Football/Baseball decisions

Let this year play out.  Based off what you have said I do not think the jury is out on what he can and can not do at this time.  I had a player that sounds very similar to what you are describing and he is currently playing minor league baseball at the Double A level.  At the end of his Sophomore year revisit the conversation and see what options are there then.  He loves playing both sports and it looks like he has some possibilities in both sports.  Who is to say they don't both help in land at a college.

What does your son want to do?  edit...missed the one line of no preference.  Your son needs to decide what his goals are.  Sounds like an academically smart kid.  What are his goals?  Either sport could help him.  Or he could play both and then focus on being a student in college.

" My question is if you guys where in the situation what would you do, would you concentrate baseball, continue to play baseball in spring, summer and football in the fall.  I know we can do college camps instead of showcase/travel, but will that help in development better than playing in the games or vice versa."

 

This question gets asked a lot.  I would keep doing whatever it is he's doing until there is an issue either athletically of academically.  Nothing is forcing his hand, so why do anything at this time.  As he gets older, he'll gravitate to whatever it is that he wants to do.  At least both sports aren't in the same season.

TRex: Welcome to the site. First and foremost, congratulations on your son's academic record. Tell him to keep it up, grades do matter and can open more doors. He should never lose track of that. Keep in mind, each coach has his own interest in mind. A good question to ask is what does your son want to do? He should be able to play which ever sports he can and at the highest level. 2015 son played three sports (baseball, soccer, and indoor track), and fortunately had coaches that supported the multi-sport athletes. Our basketball coach though is famous for giving kids "the talk" which I think starts with, "If you were to only focus on basketball, then....

Playing multi-sports provides many players with good cross training (different sports emphasize different muscles). Though your son's HS coach is "good at getting players to schools with the fit," ultimately it is your son's efforts at getting exposure via summer team, AAU, travel team, showcases, etc.

Incidentally, my son is now playing with a CF who broke records as a WR in HS. He was apparently injury free all his years in football, until this year in fall ball in college- he ran into a person covering first base, straddling base; he broke his thumb. You can't predict the future. Your son's HS coach was right about one thing; a player can play at the next level with the want and skill! (along with grades and exposure)Good luck!

There are MANY people on here from VA that I am sure can help you out.  If this were me I would want to take my son for an evaluation by someone who isn't in need of a shortstop.  No offense to your kids baseball coach but I would want a second opinion.  Baseball is expensive and the end goal is you HOPE a 25% scholarship...I would want someone else who was knowledgeable to take a look at him.

I would have him play football and baseball for as long as he enjoys and wants to play both.  The main seasons don't cross over and if your son continues to pitch the rest over the fall will be good for him.  He can pick up with off-season workouts with his summer travel team when the football season is over.  There is no reason he can't get the exposure needed to play college baseball over the spring and summer.  Down the road he can decide if he wants to miss one weekend or two of football to attend showcases or big tournaments in the fall if needed.  

 

A side note about fall baseball - there are not a lot of college coaches attending Fall non-Perfect Game tournaments.  At least not in our area in the Northeast.  This coming from the dad of a 2016 player who saw a total of 2 college coaches in attendance over 5 tournaments this Fall.  They do attend showcases and camps though so your Fall efforts could be more focused. 

What does HS football coach expect from son in Summer?

We had QB on our Summer team and he would leave on occasion to go back for HS workouts in July. The kid did not go on to play either sport at next level.

Could have played baseball at a D3 for sure, but had no interest. Prob same for football. Everyone thought he wanted to play something at next level, but he didn't have passion for either I guess.

IMO, Big waste of parents money to play Summer ball(jr, sr yrs), travel around country if he didn't want to play at next level.  he should have played just HS on both teams, then he could have been there for all summer football mtgs. Just my two cents, sure there r some that think otherwise. 

If in Texas and a HS QB, you are playing 7 on 7 as a priority.  And then some baseball.

 

Of course, as in most sports situations, the better you are, the more likely you can call your shots, miss when you want.

       
       
I get what you're saying and every year he gets older and the price of poker keeps going up I wonder about my sanity.  But it is just so much fun for him.  It has nothing to do with if or where he plays at the next level.  Its just a rush for him.  We don't go out a whole lot.  Not gamblers and only occasionally a drink or two.  Not smokers - and hope it goes without saying not drug users!  We have one major vice and that is our children.   I guess if you have one vice you spend too much money on that's not a terrible one!

Expensive fun. I would rather go on real vacations. But if the family has the money, that's their choice. I've seen some families struggle to pay for Summer Ball. We do have local summer teams here that only play locally, and rarely travel out of state. If my son was just doing it for fun/rush we would have gone that route. 

Good Luck

 

I know the multi sport cross training model is all the rage now but I suspect as a high school sophomore your son's base athleticism is what it is and he could really benefit from a program designed to give him the training to support a particular sport.  I would get him into that and out of football as fast as I could. Your son is not a QB prospect according to your comments from the coach and a 6'3" 170lb skill player is not a big prospect unless he has wicked speed and/or a crazy vertical. He is likely a better physical prospect for baseball but his time to develop is limited. Most kids are identified as recruits the summer after their junior year, if not sooner.

 

82 mph off the mound for a kid his size is not much velocity. I would expect that some instruction for a pretty athletic kid could get that up around 85 pretty quickly. Those movement patterns need to be developed and it won't happen on the football field. Arm strength development should be a priority for your guy if he wants to play baseball at a high collegiate level. If he is interested in focusing on a particular sport, now is probably the time. It sounds like he is a better match for baseball and I would encourage him in that direction.

 

Good luck,

 

Ted

He hasn't thrown a pitch his sophomore year yet.  How hard do you want him to throw as a freshman?  I think 82 is pretty darn good.  Maybe 85 or 86 as a soph and he is right in the D1 mix.  As for the expensive fun...  life is all about choices and value decisions.  I am at peace with mine.   Hopefully everyone is at peace with theirs.  Some people won't blink an eye if they drop $500 at the casino or go out to dinner for two have a couple drinks and have a $150 tab.  I would die of a nervous breakdown if I did that.  Baseball trips and swim trips are our vacations.  The kids have a blast.  Life is good.

If he wants to play both sports, there's no reason he can't. A pitcher from my area recently was a pitcher and also played football all four years. He signed with one of the best D1's and ended up signing with an mlb team out of hs instead. Obviously, he is going to miss some baseball developement in the fall, but it's possible to long toss 3-4 days a week during football season, just do it after practice and maybe throw a pen on the weekend. Often times, footballs weight room is much better than the hs baseball weight room also. That could help as he seems quite light. 

 

good luck!

Let your kid do what he enjoys for as long as he is able.He's a kid. He won't get to play either forever. Let him eventually decide; no point in you driving the proverbial bus on decision making.

 

The more we "professionalize" sports in the hope of maximizing opportunities the more we cheat our kids out of the enjoyment of youth. Have a beer and enjoy the game.

Amen

TRex75, I am a football coach in Texas.  My oldest had the same problem.  He was our starting QB and was all state.  Played baseball and was an all state outfielder.  Was valedictorian of his class.  He committed to a D1 baseball school in July before his senior year.  Several tried to talk him out of playing football.  We ended up playing in the state championship game and made lifetime memories.  He is now playing college baseball.  My youngest was an all state player last year as a soph. catcher and is currently our receiver and punter.  The mental toughness they get from football is second to none.  My opinion of course.  I was a varsity baseball coach for 21 years before stepping down to watch my own play.  I always told kids to do what they wanted to do and enjoy your high school years.  College athletics turns into work. 

 

6'3" 170 WR as a Sophomore is not a big prospect in football?  That is a WR's coach's dream.  With that size and the potential for more growth, he doesn't have to be a burner.

 

Also, since when is 82 as a 9th grader considered not much velocity?  

Kid on my son's HS team is also the HS QB.  Played JV baseball his frosh year.  Sophomore year made varsity and pitched (some) and played OF.  Had a decent year on the mound and at the plate.  Showed raw talent and skill.  Began to think that his future may lie in a college baseball career.  Focused on baseball the summer after his Soph year to try and realize some of that raw talent.  Never quit football though as it was known he'd be competing for the starting QB role as a Jr.

 

He did compete for the starting QB role in fall of his Jr year.  Didn't beat out the Sr. and played backup QB and starting WR.  Spring came and he had a terrible Jr year in baseball.  Great athlete and shows raw talent, but simply could not hit.

 

Today, he's the starting QB this fall (his Sr year) and has one offer to a DI FCS school and potential offers looming.  Will see what this spring brings on the baseball field.  My guess is that he will be committed to a school for football by then and will simply play out his HS baseball career for fun.

 

My advice is to let him continue to play both (if he wants), and do your best to invest in both to the best of your ability that will allow him to realize the most potential he has for either sport.  Natural selection will play itself out much like it has for the kid described above.  Your son doesn't have anything pushing him to choose one over another at this time, so don't.

 

Best of luck and as all others have mentioned, keep the grades up, stay healthy and keep working. 

 

I definitely agree with this and I have seen Joe Maddon make similar remarks.  

My son recently went through this decision.  That's what drove me to this board to begin with a few years back.  Back then everyone told me "he will know when its time". I followed that advice, even though I found it a little tough as I was hoping for guidance.  Looking back on it it was very good advice.  After my kids sophomore year he has decided to give up football and basketball.  Totally his own decision.  I pretty much stayed out of it unless he asked for advice.  Yes Im feeling a little melancholy over the decision.  IMO football is his best sport.  Lots of places for a 6'4" 185 WR with hands and speed to go.  Thing is he decided he didn't love football but loved baseball. But in the end it was totally his decision.  He knew when it was time to make that decision.  

 

So that best advice I can give you is "he will know when its time".  

Keep in mind that the coaches you are dealing with may have your son's interests in mind - but they also are trying to make their team better.  It would be a good idea to get independent opinions on you son's skills. Ultimately though, if he wants to play both he should be allowed to.

 

He's not throwing overly hard for his size - but he is throwing hard for his age. I usually equate that to a kid that can improve with some mechanical work and increasing arm strength.  In all honesty, if he is playing quarterback in the fall, I would say he is probably doing a lot to strengthen his arm at a lower risk of elbow / shoulder issues.

 

There's nothing preventing him from working with a pitching or hitting coach in the fall if that is what he would like to do.  From experience he will get more skill work that way than he will get playing for a fall team. 

 

 

+1

I appreciate all the feedback and experiences and will still read the comments and hope they keep coming, as far the football there isnt many 7 on 7s our football team participates in but there are some during the spring/summer to which the baseball coach usually gives the guys choices to play but makes sure the players understand the totality of doing it (injury lets down the team) for the most part the football coach understands fall baseball in our area and says guys can play on the weekends but not the week. So both coaches are in support of each other and realize it helps them to have multi sport athletes and the mentality it brings, especially being a medium size school. 

 

The biggest dilemma i have is two fold, one i dont want my son to get left behind (not refining the skills) because as has been stated and what has been seen in our area if you are playing d1 most schools offer and expect a commitment early, most d1 even mid tier d1 programs are working on soph and juniors, some even freshman, to which the hs coach has talked to some d1 programs to which their interest right now is, we like what we hear, but need to see him in action -per our hs coaches words, so we had him go to 2 d1 camps this fall both are interested one school interested in possible pitching other as maybe 2 way guy but both are going to follow him this year and see how he progresses.  

 

How does everyone keep up with the grind of playing multiple sports trying to get private instruction/playing travel team and keeping up with academics, yea I want him to enjoy high school but being a former college athlete i also know the grind and business approach it takes for college and want to prepare him.  He is doing alot on his own and is doing it and seems to still enjoy it- Chip off the old block, LOL. But i worry the grind would take it out of him and we are "a academic family".  Frustrating trying to keep up with the jones's, while ejoying the hs life, while keeping up with academic work load "prob for me more than him".  But hey were doing it, maybe im just reading to much into it.  Thats why i turned here to see how frequent this is or maybe its just me?  I thank you guys and love the comments:

 

Coach T we trust our coaches they are great guys and great coaches (sure people dont hear that to often, LOL)

 

My son speed is not blazing but adequate 6.9-7.2- 60yd - his 40 4.7-4.9, these are all best to worst times,  i know he will get faster the stronger he gets. and yes mechanics can be tweeked at all positions, LOL. 

 

JLC: thats why we are now thinking of playing travel/showcase ball for elite team because it seems fall is best time to be recruited and most scouts seem to be (if i read correctly) basically at jupiter, ft meyers and East Cobb, and in our area commonwealth games unless you go to camps. Injury has never entered our brain as if it happens it happens, god forbid.

 

IRONHORSE: The more we "professionalize" sports in the hope of maximizing opportunities the more we cheat our kids out of the enjoyment of youth. Have a beer and enjoy the game. 

Unfortunately that is the problem as that is sports today even on the HS level (multiple millions spent on hs stadiums and so on), cant wait around if you want to play high level sports- if we recognize he is not top level then we have more time and can relax a bit, but right now he is still targeting high level and the feedback we get is the same there is potential (which is a dangerous word, but we are optimistic at this point and the work ethic is still there for him to succeed).  

 

CaCo3girl: our HS baseball coach is well respected by other coaches in the area and i have talked to a local college coach who said he knows of college coaches that called our hs coach about players in the area even guys who do not play for our team, so i would think they respect his opinion also. 

 

I plan on letting it all play out and see what he succeeds at and the memories are worth the play time anyways in the long run, just want to know that i did everything in my power to help him succeed with advice as my son trust me and my opinions and being he is my only son i want him to have the best opportunities. 

 

Sorry for the long post and i love the feedback and stories. thanks again 

 

Others can chime in here, but that is not what I read at all.  Fall is actually less well represented by college coaches.  Summer is the season.   

 

I'd let the kid play both as long as he wants.  Figure out how to balance everything as best as possible.  Good luck. 

Completely agree that fall is NOT the best time to get college recruitment at PG events.  Certainly, Jupiter is an event that has an abundance of Pro and College scouts, but many college scouts actually leave a bit early as many are still involved in their fall scrimmages.

 

Summer is hands-down the best recruitment time for college.  Once the college season ends, RC's are on the road between Ft. Myers, Atlanta, Phoenix, Cali, etc.

 

Hit the 16 and 17u WWBA's in the summer and you'll be more than pleased with the exposure.  Fall attendance of PG events is a fraction of the summer from a college recruiting perspective.

 

Now all that said, Fall IS a great time to get to a specific college camp or smaller, regional showcases, but by comparison, Fall PG tourney attendance isn't even close to the scout attendance of their summer events in my experience.

I agree. I think summer after sophomore and junior years are still the most important period for most DI prospects. Fall is obviously very important for seniors who haven't found a home yet.

 

TRex75, Ft Myers (Underclass) is definitely a great recruiting event, but I would guess that the majority of guys at Jupiter are already committed. The big age group WWBAs (aka East Cobb) are all during the summer. Not getting in front of colleges during the fall will probably cost him some opportunities, but if he plays with an elite travel team during the summer, he should have many others. I'm sure that my son missed out on some opportunities by playing fall sports at his high school, but things worked out in the end and he has no regrets.

 

Also, if your son is targeting a high academic school, those typically recruit later since they need some level of confidence that the student will qualify (e.g. SAT/ACT).

d-mac,

 

The receivers I have known at D1 programs could flat out fly. I could be wrong but I suspect without well above average speed or vertical he will likely not be a WR at a larger D1 program. He may grow into a TE, but he is not there yet.

 

His body already translates pretty close to D1 as a pitcher now. More weight will make it even better. I realize I sounded negative about 82 for a freshman. 82 is very solid for most freshman. Most freshmen are not 6'3" 170. He may have been some smaller at that time himself. A player at that size with top arm action and weight transfer will not top at 82 but will sit at 85. He has about a year and a half to get there and a needs a little more. My read is that the comments from both coaches indicate he is a better baseball fit. The college baseball group is overall more academically inclined than the football group and that is the direction I would encourage him to move in.

 

Of course it is his life, and he should do what he wants.

 

Ted

Your son sounds talented so I would encourage him to play both.   He might get a better opportunity playing either one but he is still young.  

My son is a 2017 and is in a similar situation Varsity pitcher/QB.  We are at a smaller school but neither of the coaches asked him to play on exclusively.  He wouldn't want to either. 

Sounds like your son wants to play both sports?  I would let him enjoy both as these times won't come around again in his life.

 

I glossed over that you said for his size in your first post, I agree with you on that.  I will say that coaches love WR's with size.  With so many teams going spread, they love to have the big WR's that can block.  There is more room than ever in college football for big, physical, smart WR's with good hands.

 

I think you are coming from a high D1 standpoint and I am looking at it from any level of college standpoint.     

I think you are coming from a high D1 standpoint and I am looking at it from any level of college standpoint.

 

That makes sense. My read from the comments is that he possibly has a higher ceiling in baseball. But I tend to lean baseball anyway. He sounds like a talented guy in any event. I would have him take his SATs this spring. That may give him a real leg up in recruiting if he is a little late developing that 90+ fastball.

 

Good luck,

 

Ted

Hi Trex--my son is also a 2018 and in the same football/baseball mix.  I don't want to repeat the insights offered by others (which have been very helpful-thanks folks.). But one thing that can be mentioned is the advantage of how some of the football recruiting is done.  Hopefully, you have a football highlight (hudl system maybe) video for your son from this season.  If not, maybe you can create one.  That can be sent to college recruiting coordinators.  As I understand the process from others, you send those out and see what type of response, if any, you get.  You are hoping to get invites to their camps.Skills video (hitting, pitching, fielding) is part of baseball recruiting; maybe a bigger part in football since the video is usually of actual games.  The downside of getting those football camp invites is that many will probably conflict with that elite baseball team summer travel schedule.  We plan to (hopefully) have to learn how to juggle.  Best of luck.

Here is my thought...  I pray my son does not become a great football player.  It would be agonizing to see him potentially trade his health for a scholarship.   So if he can play college baseball hopefully that is all he will do.  But that full ride in football is hard to say no to.  I have consented to let him play freshman year high school.  We will take it one year at a time from there.

MY .02 going through this right now.

 

If you are a P/C/MIDIF and show talent/are "projectable" the process can start as early as 8th grade. Certainly FR year with some committing, much more so sophomore year. Technically my son will commit as a JR but it started much earlier. In fact in fall TB before his sophomore yr a major DI school saw the kid play and showed interest. Nothing became of it and one of the comments the RC made was "I sure wish I'd have seen you earlier".

This leaves me a bit confused. Colleges can't contact kids until Sept. 1 of their Jr year.  Correct?   How can a freshman commit to a school?

It's really rather confusing. There are dead times, quite times, etc. But basically they can't contact you. Coaches would call my son's TB coach and tell them to have the kid call.

Simply do a search on 2019 baseball commits.

Edited to add,  if your son has the talent to play at the next level the travel ball team he chooses can make a big difference. The whole process is a lot easier when a program has your coaches number on speed dial.

While colleges can't directly contact athletes (baseball) before Sept. 1 of their Jr. year, they are allowed contact with them either directly on their campus (when not a quiet period) or by phone IF the athlete initiates the direct contact.  So an interested coach can get word to an athlete via a travel coach or HS coach that he'd like to speak with him, then it's up to the athlete to call the college coach.

 

If they miss, you can leave a message, but the coach cannot call the athlete back (prior to Jr. year). Ditto for texting.  It can be one way (i.e., athlete texts coach that he'll be calling at 2pm, so the coach has a heads-up), but coaches cannot text back.

 

Also, if being recruited, RC's will ask athletes to stay in touch, such as call them once a week, or every couple of weeks, just to chat.

 

There can be a lot of contact prior to Jr. year, it just has to be directly initiated by the athlete.

 

Familiarize yourself with the NCAA calendars and contact rules.  You may find a RC at your son's HS or travel game that he's had many conversations with or met with on their campus, but other than saying hello, aren't allowed to speak with your son off-campus (until July before Sr. year).  Definitely helps to know the calendar.  Also, the calendar varies by sport, so what is true for baseball is different for basketball, football, etc.

 

http://www.ncaa.org/student-at...recruiting-calendars

 

http://www.ncaa.org/sites/defa...view%20Chart2014.pdf

Ah.  LOL.  The old "Work around."  I think I've heard of that in football.

 

Thanks for the information guys.  Interesting how there's always a loop-hole or work around to everything, huh? 

 

Can the coach actually make an offer...if the player does the calling?

Nuke83 pretty much covered it in his post. Like I said do a search on 2019 baseball commits. Not hard to find kids in that class that have already committed.

Injury potential in football is much higher and could effect both sports.  Doesn't mean it should drive your answer, but it has to be taken into account.  

Most importantly, your son needs to do what he wants to do. If you know the Mike Freeze story that's a perfect example of a kid who played football because he was good at it and he could get a bigger scholarship.  He lasted one week of the season.  He was a great baseball player too.  That was his passion.  When he got to college on a full ride and was a starter as a Frosh, it just didn't matter.   Either sport will be hard work, you better want to be there or you've made a mistake. http://www.foxsports.com/colle...ithout-answer-091615