Junior College Question

I have limited information, but I'll share what I know...

From what I hear, Cisco is definitely an up-and-coming JUCO program. It has had multiple D1 signees each year of its existence. I believe that currently, DBU has 4 former Cisco players on its roster. As you probably know, Cisco is out in the sticks, but Abilene is not that far away.

I don't know anything about Ranger JC. Hopefully, someone else can fill you in.

I would say that with few exceptions, D1 JUCO's are better than Brookhaven or Northlake, if you define "better" as giving players the opportunities to move on to solid 4-year programs.

Go to Ranger and Cisco and look around before you sign anything.

Take a look at the numbers on the Ranger Roster.....

I am going to get on my soap box here.

Here's one way to know how much they like you...it's how much money they give you! If you go to a place that brings in 80-100 kids in the fall, and you are one of the kids that gets books, or $1,000 or so...guess what, thanks for coming you're gone at the end of the semester. I don't care how good you do, they are not getting rid of kid that they gave 50% to and keep someone they threw a bone to! Now you've wasted a semester and have to scramble to find a place to play in the spring. Good luck because every other place has gone through the fall and they have their teams and most coaches don't have time for or want to give a spot to a kid that just got cut! Now, that is where the DCCCD schools can help you. But, you should have just swallowed your pride and gone there in the first place. Kids from those schools don't always go to play in the Big 12. They go to the Southland or Sun Belt Conference to play D 1 ball...or they play D 2 or D 3. The people that are "Big 12 or Bust" need to check their ego's at the door and swallow a dose of reality!

I played at North Lake and had a great experience there 20 years ago. The baseball in that conference is better than most people think. Obviously it's not as good as Navarro, Grayson etc...but then again if you were good enough you'd be there right? There are lots of "stories" about kids that play in that conference. Those teams beat the big boys more than you think also. You make the best of the situation that you have. You get out exactly what you put in.

Anyway, I have to go teach my only class of the day.

Have a good one!

Catcher,

Who are the Top 5-10 JC programs in Texas?

Any thoughts

Grayson, North Central Texas, Navarro, Blinn, San Jacinto. Also very good: Weatherford, Temple, Angelina, Cisco, McLennan, Paris, Texarkana.

One Class ????? Thats my Mansfield School taxes at work... lol

Yeah, I am robbing the taxpayers of MISD!!!

My son went to Cisco JC 2005-07. It suited him perfectly. He enjoyed his two years there, got a good education and is now playing ball at Dallas Baptist. The Cisco coaches are terrific. They have a beautiful new fieldhouse. As parents, we were very pleased at the Cisco experience. And yes, you do have to drive over to Eastland to get to the nearest Walmart!

I think the best 5 JuCos in TX this year were Navarro, Howard, San Jac, Alvin, and (I suppose they should make the list since they're still playing) Grayson.

As a former DI and DIII JuCo coach (and NCAA DI, DII, and DIII), I have a couple thoughts for parents. Funneldrill made good points in his post. Be aware of the environment at the school before you let your son sign. Too often, a HS senior signs with the first school that shows him any love ("a scholarship"). This can work, but too often it was an emotional decision that was not researched well enough and it doesn't work. Of course, those families are not the ones reading this...

My problem with JuCo basically are 1) lack of resources, and 2) poor academic environment.

1) The coach (maybe 2 or 3 if you're lucky) is not only the pitching coach and first base coach, he's also the academic advisor, strength coach, and recruiting coordinator (maybe even athletic trainer at most practices). That's a lot! He might also have other duties on campus as part of his contract. If a guy needs counseling and support (drugs, steroids, depression), he's not likely to get it, because the coach will spend his time with the guy who can already handle everything being thrown at him and is a sure-thing to make it through the long spring season (lots of baseball). The one who can't handle it usually gets cut well before opening day.

2) A poor academic culture is too much for most 19 year olds to overcome. That's just reality. From the outside looking in, I was a pretty good student in my day, but if the culture hadn't expected it, I would've skipped class all the time, too. Some teams have decent academic standards because of their coach, but this is not the norm, IMO. Even with good coaching, most JuCo institutions just don't challenge decent students.

That said, I loved coaching JuCo. Guys had fun AND moved on to bigger things, from NCAA DIII to pro baseball. It was also a STANDARD expectation that they were working towards a 4-yr degree, and while it often took more than 4 years, most got it (and I'm convinced that a good number of these wouldn't have if not for baseball.)

I know a kid that was offered $750 from Ranger this year.
Does this mean to look elsewhere?

quote:

Originally posted by Out in the sticks:
I know a kid that was offered $750 from Ranger this year.
Does this mean to look elsewhere?

No, as long as he understands that he will be competing with about 100 other kids for spots.

OK, here goes another question. Know a player that was told by a DII that he would be considered a "strong walk on" candidate. Was scouted by a grad assistant from the DII.
Player isn't considering JUCO, wants to go to a 4 year school.

Short list of Dallas County JC players playing in D-1 / Minor Leagues

UTA - 24 Danny Slinkman 6-2/180 OF S/R SR/2L Arlington/Martin/Cedar Valley CC

Sam Houston 4 Weber, Ryan IF R/R 6-0 190 Sr. Cypress, TX (Temple) (Cy Fair) EASTFIELD JC

Northwestern State - 34 Tommy Rozell RHP R/R 5-9 170 Jr. TR Chandler, TX (Eastfield College) (Brownsboro HS)

Northwestern State 18 Michael Ocampo LHP L/L 6-2 170 Jr. TR Sugar Land, TX (Eastfield College) (Kempner HS)

Northwestern State 47 Ryan Campbell RHP R/R 5-11 240 Sr. 1L Ore City, TX (Eastfield ) (New Diana HS)

Lamar - 7 Jared Hill OF R/R 5-9 205 SR-1L Spring, Texas (Cedar Valley JC)

Lamar - 8 Ryan Saldivar C R-R 5-11 170 JR-JC Denton, Texas (Richland JC)

Lamar - 14 Travis Dunson IF R/R 6-1 200 SR-1L The Colony, Texas (Brookhaven JC)

Lamar - 19 Aaron Bates RHP R-R 6-0 190 JR-JC Frisco, Texas (Richland JC)

Central Arkansas - 18 James Boone LHP 6-2 180 Sr. Houston, Texas Cedar Valley JC

Texas State - Walter, Josh RHP 6-5 250 SR 1L Richardson, Texas/Naaman Forest HS/Richland College

Texas A&M CC - 20 Adrian Salinas C R/R 5-11 205 Sr. League City, Texas (Cedar Valley Coll.)

Texas A&M CC - 26 Justin Grota RHP R/R 6-2 190 Jr. San Antonio, Texas (Richland CC)

Texas A&M CC - 36 Matt Hudec LHP L/L 6-2 215 Jr. Houston, Texas (North Lake JC)

You also have Steven Hill Eastfield in Double A for the Springfield Cardinals, Erik Kanaby Cedar Valley A ball for the Dodgers.

D 2 schools don't have alot of money to begin with...some don't even have the full allotment of scholarships. That being said, remember, they are saying the same thing to a couple of other kids at your position.

The bottom line is you will compete (if you are any type of walk on) for a spot on the team, then playing time, and then a starting position. This is a business, they will try and get you for as little as possible. High school kids beware, the JUCO kids will get the first look at a 4 year school, especially mid-major D1's and D2's. Just be patient and be ready. When you get your opportunity, no matter how many or few, BE PREPARED AND BE READY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE. Make it difficult for the coach to take you out of the line up.

Good luck to your friend.

reggie,

Is Andy Jackson (Cedar Valley/Central Arkansas) still pitching in the Marlins organization?

Also from Brookhaven College

Shayne Moody, MIF, UNC-Asheville

Jon Irvine, MIF, New Mexico State

Kody Kroll, 3B, Univ. Arkansas - Little Rock

Eric Hanlon, OF, Univ. Arkansas - Little Rock

www.blastbat.com

cutter1 and Out in the sticks. You have a PM.

Andy was release right before spring training, so far he has not signed with anyone. Unfortunately, he may retire.

I think he'll get picked up after the draft. We'll see.

quote:

Originally posted by Infield08:
Grayson, North Central Texas, Navarro, Blinn, San Jacinto. Also very good: Weatherford, Temple, Angelina, Cisco, McLennan, Paris, Texarkana.

I believe Weatherford College and New Mexico Junior College both got hit with some pretty major sanctions (no post season play or honors)following their big brawl in the post season. Both teams were made to forfeit. In addition to the sanctions, I even heard that NMJC has cancelled their entire season next year.