Freshmen Off to College

CrusaderDad - Here are two recent threads addressing some of the very questions you speak of:

Thoughts for College Freshman

College Corner

Couple of thoughts I have. UNC Greensboro is a big D1 school in the tough SoCon. They recruit up here in the north as well. I believe a kid from Cleveland plays there named Greg Feltes and he was an excellent HS player.

I know thinking about the injury would be driving me crazy as well, but from the best that I can tell, they won't make any roster decisions until next spring. From my limited experience from last year, it was almost like things started completely anew last January. Thus, focus on his health right now and I think everything will take care of itself next spring.

The void you feel right now will pass and you will be surprised how proud you are come next spring at all the growth that your son has achieved Also, please visit the Oh/Ky/Pa/Wv forum any time you like because we discuss things like this all the time

ClevelandDad

I did just visit the OH/KY/PA/WV forum. That's what got me started trying to get my fellow Marylanders disgussing the same thing. Thanks for the info and links. My son has met Greg already. I think he lives in the off-campus house where the players seem to "hang out."

Just flew back from Florida tonight after spending a couple of days driving down and setting up the apartment and some other stuff (shopping and more shopping). Since this is a juco with no on-campus housing, four boys are sharing a 3BR apartment. My son was one of the lucky ones and doesn't have to share a bedroom. Move-in day was last Friday; meetings don't start until Wednesday and class starts 8/28 with conditioning starting same day and baseball practice starting after Labor Day. Son can't wait to get onto the field.

Some life things going on, too -- got his first checking account, became the person in charge of the bills, actually paid attention to the idea that a budget could exist. He's got a bet with his girlfriend about his GPA -- hope he wins as she bet that he couldn't get a 4.0 -- and hopefully that will keep him motivated in the academic sphere.

For those who know me, I didn't cry too much. It's tough but it has to happen. And for those who I've ignored lately, I apologize. I'll be responding and back on track soon.

I've been thinking of you and the kid, Crusader Dad. I hope the boys stay in touch.

mcozart
Hope to hear from you soon. Did you get my PM?



CrusaderDad
We won't go through this until next year. Your Son is at one of the School's my Son fell in love with. Their field is beautiful! So is the whole campus. He hasn't been in touch with the Coaches there in a while now so I doubt he will end up there. It still will be great to hear how your Son does. We still have a week until the Highschool starts here. It is actually neat to hear that your Son is already off and running on the academic side.

Sorry to hear about his knee. That must be frustrating to you both. We wish him well. Hope for a speedy recovery!

M

You have a PM if I did it right. Saw Js name on their roster already. I don't think UNCG updates theirs until next semester.

Sue

Thanks for the well wishes. You never know where you'll end up. UNCG was just one of many under consideration for us. We didn't really have any contact until they saw him in a fall showcase prior to senior season.

CrusaderDad
Do you mind if I ask which Showcase your son went to? At this point our Son is looking at all different Div's. We just went to Div.2 yesterday. A Div.1 a couple of weeks ago. We just need to find the right mix for the Communication Major he wants and the playtime he desires.

Sue

He was playing with the Oriolelanders. He only did two showcases before getting injured (again). The showcase at George Mason University (late August) is where the UNCG recruiter saw him.

Maybe I'm a little late, but what players from maryland went d1 or good jucos???

Terps,

There are several. Off the top of my head:

Steve Bumbry - Virginia Tech
Jared Cozart - Seminole CC
Daniel Cropper - UNCW
Corey Overholtzer - UNCG
Steven Rice - Towson
Ryan Smith - Notre Dame

There are other threads on that topic. I'd rather keep this one for discussions of the freshman transition experiences.

Glad to hear Corey is doing ok. He is a true fighter so he will bounce back and be fine.
In addition, these are the guys I know from coaching summer baseball with them

Ian Schwalenberg to Maryland
Travis Stewart to Northwest Shoals
Jake Quigg to Northwest Shoals
Brett Foskey to Northwest Shoals
Scott Swison to George Washington
Ryan Lambert to Chesapeake Community College
Tony Mitchell to Chesapeake Community College

Hey soxfan...you forgot some!

Ryan Smith - Notre Dame
Jared Cozart - Seminole CC
Greg Phelps - now at Francis Marion

I think that's it...

John, I think Seminole is a great -- perhaps better -- choice for him for a myriad of reasons that include academics, maturity and baseball. If you'd like to PM me, you're welcome to do so.

I should probably read everything before I post. Sorry for being redundant

M,

Have you heard anything from the land of palm trees and half-naked co-eds?

Biggest complaint from Greensboro so far is parking. If you go out, most times you can only find a space on the southern fringe of campus. Dorm is on the northern fringe!

No complaints except that I call every day.

It's a great fit. I'm sure I'll hear parking complaints come Monday....except that they will probably get there before everyone else does! And it's a small enough campus that no walk should be awful.

Honestly, the apartment is gorgeous and, as you say, palm trees and half-naked girls (I guess; I wasn't looking) so what more could you want? Big outfield for roaming, great coaches, cool roommates and Disney World. A schedule that begs for a 4.0.

I think I want to be 18 again, but this time I think I want to be a baseball player.

Sounds as if things are great for both of your Boys! I think parking has been a problem at almost every campus we have visited thus far.

Mcozart,
While visiting the campuses I have found they are a fit for ME!! Oh I would love to go away to school again!

Sue54,

Where have you gone so far?

By the way, don't know whether you saw but finally wrote to you at your e-mail address (the verizon one).

Mcozart,
I can't find the email. I checked the spam too. Sigh.

Met with Coaches at Appalachian State, Millersville U.

Toured on our own at Highpoint, Elon, UNCG.

Then with the Fall Showcase team he has been to SHippensburg, James Madison, Bridgewater.

So far he still loves Appalachian State. Though he really does like the Coaching Staff at Millersville U. At this point we are not closing any doors.

I want to go to either Highpoint, or Appalachian State. Maybe I should apply. LOL.
Highpoint is First Class all the way in what they offer as far as Dorms and such.

Sue54,

just resent the e-mail to you. let me know if you get it.

mcozart
never got it. I will PM you a different email address.

CrusaderDad,
I have a question for you. I sent it to you in a PM.

Back to the title of this thread...son was re-evaluated by team docs yesterday. He is cleared to take live BP and to begin running on flat ground...YEA

CrusaderDad,
That is fantastic news! He must be so excited. You too of course. Do you think he will be able to play in any of the games this Fall?

I don't think they play games, unless you mean intrasquad. The only "game" I know about is the alumni game on Family Weekend (last weekend of September). His time table for full activity is "by October", so I guess they would hold him out since he would not have been practicing fully. Maybe if he progresses really well, he can get an at-bat or play the field an inning or two. But after an entire summer and fall of him not playing, I'll be REALLY DEPRESSED if he has a setback and is not ready for spring!!!

Crusaderdad,
Many times our freshman players go off to school and don't tell us much about fall activities, not because they won't let us in, but because they don't know.
Most coaches begin their programs by introduction to the weight room. You might find the older players out on the field already because they know the drill. Then comes instruction, 4 on 1. That means one coach can instruct 4 players at a time. This lasts a few weeks. There are NCAA rules governing this.

After everyone seems to get settled in, official organized practice usually begins sometimes late september, early october. Again, this is also goverened by NCAA rules, cetain hours per day, certain time fram (30 days I think). Most likely at the end of that period they will hold "fall games". Ours are called purple/orange, done over three days.
I am sure that your sons coaches and trainers will do all they can to have your son ready to compete for a position on the team.
Once they return from december vacation, it starts all over again!

Terrific news! I know he's got to be so happy to get back out there!

I can't wait to see what he'll be able to do when healthy. It's been such a long and exhausting road for you guys.

Got my fingers crossed! And thanks for the e-mail, by the way. It's really good to know that so many of the kids (and their parents) from summer and fall are staying in touch.

George,

Tell Corey to hang in there, He will do just fine. Glad to hear he is progressing and getting better.

I know he anxious to get going.

Best of luck !

CV

TPM:

Thanks. I was aware of most of that stuff. Their "thirty days" is basically the month of September. I just haven't heard about any games except the alumni game. Maybe they have a blue/gold series or something that my son doesn't know about yet.

M:

It was a pretty good group last summer, both kids and parents. I just talked to Kevin. Ryan is doing well at ND. They are playing inter-squad games.

CV:

Thanks, Jeff. Give Danny our best wishes. Tell him I check him out on his IM. I don't converse much, but I read everyone's away messages. That's my life now that I have no baseball games to go to.

George,

If you want a fix, come on down Saturday 16th at 2 PM to the Legion, next weekend we play at home Sat & Sun, 9/23 & 24. I know it's not the same, but you are welcome, and can keep our scorebook if you like.

CV

Thanks for the invite Jeff. The lovely Mrs. CruaderDad has been finding things for me to do on the weekends. I'll check the Sting website if I can get away.

Son was excited the other day. He almost took one out with wood in BP (ball hit top of fence). Yesterday, he was allowed to run poles with pitchers for 45 minutes. Funny, I don't remember him ever being excited about running poles before...

Baseball owns me right now. MWF I'm basically not in my dorm until 10pm after leaving it at 645am. Having said that... it's alot of fun

Son finally got to hit against live pitching (although not allowed to run it out). Grounded to second and popped to third, but he has never been happier after an 0 for 2.

Each freshman has been granted the opportunity to clean the locker room one day per week. Son says, "These guys have lockers. I don't know why they have to throw their stuff on the floor." Mom and I can only smile as we are still not finished straightening up his room since he left for school...

Just returned from Family Weekend...way too short. Son still not allowed to play in games, but I saw him take BP and run (first time allowed to sprint) in the outfield before the game. He gets re-evaluated this week and if all goes well, will be fully cleared. The end of this week represents mid-term and all is well so far.

quote:

CrusaderDad

I am glad to hear that you had a nice visit with your Son. Hopefully next visit will be longer. Sounds like he is healing great. I hope all continues to go well for him.

FULLY CLEARED

I'll try to get this going again.

Son has had a full week of team practice now. Very sore from all the running (been in re-hab it seems for a year so not much running in a long time). Just starting to feel good. Defense was shakey at first, but says he's starting to feel in control now. Hitting coming around slowly, but coming. All indications are he'll be starting in centerfield at Auburn in two weeks...

News of others:

Jared Cozart (Pikesville) at Seminole CC - Has played sparingly, recovering from back injury, but has an RBI and got his first college hit the other day.

Brian Hobbs (N. Caroline) at Chipola CC - Starting OF, batting in high 300s with a couple of doubles so far.

Many others start this weekend. Let's keep the updates on MD players going.

Well, the first college series is out of the way. Son is still looking for his first hit, but he did win the starting centerfield job. Even made some nice over-the-shoulder catches, and a diving catch. Coach told him he just needed a few more at-bats to get comfortable.

Auburn really took it to us in game #1 as we lost 9-2. But, the other scores were 4-2 and 4-1, so when the hitting comes around it looks like we will be competitive.

I'm driving to Greensboro tomorrow for the home opening series against Marist.

How is everyone else doing?