Cut from College...now what

jefftso,

Sorry to learn about your situation.  Please help us by providing more info. 

What year are you?  Do you like the school your at?  Is your academic major easily transferrable to another school?  Do they have a club team?  Did you leave on good terms.....is there the possibility of making next years team?  Have you signed a summer baseball contract?

There is a parallel thread on the board that is similar to yours.  http://community.hsbaseballweb...9453077883261/page/1

You know, everyones career ends at some point.  Even the greats had to call it quits.  Some of us, myself included, would've like to keep playing.  But sometimes you just have to move on.  

You can still go swing the bat or throw the ball.  But I'd suggest finding other outlets too.  Mine happened to be whitewater kayaking.  It has taken me around the world. I've met some of my best friends through the sport.  Would've never happened if I'd continued playing.  I'll bet you I paddle way more then anyone my age plays baseball too.

And I hope you are at a college that you love with or with out baseball that also offers a degree that you will be happy with.  If that is the case, why transfer?  If you only went there for baseball then you may need to reevaluate.

Good luck.

Rich

www.PlayInSchool.com/bus_tour

www.twitter.com/PlayInSchool

in this day and age  the term transfer  seems to be the buzz word in siuations like  this---  sort of typical of the thinking of our countries youth today

@fenway  I'm a freshman. Currently, I'm stuck in between whether I truly like this school or not. Naturally after the cut process the knee jerk reaction was to transfer, but I settled down and realized to give it a shot. The problem I'm having is that I miss the game way to much and my competitive nature just wants to play. Yes my major is easily transferrable (CJ). They do not have a club team. I left on good terms. But what bothers me is that I e-mailed the coach as he said he would meet with any of us who wanted to know what areas we could improve on to increase our chances. The problem was he told me to set up a meeting and time, so I did, I sat in the building an hour early and watched him go about his day, when it came time for the meetings he was a no-show. E-mailed him afterwards, no response. It really turned me off towards the program in general. So at this point I have no clue how my chances would be of making the team. There are other factors influencing my thought process that I do not feel comfortable discussing over here, if you would like to know send me a PM. Thanks in advance.

I'm a little confused - you're a freshman that was cut in the fall so how do you know these rival coaches well enough for them to say they are surprised and that you were screwed over? 

I phrased that wrong @coach2709. I meant rival HS coaches who know the program that I tried out for. Including some with college coaching experience. 

Hey, TR I know that you are trying to say not to "quit" but there are times transferring is absolutely necessary.  Bum, Jr. did a D1 to D1 transfer and sat out a year because he was told his role at his old school (basically no innings) wouldn't change.  He did it, became a starter at the new school, was drafted again and now plays pro ball.  If he stayed put he would have been sunk.  But I get your overall meaning.

This young man needs to decide if baseball is worth transferring.  Does he have a future in the game?  My guess is it's probably best he finishes his academics at that school and hang up his cleats.  Whether he does so or not depends on his talent and his desire.

Hello and welcome to the forum.

My suggestion is that you determine how important playing baseball is to you. Do you have ambitions to play for the next three years while finishing school. Presumably you did, but make sure that is still a priority. It sounds to me like it is, so I'd therefore suggest you pick yourself up, dust off, and start doing everything possible to prepare for making a team. There are many people here who have transfered with successful/satisfying results. Still others have had to transfer yet again, but it worked out for them. The thought of having to go to three schools in four years seems daunting, but it has paid off for those who never gave up. So certainly consider looking into a JC, or trying to find the correct fit at another school, whether it be D1-3 or even an NAIA.

BTW - I know of several kids who have been cut more than once but never gave up. They went on to play college ball, and a few then went on to play pro ball. Heck a kid recently had been out of organized baseball for several years, then one day he went and threw for a scout, and now he is in the minors. Whether he continues to play or washes out, he never gave up on his dream, and is now living it. So keep your chin up and keep working because you never know what the future holds unless you go out there and seize this moment in time. It wont be coming back, so make the most of it.

My son was cut his freshman season as well, having a sore elbow. But he spent the entire Christmas break working really hard. His coach allowed him to come out and throw in the spring and he was able to rejoin the team, from the improvements he made during Christmas. He has been all-conference 3 years now and has had a wonderful career. If you can work hard, try another college D3, but they may not allow you to try out at this late stage for this year. 

I think it mostly depends on your personality. If you still want to play, "Dude, transfer somewhere you can get on the field and get your degree." 

Thank you all for the support it really means a lot. I definitely understand there is almost zero to nothing odds that I go on and play pro baseball. I still have that competitive fire and since I've refocused into pushing myself harder in the gym I've seen gains that I have never had before. I'm a strong student as well so academics are not an issue at all. I'm going to do my best to get an idea where the roster openings and incoming recruits leave my chances at this current school. Giving up is just not an option for me and I'm going to take this mindset into the rest of the spring and such and make myself an even better player. I'm going to evaluate my options. Do you guys think it would be wise to start contacting other schools and such and see how there roster looks for next fall and how my chances are? I had an offer from a Juco but it came after I had already made my college deposit at my current school. It's killing me not being out on the field right now and I know I have it mentally and physically to play somewhere.

Two things, just food for thought.

1. Unless you're in a situation that will not get better (i.e. no innings or no playing time for more than one year), I would not transfer except for academic reasons.

2. I believe you have to sit out a year if you transfer. Is there any benefit?

Tell those coaches to put their money where their mouth is and pick you up on their team. Finish your degree and move on with your life.

go to the JC and the 4 year at the same time. Are they in the same city.

Where will you play this summer?

Bob

I would not have to transfer because I'm not playing on the team at the school I'm at now. It would most likely be a D3 to another D3. Coach Mills I'm confused with what you are saying. 

A transfer to a JC would be a 4-2-4 transfer, so there would be no need to sit out a year on a 4 year institution transfer to another. If there are any questions on this, check with our resident NCAA rules expert, 3FingerGlove;

 http://community.hsbaseballweb...ile/2982475074185819

So unless you are in a great academic school to where you would be better off staying because you wont upgade diploma wise(having nothing to do with baseball), look into a JC for this coming year, then look to move on to whatever level will allow you to play the game you love, for as long as you can.

`

OK I gotcha and to be honest that is garbage how that coach treated you by not talking to you.  I firmly believe if someone tries out for my team and I have to cut them I look them in the face and explain why.  They may not like it but if you're going to give me a couple days of effort then the least I can do is give you a face to face as to how good you are.

I think bum has hit it on the head.  Never give up on the attitude and effort to work towards achieving a goal but sometimes you have to find a path that allows you to acheive your goal.  If you had made the team and quit because of lack of playing time then I think transferring is wrong because you had the opportunity to work to get better.  In your situation you were cut so the choice was taken out of your hands.  By continuing to work and improve you're not quitting.  You're trying to find a way to achieve your goal so unless you absolutely love this school or it's a phenomenal fit academcially I suggest to look for another place.

Thanks guys for the feedback. As per the looking for another school process, should I go back to my HS coach to see if he can reach out to the local 4 year D3's and see what their situation looks like. And how should I go about contacting them, because I do not want to transfer "in the dark" and have this situation happen again. 

Lots of good discussion in here and as one of the first responses suggested, you have to evaluate your current fit at the school you are at, the things that may bind you there, and whether you might just be done playing baseball.  

The first thing to do is work harder to talk to the coach at your current school -- he might have blown you off and that was wrong, but he has all the leverage.  Show him how bad you want it by finding a way to get a hold of him.  

Think about how important it is to you that you stay at your current school, both for academic and financial reasons.  I know I would have had a terrible time transferring from my school because I would have lost so much scholarship (academic) funding if I transferred away.  Likewise, there can be a variety of aches and pains in transferring in terms of social life, transfer credits, etc.  You have to decide how much you want to sacrifice to try to play division 3 baseball and maybe even have a similarly un-fun experience playing baseball.  However, maybe you don't have any particular attachment to your school.  Maybe it could be cheaper to go elsewhere. This is what you have to figure out.

Jefftso,

Certainly these are not easy decisions to make.  Your former coach is not helping things and there is a tendency to want to prove him wrong.  I understand that 100%.  I think you've found out what kind of coach and human being he is through his actions. 

Here is my two cents....You're a college freshmen, and I think you need to look at your situation objectively.  Is there a former high school, or travel coach that you can have a real conversation with?  Maybe your Dad or Mom can talk through this with you from your viewpoint without getting too emotional? You want to talk to someone who knows you and can give honest and constructive feedback about your baseball future.   At some point baseball becomes a young man's sport, and most have to leave it kicking and screaming.  Whether that is now or 3 years from now when you graduate the game will leave you behind.  Let's face it, most college players (90%) are not going to make it to the next level.  That isn;t a reason to quit, but it is a reality.  So, I think your next step has to be thought through carefully.   If baseball is something you can't live without then I would consider transferring to a school that I know

1) I will not lose academic credits

2) has a College Baseball team that wants me

3) Has a club baseball team as a fallback

You'll need to become familiar with NCAA transfer policy and terminology.  I'd suggest calling the NCAA directly about your situation to get very specific answers to your questions.  There is much to learn and know.

http://www.ncaapublications.co...r-guide-2012-13.aspx - NCAA Transfer Guide 2012-13

NCAA Phone Number 317-917-6222

This past weekend, I had a long conversation with one of my son's former college teammates who dropped by for some of their games.  He was an all-conference player, and a leader on their conference championship team last year.  He is working 60-70 hour weeks in New York City's financial district.  He is doing well for himself, but he told me he would do anything to play college baseball again.  He missed alot of things about college, but he missed baseball the most.   So, I get it and I feel for you.  But, please think this through and talk to people that know you best.  If this is something you got to do, call the NCAA and figure out next steps.  

Good luck, and please let us know what you decide to do.  There are many people on this site that have gone through a transfer, and they can help.

Thanks fenway, Baseball without a doubt is something I cannot live without. Already had to live with not playing football and basketball anymore, but not playing baseball is just not plausible. I'll be on spring break soon and plan to talk to my HS Coach and his Ast.-former College coach who has college contacts and see what they think I should do. I know people are saying I should try as best as I can to meet with the coach at my current school, but his tendency to ignore e-mails and being in-season will make it nearly impossible for me to get a hold of him. I will reach out to him though. I just think I'm better off finding another school at this point. I'm not a kid who needs that party lifestyle to have fun at college, double-headers on Saturday mornings is more for me. Any more suggestions just keep throwing them out there.

jefftso,

Jobs will always be there, moving on with the rest of your life will always be there. There is a small window to play college ball and if you are truly as passionate about it as you sound, heck with it, just transfer and go play somewhere else. A lot of work and research needs to be done in a short amount of time but get after it if you really want it!  Don't let one "no" kill your dream.

Jefftso, you have obviously come to the right place for wisdom and sage advice. I hope you read and learn some things that will help you figure out what your next possible move, if that is the case, is. I must say that I really like your determind attitude. You have no ideal how well that attitude will push you to become better, in life and on the field. So congrats for possessing something that not many have.

I have to agree with Coach about how that Coach treated you and YOUR valuable time by basically dissing you by not showing up for your appointment. I just don't get it. Why do some adults who call themselves Mentors and Teachers of our young people have to set such a poor, lame example for them? At minimum he could have emailed or texted you saying something came up for Christ sake. I'm just venting here because I've grown tired over the years of hearing coaches treat you young men like this. You will find that on the other side of the coin there are some gem's out there who coach and will invest in you. Please know that.

If you find that you're not going back to this school, please, for me email that coach and send him a one liner that basically just says "I wanted to thank you for taking the time out of your day when I had an appointment with you and you decided to not only skip the appointment with me so I could learn something about myself and my future in this game that WE love but, you decided that I apparently wasn't worth your time to even give me a courtesy call or text to say you couldn't make it". Great example of  how NOT to have common decency and respect for others and their time Coach. Looking back now, thank you for doing me the favor of cutting me!" Ok, maybe that was more like 3 sentences but you get my point!

Good luck on your baseball future!

YGD

jefftso- I really like the maturity and level-headedness you've displayed here on this thread. I have a feeling you'll be successful in whatever you choose to do in the future.

I have been through the process of transferring and spoken at length with the NCAA eligibility office for a whole different topic. Depending on what region you're in, I think I may be able to assist you a little bit. Shoot me a PM if you'd like to share some deeper details and I'd be glad to help out.

As far as the information you've given out, I'd suggest heeding the advice that the wonderful people above have already given. In the end it is, as you know, your decision. You've definitely come to the right place to voice your thoughts and get some opinions however.

If you are as passionate about the game as you say you are, and you seem to be, then I wouldn't give it up. I can't tell you how many middle-aged people I know who live vicariously through the memories of their playing days. At first I thought it was quite sad to be honest. But I see now that the true passion they displayed during their time on the field has simply turned into a fond love in their head. The memories you form being part of a team never die, and will only continue to grow if you continue to play at the collegiate level. 

A few months ago I was fortunate to be present at a speaking engagement in which one of the speakers was Larry Bowa. He was an extremely dynamic speaker and engaged the audience beautifully. The audience consisted of Division I baseball players, families and alumni, many of whom hold high level executive positions at some big name firms throughout the country. Bowa's story captivated everyone in the audience. Growing up in Sacramento, California, he never made his high school team as a shortstop. He worked extremely hard every year and tried out each spring, but the coach who consistently cut him cited his lack of size and strength. He claimed that he was most worried about his father's (who had played professionally) reaction after being cut his senior year. He lied about being cut for several weeks until his father found out through a fellow parent. Rather than displaying disappointment, his father was extremely encouraging and told young Larry that he could continue playing through the local American Legion team during the summer.

Larry graduated from high school and joined the Legion team with no sights set for the future other than the opportunity to play more baseball. One day, as he explained it, the local community college (Sacramento City College, now a national powerhouse JC) came to scout a player he was playing against. The JC coach turned to Larry and offered him a roster spot, saying that he liked his actions at shortstop.

During his rookie season with the Phillies, Larry turned to Mike Schmidt and said "it would be so cool if I could spend a whole season in the big leagues." Bowa retired from the game in 1985...a 5-time All-Star, 2-time Gold Glove winner and 1980 World Series champion. Schmidt called him and said "you lied to me you S.O.B...you played 16 years in the Major Leagues."

He concluded the speech by saying whatever you do, don't retrospectively regret. Pursue whatever you love.

Josh, thanks for sharing. Truly words to live by, in every facet of life.

Did you not say other coaches, even rival coaches said you would not have a problem "making it"? Tell them you are ready to "make it"... On their team.

Rival Hs coaches that know the collegiate conference I was in, said I would make the team and were dumbfounded. My HS coach has been reaching out to programs and so far one school is interested. Sorting through my options currently. Decision should be made pretty soon.

Thanks for the update jefftso.  It sounds like you've got to some people in your corner and you're making all the right moves.  Please keep us updated.

Question for you guys. A d3 coach my hs coach emailed said thanks for the info. about me and that he's interested. The problem was he said he could not talk to me until I get my release from the school. Is this an issue even though I'm not an athlete at my current school?

jefftso,

Call the NCAA to find out EXACTLY what you need.  It probably is an issue you need to resolve with the current AD.

NCAA Phone Number 317-917-6222

http://www.ncaapublications.co...r-guide-2012-13.aspx - NCAA Transfer Guide 2012-13

The NCAA Compliance officer at your current school will be able to provide this. That is how my son got his release.

It is probably straightforward to get your AD or designate to fill out a permission form.  However, since you're describing a D3 to D3 transfer, you can also self-release. (13.1.1.2.1.1)  See the D3 home page at NCAA.org.