After Graduation 09

kdm,

What I tell all my recruits, whether it's the right thing for us or not, is that the most important thing for each player is to play at a program where they're comfortable. That includes their living situation, educational benefits, playing time needs and desires, facilities, how comfortable they are with the coaches, social activities, etc. A lot of times our program offers these things that a player is looking for, and often times we don't offer these needs that a player is looking for. Sometimes they don't like hearing that they'll have a struggle to start in the spring, don't like "big city life" versus a small country juco town, don't like our facilities, or don't like me as a coach. All of these things are acceptable reasons for them to choose us as the place that they will spend the next two years of their baseball careers and their lives, or to choose another program. The truth of the matter is, baseball beyond high school is a privilege that many young men don't get to enjoy. Like numerous other juco's, we hold tryouts every summer, and turn down many great young men that have worked extremely hard to continue their playing career. It truly is the hardest part of coaching, and hasn't gotten easier in my brief college coaching career. Baseball is something that even fewer men get to make a career out of. These young men that play for me and our program are, in fact, STUDENT-ATHLETES that happen to spend their "free-time" playing a game that I and few fortunate others have dedicated our "working" lives to. I realize that baseball is not the most important thing in the world, but a beautiful game that we all get to enjoy, if we do it for a living or not. My best advice to you and your son is to look beyond baseball and try to figure out the things that could be possibilities in the future. The great thing about this game is the character that it helps build in the young and old, dumb and wise, carefree and passionate. If your son decides to play, make sure that your son plays for the right reasons. That he plays because he loves playing the game for himself, his teammates, his coach, and God (obviously not in that order). If playing this game is something that he can't put 100% effort into, maybe it's best that he takes a year off. Maybe it's best that he plays at a program that views athletics as what it is, a privilege, rather than the student's job. As great as this game is, it often seems like many parents and players take it too seriously. In truth, one in a million make a living from this game. It's a sad truth, but the benefits that this game can bring to those that truly play it for the right reasons will provide lifelong lessons that will benefit them in their careers, marriage, and parenthood.

www.blastbat.com

I have several friends that have/had son's playing at the college level, both JUCO and 4 year. Since my son is no longer playing (after HS) I have lived a bit through them and have listened to their stories and experiences. The one theme that seems consistant, at both levels is:

College baseball is a huge committment of time and there is little time to enjoy college. So, make your choice on what the program will offer your son because he will be spending the majority of his time with baseball and academics the social aspect of the college is minimal, at least Freshman year.

If baseball goes south then the college experience tends to go with it. So, figure out where he will "fit" and where he has the best chance to succeed. If he is sitting the bench, if the program is at a level he can't compete then he will be unhappy and then the academics will suffer and his relationship with the college (if he has one) will suffer as well.

When considering schools do not place too much emphasis on the schools name, level (DI, DII, JUCO), place your emphasis on how the program and your son compliment each other and if you do that then your outcome should be very positive.

OBN - We have missed benefiting from your words of wisdom this past year!

Glad to have you back posting!

My posting is like my eyesight......

it comes and goes and comes and goes......................

My son just finished his freshman year playing D2 ball at a school that is not known for its baseball program but for it's academics. He also has friends that played this year at all levels - D1 to Juco.

The main theme of all of the friend's comments was how much of a huge committment of time the baseball experience was - all the kids basically had time for was school and baseball. Their social life was with the baseball team. Some of the guys are quitting after this year for various reasons - burned out, not a good fit, etc. My son is going back and loved last year - (okay he did not enjoy the early morning workouts and running).

My point is - there are lots of players competing for each of these positions at all of the different level of schools and it is definitely a major time commitment at all. I don't know where you can go where the commitment would not be as great.

There is "Club Ball" at the major universities that is an option.

Good luck to you as you figure this all out!

"The great thing about this game is the character that it helps build in the young and old, dumb and wise, carefree and passionate. If your son decides to play, make sure that your son plays for the right reasons. That he plays because he loves playing the game for himself, his teammates, his coach, and God (obviously not in that order). If playing this game is something that he can't put 100% effort into, maybe it's best that he takes a year off."

I loved C-Pen-Bears post - sounds like you are an awesome coach! So true - kids can't play anymore to please their parents or because their friends are playing college ball - they have to want it for themselves.