My lefty son did not make the cut

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There can be many reasons why a certain player didn't make varsity. There are also many players who blossom at different times. We have seen many who were average players one year and became big prospects by the next year.

This is encouraging for those of us who just recently had sons cut from HS team. It has been 2 weeks and my son refuses to talk baseball, but I have copied about 40 posts from you seasoned men (and women) whose comments will encourage him not to give up on his beloved sport. It will take time, but these will motivate him to work harder and maybe shine over the rest next year or at least for a new travel coach this summer.

Adversity is what really makes one rise up and conquer . . . This is the lesson I have "re-learned" and most value from this site over these past few days. I hope lefty's dad will do as I did, copy/print the these inspirational stories, show to show his son when he's ready, and offer the encouragement and help at that time, and wait. He will either take up baseball again or show heightened interest in another of his gifts. Even if they only play baseball for the love of the sport (rather than competitively), they won't have given up.

My daughter's boyfriend at college played HS baseball, was cut his sophomore year, kept playing but for Rec team. Although accepted into Architecture at college, after one year, he knew that his love for baseball was so strong that he changed his major to Secondary Education so that he could teach HS history and coach baseball, his first true love! As with everyone here, there is a way to keep baseball in ours and our children's lives! How awesome is that!

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the these inspirational stories, show to show his son

This is what happens when you edit, copy and paste and don't revise

revision: . . . copy/print these inspirational stories to show his son . . .

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My daughter's boyfriend at college played HS baseball, was cut his sophomore year, kept playing but for Rec team. Although accepted into Architecture at college, after one year, he knew that his love for baseball was so strong that he changed his major to Secondary Education so that he could teach HS history and coach baseball, his first true love! As with everyone here, there is a way to keep baseball in ours and our children's lives! How awesome is that!

That is an inspirational story indeed!

I see nothing wrong with pursuing a career in baseball. I would rather my son be happy in life than choose something for the money alone. Of course, I would like to see him pursue a career in baseball and make some money at the same time

Are you implying that teachers don't make any money?

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Originally posted by Mom1211:
Are you implying that teachers don't make any money?

The teachers in our school district start at 42K and top out at 92K.

Are you serious??? I will graduate this summer from my graduate program in Gifted Education and without any experience in teaching will start at less than $33K. Without a masters it would have been $28K. I am coming to your state

Do you mind me asking where you are in the mid-atlantic? I won't make $42K until year 7 here in SC.

Philadelphia suburbs

Cost of living higher there. Until today, however it has been in high 50's . . . not bad for mid-February

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Originally posted by Mom1211:
[QUOTE]
My daughter's boyfriend at college played HS baseball, was cut his sophomore year, kept playing but for Rec team. Although accepted into Architecture at college, after one year, he knew that his love for baseball was so strong that he changed his major to Secondary Education so that he could teach HS history and coach baseball, his first true love! As with everyone here, there is a way to keep baseball in ours and our children's lives! How awesome is that!

It is awesome. This is exactly what my son is majoring in college and he too wants to coach high school baseball and bowling once he can get a job in the system. Teachers are well paid in our school system and it's a 10 month contract It's around the same salary range of RJM's school district. Add in coaching for two sports and that can supplement an income nicely plus still be part of the game.

My sister teaches music in CT. She makes almost $100K.

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My sister teaches music in CT. She makes almost $100K.

That is amazing! I do not advocate a higher salary because I am entering the profession but because I have come to realize how hard teachers work for the benefit of children. And how hard it is to corral a herd of wild horses

During my student teaching and several clinicals I have learned how difficult it is just to gain students' attention and interest. I make a huge effort by working many after school hours to prepare interesting and challenging lessons to reach every child and it can be exhausting. I love it though. I do wish the profession (at least in the south) was more respected and paid better. I have the advantage of age (the only advantage ) and having had 3 teenagers, I have a look that straightens them out quick (Don't ya'll love these emoticons??? So cute) .

I will teach gifted high school English and more often than you'd imagine, they don't want to read (prefer those cliff notes). I can't wait though. I will interview in March. Keep your fingers crossed!

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Add in coaching for two sports and that can supplement an income nicely plus still be part of the game.

This is the ultimate . . . to be able to do what you love most and make money at it. Second to "playing" the sport professionally, this allows one to get paid, be at home with family, and have a fairly comfortable life. But, he is doing what he loves!!!!

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Stuff happens. How you adjust to stuff reveals character, imo.

This post really does stress the importance of perspective as no problem we experience trumps the health and well-being of our families. Dad04 sounds like someone I should strive to emulate. Intuitively, I know how to handle things, but sometimes it isn't easy when your child is hurting. But, true pain, discovered by Dad04 through his son's accident, brings everything into perspective. I hope to learn without going through something REALLY traumatic! WOW! You can teach an old dog

I copied and pasted Funneldrill posting in Texas forum talking about UIL rule regarding transfer my son to other school districts. It may be too late to move even if we want to. Funneldrill is not our HS coach.

QUOTE]Originally posted by funneldrill:
Thinking,
the rule states if the player has played in the previous year at the previous school while in grades 9-12.

The former school's coach and administrator must sign off on ALL transfers. If they don't then things get kind of muddy. If they don't then they are saying that he is moving/transferring for "athletic purposes." If that is the case then he sits for 1 calendar year.

That is the thing most people do not understand. The family can physically move, it really is legit...they sell their house and buy a new one. But, if it is found that they did it for "athletic purposes," the new UiL district that he is moving to can rule not to grant him varsity eligibility. I have seen it happen!

Now in our SCHOOL District, if you go to another school after your Freshman year you are sitting for 1 year...period.

Let's say you moved from, oh I don't know, Flower Mound to Coppell. Even though you are moving SCHOOL districts, FMHS has to "sign off" on the Previous Athletic Participation form. Even if they do, the 6-5A executive committee could vote to make the kid sit 1 calendar year.

I know this may not seem fair to some that may be in an undesirable situation at their current school. But think how out of control things would be if you could just transfer wherever you want with no reprecussions!!![/QUOTE]


Here is the discussion.

http://hsbaseballweb.com/eve/f...6002781/m/9511038813

We got an email from his summer coach that one of the top DIII engineering school from northeast states is interested to recruit some 2010 players from this years summer teams. One player was recruited from the summer coach last year. That school is one of top athletic and academic engineering that my son is considering. I hope that this may motivate him a little bite. We just have to wait and see.

Mon2111,

I appreciated all your encouragement!

Daddyboy

I'd like to go on record that TR does indeed have a soft fuzzy side.

LOL !!!

Don't go giving away my secrets---please


How is your son doing?

1st HS game Monday - headed to Costco to buy the hotdogs! We'll see how the team does, but he says it's looking decent.

Looking forward to seeing you in July!

Sorry to blow your cover

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We got an email from his summer coach that one of the top DIII engineering school from northeast states is interested to recruit some 2010 players from this years summer teams. One player was recruited from the summer coach last year. That school is one of top athletic and academic engineering that my son is considering. I hope that this may motivate him a little bite. We just have to wait and see.

Daddyboy - that sounds great...if your son has the grades/scores to get into a good engineering school and have an opportunity to still play baseball, sounds like the best of both worlds. As a potential physics major, my son had originally checked out a couple of northeast engineering/tech schools like RPI and WPI, although he eventually decided he wanted something with a broader curriculum...more liberal arts to go with the science. But if your son continues to love baseball and wants a great education, it sounds like he may have some options there.

Here is an update on Adam Miller for those that might be interested. This article describes the injury problems he's had and why the Indians are so cautious with him. They realize what type of prospect he is with a 97 mph fastball this winter.

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe...rowing_prospect.html

Thanks for posting that CD.

Adam is a fierce competitor............

And, a long, long way from the Mouzon baseball complex, in McKinney, Texas.

Here's hoping it's "Miller time" in Cleveland.

I would like to update my son status. He took a summer off from playing select baseball. His sat is 1900 and act is 33. He may play baseball during this fall with from his last year fall select coach. Chris Vaughan of Fort Worth from that select team was recruited from MIT. MIT is one of top athletic and academic engineering that my son is considering. Others are Purdue, Ohio State, Texas A&M and Harvard. I hope that he is still interested playing baseball again. We just have to wait and see.

daddyboy, thanks so much for the update.

Obviously, your son has some big-time brains. Congratulations on his test scores! All of the schools that he is considering are excellent and I'm sure that he will be a great success wherever he attends.

It would be wonderful if he could play ball this fall so he could get looked at by some schools. His test scores should go a long way toward attracting the interest of higher-academic programs.

Best wishes!

With his level of academic and athletic giftedness, your son seems to have a bright and happy future regardless of which he chooses to emphasize. As you recall, my son, Alex, was cut from his high school team last year to what I referred to as politically motivated. The people on this site helped me to understand try-outs better. I guess I had never considered that alex would ever be cut from sports since he was always "top" of every game he played. While I was seeking answers from here, Alex was putting baseball behind him. He didn't watch a game on tv for weeks on end (after having it on 24/7 before). He chose not to go to any of his high school games this year. It was sad for me but essential for him to deal with his loss in his own way. He was even willing to change schools (leaving some very close friends) so he could play baseball for another coach, if I could get a teaching job at a good one in the area. (hard to come by in this economy). I could see that he still loved baseball as long as it was played with integrity but I knew that he would never try out for his school team again as long as it was for this coach. I have learned to trust his decisions and am proud of his maturity and pureness of heart. He is playing some rec. basketball this summer in hopes of trying out for the HS team this year as a jr. The coach is all about the kids. It is not the level that he is used to but he admires the character of the coach. For me, I still ache when I see a baseball uniform or a game practicing on a local field. But this is my son's life and I know that he struggles to make good choices in his life every day. For that I am very proud!

I wish your son the very best in all he aspires for in his life. We give them the tools and then must step back and allow them to use them (the hardest part). He obviously has a dad who is proud and supportive of him! Good luck!

Infield08 and Mom1211,

I appreciated your kind words for my son. I wish one day your son, Alex, will try to play select baseball in your SC area.

My son will not practice with his (SC) HS baseball team in the fall like the last two school years. His select coach told me that my son can play with his 18U teams a while back ago. He is still watching Texas Rangers games. But I do not know how much he misses it. He likes Purdue very well as an engineering major after his visit last month. It will be great if someone can provide any Purdue baseball information. He will be more likely a walker player if he is still interested.

Thanks,
daddyboy