College Opportunity

This piece of advice is timely.

We are in the Northeast. My 2018 is starting to back away from his requirement to attend school in southern states (FL, GA, SC) for this reason. It's just too hard to arrange travel for campus visits and attend camps so far away. It might still work out if he can get to a showcase or play some regional tourneys down there. But for now he seems to be getting good attention from the local schools in our surrounding states, and he still would like to make the trip down to see some mid-atlantic state schools.

Trying to keep focusing on whats important - academics, and having fun playing ball.

I agree completely especially if your son is considering smaller schools in remote areas.  Just trying to find the time to visit the campuses is enough of a challenge, and with these smaller schools, that is exactly what you need to do.  Ironically in the Fall of my son's Senior year, when he really needs to nail the high GPA, I am having to pull him from several Fridays of school to go make campus visits so that he can experience what a day at the college is like.  But the visits are essential to spend time with the coaches and observe the baseball program too.  Thus, better to focus on those relatively close to home.

... plus if he goes there the parents can get in/out for the weekend to watch a series. (well maybe a three dayer) 

Mine was 3 hours (and just missing CONSULTANT's recommendation) but it was a single SW flight and I am now an A plus member. If you get a SW credit card and use it you can get enough points the first year to get a free companion ticket and it makes it that much more affordable.  While I am on the travel thread you can also get deals on rental cars by bidding on them in advance through Priceline and save a ton of money on them also. Work out a deal with team parents at a local hotel and you also save, plus there is always a party waiting when you get back to the hotel.  For additional travel tips go to www.BOFscollegebaseballtraveltips.com  

Cheers.

My daughters kept to that rule, but my oldest son went outside that radius. The drive was incredibly long and to fly in to watch games meant a rental car and then an hour and a hlaf drive to the campus. I thought that was tough but my 2018 is only focussing on schools where you could ONLY fly to visit. In some ways that might be better than an 8 hour drive one way. 

We have begun to visit campuses and to start eliminating schools. So far the schools closest are the first ones off the list! Dang. He is starting to get a little more interest from a few schools up and down the midatlantic and northeast......we will see ....

Five hour or ten hour rule in my neck of the woods.  Flights, not drives.  I don't envy you folks on the mainland much, but I do envy your travel times.

Heck, My son was a 40 minute drive away. Far enough away that he could pretend we did not exist but close enough that if he had issues, such as a broke down car or something similar, I could drive out to help, instead of paying a mechanic. Got to see every home game as well and most away games.

7 hr,  nonstop drive. 7 1/2 if we have to stop for bathroom/gas break.

IF we flew, 2hrs to airport. must get there 2 hrs early. Flight to city nearest college, maybe 1 1/2 hr, then rent car and drive 2 hrs.

We just drive, lots and lots less trouble.

Wish he was closer but his dream, choice & life, not mine and my wife's.  (and he currently just loves it there)

One was a two hour flight. The other was a two and a half our flight. One was inexpensive. I paid. The other was sometimes expensive. I used frequent flyer miles.