Is JUCO the right path?

mykla, My son started last week at a JUCO in IL and LOVES it. We had never considered JUCO during recruiting until fairly late in the game. We only did so because of a JUCO coach that called which prompted us to start investigating this route seriously. I think JUCOs are a wonderful route for many reasons. My son was an average student and although he is a NCAA qualifier, we felt this would be an easier transition academically. He also knew that playing was important to him. A large, well known school or big facility was not. Money was a consideration for us and JUCOs can typically beat out other schools in this department.

I would suggest doing your priority list and then looking at all levels and determining what best meet his needs. "Fits" are very different for different kids. Good luck!

I’m not sure I understand. If he has the skill and the talent to play at the D-1 level (and the opportunity) then why not play at the D-1 level? He will get just as strong at a D-1 over the next two years as he will at a JUCO.

I think Fungo made a good point.

The original poster said it was his coaches/hitting instructors making the recommendations.

What have you heard back from colleges regarding your son's abilities.

Fungo, I think the operative word there is "play". I know an MI my son's age who is also on the slight side. He had the talent to be signed by a Serious Big Name School. Now, entering his junior year, he's played a decent amount in pre-season games, and very little in-season. And they signed an incoming JuCo middle infielder for the very year he thought a position would be his.

Lafmom delineated several very good reasons to go the JuCo route. Playing Time is amongst them. If there is reason to believe your player would be sitting their first two years at a D1, there is reason to consider a JuCo and then transferring (as a better-developed-by-PT player) to a D1 for Junior year. It ain't where you start it's where you finish.

I have to agree with Orlando and Lafmom. My son took a gamble and went to a Florida JUCO rather than a northern D-1 where he would have sat for 2 years. He got a chance to play right away against great competition, got a solid education (make sure you are vigilant about that, though. We found the academic counseling at the JUCO to be weak -- it was not geared toward the serious student), and he put on 2 inches and about 30 pounds. He just began his junior year at a D-1 where he knows he will play right away (they don't recruit transfers unless they really need them). Of course, there's no guarantee that you'll be recruited out of a JUCO, so that is the chance you take. But in our case, it was a good decision. And, besides, he also got to play in Florida in the winter rather than the sleet and cold rain of the north. That was a wonderful bonus!

This is really to Fungo... you state "I’m not sure I understand. If he has the skill and the talent to play at the D-1 level (and the opportunity) then why not play at the D-1 level? He will get just as strong at a D-1 over the next two years as he will at a JUCO. Confused"

Many southern JUCOs could compete with many D-1 colleges. Know a kid who played in the Big 10, then at a Northern Florida JUCO then a Horizon League D-1. He felt that the Florida JCs would win the Horizon and finish 3rd or 4th in the Big 10.

Also with few players getting more than 50%, 2 paid years at a quality JC certainly help in the wallet. Also if you're good enough to get drafted you'll have a degree after 2 years.

Steve,
I agree with you. Your really make the same point as I.

quote:

Many southern JUCOs could compete with many D-1 colleges. Know a kid who played in the Big 10, then at a Northern Florida JUCO then a Horizon League D-1. He felt that the Florida JCs would win the Horizon and finish 3rd or 4th in the Big 10.

If anyone is suggesting JUCOs are weaker it would be mykla. My post was to suggest a young man that is 5’ 9 1/2” 145 lbs will face with the same challenges on a JUCO baseball field as a D-1 field because they are so closely matched in talent. Therefore I suggest if the player has a desire to play D-1 baseball and the skill and talent to play at a D-1 then why go to a JUCO for 2 years. Now if we want to discuss the obvious differences between a JUCO and a D-1 like cost, academics, and the pro draft, I would be the first to admit the JUCO and the D-1 are very different. Sorry, no argument from me.
Fungo

A very close friend has a son playing JUCO baseball. His son was a summer teammate of my son for several years. From what I have learned from this family I would be extra cautious about sending my son to a JUCO baseball program.

At the risk of painting with a very broad brush:

Steroids appear to be quite prevalent in the TX JUCO baseball culture. My friend's son KNOWS that 11 of his teammates were pumping steroids last year. During his recruiting visit at another JUCO the player's steroids table (with product & needles) was out in full view in the locker room.

I haven't researched this, but I understand that there is no official policy in the NJCAA prohibiting steroid use, and there is no national testing program in the NJCAA.

IMO, this issue alone is worth questioning the wisdom of playing JUCO baseball. The pressure on the non-shooting players to use steroids is very high as they see their steroid-enhanced teammates getting stronger and earning more playing time.

dbg, there are also programs in Florida known for their steroid use. That's one of the things parents and players need to investigate through visits and contacts before choosing any school.

Steroid use in a JuCo is a double-edged sword (leaving aside the ethical and legal questions on which we would all agree). It may earn the player more PT and more looks, but where does it go? If the player goes on to a four year, they'll be tested. If they get drafted, they'll be tested. It may get them a shot that would have gone to a non-user, but their chances of "getting away with it" and succeeding would be sorely handicapped.

There are also many programs with higher ethical standards. It isn't a reason to reject the JuCo system. PT, cost, smaller class sizes, availability for the draft, etc are all very real considerations.

Every player needs to be cautious about the school they choose, whatever the designation.

The prior posts are correct in mentioning steroid abuse in Juco ball.It is very difficult for a player who plays by the rules when he sees
players using steroids getting ahead of him.There are also other things that go on at the big Juco level,such as the transferring in of players from Div.1 schools,other Jucos-this will also greatly affect your playing time.The one thing that no one ever mentions on this board is the number of kids that sign with a Div.1 school,then never get to play,are redshirted,then transfer to a Juco.We never hear about it but it happens A LOT!!!

I find it amzing how many posters know about supposed use of this or that performance enhancer.

If it is so prevalent at the JUCO level why don't the schools know about it ?

Are you saying the schools know about it but are looking the other way?

I am not saying it doen't happen but if it is so prevalent why isn't it being attended?

Eagledad --I see you son is headed to or is already at a JUCO--even with your knowledge of enhancers--

As for the transfer from Division I to JUCO perhaps it is not mentioned because none of the posters have had it happen to them-- my son redshirted at a major Division I--stuck it out--worked hard and played the following 4 years.

I don't know that the "schools" know about it, but the coaches do. Winning is apparently that important. With the increased spotlight on juicing, perhaps it is already changing.

I'm sure that steriods do happen at some JUCOs. They may also happen at some HS. Kids can transfer into a JUCO (my son's JUCO has two DI kids that came in this year), but another player can come into your DIII, DI, NAIA. There's never a guarantee when you play college ball. Once again, I say look at your son's priorities and then plan accordingly. Whatever you decide, research of these issues is obviously required at any level.

TR= "Enhancers" are prevalent at all levels,even in the majors-check your tv and newspaper.Coaches choose to know what they want to know and turn a blind eye when they choose to.The transfers are not mentioned because the posters disappear-you always hear about the signing,never hear what happens once they get to college.Not everyone is as dedicated as your son was,many kids stick around but there a lot of transfers.But you know what happens in texas jucos since you live in Connecticut.

quote:

I find it amzing how many posters know about supposed use of this or that performance enhancer.

I am equally amazed by your consistent parochialism. On these boards, if it wasn't seen, heard, or written by you, you challenge the accuracy or validity of many posts across many topics.