first half of freshman year...

To Your Eyes, How Has Your Son Changed?
I think his level of maturity has increased immeasurably. Mostly, due to the responses to the rest of your questions.

How Has The Transition Between HS And College Been Going?
Initially, pretty rough. By October, things smoothed out and now things are pretty good.

Did They Play Fall Ball?
Yes. Several weeks of practice and about 15 intrasquad games.

What Are They Most Surprised By?
He's probably most surprised by the amount of work he gets done in a days' time. It helps that his day is pretty well planned out for him but he's up at 0500 and gets out of study hall at about 2200. It's a full day.

I think the strength and conditioning has also surprised him. If he would have known ahead of time exactly what they were going to put him through, he might have chosen the chess team. But he says he enjoys it, he's gained 25 pounds of muscle and is really seeing the benefits of all this work.

What Were They Least Prepared For?
Probably being away from home. When he was a Senior in HS, he couldn't wait to get away from our home town. After just a couple of weeks, he realized maybe it wasn't so bad.

What Has Been Really Hard?
Again, being away from home probably has been the hardest thing. And early on, he struggled greatly with an internal feeling that he didn't have enough time to get it all done. He was stressing so hard about classwork that wasn't even due for weeks that he darn near gave himself an ulcer (and that's no joke!). HS (baseball and academics) basically did nothing to prepare him for this experience. He was able to adjust, but it took a few tears and a whole lot of text messages!

What Has Been Really Easy?
I really don't know about this one. I'd have thought it was the baseball but now he's on a team with stiff competition at every position. He's not necessarily the big dog anymore. But I still say, the act of playing the game is still the easiest, or best thing, for him so far.

How Has The Mix Of Athletics And Academics Been Handled?
I'd have to say it's pretty good. He gets help with scheduling so his classes don't conflict with baseball. They have mandatory study halls every night. And he pulled all A's and one B. I am concerned a little for the Spring semester. Not sure how they'll get it all done and play ball and travel all at the same time but I have faith he and they will be able to handle it.

quote:

HS (baseball and academics) basically did nothing to prepare him for this experience. He was able to adjust, but it took a few tears and a whole lot of text messages!

What a great reponse in every way.Honest and to the point and so accurate.I really like the above quote.

Just know as a mom of a senior,it doesnt get easier,especially when they hit upper divison classes.BUT they do get more use to the grind and adapt better.The transformation from frosh in college to a senior is astounding.

One thing if your college allows,I really suggest taking a online summer classes at a JC. This past summer a team mate of my sons attended Georgetown and could not take online.He went to local four year and was able to take a class during the day.My son did it every summer,even with summer Ball,he is graduating in four years but also only has three classes for the spring 12 units instead of 16.

Good luck to all the frosh players as they begin their first season of college ball.It is a great experience and a great life experience outside of the baseball.

2nd time through for us (2 baseball sons). Have really enjoyed having the boy home. We missed him.

Biggest change I see is he is fanatical about getting his workout in every day. He wasn't lax about it before, but its an 'obsession' now.

Biggest hurdle was that he had strep throat twice during first quarter. Dorms, locker rooms...

Academics/practice - They (freshmen) had mandatory study halls and tutor sessions and mandatory academic 'check-ins' with position coach each week.

I think his HS and our (parents and his) experience with an older son/brother prepared him well for what was awaiting for both the academic and baseball side. Always room for improvement though.

I like a t-shirt he came home with (practice 't' for pitchers)..."Locate to Dominate."

Gotta send him back next Tuesday. Not lookin' forward to him being away again. But he seems very happy.

to your eyes, how has your son changed? Physically he is a different person. He has gained about 20 lbs. and looks like a man. He also seems to be more patient yet has more drive. Maybe going through the rehab process during his 1st semester has been a blessing in many ways
How has the transition between high school and college been going? He has always taken AP classes and his math and science teachers have prepared him well.
Did they play fall ball? He didn't play as he was recovering from surgery. I am very impressed with his coach for keeping involved and meeting with him weekly to see how he is doing.
How have workouts been going? He has worked very hard getting his strength back. Again, rehab is a whole different ball game and I think it has given him a mental toughness that he wouldn't have developed otherwise
What are they most surprised by? I am surprised about how independent he has become. Having PT, classes, practice, being part of a leadership program ad some other somewhat serious medical issues. He has managed his time well and had a positive attitude while being alone 1400 miles away from home.
What were they least prepared for? Hate to say this, but the some of the "social activity" on campus. I think he had an idea in his head that any athlete would do everything to keep their body in peak condition.
What has been really hard? This one is easy, not being able to play. In his mind, if where able to prove himself in the fall, he would have definitely earned playing time as a freshman. Too his credit, he has worked hard and has shown the coaches his mental make-up and still has a shot to get some playing time, if he can get healthy.
What has been really easy? He may not see it as I have, but he has transitioned to being away from home and on his own. He seems to be making the right decisions and that gives me some gratification.
How has the mix of athletics and academics been handled? I think it has gone extremely well. He has had no setbacks in his ITP and judging by his physique he has done well with his workouts and he managed a 3.5 GPA.

I do have to mention that he came home in Oct. for Dr. appointments and again for Thanks giving. I think the 2nd semester may be bit more challenging as he wont be home till late May and has to balance school with the season and all the travel.


I am hoping Junior5 repsonds to htis as well. I'd like to see what his responses are.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by slotty:
Hey, current college freshmen, parents of current college freshmen, and those of you who once were freshmen or parents of a college freshman years ago:

to your eyes, how has your son changed?
How has the transition between high school and college been going?
Did they play fall ball?
How have workouts been going?
What are they most suprised by?
What were they least prepared for?
What has been really hard?
What has been really easy?
How has the mix of athletics and academics been handled?
[QUOTE]

1) I haven't noticed too much change physically. He certainly didn't put on 25 LBS, probably due to the fact that he'd already been training 4-5 days a week for the last four years. I will say that the majority of the team, including my son, took advantage of the No Shave November...strange seeing my son in a beard, even stranger that his coach was cool with it? They were all Clean Shaven for their Christmas Party. I will say that I've noticed a sense of independance in my son after the first few months of college. I had to remind him who pays the bills last week. He turned 19 yesterday, he's an adult, and a fine young man. Sometimes he forgets that mom and dad is still needed. My wife and I are going through the same thing with our HS senior daughter that has major senioritis.

2) His university is on the quarterly system, and everything flies by. He was struggling in Physics half way through the first quarter, and failed his mid-term. He set an appointment with his professor, and he was kind enough to help my son out. He ended up getting a B on his Final, and a C in the class. His first C since AP Biology his sophomore year, so there is definitely a transition.

3) Yes, they played Fall Ball. He played well for 3/4 of the Fall. He battled tendonitis the last couple weeks and was shut down. However, they allowed him to hit, unfortunately when they shut his arm down, he shut his hitting down and struggled. But overall he had a good Fall.

4) His strength and conditioning workouts have gone well. He's obviously on break right now, so he's training on his own. He drives the 74 miles to campus on Monday's and Friday's for his bullpens, and hits in the cages. I play catch with him a couple days a week, and he hits in the HS cage here with his buddy that's home on break from USD.

5) I'd say he's most surprised by how fast everything has gone thus far.

6) Physics

7) Physics

8) I was surprised by how well he acclimated to the entire "College Life". His baseball, studies (minus Physics ), and social life were all an easy transition for him.

9) He's the only 2-way player at his school right now. He gets all of his work in with the pitchers, and is given the opportunity to hit. We'll see how this works out when the season begins in February? I'm just hoping that he makes the travel squad, and gets to play a little and contribute. As for academics, the freshmen have mandatory study hall three days a week. The team has an academic advisor that the boys/men send updates to I believe once a month? We'll see how well my son is able to handle it when the spring rolls around?

First, my son's situation is a little different than most. He missed all of the showcase season with injuries. He wasn't interested in the local colleges interested in him. Plus he wanted to get away like his sister chose to do. Other than accessability to watch him play I'm happy he went away. It's grow up time. He had to walk on with no guarantee. He will be a bullpen catcher this year and has a roster spot for the following year.

Once my son got over some 16yo emotional growing pains he's back to being mature for his age. He does have a little bit of the chippy "I'm an adult in college now" attitude. He was ready to go to college. When he came home for Thanksgiving and took off his coat he was just as big. He's put fifteen pounds on his upper body.

Even though he's not rostered this year he gets to work out with the team when he's not in the bullpen. He said the only hard part is he's not a catcher. He's comfortable he can play at this level even though he was projected at mid major. His bat speed could use a little boost. He has the athletic ability. They liked his speed (full recovery from MCL and PCL injury - no surgery) and his arm (full recovery from shoulder seperation surgery).

The only thing he's ever complained about is being tired. He's always working out with baseball or his body and in class or studying. He does try to get to the basketball games.

He loves the school. It's a great school for his major. He's majoring in finance and economics. He was assigned a roommate from within 100 miles of were he went to high school. They've become friends. I was a little concerned about a northeast suburban kid being comfortable in the midwest.

He had a very good first semester. The transition wasn't hard. He took AP, gifted and high honors classes in high school. He said so far freshman classes are easy. I reminded him it's because he's getting to class and studying. Don't start shortcutting. It gets harder. I believe the transition was made easier by having a sister who played a college sport. He knew what she put into it.

The only thing that surprised him was a TA who gave him a poor grade on a poly sci paper for not being pro Occupy. Personal responsibility and accountability didn't sell well.

slotty,

Great question for you and others to get feedback.

to your eyes, how has your son changed?

He put on 10-15 lbs his freshmen year, and another 10 lbs this year. He's very fit, and grew another 1.5". He is a little more outgoing and confident than when he left for college last year. He's made many friends outside of the baseball team, and he seems very comfortable adjusting to the social scene. He's not a drinker but enjoys parties. He's adapted & tolerated living in a dorm last year and lives off campus with his sophomore baseball class. He has been intellectually challenged by everything & everyone that surrounds him which is a very good thing....he needs to be challenged intellectually. He is taking charge of his life and seeking new paths using skills he's learned from baseball. For example....he has an opportunity to secure an environmental engineering internship for the upcoming summer. He's been calling the company recruiter on his own (kind of like calling a coach!) and following through with other opportunities including summer baseball. He's doing it all on his own.

How has the transition between high school and college been going?

As far as I'm concerned the transition lasted only his first semester freshmen year. He had to adapt quickly, and he did. We saw a tremendous change in his life outlook when he came home for Thanksgiving during his freshmen year. He'd grown up ALOT in those 10+ weeks. He keeps in touch with a handful of high school friends across the country. Now, he is 100% a college student. He is either studying, playing ball, working out or spending a few precious moments relaxing and having fun. I love to listen to his stories about roommates/teammates. He's got some "beauties", and those are the stories he's telling us. I'd like to hear the ones he's not telling us.

Did they play fall ball?

Yes. He enjoyed Fall Ball as he was learning a new pitch, and working on his knuckleball. He really loves working with his position coach. He had a slight physical setback in the late Fall, but he is 100% now. We've been throwing long toss at home and he is killing my glove hand.

How have workouts been going?

I get the sense he really likes working out and pushing himself with the trainers. He did not get surprised last year or this year with the conditioning workouts. He pushed himself pretty hard and it was just enough to be ready for Fall Ball and the start of last season. I know he doesn't like running stadium stairs because one of his teammates is screwing off or is late to practice. That doesn't go over well with the other 30+ players on the team.

What are they most suprised by?

How much they don't know. He's kept in touch with former travel baseball players who are at other D1 & D3 programs. He's been very surprised to learn his former travel baseball teammates experiences are very different.

What were they least prepared for?
Time managment and prioritization. Little fish in big pond syndrome. Last year's upstate NY weather with record snow and temperatures. You can practice inside only so much. First 15 games were on the road.

What has been really hard?
Academics. He's had to deal with weed out engineering classes. His high school (pre-engineering curriculum) really prepared him well to succeed in an extemely difficult major at a very competitive school. There are 25-33% less engineering majors this year than last year. Sometimes he feels guilty when he walks by the library on Friday and Saturday nights to see his peers studying.

What has been really easy?
Nothing. Life has a steep learning curve.

How has the mix of athletics and academics been handled?

The coaches monitor each baseball players academic standing and progress. Freshmen meet with the head coach every Friday to review status. If you prove (through grades) that the Friday meetings are not necessary then they become every other Friday. Student or the coach can request an academic tutor if one is needed. Son did not have any major issues related to the mix of athletics and academics. The team doesn't travel long distances or have any overnights during the week. Son has earned his spot as a weekend pitcher, so the only travel he will see is on weekends. Wireless is provided on the travel bus, so a lot of work gets done on that bus. Last year he had to take a physics exam (with 4 other freshmen) on the way to Virginia before Spring Break. His baseball program is extremeley accomodating to his classes and labs. There are rules in his conference about practice times/class times and limits on missed class time for travel time. I think it is handled extremely well.

Who's son came home with his first beard?

quote:

Originally posted by RJM:
The only thing that surprised him was a TA who gave him a poor grade on a poly sci paper for not being pro Occupy. Personal responsibility and accountability didn't sell well.

That's OK. Maybe after college he can go to work on Wall Street and use his personal responsibility and accountability to screw the 99% out of anything they have left.

I'd like to see this thread stay on topic.

.

Stay on topic papi? No problem...



There's room for all of us.

.

Responses so far are great...and enlightening-- keep 'em coming!

And I'm with you, BiggerPapi, let's stay on topic.

Great thread and timing as my son will be going to a D1 university located about 4 hours from home next fall. Although he is obviously excited, I keep reminding him that it's a whole different world than high school and that his work ethic in the classroom and on the field will determine how successful he is while there.

I am going to let him read this thread so he can see first hand what others are experiencing this year. Thanks for starting it!

This is our second child in college, big sister graduates in May. As most of you know, Gun is not far from home, but the transition has been similar. I cannot add alot to what has already been said, but in an attempt to boil it all down for those preparing for the fall of 2012 (and beyond) I would say this....

Your son will grow physically and mature emotionally, and that trend will continue for more than just the freshman fall.

Your son will struggle with both the level of play and the level of academic stress that is required to succeed in college, but it will all level out and he will survive.

Your son will play more games, attend tougher classes, and spend more time perfecting his craft on the field and in the classroom, than ever before... and he will succeed.

No matter how much time in spent preparing for this transition; it will not ease his pain and suffering. Time will take care of this and he will rise to the challenge and be a better person for it.

As parents, you will miss your son, no doubt. And for those who are far away will miss some games, but you will be ok. And, thanks to streamimg video and a fast IP connection, you'll still get to see some games in the comfort of the family room.

And last, but not least - Enjoy every minute, it WILL be over all too soon.

Ohhh, and not the first beard, but it does look better!

GED10DaD

quote:

Originally posted by biggerpapi:
I'd like to see this thread stay on topic.

My intent was to demonstrate my son wasn't prepared for the politics of college professors and TA's. Given I posted he's majoring in finance and economics it appears to me the other poster directed an intentional insult at my son.

He does plan to work on Wall Street. In high school he won the school's portfolio contest twice and finished in the top five the other two. I've done quite well with one portfolio shadowing my son's faux portfolio.

It's ok with me if one of the posters believes personal accountability and responsibility are poor personal traits derived from questionable character of choosing to major in finance.

If we want to turn this into an insult posters kid's college major thread that's ok?

My comment was not directed at you!

quote:

Originally posted by biggerpapi:


My comment was not directed at you!

Mine was directed at the poster who insulted my son for his major assuming he will become a Wall Street criminal due to his major.

Getting back on subject, some kids learn the hard way no one is making them go to class. No one is making them do their homework. They find out at the end of the semester their on probation or the end of the year they're gone. If they really screw up they learn they're ineligible in the spring.

Both majors and schools should not be discussed in a negative way.JMO

quote:

Originally posted by AntzDad:
Who's son came home with his first beard?

My son did Big Guy! Slotty's first question was "to your eyes, how has your son changed?" A number of college baseball teams traditionally participate in the No Shave November, as it promotes Men's Health Awareness. My son didn't put on twenty pounds of muscle in the fall as others apparently have. No, he put on a beard, that was a change for me! Sorry if that annoyed you to the point of rolling your eyes!

Slotty...thanks for starting this thread, it's nice to hear how everyone is doing.

If my son didn't shave for a month no one would notice. He did come home with his hair longer than it's been since freshman year of high school when it was long for an athlete, wavy and floppy. He left late August with a #2 buzz and hasn't had a haircut since. He said he's getting a #2 before heading back.

quote:

Originally posted by AntzDad:
Who's son came home with his first beard?

My son did but he didn't look much better than that kid from Children of the Corn and The Burbs!

I love this stuff, brings back memories.

Just keep in mind, when the season begins so does the really tough part, probably on you folks more than them.

But don't worry, we're here to help you to get through it, enjoy it all.

This is one of the best threads! My house is constantly in conversation about the two schools my son is deciding between, one across the country the other across the state. I am wondering with so many hours between us either way if it really matters....in state they would play a few series near enough for me to see them so I just have to keep my mouth shut despite the fact that I know what I want.
Keep the experiences coming and thanks for sharing.

Great thread, Slotty!

Son has been home for almost three weeks.

No beard. Coach prefers the clean shaven look. Coach's preferences get honored.

No weight gain. He weighs the same as he did at the state wrestling tournament last February. However, he says he is much more "shredded."

Biggest outward change is how well the "swag fairy" treated him this fall. When he got off the bus downtown, everything on his body from his shoes to his ball cap and every article of clothing in between was property of the baseball team. He figured out that if he wears his own clothes, he has to wash them himself back in the dorm; but if all he wears is team workout gear, it can all get tossed through the magic laundry window in the locker room. (And has he cut dad in on this windfall? Not a chance, even though I hinted broadly that any of his three new hoodies would make a very thoughtful Christmas present.)

Most significant change has been a subtle shift in attitude. My son knew it would be hard to compete at the level he chose, but he was optimistic that his conditioning and work ethic would carry him through. He still believes that; however, now that he has seen up close the mountain he has yet to climb, he seems to have more of a grim determination than the youthful exuberance he had last summer. He knows it will be a long hard slog to earn a meaningful role on the team or even to keep his scholarship. And he seems to have settled in for the long fight. Since he came home, his life has been an unending cycle of going to the gym, coming home to shower and eat, sleeping, and then waking up and going back to the gym. The only variation is when he runs or throws instead of going to the gym. Other than a couple brief visits with friends, he has been all business. He got very edgy when the gym closed from 3 pm on Christmas eve until 3pm on Christmas day. ("It was so unnecessary. I know they have some Muslim trainers who don't celebrate Christmas. They could have kept it open for me!"). He was the last to leave on Christmas eve, and he had his face pressed against the glass door when they re-opened ("Five minutes late, Dad!") on Christmas afternoon.

There haven't been any unpleasant surprises. The money worked out as expected. Even through the coaching change, every promise has been kept.

He had to work harder at his schoolwork than he did in high school, but he expected that. He took full advantage of the tutoring the school makes available for athletes and says the tutors made a huge difference in helping him organize and prioritize. Guys who waited to request help only after they fell behind got less value from their tutors. So that's one lesson for next year's freshmen: if the school offers assistance, take it!

There were some minor academic tradeoffs because of his baseball commitments. His science class had some extra credit opportunities, but getting those points required participation in afternoon activities, and baseball practices precluded that. This ended up being the only class in which he did not get an A.

The workouts and practices were everything he hoped for. He wanted intensity and intelligent focus. The coaches definitely delivered. Baseball is a lot more complicated than he realized, and a lot more information is being transmitted than he ever knew.

One pleasant surprise was how much more his teammates already mean to him than his high school teammates did. He really enjoys working with guys who have the same goals and priorities. In fact, since he's been home, he's been a little frustrated by how much he's had to coax and cajole his old buddies to throw with him. At school, he says he never has to knock on more than one door to find someone willing to do extra work whenever he wants. He's already picked his roommates for an on-campus apartment next year--it's no coincidence that it's the same names he gave me when I asked him who the hardest working freshmen are besides himself. I think these friendships could last a long, long time.

Finally, here's one other observation that could be helpful to next year's freshmen. The fall roster started off with a little more than 40 players and was whittled down to 34 by the end of the term. A few players left right away when they saw the intensity of the workouts and realized they were expected to maintain the same approximate schedule as cadets at a military academy--get up by 0530, move hard from one commitment to the next all day long, collapse exhausted into your rack by 2200. A few others left or were encouraged to leave because of deficiencies in attitude, effort, or responsibility. But here's the amazing thing to me: nobody got cut because they can't play baseball well enough! They left because they didn't want it bad enough to do what they were supposed to do. I don't know if this observation will still hold when the new coach decides which scholarships to renew, but it does appear that prospective college players should do some serious self-examination before they get to campus. How bad do you want it?

All in all, he is very happy with his choice and the situation he's in. No guarantees, but he's where he wants to be.

quote:

Originally posted by Swampboy:

One pleasant surprise was how much more his teammates already mean to him than his high school teammates did. He really enjoys working with guys who have the same goals and priorities. In fact, since he's been home, he's been a little frustrated by how much he's had to coax and cajole his old buddies to throw with him. At school, he says he never has to knock on more than one door to find someone willing to do extra work whenever he wants.

Truer words have never been spoken. It's unbelievable.

Son asked me to go out and throw with him. At first I was a little hesitant but I thought, eh, why not.

It's amazing how hard he "just" throws now and I had to keep telling him to slow it down a bit. "but dad, I AM throwing it slow". Boy I hate getting old.

Later that night it dawned on me that throwing with him that day COULD be the last time I get to throw with him again as I had so many hundreds of times before during the years.

quote:

Originally posted by bsbl247:
Sorry if that annoyed you to the point of rolling your eyes!

Not at all, my friend.

Swampboy,

LOL - That SWAG fairy must really get around. It amazes me the lengths these boys will go to NOT do laundry!

Great post.

I'm reminded of a book my wife and I got when she was pregnant with my son-- "What to Expect When You're Expecting." It pretty much anticipated all the questions first-time parents might have and did a great job allaying a lot (but not all) of the fears and anxieties.

I look forward to succeeding years when I can resurrect this thread for first-timers and add my own sage words of advice.

Thanks to everyone! Keep 'em coming!

Swampboy - outstanding post - very well written!

I hate to pick one thing out of your fine piece but the quote below requires comment...

quote:

Most significant change has been a subtle shift in attitude. My son knew it would be hard to compete at the level he chose, but he was optimistic that his conditioning and work ethic would carry him through. He still believes that; however, now that he has seen up close the mountain he has yet to climb, he seems to have more of a grim determination than the youthful exuberance he had last summer. He knows it will be a long hard slog to earn a meaningful role on the team or even to keep his scholarship. And he seems to have settled in for the long fight.

In my experience, the long haul guys will succeed eventually. There may be some guy out there on the depth chart ahead of him "today" because they batted .500 in the fall or struck everyone out but the key is to be primed for opportunity when it comes in the spring or summer or next year etc. Control what you can today and tomorrow will take care of itself. Your young man certainly is doing that and I am positive it is being noticed.

To your eyes, how has your son changed?

What struck me most(besides physical changes) is how much more focussed and organized he is.

How has the transition between high school and college been going?

He learned early to take FULL advantage of Tutors and mandatory study halls. He said he realized studying doesn't mean only when it's test or quiz time. At mid point of semester he was in panic mode trying to balance school work, practice and workouts. Thrilled to say pulled his midterm grades way up and ended with a 3.5

Did they play fall ball?

Yes, Played daily intra-squad games.

How have workouts been going?

He can see and feel the results. Trying not to miss a beat and determined to go back after break in even better shape.

What are they most surprised by?

How structured everything is...along with athleticism and talent of his teammates. That has become a great motivator as well to work even harder while at home.

What were they least prepared for?

Shocked how little free time they actually have. Up and out of dorm by 7 am for breakfast and usually getting back by 9 or 10 PM.

What has been really hard?

Adjusting to the amount of school work required to do when physically and mentally exhausted.

What has been really easy?

The instant comradery and friendship he has developed with his teammates. he absolutely loves going to practice and being around the guys.

How has the mix of athletics and academics been handled?

As mentioned earlier had to learn the hard way in the beginning and has taken full advantage of tutors..even arranged extra sessions besides the mandatory hours.

How many of your sons have summer baseball assignments at this point?

To Your Eyes, How Has Your Son Changed?
My son also added some weight, about 10 - 12 pounds.

How Has The Transition Between HS And College Been Going?
He has done fine with the transition

Did They Play Fall Ball?
Yes. They had a few weeks of practice and five inter-squad games, and plenty of conditioning.

What Are They Most Surprised By?
He was most surprised by the intensity of the conditioning. His high school coach worked them pretty hard but he said there was no comparison. He was also surprised at how long the average day was for them.

What Has Been Really Hard?
He hasn't complained about anything being really hard.

What Has Been Really Easy?
He also hasn't mentioned anything being really easy either.

How Has The Mix Of Athletics And Academics Been Handled?
He has handled it well, but again, he says it makes for a long day.

He also really enjoys being around his teammates. This fall seems to have been quite a bonding experience.

How many of your sons have summer baseball assignments at this point?
Son has been assigned to the Northwoods League.

to your eyes, how has your son (daughter) changed?

She is definately more mature and organized. However, she has lost some of that giddiness that made her so much fun to be around. Much more serious now and especially awaiting grades. Secondly, and I think I shared this with MN Mom, she lost 20 lbs. Maybe she had 5 to lose but not this much. She told us that she was losing weight but ...

How has the transition between high school and college been going?

If I could say it in a word, PRESSURE! Practice, games, study, study groups, and then the other team meetings such as community service events all have made this transition difficult. At one point she mentioned that she might get a "C" in a class. We told her that if that is her best then that is fine. She didn't get the C.

Did they play fall ball?

Yes they practiced for a long time going at 6:00 a.m. and then at 2:00 p.m. which was then geared at a tournament at the end of this time. So, 19 girls trying to earn 9 spots. For that tournament parents came in from all over including a few from the West Coast. Everyone was there to see how their child panned out.

How have workouts been going?

Tough. At one point, my child passed out during a practice. At another, she was injured when one of the young ladies let go of a rope in a harness running activity. In one of the workouts, several young ladies started crying. My daughter told me that she had determined that she was not going to cry. (So, she hid her tears pretty well according to her. LOL!) She really likes the workouts and the girls. She said tha the intensity of everyone trying to earn a starting spot is good for the team. Sometimes it does make for some clashes of personality.

What are they most suprised by?

For my child I think it is how good everyone is. She was All State First Team. So were some others. For my child, that hasn't happend too much were everone on the team is that claiber of player.

What were they least prepared for?

6:00 morning workouts and having to be in class at 8:00 comes to mind right away. Also, how tired she is. She has said that more than once, she has been reading her lesson and has fallen asleep.

What has been really hard?

For my child it is the dog eat dog mentality that most of her teammates have. She is so laid back. She gets along with all of them and enjoys their company. However, she knows that if she shows a weakness, they will pounce. Not having much social time is the other thing that has been really hard. She commented that many of her friends text her with what they are doing. She can't figure out how they can have a social life and she can't. (I think the grades might just be different. )

What has been really easy?

This is easy. Her room mate is fantastic. Also, she really likes her coach and believes she can talk to him about anything. As a parent, I'd recommend this coach, as a person, for anyone's child to be around.

How has the mix of athletics and academics been handled?

My daughter's school has mandatory study table for all athletes. She uses that time as best she can. Also, her teammates have often taken the same courses and so, they can direct her to what professor's courses to take and avoid. Her team away from the field is really like a family and so, they try to be there for every team member.

Coach,

Really nice heartfelt post. Just with the weight loss, keep an eye on it, many girls develop eating disorders, and with the pressure of all of it, it is very common.

Hope she has a good spring.

Gamefan

My son will be playing in the ACBL for his first summer session.

How has your son changed?

He left a boy and came back a man…physically at least. The changes are amazing. He put on ~25lbs and is much stronger and faster. I have thrown BP to him a few times and the exit velocity is up a noticeably and 90% of the balls are going straight to the back wall of the cage, his swing is not that much different but much tighter, more controlled, more powerful, and consistent. The daily BP, S&C, and coaching results are pretty evident. Thank goodness he is not throwing so I don’t have to attempt to catch a pen. I am going to pretend I lost my catchers glove so I can’t even attempt it next summer.

How has the transition between high school and college been going?

Like bsbl posted, he thought he aced his first physics exam…. and got a D- first one ever…this was a huge shock. After two weeks he said that he was not sure he could cut it and made a big mistake…... Then he buckled down, worked hard and came through with great grades - even better than he (and I) expected. He made it though the first round of cuts, and drops from the engineering program. (they typically lose a lot the first semester) Although mine adjusted within one semester, my advice is to give them time, as I am sure that others take longer. Be patient with academics, particularly at the selective schools.

Did they play fall ball?

Played fall ball and did OK as far as I can tell. He is very low key about it and said he did “well”. Don’t really know much beyond this other than he says he thinks he earned one of the starting OF spots, and not sure how they will use him pitching. They did say that they project him as a starter and when he pitches he would also hit. Someone mentioned SWAG, and the most notable change I see is that he is less concerned about where and how the coaches will use him, he just wants to “make a positive contribution to the TEAM in season” and seems very unconcerned about how and where, starting or off the bench. He is confident he will be on the travel squad, but he really has the “TEAM first” mentality.

How have workouts been going?

Great - see number 1. Getting a professional S&C workout, done daily, has made amazing changes. They pair up upper classmen with freshmen and that helped. He has become a “gym rat”.

What are they most surprised by?

Amount of study time required to excel in class and on the field. How good the hitters and pitchers are. He said you only get to hit mistakes, and when pitching if you make one – duck!

He also figured out quickly that most everyone at his school was in the top 5% of their HS class and that he is not as smart as he thought he was.

His school has a very different approach to responsibility. There is no mandatory study hall, pre-assigned tutors, etc. They expect you to take responsibility for yourself and provide you all of the resources; all instructors teach the courses, small classes, no TA’s, and mandatory open office hours for the staff. If you are not getting it done they have every resource imaginable for you but it is up to you. His school is not a place where a kid needs to be forced fed to succeed, but it is small enough that you can’t just get lost.

What were they least prepared for?

Not really sure, probably the time commitment. He is up at 8AM and to bed a 2AM pretty much every weekday.

What has been really hard?

First two weeks of physics…..Combined study hours, class, workouts and practice time.

What has been really easy?

Making friends. Everything he needs is within easy reach; classes, food, professors, books, supplies, field, gym, coaches, internet. He is literally in a “college bubble” and he does not venture out of it very often. He is clueless what is going on in the world and with some of his teams as he has no TV and is too busy anyway.

How has the mix of athletics and academics been handled?

He is currently the only engineering student on the team, but there are some biology, science and economic majors that also have demanding classes and labs. The HC said they would adjust his practice schedule around his lab classes and they have done what they said they were going to do. All his coach wants him to do is communicate with him and he is a straight shooter and “says what he means and does what he says.” This is one of the key reasons he is at this school and I am thrilled this is all working out like we thought it would.

Other stuff.

He has figured out that he does not have to be BFF with everyone on the team when there are 35-40 kids. Some guys are closer than others, and his freshmen group is small this year and they seem tight. He says some guys are “tools” and there are a number of partiers that he does not hang with too much. Even at a high academic DIII he is finding that baseball athletes tend to be more of the partier type, so he is actually hanging more with others, but they are across a spectrum of sports, s****r, golf, tennis, volleyball, etc. He has a very wide range of new friends that are quickly supplanting his HS buddies. He goes to all of the baseball house parties and has great time and gets along with most everyone on the team. I think he respects all of his teammates from a baseball perspective, but sometimes not in other ways.

He is much smarter than I was at his age and has figured out after one semester that this is the best time of his life. He told his cousins over the Christmas break that “he wants to stay in college forever”… He might do it but not on my dime.

quote:

Originally posted by biggerpapi:
What Has Been Really Hard?
HS (baseball and academics) basically did nothing to prepare him for this experience.

After thinking about this, I would like to amend this statement.

I don't want to knock the HS for not preparing him academically. But what they did not replicate, is the demanding schedule he'd face in college and how the student has to work harder to find enough time to study. If your student is in Student Council, athletics, yearbook, Key Club, etc, then they are probably creating their own very busy schedule and will be fine in college.

And I will forever be grateful for our HS offering college classes though our local JC. My son went to college with 15 credit hours under his belt. That's a bonus in many different ways.

Same for baseball. His HS coach was great. He filled out many college questionnaires for my son and was (still is) incredibly supportive of him. As for the baseball, I'm sure many of you can relate...there are only about two good players on each of these Spring teams. When I hear of a 0.90 ERA or a state record in home runs, I don't get too excited.

Summer ball is what got him on the map.