Yes I get your point and it was imprudent of him to post his son's feelings .
My point is that I can understand how he feels and have seen it many times.
Do coaches leave out great pitchers? Yes they do. Happens all the time. Do great pitchers get over looked ? Yes they do. Should his dad post that here ? No he shouldn't especially since he named the college in an earlier post.
His son didn't have the lowest # of innings on the team and if his coach gets wind of this it may affect his future. I suggest he removes the post for his son's sake. His son has normal feelings .
More frosh pitchers than you can imagine get limited innings especially in a program is that is strong team year in and year out--- it may happen in the sophomore year as well
Son is finishing his 1st season of D1 baseball. Talking to him this week-end and kind of reviewing his freshman year there are a couple of things that really stand out about the transition to college ball.
Nine innings is a lot more than the 7 innings in high school! Parents and players notice it during the games.
56 games is a lot more than the hs season.
The players do get more tired by the end of the season.
56 games are challenging to keep your academics up. College classes are harder (even compared to AP classes). It's tough to miss so many classes in the spring.
After watching son and teammates it's amazing to me that with missing so much class time the baseball players do so well.
It is a HUGE adjustment to step up to the college level in many ways but luckily son found tons of support from his coaches, professors, and the academic advisor. This is something parents and players definetly need to check when looking @ schools. How well are they supported as athletes? Makes a big difference in their overall success in the classroom and on the field.
So, overall son had a great 1st year with few complaints.Hopefully next year goes as well as he adjusts to living off campus.
Nine innings is a lot more than the 7 innings in high school! Parents and players notice it during the games.
56 games is a lot more than the hs season.
The players do get more tired by the end of the season.
56 games are challenging to keep your academics up. College classes are harder (even compared to AP classes). It's tough to miss so many classes in the spring.
After watching son and teammates it's amazing to me that with missing so much class time the baseball players do so well.
It is a HUGE adjustment to step up to the college level in many ways but luckily son found tons of support from his coaches, professors, and the academic advisor. This is something parents and players definetly need to check when looking @ schools. How well are they supported as athletes? Makes a big difference in their overall success in the classroom and on the field.
So, overall son had a great 1st year with few complaints.Hopefully next year goes as well as he adjusts to living off campus.
quote:a couple of things that really stand out
quote:Nine innings is a lot more than the 7 innings in high school!
quote:56 games is a lot more than the hs season.
quote:56 games are challenging to keep your academics up. College classes are harder (even compared to AP classes). It's tough to miss so many classes in the spring.
quote:It is a HUGE adjustment to step up to the college level in many ways
quote:Hopefully next year goes as well
It will.
Nice post, CaBB
infielddad,
I agree strange post, do D1 programs play D3 programs. And how does a program with no practice get to regionals?
Not too hard to figure out who the player is.Perhaps the coach felt he needed more practice for mental or physical maturing than in actual games for this year, with improvement hopefully over the summer.
You are so right, people just do not understand the transition from HS to college, especially for pitchers. They often sit more than anyone first year.
Seems to me that the parent is upset, not enough innings, I think parents fuel that fire in their players. Freshman year at any school any division is an adjustment, it is NOT HS baseball.
I agree strange post, do D1 programs play D3 programs. And how does a program with no practice get to regionals?
Not too hard to figure out who the player is.Perhaps the coach felt he needed more practice for mental or physical maturing than in actual games for this year, with improvement hopefully over the summer.
You are so right, people just do not understand the transition from HS to college, especially for pitchers. They often sit more than anyone first year.
Seems to me that the parent is upset, not enough innings, I think parents fuel that fire in their players. Freshman year at any school any division is an adjustment, it is NOT HS baseball.
TPM
If you think the transition is tough for pitchers as it is for hitters---talk to a hitter who nver saw a 85/90 slider before
It aint just pitchers who need to adapt
If you think the transition is tough for pitchers as it is for hitters---talk to a hitter who nver saw a 85/90 slider before
It aint just pitchers who need to adapt
Yes, I agree with you.
Most HS pitchers off to college usually dominated in HS, then they get to college where everyone in the line up can hit and they have issues. I think it was mentioned somewhere his son was a low 80's pitcher, successful in HS. What did he use to get hitters out? And we don't know the whole story, was the player coachable and willing to learn? That makes a HUGE difference. Some players come to college thinking that they got it all down, then the you know what hits the fan. I know that this happened to mine and I am not ashamed to admit it. It can be like starting all over.
Freshman pitchers do often put in less time, unless they are needed. For health issues alone.
Most HS pitchers off to college usually dominated in HS, then they get to college where everyone in the line up can hit and they have issues. I think it was mentioned somewhere his son was a low 80's pitcher, successful in HS. What did he use to get hitters out? And we don't know the whole story, was the player coachable and willing to learn? That makes a HUGE difference. Some players come to college thinking that they got it all down, then the you know what hits the fan. I know that this happened to mine and I am not ashamed to admit it. It can be like starting all over.
Freshman pitchers do often put in less time, unless they are needed. For health issues alone.
TRHit is right,
My freshman son has said for the most part fastballs have not been a big adjustment for him but some of the sliders he saw early in the season absolutely befuddled him. He said even when he knew they were coming he couldn't touch them.
My son's biggest adjustment has been managing the academic requirements while spending so much time on the road early in the season. South Dakota State played its first 25 games on the road with many of the trips being in excess of 500 miles one way. With the help of upperclass teammates he has learned that roadtrips are not a break away from school. You have to take the school work with you and get it done on the bus or in the hotel room.
He came thru freshman year with pretty good grades and he has hit a few sliders along the way.
My freshman son has said for the most part fastballs have not been a big adjustment for him but some of the sliders he saw early in the season absolutely befuddled him. He said even when he knew they were coming he couldn't touch them.
My son's biggest adjustment has been managing the academic requirements while spending so much time on the road early in the season. South Dakota State played its first 25 games on the road with many of the trips being in excess of 500 miles one way. With the help of upperclass teammates he has learned that roadtrips are not a break away from school. You have to take the school work with you and get it done on the bus or in the hotel room.
He came thru freshman year with pretty good grades and he has hit a few sliders along the way.
Some comments on adjustments from my son, who also just finished his freshman year:
-Boy, I'm tired. a 56 game D1 sched is A LOT tougher than a 25 game HS season!
-Dad, I'm used to seeing 90mph fastballs from HS. But almost every pitcher in college has movement on their FBs.
-He ran into several opposing pitchers who had devastating changeups. In HS, no one had a decent changeup.
-On a positive note, he appreciated that college umpires had a "real" strike zone. In our area, HS umps were VERY liberal with the corners. Of course, in college, this is probably partially due to the fact that college pitchers (in general) have better location.
-Boy, I'm tired. a 56 game D1 sched is A LOT tougher than a 25 game HS season!
-Dad, I'm used to seeing 90mph fastballs from HS. But almost every pitcher in college has movement on their FBs.
-He ran into several opposing pitchers who had devastating changeups. In HS, no one had a decent changeup.
-On a positive note, he appreciated that college umpires had a "real" strike zone. In our area, HS umps were VERY liberal with the corners. Of course, in college, this is probably partially due to the fact that college pitchers (in general) have better location.
son of mediocrehscoach also just finished his first year at one of the Ga Juco's. What a whirlwind. Did it go well, absolutely not, were there some positives to build off of, absolutely yes. He was a two sport athlete (football) in high school and didn't feel like he showcased to his potential in the fall of either his junior or senior years and wasn't getting the offers he wanted, several DII's but just tepid interest from any of the regional mid level D1's which is what he wants. So he signed early to a up and coming Juco, and got a nice combo scholarship package. Missed him awfull in the fall, Friday nights were miserable. He worked hard over the summer and showed up in shape in the fall, however the head coach who recruited him had left for a higher paying high school job and the assistant was promoted. This created some worry from a baseball standpoint for him. He had several friends from travel ball on the team, and lots of guys he had played against at some point, and was really happy with his team mates. The ball however was not real good, new young coaches feeling their way through the process of running a program. Fall season started out ok, he went as a two way player, I remember getting a call from him after the second intersquad saying he went two for three with a double and a home run hit into the street, said he thought to himself as he rounded second that "I guess I'll be a infielder here". Not to be; at the end of fall meeting he was told he would be a P.O. (pitcher only) and he hadn't gotten much instruction or work on the mound. In the opener in a Florida Juco tournament in front of about 40 scouts, it was about 41 degrees and the wind was screaming off the gulf at about 9:00 at night in the bottom of the seventh down 5 he gets the call from the pen after about 6 warm up pitches (he had never been a relief pitcher), bases are loaded with one out, gets the first batter in a 0-2 count and hits him with a inside curve ball, walks the next batter, gives up a double, then a single, and the game is over, 5 runs just like that, not a recorded out. He sits the next 20 games, gets a start throws 3 innings gives up three runs (gets the win), sits 15 games, gets a inning, sits 8 games, gets a inning, and gets 3 innings the rest of the year, a decent inning against TCC, and one against Wallace. He was miserable with his baseball. I think he was embarassed that he didn't have the success he was used to. I told him I was proud of him, one of only three freshman pitchers to survive the whole year, one of 23 of 50 kids to survive the whole year, that shows some mental toughness, sticktuitiveness, qualities that are way more important than stats on a website. At year end meeting 13 of 16 freshman refuse to sign scholarship papers or LOI's, son included, he won't go back. He is working hard getting ready for his first year of collegiate summer ball, working with his travel ball coaches trying to arrange a transfer to a closer to home Juco, trying to work to his goal of getting to a mid major conference team. It was frustrating to say the least, bottom line was, he was not prepared to have success in the situations he was placed in, he didn't prepare himself, his mediocre hs coaches didn't prepare him, and his college coaches didn't either, he just sort of fell through the crack. Even more frustrating was that several of his hs team mates who were baseball only but had similar stats in hs, had great success on their mid major D1 teams. Confidence is low right now, hoping that through hard work, it'll be fun for him again! What a rambling post, sorry.
mediocrehscoach - I can understand the frustration. That is part of the gig at the collegiate level. Part of the equation is luck and your son did not have much (if anything) go his way imho.
For young hitters out there, you have to show the coaches you can hit right away. It may be true that if you were given 10 at bats, you would produce 3 or 4 hits. The hard, cold reality is they are going to want to see those 3 or 4 hits in his first 5 at bats rather than his second five before they will give them another opportunity. That is indeed the hard part and where luck can come into play.
For young pitchers, the same thing - they need to start getting them out yesterday and throwing strikes immediately. They may get thrown in there under terrible circumstances. Sometimes, the only opportunites available are these little crumbs or bones thrown their way every once in a blue moon. That is the life of a college player. Encourage them to prepare for that one moment. Encourage them to have fun. Encourage them to lay it all out on the line for the world to see. Encourage them no matter what the outcome. Find victories even in defeat. Find victories even from their bullpen or batting practice sessions while they are waiting for that one opportunity. Encourage them is my best advice.
For young hitters out there, you have to show the coaches you can hit right away. It may be true that if you were given 10 at bats, you would produce 3 or 4 hits. The hard, cold reality is they are going to want to see those 3 or 4 hits in his first 5 at bats rather than his second five before they will give them another opportunity. That is indeed the hard part and where luck can come into play.
For young pitchers, the same thing - they need to start getting them out yesterday and throwing strikes immediately. They may get thrown in there under terrible circumstances. Sometimes, the only opportunites available are these little crumbs or bones thrown their way every once in a blue moon. That is the life of a college player. Encourage them to prepare for that one moment. Encourage them to have fun. Encourage them to lay it all out on the line for the world to see. Encourage them no matter what the outcome. Find victories even in defeat. Find victories even from their bullpen or batting practice sessions while they are waiting for that one opportunity. Encourage them is my best advice.
First year not much playing time. Failed one class but got A's and B's in others. Realized he would have to pitch to get playing time because other two upper class catchers are two best hitters on team and his lack of speed is a real issue. Off to summer wood bat league in northeast to pitch after barely one week at home. He's very comfortable with his situation and very dedicated team player willing to take what he can get, with no grand expectations. If he excels and becomes a superstar it will be a pleasant surprise for him. He's riding this horse as long as he can and will have fun while doing it, I think.
Some more to add on son's year:
-Was told at start of fall, would be battling for starting MIF spot. Last season's SS (a JR) was going to move to CF. Soph 2B probably going to start there. Then 3 freshman.
-Son had a good fall, but ultimately relagated to reserve 2B role.
-One of the freshman got the starting SS job.
-3rd freshman settled ultimately into a P role (and did quite well come spring).
SPRING SEASON:
2B plays/hits awesome. SS struggles though. Good D, but low AVG and lots of Ks. Son gets opportunity and makes most of chance (coach moved 2B over to SS and son started at 2B).
Ends up starting 19 games, playing in 32. Hits .340, highest freshman batting average.
Started last 10 straight (except for final game, got HBP in elbow and couldn't play).
Coach was impressed that he was only freshman who worked his way into lineup.
No promises, but coach said at end of season he was going to try and increase his scholly.
There were definite academic and social adjustments. Ups and downs during season.
But I am a believer that luck is really preparation meeting opportunity.
Cleveland Dad gave good advice....find victories whenever you can. When son was not playing much mid-season, he took great heart in a pre-game BP. Most of his teammates told him he would never hit one out of the park. Lo and behold, he hit a BP ball 30' over LF fence. Made his week at the time!!!
Good luck to all playing summer ball,,,,,,and then back at it this fall!!!
-Was told at start of fall, would be battling for starting MIF spot. Last season's SS (a JR) was going to move to CF. Soph 2B probably going to start there. Then 3 freshman.
-Son had a good fall, but ultimately relagated to reserve 2B role.
-One of the freshman got the starting SS job.
-3rd freshman settled ultimately into a P role (and did quite well come spring).
SPRING SEASON:
2B plays/hits awesome. SS struggles though. Good D, but low AVG and lots of Ks. Son gets opportunity and makes most of chance (coach moved 2B over to SS and son started at 2B).
Ends up starting 19 games, playing in 32. Hits .340, highest freshman batting average.
Started last 10 straight (except for final game, got HBP in elbow and couldn't play).
Coach was impressed that he was only freshman who worked his way into lineup.
No promises, but coach said at end of season he was going to try and increase his scholly.
There were definite academic and social adjustments. Ups and downs during season.
But I am a believer that luck is really preparation meeting opportunity.
Cleveland Dad gave good advice....find victories whenever you can. When son was not playing much mid-season, he took great heart in a pre-game BP. Most of his teammates told him he would never hit one out of the park. Lo and behold, he hit a BP ball 30' over LF fence. Made his week at the time!!!
Good luck to all playing summer ball,,,,,,and then back at it this fall!!!
Update....
Son found out Friday that his scholly has been increased (just finished his Freshman season).
Just an FYI to those out there that think in today's "25%" world you may not have a chance to "increase your value", here is proof that hard work (and performance) can be recognized.
Son found out Friday that his scholly has been increased (just finished his Freshman season).
Just an FYI to those out there that think in today's "25%" world you may not have a chance to "increase your value", here is proof that hard work (and performance) can be recognized.
Awesome news on the increased scholly amt. esp with the economy. Sounds like your son went in and battled.Congratulations to him.
Younggunson was used in 25 relief/closing innings all season. I think his biggest struggle was not that he wasn't used as a Starter as he had been in HS, but more that his JUCO coaches never defined his role, i.e. relief, closer, etc. So he never knew from game to game how or if he would be used. He went 1 stretch for 3 weeks not used. No injuries, discipline, etc. problems. Go figure. He threw regularly around 89-91 on the bump and still no starts. He never said a word to the coaches about playing time which I was proud of. He learned to a degree what a role player was...sorta.
Anyways, first season is over and I'm glad! The growing pains from being away from home, homesick, etc. was more than Pop could bear! lol.
If all goes well this friday, he will have a new JUCO and Coach to play for. The JUCO he played for last year is going to NAIA and he wants to play another year of JUCO ball.
Good luck to all next year!
Anyways, first season is over and I'm glad! The growing pains from being away from home, homesick, etc. was more than Pop could bear! lol.
If all goes well this friday, he will have a new JUCO and Coach to play for. The JUCO he played for last year is going to NAIA and he wants to play another year of JUCO ball.
Good luck to all next year!
Where is he headed to next?
Costa, who is the D1 team that NC Wesleyan played/scrimmaged?
quote:Originally posted by floridafan:
Where is he headed to next?
Floridafan, once some JUCO's learned that he was looking to play JUCO ball again next year the phones lit up like crazy. Definitely a different scenario than we had expected, but welcomed. The Chipolo, Santa Fe, Daytona coaches to name a few called but younggunson felt they might be a bit far for him. Currently he has 3 others surrounding Georgia that have offered and I believe that by the end of the week we will have a decision. Some of the offers are too good to be true so we are thankful to say the least of his options.
I'll let you know as soon as I know! lol
The offers in Florida were 100% including room, board, books and meal plan, right? Florida JUCO's are a great place to play, and not that far from Georgia. Let me know if you want any info. I am familiar with Santa Fe and Daytona.