Baseball was his life~Now what?

Myboy,
You seem to be more upset about him not being able to play baseball than getting behind in his grades. We parents who post to give advice always repeat the same thing, make sure that you do well in school. I have seen too many who think they are baseball "studs", don't pay attention to what is going on in class and all of a sudden can't believe they are ineligible. It is a tough lesson to learn.
I was wondering, where you not aware of what was going on? Sure it is their responsibility, but you as a parent should be there for support.
Maybe I am missing something.
If your son is really outstanding in the field, let him enroll in a JUCO where he may be able to make the team. All of our kids think that baseball is going to be their future, some just know it takes more than just being a good player to get there.

Wow, I didn't expect a reply like this.

My son has NEVER been good at math, and ALWAYS struggled with it. WE worked very hard on it, but fell short. He received an Incomplete in Math and has 2 weeks to complete. Acedemics has ALWAYS been first with us, period. However, you don't know my son. He's always struggled in school and therefore isn't easy for him to stay focused. Baseball however is the one thing in his life that he became focused and passionate about. He has never been passionate in school or with his studies because it's always a battle to complete and do well. I just thought I'd share his trials right now and maybe there's someone else out there that can relate. Take care.

myboysmom...I can relate...

My oldest was/did struggle in school as reading for him affected his other lessons and grades...this was in 1992, his senior year.

He was in "heaven" when he played baseball ...his face would light up, he could slam the ball to the fence and he was a joy...my heart ached for him when we dealt with his academics...it was so very hard for me to not understand how he could not just get the work done...he tried, we supported, we discussed, and yet by the end of his senior year he too was not playing baseball ....and it was the only 2nd time I've ever seen him cry in high school...

I, too have another baseball player in the family and this one is a senior in high school now...12 years later...

And guess whose brother drove an hour one way to watch his brother pitch last Friday....yes, it was that big brother!

Two boys..two paths...each with their own set of trial and tribulations...

Help your son find out what he is good at...encourage him with positive outlets for him...smile when you can't...and love always...

No one can know the shoes you've worn...or how weathered and roughed up they may be...but somehow I bet I have a set of shoes that look a lot like yours...

Oddly enough my oldest son who will be 30 this summer...married probably the smartest girl around...who loves him just the way he is...

Yes, he was crushed at the time when baseball left his world...but his hard lessons are the things he best at sharing with his little brother (who happens be taller than him)....

Take it a day at a time...moment by moment...and I will remember your son in my thoughts and prayers...

I am sorry I didn't mean to put you down. You mentioned math, then grades. I know of some folks in your situation, it was always the schools fault, they should have let them know, blah, blah,blah. I have not had to go thru that situation, you are right, I wouldn't understand.
We had a situation where a JV starter was ineligible, but gave him a few weeks to bring up the grade point average and now playing. Some coaches will give you a chance, don't know your circumstances.

OK he's got his grades up. Now to keep him occupied and out of the REEFER MADNESS group until he can get into a good JC baseball program there are many adult baseball programs around, look for one. Another way to stay in baseball and keep busy is help coach youth baseball. If he's played Varsity or JV he would be a great help to the kids.

Don't let him forget his dream. Good Luck

It's not too late, it will be a lot of work but it can be done! The JUCO route sounds good. And in the meantime keep in mind math is a whole different monster that can be mastered. Find a good out of school program that includes summer school, and start from where he missed a basic. Generally speaking, trouble in math starts when something back when was not mastered or understood. And math is a building skill, so once you identify the problem it can be fixed! I speak from experience...I went back to college at 29 never had taken an algebra class in my life, it was work, but I got it and now love math! Encourage him, love him, and find some expert help and he'll be playing ball at a JUCO.

"There's no crying in baseball!"

myboysmom:

Somehow I think your son will be great, baseball or no baseball. He's got you on his side. Best of luck.

Thanks all, you guys are the bomb!

My son loves his little brother and helps him out with baseball, not his homework, but definitely baseball. I think he'll be fine when we look back. He's in a welding class at school and wants to also learn about being an electrician, so you never know. I know he definitely plans on trying out at a Juco, I'll be there to support him either way it goes.
Thanks!

In Korea, once a player gets into high school, academics disappear. They go to baseball 'magnet' schools and that's all they're expected to do - practice baseball three or four hours a day, every day, year-round. No time to study. I think this is very sad. I was just talking to the director of the Seoul City Baseball Authority and his son wants to come play with us (American expat teams) because he wants to focus on his academics even though he's a great ballplayer. He had to quit his HS team because they weren't interested in helping him academically whatsoever. I like our (US) system better.
myboysmom - it's not the end of the line for your son. Not by any means. Best of luck to him!

"I would be lost without baseball. I don't think I could stand being away from it as long as I was alive."
Roberto Clemente #21

mbm,

My son didn't become ineligible due to math, but he squeaked by with a D and a C- last year. This year as a senior he didn't sign up for any math classes. He's planning to go to a juco next year and not surprisingly, did not qualify for college level math when he took their placement test. Since his school schedule is light right now, he has enrolled in the remedial algebra course (math 99) at the local community college. Since your son isn't playing this spring, you might want to consider doing something like that to get him really comfortable with math before he heads off to a junior college. And by the way--my husband is an electrician and had to use trigonometry frequently on his job!

Your son's failure to play baseball in his senior year may not make much difference to a juco coach if he can show the coach he is now more serious about his academics.

myboysmom,

Good Luck to your son and baseball can still be in his future!!! JUCO's have students all the time that didn't make the grades. I would do as cntrfieldsmom said and see what you can do about getting his math skills up. And if you've already done that.... the JUCO's have entry test for placement in classes that HS grades didn't meet minimum requirements. Look at local JUCO's near your home and have your son contact the coaches if this is his dream......

I feel your pain...performance is not always an issue of effort or desire. Have you considered that your son may have a learning disability? There are clearly a large number of kids (and adults) with an undiagnosed disability and their struggles don't necessarily reflect their intelligence. A lot of these kids turn to athletics (where success comes easier to them) or to other "diversions". My son was not diagnosed until his junior year in high school...he was not a behavior problem and actually did pretty well in school but it was a great struggle and took an enormous amount of energy! To this day he hates school but at least has some helpful skills to use and readily recognizes why he is so often frustrated with academics. Good luck....

myboysmom,

I understand you and your son's situation very well. I to have two son who play ball. My oldest is a sr. and a very good student. Has never had to sturggle in the class room. Pretty mush has breezed through school. My youngest however is a different story. He is a freshmen with an LD, he is ADHD and severly dyslexic. He is a very good ball player, when he is on the field he feels good about hisself because there is as good are better than the kids around him. In the classroom it is a different story. His eligibility came down to one exam this past week. If he passed it he played, if he failed it he didn't. He study so hard, he new what was on the line. Took the test at about 8:30 in the morning, at around 10:30 hs coach went and pulled him fron another class to tell him he made it! He called me on his lunch break to tell me and I swear I could hear the smile on his face. Now hes got to make sure his finally grades are in order so he can play football which he loves as much as baseball. He did fail off of his jr. high football team when he was in the 7th grade and it was heartbreaking, my best to you and your son. I hope all of his dreams come true.

baseballdownsouth...

It's posts like these that sets this site apart from other message board...real people with real stories..some painful and some happy...

thanks...

Sometimes we get a cross to bear and we have to move on---hopefully it will be a lesson learned

Good Luck

TRhit

In my house, If you don't make the grades you don't play the game. I'll get you all the help you need and support you all the way, but it all starts and ends in the classroom. My kids tested the rules and i put them on probation at home bring it to a C or quit the team. If you have to sit for grades your hurting the whole program, letting your team and yourself down. Harsh but its how we do things.

P.S. I have a soph. in college and he now appreciates the demands his mother and I made on him to excel. IMO if you accept average you get average.

www.warreneastbaseball.com

Cud, do your children have learning disabilities ??? I dont see how that form of discipline would help a child that does

njbb,
Yes my youngest has a learning disability, its hard sometimes but also involves alot of love and understanding.

www.warreneastbaseball.com

Myboy, my heart aches for the story. Math is diffiult for some if not most, I hear ya. I sincerely hope he sticks with baseball, the juco route sounds great. It ain't over till it's over. Have him work hard on his academics and work hard on baseball, find a good juco program, and try out. He has nothing to lose, don't ever give up on your dream. I think your son will be fine.