How many guys would rather hang 'em up than keep playing at D3?

While 3-2 is a viable option for some, I do not think it is for many. I have known several, And most it turns into a 4-2. Not many want to give up that last year of baseball, and few can make the baseball team at the 2 year university team. 

This has been discussed here several times. 

http://community.hsbaseballweb...engineering-programs

http://community.hsbaseballweb...grees-in-engineering

http://community.hsbaseballweb...engineering-programs

After reading many of the comments in these threads especially from Engineers. 

While researching colleges online, I came across some small LACs now offering 4/1 engineering degrees, with 4 year in the LAC with BA and 1 year in a name-brand engineering school with MS. So that cures two issues with the 3/2 program, which are 1) leaving school in Senior year, and 2) 5 years with a BA/BS degree. I hope this becomes the trend and more school offer such arrangement.

Bogeyorpar posted:

9and7dad posted:

I think some also make the choice they would rather go to large state U and try to play club ball as opposed to D3.  For some it can be the best of both worlds. 

I wonder whether this is a viable option. Have anyone's kids actually played club ball? What's the experience like? Looks like club ball also have "Division 1" or "Division 2". Are those correlating to the skill levels?

It is for many. I played club hockey. Son's friend plays club at a mid-major DI. His team had cuts. Mostly self-run. Fall and spring seasons. They travel a few hours by van to other schools. Travel to Regional/National playoffs. Much less time commitment than DI team. The only down-side that I see with some teams, some years, is that it can be hard for a newcomer to get a fair shake. Upperclassmen run the team in many cases, and their buddies might play ahead of a more talented frosh.

http://www.clubbaseball.org/

Regarding club ball - I only know one kid that did it.  He was a VERY effective HS LHP, but just lacked the kind of velocity needed to get looks above D3.  He knew what school he wanted to attend because it was the right fit for him.  It is a mid level D1.  He went to a camp and the coach told him he just didn't have the velo necessary to play for him.  The kid went to the school anyhow and played club.  I run into his Dad occasionally and he always says what a good decision it was and what a great time his son had playing club baseball, and he loved the school too.  A win for everyone.

Lots of schools offer those 4/1, 3/2 programs for business, medicine, engineering. Some of the SLACs have such good merit aid (for the BETTER/BEST students) that the extra year(s) pencil out...if you are getting what you need overall.

Again, just make sure to read the fine print as you compare programs.

Bogeyorpar posted:

9and7dad posted:

I think some also make the choice they would rather go to large state U and try to play club ball as opposed to D3.  For some it can be the best of both worlds. 

I wonder whether this is a viable option. Have anyone's kids actually played club ball? What's the experience like? Looks like club ball also have "Division 1" or "Division 2". Are those correlating to the skill levels?

My only exposure to club ball is from the outside looking in. From the pluses and negatives I've heard it's important who is coaching. The better scenario is a young coach looking to gain experience and make a name for himself. The worst scenario is a club team with a player coach. Obviously the coach is going to play. Next come his buddies. Who starts and who doesn't may be the worst politics you've ever seen. I believe there's a website for club ball. There are conferences. There's a World Series. I would guess the key is getting on a serious club team. A former high school teammate of my son was on a club team with an enormous roster. No one was cut. He gave it up after a year of hardly playing.

Bogeyorpar posted:

While researching colleges online, I came across some small LACs now offering 4/1 engineering degrees, with 4 year in the LAC with BA and 1 year in a name-brand engineering school with MS. So that cures two issues with the 3/2 program, which are 1) leaving school in Senior year, and 2) 5 years with a BA/BS degree. I hope this becomes the trend and more school offer such arrangement.

Bogeyorpar,

Over the next bunch of years we'll find out if this 4+1, 3+2 (or any combination of numbers they want to throw at it) programs are here to stay or an educational fad meant to fill a marketing gap in a LAC's academic curriculum.  The bottom line will be if employers embrace the concept or not, and can the student or his family afford more loans.   Essentially, if the end game is an engineering degree why take all these additional expensive classes up front (they aren't free) that aren't directly leading to an engineering degree....i just can't wrap my head around that.   Maybe that is a fenwaysouth issue......I've always lived my life with the quickest way between two points is a straight line, and shy away from expensive things that aren't needed. 

I have one son with an engineering degree and another who will have it by May 2017.  It is possible he could graduate early, but we're not pushing it.   Both had coveted engineering internships their sophomore and junior years that will have led to professional employment (before graduation) because they are in well known engineering programs, performed well and sought internships aggressively.  The employer recognized the students engineering program had "juice" and took a chance on the student with an internship....it is a win/win.   The people making those internship/employment decisions are also graduates of well known engineering undergrad and graduate programs.   So, what I'm saying is I think you're going to see a 3+2 or 4+1 student at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to winning engineering internships or being offered engineering employment at graduation because they wouldn't have had engineering internship experience.

Also, justbaseball's point in this thread is golden.  This is coming right from the employers keyboard...... http://community.hsbaseballweb...engineering-programs      

Plus, we're not even discussing the logistical, academic and administrative challenges with regards to NCAA baseball requirements.  I need an Advil just thinking about that.  If this is a path your son selects, I wish him well and please send me a PM to tell me how it turns out.   Thanks.  As always, JMO.

Great post Fenway.