College coaches on wood v. metal

quote:

Originally posted by 1baseballdad:
To me, this journey (son working his tail off to play baseball beyond High School and me having a blast watching him play) is more about opening doors to get a good, sound College education and to perhaps have some fun playing baseball while doing it. As I see it, anyone lucky enough (they worked their tails off to get there) to play ball after HS is already ahead of the game. We aren't "working towards a pro career". We are working towards getting him into a College he is comfortable with and one that will provide a solid education. Is that not the right way to approach this? Isn't that really what the vast majority of parents and kids are doing as well?

The above is and should be the outlook and goal for each and every player and I agree 100% with what rz has said.
There are very few coaches if any who can "prepare" a player for the pro level, you'll find that the largest percentage of players drafted out of college could have been out of HS but choose college instead.

quote:

Originally posted by TPM:

quote:

Originally posted by 1baseballdad:
To me, this journey (son working his tail off to play baseball beyond High School and me having a blast watching him play) is more about opening doors to get a good, sound College education and to perhaps have some fun playing baseball while doing it. As I see it, anyone lucky enough (they worked their tails off to get there) to play ball after HS is already ahead of the game. We aren't "working towards a pro career". We are working towards getting him into a College he is comfortable with and one that will provide a solid education. Is that not the right way to approach this? Isn't that really what the vast majority of parents and kids are doing as well?

The above is and should be the outlook and goal for each and every player and I agree 100% with what rz has said.
There are very few coaches if any who can "prepare" a player for the pro level, you'll find that the largest percentage of players drafted out of college could have been out of HS but choose college instead.

I don't think that should be the goal for every player.

It's an admirable goal to be sure. CPLZ imho has been the biggest proponent of it and to his credit has been honest to the vision. His son is 6'5" tall and throws in the 90's and no doubt had a pro career ahead of him. They used baseball to leverage their college education and they executed the plan perfectly. His son is now starring at West Point and will one day be a ranking military officer and beyond that will be looking at 6 and 7 figure incomes the rest of his life. That is getting the most out of baseball that you possibly can but making the decision beforehand that the career in all liklihood ends in college.

Many here keep trelling posters to be realistic. I have never agreed with that butI knew my son wasn't going to play pro ball. He just didn't have the drive. My wife and I used to talk about it many times. He did want to play D1 in the south and we knew he could do that but that would probably be the end. He has opportunities to play independant ball but he isn't interested. He hasn't picked up a BB sive he graduated last May. Partly it is because of a shoulder impingement suffered late in his soph year.
I was at a ball game the other night and most of the players were college or expro players. One is a very good friend who made it all the way to his draft team 40 man roster. He was traded a couple times and was recently released. He is an outstanding LHP. He spent 6 years in pro ball, passed up a scholarship to Oklahoma State and is now trying to get back to pro ball. His stats in AAA were fantastic but things have been a struggle since then.
If 5% are drafted how small is the $ that go on to play ML and become a regular player. The odds are so stacked against even the most talented players and you play to survive. Not much fun in my book even if you survive MiLB.
Knowing what 1Baseballdad does and for how long, I can tell you he is not in any way involved in the BB industry. I also find him very reasonable.

BHD, appreciate the comments. Just don't talk to my wife since she might not agree!

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
I don't think that should be the goal for every player.

So true CD. From t-ball on the "goals" are an accumulation of baby steps and contrary to the beliefs of many parents, when all is said and done, those goals are the responsibility of the player alone to carry out. I learned very early on that my dream to rule the world not going to happen and am now satisfied ruling my garage and watching mine and other kids push to realize their own dreams........on their terms.

There are short term goals and long term goals aka dreams. Parents provide "opportunity" for the success of short term goals but many times live in the "dream" world of long term goals, and they should because we all want whats "best" for our kids and that is for them to realize their dreams. IMHO.