Enrolling Part Timeto Allow Healing

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thinking of my son and AM not minimizing attending college (purely for the educational experience)in any way! Just wondering from a baseball stand point if any one has ever done this or thought of doing this before and what was the thought process.

Thank you in advance for your input.

I'm pretty sure it can be done and is often done in football.

known as "gray shirting" you basically enroll in less than 12 units. Its a way to save a year of eligablity and still get some classes done.

Are you planning on doing this at a juco or university?

It would be at a JUCO.

Something to consider: Most, if not all, insurance companies will cover your 18+ year old child IF he/she is enrolled as a full-time student. We have had to provide proof from the colleges that our sons were full-time (12 hours) each semester in which there was a claim. They check!

Contact '08 Dad. I think his son did this @ a jc this past year. He will probably have the correct info. Good luck!

Enrolling fulltime isn't the only way to start the 5 year clock, and you should plan carefully, especially if there is any possibility of playing at a D2 school.

For D1, the five year clock also starts when a player "represents the institution in intercollegiate athletics." (14.2.2.1) A player who takes part in fall scrimmages at a JUCO (generally OK from the JUCO point of view even if he is not enrolled full-time) might be considered to have "represented", etc.

For D2, a player who hasn't enrolled full-time in the fall imediately after HS graduation is subject to starting the five year clock. Just practicing with the JUCO team, or any club or summer team which provides just one of the teammates with some expense money, triggers the start of the five year clock. (14.2.4.2) It appears that one of the purposes of this rule is to discourage grey-shirting.

If the player is really planning to take a whole year off from baseball, then he won't use up any eligibility. But how does he get into baseball shape, and get the exposure to find a school to play at?

If you are wealthy you might consider the IMG training in Florida. It is billed as a postgraduate school, but I believe they train at the IMG facility and the kids can attend U of Miami on a part time basis if they want.

I think it runs about $40k not including the classes at U of Miami.

No not wealthy! Thank you for all of the input. Lots of different considerations.