Am not in defense of the system, I agree they should be paid more
Then why do you keep trying to rationalize it?
just wondering if it is so bad why do players return year after year or why they keep trying to get back in the game if the pay isn't enough?
You'd have to ask a specific person about their specific situation. However, I assure you that the majority would explain that baseball is what they do best. It's not their fault that they do not get paid legal minimum for the skillset they choose to pursue. Not to mention, given that people are free to choose their own employment in the United States, it's very ironic to say that someone must choose to pursue something they don't wish to pursue because the economic system in place doesn't allow for them to live on their skillset.
Getting drafted by a specific team is like going to college
This is a ridiculous statement, so I won't even copy and paste the rest of the sentence. You can choose where you go to college, you can't choose where you get drafted. You can switch colleges, you can't switch organizations. Getting drafted is literally nothing like choosing a college.
Have seen many many players who did not receive a very good bonus, have in the off season manage to make money (using their college education), give lessons, etc.
"I've seen players that are able to supplement their criminally low-paying full-time wages with other jobs, so therefore it's OK for everyone." Anecdotal, not evidential. Not a reason to defend the system.
They made it work. If it was so terrible why did they not use their college education, not take a job with a better opportunity to make more money?
See my second answer above.
I am very very sorry, I do not feel badly for the very late round pick out of HS who took 10K to go off to live his dream. If you have what it takes, the talent, the drive you can only get better. Go to school, then after 3-4 years you might have a better option, a jump start on your education.
Not everyone has access to, or the ability to pursue, or the desire to pursue, a college education. And, given that a college degree is not a prerequisite for employment in professional baseball, suggesting that getting one is the only way to "survive" this full-time employment is a great example of the exact problem with the system.
In other words educate yourself in life in the minor leagues. Then you wont be surprised.
Educating oneself does not raise one's salary.
Sorry, TPM. Your argument holds no water. You're contradicting yourself at every turn and providing anecdotal examples that aren't relevant to the matter at hand at all. I don't really know what else to say.