juco moms

Juco Mom

From my son's experience, it was very positive. I, too, was very apprehensive at first about the JUCO schools. He got a lot of playing time, improved his skills, and was recruited and will play at a Division I school this spring. Just be sure that he takes classes that will transfer toward his major. Some 4 year colleges will evaluate the juco classes for you and tell you which ones will tranfer.

I am also interested in getting feedback about JUCO programs and going that route. My son has done so much work with running and working out the past few months, he has lost over 30 lbs.... so we thought some new doors may open for him and it may be best to go JUCO route? also like the idea of possibly getting more playing time and proving yourself as a player to a 4 yr program. Like everyone says.... go where you will play.

Would appreciate any feedback, what to look for, etc. Also interested in opinions whether there is a huge difference between opportunities at D1 v D2 JUCOs. I know there is a difference regarding scholarships, but just wondering if D1 programs offer any more exposure or will a successful D2 do just as much.

My son went the D-1 JUCO route simply because he felt he would get far more playing time and as a pitcher...you only get one game a week as it is...JUCOs have a fall season against other teams so they play all school year, not just spring. (The fall practice schedule at the 4-years appear to have more restrictive rules. No games for him this fall, for example...intrasquad only)
It was positive for us as parents as well since the scholarship offer was very good.

He was a good student graduating cum laude from HS, although not an interested student. (That still holds true He does what he has to do but he does not have a love of learning. On the other hand, he works very hard at the stuff he loves...baseball, music, etc.)
He took the SAT as a sophomore and never took it again...once more, lack of interest. He felt, and he was right, the score, although average was good enough to get him in the doors. He never took the ACT.

He did make sure that he took primarily core classes and as a result, everything transferred. In hindsight, it would have been nice if he had an idea where he wanted to transfer to...he didn’t when he began...and he did change his major so there was some wasted classes...but he will still graduate in 4 years.

Now, the playing time thing became a problem because in the fall of his JUCO freshman year (2005), he tore his shoulder muscle due to the bone head sliding in and out of his shoulder (although this was not diagnosed until June, 2006.) He knew it hurt but the severity of the injury was not identified since doctors wanted to take a conservative approach and he had no intention of missing the season. In fact, he was in far more pain than he revealed because he later admitted, he could still get guys out and since they were doing exploratory surgery in June, in his mind, whatever further damage was done could be fixed then. (“I thought I was gonna pass out every pitch in that game” was one of his famous after-surgery quotes.) Unfortunately, it did hurt his playing time.

His sophomore year, he had a new coach and no fall ball due to surgery so he was at the bottom of the “go-to” list when the 2007 season began. He earned his way into the starting rotation before it was over, but it took a lot of work on his part, and the coach still limited his innings (rightfully so).

Now, due to the injury...although I'm not sure how many people scouting even realized he was dealing with injury since he never red-shirted but he certainly wasn’t performing at the level he is able to...he didn't get any out right offers. When he started looking on his own with the help of his JUCO coach, one coach expressed surprise that he hadn't already signed and made a nice offer saying he never contacted him because he just assumed he was already committed. I will say this for him, once coaches realized he was still out there (again with the help of his JUCO coach), he got several calls with outright offers. In addition, every coach he approached and tried out for offered him a spot on the team so he ended up where he wanted to go but that wasn't determined until early July with school beginning in August.

Anyway, his experience was a bit unique. Just to reassure you, he had offers from all levels: D-1, D-2, D-3 and he went NAIA. Many of the guys did have up-front offers and all of the sophomore class of his JUCO that wanted to move on landed somewhere to play (again, across the spectrum with some in D-1.)

I don’t know enough to speak on the difference between D-1 and D-2 JUCO, but the level of play at his D-1 JUCO was very good. He learned in a hurry that he had got away with a lot of pitches in HS that were meat at the college level...and sometimes very good pitches get hammered as well. He has been pushed to continue to work on his game and develop his skills, but he loves the challenge and has never yet felt he did not belong on the field or was overmatched. He enjoys the environment where every person on the team works hard to be there or they don’t last unlike HS where commitment to the game was not an essential part of making the team.

In a nutshell, I would say that JUCO baseball is respectable and should not be viewed as a place only for those that couldn’t cut it at a 4-year school due to lack of ability or grades. There are many young men on those rosters that do not fall into the stereo-type. And academically, JUCO classes are not all dummied down…he had to earn his marks and thus far, hasn’t found his classes “harder” at his new school.

This post has already become too long but I can try to answer more specific questions.

Tigermom5, I notice you are from Missouri - so are close to Arkansas. University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a JUCO that is going DII. 2008 grads will be grandfathered in, so will have the ability to leave as if they are at a JUCO or to stay on as DII. It is probably as good as you will find academically for a JUCO, is in a good sized town, has great apartments on campus, and has really nice bb facilities. Since you are close (maybe), you might want to check them out.

The junior college route worked for both my boys.
They were strong academically and chose junior college so they could get the playing time in and improve their game in order to move on to a Division 1 school.
It was expensive since there weren't scholarships at the junior college and they were out of state but they wanted to be in a warm climate where they could play lots of baseball and the competition was good.
They certainly were seen by scouts at the junior college (in California). Both boys were drafted after their first year . . . but declined.
I would encourage your boys to find courses that will transfer. It is tough if they change majors but at their age it is quite likely that they will. (my oldest son is having to finish up his courses without scholarship assistance now that his four years are over)
I think it is also important to find out how many of the players transfer to four year schools and look to see where they transfer. Some junior college coaches work much harder than others at finding good universities for their players to move on to.

Also remember that now, I think they have to be eligible in the fall, not spring. So, you have to make sure that they have enough transferable credits because they can't make up for it that first semester.

Good questions and comments. Just for another point of view, my son had a lot of really good JUCOs calling him and got an offer from a great one. He decided that he did not want to go through this whole process again in two years. He decided to go to a great DII with good academics, so that he could feel like he was there to stay. It kind of surprised me, but once he made that decision he was really happy with it. His BF on the team is now visiting these JUCOs every week-end and has several offers, but my son is still glad with his choice.

thanks for all of the replies. my son has already verballed to a great JUCO in missouri. he is very happy with his decision, but i worry about having to do this whole roller coaster again. he attends a small school now and he feels this is a great fit for him. hopefully it all works out and he will be at a good d-1 in 2 years.

Congrats TM5!!!

Son started out D1 - was not a good fit for him, so he contacted a JUCO coach he knew and is currently there as a sophomore. LOVES it. He was recruited by another D1 and has signed for next year. We kind of had to sell son all over again since many coaches didn't know he went JUCO. Turns out his summer experience is what got him noticed. Anyway, mom here has been in constant contact with current school as to transferable hours and future school counselor as well. Current one said he is on track to graduate from there in May and future one says all but ONE HOUR will transfer. Yippee!! Anyway, my son's teammates who started off there their freshman year - the fall ball and spring season got them noticed and most already know where they're going next year.

JUCO was excellent for my son.

After freshman year there, though, he has moved on to a D1. A challenge for him on many levels, but also just the push he needed to mature.

Blue sky,
and all the posters of this post,
so glad i read this tonight, blue sky you are describing my son down to the pinpoint , good grades but lack of interest etcx, etc, it was like reading a story about my son. My son has turned down several schools D3's,naias, doesnt feel they are right fit wants to go to a JC(junior colege) thats what we call them here in Ca. anyway I went and watched one of their games today as its my sons senior year in hs, wanted to see the JC and the team etc. they were pretty good but felt my son would def. be able to compete next year. Its nice to hear moms talk positive because a lot of my baseball friends think my son is makng a huge mistake and that hes too smart etc, but like many of your sons that had excellent grades it has nothing to do with that.I actually am realizing it is probably hwats best fro him next year, grow up a little more and sharpen some skills. just great to hear positive outcomes of Jucos. thanks

Hey Ladies,
Thanks for all of the advice. My son signed with the JUCO of his choice and is a different kid. He can't wait for college and is so excited about baseball. His new coach is a great motivator. I would also like to compliment our high school coach. My son attends a small rural school and our high school coach has worked incredibly hard to get 5 boys signed with colleges already and our other 3 seniors have tryouts scheduled with JUCO's all next month. He has really gone the extra mile.

I don't know how many JUCO coaches do this (I hope all!), but after fall ball during Freshman year at his JUCO, the coach had meetings with all the kids and told them where they stood.

For those who weren't going to be seeing the playing time they hoped for, or for whom it just wasn't turning out to be a good match, he did this: he had already lined up other schools for them to transfer to between semesters, and gave them the coach's name and other details.

So, for every single kid he had practiced with that fall, the coach found a spot for those that wanted to continue even if not on his squad. I was very impressed with that.

I doubt that would ever happen at the D1 level, especially with all the transfer rules now, other than maybe sending a kid back to a JC if they were young enough.

I am so glad to have found this part of the website! My son is just like the one mentioned above. I am hearing more and more good things about JUCOs. My concern is about where he will live ( ones he wants to look at are out of town). On the other hand, my daughter went to a big 10 indiana school last year as a freshman and had an absolutely horrible roommate experience in a dorm, so I am hoping that living in an apartment with some pre-arranged baseball players would be better ?!?! Anyone have exerience wih the the basics of living aspect???

mikamaom,

My son is going to get an apartment with a couple friends that are also playing sports at the Junior college. It is a 45 minute commute each way 6 days a week and with gas prices and just time factor . It s a little concerning him being on his own and not in a dorm but baseball is really important to him so he needs to keep his grades up and stay out of trouble.Good luck with everything. The JC coach has been at several of my sons games and has seen him play and he is off to a wonderful start.Im glad that all us JC moms have a place to chat. Some people think its the end of the world, I think the chance to mature as a young man and a s a player and student can be a great thing.

mikamom-Welcome! Its always a little less stressful here in the ladies lounge!

I guess we are lucky where we are, there are several jucos around that have dorms. One less thing for this momma to worry about, at least he will get to eat something besides ramen and frozen pizza!

Graduation is just 8 weeks away and boy am i getting a little sad. Can't wait till he starts playing at the college level. my son also is attending a JUCO in the midwest that has very nice dorms. He has his own room that is bigger than the dorm room that I shared with my roomate. Congrats Mom of 2 Catchers on your son's committment.

tigermom5,

I don't know why that graduation milestone is so painfully sweet, but it just killed me every time one of mine did it.

Will you be able to see many of your son's games next year after he enrolls at the JUCO in the midwest?

OOO this whole thing is starting to drive me nuts. Son has a D2 offer, and 3 JC's interested in him. I can see the positive of more playing time in JC, smaller classes, teachers who are not wrapped up in publishing and research, not living in the dorm (we had an absolutely horrible dorm experience last year with my daughter at an IN school). THen again, what if he doesn't get a shot at baseball after JC - will we look back adn say - gee wish we would have taken that D2 offer.
On the other hand a pro scout told us to sit tight, something might happen after the draft... how often does this happen?
I am going to go get some chocolate....

mikamom, I feel your pain. Our son just committed to JUCO last week and he is a different kid now, at home and on the mound. He had his best outting yet the day after he signed. Our kid is back

He is just returning to play after TJ surgery. His schools of first choice had already signed several pitchers during early signing, so they were no longer a viable option. He decided JUCO would be a stepping stone, hopefully leading back to those schools later. He visited several until he found one where he feels comfortable.

My advice is to make visits and help him find a fit, both with the school and baseball program. It's hard to do this time of year, but it's also the best time to see the baseball team in action. If the D2 is not his school of choice, maybe he can find a JUCO that is a good fit. That leaves the door open.

Hang in there! If found brownies very useful.

I do believe that brownies and brownie batter are very useful for a variety of worries and cravings. Better yet, a pan of brownies and two baseball moms to discuss whatever may be worrying us at the time!

Just to answer the question early, yes I live about 2.5 hours away from my son's JUCO. I think I am going to drop down to part-time work in order to travel with my husband and have time to see my son play ball. It is hard to ride that line of not interfering too much. I want him to know I trust him, just want to watch him play ball.

I feel for you Mikamom. I was in the same boat, but just like pitchcatchmom said, mine was a different kid after he signed with the juco.

We have been told by a couple of D1's, that my son may be a summer pick-up after the draft, so I guess it happens. I don't think my son wants to do that. He is very happy with his decision. Good luck to all and maybe we will see you in summer ball.

Thank you ladies for all your advice and encouragement. I feel so lucky to just know that my son has a passion and may be able to continue with it for at least a couple more years.
I have so many friends whose kids don't have a passion, and they are sometimes like lost lambs.

Although it sounds mushy, baseball has been a very good friend to him. It has given him the push to get and keep those good grades, keep himself in top physical shape and heavens knows he has learned so much from the mental game. I am thankful, as I know you all are, for that passion.

Just came home from a great game. He has played with these same kids since 7th grade on both school and travel ball, and played with his opponents on travel ball as well. Being the catcher he gets to "visit" with everyone as they come up to bat - I think he really enjoys that part of it.

I know this is all going to work out here - it is just nerve wracking in the meantime. Here's to all those moms who have sat in the heat and cold, held their breath through innings and at bats, washed those icky socks and stirrups (especially when they are in a ball), and attempted to throw batting practice.

Thanks again - -I will let you know how it goes!

Congrats to pitchcatchmom's son on committing to the JUCO last week!!

What an accomplishment after the TJ surgery!

Hang in there mikamom - sounds like great things are happening your way! Keep us updated!

I loved your last post - what a great way to express about how "baseball has been a very good friend to him" - I think it has been to all of our boys.

Chocolate - in any form (brownies, brownie batter, hersey kisses, etc.) always helps the baseball stress level!!

Still looking! We had a visit last weekend that went very well, a beautiful college, wonderful progam and coaches. Mr. Ballplayer still thinking.

Good thing I have a chocolate bunny left from Easter!.Once he decides, I am going to have to go on a diet!

I know the posts here have been mostly about goint the JUCO route. My question is, once they have decided that, what is the next step during the fall of their second year? I know some JUCO colleges are active in the process of helping you with the next level and others are not. What should the player do to get his name out and be seen? Thank you.

Just updating,

My son was headed to a junior cllege in Ca. Actually he had all the JCs in the area calling him and recruiting him.He had a really strong year.
At one of his games a D1 coach was there to check out 2 pitchers and saw my son. My son is now going to this D1. It is a private school, small class size, close to home and he received some academic and athletic money. It was just sort of out of the blue. But I still think the juco route is fine and good for a lot of our boys.
D2,D3 NAIA, any of them are great. My son likes the school he has chosen to go to, he liked the players,coaches,facilities, they arent winnigna lot right now but he is hoping to be part of the rebuilding. And if it doesnt work out he would most likely go to a Junior college the following year. the athletic is only good for one year at a time. so anyway good luck to all your boys.

cbmom,

In some cases, players are found by D1, D2, and D3 schools who continue to recruit from the JUCO ranks.

Some JUCO coaches are really helpful in finding some options for their players who haven't yet been recruited by another school.

Otherwise, I would guess it's the same as it was in high school: send out letters and try to find a spot on his own.

Wishing your son luck!

My son did it a little bit backwards. Started out with a D1 college. By the end of his freshman year he hated college and baseball. Transferred to a juco college the next year. Loved it. His grades improved and he learned to love the game again. He now plays at a D2. His first year there just ended and he was named to the all conference first team. As of right now he leads the nation in saves in all three divisions. A juco taught him how much he loves to play the game.

marksmenbaseball,

that happens a lot more than we see posted on here. And great that he made the change, found the love for the game again and found a school at the D2 level he is happy with.for my son I wnat him to go out loving the game . what a shame when they lose that. No matter where they go we want them to be happy, and successful on and off the field no matter if its a juco, D1,2, 3 or naia. doesnt matter.

Thank you for having this thread going. It's helpful to us, as we will most likely be going the JUCO route. This is all so overwelming and I will admit - sad/bittersweet. This is my baby leaving the nest. How do you ladies handle this? Maybe I should start a separate thread for this question, but now that we officially have a senior, I'm happy/sad that we're here already..lol Hope that makes sense. I'm sure it does to you moms.

Anyways, any advice or tips would be great.