Need an honest answer

Hornet....The fact that you're from California says it all.

Kids that are backups in California are better players than many frontline players in many states.

However, if you get very little playing time your senior year, anywhere, I would adjust my aspirations a bit until you go away to college and see where you fit in.

Thanks for the advice, to add a little more insight, I'm slotted to be the starting first baseman this year.

quote:

Originally posted by BeenthereIL:
The fact that you're from California says it all.

Kids that are backups in California are better players than many frontline players in many states.

Now that's just down right funny right there! I don't care who you are.



Hornet, work hard and never give up on your dream. Practice and play as though the kid behind you is trying to take that spot from you. Cause he is!

Hornets20, we've been hearing several people on this message board share that college programs are telling them they're going to wait until spring to make their decisions. The fact that you will be starting this spring bodes well. When baseball season arrives, make sure to call or email the coaches of various programs you're interested to let them know your playing schedule. Contact them weekly to increase your name recognition. Don't be discouraged if you don't have a deal by May. My son had 2-3 teammates on his summer team who had already graduated and all of them got offers in the summer while playing for the 18U team. I know at least one of them is playing D1 ball.

Best wishes!

.
Hornet...

It is possible, but College ball in CA can be a tough nut to crack...have plan B as well...have seen a bunch of local players that worked hard at plan A but did not catch on a CA school but found nice baseball "homes" out of state.

You will increase your chances in dramatic fashion if you are willing to go out of state...and even more if you look small school...and even more if you are high academic...even more if you are a two way or can be...and even more if you get on the national radar...

44
.

Hornets20,
You can probably get an honest answer here, but not so likely an informed one. Really, to find out what level college may be appropriate for you, you need to ask people who are familiar with your baseball skills.

I think you made a few posts here under your own name a year or so ago, and it was recommended that you attend a Perfect Game showcase. Did you do that? PG's rating is a very good indicator. You should plan to attend a PG showcase this year--the resulting rating will tell you where you stand now, and will be credible info for a prospective college coach.

It looks like you played Babe Ruth; can you identify anyone in that program who has enough knowledge of college ball to provide a useful opinion?

Played any travel/summer ball? Check with those coaches.

Once you've identified the correct level of college, you will need to contact target schools. That's where a PG rating is very useful--the coaches can quickly see how your rating stacks up against their expectations. You'll need to snag their interest quickly.

Observer44 pointed out that there is value in being able to play a position and also pitch. It looks like you've had some success pitching, so paint a bulls-eye on the side of the barn and throw at it!
In other words, there is about3 months until baseball season starts. Work on your skills, and enter the season in tip-top shape.

quote:

You will increase your chances in dramatic fashion if you are willing to go out of state...

Observer44, because you're from California, you would know the answer to this question much better than I: what would be some ways that Hornets20 could attract the attention of some out-of-state schools?

quote:

Originally posted by BeenthereIL:
Hornet....The fact that you're from California says it all.

Kids that are backups in California are better players than many frontline players in many states.

I did not know Larry, the Cable Guy, was visiting Frankfort!

Now if you had said back-ups in Arizona or maybe Lacrosse in the East, you may have an argument

I didn't know they put baseball tools vitamins in the Cali water system?

When you advise the kid, make sure he doesn't say to any coaches in the other 49 States, "I'm from California, and since all the rest of you are 2nd tier to us"

quote:

I didn't know they put baseball tools vitamins in the Cali water system?

Yes, they do.

Learn something everyday on the hsbaseballweb, don't ya, OS8?

quote:

quote:
I didn't know they put baseball tools vitamins in the Cali water system?


Yes, they do.

Learn something everyday on the hsbaseballweb, don't ya

Hornet, don't forget about the JUCO route as well

quote:

Originally posted by Doc_K:
[QUOTE] quote:



Hornet, don't forget about the JUCO route as well

With Calif not giving JC scholarships, you have no idea of how many players will show up in the fall for the new year. Many of the JC's have 100+ guys show up for a spot on the roster.

Hornet, if you really want to play beyond HS, you need to market yourself by getting your name out to the schools, getting to a few showcases, and get on a team which has success in being seen by colleges.

Did you follow the sugestions that folks give you back in 2005?

There is only one way to know for sure. Give it your best shot...

Hornet,

Having a son who played at a JC in SoCal and then onto a D1, there are alot of players who are recruited by the JC coaches and alot of players who try to walk on. Some of the bigger JC's that have great reputations and history of making the playoffs attract players who chose the JC route (maybe because they want immediate playing time than would rather sit), they may have academic issues, or there were no offers from other schools and they want to continue to play. There are JC programs and coaches that have summer rosters with 100 players, then cut them down to 50 and then down to 35 for the Spring.

Some of the earlier posts recommend doing your homework by researching these programs. Look at the previous years rosters to see where the gaps will be and where you'll fit if selected. There are no guarantees, but you'll be able to size up your chances better knowing whether they have multiple position players or not. And JC's are much easier on the pocketbook for a couple of years getting your general ed out of the way. As far as your concern on the transfer rules you should consult with the California Commission on Athletics (COA) who can give you a more definite answer.

Good luck to you!

quote:

Originally posted by Hornets20:
I'm going into my senior year of high school. Last year I was back up first baseman to a guy that was a favorite with the coaches and was, in all honesty, better than me. My question is this: Without any years of starting experience at the varsity level, do I have any realistic shot at being recruited somewhere? I've already given up the dream of playing at D-1, but I'm not really sure if D-2 is obtainable either.

Hornets, you have been provided a lot of good information but I have some additional thoughts.
Whether you play in college and, if so, the level, will be a function of grades, ability and exposure.
DII programs in CA like Chico and Sonoma State are not much different than solid level DI programs.
You have to be able to play at a high level, improve and compete.
Also, unlike some areas, your high school season isn't likely to give you the exposure you need to get recruited. College coaches rarely attend high school games with the exception of some WCAL games and a few other very high profile teams.
If you have not done so, you need to get to a showcase or camp, but preferably a showcase where you can be seen and also receive a rating that college coaches know will be meaningful.
Finally, if I were you and wanted to play, make sure the academics are in order for the CSU system and don't forget CSU Hayward. It is a very solid DIII program that plays a competitive schedule. Over the past few years, they have played Sonoma St and done well.
If you are a good student, there are plenty of DIII's in and out of CA that provide great opportunity and options. If you have a passion to play in college, that may be your best avenue from what little information you have provided.

I'd recommend making sure that you hit the Stanford camp and the Headfirst camp assuming that you have decent grades. A wide variety of schools see kids from those camps.

It really doesn't matter if you were a starter as a junior or not. It puts you at a bit of a disadvantage but if you perform on the field you'll get your chance.

As far as the bit about CA players we've had quite a few backup players sign with out of state schools. I believe our league sent at least half a dozen pitchers to D1s or pro ball last season. I know of at least 4 from the league who are D1 bound this season and would expect at least half a dozen to go D1 or better. With two pitchers headed to D1s our team will have to really play well to come in 4th in the league. So it should be no surprise that our backup players are sought after by out of state colleges.

Of course that doesn't mean that a backup player from a weaker school in CA is better than starters at top schools elsewhere in the country. It also is obvious that backups from the top schools in FL and some of the other sunshine states are going to be sought after also because they are better than frontline players from many schools in CA. My guess is that there's a bit more talent in CA just because of the population, but the players tend to be a bit older in Florida and some of the other states so it at least evens out and very possibly the top teams are a bit better back there.

infielddad,
I don't regret my choice from an academic standpoint as Hayward didn't have my major but there are times I wish I had gone to Hayward where they wanted me and I would have been a good fit rather than walking on at UCSB where I barely made the team and didn't travel. (Tennis, not baseball.)

The weather and the beach weren't too hard to take either.

Hi Hornets20 and welcome to the HHBBW.

How do you hit? As a position/corner-infield player you are also going to need be a good hitter to play at the next level. Another post asked what have you done thus far to market yourself (showcase, college camps, summer teams, etc..). The answer to that question may be the answer to your question. You can't wait for them to come to you. You need to be proactive. I say it is never too late, but if you have not been proactive on your part up to this point, JC may be your best "next step" to keep playing ball. Talk to your HS coach and ask him if he is going to recommend you to any schools.

Good Luck!

Hornet20:

There is always a chance to play, you need to look where you find the opportunity.

Based upon the information you provided, I did a quick search based upon your screen name and home town. I looked up your HS, roster, stats for last season and tried to find reference of you in several publications that track youth baseball here in NorCal. Based upon my search, I am assuming that you are NL.

From my prospective you play for a better than average public school. Your team was realatively successful last season and it looked like you were a real contributor. That being said, your profile is like hundreds of other boys that want to play college baseball here in CA.

There are 66 four-year colleges in California that play baseball. Assuming that you want to stay in CA, you will likely need to be one of the best players at your postion to find an opportunity. If you go to a JC, you will likely compete with either the guy that played in front of you last year or another guy like him that came from Marin or Sonoma county. Two years latter, assuming that you play you will be competing with the same pool of guys that are seeking a spot on those 66 colleges.

We went through the same sceanario two years ago. My son had less AB's his junior year than you. However, we went out and marketed him across the US. The one thing that you will have that many kids that you may compete with is that you play ball in Calif. This does not make you better, it does mean that you have had better weather that allows you to compete year round. It provides you with more opportunity to compete against better teams, pitching, etc.

This may not seem important, however there is many a coach across the country that will recognize what it may mean. You still need to have the track record, which goes beyond your HS team.

With good grades, I guarantee that you will find a school where you can play baseball. It likely will be in a cold weather state, but if you want to play you need to seek out schools where you can differentiate yourself.

Good Luck!!

ilvbb-

good post, I am sure it will be helpful to hornet.
What is NL? And, if you don't mind, what publications are you refering to?

thanks

ilvbb,
Good post. That's exactly what our backup catcher who was slated to be #3 before #1 quit (whole 'nother Oprah there.) did. He got about 10 plate appearances all season sitting behind a weak armed sophmore, with otherwise good defensive skills, who hit under .200, but still was able to sign with an Eastern school with tough academic requirements.

College of Marin.


They have a good coach and unlike SSU they don't have 100 kids trying out. COM has even had several HS "backup" players on their roster over the past few years. You will get a several shots at playing at COM. You would not get the same opportunity at SRJC. Players move onto 4 year schools every year from COM. The COM coach will come watch you play an MCAL game---if you call him, he has alot of Novato area players on his team. Steve Berringer 415. 485. 9589

Tips:

-I don't recomend trying to walkon anywhere unless the coach has seen you play and seriously recruits you as a walkon.
-Be prepared to redshirt your first year, even at COM
-Make sure that you arrange a summer ball team ASAP. I'd recomend the Marin Merchanrs as your only option if you are interested in COM. Once again call the COM coach for this team.
-Begin a baseball specific weight lifting program. I believe COM offers a summer weight lifting class.



Good luck.

Having just experienced the recruiting experience with our son -- I can honestly say that a great outing at a well attended showcase can be as beneficial as having a good junior high school season. I have seen kids get recruited by Division 1 schools that rarely played for their high school teams -- this is especially true for pitchers.

ILVBB - Is that your son in that picture? He looks like a heck of a hitter. I mean he looks like a serious masher. Great set up. You can look at that one picture and see all you need to see. Sorry for the hijacking. But I get goosebumps when I see a kid that looks like that in the batters box.