JUCO transfer question

What happened? You guys did visit beforehand correct? Sometimes the homesickness will disapear in a couple of months if that is the issue.

We did visit but I think the coach was not truthful about some things. I agree that some may be homesickness but from what I understand, the coaches are grinding the boys into the ground so much that a bunch of boys have already quit. Are most JUCOs doing 5 hour practices/6 days a week at this point? I think we thought there would be some strength training involved but they are swimming and running till they throw up each day. My son has lost 10 pounds in three weeks. He went JUCO to gain weight and bulk up. He is starting to hate baseball.

~5 hours in one span is new to what I have heard. But 5/6 hours over the course of the day is in line with what I have heard. Couple hours of running/weights in the morning, ~3 hours of practice in the afternoon. So I'm not sure what you're describing is out of the ordinary.

I know of some who have moved from one Juco to another but at the end of the semester...without losing eligibility. If he transferred now, I'm not sure what he would say the reason was to satisify the new program.

quote:

I told him he will likely have to stick it out for this year but how do I get him transferred after that? Do I start writing other JUCO and D1 schools

Sometimes kids transfer after the first semester at Juco's.
And no you don't start talking to other schools your son should do that not the parent.From this point on your son should be the only one having conversations with his current coaches and any future coaches.

quote:

We did visit but I think the coach was not truthful about some things. I agree that some may be homesickness but from what I understand, the coaches are grinding the boys into the ground so much that a bunch of boys have already quit. Are most JUCOs doing 5 hour practices/6 days a week at this point? I think we thought there would be some strength training involved but they are swimming and running till they throw up each day. My son has lost 10 pounds in three weeks. He went JUCO to gain weight and bulk up. He is starting to hate baseball.

Sometimes the coaches might leave some things out of their conversations.
Yes most Juco's do practice long and hard everyday. This is not high school any more. This is more like a job. They work them hard like that to see what they are made of and weed out the ones that really don't want to be there, they just thought they wanted to play college ball. After a few weeks I'm sure they will start to weight train after they get that baby fat off of them. Kids become young men real quick when they attend a Juco.

Just my 2 cents. Hope that helps.

My son's first three days of school this year has gone like this:

Weights 6:00 am
Class 8:30 to 12:30
Lunch 12:30 to 1:30
Practice 2:30 to 5:00
Supper 5:30 to 6:30
Weights 8:30 to 9:30
Study and homework 9:30 to 10:30
Bed time 11:00

If your son had interest from other coaches and wants to rethink his decision, he may want to contact them directly.
He can transfer, and depending on when, will depend on tuition reimbursement as well. (On the money side of things.)

My sons schedule also, a JUCO, is
2 X week lifting 6am
5 days week he has classes 8- 12 and also a night class from 8-9:15(2X week)
He has practice 6 days, M-F 2-around 5/6
also had inner squad one day and didn't get in till 10pm.
It's a long day, he's tired....but loves the baseball too much to leave, school and classes, well they go with the territory.
He mentioned players that have missed a class have had to do extra running. He has vowed to NEVER miss a class....

I wish your son success in his decision. It is not an easy adjustment to college, being away and the prssures of life on your own. plus baseball. It might be best to stay the fall, if he is willing and transfer for spring. But he should decide soon as it will be hard to get into the swing of things at a new school, when classes and practices have already begun.

Sounds like a Florida JUCO that I am aware of. They would tread water holding weights in the pool. Many coaches have a "h e l l" week where the players with a lack of what the coach percieves as dedication are weeded out.

JUCO is not for the light of heart. They work very hard and are not subject to NCAA practice limitations. Many will play close to 20 games before the season begins.

My son did transfer after 1st season to a second JUCO, but it had nothing to do with hard workouts, playing time or problems with coaches. If he is in a NJCAA he will need to get permission from his current coach to move forward, and other NJCAA coaches will have to be up front and open with his existing coach. There are strict penalties for not adhereing to proper protocol.

Thank you all for the information and advice.

Well, I should have bit my tongue.....spoke with son last night and he is BORED! Small campus, except for baseball he is not a happy camper....uggghhhh
Really hope we can convince him to stay and finish the semester....good grief, nothing is ever easy.

quote:

Originally posted by Momof1B:
Well, I should have bit my tongue.....spoke with son last night and he is BORED! Small campus, except for baseball he is not a happy camper....uggghhhh
Really hope we can convince him to stay and finish the semester....good grief, nothing is ever easy.

Could your son tell that quickly? I could see maybe in a few months, but after a few weeks?

I must be missing something.

Well TPM, I think what you are missing is I thought my son was doing fine. Gave his workout/class schedule in an earlier post. Then, I get a call from him saying he hates it, and wants to come home after two weeks.

Loves the baseball, coaches, not liking the school. Small campus, small town and most kids go home for the long weekends, so he is feeling stuck there. We looked at the school, knew the size....must be homesickness.....

Like the OP, trying to figure out what to do next.

Just frustrated that he isn't happy and he needs to realize he needs to stay and deal with it for at least the semester.

You think things will get easier as kids get older. But as they get older you realize things get harder for us parents because you have less control as they get more freedom. We can't control their situation and ensure their happiness and make sure things go well for them. They never stop being your kids, but they do grow up and have to learn to deal with things on their own, and that includes the cruel reality that life isn't always easy, fun and free from boredom. Growing up isn't easy. But it's no picnic being a parent either. We all want the best for our kids, but we have to let them figure it out too. Good luck with 1Bson's situation. Sounds to me like he needs to power through it.

Tx-Husker..you are 100% correct. Thank you

I just wasn't sure, first you said he loved it then he didn't, going to commuter JUCO's or other programs where the kids head home is tough. A big consideration in the process. Most kids stop going home after a few weeks anyway.

FWIW, mine called in spring (from a D1 program) and said he wanted out, we listened, combination of frustration and first season blues. No panic, told him he could take care of it after the semester, that was the last conversation we had about it.

I tend to agree with Tx, we need to let them figure it out for themselves, somehow, as I have learned they manage to do this well on their own. Keep in mind that moms tend to be a bit vulnerable and often feel guilt when it comes to their sons not being happy.

Giving this a bump, wondering how the freshmen are doing after a few more weeks?

after reading these threads for the last few months the best advice i have seen so far is to pick your school FOR THE SCHOOL..not for the baseball program..at least if or when it goes to h#ll you'll still be happy with your school choice

Your son could transfer to another JUCO or NCAA/NAIA school at the semester if his coach gives him his release (assuming he's on scholarship). If he doesn't release him from his scholarship, then he can still transfer, but won't be able to play at another JUCO (not exactly sure if he goes to a NCAA or NAIA).

quote:

Originally posted by wogdoggy:
after reading these threads for the last few months the best advice i have seen so far is to pick your school FOR THE SCHOOL..not for the baseball program..at least if or when it goes to h#ll you'll still be happy with your school choice

I used to think that, however the answer will vary by student-athlete. A student-athlete who thinks he can play D1 and has a serious desire to play needs to pick a school with a coach that believes in him. My son went to a very desirable school in a very desriable location and wasn't playing much and was hating life and the school. He transferred to a JC then subsequently transferred across the country to a school in the mountains and greatly enjoyed the rest of his college days even though there was no surf.

"we need to let them figure it out for themselves", excellent advice from TPM!

My husband has said that to me more than once this year. Son hasn't complained, exactly. But he does have a couple of things he needs to figure out.

"needs to pick a school with a coach that believes in him", another piece of excellent advice from cpnm. This is why son isn't exactly complaining. The coach is happy with him. The coach isn't mr warm and fuzzy, but the assistant keeps son in the loop.

Unfortunately, coaches are sometimes like used car salesmen. A player thinks they have it all together, but they end up having to figure it out.

it is all part of the boys maturation process

quote:

Originally posted by twotex:
Giving this a bump, wondering how the freshmen are doing after a few more weeks?

I was the original poster so I will update. My son has gone through all the emotions. There are days he wants to quit and give up and there are other days that go well. I think he regrets going to a Junior College that is so far from home and in a small town with not much to do. I think he also regrets not trying harder for D1. He took the first thing offered and now feels trapped.

He is going to stick it out but wants to transfer at the end of the year. I still don't have an answer to my original question......how do you do that? Does he email D1 coaches and ask them if they need any right handed pitchers? Does he go try out this summer? He is on scholarship where he is currently. I am just stuck. Thanks for any comments.

juco coaches usually have a pipeline

PitchersMom, TR has a good point. Has your son spoken to his JUCO coach and told him that he wants to move to a 4 year school after the 2012 season (versus 2013)? Unlike a 4 yr school, JUCO coaches expect to handoff their players to another college, and have a pipeline for it.

JUCO coaches have a pipeline for players that play 2 years for them. Leaving them may mean leaving on your own.

I would expect that you may need to rely on your own resources here, such as teams that expressed interest previous to you signing with this JUCO.

I would expect that programs that this JUCO feeds would in fact shy away from recruiting your son away from a coach that they expect to maintain a good relationship with.

Not sure of where the JUCO is, but I would be very careful here. He has not seen the mound yet for a regular season game...

It would be best in my humble opinion to suck it up and train and accept the fact that he essentially committed to this program for 2 years, as opposed to trying to find a quick, premature exit.

He will need to have an outstanding season this spring to make anything happen.You are definitely going against the grain here.

If your son explains to the coach that he is unhappy and would like to transfer, it is unlikely that he will enjoy much playing time, and find himself further behind the eight ball.

I agree with floridafan. The pipeline is very narrow for a one year player. If the coach likes your son, or any player for that matter, why would he help him leave his program early? Not counting getting drafted.

My son is starting his 2nd year at a juco. He had a nice year last year but did not hear one word from the coach about interested 4 year schools. This year is very different. The coach has been talking to my son about keeping his grades up and mentioning schools that would be good fits for him.

It's tough enough on these juco coaches having to recruit for only two years, he certainly wouldn't want to lose a contributor to his program prematurely.

I think any movement during, or after, his freshman year will be on your son.

Considering what a small world the baseball world is, is it possible to keep the fact that he is looking for another school from the JUCO coach? It is probably no secret that the player isn't happy. You have to assume the coach is going to be wary anyway.

The risk of losing playing time is real, but it seems risky trying to find a place to play next year without being upfront with the coach.

It has been a few very disruptive, frustrating, and very stressful couple of weeks at my house. Son withdrew from the JUCO he was at and has transferred to a JUCO closer to home.

I will admit that both myself and my husband are more than disappointed in our sons actions and I honestly did not want to reply, but maybe down the road this will help someone else.
We still believe he has made a huge mistake leaving #1 school, but he is the one it will or will not affect down the road.

He was previously recruited by #2 JUCO and once he made contact with #2, He then could not speak with #2 coach for 10 days while he packed his things and headed home. He registered for late start fall classes, and as long as he passes 12 credits with a 2.0 he will be playing ball for #2 coach, come spring. Since he is registered for classes he is able to play the remainder of the fall for #2 coach. (In a nutshell)

Not exactly the route we had planned, but he has made arrangements to continue with school and baseball, and so far he has been following thru with the rules we set down when he came home.

Momof1B, thanks for sharing your son's experience. I recall how much time and energy your family put into getting to the initial decision, and can imagine how frustrating it has been. Maybe now he is on the right track and things will smooth out.

quote:

Originally posted by CollegeParentNoMore:

quote:

Originally posted by wogdoggy:
after reading these threads for the last few months the best advice i have seen so far is to pick your school FOR THE SCHOOL..not for the baseball program..at least if or when it goes to h#ll you'll still be happy with your school choice

I used to think that, however the answer will vary by student-athlete. A student-athlete who thinks he can play D1 and has a serious desire to play needs to pick a school with a coach that believes in him. My son went to a very desirable school in a very desriable location and wasn't playing much and was hating life and the school. He transferred to a JC then subsequently transferred across the country to a school in the mountains and greatly enjoyed the rest of his college days even though there was no surf.

I wouldnt pick a school for the coach although it is a big plus if the coach is a great role model that will be spending 4 years with your kid transforming him into a young man..a good role model like that is priceless,.,,BUT the coach may find greener pastures and decide to leave..so the school should be the number 1 choice..My son seems to be BIASED on schools with TOP NOTCH facilties..newer dorms workout areas etc..its nice to have a coach that "believes" in him.We have a coach that just loves my son BUT the school facilties are not as nice as others that our interested in him..this is also more of a commuter school as well..its the TOTAL experience that will make my son's decision easier for him..good to know your son has found his place..

quote:

its nice to have a coach that "believes" in him.We have a coach that just loves my son BUT the school facilties are not as nice as others that our interested in him..this is also more of a commuter school as well..

Its different for every kid and you may not find out how important baseball is to your kid until he has gone to college and faced some playing time issues. Facilities weren't much of an issue for my son, in fact he passed on a school with much better facilities for a better playing opportunity and coach he really liked.

Momof1b

Thank you for your candid post on your son. How stressful it must be on all involved. I am sure The process to find the right fit last year involved many hours of your family working together. I hope the best for your son. And I hope peace returns soon to your home. Keep us posted!

Son is in Alabama playing at Juco , day starts at 6am , run for an hour , back home , back to school at 8:30 til 1:00 , rest , back to practice from 3:30 til coach is tired , lol , home to study and homework . Doing this 6 days a week . Loves it . Has really grown up in these first 5 months .

Interesting delimma for my 2010 grad. Currently in his second year in a woodbat league, AZ JUCO, but medically red-shirted his freshman year. He has healed and is playing, hopefully for starting job at SS and will have his academics completed this year but only one year of actual playing time. Great grades and good test scores from both HS and college, but, undecided about where he will go next year. He understands a lot will depend on how well he does in the spring....putting out feelers now. I believe he tends to undersell himself which while not being a bad trait.....sometimes prevents opportunities. Hoping the coaches there will help, but.....does he rely solely on the coaches? Had some serious interest from very competitive DIII schools before college, just too expensive for our budget at that time, plus was re-habbing a knee injury (patellar dislocation). Speed's back....unofficial 6.7 60.... official 3.8 30 and swinging the bat well. Hoping the spring will be kind to him.