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Advice for Incoming College Freshman

BLUD15 ·
Going off to college is exciting, know there is a whole new baseball world that's waiting for you is even more exciting. I just finished my freshman year of college and I wanted to share some of the things I wish I had known/ I learned. Disclaimer: This is written from a players perspective of college baseball, so there will some things that parents probably won't want to know about. Understand that you are a freshman: It doesn't matter if you're the number 1 recruit in your class or a...
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Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

Midwest Mom ·
Parents of student athletes who have successfully gone through the baseball recruiting process: as you look back, what would you say are your top 3 key learnings for those of us in the thick of it right now? We see bits and pieces of your wisdom in different threads, but would be great to see what you think matters most. Thanks in advance.
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

TPM ·
Hmm, good question. Obviously there is a lot of learning and sometimes it gets overwhelming and we lose our way. The best advice I can give that I feel matters most.... Don't let it overwhelm you. Everyone is different, don't compare your son to anyone. Have him evaluated when he is ready. Dont go broke before college. Let it be fun for everyone in your family. Guide your son through the process, don't do the work for him and never make excuses. Don't get pissed at him because he isn't...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

Midwest Mom ·
TPM - thank you.
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

Trust In Him ·
TPM is spot on. I would like to add: Cherish and appreciate the time spent going to practices, lessons, tournaments, games and such. It is an excellent opportunity to have meaningful parents/player/siblings bonding and no better way to strengthen a family. The playing won't last forever but the memories will. The temptation will be great but after the game refrain from lecturing your son on the mistakes he made during the game or the missed opportunities. Believe me he knows what he did...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

BaseballFan1965 ·
Look for the right fit for the player. The right school (i.e. this is a school desired if baseball is not in the decision making loop), level of play, and coach. If any of these are not the right fit the player may be very disappointed or frustrated. Not that there is not value in dealing with adversity but it is tough enough without additional hurdles. Answer's to all three of those are not going to result in certainties but due diligence allows the player to be an informed decision maker.
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

9and7dad ·
The recruiting process is a great opportunity for your son to grow up and learn how to effectively deal with adults much sooner than he otherwise would have. He will learn how to communicate better - on the phone, in person, and via the written word. He will mature right before your eyes if you let him. Coach him lightly but let him find his way and take responsibility for the outcomes. You'll be amazed at what you see. Try to focus on the real goal (my opinion) of recruiting - getting the...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

3and2Fastball ·
MIDWEST MOM: Standing Ovation. What a great idea for a thread!
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

keewart ·
To add, but this is nothing new: 1) Go to as many games as you can. You never know when it will be the last. 2) Make friends with the other parents, then sit far far away. Cheer for the whole team, not just your son. 3) Everything happens for a reason. You just don't know it at the time. 4)(sorry) Keep a travel baseball budget once your child plays in college. You are going to want to travel to see him play, then championships, hotels, food, taking your son out to eat....as well as another...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

Enjoying the Ride ·
1. Try to relax and be patient. Your son will bloom when he blooms and no amount of parental angst is going to make that happen sooner than nature intends. 2. Remember that actions speak louder than words. College coaches will say many things, including some that you desperately want to hear, but at the end of the day it is what they actually do that matters. 3. It will almost certainly be a crazy, thrilling, unpredictable ride. In the words of the legendary Tom House, your heart will break...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

cabbagedad ·
Make the same parenting decisions and hold him accountable to his family and community responsibilities just as you would without baseball. Love him for who he is outside of baseball and make sure he knows that. You both should work the plan but you both should make sure you enjoy today - enjoy everything special about the HS years.
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

BOF ·
1. Have a plan and work the plan: This means poring over Princeton, US News, Fiske, and other resources, and really understand what are the options and what is important for YOUR SON, not you. Large school, small school, locations, get a feel for the vibe of a school. Spend evening after evening talking through these issues. Match GPA and test scores to where he will fit academically, forgetting about baseball. Talk about majors, interests, girls, what college life is like, get to really...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

MAM ·
Great thread idea Midwest Mom. Here are my three: 1. Don’t get caught up in the D1, D2, D3 circus. There are kids that are unquestionably D1 talents. But frankly those are few and far between. The are a whole lot more kids that fall on the fringe — can they make a D1 program… maybe. Will they sit for two or three years? Maybe. Just because they sit on the bench — that doesn’t mean they are excluded from the early morning lifting, the 3 hour practices, etc… From what I have heard first hand —...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

StrainedOblique ·
1. CAST A WIDE NET Forget D1, D2, D3. There are outstanding baseball programs and learning facilities at the D3 level and there are crappy baseball programs and diploma mills at the D1 level. This whole thing is about 'finding the right fit' socially, economically , academically and Baseball. Most kids / parents overreach and chase the same 4-5 schools ( All D1 of course ) That is a potentially fatal mistake. *Only 7% of HS players will play NCAA baseball.....Only 2% at the Division 1 level...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

old_school ·
Focus on development and training 13 and 14...winning is fine but the skills learned when transitioning to the big field need to be correct and ingrained deep. Find a travel team that fits your budget, goals and focuses on player development and supporting the recruiting process. Winning will happen if they do it well anyway. Don't rush the process, for some it will happen early others late. Start preparing your son to talk to with coaches at a young age, if they aren't naturally outgoing...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

#1 Assistant Coach ·
An old, wise, local baseball sage, told me once, "for a kid to play college baseball, he has to get past the car keys and the girlfriend." I never knew what he meant???? Until this past summer. The window for most boys to be inspired to play, then be recruited to play, and finally commit to play college baseball is probably 13 - 18 years old. Within those five years boys go from being "boys," to being "men." As 9and7 says above, "There are days it tears your guts out." He's referring to the...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

old_school ·
the car wasn't a major issue, the girlfriend is a hardcore softball player, they have spent quality time in the cage working together...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

fenwaysouth ·
Lots of lessons and tough to narrow it down to three. 1) Have a plan, and be willing to change the plan if he is not getting the desired results. We changed scope a couple times until we finally stumbled on the right situation. It was a lot of work, but I'm convinced after 20+ months we figured it out, and my son got the best possible outcome because of his flexibility. 2) Evaluate coaches by what they do, not what they say. Coaches will blow smoke up your butt...be prepared. They will tell...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

Shoveit4Ks ·
1. Map out the schools where he wants to attend/play baseball. 2. Don't let the RC pressure you, be clear about your timeline to decide. 3. Enjoy the ride, before you know it he will be at college and you'll be missing him around the house.
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

TPM ·
Love your short, concise to the point reply! Hope all is well. #clemsonfamily
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

Ja'Crispy ·
1) You never know who is watching you. You may think you are playing some throw away game on a nowhere field and the right guy is watching you at the right time. Always act like you are being watched. 2) Grades and test scores are extremely important. Chances are you wont be getting a full ride for baseball no matter how good you are. One more A in HS or 1 point higher on the ACT can mean more in merit aid than you ever realize when you are half heartedly studying for these things. 3) Put...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

Bball34 ·
#2 is just great and so succinct. Made my cup of coffee even more enjoyable - even if almost spit it out at first read.
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

Nuke83 ·
1, 2 & 3 - Realize that your individual family circumstance is exactly that, your INDIVIDUAL circumstance. Don't try and fit every sliver of advice on this website or any other, and don't sweat it when you can't or get different results. That isn't to say that all the advice here isn't invaluable, but realize, you have everything from parents of former first rounders out of high school to parents of kids who will never make any level of college roster here dispensing their advice and...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

younggun ·
Lot of great advice from people who have been there and done that. I'm not sure I have anything to add, but I will reiterate; 1. "Enjoy the ride." I cannot overstate this one. It's like a hole in my soul where my son moved away and we don't have the daily interaction. It is very difficult to convey the magnitude of this one. 2. "Go to as many games as possible." Wow, this one is SO true. My son is 8 hours away, but the wife and I attended 10 weekend series, the SEC tourney and Omaha. I would...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

2017LHPscrewball ·
I know this website has been around for years, but the advice presented in this thread over the last 12 hours is phenomenal. When I first saw the title, I starting thinking about what I could contribute - then I clicked on it and started reading. The OP asked for three, but it looks like this could be a Top 100 and headed for Golden Threads. I am looking forward to reading more. I am now debating whether to go back through and "like" every post. Looks like this has great coverage of the...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

RedFishFool ·
Being redundant but.... 1) Enjoy the ride. Relish the memories 2) Grades matter, even after baseball is over 3) Visit different schools. Your son's original decision to attend a certain institution may be swayed/altered by a visit to a college that was not even on the horizon. 3.1) Don't spend $$$ chasing a pipe dream. PS: If there is one thing that I wish that I/we had done that we didn't, it was buy a diary his Sophomore/Junior HS year and write down two or three comments on days that...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

Iowamom23 ·
1. Use this site for what it is — a wide variety of opinions that won't tell you what to do, it will tell you things to think about and consider as you decide what YOU want to do. 2. Your son has to want it, not you — we told ours in eighth grade that if he would do the work, we would financially back him. He had to schedule lessons, get himself up in the morning to go lift, etc. We weren't going to push him to do any of it. He has far exceeded our expectations. 3. Decide where baseball fits...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

Catch1721 ·
1. Provide the same resources for your son to be successful in the classroom as you would his development as a player. 2. Remember every dollar spent on recruiting is one less dollar you'll have to invest in your son's education. 3. Good luck on trying to figure out the "perfect amount" for #2. I never did.
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

b i g m a c ·
Great topic. 1. I'd (personally) try to relax more, particularly for 14u and under. And, there's no good reason a rough weekend at the plate -- which happens to everyone -- should affect the state of mind of a parent. 2. Despite the admitted wisdom in researching, planning and analyzing college programs and fit, I think there is a big inherent element of randomness/luck to the decision and how it ultimately works out. This is probably the case whether you son plays ball or not. My son is...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

Trust In Him ·
Great topic Midwest Mom. I am just in awe how much info is here from so many knowledgeable parents. Nothing here will guarantee your son getting into a certain college/MLB. What it does provide though are the paths others have taken. It is now up to you which road you will take. Even today I second guess some directions we took, mostly because of my ignorance and lack of information (certainly not drive) as I wasn't aware of sites such as this one. In the end though things will happen for a...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

Suds ·
1. Don't Panic! I heard way too often, "If your son is getting D1 offers by the summer before his senior year, it is too late" No it is not, but it does mean he probably needs to get serious about his workouts, training and contacting schools. Panicking caused him to make a poor decision with the first school he committed to. 2. Don't rule out smaller schools and JUCO. We heard from multiple people, "He is too smart to go to a JUCO or he doesn't need to go to a JUCO". No he didn't "need" to,...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

3and2Fastball ·
1) Bigger 2) Faster 3) Stronger great thread! Keep it going folks!!
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

Branson Baseball ·
So many great responses! My boys are not baseball superstars, so they fit in the big middle of most players that were seeking college baseball opportunities. We have been through the high school to college process twice and the college transfer process once. I'll preface my "3" with the player should be prepared academically and athletically for college. 1) God's will be done, not mine. I (and my boys) tried to control too much the first time around, of what was in many respects beyond my...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

coachld ·
We are going thru the process right now so not sure I am the best to provide three takeaways but I did want to share a few things since we are in the midst of it right now. 1. I think I have posted this in another thread but make sure you are not putting all of your eggs in one basket. Make sure you and your son are networking with others. It has helped my son tremendously...more so over the last 2 months. This can include team coaches, coaches from other teams, scouts, position and/or...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

Trust In Him ·
Too funny and hits so close to home! When son was 12 during one of our "bonding" times, I mentioned to him these 4 little words: "Girlfriends are dream busters". I know there are many ex-college players which this does not apply to since they are playing at the next level. If anything take it as a grain of salt.
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

Nuke83 ·
aka The Three G's.....Girls, Grass & Gas. Has derailed many a promising career.
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

Gov ·
Great post! I like every comment shared... I'll preface my comments with: I have a 2016 that went through the process and opted to be a student at the end - it hurt initially, but I respected and loved him more for the maturity of his decision. He's thrived in college, still loves the game, and has no regrets. My 2018 just committed to high academic D3 and there was a ton more learned. A few mechanical steps that are important: 1. Find a way to be realistic about your son's baseball...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

infielddad ·
It is talent coupled with commitment, mental toughness and the spirit of our sons which most often leads to success above HS. Talent can be “quantified” and many pay a lot of money for that number. In my view, talent, alone, often isn’t the feature which separates success, or the lack of it, especially above HS. Borrowed from our son: “success occurs when a thousand hours of preparation meets one moment of opportunity.” Great college coaching and talent development exists at all levels of...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

rynoattack ·
In the Beard family, we always said, "Girls are dream crushers!"
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

#1 Assistant Coach ·
Nuke83 posted: aka The Three G's.....Girls, Grass & Gas. Has derailed many a promising career. Nailed it.
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

rynoattack ·
Many have provided great answers above, so I will not reiterate them, but I'll add a few others that I believe strongly in: 1. Don't let son commit until he is ready. Don't get pressured and commit to a bad fit. This will make things tougher down the road. It is really hard to overcome when your kid de-commits late, and it can be extremely difficult to get back on the radar, even if your kid is a pretty good player. 2. Look into how teams recruit, especially how many they bring into the...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

cabbagedad ·
"... we always said, "Girls are dream crushers!" "The Three G's.....Girls, Grass & Gas. Has derailed many a promising career." You guys do realize that it is a girl who initiated the thread, right? Maybe they aren't all bad
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

ClevelandDad ·
Fabulous responses in this thread. 1) I'd rather my son play on a winning D3 team than a loser D1 team. 2) Sometimes, you have to make a decision based on your own instincts which may go against the so-called "expert's" evaluation. I had people tell me that my son would be lucky to get on the field at the D3 level let alone ever play above that level. We went and watched the different levels of baseball and we could see with our own eyes that my son had skills to compete at higher levels.
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

coachld ·
As my son's pitching coach would say.."BOOM!" Love the quote as well. Going to share with my son and the students and athletes in my life! Thanks.
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

RJM ·
Recruiting - Get a proper, unbiased evaluation of your son's talent so he can target the correct baseball programs. Don't be obsesssed with D1. Look for a quality baseball experience at the right level. If a kid only gets one D1 offer chances are that coach made a mistake. - Have a business plan on how to get in front of the right college programs combined with what you can afford. - Don't drag your kid through the process. He has to want it. Sometimes the best help is asking him if he's...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

TPM ·
Great stuff. StrainedOblique mentioned something all should remember. The coach drives the bus, they decide who they want and who they don't want. Sometimes waiting around for that offer from the dream school probably isn't going to come, so move forward and look for the program who appreciates you more. Unfortunately my son fell in love as a HS junior and she broke his heart when a senior. He declared he didn't want to go to school. Took a while for Kevin O'Sullivan to convince him there...
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

MidAtlanticDad ·
1. Trust your son; he will know better than you more often than not. 2. The only opinions that really matter regarding your son's ability to play college baseball are college coaches'. 3. Guide, don't push.
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

2019Dad ·
Or the kid took his first offer.
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

Nuke83 ·
Unless her husband is on an MLB roster . . . .
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Re: Top 3 takeaways from parents who have been there

TPM ·
Recently FAU coaches went to Indianapolis to watch an event. The HC went to the Northwoods league to watch a juco player from the midwest this summer. One SEC team has an on staff paid scout who goes everywhere to watch players. There is a lot of searching going on everywhere these days.
 
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