Skip to main content

It's been an up and down few months.  My son was given one offer from a very well regarded D1 baseball program.  They had seen him several times and offered him a roster spot but they were out of athletic money.  They said that with his grades he would be able to get a nice academic scholarship however.  But there  is certainly concern that he may never get a chance to play until someone fails, if ever. Any feedback on ths scenario? Any others with this experience?

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

faripole,

 

Here is what is swimming in my head on a Saturday morning....warning a lifeguard is not on duty!

 

What is his/your gut feeling about the level of play relative to your son's skills?  Is it doable?  Is he over his head?   With a lot of hard work, when could he compete for a job...soph year, junior year?  Do they have a history of transfers that get injected into the program?  Is the coaching staff new?

 

It is nice to know there is a possible academic scholarship option with this school.  Would this be a school he would go to if baseball was not in play?  If no, keep looking.  If yes, consider it relative to other options.

 

Are there better academic/athletic options at any NCAA baseball level that are better balanced and give him a chance to compete sooner?

 

 

There are a bunch of threads here on "recruited walk on's,, walk on's", etc. You will get a bunch of information and questions to ask the coaching staff and your family. 

 

If he is getting academic money at a D1 I would encourage you and him to look at his D3 options while you are in the process. As fenway pointed out go into this with as much information as possible before making a decision.

 

 

I have a player that was given academic only money to go to a well known D1 school.  As freshman he had the most innings out of the rest of the freshman.  As a sophomore he led the team in innings.  I never once doubted his ability and never tried to talk him out of it.  if you have faith in your son's ability, and can properly evaluate him, then there is no reason to worry.

Thank you for the feedback.  I appreciate the honesty and sharing of your experiences.  I do have a lot of confidence in him and his commitment. We attended several D1 games in the last 2 years and every time he has told me, 'I can do that.  I can play here'.  The staff at this school has a long tenure and a reputation for having the 'best players play' -- meaning, nothing is given, everything is earned.  I certainly believe that he can play at this level.  He also believes it himself.   However, he will need to be patient and work harder than ever.  

If he wasn't playing ball at all, this school may have been in consideration.  It's hard to say.  We are having a tough time finding a good fit for D3.  The interested schools are either very challenging or not enough.  Still investigating some other D3 choices.  

 

When I say this I am saying this as a HS coach and as a parent.  I understand that a player needs to go where he can play but if he has the opportunity to go to a D1, and wants to contribute quickly, why would he not go to a JC and then transfer to D1 after.  If he can go to a D3 out of HS the D3 will be there after JC.  

Originally Posted by IEBSBL:

When I say this I am saying this as a HS coach and as a parent.  I understand that a player needs to go where he can play but if he has the opportunity to go to a D1, and wants to contribute quickly, why would he not go to a JC and then transfer to D1 after.  If he can go to a D3 out of HS the D3 will be there after JC.  

fairpole,

D1 coaches love players that can get academic money and it doesn't always mean they will sit the bench. 

Was there a prior discussion of getting athletic money the following season or is some gets freed up?

Do understand that with no NLI, and someone needs to cut, you know who it might be.

Here is a very important question to ask. How many other players(with and without athletic money will be coming in next fall? 

This might give you and your son an idea as to how serious he is at letting your son have that roster spot he said he would give to him.

The answer might answer some questions that are bothering you.

Note that without an NLI your son is still free to consider other options at any time.

 

 

 

Originally Posted by TPM:
Originally Posted by IEBSBL:

When I say this I am saying this as a HS coach and as a parent.  I understand that a player needs to go where he can play but if he has the opportunity to go to a D1, and wants to contribute quickly, why would he not go to a JC and then transfer to D1 after.  If he can go to a D3 out of HS the D3 will be there after JC.  

fairpole,

D1 coaches love players that can get academic money and it doesn't always mean they will sit the bench. 

Was there a prior discussion of getting athletic money the following season or is some gets freed up?

Do understand that with no NLI, and someone needs to cut, you know who it might be.

Here is a very important question to ask. How many other players(with and without athletic money will be coming in next fall? 

This might give you and your son an idea as to how serious he is at letting your son have that roster spot he said he would give to him.

The answer might answer some questions that are bothering you.

Note that without an NLI your son is still free to consider other options at any time.

 

 

 

TPM - You are basically describing our situation.  Coach said if he had (athletic) money he would give it to my son.  'things can change and maybe next year...'  Most  concerning however, is the number of players that are in this class.  Adults who know my son and personally know the coach have given feedback that he is trustworthy and my son will get a fair shot.  However, we understand the limits of 35 man rosters and the reality of the risk and who will go first.  Certainly there is the potential that one or possibly two may get drafted and never go to school but my son's decision cannot be made on that eventuality.

 

IESBBL - i really appreciate your comment as it challenges us to think a bit out-of-the box.  While its not the first time its been mentioned to me,  we haven't really considered the JC route since our impression of that path (based on few older boys we know) has been predominately players who a very good ball players but don't have the grades for acceptance to the desired 4 year or didn't get the athletic money they needed/expected. In my son's case, outside of a few D1s that still have him on their lists, the D3 schools have been the most interested and aggressive.  A couple of these are among the highest rated academic schools.  

 

i read a little about the preferred walk-on experiences.  I feel the track record for this coach  implies he is committed to fielding the best team And not beholden to athletic scholarship players.  I am probably more skeptical  than my son but really want it to be his decision.

Originally Posted by IEBSBL:

When I say this I am saying this as a HS coach and as a parent.  I understand that a player needs to go where he can play but if he has the opportunity to go to a D1, and wants to contribute quickly, why would he not go to a JC and then transfer to D1 after.  If he can go to a D3 out of HS the D3 will be there after JC.  

If it were my son, a JC would not be an option because of the quality of education.  If he can get academic money at a D1, he is a very good student and should seek the best education possible.  Most likely, these kids are going to earn a living with their brain, not a ball. JMO

The first two years of a college education can be completed anywhere. And its not just going to class but playing a sport as well so dont necessarily agree on the quality of education being a bad factor for education.
The student athletes priority if choosing college should always be about education.  Baseball or a sport is the vehicle to get you there so considerate it wisely.
As long as you guys know and understand the sitiation you cant do anything else if this is what he wants. You have to go in with eyes wide open.
Originally Posted by Matty: 

If it were my son, a JC would not be an option because of the quality of education.  If he can get academic money at a D1, he is a very good student and should seek the best education possible.  Most likely, these kids are going to earn a living with their brain, not a ball. JMO

I couldn't agree more with you Matty. Each player should be looked at as an individual situation. All too often people come on here and comment from their own experience and perspective. There is nothing wrong with going to an academic school (and using baseball to get into it). While it is great to dream, baseball eventually ends for all of our boys. IMO D3 is a good option for the OP's son and should be looked into. Playing D1 is not necessary, unless this is what he wants to do and has the ability to do it.

My son was presented with the exact same situation yesterday. D1 school offered 50% academic scholarship. No athletic money. We asked if there could be athletic money attached and they said they are up against the 27 person limit and are not fully funded to 11.7. My son asked if this was a walk on spot or would he be on the roster. They told him he would be on the roster. They said there could be athletic money down the road. I assume that is going to be based on his performance. Are we simply at the mercy of the coaches word as it relates to a guaranteed roster spot? We still have several other irons in the fire, so we are just holding on this right now.

fairpole,

 

I just came back to this thread after thinking about it some more.  Since the money offered is academic, I think I'd put more emphasis on that part of the equation.  If the offering D1 and the interested D3s have your son's intended major or give him the academic choices he is interested in then I think I'd opt for the D1 because of the academic money and the baseball opportunity.  Secondary consideration would be the level of baseball at the D3s which vary considerably across the country. 

 

While my oldest son's situation was not exactly the same, we walked away from D1 athletic money to pursue other D1 academic opportunities with no athletic money.  Some would look from the outside to say that is crazy, but it really wasn't given the unique opportunity.  I realize this is not an easy decision for you, and frankly the devil is in the details of your unique situation.  

 

My biggest concern would be the opportunity to earn playing time.  You've done your research and found the D1 coach is a fair minded guy.  That is certainly a plus, because frankly most college baseball players at all levels don't get a fair opportunity.  There are never any guarantees.

 

Good luck! 

Originally Posted by IEBSBL:

why would your son go to a D3 school when he has an opportunity to play at a D1?

IEBSBL,

 

There are many reasons for this situation, I will relay my son's.  My son is a high academic kid who was offered significant scholarship $ for a D1 school in the MAC.  It did not fit the profile of where he wanted to be academically.  Some kids actually want to go to college for an education.  He wanted to go Ivy, but couldn't find one that wanted him.  He wound up in the NESCAC and may just be one of the busiest kids on the planet at the moment - and this is the fall.  

 

If hanging a D1 banner around your neck is that important, go for it,  However, the decision of where to get your education, and how much the family can afford to pay for it, is one that can impact a person for the rest of their life.

Originally Posted by HVbaseballDAD:
Originally Posted by IEBSBL:

why would your son go to a D3 school when he has an opportunity to play at a D1?

IEBSBL,

 

There are many reasons for this situation, I will relay my son's.  My son is a high academic kid who was offered significant scholarship $ for a D1 school in the MAC.  It did not fit the profile of where he wanted to be academically.  Some kids actually want to go to college for an education.  He wanted to go Ivy, but couldn't find one that wanted him.  He wound up in the NESCAC and may just be one of the busiest kids on the planet at the moment - and this is the fall.  

 

If hanging a D1 banner around your neck is that important, go for it,  However, the decision of where to get your education, and how much the family can afford to pay for it, is one that can impact a person for the rest of their life.

First off I resent the comment that states some kids want to go to college for an education.  My program has a 3.3 GPA and I have more kids with a 3.5 and above than I do under a 3.0.  As I hope you can see in my statement I said "play". That is what I was discussing.  BTW......I currently have 3 players playing D1 and their families are apying far less per year than the kid playing D3 so I understand the financial cost.  

 

Each player has their own reason for choosing their college baseball opportunity.  Whether it be D1, D2 or D3 the criteria varies from player to player as to why they chose the program they did.  My 2015 has a list of what is important to him in college from social, baseball and academics.

Players can use baseball to get into a school they otherwise would not be able to get into on just their academic merit. If a player is sitting the bench for a couple of years at a reach academic school (ie...Ivy, Patriot) it may be more tolerable knowing they are getting an education they would not have gotten otherwise.

Players can use baseball to supplement their cost. The level of affordability for college is different for everyone.  If a baseball opportunity, again no matter what Division, can make college affordable then one may have to forgo other considerations that may have been important.

I do not think is matters whether it is D1, D2 or D3, and finding the right fit for your son should be the goal.  My 2015 has similar decision to make.  He has some D1 opportunities, with baseball money and without, at some very good academic schools with good baseball. He also has a D3 opportunity a highly regarded school for his intended major.  He is leaning toward D3.

The good news is he has opportunites! Good Luck!

JMHO!

As it has been said here many times before "go where they love you". That translates to play time. D1,D2,D3 who cares! Go where you will play and get an education.

My son got athletic & academic money at a DI and played his freshman year. He was very lucky and when he was recurited, he was told no gaurantees but youll get your shot. However, I saw walk on rooster guys get redshirted, limited play time and frustrated. By the way, they were really good too, everybody at the next level is. Now going into there Soph year, their replacements have shown up and the replacements replacements will be signing NLI' s in November. 

Unless this DI with academic money only is his flat out dream school he should move on. Do walk on rooster guys make it, of course! But I'm sure far more don't. 

My son just finished summer ball. His team had all different levels of players and you would never know it. The kid that played SS all 48 games was a jc kid that got MVP and first team all league honors. 

Like its been said before, go where they love you! JMHO

GOOD LUCK!

I know this thread has sat quietly for a while but I felt a need to offer an update since I started it.  I appreciate all the feedback and have learned a lot myself through this whole endeavor.  Your comments certainly helped me at the time.

In short, my son received another offer from a different D1 school in November that is very competitive (i.e reached NCAAs recently) but not the traditional power that the first school is. In speaking to several college baseball folks we know (an NCAA coach, former D1 players, past and present HS coaches and ADs), they unanimously feel he will get a very fair opportunity even as a freshman.  Academically the schools are very similar. He visited the school several times and met personally with the coach twice.  He also spoke with the coach a few other times on the phone.  It was clear to me that even after the offer was made, the coach wanted my son to decide if he really wanted the school and if it was a fit for us financially.  We are happy with how this eventually worked out in the end as the school is a very good fit academically, financially and athletically. 

Originally Posted by fairpole:

I know this thread has sat quietly for a while but I felt a need to offer an update since I started it.  I appreciate all the feedback and have learned a lot myself through this whole endeavor.  Your comments certainly helped me at the time.

In short, my son received another offer from a different D1 school in November that is very competitive (i.e reached NCAAs recently) but not the traditional power that the first school is. In speaking to several college baseball folks we know (an NCAA coach, former D1 players, past and present HS coaches and ADs), they unanimously feel he will get a very fair opportunity even as a freshman.  Academically the schools are very similar. He visited the school several times and met personally with the coach twice.  He also spoke with the coach a few other times on the phone.  It was clear to me that even after the offer was made, the coach wanted my son to decide if he really wanted the school and if it was a fit for us financially.  We are happy with how this eventually worked out in the end as the school is a very good fit academically, financially and athletically. 

That's great news.  So did he commit? Also, is he a 2015?  I didn't see that mentioned in the thread.  If he committed, where did he commit to?

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×