If I knew then what I know now what would I have done differently?

1. I would be more like I am on HSBB web to those on the outside world.

2. I would have spent more time/money on lessons and less time on select teams during the early years of HS ball (Fresh/Soph.) year. So that my son would have had the best, possible personal skills first.

3. I would have been my son's advocate 100% of the time and I would have challenged things more publically then stewed over them privatly. The result might have been less sleepless nights.

4. I wish I had supported my son publically and personally, during the early years, as much as I supported others. Maybe this support would have made him more confident and that might have empowered him to withstand what he would be exposed to and experienced during the HS years.

Like others, my son's high school career ended this weekend. Hard to watch it come to a close, it happens so fast. But, he got to experience what many others don't, a chance to play for a quality program; play with a group of guys he grew up with; and enjoy the post season experience.

Now, back to the original question.

1. Don't spend gobs of money on fall & summer showcase tournaments where nobody other than the college hosting the showcase attend.

2. Same with camps, spend your money on private development, that's where you get the best bang for your buck.

3. Enjoy the moment more, and relax...the time goes by fast.


Right now, I'm a little numb but figure I'm blessed and will get to watch him play some more.

LT

If I knew then what I know now, what would I have done differently?

I would not have been so tough on Texan Son when I coached his teams. I was always tougher on him than on any other player. Too much so at times, to my deep regret. A few good Christian men who were my assistant coaches helped me realize this, for which I am grateful.

Fortunately, Texan Son made some good come out of it. With subsequent coaches, none of them have seemed all that tough or intimidating to him after surviving dad as coach. Even those coaches who strike fear in the hearts of all the other players haven't been a problem for him.

What would I (or my son) have done differently:

1. Started the contacting of college coaches sooner. (We had no clue about all the recruiting stuff until we found this website the end of his junior year.)

2. Not bring up all the errors of other players after a crucial game. Just encourage him without criticizing anyone. No one means to make mistakes, and after all, they are still kids.

3 Remember that baseball is a team sport, not an individual showcase. No matter how good my son may play, the other players on the team can make or break the game.

4. Savor the moments. Take pictures or video the games. Keep the schedule to put in a scrapbook. The time passes way too fast, and before you know it, high school is over.

Throw more, throw harder.

Build your body, strength & nutrition.

Don't be afraid to fail.

I like many others have heard about the feeling you have when that last High School game is over but never knew how bad it would hurt.
The next morning i got up and umpired 2 12 year old ball games with that empty feeling still in my stomach.
I wanted to say to the parents and coaches that in the grand scheme of things these games will not matter as some dewelled on every little mistake.
What i would do
1)BE more Positive
2)Enjoy the time that i had to spend with my son and family at the ballpark a little more
3)
3)

If I had to do it all over again (wait, I have next year!), I'd play Rockwall less.

Another parent who's son just played his last High School game:

1. Keep things positive and make sure he is having fun, especially pre high school.

2. Make sure you get good private instruction - We have been very lucky to have some of the best instructors in the Metroplex the last several years and that has helped my son go from an average player to a very successful high School player.

3. Don't spend a great deal of money going to camps or showcases unless your son throws in the 90's or has great speed or power. The average or above average player does not get much attention. Better to spend your time and energy on conditioning and instruction.

4. Off Season Conditioning - There are many local places that offer very good off season baseball specific conditioning programs that help a great deal.

5. Work on mental skills as well as physical - all players will need to have the ability to handle adversity as well as success.

I have a tad bit of experience with this. ALL right on the nose-good stuff.

1. First and most importantly would have have put more emphasis on grades. Many more doors are opened by academic excellence and sports combined.

2. Work on physical strenth and appearence in relation to baseball. Coaches seem to think taht with physical strenth they can have more to work with.

3. Start your college process during your sophmore year.

4. Don't limit yourself to a certain area of the state or country. Be flexable.

5. Know your limitations. You can only improve your situation by your having a chance to display your talents.

6. Do not depend on anyone, do it yourself and if anyone helps thats just makes it better.

7. Let your skills do the talking. If it is fact it is not bragging.

Just a little advice--on this issue. If you have a son who is blessed with college opportunties in baseball, then (I think) the best advice you can give him is to pick the school first and everything (yes-baseball) second. The life of a student-athlete is brutal and has changed dramatically since I was in school in the ice-ages (1977-1981-football-Baylor). It is (and I don't care where you go)not 9-5. It is 5am-12am. It's baseball in the morning, school, baseball, study, baseball, study, baseball-pass out. This goes on 12 months out of the year. Summer? Sorry-TCL, Alaska or Cape Cod. The only solice these kids get is the interaction with the students and professors. If the school stinks in this regard, you will be transferring. Remember, that baseball is fleeting, the degree and the relationships last forever and, personally, the 4 years I spent at BU were the best years of my life. The friends and fraternity brothers I have from BU are truly people I can count on. (PS-If the coach poo-poos fraternities-he is either an idiot or someone who could not get in one-I had this discussion with my BIL!). Don't send your most prized possession somewhere for baseball-first-unless he is also pumped about the school. Don't rob him of the best time of his life and the chance to meet his soul mate!! Trey had several D1 offers out of high school. He went with ACU---Yes-I was a little disappointed (pride)but I became so impressed with the school (small Baylor) and the baseball program I feel we were, again, blessed with no right to be. Listen, this comes from someone who is a tad bit intense and competitive. I think the secret to my kid's success( my daughter graduated from ACU Summa Cum Laude-whatever that means) is that we let them make their own choices--cheerleading, baseball, volleyball-and then we gave them the resources to excell. I encourage you to do the same thing with college. What they are getting ready to do is tough enough. Ok-I vented-I feel better now. God's speed.

on all of the above and just wished I had had this type of exchange, say 4 years ago....

Keep the advice/information coming.....

This thread alone could be one of the best legacies we can give this site.

Thanks-you know-OB-I have been lucky enough to have not learned this the hard way. (my Dad always said it's better to be lucky than good-haha).-you are getting a PM.

If I had it to do all over again - I surely would. And then I would do it again. It is more than a game my son played. It has been a tie that bound our entire family together, and made us closer than we might have been without it.

I can't imagine what I'll be like next year... OBN you must stick around so you can read.

OP and PD... Next year I expect your boys on here and posting about what they would've done different about you two!

tcwatt,

That was a great post and I can tell it came from your heart. Thank you for the time you spent.

With a junior son about to start the "real" recruiting phase of his baseball career in a few weeks, what you said will definitely help him.

I've enjoyed reading your posts over the last week or so. Please keep it up!

quote:

Originally posted by Dtiger:
I can't imagine what I'll be like next year... OBN you must stick around so you can read.

OP and PD... Next year I expect your boys on here and posting about what they would've done different about you two!

Kyle,

I can say without a doubt, Matt wishes I would go jump in a lake!

Tell him I'll take his height if he didn't like what he got from you!

quote:

Remember, that baseball is fleeting, the degree and the relationships last forever and, personally, the 4 years I spent at BU were the best years of my life. The friends and fraternity brothers I have from BU are truly people I can count on. (PS-If the coach poo-poos fraternities-he is either an idiot or someone who could not get in one-I had this discussion with my BIL!). Don't send your most prized possession somewhere for baseball-first-unless he is also pumped about the school. Don't rob him of the best time of his life and the chance to meet his soul mate!!

I appreciate your heartfelt sympathies as everyone else has suggested. Please let me offer another perspective - not to argue I am right but just another perspective. Everyone's is a personal decision.

I agree you want the school to be a place of happiness and contentedness if possible. However, my thinking was baseball only comes along once in life and that happens to be at the beginning. In other words, you cannot go back and make up for a bad baseball decision. Thus, for our family, baseball indeed was the prime consideration. If the school turns out not so great, one can always attend somewhere else in the future and still find friends and soulmates. I don't see education or the experience as one bite at the apple. Not sure you can say that about baseball. I don't believe there is a one size fits all answer to this question however.

Excellent point-If I were to re-write my post I would say--"If you have choices"-you know-college is like anything else-it's what you put into it. That's what I like about this website. Good info and good opinions.

Had more son's.

Ditto OBN...lots more!

quote:

Originally posted by tcwatt:
Excellent point-If I were to re-write my post I would say--"If you have choices"-you know-college is like anything else-it's what you put into it.

Pretty much sums up LIFE, huh?!