What a difference the loss of the girl friend made!
I had a high school baseball coach who was kind of Casey Stengel-ish. Picture an older coach with a gruff voice. He told us girls are like curve balls. They mess with your head and screw up your batting average. Lay off both of them.
I don't believe God has anything to do with baseball. However, for those who believe he does, God does have something to do with baseball. That's why it's called faith. Whatever provides faith for a person is what allows them to keep going. To keep going can mean success.
But remember ...
Roses are red.
Violets are blue-ish.
If not for Jesus,
You might all be Jewish.
Shalom, 
Jacjacatk,
As much as you want to think you're being persecuted for your viewpoint, you're not.
The reason your posts so often draw moderator attention is that your comments are too frequently the point of final departure from the original baseball-related thread.
If someone says, "I hope Santa brings me a sled for Christmas," you seem compelled to start a fight about whether Santa exists.
It's not your viewpoint. It's your bad manners.
If the shoe was on the other foot, I would be defending you.
If, for example, you made a constructive comment in the course of a thread about pitching mechanics that alluded to the evolution of some specialized body part related to pitching, I would consider it legitimate discourse. If one of your theistic brethren then jumped in and challenged your comment and wanted to start an argument about whether the UCL evolved or was created, I would throw the penalty flag on the person who seized the opportunity to derail the baseball related conversation.
As it happens, people are more likely to make incidental references to things they do believe in than to things they do not believe in, so in the natural course of events, you may have more opportunities to let things pass than some other members.
But the rule works both ways, as my comments make clear.
In this particular thread, it wasn't so clean because the original expression of belief was accompanied by a comment that called attention to itself. But the principle holds. You didn't have to take the bait.
If you want to discuss further, take it to a Dialog.
So now we've learned that God and a woman can have more impact in a college baseball career than ability, hard work, commitment, and desire. 
Maybe they will become the 6th and 7th tools used to help rate players.
Bringing this thread back on topic...
I consult for a handful of Top-25 NCAA D-I schools on the pitching side. This is not meant to be a brag but merely a statement so I can frame my next few (sometimes controversial) comments.
The difference between the 2nd+ year players that come to train at my facility (or when I do my college visits) and the freshmen (or older HS players) boils down to one thing: Serious commitment. By sophomore year at these elite schools, the garbage has already been cut, transferred, or dropped out of school. Work ethic is THE prime separator. I'm not saying that genetics and luck have no role in success, but I promise you that there are very, very few at these places coasting on ability. Most have had to learn tough lessons the hard way before becoming successful - and the coaches at these schools always demand more.
As one pitching coach of a T25 school said to me about a trainee he perceived as a slacker (a kid who trained six days per week for four hours per day on his own, mind you): "He's afraid to be a dude. Real dudes are dudes all the time, not just in games. And that terrifies him."
Unfortunately I believe this is a lesson that is either taught to you at a young age - that work ethic is the most important controllable variable in your life - or it is one you learn the very hard way once scouts and recruiters pass you up later in life (to say nothing of hungry freshmen and newly drafted players who want to take your job).
College baseball is much more rocky than most think - if you want to make some noise at an elite school. It is your life and will be for 3-4 years. So for those that still want that kind of life, they better start realizing it when they're 15-16 years old to prepare for it. The lesson gets taught no matter whether or not you're ready for it. Might as well learn it while it's easy to grasp. 
Awesome post Kyle. Love it.
Bringing this thread back on topic...
I consult for a handful of Top-25 NCAA D-I schools on the pitching side. This is not meant to be a brag but merely a statement so I can frame my next few (sometimes controversial) comments.
The difference between the 2nd+ year players that come to train at my facility (or when I do my college visits) and the freshmen (or older HS players) boils down to one thing: Serious commitment. By sophomore year at these elite schools, the garbage has already been cut, transferred, or dropped out of school. Work ethic is THE prime separator. I'm not saying that genetics and luck have no role in success, but I promise you that there are very, very few at these places coasting on ability. Most have had to learn tough lessons the hard way before becoming successful - and the coaches at these schools always demand more.
As one pitching coach of a T25 school said to me about a trainee he perceived as a slacker (a kid who trained six days per week for four hours per day on his own, mind you): "He's afraid to be a dude. Real dudes are dudes all the time, not just in games. And that terrifies him."
Unfortunately I believe this is a lesson that is either taught to you at a young age - that work ethic is the most important controllable variable in your life - or it is one you learn the very hard way once scouts and recruiters pass you up later in life (to say nothing of hungry freshmen and newly drafted players who want to take your job).
College baseball is much more rocky than most think - if you want to make some noise at an elite school. It is your life and will be for 3-4 years. So for those that still want that kind of life, they better start realizing it when they're 15-16 years old to prepare for it. The lesson gets taught no matter whether or not you're ready for it. Might as well learn it while it's easy to grasp.
I agree 100%, I am watching this happen right now with a group of 16 year olds. Ton's of talent everywhere, but only 1 or 2 kid's are truly focused. I am really pulling for the kid's that are making the commitment to get better.
I am not sure that you can expect any HS player to fully understand the importance of preparing for the next step.
I think it is great to see so many opportunities for HS players (all sports) to improve without trying to play a guessing game. There is so much more info available today than 10 years ago.
As far as attending a D1 program within the top 25-even perhaps the 50, it is NOT for everyone. The expectations are enormous both on and off the field, and that is why many players do not stay for longer than one year. Kyle is right by saying by the second year the previous incoming class has been weeded out. You have to learn very quickly to get serious, because if you are not, there is always someone who is.
Coach May's words were spot-on with son's freshman year ('13-'14). His fall was very tough and at one point discussed transferring. He ended up marching through the grind and had a very successful year. His mental toughness/resiliency complimented his skillset. Both at this particular school resulted in success.
A lot of my advice to the boy was just wise words that have been passed from this great website. Thanks again!!
Have to say I wish I had found this site when my son was still in H.S. as it has opened my eyes to the crazy world of college baseball.Thanks to all who post here as it is a treasure of information. My son just returned for his junior year at a very good academic D3 that historically has produced some excellent baseball teams. I wish I could say the journey so far has been as expected but as others have posted the road has been full of surprises. My son began attending camps & showcases the summer before his junior year of hs. His goal was to attend a D1 in the South. He was given ratings of 4 or 5 [5point scale] at the 3 camps we attended that summer. He really liked the program at one school but did not meet the academic requirements to get accepted. He rejected the other 2 schools because he didn't like the campus. Back to square one. His junior year he was 1 of 3 non seniors who started & he ended up 2nd in team ba. That summer we hit the showcase trail again except this time he focused on schools within 3hrs. driving time of home. He did 3 D1 & 1D3 and again scored very high but he rejected all for various reasons. Things were not looking good. He contacted one of the national recruiting services but couldn't afford the cost. He then registered with an on-line recruiting service that was very reasonable & got several campus visit offers but they were all too far from home. Senior year begins with no real prospects & son decides he will go to local branch of state univ. which does have a successful bb team. I couldn't believe that after all the time & money we had spent for travel teams & camps & showcases & all of the high reviews son had received at camps & showcases he wasn't getting any interest. Then, in late fall, the e-mails & phone calls started coming. He visited several schools,a D1,2 NAIA, & 2 D3. All made offers of aid, some very generous but the moment my son arrived on the campus of his current school he told me that this school was where he was going to go. Needless to say I was stunned that he was so positive about this school without even talking to anyone or interviewing with the HC. We were escorted around campus by one of the bb team's starters & had lunch with several team members. The HC met with us for over an hour explaining his program & expectations & how son would get opportunity to start as an of but probably wouldn't pitch much because HC liked his hitting. We left feeling good about school. After several back & forths with financial aid dept.we reached an agreement & enrolled. Fall ball begins & son does very well hitting over .400 but grades are down he's having hard time with balancing bb & class work but manages to stay eligible. Season begins & he makes travel squad & looks to be starting of. Then 1st game in Florida & he doesn't play. Next game is against Marietta, he doesn't start but is put in as pinch hitter. He gets a base hit & has started every game since. He latter told me that if he hadn't got that hit he probably would have been a sub the whole year. He went on to have a fine year ,hitting over .300 & named conference player of the week. His grades improved but I could tell something wasn't right. When he came home for the summer he said he wanted to transfer to a D1 closer to home & be a walk-on because he couldn't stand his HC. He was accepted at a local D1 & we thought things were settled. HA! Last day of July son informs us he will return to his D3 school. Seems his girlfriend had been the one wanting him closer to home but they had now broken -up. Fall ball begins son does well again & solidifies his starting spot. Grades show dramatic improvement & the HC isn't so bad after all. Soph season ends with son again hitting over .300 & on solid academic footing. What a difference the loss of the girl friend made! Son has begun jr yr & is looking forward to a successful season as team returns 5 .300+ hitters & 4 seasoned starting pitchers. Academically he will finish his requirements for his major this semester & is already looking into grad school. To sum up my son was prepared for the rigors of college ball but was surprised by the toughness of his classes & was completely unprepared for the emotional roller coaster of trying to take care of his college work & keeping peace with a girlfriend. As for me I always knew he would excel at bb and would be a good,not great, student & I knew that once my son set his mind on something nothing would keep him from achieving it.
I enjoy reading older threads for the nuggets (or boulders!) of wisdom and the good reading. This one is as good as any I've read.
I would like to nominate this as a Golden Thread.
As I read this thread again and by the way thanks for bringing it back up, my first thought was "Wow that was a fast 4 years!"
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Oh the memories and boy does it go fast! One son I referenced from Muhlenberg had an OK senior year and to prove that there is life beyond baseball - he just graduated UNC Law (Cum Laude). He's studying for the bar right now. My youngest son wandered through 2 years at Belmont Abbey and a 1 year at a JUCO before making the decision that school wasn't for him. We had always hoped baseball would be enough of a carrot to wiggle that he'd continue, but alas it never quite was. It's been a tough journey since then trying to figure out what to do and trying to get a job he thinks he's qualified for. Thankfully, it's a who you know type world and he's recently started a full time job because we have friends in NH that have family in NC who had a position available that he seems to like (he likes the benefit of free golf at least). So who knows - and like it's been said many times before - you really never know when it will end, enjoy the ride. There's a huge void for all when it's over. Do you really think you know what you'll do when your weekends aren't spent watching your kid play ball?
JohnF posted:Oh the memories and boy does it go fast! One son I referenced from Muhlenberg had an OK senior year and to prove that there is life beyond baseball - he just graduated UNC Law (Cum Laude). He's studying for the bar right now. My youngest son wandered through 2 years at Belmont Abbey and a 1 year at a JUCO before making the decision that school wasn't for him. We had always hoped baseball would be enough of a carrot to wiggle that he'd continue, but alas it never quite was. It's been a tough journey since then trying to figure out what to do and trying to get a job he thinks he's qualified for. Thankfully, it's a who you know type world and he's recently started a full time job because we have friends in NH that have family in NC who had a position available that he seems to like (he likes the benefit of free golf at least). So who knows - and like it's been said many times before - you really never know when it will end, enjoy the ride. There's a huge void for all when it's over. Do you really think you know what you'll do when your weekends aren't spent watching your kid play ball?
Oh yes. Finding things to do on the weekend. At least my front yard is not an embarrassment, for the neighborhood.
On the bright side, my son was recruited to play in a men's league and he plays a single or DH every Sunday. So baseball is back.
Really great read. Sobering, but good. Thanks for bumping.
