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35 replies

Benefits of college ball

C calisportsfan100+ posts
So about a month into my son's freshman year, as a parent several background benefits to playing ball in college have materialized.

Although not a partier in high school, as drinking related college deaths pile up every year and everyone knows either a family who suffered a loss or some else who knows a family, when your kid has to be in the weight room at 5:30 am they simply don't go to parties! I never would have thought this would be such a significant benefit but while the parent of my son's friends wonder about the amount of drinking and worry about the binge drinking kids now do, I find due to his schedule it's really not a factor in my son's life! Huge benefit number 1.
Benefit number 2, study hall. It's very easy to let go of worrying about grades when a kid has tutors, enforced study hall and the desire to be eligibleSmile At 18 my son puts more priority on baseball then education despite my completely opposite feelings so the fact that I don't need to wonder if he is staying on top of school work with his challenging schedule is another thing I am grateful for. Staying on top of his school work is a monitored part of his challenging schedule and for the first time it's not monitored by ME!!!

All he has energy for is taking care of business. College ball (D1 level) is really not for the faint of heart or kid who isn't willing to give up pretty much everything involved in normal college experience.
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R RedSoxFan21500+ posts
Good post but no need to qualify it as a D1 thing. My D3 guy has the benefits you describe plus another that I think applies to all of them: a built-in social magnet. During welcoming events he met other ball players and immediately found a practice partner. Schools know they lose a good percentage of freshmen to the nest factor and sports, as other extracurricular groups, provides an excellent grounding point for the new experience.
P Prime91,000+ posts
quote:
So about a month into my son's freshman year, as a parent several background benefits to playing ball in college have materialized.


You won't get much argument from most of us regarding your post.

However, one month into the Frosh year isn't exactly enough time to begin much "chest pounding." I've seen more than one player "fall off the wagon" and fall prey to one or more of the many distractions that avail themselves to College athletes..... Also, I agree that the dedication and effort required, doesn't only apply to the D1 level!

Stay supportive, and keep your fingers crossed he "stays the course" as most do.
Last edited by Prime9
TrumanTruman5,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by calisportsfan: College ball (D1 level) is really not for the faint of heart or kid who isn't willing to give up pretty much everything involved in normal college experience.


I agree and that these "background benefits" are there. The freshman year at college is quite a test as just previously mentioned, there are many freshman players that do find it TOO difficult and don't make it past the freshman year and even in some cases don't make it farther that the first semester. It's a tough and rewarding grind for those that are willing to do what it takes.
Last edited by Truman
SdleftySdlefty500+ posts
Great post Cali!

Or freshman, D1 son is leaving also in about a week. It is reassuring to hear your story, and I have thought it would be similar for our son. Anything can happen, all we can do is set them up for success and let them move forward into their college careers. We will always be there for support as needed and allow him to enjoy the journey that he has earned!

Amen...
C calisportsfan100+ posts
Prime...chest pounding? Come on. What I said was as a parent I have found some unexpected benefits I wanted to share with those who don't yet have college age kids. I made no observation past the first month. Yes, college is a four year deal so the majority of the story is unwritten but many freshmen go a little freedom crazy and my point was I am grateful to not have to worry about that right now. I am also grateful not to have to worry about the grades of a kid who doesn't value school as much as I do. I wanted to share because the process to get here is so long and once there it's nice to find benefits to me from afar. End of story, not sure why you chose to be critical of my post, sorry if it offended you somehow.

I only said D-1 as I don't know what the time commitment is for others and it's the lack of any free time that started my remark.
TrumanTruman5,000+ posts
Sometimes you just never know what'll happen. I was really taken back when on a phone call with my freshman son and he announces, "hey Dad, I've just been excepted into a fraternity." And I'm thinking, OH GREAT. . . .just what he needs with his plate already full with the rigors of being a student-athlete. Well, he's always had a good head on his shoulders and he seems to be managing it well. But I still don't like the idea of such a potential distraction.
A alh10+ posts
Cali,

I do agree with you that baseball and the additional time commitments are a benefit. My son is a redshirt junior and started at D2 and is now at an NAIA school, so the benefits apply to small schools as well and maybe more since class attendance is a requirement and easy to monitor. My son's schedule yesterday was breakfast, weight training, class, throwing program, lunch, classes, conditioning, dinner, homework.

However, not to be a downer, but baseball players do party and drink and baseball players flunk out. I have heard enough stories over the last few years to know that is true.

But the opposite is true too. Baseball is the carrot that makes my son go to class and maintain good behavior off the field, and hopefully ensure that he gets his degree.
B bostonbulldogbaseball100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by calisportsfan:
So about a month into my son's freshman year, as a parent several background benefits to playing ball in college have materialized.

Although not a partier in high school, as drinking related college deaths pile up every year and everyone knows either a family who suffered a loss or some else who knows a family, when your kid has to be in the weight room at 5:30 am they simply don't go to parties! I never would have thought this would be such a significant benefit but while the parent of my son's friends wonder about the amount of drinking and worry about the binge drinking kids now do, I find due to his schedule it's really not a factor in my son's life! Huge benefit number 1.
Benefit number 2, study hall. It's very easy to let go of worrying about grades when a kid has tutors, enforced study hall and the desire to be eligibleSmile At 18 my son puts more priority on baseball then education despite my completely opposite feelings so the fact that I don't need to wonder if he is staying on top of school work with his challenging schedule is another thing I am grateful for. Staying on top of his school work is a monitored part of his challenging schedule and for the first time it's not monitored by ME!!!

All he has energy for is taking care of business. College ball (D1 level) is really not for the faint of heart or kid who isn't willing to give up pretty much everything involved in normal college experience.


Interesting article on college drinking

I think it's important to take the mystery out of alcohol and teach kids to drink responsibly.

Personally I've taught my older sons to drink only the good beer like Guiness.
fanofgamefanofgame5,000+ posts
It is comforting when they first go away and you see some things in place to help guide them and keep them moving in the right direction.

I think one of the best tools they can learn as a freshmen is to talk to their teachers/Teacher aides before its too late.I heard of many players drop classes before they tried to communicate with their teachers.

My son had a project once that was ridiculous.Nobody said anything to the teachers but they had spoken to their TA.Anyway my son was going to drop the class,I was NO,talk to professor.I told him he could not drop it until he tried to work it out.My son emailed the professor.The teacher told my son do not drop the class,we will work it out.Smile

It so happened that the assignment was the first time he had given it,the parmeters were really ridiculius.He changed it for the class and told the class "TALK TO ME". Anyway he extended the time, he tweeked some things and although it was still 20 pagesFrown it was manageable.

Numerous times my son went to his professors,if you talk to them early(not the day before it is due) Most if they see true effort will help or extend dates.

I honestly think this and showing up for class were two significant aspects of him being able to graduate from a difficult academic school in four years.(same school as Trumans son)

The distractions are harder as they get a little older and comfortable.The ability and desire to put baseball and school first always is what is required.

It doesnt go unnoticed by the coaches,teammates and others, the players that work hard in class and on the field.


Trust me when I say this and those that have gone before you,playing baseball at the college level is hard.It was hard for my son.The ability to go after it day after day when your body and mind scream exhaustion is harder than youll ever know unless you did it.

Best of luck to all the new guys playing college baseball this Fall.It is a great experience,challenging and tough but good.

As far as college drinking most will try it.Especially when they turn 21,probably before that.Have open lines of communication and you just hope you taught them wellSmile

This is the big experiment being away from home for the first time.Most do fine,some really stumble.
Last edited by fanofgame
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
I definetly agree that the rigors of being involved in a sport can be a deterrant to the temptations found on the college campus.

Waking up so early for conditioning and study hall at night does not stop most from trying to enjoy life at college.

My opinion is that for those that do not take part in some other activities, they are missing out on a big part of the college experience.

That's not to say it's ok to be out of control.

Also keep in mind, your children (all included) away at college only tell you what they want you to hear. Wink
Last edited by TPM
JPontiacJPontiac500+ posts
There will be many college kids that don't drink, but they will be in the minority. If your son isn't 100% against drinking ideologically, chances are he'll end up at least "trying" it. Not many students become alcoholics and I think those tendencies will become evident to the parent as it will be difficult to balance so many different things successfully if alcoholism is thrown in. I think one of the best things for any college student is to have what feels like an innocent night of drinking turn into some mini, college-scale disaster -- sleeping through a class, not finishing an assignment, saying something he/she shouldn't have said to a friend...the things that will quickly make drinking feel like more of a burden than a temptation. I wouldn't suggest that anyone try it though, because every act of drinking (especially for those that don't know about responsible drinking) has the potential for real disaster.

Like others have said, as a parent there isn't much you can do once son is away. Hopefully he's learned how to make good choices while he was at home. Some kids go to college knowing that they've made nothing BUT good decisions but still want to check out the party scene and that's okay. Drinking at college, even underage, doesn't make anyone a bad kid. Hopefully they don't drink and if they do, hopefully they do so responsibly. The one thing I'm convinced of as a college kid who's been there, done that, and now am an RA that frequently deals with kids going through the "freshman stumble" period...there isn't much the parents can do once child is at college. Usually something pretty negative has to happen for parents to even know what is going on. Just be encouraging but not too nosy. If son jeopardizes his chances of staying at college, then certainly it is time to go into full parent mode. I don't expect this to happen often with the great set of parents we have at HSBBWeb, but sometimes unforeseen things happen and a good kid with good parents will really have a roadblock and learn things the hard way.
T twotex1,000+ posts
Cali, great to hear that your son is off to a good start. I remember tha angst is a couple of parents last year when the first month didn't go so well, and despite all the work at finding the right fit, the sons either did not finish the first semester, or transferred mid-year. I'm sure some folks are going through it now.

Statistically, one of the greatest influences on drinking behavior is the example parents have set at home. Of course there are exceptions. If alcohol use is considered a fact of life, if a kid has seen parents drink to excess, then expect the same from the kid. And undoubtedly some kids will experiment regardless.
P Prime91,000+ posts
quote:
Prime...chest pounding? Come on. What I said was as a parent I have found some unexpected benefits I wanted to share with those who don't yet have college age kids.



Cali;

I should have substituted "early celebrating" for chest-pounding. The benefits you cite are no longer "unexpected" for many of us. My point was only that there are pitfalls that many are unable to negotiate.

Just a small reminder. Best of Luck to you both and keep the baseball stuff in perspective..
hokieonehokieone5,000+ posts
A slightly different take: Our sons' college careers are over and they're in the real world doing fine, but on the subjects of grades and academics, if you talk to your son about how things are going and get evasive answers, do not crawl into the "gotta let him grow up" hole-dig deeper. Evasive answers normally mean "I don't want to answer because you won't like what you hear."

Professors really do give back tests, students really do know their grades, and what's on the test really was covered in class...but you have to be there to hear it. If you get the runaround, that's not good.
fanofgamefanofgame5,000+ posts
quote:
, do not crawl into the "gotta let him grow up" hole-dig deeper. .


Just taking part of Hoki's quote.But these words are the best advoce I would give a parent.When they first go away they are still on their way to being adults,they are not quite there yet!!!

You can ask for grade checks!!
Trust is earned,being treated like an adult is earned for me,it isnt just given,esp on my dime.
C calisportsfan100+ posts
So I agree with most everything people have said here but I must really agree with the points of Hokie and TwoTex.
Kids mirror their parents behavior and although once they are away at college we can't effect their daily decisions, if we have done our job then we have prepared them to make good decisions. If we constantly turned our heads and allowed them to do illegal things then we probably shouldn't complain when things don't go right for them.

Like Hokie, I do ask about grades and hold him accountable, out of sight is not out of mind and he still owes me the respect of being his parent, perhaps especially while in college at my expense.

It's like any job, while on my payroll the rules are still set by me. That doesn't mean I am a puritan but it does mean that I expect nothing worse then a B and he knows it and I expect he dedicate himself to what he says is most important to him, baseball. All I am saying here is that I am grateful that baseball has made it easier the first month for me to parent him while he is away. The fact that it's hard to work out at 5:30 in the morning and impress the coaches if you are hung over is something he has embraced while some have not. He see's the difference and the opportunity it creates. I am very glad for baseball as I didn't have such restrictions in college and am just plain glad he isn't more like I was.

Last statement, Baseball and it's demands and benefits (study hall and tutors) has helped my son get off to a great start in college, I suspect many others feel the same way. That should not be a very controversial statement.
R RedSoxFan21500+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by fanofgame:
It is comforting when they first go away and you see some things in place to help guide them and keep them moving in the right direction.

I think one of the best tools they can learn as a freshmen is to talk to their teachers/Teacher aides before its too late.I heard of many players drop classes before they tried to communicate with their teachers.

My son had a project once that was ridiculous.Nobody said anything to the teachers but they had spoken to their TA.Anyway my son was going to drop the class,I was NO,talk to professor.I told him he could not drop it until he tried to work it out.My son emailed the professor.The teacher told my son do not drop the class,we will work it out.Smile

It so happened that the assignment was the first time he had given it,the parmeters were really ridiculius.He changed it for the class and told the class "TALK TO ME". Anyway he extended the time, he tweeked some things and although it was still 20 pagesFrown it was manageable.

Numerous times my son went to his professors,if you talk to them early(not the day before it is due) Most if they see true effort will help or extend dates.

I honestly think this and showing up for class were two significant aspects of him being able to graduate from a difficult academic school in four years.(same school as Trumans son)

The distractions are harder as they get a little older and comfortable.The ability and desire to put baseball and school first always is what is required.

It doesnt go unnoticed by the coaches,teammates and others, the players that work hard in class and on the field.


Trust me when I say this and those that have gone before you,playing baseball at the college level is hard.It was hard for my son.The ability to go after it day after day when your body and mind scream exhaustion is harder than youll ever know unless you did it.

Best of luck to all the new guys playing college baseball this Fall.It is a great experience,challenging and tough but good.

As far as college drinking most will try it.Especially when they turn 21,probably before that.Have open lines of communication and you just hope you taught them wellSmile

This is the big experiment being away from home for the first time.Most do fine,some really stumble.


Well said.

JPontiacJPontiac500+ posts
On the subject of sons and grades, I think it is absolutely reasonable for parents to have high expectations. Each individual kid will have his own abilities and I'm sure parents understand that. Each school and class will have its own difficulty. I encourage parents to qualify their high expectations with an emphasis that if things start going wrong, keep an open line of communication. I've seen classmates struggle mightily but were afraid to tell their parents -- make sure your son knows that you won't crack the whip because they did poorly on a test or are struggling on a subject. You can help them get to the bottom of the problem or perhaps just give them the confidence to work harder, speak to a professor, etc.
zombywoofzombywoof1,000+ posts
I dont think its necessarily the baseball that keeps them from drinking. It comes down to the type of individual they are. When my son was in college his freshman year the first week he calls home tellimg me all these cool seniors he met and how they have a good time and party and wanted him to join the frat. I wisely advised him to avoid fraternities because they're stupid and be your own person and not some dopey follower hanging around the frat drinking 24/7 follower. Best advise I gave him. I also had no problem if he wanted to drink some because I knew he could handle it responsibly and as long it didnt become a habit and he brought good grades home and not waste my money. I told him he knows what he needs to do and that if the grades werent up to snuff that he was out and had to go find s job. That was enough motivation fir him to get his degree abd graduate with high honors. Whether they play sports or hold a job which my son did throughout college except first semester of his freshman year, ultimately it will be the personality of the individual that determines whether they get past the pitfalls or not.
Last edited by zombywoof
BishopLeftiesDadBishopLeftiesDad10,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by RedSoxFan21:
quote:
Originally posted by fanofgame:
It is comforting when they first go away and you see some things in place to help guide them and keep them moving in the right direction.

I think one of the best tools they can learn as a freshmen is to talk to their teachers/Teacher aides before its too late.I heard of many players drop classes before they tried to communicate with their teachers.

My son had a project once that was ridiculous.Nobody said anything to the teachers but they had spoken to their TA.Anyway my son was going to drop the class,I was NO,talk to professor.I told him he could not drop it until he tried to work it out.My son emailed the professor.The teacher told my son do not drop the class,we will work it out.Smile

It so happened that the assignment was the first time he had given it,the parmeters were really ridiculius.He changed it for the class and told the class "TALK TO ME". Anyway he extended the time, he tweeked some things and although it was still 20 pagesFrown it was manageable.

Numerous times my son went to his professors,if you talk to them early(not the day before it is due) Most if they see true effort will help or extend dates.

I honestly think this and showing up for class were two significant aspects of him being able to graduate from a difficult academic school in four years.(same school as Trumans son)

The distractions are harder as they get a little older and comfortable.The ability and desire to put baseball and school first always is what is required.

It doesnt go unnoticed by the coaches,teammates and others, the players that work hard in class and on the field.


Trust me when I say this and those that have gone before you,playing baseball at the college level is hard.It was hard for my son.The ability to go after it day after day when your body and mind scream exhaustion is harder than youll ever know unless you did it.

Best of luck to all the new guys playing college baseball this Fall.It is a great experience,challenging and tough but good.

As far as college drinking most will try it.Especially when they turn 21,probably before that.Have open lines of communication and you just hope you taught them wellSmile

This is the big experiment being away from home for the first time.Most do fine,some really stumble.


Well said.



I would agree with Redsoxfan this is great advice. I would also like to add a couple of things, these may be easier at a smaller school.

1.) get to know your professor, Be an active participant in class. This makes you more than a number to him/her and personalizes you more.

2.) When you know your schedule for Baseball share it with your Professor. If they know early then they are aware of your commitments. Tis won't help with all professors but it may especially if you follow the advice in 1.) above.
BishopLeftiesDadBishopLeftiesDad10,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by zombywoof:
I dont think its necessarily the baseball that keeps them from drinking. It comes down to the type of individual they are. When my son was in college his freshman year the first week he calls home tellimg me all these cool seniors he met and how they have a good time and party and wanted him to join the frat. I wisely advised him to avoid fraternities because they're stupid and be your own person and not some dopey follower hanging around the frat drinking 24/7 follower. Best advise I gave him. I also had no problem if he wanted to drink some because I knew he could handle it responsibly and as long it didnt become a habit and he brought good grades home and not waste my money. I told him he knows what he needs to do and that if the grades werent up to snuff that he was out and had to go find s job. That was enough motivation fir him to get his degree abd graduate with high honors. Whether they play sports or hold a job which my son did throughout college except first semester of his freshman year, ultimately it will be the personality of the individual that determines whether they get past the pitfalls or not.


Joining a Fraternity is not necessarily a bad thing. You can make lifetime friendships and learn valuable life lessons. Many fraternities provide great services for there communities. It is like anything else. You need to join for the right reasons and carefully pick your associations. Not all fraternities are created equal even the same chapter from campus to campus.
fanofgamefanofgame5,000+ posts
My son didnt belong to a frat but several guys did.

My son didnt work either,he carried 16 units every semester but one and took summer online clases.

But he did fit in a party,and hanging out with his friends and teamamtes playing video games as often as possible.

His friends all seemed to know when it was work vs play time.

Interseting tid bit my son went to a JC first so when he went to the four year they put him with 7 other frosh players in a suite for eight.Two to a room,small living space,microwave,small fridge,and two bathroom/showers.

Of those eight guys only three will finish at that school.All but one were scholarship players.So you just never know.Things change.
Last edited by fanofgame
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
I am not understanding about the frat thing, isn't the team your fraternity?

My son played videos also, and went to parties and football games and basketball games and soc cer (girls Smile) games and concerts, etc. Also maintained over a 3.0 for almost 3 years and played bigtime commege baseball.

Fanofgame got it right about knowing when it's work time vs play time.

If you think that your son may have trouble with deciding which is more important, perhaps a small school setting is best to avoid distraction.
TrumanTruman5,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by TPM:
I am not understanding about the frat thing, isn't the team your fraternity?


That is what I mentioned to my son. But he made a decent argument and made a point that academics and baseball come first and that he doesn't really spend that much time with his fraternity. And he does get a lot of support from his fraternity brothers. I'm still not particularly comfortable about it, and the coach doesn't particularly like it either. But my son seems to be managing it all pretty well.
Last edited by Truman
V VaRHPmom100+ posts
My son is also planning on pledging a fraternity but keeps making the point that they assign an upperclass brother to make sure you are staying on top of things academically. I agree that the baseball team should be your fraternity but it's not my decision.

I do like the benefits that others have mentioned in this thread with having a son playing baseball (and this is a D3 school). Another benefit that I didn't see is that someone else is staying on top of how he is performing academically. The coach required them to show up to the first team meeting with their schedule and the e-mail addresses for all of their professors. My son's academic advisor said that the baseball coach is one of the best in keeping up with how his players are doing in the classroom which is important since my son has to maintain at least a 3.0 each semester to keep his academic scholarship.

I do find it amusing that my son has to be in the weight room at 6am. I didn't know that he could be functional at that time. Smile
A agamennone110+ posts
I am very glad to hear that people are realizing some of the benefits of college athletics beyond just the field. What I would caution people about however is the following:

1) Most freshmen are trying very hard to impress teammates, coaches, etc. early on so they are walking the line. Unfortunately, some of the older guys on collegiate teams will put extreme amounts of peer pressure on a younger guy especially if the older guy is someone who does not have pro ball in his future and is looking more for the "college experience." Just be careful who and what they say yes to.

2) I was always told and saw this first hand in my own collegiate and professional career that the major career killers are alcohol, drugs and women but by far the most career killing of all these is women. This is not a anti-female remark, it is a fact about collegiate and professional sports. Alcohol and drugs most kids have seen people go down the wrong path with and seen the consequences. However, with a head full of baseball but a heart full of love, a lot can go wrong for a young player especially if both head and heart start to get focused on women. They start to say no to extra work in the gym or reps on the field because they are going to meet their new girl for dinner or late night movie and then not only on the field but off the field suffers. Same holds true for female athletes with guys too.

3) Un-fulfilled expectations---maybe they were the absolute stud in HS and now are expecting the same in college and may get faced with some adversity when it comes to playing time or staying the course that got them to that level. That is where the real test comes in. Some people fold under pressure while others rise to the occasion.

These three items I just wanted to throw out there for parents of new or soon to be collegiate athletes. It can be and usually is a great overall experience for many young people but there are also some items above and beyond just alcohol or drugs to have discussions about with your kids.

thanks.

Brandon

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