Kids waiting on 35 man roster

I he must really want to attend that school

You have no idea!  Was assured a spot on the 35 man roster with a preferred walk-on status.  But, was told at Christmas still didn't have an assured roster spot.  Turned down several D1 offers in baseball and football but would not back down after he gave his word in the early committment time.  He was valedictorian and has extra academic money as well.  So paying for the first year was not a problem.  Was told that he 'could' obtain athletic money with a good first year.  Really not a big deal since all scholarship kids are on a one year basis anyway.  He has been treated just like a scholarship guy the whole time but still has the 'maybe' in the back of his head about getting released on Feb. 13th.  Thank goodness he has done very well since returning after the Christmas break. 

Tough spot to be in Overthehill! Hang in there and hopefully all will work out. PO Jr team is set at 32, which is 3 more than last years team. They have not yet set the 25 man travel rooster yet.

Even if he makes the cut, it sounds like Ove Jr needs to decide if this is the right fit. If making the team is his only goal than fine, but if playing is the real goal he might want to move on to a school that he can get play time.

It sounds like he really loves this school and to play ball there. I hope the coaches see that and he gets his shot. Having a LHP/OF that can hit is a bonus. 

Good luck and keep us posted.

None of thus is meant to be mean. The coaches probably aren't busting their skulls yet trying to figure out who #35 will be. They're focused on who will start and play. Then they're deciding if #35 should be a position player or a pitcher. Its going to be awful hard to earn athletic money by showing what he has freshman year if he doesn't get on the field. Take a look at team's statistics from previous years. Check how many AB's the last couple of hitters get or innings the last couple of pitchers get.. He better be ready to rip a line drive when he gets to pinch hit to earn a second chance. Or make a hitter look bad at the plate. Good luck.

 Your right it is brutal! if every kid I wished good luck on had success, they would have to carry 60 man rosters for all of them. But anyway good luck to them!

Still no official word as of today.  Still don't have a 35 man roster.  Patiently waiting to see if I need to get a hotel room for the weekend or go fishing!  I hope high school parents reading this are paying attention.  I wouldn't want anyone's kid to have to go through this. 

My son did not find out his status until opening day in 2006.  He was led to believe he had made the team and then on opening day, they told him he had been redshirted.  He called me in tears and I refused to let him feel sorry for himself.  I told him to go out and be the best redshirt player in the country.  Told him to be the hardest worker on the team and to be the best teammate.  Inside however, I was honestly miffed at the coaches for how they handled things but I didn't tell him that.

 

Fast forward about one month and another kid who was not getting playing time asked to be redshirted and that opened a spot for my son.  In other words, my son was the 36th kid on the roster.  That was the biggest break of my son's career up and until that point.  When he called me with that news that day, it was tears of joy on both ends.

 

At first he started getting in as a late inning defensive replacement.  If his turn ever came up in the order, they would pinch hit for him.  Fast forward a few weeks later and his turn came up with two outs and a runner in scoring position.  This time they did not pinch hit for him.  He lined the first pitch he saw for a walk-off game winner.  That one at-bat changed his entire career.

 

You cannot control coaches decisions.  All you can control is your attitude and effort.  Encourage your kids to be ready for that one opportunity and to let every other thing go.

I love those kind of stories!

You cannot control coaches decisions.  All you can control is your attitude and effort.  Encourage your kids to be ready for that one opportunity and to let every other thing go -- Clevland Dad

What that guy said!

PS:  good luck, i do feel your anxieties... but coach might be thinking, "if i don't have to post it until the 13th why would i do it any earlier?" 

True, kid has made the most of his opportunities in spring scrimmages.  Has played every inning and has continued to swing it well.  In God's hands at this point.  He has a plan for whatever path is ahead. 

I like reading stories like ClevelandDad's.  It illustrates that perseverance can pay off.

 

On the other hand, what worked in 2006 is no longer a possibility.  The 35 man roster rule was instituted in 2008, and since then if a player isn't named to the 35 man roster, he can't practice with the team or take part in any countable athletic activities for the rest of the year.  He can't be "called up" to the 35 man roster.  

 

That also explains why coaches wait until the last possible moment (the day before the team's first spring game--it's not a fixed date).  If a player gets hurt after the 35 man roster is named, he can't be replaced.

OK I'm paying attention!  What's the takeaway? 

 

(Good luck to your son BTW)

3FG - my point was not about perseverance or the present state of the 35 man roster rules.  Regardless of the current rules, the athlete is at the mercy of the coach's decision on that issue.  Worrying about it will not change the reality.  The athlete (who has committed to a program) needs to focus on those things under their control.

 

For athletes who have yet to commit however, these are the type of things you need to consider when deciding where to hang your hat at the next level.  You may have one coach at a D1 offering a preferred walk-on and tell you that you can compete for a roster spot.  You may have a D2 or D3 coach who is ga-ga over you and explicitly tells you that you will be an immediate impact player as a freshman.  All paths can have positive outcomes but some are loaded with much more risk.  Sometimes though, the more you risk, the greater the rewards.  The downside is you might not ever see the playing field. 

My takeaway is that a "preferred walk-on" spot does not guarantee anything!

Unfortunately that's the reality. Best of luck with it Overthehill...will be be hoping to hear a good outcome.

I think that's been established in another post. Preferred/recruited walk-ons don't get guaranteed anything past the opportunity to compete for a spot.

My point to others out there was to be careful with the 'promises' made by head coaches.  Mine was 'promised' a spot on the 35 man roster and things changed to 'you are in competition for a few spots' at Christmas.  I was just trying to relay information to any out there that come into this same situation.  We trusted the coach, gave him our word, and now waiting to see if he keeps his.  We knew that the preferred status didn't have any guarantees when we started, but felt good about the roster spot discussion.  My son really likes the school and as I've said before, he turned down several baseball and football overs.  So, obviously we felt good about the situation.  But, you never know. 

This is a great learning for all those D1 or bust guys.  A preferred walk baseball wise, could be better served at a juco first.  If your goal is just to tell your grandkids you played D1 and you are ok not playing then go for it.  If you want to play go where the want you.

Overthehill,

 

I had some drinks Friday happy hour with a very good friend who's son is in a similar situation.  He wasn't promised as your son was, but similar in all other regards (academic scholarship).  A couple weeks ago the head coach had a heart to heart with this young man, and told him to "hang in there", and "things happen every year".   Apparently, the things the head coach was referring to is academic ineligibility, failed drug tests and transfers.  As a matter of fact those things just happened, and his son is on the cusp of being put on the 35 man roster.  I'm really hoping he makes it as well as your son.  Good luck! 

 

PS...We have a young man in our area who was a walk-on four years ago.  He wasn't heavily recruited, and I don't think his exposure strategy was very broad.   He is now a stud catcher and #3 hitter for a very good D1 team in the area.  There is talk of him getting drafted.  He was working out every day I went to the gym over xmas break.  I can't help to cheer for kids like this and CDs son.   Hang in there, and never give up.

Going the recruited walk-on route, in my opinion, is really a crap shoot. I don't care what promises you get, or think you get, its just offers a chance to make the team. Mine decided, against my better judgment(haha) to give it a go at a D1. He was a JUCO transfer and I felt like he could go in and play at most D2 schools right away. One had pretty well said he would come in and start. But, he said he wanted to give it a shot at the D1 and, because he got a pretty good chunk of academic money, we said go for it. They started with 53 guys in the fall and he was probably within an eyelash of being cut in early October when he finally got hot and got the coaches attention. He found out right before the Christmas break that he had made the cut as well as the 27-man travel squad. He is now on the verge of finding out if he has won a starting position for this Fridays home opener. If so, he will be the only non-scholarship player in the starting lineup.  He has exceeded even what I thought possible and looks to have "beaten the odds."  I still can't say I would recommend this route for anybody....but it can happen....if your kiddo is realistic and confident in his own ability....and, a little luck doesn't hurt....haha!

Could be used as a motivational tool to keep him working hard... some kids shut it down a bit if they know that they have a spot.

How many kids can be on the "travel" rosters in each classification?  ( 1, 2, 3, NAIA)

Excellent responses and stories above.

 

One clarification...with both of our sons, making the "travel squad" was/is a week-to-week decision by the coaches.  Making the trip one week guarantees nothing the following week.

 

I would expect it is this way at most schools.

It's decided by the conference.

Son just texted, did not make 35 man roster.  Dads beware, some coaches can look you right in the eye and lie to you.  I've known this coach for 25 years.  Better get something in writing, because 'your word' doesn't go far these days. 

I'm sorry to hear that.

 

 

That sucks.  But it seems things like that happen all the time, even with scholarship players and over recruiting, etc.  College athletics is the wild, wild west.  Unfortunately, you need to rely on a coach's word.   

That's terribly disappointing , Overthehill. Very sorry to hear it.

Overthehill, very sorry to hear this. Best of luck to your son.

I can only add my condolences to the rest. This is horrible, and I feel very badly for your son.

So sorry to hear Overthehill. Sometime things are just not meant to be. I think now it is important that you support your son in a positive way. I can't imagine what he is going through. Not just the disappointment, but the fact that he has too face the team now, and not a member. 

Hopefully, they will be supportive and encourage him to work harder. As I suggested in an earlier post regarding your situation. If your son had other offers, he should check to see what is still out there and go where he can play. 

In a way, this might have been a God send, who wants to make the team as the #35 guy and never see the field or the ravel squad.

If he's got game, and it sounds as though he does, there is a place for him to play. You just have to find it.

Good luck to your son! Now is the time for you to show him big time love and support!

Very well said.  My condolences as well...

Sorry to read this Overthehill.  Just wish I could reach out and give you and your son a hug!

Overthehill ,

So sorry to hear this. I've seen it happen to a few. That's why many old timers advise to be very careful of walk on of any kind. They cant cut players with money. Sadly this happens to kids more than some think.

 

Support your son and if he wants to play, he can somewhere else.

I am sorry to hear this, I hope that things work out for him.

I wonder how much of a chance he really had.

That sure is bad news! But it doesn't have to be the end. Something about "things", they often change. I hope your son has a chance to prove them wrong someday.

 

For years on here I've been trying to figure out this guaranteed roster spot people keep referring to.

Not meaning to side track this thread, but one side note - I've seen a copy of a letter sent from a college football coach guaranteeing a roster spot to a player as a walkon.  Has anyone ever heard of this?  In baseball?

Overthehill,

 

An unfortunate situation to be in.I think everyone here can feel your pain.Thank you for sharing your son's experience with the board.We can all learn something from this.It's not the end of the world though.Have your son use this experience as motivation to work harder than ever.Prove that coaching staff wrong !

 

Now it's time to come up with another plan. Your son may want to reach out to the coaches that were previously recruiting him.Let them know what happened and see if they are still interested in him for next year.I would contact his 18U summer/Fall coach and explain the situation.He probably knows your son's abilities better than anyone else, and I'm sure he would be very helpful in contacting coaches on your son's behalf.

 

I would encourage you to explore the high academic D3's and see what they have to offer a student athlete.Your son fits their academic profile and he seems to have the talent to play at the next level.Who knows,he may find the perfect fit at school that he never considered before.

 

Maybe change his walk up song to "Won't Get Fooled Again" by the Who

 

Please keep us posted on what happens.There are lots of people on this board who are pulling for him ! Good luck to your son !

 

 

Wow, that's an awful situation...especially considering you say you've known the coach for 25 years.  That's got to make the situation worse....as I would assume you guys probably took his word as maybe having more meaning that it would have to someone else...because of the long relationship you've had.  Hard to believe a coach would pull something like that.  Thanks for making us all aware that not every coach can be trusted at their word...especially in a case like this.  It know it doesn't make you guys feel any better, but maybe it can save someone else from having it happen to them.