Committed & Thank you

kandkfunk posted:

I haven't been around here much lately, but I wanted to thank all the posters around here for the great advice and education over the last 4 years. This is such a great forum with a wealth of information.

My 2018 son has committed to a JC about 3 hours from home. It will be a great opportunity for him to be on his own, go to school and be a part of a team. Over the last year, we really focused on JCs for many different reasons. I want to touch on a few reasons in case someone in the future is trying to figure out where their kid fits in this college baseball landscape. Realistically, he was looking at JC/D2/NAIA/D3.

First, it makes the best sense financially for us. Our state offers "free" junior college if you meet certain criteria. With 2 kids in college next year, it's the best way to stretch our dollars. It also allows the money we have set aside to be used in their final 2 years at 4-year Universities.

Second, after talking to a lot of coaches and visiting schools, he really likes the support and opportunities the school is providing. He will get the opportunity to compete to be a 2-way player (LHP and outfield/DH). Although he has been preparing to be a PO, the ability to compete for a larger role is a motivator. Even if he ends up in the PO role, he will have at least been given the opportunity. It also gives him a couple more years to progress and play. He isn't where he wants to be velocity wise, so he'll be able to develop while also playing and not sitting on the bench somewhere. For a JC, they also have very nice facilities and are able to be outside almost year around to play. When you're in the rainy PNW, that is a huge draw. 

Third, the coach has an amazing track record of moving kids on to 4-year schools. Every single one of his sophomore players that wants to move on gets the opportunity. He helps them out with the recruiting and has relationships with schools throughout the country. He has kids at every level. The coach is also the academic counselor for all athletes on campus. As a parent, that's a huge plus.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for their kind words, guidance and support over the years. I am really looking forward to seeing where this journey leads him, but I am not looking forward to the empty nest so much. I definitely need to find some new hobbies. 

That's great!  Congrats!

Congrats! Good luck to your son and the family.

Congrats to you all...please keep everyone updated on his progress.  

Terrific news!!  Sounds like a great opportunity for all parties, especially your son.  

Sounds like we need to start a thread on "Activity Ideas for Empty Nesters?"  I'm sure you'll find something!

Big congratulations to your son and the family. 

Congrats!! That's awesome. I'm with you on the empty next thing — thinking about a part time job? 

Congrats, that is great.  I think a lot of people vastly underestimate both the opportunities and the challenges that Jucos offer to athletes.  The same is true for those who are there just to take class.

Congrats!

Empty nest = Clean nest and lower grocery bills

Congrats!

Congratulations!  That's awesome!

Congrats!

kandkfunk posted:

I haven't been around here much lately, but I wanted to thank all the posters around here for the great advice and education over the last 4 years. This is such a great forum with a wealth of information.

My 2018 son has committed to a JC about 3 hours from home. It will be a great opportunity for him to be on his own, go to school and be a part of a team. Over the last year, we really focused on JCs for many different reasons. I want to touch on a few reasons in case someone in the future is trying to figure out where their kid fits in this college baseball landscape. Realistically, he was looking at JC/D2/NAIA/D3.

First, it makes the best sense financially for us. Our state offers "free" junior college if you meet certain criteria. With 2 kids in college next year, it's the best way to stretch our dollars. It also allows the money we have set aside to be used in their final 2 years at 4-year Universities.

Second, after talking to a lot of coaches and visiting schools, he really likes the support and opportunities the school is providing. He will get the opportunity to compete to be a 2-way player (LHP and outfield/DH). Although he has been preparing to be a PO, the ability to compete for a larger role is a motivator. Even if he ends up in the PO role, he will have at least been given the opportunity. It also gives him a couple more years to progress and play. He isn't where he wants to be velocity wise, so he'll be able to develop while also playing and not sitting on the bench somewhere. For a JC, they also have very nice facilities and are able to be outside almost year around to play. When you're in the rainy PNW, that is a huge draw. 

Third, the coach has an amazing track record of moving kids on to 4-year schools. Every single one of his sophomore players that wants to move on gets the opportunity. He helps them out with the recruiting and has relationships with schools throughout the country. He has kids at every level. The coach is also the academic counselor for all athletes on campus. As a parent, that's a huge plus.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for their kind words, guidance and support over the years. I am really looking forward to seeing where this journey leads him, but I am not looking forward to the empty nest so much. I definitely need to find some new hobbies. 

KANDK! Great news. I am really happy for you guys and look forward to following your guy's next step. I've known you for a while now on this board and appreciated our messages. We have friends coaching at 4 year schools that got their start with Junior colleges and they love to keep getting JuCo guys! Future is bright. Congratulations.

Congrats!!

KandKFunk

Outstanding opportunity!  You and your son have done your homework, now enjoy the ride.   Best of luck going forward.

This is what we mean here when we say coming up with a plan and then executing it.  You and your son devised a perfect plan for his and your family's circumstances.  It doesn't get any better than that.  All the best to the young man and your family in the future!

Congrats to your family! 

Perhaps one of you free-timers can take a web development class and advance this site out of the compuserve bulletin board era.

awesome !!! congrats !

Congratulations!  

Congrats to your son and you! We are just starting this crazy recruiting journey, and it's exciting to see someone conclude their journey successfully. That is great that your state offers free juco!  

congrats!! 

Congratulations!

Great news. This is the type of news that keeps me coming back. I am very happy for everyone involved. 

By luck I found this site many years ago and I want to thank everyone here for their input because it was a huge help on my son’s journey . The collective information found here when it comes to navigating the adventure from youth baseball to the next level whatever that may be for your player is second to none.

In addition to my thank you I wanted to post of few key nuggets that stuck with me over the past six years. For reference, my son will never play at the professional level nor is he a D1 caliber player.   He is undersized, a lead-off hitter, has high GPA/test scores, and is now playing at Top 25 D3 program.  What sets him apart is that he loves the game of baseball and he believes in himself.

So for all of you starting this journey here's what I have learned.

• You cannot project greatness at 12U and you really can’t project it at 9U,10U or 11U. From my son’s 12U all-star team there are two boys playing college baseball and one playing college football. None of them were starters when they were younger they just worked harder.
• Support your high school player but let them take care of business. This is the time to let your player take control and time for parents to be in the background.
• If you feel you must talk to the coach, after the game is never the right time. Compose an email that night then review and send (if you still think you need too) in the morning.
• Be a positive force win or lose. The boys know when they had a bad game so always highlight the good and laugh at the bad.
• Volunteer. Every program needs help and it’s always the same parents that sign-up and no they don’t want to do it for every game.
• Try not to think bad about another player just because the parent is a jerk.
• Treat all umpires, players and coaches for both teams with respect. If you are the loud mouth blow hard in the stands please stop. It’s embarrassing for everyone and yes we talk about you and think you’re an a$$.
• Be very honest about your son’s ability and pursue those opportunities that fit.
• Grades. There is more money with a 3.5 GPA then a 350 BA. 65% of my son’s tuition is paid for with academic scholarship dollars.
• Find a school they love even without baseball.
• Your son should do all the recruiting work. If they don’t want to then they are not ready for college and the demands of playing a college sport.
• Think of college as 40 year decision not a 4 year decision.

Many of the items I highlighted are rehashed from what has been said here many times already but these stick out for me. Again, thanks for all the great information and enjoy the ride because it’s over in a flash.

Good stuff,  PMD, but I would respectfully suggest that your list of tips belongs in its own thread, or maybe actually in two threads - one about how to approach HS baseball as a parent, and one about taking a realistic approach to college recruiting.

Congrats to your son!  What year is he?

Terrific and congratulations always love the success stories!

Best of luck to Funk Jr. 

He's in his freshman year.