Keeping an open mind

Yes there are 3 divisions of college baseball. But to all out there remember the reason why you go to college is to graduate and enter the real world. There is a rumor going around that you have to attend class and study. yes on ESPN you see Texas and Cal State Fullerton or some other program(always seems to be the same ones but that is another topic) playing in Omaha before thousands of fans but believe it or not at the D2 and D3 level the bases are still 90 feet and 60 '6" from the rubber to home etc etc.

AParent, I think the best advice my son ever got, was to "be open" to all levels. It's a huge mistake to think only DI IMO. While my son's first choice was a particular DI, it wasn't because that school was a "DI". After JUCO, where he'll end up, I don't know. It may very well be at that level, but it could just as easily be something else - just depends on the fit. No one should ever rule out a smaller program without comparing all options. Kids are drafted all the time from NAIA, DIII and DII. Congratulations to your son!

All good advice from these posts.

I have stated on many occassions that there are many very good opportunities to play other than at the D1 level at a top baseball school.

You might say, well, that's easy for TPM to say, her son has that opportunity. But knowing how it is, seeing first hand, I can tell you that it is not for everyone.

There is a thread going on about goals and dreams. While I believe one needs definte goals to reach their dream, you have to be realistic, at some point, whether it is the right path to take.

Lafmom mentions about kids being drafted all of the time from smaller schools. That may be true, I don't know. But I do know one thing, there are VERY few who do actually get drafted (in higher rounds),out of large D1 schools, if that is the dream after college.

TPM, Of course there are very few who get drafted out of large DI schools. There are few kids drafted period. It's privilege and an honor for a select few. The point being while, kids can be successful at "DI top baseball schools", they can also be successful at NAIA top baseball schools, etc. including being drafted. It's what the player brings to the game whether you talk about being drafted, receiving a degree, or a player's life long memories IMO. The "fit" may not be a big DI for everyone - there are many paths chosen for many different reasons. I agree with AParent - it's a good thing to be "open".

AParent,

Congrats to your son! He's a great example of how a different route taken on a journey can get you to your destination, rather than the route originally planned.

We have our own local hero here, who took a different path....Wade Miller drafted by Astros out of Alvernia....pitched for both the Astros and Red Sox. Came from a high school without much of a baseball program....proved himself thru D-3 Alvernia. I'm sure he isn't the only story like that in the MLB.

Lafmom,
Absolutely agree with AParent. I think that some folks think that in order to get drafted, going to a bigger or better school is the key.
The problem I see, is that some are just not too "open" to all options.

Nothing is guaranteed, no matter where you are. Go to a school where you are comfortable, with academics and baseball, and ENJOY every minute.

Thanks Luvbb! I was trying to remember Wade's last name. This year Anthony Recker was drafted from Alvernia. So it does happen. My son really learned alot from Anthony this past year. Great kid. I also saw some other kids from D3 programs that we played against this yr. get drafted too.
My son's dream was to play for U of Tenn. I remember at the time doing some research on them and learned they were the number 1 party school in the nation back then and thought, yeah right! I want him going there. Ultimately, if they can find a school where they would still want to attend if they can't play is the way to go. Even at the smaller schools, you have to fight for your spot and every yr there's someone knew who wants it. Last yr my son was put in RF which he'd never played in his life. Up against a jr. I thought it was so cool that they liked each other enough to say if anyone else gets my spot, I'm glad it'll be you. That's a life lesson in itself. I'm so glad he's happy there and the kids gel so well. Happily, he got moved back to LF. He's made great friends and is having the time of his life. Getting an education and learning to be independant. What more can you ask for? And all because he had to readjust his dream.

Pabbmom...glad to oblige.

PABBMOM

Great everything seems to be going well. Maybe there will be a freshman coming in with ideas of taking his spot. Just thinking out loud.

Will - I'm sure there probably is. For now the coach has told him he'll be starting but he knows how that can go. There's always someone else in the wings waiting to step up! I'm sure he's up to the challenge as long as he keeps his hamstring strong. If he doesn't, that's on him. He had to sit out some games last yr. due to it so knows what he has to do to keep it strong. I can only remind him about it, can't do the work for him.

AParent, Congratulations to your son for his perseverance and for his successes. He must be a very special!
It is wonderful that he earned the opportunity to play in the Northern League and if he can catch a break here and there and play well, that might catch him more opporunties.
One of the great aspects of this board is the knowledge of some people and their generosity in sharing. One of those folks is bbscout who really helped me understand the difference between the scouting done by college coaches and the major league teams. The proof of that is the fact that my son's minor league team in the B'Jays organization has 2 DIII players and 1 NAIA graduate on the 25 man roster. Maybe they paid attention to those distinctions in rookie ball. In "A" ball, they really don't care where you played in college. They know you can play!!

Great post. Based on what I perceive to be the majority's approach (looking for DI acceptance to the exclusion of any DII or DIII or NAIA programs), I plan to help guide my son in the opposite direction. We have started to ID smaller, academically solid schools so that we have a list to work with. Then, as he evolves over the next couple of years (he's a soph), we can go up the ladder if we get messages that he could compete at a DI program. We cannot be disappointed by the lack of DI interest if we are not anticipating it. Which is not to say he isn't on track to pitch at DI -- he may well be. But we're starting at the small end of the telescope. I hope it works!!

PABBMOM

Must be nice to know you are starting. what coaches say in September sometimes is rewritten in the spring. Just the way it goes. I hope things go well.

Krakatoa, I have loved following your story and the effort and support you are providing to your son. Am enthusiastic about following the "rest of the story."
One distinction I might suggest as you proceed. Whether or not your son gets noticed or recruited by DI's does not necessarily reflect whether he is a DI ball player. He should not let the recruiting process be interpreted as a reflection on his skill level. Colleges do make mistakes in their judgements.

thanks, IFD, I didn't know anyone cared!
It is just so difficult........I don't know what I'm doing half the time. I have so many regrets about my kids not having access to good coaching and teams because of my working overseas. It haunts me. I know the kid has talent, but don't know if I'm developing it adequately - and I have no options. If I may twist an old education cliche, 'An arm is a terrible thing to waste.'

I don't know if we'll be able to stir up any interest at all, at any level, in our position. But the kid sure wants to play. And so it goes.............

Krakatoa, sending you a PM.

Texan - thanks, I will check for it. It's 4am here and I've been up since 1:15am -- will make for a superb day at work
I'm going to try and squeeze a couple more hours of sleep in before the 6:30 alarm -- will reply to your PM in a few.

Thanks

quote:

I don't know if we'll be able to stir up any interest at all, at any level, in our position. But the kid sure wants to play. And so it goes.............

While I have and continue to forget many things, I have a pretty good recollection of the angst and anxiety of the college recruiting process. I had plenty of and things ended up different than what I envisioned but different in the best possible way. At your stage, with a high school sophomore, I can imagine how forboding it must seem. Bringing your son to the US, having him attend a showcase/s, and focusing on smaller schools seems like an awfully good start. While it seems realistic that your locale will create obstacles, I think your concern and support combined with technology and the internet, intertwined with your sons persistence and ability will end up with success. I, for one, will be looking forward to that post.

quote:

Originally posted by Will:
PABBMOM

Great everything seems to be going well. Maybe there will be a freshman coming in with ideas of taking his spot. Just thinking out loud.

Will, why so down on PABBMOM's post?

It is very easy to get caught up in the idea that the level of a school that you sign with is a reflection of the talent you have.

I'd like to see kids be comfortable enough with their own talent to take a serious look at a variety of schools.

When it comes right down to it, only you can decide whether your college playing years were successful.

Whether that was by working your way to a starting position your senior year at a D1, or whether it was being on a team that wins the first ever championship title for their school. Success has many faces.

Memories of your college years will last you a lifetime. Make sure you include your heart in the search. Looking only at the schools classification, or the cash amount of the offer, is a very dispassionate way to choose a future for dreams.

My image of the perfect school environment.....and there's this beautiful ballfield right down at the end of the lane......

I really enjoy this post. Thanks AParent. I think we must realize there are many different options and many types of colleges and college baseball teams. Thank goodness for that because there are so many different “types” of student/athletes. We get lulled into believing the D-1 is the best and every one goes to college for the same reason. Even the much respected Will said in a preveious post... ”But to all out there remember the reason why you go to college is to graduate and enter the real world.” That may be the reason Will went to college but that statement is NOT true for all students. That way of thinking leads us to believe there is only one way to approach this and everyone’s goal is the same. There are many student/athletes that are not going to college to graduate and enter the real world. The real world to my son all during college at even at this point in his life is a baseball field ... this is not the way I would have planned his life ... But ... I’m not him. His current roommate on the other hand has a goal of being a doctor and is actively applying for medical school. (different strokes)
I think it’s common for most high school baseball players to initially want to play baseball at the big D-1 just because they are taught the D-1 is somehow the benchmark of “college” baseball. They learn this from the media, from the marketing efforts of the big colleges, and from the arrogance of the alumni. Yes the grass will be greener, the stands will be larger, and the uniforms may be more stylish but none of those things make it better, at least to me. I could get philosophical and tell you the important things are the teammates setting beside you or how the coach treats you on a good day and a bad day. In a nutshell the most important thing in selecting a college is .... Well, that’s for each individual to decide.
Fungo

Once my son had decided to transfer from his D-2, his only requirements were that he wanted to be in his home state, in a program with a track record of success, and he wanted to play, and it "didn't matter if it's D-1,2,3, or NAIA". More than once he has told me that while initially most high school guys focus on getting a scholarship, preferably D-1, after you're actually into college ball, you realize there are more important considerations.

He's now at an in state D-3, with exactly what he wanted. Life is good.

tiger Paw Mom

Not trying to be down. Just trying to tell her that sometimes what is said and what happens changes as different situations arise. It is the reality of things. My advice to her son is to work even harder.