College Fall Ball 2015

Good times baseballmom!!  Enjoy.

 

And I'm looking forward to reading all the stories.

I'm sad to say my son is having a nerve conduction study on his arm as I write this. He is having issues with his throwing arm, but thankfully the trainers and doctor feel certain it is the ulnar nerve and nothing structural. He is doing really well with the conditioning drills and I really think the fact that he was on campus for summer semester really helped with that. He did good in his summer classes and so far, so good this fall. I wish everyone's son health, as this is one thing out of their control. My son is really frustrated that he is not able to be competing on the field right now. The doc has suggested ulnar nerve transposition and son is just ready to get on with the surgery and rehab so he can get back on the field.

BBMom, you have me laughing....I was wondering how he (and you!) were doing.  Glad he has made it this far without missing any classes or any pukies!  We were at a local college this weekend; noticed lots of kids being helped/carried down the sidewalks after tailgating.  Guessing they never made it to the game and are not faring as well as your son.

 

Younggun, I hope your son has a speedy recovery and that he gets back on the field quickly.

Youngun,

If its the ulnar nerve they will move it and he can be throwing by spring. Maybe not to 100%. But the rehab is not long. . You can send me a pm if you have questions.

Dont be upset. First semester is a grind and a big adjustment. They dont have time to miss anyone.

I didnt hear much from son, but texting wasnt big then. I got a call when the atm didnt spitback money or how to wash clothes properly. In more ways than one, they still need us.

 

I guess things haven't changed much since 2004. Got the first call about washing whites

and for extra $$ to pay for a physical this week. First official practice coming up Saturday, but he's been in the gym, cage and on the field pretty much every day since moving in.

Congratulations for your boys, and younggun I hope your player turns out ok.

 

I hope I am not in violation for posting this, lol. My baseball player is still a HS Soph, but my Fastpitch Catcher started her Freshman year this fall, and I am excited for her. First team workout in the weight room at 6AM! Hitting in the cage tonight at 7PM. and classes, study and nap in between. She is going to be a busy girl! She is thrilled to be part of the team and a little anxious as she is competing for a spot with two other catchers. I am real proud of her and happy to see her adjusting so well to college life.

I gave my son space to do his own thing, but after day 1 a few short texts,came through and eventually a phone call.

He was a little upset his initial testing had him a little slower than he was used to, but he had added 13 lbs since we dropped him off with unlimited access to food like chicken breasts and all that...

Right now everyone just trying to survive the workouts, find thier role/spot, and getting to know other players and coaches...

My son is learning a new position because they have a need, so my only advice was take lots of extra reps, and make sure you are hitting.

Other than that i think he is just the normal freshman year homesick and adjusting.

Young Gun.  My son had the surgery in January and was back playing by May.  He started throwing again in late March.  It did take him until almost mid July before he was back to full strength.  He was in the same position as your son last fall.  Tried to play thru the pain but got to a point he couldn't throw the ball without pain.  Injuries stink but he will be fine.

 

First official practice today.  After the first day of "individual workouts" 2 weeks ago, RC asked my son "do you still want to play INF and Pitch?"  Son said yes...RC said "Ok, I'm fine with that"...so things are good so far.  We'll see what happens once the whole team is together this afternoon.  Intrasquad this Thursday already and Pro Scout day next Monday....so they are ridiculously busy.  Hasn't said much other than "good" when I ask how things are going.  Sounds like that's the typical response...lol

 

With regard to the rigors of college life....he has one of those crazy new watches that tells how far you walk...by magic I guess     As of today...after 3 weeks, it is saying he has walked 110 miles....11 just on the first day of classes alone.  Guess he won't get fat!!

Son had shoulder surgery in June and isn't throwing yet, but he banged out a 9'8" standing broad jump on the back-to-school fitness evaluation, so he feels like he's keeping his lower body in reasonable shape while he rehabs the upper half.

Dad: Call me

Son; Can't

Dad: Why?

Son: No time, sorry

Dad: You at study hall?

Son: Yes

Dad: you drive?

Son: duh

Dad: then call me on your way home back to your dorm

Son: K

 

And no, I didn't get a call back....pretty typical the last 10 weeks. But I guess he's adjusting. I know that I am....slowly.

I love reading about all your kids. Good luck to everyone.

My son had his first HS fall ball game last night. First time ever wearing white pants (not sure how we escaped that one for all these years). I looked at him and told him he would have a great time getting those clean of the grass stains. He's been doing his own laundry since the age of 12, at his own insistence. I guess that's one call/text I won't get when the time comes.

No sooner did I start this thread did my son call and ask me to go on the bookstore website and order him a book (read: pay for) so he could just run in and pick it up.  I tried to get some rapid fire Q&A in that brief call. Not much info other than everything is going good and they are all just tired. They have their first fall game Sunday and he will get a chance to pitch, so I guess I will try to take a ride. Baseball Chauffeur, I did clarify his no passing out or throwing up comment to make sure it was about the workouts and not from partying.��It was.

 

I wish everyone's kids a healthy successful fall, and keep the stories and updates coming.

 

younggun, how did the nerve study go?

I know this is not baseball related, but I have learned over the years that there is a MUCH cheaper way to get books than thru the campus bookstore.  There are 3 different websites you can go to and purchase and even better, rent textbooks.  Chegg.com, Amazon.com and Volarebooks.com.  My son's first semester, we paid well over $500 to purchase books at the campus bookstore.  Since then, we have been renting them from one of these three sites and have saved a TON of money.  Sometimes, you still have to buy them, but we have found it's a much more cost effective way to rent them.  They usually get to the student within 2 or 3 days.  At the end of the semester, you go back to the website and print out a shipping label (for free) and ship them back.

 

Thought you might be interested...

We actually did rent all of his books through Amazon.  This was a last minute add I guess.  It was only a $12 paperback, which made me laugh that he couldn't spend his $ which is still actually my $$.

I heard that baseballmom!!!  Never seen my son turn down money, or letting us buy something for him.  Lol.

My ball player isn't in college yet, but from my UNCW Junior, the responses are as follows:

 

1) Yup

2) Good

3) Nope

4) OK

 

I swear he went to HS...  graduated and everything.  Now if I was to ask over dinner how his NFL Fantasy team was going, I'd get an earful...  Love seeing them come AND go 

Thanks for asking.  It just confirmed the team docs diagnosis.  Son is to meet with the doc today or tomorrow and I think will have the surgery performed on Thursday.  Thank you very much to each of you that have reached out through PM.  It is good to hear from those that have walked through this before.  The doc assures me it is pretty straight forward, but surgery is still surgery and I guess I will never feel peace until the day my son hangs up his cleats.  I really never worry to much about his performance, I mean what can I do about that anyway?  I just pray for health and that he perform to his ability.  Not much more I can ask for.  Again, thanks and I appreciate the words of encouragement. 

Best of luck to your son younggun.  This is never a fun thing and something that parents never stop worrying about.  Any twinge or pain my son ever feels always gives me a kick in the gut.  I can't imagine having to deal with surgery and rehab.  I hope all goes well and your son gets back on the bump better than ever!!

 

Keep giving us updates on his progress.

Since you went there bballman.....Chegg.com is way more then just a text book rental or sale site. It is a student hub that provides all types of help for better student outcomes. It provides tutoring online, scholarships, internship assistance all while saving time & money.

Great tips.  My daughter is in college, and I'll pass these tips along.

Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery!

Ryno left for school a week early and has been running/conditioning like crazy.  We were on the phone one night, and he said his legs were so sore.  I asked him if he was having fun, and he said, "Dad, how could I not be having fun? It's like a sleep over every night." 

 

We are going down this Saturday to watch his team scrimmage another JC, so that should be fun.

My guy has been conditioning hard, first on his own,but with a group of players from his dorm, then under the leadership of  appointed team leaders, who lead coach designed workouts, since school started.  And although he reports being tired out by the workouts,  he finds them less demanding than the workouts his personal trainer started putting him through at the end of his final HS season and on through the summer.   Of course, the trainer had the explicit goal of getting the kid to a level where he would not find college level preparation overwhelming.   Seems to have work out so far, at least on that front. 

Since there have been a few people who have liked the book idea I gave earlier, thought I'd give one tip for doing it. I pull up son's book list from the school bookstore. Then either print it or keep it up to copy and paste. Find the ISBN number for the book, then enter that number in a search on Chegg.com or one of the others. It will bring the exact book right up and give you options for purchasing (new or used) or renting (also new or used). By entering the ISBN obtained from the school bookstore, it ensures that you are getting the right book. Hope this helps.

Young gun, praying for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery for your son.

text my son(who is a sophomore) Monday. asked him how school and ball was going. His answer: "it's going". UGH, some things never change

Son replied to the 'How's it going" text with "I'm alive"

 

Despite 5:30 am runs and after school practices that were longer than most , it is clear even the toughest HS practice schedule is nothing compared to the demands of D1 Baseball.

Add in all the distractions in the dorm and schoolwork = 1 tired boy..

 

My advice: "Naps are your friend"

 

Son's been in school 3 weeks now. We've spoken and texted a few times. I asked him to facetime me so I could see him. Well I got my wish last night. He looked so tired, he's lost 10 pounds and says he's up till midnight every night doing homework. he says the work is not difficult, except for calculus, but lots of it. They start official practice Friday and says he's looking forward to it. He said he's able to get a few naps in between class on Tuesdays and Thursdays which really help. Says weight room is brutal can already see a difference in is body. Overall, its tough but doing well. I will see him in 10 days for parents weekend, cant wait. Miss him dearly.

Sounds like my son....everything is going good....but he HATES calculus    Can anyone explain why a business major needs calculus?? 

To understand the supply/demand curve

Why does an accounting major need a humanities class like music/dance? They had humanities in HS.

Would be better IMO to just take 1 yr of basics and get more into major. Every kid should have to take a business math class where they learn about banking, mortgages, taxes, insurance-the real world. Just venting.

Sons doing good, think he's a little homesick, w baseball he won't be home until Thanksgiving. Practices picking up, school work going well. Look forward to seeing him play a game or two in coming wks. 

 

Funny the communication expectations of the internet connected society... I think back to my days in college where it was US Mail and a collect call home from the payphone in the dorm...

 

Speaking of math requirements... In HS your child had 5-8 classes, was at school roughly 7-2 with practice/game from 3-7 (or later perhaps), but still had time for homework, reading, etc. and conversations with you. In college your child has 4-5 classes - they meet either 3x a week for 50-60 minutes or 2x a week for 75-90 minutes... The coursework has more expectations/time (reading/writing) and the demands of their team take a bit more time. They're up 'til midnight but still they cannot take 30 seconds to let you know how things are going.  Funny how that works.

 

Oh and for those of you experiencing this with your first child...  When they do come home for their first break - don't expect them to want to be with you 24x7... They'll walk in the door, maybe get their laundry near the washer, and will have "plans" to hang with their friends that are also home (or still there). Friends they've been communicating with regularly while at school (hmmm....). Oh and at dinner time, let's say they are very used to the tray carousel in the dining hall. They'll sleep 12 hours and be ready for more friends the next day. Suffice to say they're used to a "different" set of rules to live by and coming home is a "change"... Perhaps not true for all, but so far we're 3 for 3...

Same reason he should take a couple programming classes: so he doesn't end up a Pointy Haired Boss who can't understand what the people he supervises do.

My senior pitcher son has been going at it for about a month now.  Lots of conditioning and lifting weights.  Been throwing a lot as well and a couple weeks ago started throwing bullpens.  All this in small groups for now.  I believe full team practices start next week.  This afternoon he will be throwing live BP to some hitters.  It will be interesting to know who gets the early advantage, pitchers or hitters.  

 

Can't believe he is a senior already...  

Basically, it's about making predictions involving various rates of change over time.

 

While I liked it because it made all the previous math courses come together to make sense, my son also didn't really like it as he wondered why also.  

Love the updates. Buckeye this is exactly why your son needs to take calculas.

 

http://community.hsbaseballweb...ue#25510953092159406

 

He left for summer, came back for 2 weeks ( as mentioned above was rarely home) and now has been back at school for a month or so. I get a text about once every 2 weeks, usually snapchats every other day or so...every weekend at the minimum detailing his exploits. He is having a blast and loves his college home. Fall is ramping up and now, the on the field comp starts, should be exciting to hear how he does and how everything shakes out. I will say his mom aka his certified CPA gets a few more contacts than i do as those are largely fiscally related comms.