D1 versus JUCO

CM, this might sound a little cruel and inhumane (especially to the student on the receiving end) --- If it were my son or daughter I'd just sit them down with a calculator, pencil, and paper and ask them to figure out how they're going to come up with the dollars to make up the difference between what we (parents) can contribute to their education and what their desired school is going to cost.

To me it sounds like you're offering a reasonable compromise, and the time at a JUCO may be very beneficial to the academics for your son.

Catcher Mom,

The JUCO route provides a very good transition academically and athletically.

Especially for a catcher.

CMom, My son transferred this summer after spending one year in a JUCO. A JUCO does offer a much easier transition for someone who has either struggled academically due to a disability or as in my son's case, just laziness in the classroom. It provided an opportunity for him to "get his act together" as they say.

Financially, the JUCO way was wonderful as well. My son ended up RS last year and basically got a free year of college to get some classes under his belt, proove what he could do in the classroom, and learn alot about pitching which he was changing to from a position player.

There are some disadvantages too though. If your son knows the four year school he wants to go to, coming in as a freshman allows one to become acclimated to that coach, program and school. He can begin to learn the system and expectations and making friends with the players. We often read about the challenges of a freshman or sophomore facing the JUCO junior transfer, but it's not an easy road for a JUCO kid to come in knowing that he's a junior, but the new kid on the block as well.

Like everything in life.... there's pluses and minuses. Good luck in his decision!

Working to be able gain admittance is always a good thing, but that's not the end of it. While there, he has to stay academically eligible.

It's difficult to explain to a hs student who is currently playing ball, getting good enough grades, having a social life and maybe even has a part-time job, but D1 life for a student-athlete is very difficult. I say D1 specifically because they're going to be large colleges with some large classes with professors who aren't impressed with your BA or pop time.

A typical day might be something like weight training at 7am, classes from 9am - 1pm, and practice from 2pm until 6pm. Then it's dinner, study and start all over again the next day. In between, there could be required study halls for underclassmen, mentor and tutor meetings if he is struggling, and dealing with the school's bureaucracy on all manner of details.

It's a fantastic experience, it will teach him so much, he will learn much about time management and maturity. But it don't come easy.

Conversely, JuCo's have smaller classes, more attention to the individual student, and (let's be honest), more recognition for the athletes. He can take his basic courses (working closely with the academic advisors to make sure they will transfer) with a much lower price tag ---- not only because credit hours cost less, but because many JuCo's can be much more generous with their schollie money than D1's.

Add to this the increased chance of playing immedietly (the aspect that will appeal to him the most) and there is much to be said for JuCo's.

Should he go to the D1 as a freshman, how realistic is his chance of PT? (Who currently has the job, who's the backup?) It would be unusual for a freshman catcher to get a lot of PT at a D1, but your research would give you a beter handle than my guess. Given that he wouldn't, ask him how his game is going to improve catching bullpens for a year or so.

Arizona has quality JuCo competition; he will be challenged.

Attending a JuCo does make you the New Kid twice. But the entering Junior at the D1 will be much, much more of the New Young Man than the boy you sent off to school two years' previous.

Former Observer--What did you mean by "especially for a catcher"? My son is debating on which avenue to pursue as well.

Every players case is different.

But, catcher, in my opinion, is one of the most difficult positions to continue to learn in college.

So, it is unusual to see freshman players with a significant amount of playing time at D1's, especially at catcher.

The workload is incredible from a baseball point of view. Catching bullpens for maybe 15-20 differenct pitchers, some experienced and some not.

Calling the game is a more exacting science in college. The boys that get there are successful because they can hit.

And, the catcher must work on hitting himself. A difficult thing to find time to do.

The baseball workload can have an impact on the academic workload, especially in that first spring when the games and traveling starts.

Not mentioned often here is the fact that a high school player goes from about a two game per week 25 game high school season to about four games per week and a 56 game season. And, it is likely that the bigger the school the distance is farther between schools.

Just as a juco might ease the transition academically, I think a juco provides a smooth transition for a freshman catcher, too.

These were the things that went through my mind, when I said "especially for a catcher."

catcher mom
In my son's case (also a catcher) the juco to D1 route worked out well... he was eligible out of HS to go D1 but he decided he needed to mature and get some playing time in.

I'm not so sure how much it helped him academically but he was able to get most of his basics out of the way. He said the juco classes were easier than the D1 so he is having to buckle down and study more. His D1 coach has mandatory study hall 4 mornings a week for anyone with a GPA below a 3.0 and mine is one of them that has to attend.

The baseball at the D1 is harder and there is allot more time management with the schedule that the D1 has. weight lifting , conditoning, hitting, bullpens, group practice, and the fall team practices. I know my son has very little down time since he got to the D1 last fall. He has transitioned and managed to get a rhythm going and I hope he keeps it up till Christmas break. Then we're on the last leg of the race.... his senior season of college baseball.

Orlando gives a very good description of a college baseball player's day, and it's about the same for D-II and D-III; there are just more "unofficial workouts", where the coaches can't be present, but eyes are watching...

One possible advantage of JUCO over D1 might be the yearly draft opportunity. Tons of MLB coaches, GMs, etc. spend the off season in AZ. Competition is strong and your son will be able to develop his skills with plenty of play time in front of a large number of pro scouts.

However, if he wants to keep his D1 options open, he shouldn't go JUCO expecting the coursework and schedule to be easy. The JUCO schedule can be very demanding because, unlike D1, most play a full fall season in addition to the spring season. Also, grades definately matter and transfering to a D1 as an athlete can be difficult under the new NCAA rules. Many D1s here in TX will only transfer courses with a B or higher. If you don't have enough transferable credits for a degree plan, even with an AA degree, you won't meet D1 eligibility requirements.

Either route can be a wonderful experience for your son. It all depends on his goals and where he feels he can develop the most both as a player and a person. Help him make a list of the pros and cons of each situation and then let him decide. If he is allowed to make the decision based on what's important to him, his commitment towards success will be stronger.

Thanks for everyone's input. So many different things to think about...

THanks on behalf of this catchers mom as well. Son went to DII this year as a freshman. He had offers at all levels but he chose his school basedon the opportunity to get playing time in. I agree that cachers today MUST hit. His coach told him the other day that it was his hitting that caught their attention first. Son will get playing time as a freshman according to the coach and he seems pleased with his play. However the greatest thing about him going to the DII is the academics and the small classes. It allows him to keep up academically while giving sometimes up to 4.5 hours a day to baseball (not including extra hitting practice) He hopes to move to DI at some point but DII was a great choice for him