My son injured his knee on the first day of his first showcase this summer. I told him to get an MRI. The doctor told him to get an MRI. His mother sent him to a holistic healer. He didn't listen to the doctor and me. After three weeks against my advice and without clearance from a doctor he tells his coach he can play. Coming out out of the batter's box his knee collapses. An MRI is scheduled for early next week.
To this point the only interest in him has been through him making contact and email exchanges with coaches and his showcase coach telling programs he can play for them. Their was response was interest based on seeing him play this summer.
The summer is shot now. I have to figure if three weeks rest wasn't enough and he's injured himself worse, chances are summer ball is done. Pending recovery and hopefully not needing ACL surgery we'll have the fall to market him to a smaller target market given the time available. However, his speed is one of his most marketable tools. It's going to take rehab, strength training and sprint reps to get his speed back.
What is probably out the window are a lot of high end academic colleges he wouldn't get accepted without baseball. We hope a few still have interest in the fall. I assume by then while final decisions have not been made, team's A and B lists are fairly put together.
If he can't play until winter I'll get him to the last handful of indoor winter showcases and hope some team has a roster spot left.
What if he can't play until spring. What should we do then?. I know it's not unheard of to find a home as a 2011 when colleges are looking at 2012's, but the opportunities are few and the odds long.
We don't see JuCo as an answer. JuCo ball stinks in our region. With all due respect to those who have sent sons to JuCo's I don't see it as an acdemic solution for my son. Picking one college to attempt a walk on seems like a long shot. This is not a kid looking for a shot at pro baseball. This is a kid with honor roll grades who was looking for baseball to get him into the best possible academic situation. He's an excellent high school player capable of playing high end D3 to mid major D1.
If he showcases with the 2012's next summer what are the chances he can secure a guaranteed walk on situation?. I realize the money will be all gone by then. Money is not an issue. The opportunity to play competitive baseball at an academically acceptable college is. I will not send him to Timbuktu Basketweaving State just to play four more years of baseball.
Will quality programs take him on video and coaches recommendations?
Any ideas? Suggestions?
If I'm rambling I apologize. An ACL injury was not part of the business plan we made a couple of years ago.
Add to post: I'm thinking pitching would add time and opportunity to the window. He throws 84/85 with very little instruction. We could amp up the pitching instruction over the winter. He would rather be a position player. But he would rather be a pitcher than not play. Opinions?
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