College freshman adjusting

College will be full of adjustments on and off the field. I tell my son to only worry about what he can control and that is to work hard on the things that will get him to the point he needs to.  As a freshman he will also have to adjust to being "patient".

Good Luck!

"Attitude and effort" is another good cliche regarding what you can control. Another is to make sure that you're prepared when your opportunity presents itself. If they're working on his swing, they're going to want to see him embrace that work.

I think you've said he's at a DIII, and with many DIIIs you see guys stick around for 4 years. All the upperclassmen have proven themselves to the coaches to some degree. Look at previous year's stats. How many guys get more than 30-40 ABs? How many freshmen? I would try to set my expectations to zero, and then be excited if he does get an opportunity. Easier said than done, I know. Good luck.

Preston, going to college baseball is a big adjustment for most.  Realize that every single player on the roster has been used to playing all the time.  Most of them have been used to being the best player on their team and not having to worry too much about play time.  Getting used to not being the big man on the totem pole is part of what separates players who play all 4 years of college and those who hang up the cleats.  Baseball is a team sport and there is a role for everyone.  Sometimes a new guy has to pay his dues and wait his turn.  In the meantime, like others have said, do everything in your power to be ready when an opportunity presents itself.  In addition to that, be the best teammate you can be.  Coaches notice that.  If your son is good enough, he will get an opportunity.  Until that time, work hard, be positive and enjoy being part of a team.  

We have learned pretty quickly that the competition in college, even at the D3 level, can be really fierce.  Some guys may get few opportunities over the course of an entire college career. Some get their opportunities, falter, and get moved  aside.  If the guys ahead of them are constantly bringing it,  then even a strong player can get fewer opportunities than he might like.  

I think players respond in lots of different way.  Some keep chugging along.  They get  their work in as much as they possibly can, hustle their butts off at practice.  They seize their opportunities when they do come.  Some can't deal and decide it's not worth it.  Some ride it out as role players.   Some have their dreams crushed by getting cut by the coaches.   There can be  lots of roster churn as a consequence.  It's tough stuff.  No doubt about it.  

As a parent, I think there's not much you can do, except be there, when needed, to be a sympathetic/encouraging ear.

It's really all on the player now.  Pretty challenging all around, admittedly. 

With the D2 and JUCO seasons just getting started, and the D1 season less than two weeks away, some might be interested in this article that our son wrote two years ago for our website:

http://informedathlete.com/wha...-your-season-starts/

Your son is ahead of where my son was at this point in his career.  He has a uniform and is on the team and thus has a theoretical chance for an opportunity.  Mine was redshirted initially and he did not find out that piece of good news until the night before the first game.   Thus, he could not even dress for his first game. 

I told my son to be the best redshirt player in the country (as if there was such a thing).  Be the first to practice and the last to leave.  The way to encourage your son is to have the best attitude and work effort on the team - things which are in his power if he chooses.  Do all the dirty work that needs done for the team and do it with a smile.  If he works harder than any other player on that team, and has the best attitude, someone will notice.  Encourage him to do all these things without saying a word.  Outwork and out-attitude every kid on the team and someday he can be the leader of the team.  He won't have time to feel sorry for himself if he works this hard with a positive attitude.  Never feel sorry for your son.  Imagine how many high school players who'd love to trade places with him right now. 

In the meantime, players have to get a break at the upper levels of the game.  Obviously, you don't sit around hoping someone falters or is injured but that is the nature of the game itself - someone always goes into a slump and the coach is always looking to find someone to upgrade.  You have to encourage him to be ready for that one at bat.  It's a tough to have that kind of pressure but that is what you get at the next level.  Encourage him to embrace it.

At my daughter's school, there was a freshman that came in with some pretty good accolades.  Still, she did not start.  Dad and Mom were upset as was the player.  They asked my advice.  I told them that cream rises to the top and that their daughter would be starting before the year was over.  About 10 games into the season, she started and the rest is history.   She has started every game since. 

He has to remain physically and mentally ready. One at bat, an inning in the field, an opportunity to pinch run may change his baseball destiny. Some players get a couple of weeks of games to prove themselves. Some will get one shot. Be ready.

My son's first shot was as a pinch runner. The pitcher was a lefty. The team was down one run in the 9th. Everyone in the park knew he was going. After the game my son told me he studied every pitch closely from the dugout until he was called. 

Attitude is everything and being fully ready for when one is presented the opportunity is so important.  Opportunities often come for Freshman to show what they can do, so Freshman who are not starters during their first year need to be patient and be a supportive team player.