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Fastballdad,
Of course he would fit in. But I’m a little confused why you would ask people in IL that question. You should ask the people in Mississippi that question .... I’m sure they would tell you the same thing. This is 2005 and the students at Starkville are not much different than the students in IL. One of my son’s best friends at Auburn (Alabama) was from Palatine, IL and he stopped here in Tennessee to spend the night on his way back to IL. My son also had roommates from Canada and one from Indiana. While at Auburn my son dated a girl from Colorado. Some things are universal. Of course your son will have to make a few adjustments to fit in...like going bare footed. Smile
Fungo
fball, same answer, most kids, young adults would not have any problem fitting in down there. No more problems than anyone leaving home for the first time to attend college. Might even be an advantage being a little further from home. If he is playing baseball it also gives him an immediate in with his teammates to have some good people to hang with and meet more of there friends around the campus.
I can tell that there are drastic economic and social differences that a "Yankee" from the North Shore will experience. But to answer your question on wheather or not he would fit in, well, it depends on him. He will have to learn to tolerate country music, and not make fun of the guys on the team that like Brad Paisley (country artist). He will have to understand that You will have to Fed Ex Portillo's to him if he wants Italian Beef or a real hotdog, and that the SEC is almighty when it comes to college football. All joking aside, he will be fine. As long as he goes into the situation open minded, heck it is a good experience for a young man! I do not know much about Starkville, I went to school in South Carolina. But baseball is baseball, and it is universal. Interesting side bar, I learned in my political science class that it is not refered to as the Cival War, it is the War of Southern Seccession. (at least in South Carolina)

I had no problems, and I loved it down there. I meet some awesome people that I will be in touch with for the rest of my life. My little brother, went down South to play college ball as well, and he loves it. If you have any other questions, shot me an email. jmr.jr@sbcglobal.net (Jim)

You get to sart playing baseball outside in January, games start in February ... that alone is reason enough to go!!!!
FastballDad:

If your son can pronounce Mississippi the way you wrote it in your abbreviated version he'll have no trouble at all!

My son, a freshman from the western suburbs, wanted to go south for school and baseball. He selected Memphis and he just loves it...everything... right down to the dry rub ribs at Corky's. But that's him and that's what he wanted to do. And yes, Fungo, he does go bare foot(ed) often.

Conversely he told me of a sophomore that is folding it in and is returning to the Chicago area after this term. This student/baseball player never really liked it much down south.

If you're not certain I would recommend a longer than normal visit to the school or area that you're interested in.

I don't think vaccination shots or passports are necessary but I'd check it out before you travel! Fungo? Any advice? noidea
Fastballdad,
Let me paint as accurate picture as I can. Steeped in southern heritage, Starkville, Mississippi can be somewhat of a cultural shock even for some people in the south. But don’t take that as negative. It is located in a rural area of Mississippi where farm’n, hunt'n, and fish'n rule. Good ole boys and beautiful girls are everywhere. 4 by 4's with "Gumbo Mudders", lift kits, Flowmasters, and winches are the main method of transportation. When an outsider (Yankee) arrives in town or on the campus of Mississippi State I think they will see and hear some things that will make them think "What have I gotten myself into?" But things change when they get to know the people. The natives will go out of their way to make you feel at home. They will invite you in and share whatever they have from food to their heritage. It’s a college town and Mississippi State is its pride and joy. With Ron Polk at the helm, Mississippi State has secured their place in college baseball history. A baseball game at Mississippi State is a special event at a special place. With the left field lounge and 10,000 rabid fans in the stands, a game at Mississippi State is guaranteed to make memories that will last a lifetime.
Fungo
I didn't mean to be specific about Miss. State ...was just using as example. Of course to play there you have to be a top level recruit first and foremost. It does come down to each kid and what they are like....seems to me that most kids at my son's school would probably opt in another direction as Ozzieball stated above. There are great programs in the south and it seems like not too many kids go to the true southern schools.
Fastballdad - I think what is key for a player to be successful in any new environment is that he be aware and prepared for the changes. A city kid going to a small town anywhere can have a tough time adjusting to the "there's nothing to do here" factor. The town the school's in can be as important as the school itself many times.
Good question. FBD, we are from Ohio and my son is playing in South Carolina and he loves it. We have found some of the nicest people in the country live down there. We were surprised when we visited a game last spring where several regulars at the game noticed we were new and approached us and made us feel very welcome. These were not parents either just locals. Life seems more laid back in the south and I think this is a very good thing. I think part of college education is the experience and going to a southern school is invaluable experience imho - especially if you are from the north. If your son has the chance to play in the south, I would highly encourage it.
Smokey,

That rule works at the highest level of business or any endeavor in life. I believe that stuff should be practiced everywhere.

BTW, for those who don't know, Smokey's son and my son are team mates. How does he like it down there so far Smokey? Heard the boys had a great time at the World Series as well - lucky dogs!
Wow Ozzie- You win one World Series and you're too good for us Southerners! EekI'm in Florida which is also different from the True South. If you go to S. FLorida, you will find the big difference is that there is alot of Latino influence.(and you probably took French in High School!) Great cooking, strong heritage pride and family ties.
We went to Auburn (definately the true south) this summer and a beautiful blonde pulled up next to our car in a convertible. When I asked her if she went to school here,with a blinding smile and a heavy southern drawl, she says "Yaaaas Maaaam!" Auburn moved to the top of my son's college list!
I guess the answer is simply...it depends on the player.

If Mom and Dad have spoiled him rotten or if he is uncomfortable with new situations or he is not a mature student athlete...then he ain't gonna make it!

If the kid is like mine and the parents have done a good job raising him, like Smokey and Cleveland Dad....he'll be successful in this or any other endeavor.
soxnole,

I think that your ability to adapt socially is a consideration. My son had a very talented teammate quit and go back to Oregon because he was basically homesick. Don't know how much of that had to do with culture shock however.

Since I have some insider information, I happen to know that Smokey and soxnole sent their sons to the World Series in Chicago. Well soxnole, how did the boys like it? Actually, I think I know the answer to that as well.
FastballDad,

As has been stated, I too believe it depends on the young man and his willingness to experience a different culture.

My son transferred from a JUCO (ECC) in Illinois to TTU in Tennessee this semester. The biggest shock he has encountered was more being away from home for the first time than a cultural one. Calls were very frequent during the first week or two. You could just feel how homesick he was. Then fall ball started, where he made many new friends. Among these friends is a goup who meets regularly to play the video game, "Halo". So now the calls have become more and more infrequent. I guess he has adapted quite fine.

Of course it doesn't hurt that he was already a fan of Country music and likes his tea sweetened!
most kids will adjust

mine went from a medium size hs in a rural NE Ohio community with Amish influence - buggys etc - - - to it's counterpart 700 miles to the south and seemed to fit in well

He says Atlanta is the same, just bigger Eek

sweet tea is a staple, and ANYTHING is available nearby


btw, flowmasters are mufflers who's purpose is to let everyone know when you arrive or leave



.
Last edited by Bee>
ClevelandDad, for the record...both Joe and Ruairi were in heaven @ the 1st game of the 2005 World Series!

Another great story: In early October, in the middle of a practice game, Coach Martin called Ruairi into the dug out from left field after only 1 out.

Wondering what this was all about he sat down ...and had coach tell him "Thought you'd like to know your Sox are ahead of the Red Sox 5-0 in the 1st inning"! He was allowed a quick break to soak it in before returning to the game.
Last edited by soxnole
I agree with most of what everyone is saying. It mostly depends on the persons involved. Do they have little sisters and bros? , and in some cases the girlfriend comes into play. Right or wrong its the fact.
For me , as long as I was playing the game of baseball I was fine. Had I not been traveling around the Country playing I would have been home. My teammates were my family and I used them as such. Even later in years, after college, still playing and loving it, never did I even think about having to make ajustments because of where I was. I more so just kept concentrating on what my long term goal was.
I think a crucial role in this question is the job that the coaching staff has to do in this process. In a way they become the kids (step parent) its real important for the player to understand the personality of the coach he is going to be with. Great post, for this reason and I might get jumped for it. You mentioned the North Shore kid from Chicago... You compared him to a kid in Mississippi... I could instead of going out of state South ask the same thing in our own area. To me, just observing , kids from the North Shore are in a different place when in the South side and visa versa. Everyone comes from different family styles and backgrounds, that is not to say one is better then the other, people are different all over the world, hell they are different in my city. Maybe it was me, because when I was South they said I talked funny, I knew I didnt, it was all of them. No matter what as much as I always said this area stunk and and was too cold and this and that, when it was all said and done , home is home.
fSD,

Fungo is right on with respect to MSU and most of the Southern schools in the SEC.

Great post, Fungo.

I just got back from visiting my son Ryan at Princeton so I'm catching up.

My son Paul went from Oak Park River Forest High School (in a Western suburb of CHicago, Illinois for those that don't know) to play for Ron Polk at MSU. Definitely a North to South "thing".

He was "fine" with the "culture shock" and actually roomed with Jay Powell (a hunt and fish guy) for a couple of years. Oh, the stories...fishing and hunting, I mean.

As he has said many times: If you can play, you can play anywhere.

He translates someone being "unhappy" at the big time SEC programs as someone being upset at another kid beating him out for a position or a kid who was promised the world but can't deliver the goods.

Fungo is SSSSSOOOOOORRRRRIIIIIGGGGGHHHHHTTTTT....
Go down to an SEC weekend at Mississippi State and you're in for a treat of a lifetime...memories of a lifetime, too. Oh, bring some extra money for the various t-shirts you'll be buying!

Go Dawgs!

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