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Don't Panic

L LOW337100+ posts
After reading posts occasionaly, a certain topic stuck out. Many players and parents seem to (and rightfully so) get into panic mode if their sons are not given a desireable offer from a mid-major or major Division-I school (or D-II, Juco etc...).

I've coached college baseball for 11 yrs and 9 yrs at the Div-I level. I currently no longer coach in college but feel I am qualified to give a little insight that may be helpful.

Don't panic if those offers do not come as expected. While no one knows your son(s) better than you do, keep in mind, most (not all) college coaches have seen many more college baseball games at their level than you have (in most cases). Please trust their judgement of your sons' ability. They are not going to be right all of the time, but most of the time they will be correct (or at least we hope they will). Also, keep in mind you are more biased than anyone you will come in contact with concerning your sons ability.

Please remember that college coaches are trying to fill a need. If your son does not fill their need then they may pass on your son. It is not a knock on your sons ability at all. Your son may not imediately fill a need of a given Univ/College.

With that said. I have signed some of my better players after the early signing period in November. That means from April till August prior to the players freshman year in college. Of those late signees one is currently in the big leagues, seven were drafted (and were NEVER drafted before) and many others were major contributors to the team.

My point is, if you are not getting any interest or the interest you desire, please don't go into panic mode. Perhaps your son is a touch late in developing and his best days are ahead of him (he is projectable). Perhaps his only option is to play at level below yours (and his) expectations. That is not a bad thing, which most of you will agree to.

You can do your sons a great service by putting them in situations to be seen by as many college coaches, from as many different levels, as possible without spending a great deal of money. The thing you cannot control is the level at which best fits your sons' ability. Only he and the person who offers the scholarship (college coach) can control that.

There are many other factors that go into a college coaches' assesment of your son. Grades, Make-up, projectablity etc...

All of the things you have thought about as it relates to a good fit, the college coaches have thought about tenfold and then some (at least the experienced ones have).

My main point, I guess, is please do not panic. If your son has the ability to play college baseball, there is a place for him. It just takes an ACTIVE effort on your part as well as theirs (the college/Univ).

Absolutely do not mean to offend, just provoke thought. Best of luck to everyone.
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RobVRobV100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by LOW337:

You can do your sons a great service by putting them in situations to be seen by as many college coaches, from as many different levels, as possible without spending a great deal of money.


Good post Low337. Thanks for that.

What would you suggest to accomplish the above statement?
S southernmom100+ posts
Many thanks for your post -- it was just what I needed -- a confirmation of my thoughts. My son's grades are undoubtedly his downfall, but he is working diligently to improve his situation. He has had all the interest/contact he desires and knows that the spring season is right around the corner. I just hate that most folks have the thought that if you do not commit early, you are not worthy.
B brod100+ posts
Agree with you Low, and that is good advice, but college coaches are not all knowing as they are guessing/projecting. And kids get overlooked because of poor programs and coaches, wrong summer team, and failure to understand the system. Others get unfairly promoted by programs that make them look better than what they are, over-aggressive coaches, self-promoting summer teams, and taking advantage of their knowledge of the system. Some parents or coaches pull strings to get their kids put in high profile events and others do not, and as a result, deserving kids get left out. Every college coach has a story of getting burned by these types of promotion.

The pros are not all knowing either, as they draft through multiple rounds, and are happy if two of the 50 they draft make it to the major leagues. Ultimately you are right in saying not to panic, but to rely on the "system" to make all things right may be the wrong approach as it is in many ways a crapshoot.
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
quote:
Originally posted by Marina:
no real panic here yet....... but son has been offered preferred walk on at 2 Div I programs, lots of interest from Div III programs and being urged to apply early at one Div III school. Very confusing. ED does not appear to be in his best interest. His dream school is one of the Div I's........

Comments?


I am sure that you have read all the comments about giving up good opportunities to wait for the dream school to make an offer.
The early signing period is over for D1, has he had any interest from them?
Opportunities come available in the spring, you could contact them regarding your son's interest and any possibility of opportunities then.
However, my best advice is always to go play for a coach who really has shown interest in you, from the get go and offer you an opportunity.

JMO.
B Baller2610+ posts
TPM - I read and think your situation may be different than many others. Some of these DIII's show interest in players because they are trying to sell open seats in the classroom. The price difference in a DIII and a DI can be as much as 25,000 or more a year. Thats a huge price to pay just to go play baseball somewhere. And the DIII's just hound you. Letter after letter, call after call. I think what some of us are saying is we are waiting still on a decent DI or DII shot and if not then there is plan B, but plan B has a higher price tag. Maybe as much as 75,000 to 100,000 for the 4 years. The decision involves how to balance cost, education and baseball. Cost is a major factor and at a certain point if the cost is too great how much importance does baseball carry. At that point it doesn't matter how much interest a coach shows. However you are right in that if all things are equal (cost) it would be best to play for a program that wants you.
LadyNmomLadyNmom1,000+ posts
B26....understand what you are saying, but that was not our experience with D3's. We were not hounded, coaches were professional, and in all cases (we narrowed it down to a half dozen D3's) son was offered academic scholarship money which we know is more than he would have received in athletic. He is now attending a very good academic D3, knew he had a very good chance of starting as a freshman, and received a very generous amount of academic money.

He struggled with D1 versus D3....but with time he realized he was not on the top of the D1 radar screen...and he was not willing to gamble a D1 walk on....even when the Coach said he would make the roster..... when he knew the odds of playing were better at D3.....it just all came down to wanting to play ball for as long as possible....and getting a good education.

D1 is special....wonderful....but not for everyone.....

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