Case Western and Denison

Hi Laura - welcome to the hsbbweb.

Of the two, I am guessing Denison has a better baseball team but I am not sure if either are known as baseball powers. Case, which is here in Cleveland is indeed a fine academic school. Not sure your son would appreciate the spring weather here in Cleveland as it is quite cold often until May.

Please also contact the head coach at Heidelberg (Matt Palm), you might find a good academic fit along with a team capable of competing for a national championship. They made their first trip to Appleton (home of the D3 college world series)last year. Marietta and Wooster may also be schools to contact.

Thanks Cleveland Dad. We are aware that both schools are in their building stages. My son loved both of the coaches and the other players. They had both seen him at a Headfirst Showcase. I do worry a little about the cold weather. In fact, he is also looking at U. of Rochester.

Laura,
Let me follow on CD's greeting and also welcome you.
While I don't have much to offer on your schools,although I believe Denison is a pretty solid program, your son might have a number of good, warmer weather options closer to home.
Check out the SCAC schools:

http://www.scacsports.com/sports/bsb/index

Wonderful academics and baseball at schools like Rhodes, Millsaps, Trinity, DePauw(although this is their last SCAC year) and the like.
Good luck to your son. We look forward to hearing more of his journey.

quote:

Originally posted by infielddad:
Laura,
Let me follow on CD's greeting and also welcome you.
While I don't have much to offer on your schools,although I believe Denison is a pretty solid program, your son might have a number of good, warmer weather options closer to home.
Check out the SCAC schools:

http://www.scacsports.com/sports/bsb/index

Wonderful academics and baseball at schools like Rhodes, Millsaps, Trinity, DePauw(although this is their last SCAC year) and the like.
Good luck to your son. We look forward to hearing more of his journey.

Excellent points. I limited my comments to Ohio schools because that is what she asked for but I agree with infielddad's comments 100%.

I might get in trouble with the following comment, but ideally, if possible, it is desirable to play in the south or other warm-weather climate. I know it is not always possible as my son came within an eyelash of playing for Heidelberg here in Ohio. Ohio has three of the top D3 "baseball" programs in the nation however in Wooster, Marietta, and Heidelberg.

University of Rochester is a fine school. One of our members here, BoomerIL's son attended there and he had an outstanding career there in addition to receiving a top-notch degree. Perhaps if Bommer still lurks here, or if someone knows how to contact Boomer, they can get him to comment in this thread.

The main reason he didn't look at the southern schools in the SCAC is because he really wanted schools in the 5000 students and up range mainly because he wants to study business instead of going to a liberal arts school. They are definitely all good academic schools. He

Denison was one of my son's finalists; they offered him a huge scholarship (nearly 60% - non-athletic). My son liked the campus and the kids; but he found the social/educational enviroment too liberal. Granville is a very attractive "village."

They have gone through a couple coaches since then so I can't comment. Their field is OK, they have a great field house which they use for practice until the weather turns.

My son ended up spending the summer between his freshman and sophmore year playing in the Great Lakes league. His team was housed in an old "frat house." He really enjoyed his summer at Denison and has commented that he would have enjoyed the school.

quote:

ClevelandDad said.....I might get in trouble with the following comment, but ideally, if possible, it is desirable to play in the south or other warm-weather climate. I know it is not always possible as my son came within an eyelash of playing for Heidelberg here in Ohio. Ohio has three of the top D3 "baseball" programs in the nation however in Wooster, Marietta, and Heidelberg.

LauraZA,

My two cents.....As the father of a warmer climate boy who went north, I would disagree somewhat with ClevelandDad on this topic. Obviosuly it is preferrable to play baseball in the warm weather. More opportunity to practice and improve a players game....I understand that. I think everybody likes that idea. Heck, I'd like to live in the Florida keys right about now. Pretty much everybody that we know either plays in Virginia or goes south. But, I think many are missing out on a big opportunity to either play for a great program, or get a great education or both. I think sometimes you have to put aside what everybody else does to achieve your goals. Many northen schools have indoor practice facilities, and they will travel quite a bit in March to overcome the weather. Many programs will be coming to Florida on Spring Break. It is real important to check out the more northern school's indoor facilities and early Spring schedule. I got the sense that your son is looking for the best possible business school and to play baseball. If that is the case, I'd consider many other factors first before location came up on the list. Good luck!

BTW...My son was recruited by new Case Western Coach Englander after a Head First showcase back in July 2009. Coach Englander was very persistent and told my son they were turning the program around. The coach did, and they won 24 games last year. I tip my cap to Coach Englander. Also, I travelled to Case Western on business in early March last year. It only snowed a little bit! ;-)

Fenwaysouth,thanks for your advice. We are pretty much on the same page as you are. He is willing to go where he can get the best education and still play baseball for a good program. I do think Coach Englander is building the program and my son was impressed what he is doing at Case. Where did you son end up going?

LauraZA:

My son went from AZ to Boston to play baseball at a great business school and it has been a wonderful experience so far. We visited a number of great liberal Arts colleges and he just didn't feel comfortable. He doesn't like the cold but he's adapting, your son could as well.

fenwaysouth,

My son went north to play too, but to go South he would have had to go play in Mexico!

I meant no disrespect to kids who have migrated north for an opportunity. I would rather play in the North than sit in the South. My son got lucky with a 1-in-a-million chance to play in the south. I have kidded around before, but my son would have played on an Indian Reservation community college in North Dakota if that is what it meant to continue his playing career.

My comments about the weather/climate were directed to Laura and her situation being they are from Florida and I tried to qualify them by saying "ideally" and "possibly." I live here in Cleveland and the spring is not pleasant because of Lake Erie.

My hat's off to any kid who seizes a next-level opportunity in any part of this great country of ours and by no means do I have any less regard for them or their baseball abilities or the decisions they have made. Every year, kids are drafted out of the North, South, East, and West.

I know exactly what you mean. Everyone has told him he is crazy to go up north but we think he will be fine. Unfortunately, he was a very late blooming pitcher and just started coming along this summer. None of the Florida schools really showed interest but he got calls from over 20 D3 academic schools. He sits at 85-86 and has thrown up to 87 and PG says his change up could be a plus pitch. With a little more work I think he is going to do well. He has a great attitude and like you said he just wants to keep playing ball.

LauraZA
I sent you a PM