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19 replies

Have i lost my mind?

G gap2gap10+ posts
My son is a student at our middle school (8th grade). We have always anticipated our kids going to our town high school. Our town high school has a very good academic reputation. However, I notice that a larger number of kids that are going on to play college baseball come from a far more competitive private high school division. Our particular high school has loses several kids to private schools, most being athletes. My son showed up for the first middle school baseball meeting and only 16 kids showed up, approximaetly half were seventh graders. Knowing the names of most of the kids who showed, only 2-3 are compettive baseball players. Of the 16 kids, a handful never made the majors in little league. I only mention this to paint a picture of how few serioous baseball players are in our town. My son gets plenty of competition on his summer travel team.

I geuss my ultimate question is, do good baseball players that play on bad baseball teams in lower divisions get overlooked? We are from the northeast, where it is already challenging to get your name on the map.

Please let me know if you think I am insane for considering putting him in a private school for better baseball competition.
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RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007
I have a second home in the Boston area. I know exactly what you're talking about. Michael Yaz went to St Johns Prep even though he's from a town with a very good high school. It's hard to argue with the results. He's getting playing time as a freshman at Vanderbilt. Mickey Wiswall, one of BC's top hitters went to Belmont Hill instead of his local high school.

The scenario is the same where my son attends high school in the Philadelphia area. The privates pursue the talent. I didn't see the value in the privates (even with a partial scholarship) given our high school is strong academically and I'm already paying for it in property taxes. Our high school baseball situation sounds better than yours. There's still talent. My son plays with and against the kids who attend the privates in the summer when baseball is more relevant to recruiting. In a few years if your son has the talent and the passion find a quality showcase program.
Last edited by RJM
CADadCADad5,000+ posts
You aren't insane if he, not you, really wants the stronger competition and is willing to be separated from his current friends as a result.

BTW, I had a couple dads recommend the repeating 8th grade route. One of their sons signed in an early round and the other is on a scholarship at a major D1 that has excellent academics.
Last edited by CADad
G gap2gap10+ posts
He says he would like to do it, but I think for some of the wrong reasons. I have taken him on a couple of tours (informal) to a few private schools. The facilities were an immediate attention getter for him. Bu that's not a reason to go wither

He would prefer the better competition. After the middle school meeting last week, he was the one who asked if it was worth playing ( middle school) I told him it was as the middle school team is scheduled to play some good competition (including 4 middle school prorams) I agree that he will make more head way doing travel ball and showcases, but I hope that high school baseball doesn't become a tough four year experience.
G gap2gap10+ posts
AntzDad,

I agree with about baseball only being a part of the hs experience. That is why i am not sure my son has considerred the all of the other aspects of hs and the different experince our town hs would be with a private school. In any event, we have missed all of the deadlines for applying to private school for ninth grade, so he would have to transfer in tenth grade.
EG Eric G100+ posts
7th and 8th grade is like watching paint dry no matter where he plays, I am sure. My oldest never played either yet played with his Summer team during the Spring versus surrounding organizations that either didnt have JrHi ball or was allowed to play both (school and club). My youngest is not playing 7th grade this yer for the same reasons.
jemazjemaz1,000+ posts
As a product of a Catholic school, I am a strong believer in and supporter of public education. Good baseball players are good baseball players. Before I sent him to a private school, I would switch public schools if possible. I also think middle school baseball 1. should not be played and 2. is a terrible barometer of most high school programs. But only you and your son know the best situation for your family.
Last edited by jemaz
zombywoofzombywoof1,000+ posts
quote:
I geuss my ultimate question is, do good baseball players that play on bad baseball teams in lower divisions get overlooked? We are from the northeast, where it is already challenging to get your name on the map.


If they're good ballplayers, they won't get overlooked. They'll get noticed. The key is playing and putting up the numbers. You can play for a big time private but if you're riding the pine, what good is it?

I do question the wisdom of sending a kid to a high school based on baseball first and academics second.

Besides, it's the summer teams and showcases where the serious ballplayer is gonna make an impact to drum up interest from colleges.
Last edited by zombywoof
G gap2gap10+ posts
Zombywoof,

Not putting athletics over academics at all. Academically, we can't go wrong with either choice. As the tone of my post should point out, just considering his options. Lot to consider - friends, social life, sense of town/community, financial exc. It is just disappointing to see so many of his baseball friends heading off to private school and not really recognizing anyone on the diamond anymore. I agree about travel ball and he is currently in a great program. Thanks for the advice.

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