The Sante Fe coach was very interested in him and we were planning on visiting. However, his pitching coach also had 3 pitchers coming in and wanted to see what they were all about. We also talked to Coach Touma with Daytona. He too was interested but had 1 pitcher come in during our phone calls and went ahead and signed him. I told him I didn't blame him. Both were great Coaches to talk with.
It never got to the part with either of them as far as % tuition, etc. So you're probably right. My son's best friend is about to commit to Hilsborough and he is getting a full ride. They get to play their games on the Yankees practice field. Players never have to pick up a rake!
quote:Originally posted by SoutherNo1:
Costa, who is the D1 team that NC Wesleyan played/scrimmaged?
That was Louisburg College in the fall.
This is a great posting with a lot of info related to the balance of academics/athletics but also what to expect that first semester. Every school is going to different, but I can't imagine D1 baseball programs being too different. I intend to have my HS senior son read through this thread, so he has some level of understanding beyond what Mom and Dad are telling him. This thread has made me curious what a typical day is going to look like for him (baseball/engineering @ D1)....I would expect little to no free time for him. If someone has an idea what a typical day looks like, I'd certainly like to know. Thanks.
fenway my son is not in egnineering but here is a typical day for him , hope it helps.
Get up at 7am eat breakfast class at 8am. Last class ends at 12 then eat lunch and report to baseball at 12:30. Work outs and then practice. Usually gets out of baseball complex around 5:30. Head to get something to eat and then to study hall at 6:00. Study hall till 8 and then tutor till 9:30. He usually gets something else to eat and back in the room around 10pm. He then has to study , write papers etc. He says he usually gets in the bed around 11:30 12. He has 8am class everyday , coach likes them to have early class so they are up and moving early. On the one day he does not have an early class he has to report to the baseball complex to catch bull pens or hit.
This is five days a week and then they have workouts on Saturday mornings. On Sundays they are off but have volunteer work outs. He never misses those as most dont.
His first semester was a tremendous challenge. He had no idea "even though I told him" how tough the academic work load would be. Every semester he has done better and learned to manage his time better. To say that it is demanding would not come close to the truth. But they learn and they adapt if they want to succeed. The players help each other alot.
Get up at 7am eat breakfast class at 8am. Last class ends at 12 then eat lunch and report to baseball at 12:30. Work outs and then practice. Usually gets out of baseball complex around 5:30. Head to get something to eat and then to study hall at 6:00. Study hall till 8 and then tutor till 9:30. He usually gets something else to eat and back in the room around 10pm. He then has to study , write papers etc. He says he usually gets in the bed around 11:30 12. He has 8am class everyday , coach likes them to have early class so they are up and moving early. On the one day he does not have an early class he has to report to the baseball complex to catch bull pens or hit.
This is five days a week and then they have workouts on Saturday mornings. On Sundays they are off but have volunteer work outs. He never misses those as most dont.
His first semester was a tremendous challenge. He had no idea "even though I told him" how tough the academic work load would be. Every semester he has done better and learned to manage his time better. To say that it is demanding would not come close to the truth. But they learn and they adapt if they want to succeed. The players help each other alot.
Mine is in engineering, but his schedule is very similar. Just add in a few late (past midnight) nights in the library. First year was tough because of the girlfriend occupying part of his time. (Don't recommend that). But things are better this year with her out of the picture. Baseball players, and probably other athletes as well, don't always bond with non-players. With majors like engineering it is important to bond with guys in the same major. That way you've got more opportunities for study groups. It is also important to take advantage of review sessions. We'll see how he handles baseball and engineering as he gets deeper into the major, but so far so good. I don't know of anyone else that has been able to pull it off at his school, at least not in recent memory. Hopefully he'll be the first.
quote:Originally posted by Coach_May:
fenway my son is not in egnineering but here is a typical day for him , hope it helps.
Get up at 7am eat breakfast class at 8am. Last class ends at 12 then eat lunch and report to baseball at 12:30. Work outs and then practice. Usually gets out of baseball complex around 5:30. Head to get something to eat and then to study hall at 6:00. Study hall till 8 and then tutor till 9:30. He usually gets something else to eat and back in the room around 10pm. He then has to study , write papers etc. He says he usually gets in the bed around 11:30 12. He has 8am class everyday , coach likes them to have early class so they are up and moving early. On the one day he does not have an early class he has to report to the baseball complex to catch bull pens or hit.
This is five days a week and then they have workouts on Saturday mornings. On Sundays they are off but have volunteer work outs. He never misses those as most dont.
His first semester was a tremendous challenge. He had no idea "even though I told him" how tough the academic work load would be. Every semester he has done better and learned to manage his time better. To say that it is demanding would not come close to the truth. But they learn and they adapt if they want to succeed. The players help each other alot.
Coach May pretty much detailed most of a day in D1 baseball.My own went to a JC first year, and is now at a academic D1.Even after a year at the JC, this first semester was very difficult.He too said he had no idea it would be so hard.School makes them start with 16 units, so with workouts, class, practice, study hall, tutors,eating etc, it is exhausting.
When driving home from the airport Friday(yea he is home for a month), he said he thinks the biggest challenge in adjusting to all of it is time management, and getting proper rest.He naps whenever he has a chance to, between a class or something.
He loves it .
When driving home from the airport Friday(yea he is home for a month), he said he thinks the biggest challenge in adjusting to all of it is time management, and getting proper rest.He naps whenever he has a chance to, between a class or something.
He loves it .
This thread will become mandatory reading for mine this summer before he heads off. I think having him read your experiences will certainly open his eyes and will be far more impactful than my telling him!
Thanks to all you contributors.
Thanks to all you contributors.
Coach May, MTH, FOG - Thanks for your posting. That does look like a BRUTAL schedule. I've heard a couple D1s and D3 programs throw in a 6am weight lifting session. My neighbor plays for UVA, and his Mom told us of a very similiar schedule but included some early AM weight lifting and conditioning sessions. My son knows it is going to be a rough ride the first year with baseball and academics, but until your actually doing it will it sink in. I anticipate him staying for a winter-session so he is only carrying four classes during the Spring. That helped me a lot (with time mgt)when I was in school 100 years ago. I've very interested to see others weigh in on the topic to see if they've had similiar time management experiences.
The schedule Coach May describes is very similar to my son's. Block out about 5 hours six days a week for baseball stuff. Mandatory study hall, tutors when needed (first term, regularly) and then grab 8 hours sleep. Not a lot of time for the typical college shenanigans. That has its plusses and minuses!
My son is on the plane home as I write this.
My son is on the plane home as I write this.
Rob tell Jeff we said hello. I know you are excited to have him home for a couple of weeks. Happy Hollidays!
Thanks! We just got home from the airport. Great to have him back.
My Son's schedule at his D1 is very similar to what has been posted above.
As we approach the Holidays, here's another consideration:
He gets done with Finals on Friday, Dec. 19 and comes home.
He is expected to lift and work out during this time.
He reports back on January 8. Pitchers go back January 4.
Since dorms won't open until January 23, he will stay with upperclassmen and sleep on a couch until then.
Not the typical Christmas break that other college students get!
Regular Season ends on May 30 (conference tournament) and Summer Team in Coastal Plains league starts on May 27 and ends mid-August.
Reports back to school August 24.
Moms and girlfriends beware! You're not going to see your boy much!
As we approach the Holidays, here's another consideration:
He gets done with Finals on Friday, Dec. 19 and comes home.
He is expected to lift and work out during this time.
He reports back on January 8. Pitchers go back January 4.
Since dorms won't open until January 23, he will stay with upperclassmen and sleep on a couch until then.
Not the typical Christmas break that other college students get!
Regular Season ends on May 30 (conference tournament) and Summer Team in Coastal Plains league starts on May 27 and ends mid-August.
Reports back to school August 24.
Moms and girlfriends beware! You're not going to see your boy much!
quote:He is expected to lift and work out during this time.
Yup, son brought home a thick sheaf of paper which is his workout plan. A daily schedule, one page each day, for what he is supposed to do with running, weights, throwing, etc.
So true about not seeing them much.My son will be out of state all summer as well.He is home right now, and I am so enjoying him.Cooking lots of favorite dishes,eating dinner together.He just had his wisdom teeth pulled this morning, so he wont be working out much this week.He has the last 5 days though.
This will be the last long period of time he will spend at home, since Spring break he has games, and summer he has one week before and about week or two after, from his summer assignment.
Nice to see how much they grow up in a short period of time.Everyone enjoy your sons, they are special young men.We have a lot to be proud of.
Merry Christmas.
This will be the last long period of time he will spend at home, since Spring break he has games, and summer he has one week before and about week or two after, from his summer assignment.
Nice to see how much they grow up in a short period of time.Everyone enjoy your sons, they are special young men.We have a lot to be proud of.
Merry Christmas.
Younggunson is suppose to have his wisdom teeth pulled while home. ALL 4 of them! Recovery time will certainly take a chunk out of working out.
YGD,
yep all four today.Couldnt wait , two already impacted.
He will be in the gym by Friday.He is very committed to the workouts.
PM me, I have great ideas and recipes for the first couple days.Its that RN side of me.Takes energy to heal, energy requires calories.
yep all four today.Couldnt wait , two already impacted.
He will be in the gym by Friday.He is very committed to the workouts.
PM me, I have great ideas and recipes for the first couple days.Its that RN side of me.Takes energy to heal, energy requires calories.
Rob, I am really excited to follow Jeff this coming season. Though we just met briefly, that is a special kid you've got there. I will always be grateful for the time he and Krak Jr. got to work the coaches at HF. It was a great pairing and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
HS Junior son is headed to the same showcase this coming summer and we hope for similar results.
Happy Holidays!
Krak
HS Junior son is headed to the same showcase this coming summer and we hope for similar results.
Happy Holidays!
Krak
Thanks, Krak! I can hardly believe how fast it all has gone, and that he is now on the cusp of his first college season. Seems like ages ago we stood behind the backstop together watching Jeff try to get a glove on Tristan's pitches.
Good luck to your second boy. If you pass through Portland this summer, let me know. I'd love to get togther.
Good luck to your second boy. If you pass through Portland this summer, let me know. I'd love to get togther.
YGDad, make sure he does everything in his power to avoid dry sockets; my son took around 5 weeks to recover from those! Not being able to eat really sapped his strenth for a long time...good luck to YG!
Just a reminder to freshman players- hit the weight room hard. Son home for Christmas break and we were discussing his work-out schedule during the break. It came up that the freshman on his team were chastised by the head coach for not working out hard enough or enough. Apparently the head trainer said something to the coach. Not a good way to start your college career. (He's a soph and not reprimanded)
4thGen is home from his first semester and dad has been returned to duty as a batting practice pitcher and fungo hitter. Thank god I don't have to catch pens for him anymore. A couple of his HS teammates now playing college ball have been working out with him as well. Since he is playing at a cold weather school he's trying to take advantage of his month in AZ and away from the books to get as prepared as possible.
Same here. I've been recruited for long tossing. My 51 year arm is good to about 200 feet, after that it's just shagging balls while he throws from the bucket.
quote:Originally posted by 3rdgenerationnation:
4thGen is home from his first semester and dad has been returned to duty as a batting practice pitcher and fungo hitter. Thank god I don't have to catch pens for him anymore. A couple of his HS teammates now playing college ball have been working out with him as well. Since he is playing at a cold weather school he's trying to take advantage of his month in AZ and away from the books to get as prepared as possible.
Same here. Dont take this the wrong way I have enjoyed having my son home. But my arm will be very glad when he goes back to school. As far as the long toss I solved that problem. You take this bucket of balls and I will stand down here and pick them up and put them in my bucket. When you run out come down here and we will change ends.
Coach May - I have to laugh real hard about the long toss. I think you and I were asking ourselves the same question at the same time......."what the heck am I doing out here throwing with my son?". I came to the same conclusion - get two buckets, and save myself a trip to the Dr's office. 
)
Coach May: Last winter I came to the same conclusion. Thank God I still catch well!
At 50 plus, the best I can do is warm weather stuff with the youngest right now. The youngest received a new A2000 Glove for Xmas. You should have seen it Xmas day 3 boys outside at zero C playing catch. It was one of those moments.
Very very fortunate with son who has had straight A's, if nothing else he'll may make the academic team.
Come on Feb 19th!
Very very fortunate with son who has had straight A's, if nothing else he'll may make the academic team.
Come on Feb 19th!
Just a few things that I have noticed over the years.
1. There is a high percentage of players that could help the team as freshmen if the coach would just give them the opportunity.
2. Most freshmen are not mature enough to live on their own and manage their time.
3. Very few freshmen have the necessary academic skill set to excell in the classroom. The coaching staff and players just want to stay eligible. Why are they in school? It's called higher education for a reason!
4. Most coaching staffs have a good cop/bad cop routine
5. Very few head coaches (85+%)know how to run a baseball program. Most know the game very well but when it comes to academics, training to peak, fundraising, dealing with alumni, dealing with boosters, dealing with the adminstration, etc... they just don't have the necessary skill set and would receive a grade of D- and many would receive an F. These guy's hate everything about being a head coach but practice & games.
6. Parents today will drive a coaching staff nuts by calling, texting, emailing, etc... them all of the time to ask about their son.
7. Most coaching staffs have a coaching side and a recruiting side. IMO, they would be much better off if they were a mean old cuss all of the time. Why be fake it only causes problems for everyone and gives people false expectations. The best head coach I ever saw told one of the top 50 prospects in the USA on a recruiting trip that he wasn't sure the kid was good enough to play in his program. He told the kid & his parents he was too fat, soft, lazy, and slow to help the team anytime soon. When I ask why he said that during the recruiting visit he said that if the kid couldn't take that he would never be able to take what he told him during the season.
8. The best baseball programs know how to balance baseball, academics and social life. If it's baseball & academics 24/7 the kids will be mentaly fried and a high percentage will washout after a couple of years. You must allow the kids to have a little fun and be kids but understand that they will have to pay the price if they get in trouble. While most mothers and some fathers probably don't want to hear this, one thing that I have learned over the years is that 99% (est) of all male college students (this includes athletes) like drinking a little beer, eating a few wings and talking with Miss Maggieshagwell at the local campus watering hole whenever they are given the opportunity.
1. There is a high percentage of players that could help the team as freshmen if the coach would just give them the opportunity.
2. Most freshmen are not mature enough to live on their own and manage their time.
3. Very few freshmen have the necessary academic skill set to excell in the classroom. The coaching staff and players just want to stay eligible. Why are they in school? It's called higher education for a reason!
4. Most coaching staffs have a good cop/bad cop routine
5. Very few head coaches (85+%)know how to run a baseball program. Most know the game very well but when it comes to academics, training to peak, fundraising, dealing with alumni, dealing with boosters, dealing with the adminstration, etc... they just don't have the necessary skill set and would receive a grade of D- and many would receive an F. These guy's hate everything about being a head coach but practice & games.
6. Parents today will drive a coaching staff nuts by calling, texting, emailing, etc... them all of the time to ask about their son.
7. Most coaching staffs have a coaching side and a recruiting side. IMO, they would be much better off if they were a mean old cuss all of the time. Why be fake it only causes problems for everyone and gives people false expectations. The best head coach I ever saw told one of the top 50 prospects in the USA on a recruiting trip that he wasn't sure the kid was good enough to play in his program. He told the kid & his parents he was too fat, soft, lazy, and slow to help the team anytime soon. When I ask why he said that during the recruiting visit he said that if the kid couldn't take that he would never be able to take what he told him during the season.
8. The best baseball programs know how to balance baseball, academics and social life. If it's baseball & academics 24/7 the kids will be mentaly fried and a high percentage will washout after a couple of years. You must allow the kids to have a little fun and be kids but understand that they will have to pay the price if they get in trouble. While most mothers and some fathers probably don't want to hear this, one thing that I have learned over the years is that 99% (est) of all male college students (this includes athletes) like drinking a little beer, eating a few wings and talking with Miss Maggieshagwell at the local campus watering hole whenever they are given the opportunity.
MTH and 3rdgen,
I've had to long toss and catch a couple pens when he couldn't find a friend to do it. They gave the pitchers a 6 day a week program including long toss, flatgrounds and pens to do over the break. I can't even reach 200' any more so I have a long run between throws. I can handle up to mid 80s or so as long as it is fairly close to the target. I don't let him go for max velocity when I have to catch the pen. He's got 1 more pen scheduled for tomorrow before he goes back so hopefully he can find a real catcher.
cbg,
1. It is figuring out which ones that is the problem.
2. Agree.
3. Agree.
8. Not my son!
(Maggieshagwell is still there?)
For those of you who have the sense to use buckets. I enjoy the throwing too much - although I don't enjoy the pain afterwards.
I've had to long toss and catch a couple pens when he couldn't find a friend to do it. They gave the pitchers a 6 day a week program including long toss, flatgrounds and pens to do over the break. I can't even reach 200' any more so I have a long run between throws. I can handle up to mid 80s or so as long as it is fairly close to the target. I don't let him go for max velocity when I have to catch the pen. He's got 1 more pen scheduled for tomorrow before he goes back so hopefully he can find a real catcher.
cbg,
1. It is figuring out which ones that is the problem.
2. Agree.
3. Agree.
8. Not my son!
(Maggieshagwell is still there?)For those of you who have the sense to use buckets. I enjoy the throwing too much - although I don't enjoy the pain afterwards.
Comments regarding long toss and bullpen made me laugh.
The problem I had was with long toss was it had been four months since I picked up a baseball (or a fungo - tried using the fungo to return balls to my son, but that didn't work much better). Maybe I should rent a kid for the Spring semester so I won't be so rusty next time.
I did okay with the bullpens; although I must say I am getting more and more uncomfortable back there. Soon, very soon, it will be time to "retire" as a bullpen catcher.
Don't even ask me about accompanying him to the gym.
The problem I had was with long toss was it had been four months since I picked up a baseball (or a fungo - tried using the fungo to return balls to my son, but that didn't work much better). Maybe I should rent a kid for the Spring semester so I won't be so rusty next time.
I did okay with the bullpens; although I must say I am getting more and more uncomfortable back there. Soon, very soon, it will be time to "retire" as a bullpen catcher.
Don't even ask me about accompanying him to the gym.
If you can handle mid 80's you're doing a lot better than I am. I have as much trouble seeing the ball as I do throwing it. Fortunately we were able to con one of his old HS catchers into catching a couple of pens over the holidays. I really dodged the bullet, in more ways than one.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by CADad:
MTH and 3rdgen,
I've had to long toss and catch a couple pens when he couldn't find a friend to do it. They gave the pitchers a 6 day a week program including long toss, flatgrounds and pens to do over the break. I can't even reach 200' any more so I have a long run between throws. I can handle up to mid 80s or so as long as it is fairly close to the target. I don't let him go for max velocity when I have to catch the pen. He's got 1 more pen scheduled for tomorrow before he goes back so hopefully he can find a real catcher.
QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Originally posted by CADad:
MTH and 3rdgen,
I've had to long toss and catch a couple pens when he couldn't find a friend to do it. They gave the pitchers a 6 day a week program including long toss, flatgrounds and pens to do over the break. I can't even reach 200' any more so I have a long run between throws. I can handle up to mid 80s or so as long as it is fairly close to the target. I don't let him go for max velocity when I have to catch the pen. He's got 1 more pen scheduled for tomorrow before he goes back so hopefully he can find a real catcher.
QUOTE]
I'm fine outdoors. Indoors the light isn't good enough and I'm a bit scared the whole time.
Try catching in the poor light with no gear and an Astigmatism! Holy cow!
Have any of you ever tried catching with a goiter the size of a watermelon hanging off the side of your neck??
Me neither, I was just curious.
Me neither, I was just curious.
LMAO now thats funny Krak!
Krak, your boy hasnt been gone even 48hrs yet and you've already gone over the deep end! LOL
I was sitting here trying to figure out what a goiter had to to with catching!
I was sitting here trying to figure out what a goiter had to to with catching!
Dropped my son off at the airport yesterday.Was very hard to say good bye. Great month, great visit.Getting excited for the season.Good luck to all the boys this Spring.
Laughing at these posts! My husband can no longer catch for leftysideson. Not only does he have the velocity issue, but a ball coming from him sidearm is very hard to see. On top of that, the ball has a considerable, unpredictable drop at the very last moment. Lots of bruised shins! We got lucky and found a college kid home for the holidays that needed to catch for someone. There's no way husband could keep up the the long tossing (already one shoulder surgery down).
Guys, the last few years I'd taken to catching 4thGens pens in full umpiring gear and with a softball catchers mitt that made it easir to pick low pitches. My son found great humor in me wiffing on his breaking ball and taking one off one peice of gear or another.
I have another week of fungoing ground balls to get through. My back and hands may not make it but I love doing it.
I have another week of fungoing ground balls to get through. My back and hands may not make it but I love doing it.
Well, the first travel roster is set to be announced soon. My son (a freshman) doesn't think his name will be on it. I'm bracing myself for some long phone calls. I've told him he's not the big fish in the pond anymore and he will have to work his way up the depth chart. Any advice on keeping his spirits up and his mind focused?? Tough on these freshman to start at the bottom again isn't it?
.
Cards...
Yep, difficult adjustment for sure...Hope he makes that list, but if not...
1. Having not been through a college season he likley will not understand that all kinds of things happen during the season...injuries, discipline issues, grades, and some players that were expected to produce simply flat out do not...opportunities will most certainly open. Things happen. He has to be right there head up, with a great outlook waiting for the door to open a crack and jumping on those opportunities. Being "down" does absolutely nothing to solve the issue, he needs to stay solution oriented and wait for the break that will most certainly come. This trip, or next.
2. Use the time wisely. Great time to catch up or push the academic envelope..and the fitness one as well. One of the hardest adjustments for freshmen players is balancing the time requirements and this gives them some space to breath and get their feet solidly under them again. The kids that go will likley come back beat up to some extent with the travel. Yours will be fresh, rested and doubly motivated.
3. Ask the coaching staff what specifically can be done to improve his game in the short term (while he is home) and the long term. Set yourself apart by not letting the excusion dampen his desire and his fight, coaches love to see kids that still keep grinding looking for ways to improve regardless of setbacks. He needs to be that grinder.
4. Remember it is a long, long season and it is not how a player does at the beginning. His performance can only be judged at seaons end. again all kinds of things can happen this is simply a bump in the road.
44
.
Cards...
Yep, difficult adjustment for sure...Hope he makes that list, but if not...
1. Having not been through a college season he likley will not understand that all kinds of things happen during the season...injuries, discipline issues, grades, and some players that were expected to produce simply flat out do not...opportunities will most certainly open. Things happen. He has to be right there head up, with a great outlook waiting for the door to open a crack and jumping on those opportunities. Being "down" does absolutely nothing to solve the issue, he needs to stay solution oriented and wait for the break that will most certainly come. This trip, or next.
2. Use the time wisely. Great time to catch up or push the academic envelope..and the fitness one as well. One of the hardest adjustments for freshmen players is balancing the time requirements and this gives them some space to breath and get their feet solidly under them again. The kids that go will likley come back beat up to some extent with the travel. Yours will be fresh, rested and doubly motivated.
3. Ask the coaching staff what specifically can be done to improve his game in the short term (while he is home) and the long term. Set yourself apart by not letting the excusion dampen his desire and his fight, coaches love to see kids that still keep grinding looking for ways to improve regardless of setbacks. He needs to be that grinder.
4. Remember it is a long, long season and it is not how a player does at the beginning. His performance can only be judged at seaons end. again all kinds of things can happen this is simply a bump in the road.
44.