In another thread, PD asked if Texan Son had committed yet. [He'll probably regret having asked...] Perhaps relating his journey may help someone else.
Texan Son had been going down the prescribed path (as so well discussed on HSBBW). Experiencing success on top tier select teams. Visiting colleges. Meeting with coaches. Following up with emails, phone calls. Etc., etc.
Even started attending a couple of tryouts. At an NAIA eval last May, he was told his fastball was up to 88 mph. His credentials are good enough to hold some attraction.
Getting some D1 attention, though not major D1 (that size thing...). A highly ranked D2 program and a D3 are interested. And this is before the summer has gotten started.
In the meantime, he has visited many schools looking not only at the baseball program but also at the academics and environment. Even though it is only the summer before his senior year, he is getting official and unofficial academic scholarship offers. And we are talking serious dollars, up to 75% of the total cost (i.e., tuition, fees, room and board).
This gets his attention. One school offers a combined BBA/MBA. With his college credits from HS, he could have his MBA after only 4.5 to 5 years. Another university had an incredible program in one of his areas of interest. There, he could double major and still get out in four years. And so on at several other schools which were also highly ranked academically. He was being accepted into Honors programs as early as last July.
All of this to say it brought academics to the forefront of his thought process.
We talked about a few things. A player cannot predict the future. An injury can bring an end to baseball. Some players just get tired of the grind. Some players don't end up with playing time, and face either sitting or transferring (both of which have their disadvantages).
So after much thought, Texan Son decided to choose his school rather than be chosen by a baseball coach. He decided to select the school which he really wanted to attend. And to base that selection on all reasons other than baseball. Then if baseball were to stop for whatever reason, he would still be at the school he had really wanted to attend anyhow. No need to either transfer for academic reasons or to spend the remaining years at a school that no longer held an attraction.
After serious deliberation, his priorities shifted from baseball first to academics first.
And realistically, how many high school seniors will ever go on to set foot on an MLB field? What are the odds? Miniscule. Given this, is it really such a big deal - for the vast majority of the kids - whether someone plays for a major D1 or not?
I felt he had chosen wisely. The academics were far, far more likely to have a lasting impact on his life than would the four more years of baseball.
So the process changed significantly. No need for showcasing. No need to continue the contact with, and visits to, dozens of programs.
The coach at one of Texan Son's top choices continued to pursue him with all the phone calls, letters, emails, invitations, etc.
With regard to baseball, does this approach have some risk? Sure. The coach at his first choice school may not want him as bad as coaches at some other schools. His position could be stacked. But even at a school which initially looks great baseball-wise, things can change. Risk remains with either approach.
This approach is not the right approach for every young man. But I think it is appropriate for a goodly number of young men. Many more than who currently utilize such an approach.
I thought that perhaps relating this journey might spark a different thought process for some. Or at least provide them with another angle to consider.
As for the rest of the story, that is for another post...
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