College: Fall "Season"

Lefty, I think this is one of the reasons why my son chose a nescac school. He is now playing rugby this fall and loving it! As they say about picking a college, find the right fit.

Ken - Some of what you are saying I agree with and hope my son doesn't regret. With fall practice and lifting sessions it seems a lot like D1 to me. However, its a thrill to hear in his voice how excited he is about the demanding classroom experience, baseball, and the guys on the ball club. Maybe those winter days long tossing on the football field were worth it after all! Good thing my daughter plays field hockey... my arm is shot.

haha yea i hear you.

My son's JUCO has been practicing for about 3 weeks now. Had their first game this past weekend. I must not be the only one anxious to see their son play in college. The stands were full with parents and families.

If any of you NJ guys can post some fall games schedules iI would be grateful as I need to see some games before the winter sets in.

Yea! First full practice today---forget it--rainout--first rain the whole fall.

Roster finally up with my son listed as a position player (whew) and his all time favorite number, #4.

Starting to get antsy to see some ball!

Fall ball has started at son's school but it's hard to get too much info out of him because he's always on the run. A recent text said: arm feels great, hitting is good, school seems fine. Hmm, are those in order of priority? We were surprised that he called recently. He was really excited because: they got new uni's, jackets, work-out stuff and best of all their per diem amount for food was increased by $10/day. LOL

It's so easy to please some kids.

My son plays in what they call a "young alumni game" next Saturday. Afterwards the freshman and transfers get their number presented by the one of the alumni that formerly had the same number. Looking forward to it.

Son says "Team practices" begin in two weeks. That's the news I've been waiting for as I can look forward to seeing some type of game (intra-squad) within a few weeks. No definite word on those yet. So from what I've learned here they can have their 24 team workouts within a 45 day period that must end by November 17th! Son wanted baseball in the warmth but has gotten more than he bargained for; another 97 degree day today. Has been in the mid-90's or higher since they started workouts in mid-August. He will appreciate the warmth though when playing those February games.


Gosh, it's gonna be along Winter waiting for that 1st Spring game but I'm glad I am able to do it!

After a few beautiful sunny days of late vacation in wonderful Ocean City MD,-left the hotel at 5:45 AM and wife and I detoured from our Long Island return route and drove 3.5 hours Northeast to see sons 10AM scrimmage today in Pennsylvania. and arrived in time for ...rain! cancelled scrimmage! Oh well, had a nice breakfast with son and will try again in a few weeks!

LOL! I can relate!!!

This past summer I drove 9 hours from Florida to Fayetteville and just as the game was about to begin the skies opened up and flooded the field. Turned around after dinner and headed back home.

Son has had two weeks of captains practice, and tryouts begin in two days. He was surprised to find out there would be 54 people trying out for the 35 spots, with 27 of them being returning players.

quote:

My son plays in what they call a "young alumni game" next Saturday. Afterwards the freshman and transfers get their number presented by the one of the alumni that formerly had the same number. Looking forward to it.

birdman14 - That is a really cool idea, i like that a lot. Anything that can tie these "baseball generations" together is a great thing. And it can't hurt getting the alumni back to campus to hopefully donate some $$ to the program!

bcb3 - wow, 19 kids will not be happy after tryouts if he takes 35. i'll assume this is a d3. this is one of the few aspects of d3 that i'm not crazy about. It is sometimes feast or famine. In this case the coach has many interested players.

quote:

Originally posted by bcb3:
Son has had two weeks of captains practice, and tryouts begin in two days. He was surprised to find out there would be 54 people trying out for the 35 spots, with 27 of them being returning players.

quote:

Originally posted by fenwaysouth:

bcb3 - wow, 19 kids will not be happy after tryouts if he takes 35. i'll assume this is a d3. this is one of the few aspects of d3 that i'm not crazy about. It is sometimes feast or famine. In this case the coach has many interested players.

One of the tough things about programs which do not have NLI's and scholarships, they never know who is going to show up through the door on the first day of class, so they invite anyone who wants to come. Sometime programs have true tryouts with different phases over a period of time.

Here at Rhodes (D3, SCAC Conference) we will have 16 practices in the span of a month. We started September 7th following a couple captain's practices. We practice Tuesday-Wednesday and then play 5 intrasquad games Friday-Saturday (2 Friday, 3 Saturday). We'll have 18 games according to the schedule I'm looking at, not counting a two game Alumni event. Our alumni event as well as our final three "Fall Series" games will be played at Auto Zone Park, home to Cardinals AAA affiliate Memphis Redbirds. Should be fun. I'm told that after these 16 practices/game dates that we will not be holding captain's practices. I'd imagine this is for the benefit of the pitchers as well as to accommodate for the tough academics here at Rhodes. We get a much longer time outside than our more northern counterparts in the Spring so I'd imagine it all evens out. Things are going well for me as well as the team, lots of good competition and I'll be heading to our second weekend of games shortly after posting.

One thing I have a lot of respect for is that our coaches/administration take the NCAA rules very seriously and do not wish to "stretch" them in any way.

quote:

Originally posted by JPontiac:
Here at Rhodes (D3, SCAC Conference) we will have 16 practices in the span of a month. We started September 7th following a couple captain's practices. We practice Tuesday-Wednesday and then play 5 intrasquad games Friday-Saturday (2 Friday, 3 Saturday). We'll have 18 games according to the schedule I'm looking at, not counting a two game Alumni event. Our alumni event as well as our final three "Fall Series" games will be played at Auto Zone Park, home to Cardinals AAA affiliate Memphis Redbirds. Should be fun. I'm told that after these 16 practices/game dates that we will not be holding captain's practices. I'd imagine this is for the benefit of the pitchers as well as to accommodate for the tough academics here at Rhodes. We get a much longer time outside than our more northern counterparts in the Spring so I'd imagine it all evens out. Things are going well for me as well as the team, lots of good competition and I'll be heading to our second weekend of games shortly after posting.

One thing I have a lot of respect for is that our coaches/administration take the NCAA rules very seriously and do not wish to "stretch" them in any way.

Interesting info. Good luck to you this Fall and next Spring! Looks like a great fall schedule.

I am not enjoying these NCAA rules so far! While in JUCO the team had a few games under their belt by now and full open practices that were easily viewed!

This is the longest I have ever had to go without watching my son play ball, I am getting stir crazy...

He had 72 stations of weightroom workouts today...30 seconds on 15 seconds off each station.

They have hit on the field twice...

Man, when do the games begin?!! Scrimages at least!

Yes I know, I know...but I am missing it, not sure how all you NCAA veterans survived.

floridafan; feeling your pain.

Son's 1st yr; finally Team practices begin tomorrow but no info yet on scrimmages or games I can see.

When or when can I go watch him play ball again and he doesn't seem to have any insight. Must happen sometime next month. but when and how many, I dunno.

JPontiac: good to hear from you again. I hadn't seen anything from you for a while and it's good to see your busy with fall ball.. Best wishes to you

Started full team practices today. No unis yet - the kids have to earn them piece by piece.

I really like the idea of the alumni coming back to give them their old number. That's pretty cool!

quote:

Originally posted by mikamom:
Started full team practices today. No unis yet - the kids have to earn them piece by piece.

I really like the idea of the alumni coming back to give them their old number. That's pretty cool!

Actually it was a very nice thing. It was definitely a mix of recent alumni and those a bit older. They all talked about what the school meant to them, and the older alumni all seemed to be successful in their careers. Very nice day, and it was nice meeting some of the other freshman parents.

I love that number idea too..... I'd have given mine away about 6 times by now.... And once to my son ....

Son, a freshman,D1 has been practicing and for a week or so, conditioning for a bit longer, and he is SLOWLY getting used to routine. It is very stressful on body if you arent used to it and dont show up in the best of shape, which son didnt. (I let him do whatever he wanted leading up to the start of school, figured he could use a lesson and lets face it, us dads relish the thought of the kids getting their butts kicked a little!!) One of his first calls was telling me that they throw a lot right off the hop, and he wasnt ready or in shape for it (go figure I hadnt noticed was the reply) Therefore, velocity is off quite a bit from 93 tops over the summer to 88. Arm not sore, just tired. Got the chance to give one of lifes great lessons from a parent---I told you so!! So to all you players out there, show up in shape, ready to go, and you wont have to listen to your father make fun of you, because I just know son can hear me laughing 500 miles away!!

I wish that all the school had cameras that us parents could log onto for viewing. Like to watch the team scrimmages most of all, from any location on the computer.

Son has been in "fall ball" for about 3 weeks now. Has played in about 9 intrasquad games and is loving life. Has been hot in the south...but he loves it.
Bit of dead arm with LOTS of throws (he is a catcher) but adjusting. Being well and strongly coached by a stellar catching instructor.
Finding pitchers ahead of hitters so far but starting to even out a bit.
Loves the D1 atmosphere,(the swag of course) his teammates and the coaches...even when tough on him. Loves school too...which a Dad likes to hear.
Daily rituals include skill drills, hitting, lifting and of course study hall.
All fall ball games being played with composite wood I assume to get the feel for the deadened bats which will be used in 2011.
He is loving life, I can tell you that.

Freshman son is loving school , away from home, and learning life's lessons, coach already let a few players go for breaking the rules he laid down . ouch.

Son asked , What would you do if that happened to me?

Hmm, makes me wonder, its so tough not being able to tap into the tests , homework turned in , and grades, and to just keep tabs on progress. He loves the workouts and the regimen. Stay tuned.

Our son is loving juco fall ball and is doing well. He got picked as a freshman captain and says he will catch one game and probably DH the other end of a split game this fall. The hardest part is being 4 hours away and not making every game /practice and not having the parent network worked out yet for text and phone updates. Son thought he was in pretty good shape with a long senior season and summer ball but realizes that everything from high school is a breeze compared to the next level.

Went to visit my son this weekend. Spent half a day with him and a hundred bucks on him, restocking the cupboard, on Saturday. I had a blast. I was very excited to watch a doubleheader tournament on Sunday.

First game started, junior walks to lead of the 2nd inning and a major storm ends the inning and the tournament moments later. I was disappointed but only for a short while. I quickly realized that as much as I want to see him play, I just want to see him more. I considered it a very successful weekend!

It's been fun to read the posts about Fall "Season"...especially the ones from parents that have freshman playing and away from home for the first time! Keep em coming...

Just got back from spending three days with my son in Mississsippi. Since he was red shirted and last fall the games I went to were rained out, this was literally the first time I have seen him play a game since June of 2009. Of the previous 4 games, he had played the whole game batting leadoff three times and five innings the other time. Wouldn't you know it was his turn to play just five innings this time and bat further down the lineup since the coach is trying to get everyone plenty of AB's and there are 45 guys playing. So I saw two AB's--both walks after getting down early in the count and grinding out 6 and 7 pitch AB's. Still very disciplined even with two strikes, so I was glad for that. There were only four walks in the game. Looked great in centerfield. It was scout day and there were eight ML scouts there to watch the intrasquad game and some pregame workouts. Son ran the fastest 60 by quite a bit and threw as good as I've ever seen him from the outfield. So I was very happy. Not all that worried about scouts yet since college baseball is his priority right now but its still fun to have them there. Luckily I will be going back in two weeks to see the last two games of the green and white series which will be played under game conditions and may get to see something besides walks. Of course I'll take them over you know what!

Anyway, I'm hoping the rest of you parents have the same enjoyment I had under beautiful 75 degree sunny skies watching my son play the first time I had seen him on the college field in uniform.

Three Bagger - awesome report!!!

This has been a wonderful thread. I am living vicariously through every post

I am so jealous of you guys. My son`s school plays in a conference that does not allow fall practice so I have to wait until spring to start enjoying what you guys are experiencing now. The last phone call I received from him was how he was bursting with pride that after playing Colgate in Rugby he sustained his first “good head bleed” from a cut above his eyebrow. It`s going to take some getting used to this new sport.

CD, you have a PM.

Ken - I guess a "good head bleed" is better than a "bad head bleed". Your son's rugby experience is awesome. He sounds like the kind of kid who just wants to get out there and compete.

I'm also jealous of these folks as I only get the ocassional baseball report. My son is 8 hours away and it is killing me! My son is playing but there is little to do except wait for "scraps" of baseball information to come home. We've learned that it is best to wait for him to call home, rather than calling him. He is in a much better mood and frame of mind when he calls home.

He got to wear his college uniform for the first time this Sunday in an exhibition/scrimmage game with another school. He was excited and got through his freshmen "Oh sh*t moment" very well.....that is when you are a freshman college pitcher and you realize you are pitching a real college baseball game. He pitched two innings, struck out a few, and allowed no runs. The coach told him he did a "great job". Baseball details are lacking in these calls home, but I'll take what I can get. I'm just glad to hear his voice. I can;t wait for the Spring as I understand he has 3 schools on the Spring schedule in his home state. Dad will be whooping it up.

Been there, Three Bagger, been there......

Thanks Fenwaysouth, but I`m sure his version of a good bleed is different then mine or yours. haha

I can't imagine the long wait "Three Bagger" has endured to see his Son play! It sounds like you thoroughly enjoyed that game once it came.

We just returned from one of Prime's scheduled Scrimmages. It was the first time we've seen him on a College baseball field. Although he has only been gone six weeks he had gained a solid ten pounds and was most proud of his new found facial growth. I think he's enjoying that he can now grow some hair and that the school and Coaches allow it!

Ok the game; the Nike BBCOR bats sounded odd when the ball wasn't centered. The game played much like any wood bat game. One home run was hit (about 400') by a big power bat that caught the ball dead center (bat sounded ok with that one). I quickly learned the College game is another world from H.S.
Everyone plays great defense and the pitching was much better. Son says he sees far more sliders on the black and a first for him, the "splitter."
He's adapting, had a one for four day with two K's that he's not happy with. He says the strike zone is easily six inches wider and swears both K's were on pitches WELL OFF the plate. He will live and learn as that's what Freshmen must do.

He's living large right now and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed seeing that silly Scrimmage game on a beautiful 85 degree day under clear skies!!

Life is good!

I won't get to see my son play this fall, but he did report that the new bats are definitely dead. He says he thinks there is more pop in a Baum Bat.

He said HR's are way down.

He's having a successful fall so far.

While I was at Delta State watching my son's scrimmage I got to do something I had wanted to do ever since my son signed with the school and that was meet the Mississippi coaching legend Dave "Boo" Ferris who built the school's baseball program from scratch into a DII powerhouse. Coach Ferriss is now 88 years old but still lives near Ferriss Field and attends many practices and games. He was one of the best young pitchers in the Major Leagues in the 1940's winning 21 and 25 games in back to back years before he suffered a catastrophic arm injury. After serving as a ML pitching coach, he came back home to Cleveland Miss. and built the Delta State program. He makes it a point to get to know every boy in the program and I've heard he sends clippings out of the paper to guys parents at his own expense. He was one of the nicest persons I've met in a long time. He immediately knew who my son was and made some really nice comments about him and how they were so glad he had come all the way from TX to play for them. I explained that my dad was a great fan of his in the 1940's and would love to meet him if he ever gets to come to see my son play. So we chatted and as he walked away he turned and said in that deep southern accent, "Now don't forget, I want to meet your dad". Its the tradition of having a living Mississippi legend like him still connected with the program that drew my son to sign with Delta State in the first place.
It's these kind of things that make college baseball so special.