@adbono posted:This post in particular strikes a chord with me. What is described here is the way it is at a nationally ranked Big 12 program. If your son is being recruited by top tier D1 programs this is what it’s like at almost every one of them. The unfortunate reality is that the majority of current generation of parents (that have 18 year old baseball players) have coddled their kids their entire lives. The travel ball coaches, private instructors, and scouting services do the same thing, often pumping these kids up to believe they are better than they are. Why would they do that, you ask? To keep getting your money, that’s why. Guess when that bubble bursts and the kid’s world comes crashing down around him? The first day he sets foot on the practice field at a top 25 D1 program. They not only aren’t good enough to get on the field, most of them don’t even get the opportunity. In many cases they are demeaned and treated like peons - and they receive little to no coaching. The program keeps them because they might develop into productive players but the program doesn’t care about them until they can actually help win games. This sentiment is reinforced (in various ways) on a daily basis and it’s a shock to a kid’s system - since he has been treated like a superstar every day just because he had a pulse. Lots of kids can’t stand up to that kind of treatment, nor should they have to IMO. But it’s the harsh reality of D1 baseball at the most competitive level. So you damn well better know what you are getting your kid into before you do it.
My son’s observation of playing P5 ball was he saw a lot of talent circle the drain because they weren’t mentally tough enough.
They never had to sit before in their life. Rather than stay physically and mentally ready some kids pissed and moaned until they mentally had one foot out the door. It doesn’t take long for the other foot to follow.
My son’s first six appearances were pinch running. Then the coaches used a mid week non conference game to see if he could hit his way on. Then he started a Sunday conference game. He started against right handed pitching the second half of freshman year.
After hitting .300 he returned soph year to find a JuCo All American at his position. He had to win another position. He beat out a Gatorade POY recruit who couldn’t handle the mental grind of failure.