2018 Commits

Congratulations to Jake Steinberg SS St Johns College HS / Diamond Skills Dodgers on his commitment today to the University of Miami. 

Sending out best wishes and congratulations to Ralston Valley (CO) 2018 C Luke Leisenring on committing to Arizona State over the weekend.

I guess that looooonnngg bus ride every day from somewhere in VA all the way to the school in Colorado paid off!

Whoops.

Congratulations to Will Schroeder RHP 3B Loudoun County HS / Stars Baseball on his commitment to the University of North Carolina.  Well deserved, very bright future!

Congrats to Alex Kobersteen- RHP Courtland HS Committed to George Washington Univ. 

Congrats to Travis Reifsnider C/3B from Collegiate/Evoshield Seminoles.  Committed to JMU

Congrats to Carson Bell RHP/SS (Washington & Lee HS and Pinnacle Prospects) on his commitment to JMU.

Most of these commitments are to major programs. A few are to mid majors. Why would an '18 commit to a mid major in 2016? He has another year for his stock to rise. The mid majors will still be shopping next summer. From a baseball perspective the decision doesn't make sense to me. I understand if it's affordability or dad played there.

I may well be twisted in my thinking, but this is what I told my boy: "If the second prettiest girl in town asks you to dance when the prettiest girl in town isn't giving you the time of day (and is busy courting other guys), you dance."

We are huge fans of the proximity of my sons "mid-major" school, the academics of the school and the future of the baseball program.

BTW: Isn't Costal Carolina "mid-major"?

Coastal plays in a mid major conference. But they haven't been a mid major program for years. They play up in their non conference games. They can compete with anyone. 

FFXfireman posted:

I may well be twisted in my thinking, but this is what I told my boy: "If the second prettiest girl in town asks you to dance when the prettiest girl in town isn't giving you the time of day (and is busy courting other guys), you dance."

We are huge fans of the proximity of my sons "mid-major" school, the academics of the school and the future of the baseball program.

BTW: Isn't Costal Carolina "mid-major"?

Every student-athlete has to make his own decision. I completely understand academics and proximity being a valuable part of the decision. 

But what if the player has another year to develop into a player where he can attend a major with the equivalent academics and proximity? The mid major will probably still be glad to have him next year.

RJM posted:

FFXfireman posted:

I may well be twisted in my thinking, but this is what I told my boy: "If the second prettiest girl in town asks you to dance when the prettiest girl in town isn't giving you the time of day (and is busy courting other guys), you dance."

We are huge fans of the proximity of my sons "mid-major" school, the academics of the school and the future of the baseball program.

BTW: Isn't Costal Carolina "mid-major"?

Every student-athlete has to make his own decision. I completely understand academics and proximity being a valuable part of the decision. 

But what if the player has another year to develop into a player where he can attend a major with the equivalent academics and proximity? The mid major will probably still be glad to have him next year.

I see both sides to this argument.  I will say this:  With the "commitment" timeline moving ever forward (into freshman and sophomore years), it behooves the mid-major to try and secure good talent as soon as possible to get them off the market (theoretically).  As such, a mid-major may make a great offer, relative to holding out for a smaller offer from a high-major, that may or may not materialize.  Then, if I do not act, the money and the available roster spots, may be minimal, or nonexistent, later.

just the way it is...

If this conversation revolves around a commitment to JMU...well, there was a time that JMU was a VERY good baseball program.  They have all of the ingredients to find themselves right there again, going forward.

Congrats FFXfireman,  JMU is a great school!  You know your family's situation best, and you can't go wrong taking an offer from JMU.

The future isn't written yet, great news is your son gets to write it.

I appreciate it, GO44DAD, but the only situation I can speak with any authority on is the commitment of Alex Kobersteen to George Washington University.  Being in the Atlantic 10 Conference, I believe it is also a "mid-major" school/program. I'm still getting used to the lingo, the hierarchy, peoples opinions and where it all fits together.

Needless to say, we are very happy with the offer that GW made to Alex and have no reason to regret the decision to commit.

FFXfireman posted:

I appreciate it, GO44DAD, but the only situation I can speak with any authority on is the commitment of Alex Kobersteen to George Washington University.  Being in the Atlantic 10 Conference, I believe it is also a "mid-major" school/program. I'm still getting used to the lingo, the hierarchy, peoples opinions and where it all fits together.

Needless to say, we are very happy with the offer that GW made to Alex and have no reason to regret the decision to commit.

Ooops on the typo, but sentiment the same.  Congrats!

RJM posted:

FFXfireman posted:

I may well be twisted in my thinking, but this is what I told my boy: "If the second prettiest girl in town asks you to dance when the prettiest girl in town isn't giving you the time of day (and is busy courting other guys), you dance."

We are huge fans of the proximity of my sons "mid-major" school, the academics of the school and the future of the baseball program.

BTW: Isn't Costal Carolina "mid-major"?

Every student-athlete has to make his own decision. I completely understand academics and proximity being a valuable part of the decision. 

But what if the player has another year to develop into a player where he can attend a major with the equivalent academics and proximity? The mid major will probably still be glad to have him next year.

RJM,

James Madison University has a new coach (one year) that is used to scouting in Virginia, relentlessly.  If a player wants/needs to stay in Virginia, JMU has a lot to offer (large school, good football, co-ed, nice baseball facilities).  If UVA and VT have snatched up their 2018s (their rosters show many come from out of state), JMU is a choice school for many....mid-major or not.

Nice to see Coach Ike being proactive.

Secretly relieved my 2014 in the same conference will have graduated when these 2018s arrive at JMU  

Congrats to those recent commits.

Congratulations to Cristian Sanchez RHP, MIF Paul VI HS / Stars Baseball on his commitment to the University of Alabama.  Roll Tide!!

Congratulations to Wesley Clarke C Liberty Christian Academy / Evoshield Canes North on his commitment to the University of South Carolina.  The Gamecocks got a great one!

Congrats to MIF- Liam Grubbs of Louisa for his commitment to JMU, well deserved. 

Two members of the Virginia Cardinals 2018 team have committed to James Madison:

John Kish, RHP from Cosby

and

Cal Sigler, OF from Benedictine (reclassified, previously a 2017 at Deep Run)

Congratulations to Justin Hanvey MIF Woodgrove HS / Stars Baseball on his commitment to Radford University.  He can play just about any position on the field for the Highlanders.

Adam Hackenberg, C/UT from The Miller School and a recent addition to our Virginia Cardinals 2018 team, has committed to Clemson University.

 Awesome kid and talent, allegedly the final Hackenberg (there's 1 more) is the best athlete in the family. 

Congratulations @FlynnHopkins17 2018 OF @Robobaseball commits to play for @BMurphyWM @ The College of William & Mary pic.twitter.com/CquAmuW8IN.