Bluffton University

Bluffton is in the HCAC. For many years they were at the bottom of the conference. They startedbto really improve, then they had the tragic accident on the way down to florida for spring break. They have climbed back into repectabilty and usually finish in the upper half of the league. 

In my opinion they keep too large of a roster. Currently there are 55 listed for 2016.

http://www.bluffton.edu/athlet...all/2016/roster.html

Most of the players and student body are from nw Ohio, or other parts of Ohio.

Where are you from, and what gradebis your son?

How are your sons grades? There are quite a few other D3 universities in the area. What does he want to study? This should play a large role in his decision.

What other school has shown interest if you do not mind me asking.

BishopLeftiesDad - Thanks for your response. We live in Fort Wayne, IN, so Bluffton is only an hour away. Coach Grandy was one of the few coaches to come watch my 16LHP play this summer and my son really appreciated it. That's part of the reason he is giving Bluffton a serious look.

He had attended their fall camp after his Freshman year just to get he feel for a camp. Coach like him because of his athleticism. Coach saw him this summer and when he was invited to come visit on a Gameday last fall he felt obligated to a least give the school a look. He liked what he saw and then we made a return visit a few weeks later for a one-on-one visit. Which was one of the best visits we had. Coach Grandy and Penn were very engaging and upfront with him. Yes, they carry a big roster because if someone comes out for baseball he doesn't cut them. He said normally guys will cut themselves. He explained to my son that he likely won't play as a freshman, he would need to put on some weight and get a stronger. (He's 5'11", 150 at best) That didn't bother my son at all, in fact he likes the idea of concentrating on his studies as a freshman. After that its up to him to work hard to break into the lineup.

His grades are not a problem, 3.93 GPA and a 29 on the ACT. So, he has no problem getting into any school. He applied to 12 and has heard from 11 of them, being accepted in all 11. He is looking to study sport management and has considered a lot of schools. In fact, he has gotten pretty much the top dollar scholarship at all of the D3's he's applied to, which include Defiance, Ohio Northern, Manchester, Heidelberg, and Adrian. Between baseball tournaments and visits, he has been on campus of nearly 30 schools.

He is has interest from Trine and initially heard from Hillsdale (D2) but that has cooled. Those are his final three schools and is torn as to which way to go. At both Trine and Bluffton he is taking part in their scholarship competitions to earn more academic money.

For me then, if it was my son, I would wait to see how the offers come out after the academic comoetitions. With a lean towards Bluffton. If he was interested in engineering I might lean toward Trine. But with his chosen major Bluffton is fine. 

Take some time and go tonsome games in the spring at both schools. 

It is always better to go were you feel the love. All else being equal. It is an exciting but can be a stressful time. Good to have patience. 

On a side note my mother grew up in Wabash, and I spent quite summers not too far from Fort Wayne. I have many fond memories of the area.

Good luck keep us informed.

Went to the Trine scholarship competition yesterday and got to spend some time with the Coaching staff before and after lunch. The coach told my son he really liked his video and thought his mechanics were near perfect. He then apologized for not getting back to him sooner because of the holidays and some health issues.

He remembered seeing him pitch and play outfield in a tournament two years ago and asked if he still played outfield, which my son has sparingly in high school and travel. At the end, he told my son he had a spot on the roster without a tryout and would be calling this week to get an idea where he was at in his decision.

I can tell you my son walked out sky-high. Trine had been trending toward his favorite because the sport management program is in their business school and your degree is a business administration degree with a concentration. He hasn't totally ruled out Bluffton or any other school.

I don't have to tell you but this has been a topsy tervy process. He has worked hard to get where he is from being cut as a freshman and sophomore to making the team as a junior, to having the opportunity to play in college.

Good to hear. Let me know when he makes his decision.

You are right. Lots of ups and downs. Keeps it exciting.