Need Help With AZ Schools

Dragon, there aren't any DIII schools in AZ or the surrounding area except for Southern CA. I am attaching the link for DIII baseball which has all schools with baseball programs. As you can see, there are a lot of DIII programs in TX(really high quality between the ASC and the SCAC) and then the schools in the SCIAC in Southern CA. Hope this is helpful for you.

http://odac.bridgewater.edu/div3base/baseball.hp.htm

Suggest you look at ncaa.org for DIII schools.

Dragonbaseball, we just moved from Arizona....son graduated high school there....and it's a tough state to stay in and play college ball. Very competitive....even at the JuCo level (which plays with wood only)....2 D1's and 1 D2 with baseball programs......that's it!

We knew early on that we would be looking out of state if son was to go and play ball....and that said....So. California can be even more competitive.....

New Mexico, Texas, Oregon, Washington.....the opportunites were there......but you have to be pro-active.....especially if looking at the D3 level.....infielddad gave you a good site to check out......Good luck......

Thank you all for your advice. I guess one option would be to have him stay were he is looking to go next year here in illinois. Makes it hard from a parents perspective to see him play. Maybe better for him, knowing that mom and dad are not there, maybe he can just relax and have fun. Will continue to look at the outlying areas for a school for him to look at.

Dragonbaseball.....know exactly what you mean....we are here in SoCal....and son is attending college in Virginia.....turning down schools closer.....he picked the school he wanted to be at....for many reasons, to include baseball.....think they stand the best chance for success if they are happy.....

....we miss him a whole lot....but he is doing very well.....and what more can you ask for?

quote:

Makes it hard from a parents perspective to see him play. Maybe better for him, knowing that mom and dad are not there, maybe he can just relax and have fun.

Very common feelings/insights which we certainly shared at the time. We are from Nothern CA and our son went to a DIII in TX. While it is seems hard, at this point, that you might not see him play as much, it makes the times you do even more special.
More importantly, though, his being away, being happy and being with a great coach/team and great school helped us quickly realize these choices were about our son and his life. Through the choices, he was able to make himself a better, more productive and more responsible person...and a much better player. If our experience is at all helpful, you very easily remove the sense you are "missing something" because you don't get to see him play when you see how well he is doing both on and off the field. Cannot emphasize enough that if your son makes a good choice and is happy, that replaces very quickly any sense of "loss" you as a parent might experience.

Infielddad....can't speak for Dragonbaseball....but you made me feel better...son is just a freshman....but I'm thinking that each year will get a little easier for his Dad and me....for all the reasons you expressed so well.....thank you.

Thanks Infielddad and LadyNmom, Makes me feel a little better. This coach has been activley recruiting him since jr. year. Made trips down there this year and my son feel in love with the camppus and especially the Coach. He was straight forward with him and told him that he saw him fitting in nicely with their program, no promises about PT or anything,just that the best person plays no matter what year he is. Told hime that he has no problem playing Frehman and that sat real well with him. He has not had a whole lot of Playing time at the H.S. Level sitting behind a stud catcher ricght now. Plays on the summer Legion team last year as the youngest on the team and wound up with the second highest avg, hit .386 for the season. Has hit at every level he has been at. He is just looking for a fresh start. After the coach saw tape on him was even more interested.

I wasnt really clear on where your son was looking to play, in Illinois or Arizona. I think you said you were looking to move to AZ. My son went to Yavapai College in Prescott, AZ and that is a junior college. Arizona has 13 junior college teams playing in the conference that is all wood bat. Some schools have dorms on campus. There is U of A and ASU. Also Grand Canyon Univ, think they are DII now, used to be NAIA, its in Phoenix and way more pricey than a junior college. I have so many good things to say about junior colleges and the education they provide and reasons for going to one.

Dragonbaseball,
Like you, we moved out here to AZ after our son graduated high school. We actually moved because our son signed a NLI to play at a JUCO here and then found out my mom, whom he was going to live with, had some unexpected health issues. We didn't want him having to worry about her and her health, it wasn't his resposibility. He is now in Kentucky playing baseball and he absoulutely loves it. Loves the school, his teammates and the coaches. As much as we miss watching him play, I think it is best for him that he is his "own" man there and doing quite well. The JUCO baseball here is VERY competitive as mentiond by YourBasicMom and others. You also have to remember that the JUCO coaches get to go watch the local kids play their high school game sand summer games so your son would really have to out shine the local players. The schools in Maricopa County (Mesa, South Mountain, Chandler-Gilbert, Scottsdale, Glendale, Phoenix, Gateway) CAN'T give kids outside of the county scholarship UNTIL they become a resident. Now if you move here and your son is still your dependent, they can waiver that requirement for him.
My advice is to let him go where he will be happiest going. Eventually he will be done playing and move on to the working world like 90% of the college players. He should be left with the wonderful memories that HE experienced. Just my opinion from someone who is living it.