My son is hanging up his size 14 cleats and becoming a full time student.
As many of you know, son had no scholarship offers in April of 2014 (2015 RHP). Went off to play away from our small community with a more Regional team (got contact here on this website) with the promise that the team was going to Atlanta to play in the big PG tournament there. Team ended up not going and son was picked up by an opponent his team had played in Louisiana. Before he went to Atlanta, he was invited to go to PG National (thanks PG Staff). I knew nothing about what PG National even was. Several people encouraged my son to go so we did. Life changing experience. Walked out of the stadium no longer an unwanted player.
Son continued to pitch for his new team and traveled over much of the South and Southeastern states by himself. They did real well. (thanks Coach MT). My wife and I will be eternally grateful for those parents, grandparents and coaches who looked after my son as he traveled solo for 6 weeks during the Summer of 2014. Took several unofficial visits. He ended up deciding upon Mississippi State in July of 2014. Played very little Fall Ball in 2014 which was normal. He likes to hunt. He hurt his elbow in April of 2015. I can still remember when it happened. I’ve seen him pitch for years. Although this might not make sense, I’ve seen him throw 100 pitches without struggling at all. I’ve seen him throw 50 and could tell when he struggles. This day he was at 60 or so, maybe 5 or 6th inning. Winning 6-2 or something but didn’t seem real fluid. Not wanting to be one of “those dads”, I did not go to the dugout and tell him (or coach) to remove him. It was a meaningless game. We had not lost a district game. I saw him throw a pitch that went 2 feet over the catcher’s head. I looked at my wife and said something just happened. She didn’t notice. I cringed at the next pitch but it was a strike. He came out after that inning. After the game, his first words were my elbow hurts. He started to tell me when and I stopped him and described the whole scene back to him. (Dads/Moms-Work out some signal with your son and/or have some discussion with your son’s coach about ways to communicate to him during a game, or something. Don’t abuse it though)
Based upon orthopedic advice, son did not throw until late May ( with apologies to some coaches on this website, this was a nightmare with his HS coach. He accused my son of not being hurt; criticized him for not going to see coach’s brother who is an orthopedic, accused MSU of telling son not to pitch and also accused his baseball advisor of telling him not to pitch; told son that he “owed” it to the coach to pitch). He rehabbed until first of July and then headed to school. Arm did not hurt but his velocity was not there as it was (93-94 topping at 96). It was high 80’s and then started slowly dropping. He called me mid-October and his elbow hurts again. Based upon advice from many, especially his baseball advisor (thanks JR), he drove himself from MS to see Dr Kremchek on October 31. Kremchek said that PRP therapy would help but it would a temporary fix and he would be right back to see him in six months or so. Son made decision to have surgery. We drove him to Cincinnati and he had surgery the end of the following week. His college coaches were 100% on board with Kremchek doing the surgery.
Kremchek’s rehab protocol was followed, much kudos to Dr K. Maybe rehab accelerated a little but not much. Trainers at MSU were wonderful. Rehab was uneventful (although stressful for an faraway dad). Medical redshirt his Freshman year. The PC who recruited him (and why he chose MSU) left to become HC at another school. At end of school year, the RC left to become HC at another school also. Came back to college his second year 9 months removed from TJ surgery. Things were going smoothly. Fall ball was okay. Velocity wasn’t back and control was not there. Fast forward to Spring. Still a lot of the same although he did hit 95 in a bullpen in February. In games, he was not throwing near that hard. ( I have some reasons for that I may discuss in the future) and his control was not great. Got to go on most of the road trips later in the year and to Regionals and Super Regionals. Got to pitch the final outs of the Super Regionals which I got to watch in person. 
Again, he was not throwing like he was pre-injury. Maybe mid 80’s, max 88 or so. He pitched approx. 7.1 innings this Spring.
He was sent to Elmira, NY (PGCBL) for the summer. (thanks Coach BH for a wonderful experience) After a couple of outings, his velocity started increasing. We went on vacation there during July 4th period (baseball related of course as has been our life for ten years or so)( if you haven’t been to rural NY in the summer, I highly recommend it. Gorges, waterfalls, HOF, museums and of course, baseball) He was between starts but got to see him throw a bullpen in an actual game. One inning. First ten FB pitches were 90+. A couple at 94 and one at 96, all on tuned radar gun. Struck out the side. Hardest he’s thrown since he was hurt. Fast forward 4-5 outings and he is sitting 92-94, and continuing to hit 95-96 occasionally. Control has come back. He has walked 4 in last 11.1 innings and two of those were 2 of the last three batters he faced after he had thrown approx. 85 pitches (had four errors committed behind him) in his last outing. His curve and command of same has been back the last 2-3 outings. Change-up still not there though. He has pitched 25.1 Innings in 30 days. Almost 4 times what he had thrown in regular season. Stats don’t look great, but as many have learned, they don’t tell the full story.
For several weeks now, he has been contemplating just becoming a regular student. He decided a week or so ago that that is what he wanted to do. He came on in relief unexpectedly, on a day off, last Friday. Struck out 4 in 2 innings in 9th & 10th innings. He was 93-96. He texted me after the game that he was very dominating. He could throw his FB where he wanted and the curveball, the same BUT that he was still confident in his decision to become a student. He was a mechanical engineer major when he arrived on campus but after a month, decided that he could not do that and play baseball so he changed his major. He will still be going to Mississippi State, majoring in Aerospace Engineering. It will be a tough task. He is a year or so behind but if it takes him 3 or 3 ½ years to complete, that is okay. This is his decision and his decision alone. I am proud of him, what he has accomplished. Places and things that he has been able to experience. My son has met quite a few scouts, coaches and advisors, many who have been to our house.
It has taken a while for this to sink in for my wife and me, more so, me! As parents of a pitcher, it has always been stressful for us. When son is pitching well, it is fun but when he struggles, it is tough and there is very little that you can do about it. I can only imagine what it like for my son. It has been a week and I am quickly getting used to it. He spoke with his Elmira coach and got his blessing to come on home. He left early yesterday driving by himself. Made it to Nashville from Elmira, and after a short second stop in MS, he will drive to Texas on Saturday (along with a new Golden puppy named Kimber/Colt/? that he is picking up in TN). We have already talked about going somewhere next Summer for his 21st birthday, possibly Yellowstone or back to the East Coast. My daughter called my wife this morning. Said that son has communicated more with her in the last 2 days than he has in last 12 months. He seems happy. It will be great to have him around for a couple of weeks before he heads back to MSU.
I know that I was wordy and I say all the above, not to brag but to show others that that there is not just one path to baseball after high school. There are many ways with multiply paths along the ways. Enjoy the journey. I have often thought that his time would end with an injury. That is not the case here. He appears to be 100% healed and healthy. As I’ve said before this website has been very, very, very beneficial to me and son. Different people have helped me along the way with advice or just as a sounding board. I would search the website for answers to my questions and either would post stuff or send private messages. Everyone was helpful. I may not have followed their advice but it was still helpful. . I am not on here as much as I once was. When my son was hurt or struggling, the reminder of him being hurt was painful. A special thanks to TPM and YOUNGGUN for the past 2 years of advice and to my son’s baseball advisor (JR). There are many others but if I start to name names, I will leave someone out unintentionally.
I will leave with this advice for your HS sons.
Go where you are wanted: You will know. If a coach wants to talk to your son/you, he will find a way. He will figure out a way to properly get in touch with you on a timely basis. ( Once you get the first good scholarship offer, it helps with the subsequent ones. Baseball world is a small world…coaches, scouts, advisors..they all talk)
Go where you would go even if baseball was not involved: Much, much easier said than done. In my son’s case, wherever he went, it was going to be where he enjoyed a good rapport with the pitching coach. He had several good options. It just so happens that he still does like MSU but the PC was the tail that wagged the dog. Son liking PC was more important to him than liking the college. But then his PC left right after his Fall Freshman semester started. His RC left at the end of his Freshman year. His HC left the HC position and became AD during his Sophomore year. We had no way of predicting any of the 3 would leave, much less, all 3 and we had strong evidence that at least the HC would be there. Turns out he still likes MSU and his plans are to stay there. We will know more within 3 years.
I am sure that I am forgetting something but…..
