story short, he has opportunity to play on a team in the Great Lakes College Summer Baseball League this summer. Of course, this is a neat opportunity... especially for a DIII player. He also has opportunity to play on 2 different local teams, but much less "notorious".
Concern here is whether he will be "ready" for Great Lakes since he has had very, very little playing time on the college team this Spring. He'd love to give Great Lakes a shot, but doesn't want to find that he can't make up the ground because of being relatively "inactive" as far as game experience goes in college so far. The one thing he wants this summer is PT so he can gain more valuable game experience... which is why local teams are attractive. On the other hand, the experience of Great Lakes could be tremendous.
I've got a ton of my own thoughts on the matter, but wondered what the HSBBWeb sages might have to say ???
Because this is unique opportunity, we need to make a decision "yesterday"
Thanks!!
Posts: 70 | Location: Pennsylvania | Registered: April 13, 2004
On the other hand, you ask a great question that I am not sure I have seen asked before. Normally, I argue that it is more important for players to play. You might even be able to cheat right now and peak at the roster since many keep them updated over the Internet. If some kid from a big name school happens to play your son's position, you may want to consider that.
The Great Lakes League (GLL) is a big deal however imho. Your son may just grow more as a player by comingling with other players in the GLL - regardless if he happens to play as much. Just maybe he goes there and convinces himself he is more than a D3 player.
Have three summers worth of family college summer baseball under our belts...two freshman summers (both local)...one soph - three states away...
Don't underestimate the growth and maturity being around, and working out with experienced college players...something that will come in very handy when college practice starts....and the value of being away from home...likely with a host family...
Having them local made me happy, but in retrospect they were ready to be gone, to have an adventure, to test themselves in a bigger environment, not just from a baseball standpoint...but a life one. And being away was great for their baseball regardless of playing time...
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Posts: 2215 | Location: CA | Registered: May 15, 2005
I doubt there is a right answer. But, based on our experience with a DIII player and summer leagues, there might be some clues to tell you about playing time/skill level. Normally, every player in a summer league is either recommended by the player's college coach or asked by the team, because they know about the player and think he can contribute. Our experience is that college wood bat leagues are extremely competitive and the GM's want to win. If your son was recommended by his college coach or asked by the team, then the baseball people think he can play and contribute. That should be reassuring if it is how the option came to your son. If this came about in some other way, then you would be right to question playing time and and competitive skill level issues and the other teams could be the better option for playing time. With that said, if your son is on a strong DIII level team, even if he isn't getting a lot of playing time, he can likely be competitive in the Great Lakes league. But he will need to head into that season recognizing he needs to earn his spot and playing time and he might need to be willing to play positions different than what he played in college. The more versatile he can be, the better opportunities for playing time. For what it is worth, each year our son (a former DIII) played, he would be the last one to take a position in the first practice. He would watch where every other play went for a position. If he saw no one at a position, he went there. It worked well and he started nearly every game over 2 summers with very strong teams.
'You don't have to be a great player to play in the major leagues, you've got to be a good one every day.'
Posts: 2051 | Location: ca | Registered: February 11, 2003
My guy took a different approach---he was invited to play in a Summer League in our area, NECBL. But since he was playing in the southwest all year and only had a few weeks off all year he chose to play in an local summer league filled with ex college and pro players---very strong talent pool---this gave him a chance to recharge his batteries and still play enough , 30 to 40 games, to stay sharp. At the same time he learned a heck of a lot---he had a Division III All American next to him in the outfield and faced some grizzled veteran pitchers every weekend---nearly half of his team members are now college or HS coaches
TRhit
Posts: 19126 | Location: Manchester, CT USA | Registered: December 26, 2002
As TPM says, summer teams are crammed with red-shirts and freshman with little playing time. Everyone is in the same boat. Everyone gets better, more confident, pushing the envelope a little bit.
Posts: 4779 | Location: Florida | Registered: December 26, 2002
My opportunity to play in the 1st year in the Basin League, was as a freshman at MIchigan State, when the coach asked me to take the train to Chamberlain, South Dakota. My only question was where was South Dakota and when can I play.
Over the next 3 years, the Basin League became the #1 College Summer League. One year over 40 players later made the Major Leagues, including Bob Gibson.
Run don't walk to this opportunity. "Don't look back, someone is gaining on you"!
Bob Williams
Posts: 378 | Location: Santa Rosa, California | Registered: February 23, 2005
These are all GREAT responses... we appreciate it!
The local league here is much like TRHit describes. Current/former college and some pro's. In fact, 2 local tournaments are held that attract teams from several states here in Mid-Atlantic. The 1 team that is interested in son lost their starter at son's position, so he could get a lot of PT. The other team is interested but has 2 other players at same spot.
The GLL team has 2 players at son's position (including son).
Posts: 70 | Location: Pennsylvania | Registered: April 13, 2004
You will find that many of the summer leagues play just about everyday (especially when they get backed up from rainy days). It is virtually impossible to expect any starter at any position to play everyday, that is usually why they have more than one for the position. Also, most summer leagues are not known for instruction (players actually instruct among themselves ) though many do pick up valuable pointers along the way.
Choosing to play another position during the summer is IMO very smart decision!
Posts: 10706 | Location: South Florida | Registered: July 28, 2003
The local league here is much like TRHit describes. Current/former college and some pro's
that type can also be great competition, but - if scouted at all, it's not scouted to the extent that Great Lakes league would be .. if that is a consideration
Posts: 3616 | Location: NE Ohio | Registered: December 27, 2002
The local league here is much like TRHit describes. Current/former college and some pro's
that type can also be great competition, but - if scouted at all, it's not scouted to the extent that Great Lakes league would be .. if that is a consideration
Bingo! Not that it can't happen elsewhere, but IMO I would opt for the best venue possible which in this senario seems to be the GLL.
______________ "If you can read this, thank a teacher, and since it's in English, thank a soldier !!"
Posts: 1690 | Location: Pueblo,CO,USA | Registered: December 27, 2002
For what it's worth, I say go for it. Summer ball is so much more than just playing baseball. With the plethora of college summer leagues, almost any kid can play somewhere. Just have fun.
Even though he may not be playing much in games, he is still probably playing a lot during the week in scrimmages. I worried about this myself when my son, who had not pitched in a game his freshman year, went to the Valley League that summer. He had a rough first few innings but ended up as a Pitcher of the Week one week and played in the All-Star game. More important, he learned so much from his coach and his teammates that summer about pitching that helped him the following year back at college.
I'm not recommending one over the other. But if your son was invited to play, it just seems that they probably think he has the talent to compete there. Another advantage of not playing much in freshman year is that you are fresher to play in the summer. A lot of the older kids are already exhausted, sore, etc.
Posts: 692 | Location: California | Registered: January 02, 2003
Summer ball is so much more than just playing baseball
Agree 100%+ (if it is possible) with 316sports. Our son is still meeting players from both of his summer teams ... actually hit one during an at bat this week (wonder if he spoke with the guy afterward?) ... competed with or against in college ball and now more of the same in pro ball.
If it is possible for your son to play in the Great Lakes League ... and I am only giving my 'advice' because that is what you asked for ... I say go for it for the opportunities on and off the field Have always been a big believer in playing with the best competition a plater can find so that the player is always 'playing up'.
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
Thanks everyone for your input and advice. It is much appreciated! Some of your ideas were similar to ours.... while others had not even occurred to us.
As it stands, son has decided to "go for it" on the Great Lakes team. I passed along this thread to him and I know it helped him think through his decision-making process.
As a side note, I am seeing payback already because it's put a spark into his "bench-riding" as his attitude and outlook have stepped up a notch or two. He's working even harder on his own outside of games and practices than usual, in anticipation of the summer. And, the few innings of play that he does get here and there, he appreciates all the more as they are helping him prepare. Also, the application process itself required that he get the head coach's reference... which he was a little worried about. But, the coach was very supportive... which also helped son's overall cause.
Thanks again!
Posts: 70 | Location: Pennsylvania | Registered: April 13, 2004
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) though many do pick up valuable pointers along the way.
