Making the right choice

quote:

Even though they are older I think parental support actually increases during the college years. I know mine did.

I agree too. But the parental support changes a little...doesn't it? At least for us...much less baseball-coaching...a lot more listening, some tough-love advice from time-to-time, some pick yourself up and get back out there advice, the occasional, 'Why'd you throw that breaking pitch in that count?' advice and most importantly a few more $$ for food!

For parents of college freshman players:

It can be a huge disappointment if your son expected to be a starter freshman year but then somehow that didn't work out. Either a returning player improved more than expected, or a JUCO transfer came in at that spot - or your son just didn't look like the best player at that spot to the coach last Fall.

Don't necessarily think that this means your son made "the wrong choice" in choosing this college and this team. A lot can happen in 4 years! By sophomore year, you and he will both have a different view of how this works. By junior year, things will change even more.

On most college teams, getting significant playing time as a freshman is not the norm. Sure, he wants to compete for playing time at every practice and game, as well as staying competitive by what he does away from the playing field. But don't panic if everything doesn't happen the way you both had hoped for his freshman season.

Julie

MN-Mom, I will add just a little different spin to it.

Say you were to contribute your Freshman year. You received the playing time you had hoped and worked for. Is that the only criteria as to whether it was the right choice.

Getting to play is one thing, struggling in the classroom is another. I think you can be the best Freshman athlete out there, but if you are one of the worst students then maybe the choice needs to be questioned.

Just remember, sometimes the social life can be hard to judge when trying to make the right choice, but just like athletics, there are many sources out there to help you see in advance if it's going to be the right fit academically. I think the parents have a tremendous amount of responsibility in helping their son or daughter make the right choice.

I agree too. But the parental support changes a little...doesn't it? At least for us...much less baseball[/QUOTE]

quote:

and most importantly a few more $$ for food!

[quote]I think the parents have a tremendous amount of responsibility in helping their son or daughter
I agree with all of these statements. I also think what Julie stated about freshmens being patient and waiting their turns.Its not a bad fit if the only thing wrong as a freshmen is very litle playing time.

What has amazed me over the last few years is the tremendous turnover of players who quit, got cut or transferred out of their original colleges. The elusive goal of finding a fit based on BB is a tough thing to do. That is why we had location as the main priority. That is one thying that is a constant.

quote:

What has amazed me over the last few years is the tremendous turnover of players who quit, got cut or transferred out of their original colleges.

I'm not surprised at all.

Lots of things can precipitate a transfer:

* Homesickness (even independent kids can be incredibly homesick their first year)
* Unmet expectations (classes are too hard, the campus environment isn't what was envisioned, little to no playing time, etc.)
* Chameleon coaches who are utterly charming during the courtship phase, but berate and curse their signees once they arrive on campus (I've heard of two coaches like this in the past 4 months)
* New signees who disappoint (perhaps coaches didn't get a good enough look at them before they made an offer; I know of one signee who received a full scholly after a JUCO coach saw him throw for 20 minutes -- he was cut from the JUCO after one semester)