College JV teams

run7run -
I am still on your side of the fence (son in HS). Some things to consider:
1) Is this what happens to most of their pitchers?
2) What can these coaches say as to him moving up to the varsity and seeing lots of playing time in a year or two? I.E. - His velocity is great, but he needs more refinement on his location. OR He pitches well, but the hitters are all good in college and we find that pitchers with his ability need JV the first year to help with their mental game. Etc.
3) Based on his ability (try to be objective and take the "dad" factor out) - does he have what it takes to move on? If this is iffie, maybe that one year of JV would be his college playing career and that is a lot more than many HS players see. If you honestly think that he can play at that level and they normally do this to their pitchers and you feel "good" about it and your son is cool with it and the school fits his needs and temperment,etc. - hey go for it.
Also - is this the only school he has visited? Is he a junior? Senior? IF you have more time, see what else is out there. This will either confirm this school or change thinking (and hopefully not just confuse everyone!).
Hope this helps and that your son gets the school that fits.
Tim Robertson

Run7run,
Great question. I tend to think like you. Playing is always better than sitting. To me it sounds like a good solution to a problem that many college pitchers face. Many go off to college expecting to be a contributor and then they end up in a situation where they don’t see enough game innings to improve. This way your son would be pitching, improving, and the coach would see him perform in a game situations. Sounds reasonable to me.
Fungo

EXAMPLE

We have one of our players being looked at by a ncollege program that has a JV situation--I know th coach well so I know what he tells me is not BS

He likes the kid but feels he is a year away from being ready to contribute as he would like-- rather than sit the kid on the bench and not play he wants to bring him in and have him play JV in his frosh year so that he can see him and assist in his growth as abaseball player and young man.

What I like is that the coach is up front with the kid and you cannot ask more

The kid loves the school, should do well academically there, so why not go? How many frosh get a lot of innings in their first year anyway--very few !!