Adrian College in Michigan

Adrian is a school that I have followed for several years because of a friend connection there. I have seen them play at the beginning of their season over the last three years. I suppose you're aware that they went to the DIII WS this year and came in third in the nation.

As far as money, they are going to be like any other DIII and your son needs to apply to see what sort of funds might be available to him.

As far as over recruiting, they do offer JV opportunities as do many smaller programs. This is a great question to discuss with this coach just as it would be with any other program.

As far as talent, I can promise you they have as much talent as you'll find at any small school and many larger ones. I watched them have a very successful year in '06 to have to come back in '07 and rebuild. They weren't very strong starting out, but by the end of the season were showing great promise. That promise manifested itself very well this year as I saw them play EARLY in the season and knew they'd do well - which is exactly what happened. They take a trip south every year to start their season and I assume that's not changing. I know the pitching coach and am a bit biased, but find him to be one of the best in the business. I've also grown to have respect for the head coach and how he develops players as well.

The campus is nice and the field is new. The town is smaller, but large enough to offer opportunities that college students look for in entertainment, etc. A little tricky getting to town as it's not right off the interstate.

Hope that helps and if your son ends up there - let me know! I'll be following the Bulldogs!!

Sounds like a good program. How would it compare to the D1 JUCO's in Georgia? We are going there next week and my son has workouts with 3 of the schools in the GJCAA. Given a choice can anyone advise what they would do? I know that I have heard that the JUCO's down there play very good ball and have an excellent rep for advancing players to D1 4 years schools.

Equipman, No one can tell your son or family what the best choice is. No one else is living in your shoes and has the same priorities or desires for a college program.

JUCOs are like any other level of competition. There can be a wide range of difference between the top JUCO and the bottom JUCO. That's no different in DIII. Remember, IMO, Adrian is a TOP level DIII. They can certainly develop talent - absolutely no doubt as I've watched it first hand. Now, your top JUCOs are going to obviously be able to do that as well. However, to blanket statement that any level is better than another is just simply incorrect. There are many DII, DIII, NAIA and JUCO programs that can whip the pants off of many DIs, etc. Big range in talent and success between top DIs and bottom DIs... same for all the other levels.

You have to look at the history of a program, the location, the cost, the development, the discipline (whatever that means to you), the teammwork, the academics, the graduation rate, the weather, the transfer rate...... It's a lot to sort out and picking a college program is one of the most difficult things IMO. If I had to give one piece of advice, it would probably be to trust your heart to a certain extent. We didn't and have regretted it ever since. Our gut can sometime tell us as much as our brain!

lafmom,

I understand that no one can make the decision for us. I am just curious what others might do. You said to trust your heart and you regretted not doing that. I believe that fate has a lot to do with our lives. I have had many opportunities in my life that for 1 reason or another, didn't pan out. I go with the flow. But there are alot of people on this board that have been down the road that we are embarking on, and I was only looking for others opinions. The weather down south can be good or bad, just like up here. My heart would like him nearby so that I can go watch him play, but, I also want whats best for his future. Where does Adrian go down south in the spring? Is it the same trip every year, or , have they done something different each year?

I think Adrian's schedule from last season is probably still on their site. Three years ago, they traveled to Atlanta area and had all their games there, in '07 they went back to Atlanta and then stopped here in Lexington, KY for a couple of days and played Transylvania University with last years trip being to Atlanta for several days and then over to Birmingham for a couple of days playing at Birmingham Southern against several teams.

I'm sure Coach Rainey has next season's schedule planned although it's not on the site yet.

Your son has plenty of time and it sounds like he's investigating all opportunities and IMO that's exactly what a kid should do. When you put everything that's important to him on a piece of paper after all is said and done.... hopefully there will be a clear cut winner. In the meantime, see how things play out with financial packages and those gut feelings, etc. and hopefully he'll be led to the correct fit.

Again, it's a difficult process for most of us. One never knows exactly how that fit is going to feel until they're there.

equipman;

What city in Michigan do you live?

Many years ago I grew up in Adrian and attend Adrian College, before attending Michigan State and playing baseball in the College World Series.

What is important is that the young player is prepared for this major change in his life.

As we have observed for 25 years of International Baseball, very few high school players are prepared to become "student/athletes".

If you can teach your children to be leaders, they will have an advantage of focusing and concentrating on their goals.

Best wishes;

Bob Williams

We live in Marysville, MI. We are working all of the angles to ensure we find the right fit. That is why we are going south. My sons aunt actually works for Darton JC and got him the tryout there. She works for the head coach. And his grandparents live nearby, so he could live with them. We are keeping all of the options open. I learned on this sight never to throw an offer away or not return a letter that comes in the mail. You never know where you might end up.

Equipman,

I live in Livonia, and have been looking at what possible options there may be for my 2010.

First off Adrian is a great school with a real good baseball program. Newly renivated BB field, with turf which, I believe but am not 100%, is in the outfield also.

A kid who went to my sons high school and graduated 2007 went to Adrian for 08 and will be going back this year. The young man told me he really liked it. His dad told me that it will cost approx the same as going to MSU after what ever financial packages they put together for him. That is still 15k plus. However Adrian is 25k plus per year.

However, if you look in state at other than D1, there are some possibly very options also. D2, Wayne State is the largest D2 in the country, great academics, very good baseball. Head coach just left for EMU. Also, dont forget about Grand Valley. They have a camp coming up first weekend in October. NAIA - Madonna and Spring Arbor are excellent baseball programs.

I would suggest that your son attend the Ed Santa showcase in October at Total Sports. If I am not mistaken approx 100 colleges, JUCO, NAIA and D1-D3 are in attendance.

Good Luck !!!

Been to the Santa showcase a the October of his Freshman year. Went as a pitcher/catcher. About 35 coaches/scouts were there. I don't know how many stayed for the position player session. 1 thing that I have learned in regards to showcases, is that, if you aren't a pitcher throwing over 80+ they don't look. We went to the showcase in Grosse Pt a couple of weeks ago and all of the scouts were pasted to the backstop during the pitchers skills sessions and didn't even watch the position players take their drills or watch the hitters in the cages. Thats just the way it is. Although my son did get the letter from Adrian. We talked to a boy who is playing on the same team as my son yesterday and he got the letter also. So, I am not sure how many they sent out.

equipman, You have a PM!