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12 replies

Need advice.. what to do?

L loveforthegameMember
To better understand my situation, I will try to give a quick background story.

Since the day I could walk and talk I have loved to play baseball. My first string of words was "play ball". I played baseball through all of little league and was an all-star caliber player. I then went on to join prestigious travel ball teams for the county, beating out hundreds of other potential tryouts for a spot on a team. I had the potential, but I didn't have the desire. I went on to go to a very political sport oriented high school where I butted heads with the head coach of the program from day 1. I was subsequently cut from the freshman team for reasons that were never clear. I haven't picked up a ball in 5 years.

I am now 20 and in college. I regret every day that I quit playing baseball and I want to get back to play if at least for 4 years of college ball or I feel that I would regret it the rest of my life.

Now comes to the part where I need advice and guidance from the community.

1. Are there any 18+ ORGANIZED travel baseball leagues that I would be able to play in to get back into the swing of things? I am going to be taking lessons to re-learn my fundamentals.

2. Going to a JC now who has a semi-decent baseball team. Would talking to the coach and practicing with the team be the way to go rather then trying to get on another team (another team being an 18+ travel ball team if one exists).

3. If I wanted to tryout for a minor league system once I get back into things, would that be harder and more competitive then college ball?

I am at the point now that I just want to "play ball" and not in a rag-tag sunday league but in an organized environment. Given my situation, what would be the best way to get back into the sport?



Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
Last edited {1}
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RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007
I would recommend getting on a MSBL team to get back in the game. You don't have a playing background to get on much else. If you approach a JuCO coach you better have some potential to show him. He's not going to provide charity. The minor leagues is a far off dream given your history. You're twenty and have no idea how good you are or aren't. How about taking things one step at a time. You'll probably have to start in a rag tag Sunday league. Your best bet is to pitch if you have an arm. If you can build up your arm, velocity will get you noticed. From a hitting standpoint you have no idea if you can hit decent breaking stuff. You've never faced any. One last question. Is this post for real? Or is it a gag?
Last edited by RJM
L loveforthegameMember
this is definitely real, I have the work ethic I can promise that. I lift weights 5-6 times a week and am a semi-pro cross country mountain biker. My body is at its all time peak fitness. Before High School I always pitched so that is a good possibility, except I always had arm/shoulder issues I am guessing due to my mechanics but had good velocity on my fastball for my age. So you think getting a pitching coach with prior college/minor league/pro experience, and once I get back in the groove talking to the jc coach would be the way to go?
L loveforthegameMember
and to be honest, I never had a problem hitting breaking balls. Yes, I understand the game I am getting in to is totally different then the game I left but nothing a lot of dedicated practice + lessons from a hitting coach wouldn't solve? Either way, I have a strong arm so therefore have always been a utility player, mostly pitching, catching, 3rd or outfield.

Also (if it helps), I am 6'2 1/2, 180 lbs with a 31 inch reach. Tall and lanky'ish build.
Last edited by loveforthegame
T Tooldforthis100+ posts
loveforthegame,
You have gotten so good advise here, the question you asked about J.C. ball, most if not all J.C.'s are in the middle of their fall ball programs here in Calif.. Many if not all have walk-ons at the beginning of fall and some do make it on the roster, but, if you tried to walk-on now most likely you would not get on the roster. Most of the walk-ons have been released by this point if they haven't made the roster. TheEH gave you good advise to check with the clubs he listed, that's your best starting point.
Good luck, many J.C. players come back from the military to play ball at your age or older so that chance is still good.
Coach WaltripCoach Waltrip100+ posts
I appreciate your enthusiam kid. Don't let others define what your chances are to accomplish what you put your heart too.

Having said this, try to be realistic with yourself and understand five years is a long time to be away from a game that changes dramatically from Freshman through the incoming college years. You didn't have trouble with a Freshman's CB, well things are different now. When you're now looking for the pitcher's 87-90 mph fastball and he lugs a 12 to 6 71 mph tightly spun bender at you that has 12 inch break you will have trouble. So, don't kid yourself.

Understand the formative years that kids develop themselves into college/pro level ball players you have walked away from for your own stated reasons. Getting these years back and compressing the developing years into a fall season and then be ready to play JUCO ball by the spring is a leap of faith.

Being an athletic guy as you've described is a benefit, but maintain a realistic perspective. If you have the desire I encourage you to continue your efforts, but understand the work and effort/talent needed to make your JUCO team is enormous at this point in your life.

Let us know how you do...or need more advice...there are many wonderful parents, coaches and others here that can be a great benefit to you on this endeavor...
Last edited by Coach Waltrip
ygpbb321ygpbb3211,000+ posts
First things first, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. This is probably going to happen a lot when you tell people you want to play in the minor leagues and didn’t even play in high school.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajjGtsjI7CM

Now let me answer your questions:

1) Yes there 18+ men’s leagues that you can play in, it’s just a matter of there being one where you live. You could try google searching mens baseball league and your city and state or even look on the local part of this forum to see if you can find more information.

2) I would try to practice a little before you went and talk to the junior college coach. Even players who played the last 5 seasons are going to be rusty the first few days. You don’t have this luxury and you may be able to take advantage of that if you go there ready to go, having practice for a while, and being at the top of your game.

3) Yes. Minor Leagues is harder and more competitive than college. The travel stinks, you are away from home, and it’s every day. Not to mention it is your job and they can release you anytime they want. Not saying that to scare you, just to make you ready.

Other than that just start with the practicing and take each step as it comes. Your attitude will determine the pace at which you succeed. As with anything in life.

Good Luck!
Dad04Dad045,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by trojan-skipper:
3. If I wanted to tryout for a minor league system once I get back into things, would that be harder and more competitive then college ball?

Bro, are you serious? Of course Minor League is tougher...

Amen. No comparison.

quote:
Posted by Coach Waltrip: Having said this, try to be realistic with yourself and understand five years is a long time to be away from a game that changes dramatically from Freshman through the incoming college years. You didn't have trouble with a Freshman's CB, well things are different now. When you're now looking for the pitcher's 87-90 mph fastball and he lugs a 12 to 6 71 mph tightly spun bender at you that has 12 inch break you will have trouble. So, don't kid yourself.

You have no idea what the ballplayers you knew 6 years ago have been doing. I would start throwing the ball with someone...anyone and see how that goes. Pitching might be the fastest way to get into it.
I suggest gettng to a batting cage and see how that goes. If you are hittng every ball on the screws(golf term) at 80 or 85, take the next step and find a team to get innings and AB's. If you can't hit BP, think about pitching, if you can get the ball going 85+ from the mound (over the plate knee high with movement, painting the black, for two hours.)

I'm not trying discourage you, but you will be competing with kids who can play right now. If you can't play, you won't be competitive, regardless of talent or phyical condition. If you are trying out, then be competitive in your skill set.
Last edited by Dad04

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