All by myself

My son is in college. But I can point out an eighteen year old signing out of high school as a late pick has typically made a bad decision. The only reason to pass on college ball as a late pick is if the kid absolutely isn't college material.

 

When a kid signs out of high school he goes to the same place most 21 and 22 year olds go, short season A ball. It means the 18 year old is competing against more physically developed men. If the kid isn't ready to compete with men he'll be assigned to a lower level where many of the players are non English speaking 16 and 17 year old Carribean players.

 

Three years ago I was talking to a kid from our local high school who signed. This kid was an incredible athlete. He rushed for 1000+ yards as a soph before giving up football, lit it up in basketball as an all conference guard three years and made all conference three times as a shortstop. He was offered a full ride between athletics and financial need to a ranked program. He was drafted in the seventh round and signed. He went to short season as a seventeen year old and was physically overwhelmed. He was 6'1", 170. He was sent back to short season the following year and struggled. He started losing confidence. He was sent back to short season a third year before being released. He then played Indy ball for two years trying to hook up with an organization. After all he was only nineteen when released.

 

In a conversation we had when he was twenty one he told me he didn't understand what it would be like being away from home, playing with men and too young to socialize (have a beer) with them. He said at twenty one he should be in his first year of minors with three years of college behind him.

 

The reason he signed was he felt he owed his grandmother something for raising him. He didn't get typical 7th round money. He was drafted by a team known for drafting players higher than projected and signing them for less than slot money.

There is no dinner, there is no orientation, no parents invited to any open house.

 

It's now a job. The player reports to his job, takes a physical and then assigned to a team, or will remain at the training complex for a week or two or maybe until the end of season.  If sent out most likely he will catch a plane somewhere and have to take a cab or met by the clubbie and taken to the clubhouse.  He will be allowed 3 days in a hotel until he has to find a place to live (on his own).  Depending on where you go, for first season players, many teams have arrangements with families for them to live, who will take money for rent, etc. but very reasonable. 

 

There is no one to tell you what to do, but to show up at the field at a certain time.  There is no curfew and I can tell you that for young first time rookies alcohol can be an issue. 

 

The player usually has to join a gym because there is limited room in the clubhouse gym (if any).  If he has no transportation he has to rely on others to help him get around. My sons rookie season he bought a bike and rode it a mile to the field and a mile back to where he lived. By the way he didn't care for his living arrangements.  He lived with a young boy and his dad, the dad was never home and the young man waited up every night for the guys and then they would help him with his homework. Kind of sad.

 

Be aware that out of their paycheck, which they get twice a month, is taken out, taxes of the state, federal, ss and medicare which he will get most of it back and also  clubhouse dues.  These dues rise as you do in the system. But if you are in a pretty decent organization you will get two good meals out of it a day.  You also have to pay dues while on the road, even though you get a stipend of 25 dollars a day, you still have to pay dues to the other team.

 

Now about the bus. They aren't great at the lower levels and you will have to take your turn sleeping on the floor. Again if you are lucky to get in an organization that spends bucks on their milb guys, you might get two busses so you can spread out.

Some leagues travel isn't bad, but in others the teams are pretty spread out so you could spend 14-15 hours on the bus. These trips happen at night so you are expected to sleep and then roll in for the next days game. Pitchers on rotation that next day get to sleep on the seats!

Things do get better as you climb the ladder, in AAA especially in the PCL you fly. My son actually liked the bus better, we all know how flying is a hassle. Up early, a ride to the airport, then security, then inevitably you have to change planes. He liked getting on the bus and that was it.

Sometimes you are in a league where the stands are packed, sometimes you are in a league where no one shows until either the weather gets warmer or a better team comes to town. Or they never show up at all.  The biggest crowd is on days the kids come on field trips!

Speaking of ball bags, there is certain stuff you get from the team and certain stuff you have to get yourself. You get uni and workout clothes, equipment bag (s) but you will have to get your own sliders, own underarmor, own cleats, field shoes and mitt and ball and gloves, etc.  If you have an agent with really good hook ups with good companies, no worries, if not, that's at your expense.

 

The one frustrating thing that occurs is that no one actually tells you how you are doing. If you are doing well, you play, if not, then you sit.  That's the indicator. If you are a late sign you play behind the prospect and you have to be ready when called upon, and you will never know when you are playing or not until the line up or late in the game. One player I know was a late sign from a small school, but everytime he got to bat he sent one out of the park, he is now a MLger.  Most hitting coaches and pitching coaches will be your mentor and the one you ask questions or get answers from. Most managers are so busy with paperwork (they have to report each night on players) so they too have their jobs to do also.  Keep in mind most likely they are working to move up to the next level as well.

Boot camp is spring training, most new players don't really come prepared their first time, but things have changed as players are now better prepared.  You do not get paid for spring training, your housing/food is covered and depending upon your level you cannot live out but either in a dorm or in a hotel with roomate. That is where the player will get his orientation, his first spring training.

 

The is a downside to signing out of HS. Most players will remain in short season ball, or what some clal complex ball. Lots of it depends on the levels that the team has. Some teams have leagues they call rookie, they will not put you (even college kids) directly in low A ball. FWIW, Bryce Harper lived with his folks until he was older, and then I heard it was with the teams GM. But considering most are not Harper, don't expect that. Yes, some are treated differently.

 

I will tell you as a parent, after we found out about how the milb system works, we encouraged son to go to college, which he did. However, he will admit that even after being away from home for 3 years, he felt lonely and a bit depressed his first season (New York Penn League).

The friendships you will make will last a life time.  It's a band of brothers and if you go through the system with the same guys you were drafted with, the chemistry helps form a unique bond.

I am not out to discourage anyone, but IMO it's so important to know and understand the facts. Most players will say the first year after being drafted wasn't that bad, but no one really understands the grind until  they put in a  full season, beginning spring training in march ending end of august.

 

We talk about odds, the facts are that teams have 5 levels (some 6 not including complex ball).  Teams only carry a 25 active roster at one time. If 150-170+ show up to spring training, someone isn't going to be there at the end. 

 

FWIW, I have found that many teams do draft young players close to home or in the same time zone.  If your son has home visits this spring, ask the scouts lots of questions on how they do things for young guys out of HS. 

 

Keep in mind he has no choice on who drafts him but he does have the choice of saying yes or no.

 

My son has been doing this for 7 seasons, it has made him who he is, not sure he knows any different and as he says he never knows where he will lay his head down the next day. But he also was 3 years out of college before drafted, used to taking care of his needs and mature enough to know who to stay away from and who not. I also noticed that college guys seem to bond with each other, most of sons close friends are mostly college grown.

 

TPM,

Wow!  Thanks for writing this, it is very eye opening.

Excellent Post TPM.I don't think you missed a beat!

TPM, that there should be posted on HSBBW's front page.  Great stuff!

 

Bum, Jr. saw it all his first year.  He started in Rookie ball and stayed at the hotel across the street from the complex.  It was almost like a vacation or an extended prospect camp.  In a few weeks he moved up to short season and stayed with a host family who helped with his transportation.

 

Reality set in when he went to long-A, a small town in the middle of nowhere, Iowa.  He showed up, got a few nights stay at the hotel and was told to find his own accomodations thereafter.  He said it was with five other guys in a basement "pad" in what some locals referred to as a haunted house with a tainted past.  It helped the previous two years he was in the oft-travelled Northwoods league and was used to living like a Gypsie.

 

No offense to the Roma culture.  Baseball in the minor leagues is a spartan existence.

I am bad at reading over what I post and I made some errors but you all get the jist.
Its a strange life.  I am glad mine went to college first regardless of all he has been through.

Thank you TPM, for a look into what is actually involved and how difficult it really is to "make it."

I wonder how many parents chasing the "dream" for their kids with travel ball at early age would have second thoughts after reading about the reality of trying to make it to the MLB?  How many players at a young age would want to continue traveling on weekends to chase this dream? 

 

If my son was good enough to get drafted out of high school the only way I would give my approval to my son is if he received a minimum of $500K sign on bonus to put in the bank for college later on should he wash out.   Otherwise I would encourage and motivate him to go to college straight from high school.  

Thanks all. 
I forgot to mention that each year your spring training is another tryout to make a roster.  That goes for ml guys as well.

500k puts you in a higher tax bracket and uncle sam takes quite a bit.  You don't get it in one payment either which works better for taxes.
Oh don't forget agent fees.  If they really want you they will set aside college tuition but make sure that you read the fine print.

Hey don't get me wrong.  My player is still trying to reach the top.  But he was blessed with no college debt and a fairly decent bonus , invested and been fortunate to learn how to manage.  Being a free agent also helped.

My advice...have a back up plan.

You mean a Plan B?  

 Thanks for the well painted picture TPM, I personally know families who think their kids will excel when they get drafted out of HS, but right now mom has to pick them up early at church camp because its such a long grind.

 Looking for the right fit to play college ball definitely seems like the way to go.

That's really funny but very true. IMO its meant to be the way it is.
They just have no clue.

Let's go down a step for a second to college ball. According to a Baseball America article a few years ago half of D1 players make a D1 choice that doesn't work out and transfer. Being talented isn't enough. The player needs opportunity. The college is annually bringing in about ten players with the potential to start. After high school the challenge is steep.

 

Add in college ball is nothing like high school or travel ball. The NCAA says athletes can't practice/play more than 20 hours per week. The 20 hours doesn't include "optional" physical training in the fall and travel in the spring. Baseball is a 30 per week or more job. And oh yah! There's classes and homework too. 

TPM, you have given candid insight to what Milb really all about. 

 

For longer, very colorful, readings about inside the Milb, read:

1)  Josh Hamilton's biography, "Beyond Belief",especially if your son is considering the draft after HS (aside: not all players are grounded in their faith/beliefs like Bryce Harper) and,

2)  "The Bullpen Gospels", by Dick Hayhurst.  (highly recommend - you will LOL!)  

 

 

We just went through our first season in MiLB.  Everything that TPM offered is accurate so I'll insert a few personal experiences that also might be helpful.

 

• Unfortunately, there is no hand holding to get you from point A to point B, you figure that out by yourself.  That includes where to be when its time to report either to ST or your assigned town, lodging, transportation, eating [nutritional stuff, not easy fast food] and most importantly, finding out which guys to stay away from away from the field.  These issues mention are why I believe 3 to 4 years of college can better prepare one to not only handle the stress of off the field issues but the physical ones on the field during a long season. A lot happens to a young man physically and in maturity between the ages of 17 to 21.
• One of the most annoying aspects of MiLB is reassignments on a moments notice with no time to collect all of your stuff and to get your affairs in order.  They expect you to be on that plane/bus and in the next town by the next day.  My son got called to 2 new locations and was told after 11pm and expected to be on the redeye flight the next morning. Had to arrange his own transportation to the airport.
• Be careful about going into a lease with several other guys you just met, as some or most of you could end up getting reassigned and breaking a lease can get expensive.  If you have a good agent, he should look at that lease and negotiate it for you since you are in such a fluid  situation.  Now to think about it, that's a good word to describe the whole process -FLUID.  Also, remember to take a checkbook/debit card with 100's of $'s in your account since you don't get your first paycheck for about 3 weeks.
• Make sure you arrange for a good reimbursement for college after baseball if it doesn't work out before signing that MiLB contract.  Again, something for your agent/advisor to look into.
• Last but not least, expect bad things to happen...injuries, releases, demotions, personality conflicts to mention a few. When and if they happen, deal with it maturely, then move on.   If you can keep yourself grounded in an situation where your emotions might cause more harm, then you'll smoothe the pathway forward and maybe earn some respect from those who make the decisions.

Hope your son will have an enjoyable experience. 

 

Signing off!

 

The Bullpen Gospels is a classic, really funny. You have to have a sense of humor to survive!

JMO

Good post flingit.

Many teams have relationships with off site housing, so that can come in handy. Apartments are fully furnished and include utilities as well as cable and internet. Sometimes a bit more expensive but worth it.

Keep in mind that when one players leaves it opens a room so when you move up or down you have to take the first room you can find. Often times players hang onto their rooms because they know they are there for a short ride, maybe someone had to go up to the ML to cover, so you many not want to give up your space just yet.

One of the biggest challenges is having such short notice, sometimes you have go to another team while you are on the road, and you have all of your stuff somewhere else. 

This is how the machine works, this is part of the job. The 40 man guys call it the shuttle, they have three option years and within those three years they can go back and forth many, many times.

 

which brings me to baseball terms. Waivers, options, designated for assignment, etc.  That's a whole other topic of conversation for another day.

 

Corrected: ..."not all players are grounded in their faith/beliefs like Bryce HARPER" 

Excellent and accurate posts in particular by TPM and flingit above.  Simply excellent.

 

Add to all of that the fact that it very likely puts the rest of your life on hold.  Jobs, careers, girlfriends...it all gets a bit tougher as you're always on the move and nearly all of the off season is spent preparing for the next season.

Well I was waiting for you to chime in so I tried to cover all of the bases without ya!!!!!

Of course I left out some of the really good stuff, travel, meeting folks, doing good deeds like visiting sick kids or hosting special needs kids at the park or a camp. Those are priceless moments you don't get paid for.  However, first you need to get the hang of the job before that stuff really has any meaning!

My son was drafted out of hs and spent 9 yrs in pro ball. He graduated from hs on a Wed. was flown across country on a Sat and started complex ball. the team arranged for a first class flight and for a shuttle to the hotel. 

He lived at the hotel with no transportation other then the shuttles to and from the fields.

There was a curfew of 11pm, there was bed check each night .

Son said there was little time for anything other then baseball eating and sleeping.

 

 

 

 

 

Times have changed. Now a player has to sign much earlier than before.

I do believe that many teams don't leave early draft signs in complex ball anymore.

Complex ball consists of mostly young latin players.

I know as a parent, that is not what we would wanted for my son. 

My suggestion is just like one would for college, do your homework, ask where the rookies out of HS will spend first- second season, look at the rosters. Ask questions before you sign on the dotted line.

My sons first season was as a sign out of college. They are pretty much left to fend for themselves, not as much supervision as a drafted

player out of HS.  From what I knew of young 17, 18,19 year olds, we decided that having a college coach looking over his shoulder would be a better option.

 

It is good to see you njbb. I wish you and your family a very happy holiday season.

Heard one of my former players speak on this after being signed.  He basically said that he arrived at his first assignment.  He was lost.  Didn't know where to stay, Didn't know anything about meal money etc.  Pitched in his first 3 games and there was an organization hot shot in the stands for the 3rd game.  At the end of the game, he was sent to another team.  Long story short, he moved fast that first year through that system which was not the norm.  (Cardinal's organization.)  At 18 he didn't know anything about doing his laundry, cooking, or how to handle the little bit of money he was making.  It did get better by his second and third years and when he was at AAA.  Until then, he still doesn't know how he managed. 

TPM and flingit pretty much nailed the milb experience for most however not all players have the same level of hardship to start off.

 

As suggested earlier, if your HS son is faced with making the pro vs. college decision try not to get too caught up in the excitement of turning pro…take a step back, ask questions and make sure you know what you are getting into.  Yes it can be a tough life (especially for kids out of high school) however there are a lot of advantages as well (coaching, trainers, level of competition…getting paid to play baseball).

 

As a parent our biggest concern was our son being on his own at 18, while college students are technically “on their own” to, at least there is a structure in place to support the student athlete transitioning into an independent life style.  With pro ball I was told by many that a player was pretty much on his own to fend for themselves.  I was pleasantly surprised to find out during Jerseyson’s negotiations that his organization (Pirates) went to great lengths to replicate the dorm experience for Fall Instructs, Spring Training and Rookie League players.  They have a dorm that looks like a Hyatt and it sits in the Pirate complex next to the training facilities and fields.  They also have a cafeteria so unless you just need to “get out” you really don’t have to leave the complex.  They also had a 11pm curfew (with bed check) which is a bit much however for a parent sending their child off for the first time it was a bit of a comfort to know that his first experience of pro ball would be someone protected. 

 

My son didn’t sign until the deadline so he didn’t play his first summer however by the time he was through Orientation, the Fall Instructional Leagues and Spring Training he pretty much had learned the ropes and was prepared for his first assignment with a Short Season A team. 

 

I know that not all teams are the same with how they deal with first year players however in Jerseyson’s case when it came to living arrangements there wasn’t much difference between starting college or his professional career.  Jerseyson may have been lucky however not all milb beginnings are as stressful as it may sound.