No pro ball after college, still a success story

Birdman 14,

 

This is exactly the type of success story we hope to write about in four years!  Good luck to your son!  I hope that everything falls in to place for him in his new career.

Birdman 14,

 

My son too reached the end of the baseball road despite it looking like he might get a chance to play pro ball after his sophomore and junior seasons especially.I have never told his story on this site so I will tell it now. Teams called him on draft day two years in a row and one team's scout advised him to get an agent a few weeks before the draft. A week before the draft we were scrambling around to get some old x rays of his knee that he had minor surgery on when he was twelve years old because one team thought that might have been the reason he was redshirted his freshman year although that had nothing to do with it. One scout and his crosschecker kept telling us that he would not be returning to school because they were definitely going to draft him. Then when they didn't, the crosschecker calls to apologize two years in a row and says wait til next year. After his Junior year since he had already graduated the crosschecker told him to come to a workout and they would sign him as a free agent. By this time my son had lost trust in these guys and decided to get his masters degree and play his senior season.

 

Here's where something occurred that I've never mentioned on this site either. In the fall of his senior year in the parents day game after he had just hit a HR he suffered the same injury as Cabrera of Detroit and had to have injections deep into his pelvic area. Luckily he avoided surgery. But in the first part of the season he had trouble turning on the ball and sure enough his numbers suffered. Later he had a 16 for 20 streak that got his numbers more up to par but he had pain for most of the season. He still hit .330 but that was down from his previous two seasons. So with the extra year of age and the temporary loss of a little speed and power I think the scouts lost some interest.

 

In the end my son elected to go on with his life as he earned his Masters Degree and graduated first in four year GPA in the whole university at Christmas. At first I was really down that he wouldn't get a chance at pro ball but now I realize it might have been a waste of two or three years since he wouldn't have been a top prospect anyway. He really no longer loved baseball enough to go the tryout camp route and he is now entering crossfit competitions.

 

Jordan's college career gave me so many thrills as as there were so many great victories and a trip to the National Championship game in his sophomore year.

 

A final summing up of his Delta State career was:

 

3 times first team All Gulf South Conference

3 seasons on multiple All South Regional teams including Daktronics, ABC/Rawlings, and NCBWA.

2 times ABCA/Rawlings South Region Gold Glove centerfielder

2 times on Tino Martinez Watch List for DII Player of the Year

1 time on the Josh Willingham Watch List for DII MVP

MVP of the Gulf South Conference tournament

All Tournament one time in the Regional tournament

All Tournament in the DII College World Series as a sophomore

GSC Player of the Week multiple times

NCBWA South Regional player of the Week once

Preseason All American team in DII

Delta State's Charles S. Kerg award winner for the Senior Athlete of the Year

 

And the best of all:

Winner of the South Region's Commissioner Trophy for the Outstanding Student Athlete in the Gulf South Conference.

 

As he said in his acceptance speech for the Commissioner's trophy, he came from a small Texas school surrounded by corn fields where baseball was not important to a small Mississippi school surrounded by cornfields where baseball WAS important!

Two great stories and both of your boys could of easily been in Pro ball.

 

My son has moved on from baseball, just started his Professional job with a great company.He loves it. He did spend two years in pro ball but not a prospect.

 

He sees his release as a blessing for him.

 

I don't think any avenue is a waste of time as lessons learned, and great experiences,but I understand what you are saying when your not a top prospect.

 

I think sometimes people think pro ball is the end all when as you said most aren't prospects and have slim to no chance of making it,

 

I think getting a college degree and getting to play collegiate baseball at any level is such a huge accomplishment and something all should be proud of.

 

Good luck to your sons, mine is a month into his new job, has his own place and is really enjoying life without the demands of baseball and school.it is such a grind.

 

 

Birdman,
Seems like yesterday we were deep in pms about nerve transposition surgery.

Best of luck to all of your sons!

Three Bagger,
Your son's experiences with pro ball shows how difficult and unfriendly this business can be. You have got to have thick skin and learn not to take this stuff personally.
Very impressive college career.

Wow.  Very valuable stuff.  As a father of a 13yo sometimes I just want to speed up the clock to see where this road is taking him.  Good to hear stories like this.  Makes you realize its best just to sit back and enjoy the journey.  Cause I really do enjoy watching my son play.  And for everyone but a very very select few the road ends well before you get to play in the bigs.

Jolietboy,
It makes me vrry sad when I hear a parent say they wish the clock would speed up.
Someday you will wish you never had said that.
Enjoy the ride. Dont wish your sons youth away.

Agreed.  I will miss them all when they are off in the real world so I do want to enjoy every minute.  I just get anxious sometimes cause my son is that classic tweener.  We have all seen those kids at 12 that you can Just say right now they are playing d1 someday.  Then there are the 12 's you can say (sorry but true) they have no chance.  Its easy for both of those groups to sit back and enjoy the ride.  Probably easier for the super stars I suppose.

Jolietboy,
You will be surprised how 12 year olds can be much different players at 17.  Then 21. Then 25. Many players we see as future D1 or professionals have many obstacles to overcome to get to the next step, then the next and so on.
I find some of your comments rather amusing. Perhaps someday you will understand.

I am not really sure what you mean by that...  but I know you are talking a much larger age gap than I am.  I could care less right now what.my kid looks like at 25.  Not relevant.  And 21 also not relevant.  17 yes that is important!  My son is 13.  So thats four years.  Not that much is going to change in four years.  The kids who are bad right now are not all of the sudden going to be PG all americans at 16.  Better? Sure if they work   but probably not a big time player.  The kids who are superstars?  There is a little more of a chance that a fatal flaw will be exposed and they will fizzle out.  But generally the great ones at 13 are also the stars at 17.  It is a four year race for my son.  All I care about is what he is like at 17.

This is a great topic started by birdman.
This isnt about what your son will be like in 4 years.
Lets stay on topic.

Joliet ... You have no idea what will happen to 13yo studs. Some are man-children on the verge of losing their physical dominance. For the others there are many obstacles even if they survive the baseball obstacles. There's other sports, girls, jobs, cars, grades, discipline, alcohol and drugs. I've seen 13u studs never make varsity. I've seen kids struggle on the 13u field due to not having hit puberty yet become high school stars and go on to college ball. 

 

Don't wish a fast forward on your son. Between two kids I'm in the eighteenth year (of most likely twenty) of watching my kids play. It seems like yesterday they were little kids with their jersey numbers tucked into their pants.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree.  I have the advantage of having coached hs ball for many years before having kids.  I say advantage just because I got to observe these things objectively without the emotions (I admit I now have) of a parent.  And I just never ever witnessed all that attrition and all those kids becoming stars out of nowhere.  A couple one off stories sure.  But for the most part the kids we identified in jr high were also our studs on the varsity.

Extremely sorry I failed to 'stay on topic'  I will gladly bow out of this one.

I bow to your knowledge and superiority. I embrace and glow in the warmth of your brilliance. Are you the only one on this board who has coached talent? I must have been hallucinating when I saw these things occur. Who said anything about "all that attrition?" In the realm of all athletes these are things that occur. Most of the issues I listed don't affect the potential to play the game. They affect the desire and eligibility. In terms of evaluating middle school age kids there's a big difference between 13u and 14u because it's a major growth period for a lot of players. 

I followed just about every game birdman14, Three Bagger, and fanofgame son's played during their college career.  I was sure all three kids would be drafted.  This thread is bittersweet.  I am happy all three have moved on in their professional lives and I am sure they'll be great successes someday.  A part of me still wishes each kid was playing baseball.  All the best to them in the future.

Birdman,

 

We followed each others sons college careers and recruiting experiences going way back to 2009.  I agree with CD (and I've told you this before)....I thought he would be drafted, too.  Your son has size, speed, great hands and hits from the left side.  At one time, he was by far the tallest leadoff hitter in college baseball!  He's smart and could contribute as a position player (RF, CF, 1st Base) or pitcher.  There is no doubt in my mind that Professional Scouts missed an opportunity to sign a young, multi-talented prospect.  We are reminded it is a business, and the draft is not always about who is the best player....it is much more than that.  I'm very happy for you and your son that he's moved onto his professional career.  Everything he learned in college and on the baseball field will serve him well going forward.  You did a great job helping him navigate this part of his life.  He couldn't have done it without you.

 

This Fall had a much different feel to it as our son's are not in college and playing baseball.  My son is studying for his Professional Engineer designation (which will take 5 years) while he works his 8-5pm professional career.  He's happy as a clam as they are paying him to do stuff he loves to do.  He's not looking back at all.  For me, I find myself the one who needs to adjust to the next chapter.  It will take some time and some new challenges.

 

W

 

 

It is not like you are going to plan a trip to watch him do quadratic equations... 

First I'd like to say congratulations to all of the ballplayers who moved onto the next phase of their lives. They were able to play baseball at a high level in college and get an education. That alone is a huge win in my eyes.

I don't want to send this thread off in another direction again, but... my son is a, just turned 15, sophomore.  Of the 5 best players that I saw in our area at 12 years old:  4 are no longer playing baseball and 1 may not make his JV team.

As my son is right in the middle of that 13-17 gap that was spoken about, I can say there are more levels to advance to each year then you think. And every year I watch more and more players fall off.

I love watching my son play. Enjoy every minute of it through HS. His life will change dramatically should he play in college.

NYdad,
Exactly my point as well as RJM's.

Most of us come to the website hoping that our son’s will find success in baseball. Success can be defined differently, yet we all find joy in watching our son’s become men playing a kids game. I am no different; I came to this website during my son’s senior year in high school. He wanted to play college ball and with luck play some pro ball. I wanted to do what I can to be a good parent; and at the same time, I wanted him to succeed.

Over the past 10-years, I have been here to ask questions, share what I have learned and to hopefully to be good member of this community.

He is where he is because of baseball. He knew that playing baseball was a big part of his life and finding a college where he could go and play ball has shaped the man he has become. Of his high school classmates; he was the only one that went to a D3 school. Most had the vision of D1 or bust; he opened his heart to the possibility that baseball had to be in balance of both the academic and the life experience outside California where he grew up.

After graduation he was worried that he would not find a job because he did not have internships on his resume. He was glad that he had the collegiate summer league experience; but he was unsure as to the value of his collegiate baseball experience to employers. I told him to learn how to answer a few good interview questions that built on his baseball experience. Learn to talk about commitment, teamwork, sacrifice, failure and success. I assured him that if he could talk about how baseball helped in his development he would find a job that valued his experiences and him as a person.

The question that got him is first job was “tell me about your most memorable baseball experience.” He told a story about playing Notre Dame in the AA facility in San Antonio; going 2 for 3 with a HR and 3 RBI’s. He put in the context of David versus Goliath; and the pride he had in his teammates ability to compete against a larger well respected D1 school. He capped it with a cute antidote about how a youngster brought him his HR ball and asked him to autograph the ball.  This story clearly demonstrated what employers were looking for that most people view can only come through internships that the baseball community takes for granted.

My son graduated from Trinity University in 2010; he played four years, three summers of collegiate summer ball and had the opportunity to play pro ball when he was done. He earned All-American honors twice, was his conference player of the year his senior year, was a finalist for D3 player-of-the-year and has placed his name at the top of most of his college and conference records.

After his senior year he hoped to play pro ball. He had been contacted by a few teams saying they might draft him. Their focus was on what his expectations were and would he be willing to fill a role. We got a call from an A’s scout; they told him that they were looking at him or another 1^st baseman. They told him that if they took him they would want him principally to be an older experienced leader to show the most of the younger kids that they drafted what they expect at then next level. They told him that his job was to be a leader; he would play but mostly it was to provide a mature presence. They were also very candid that they did not expect him to last more than a year. The reality made it clear to him that his future was not with baseball and that he needed to look beyond what he had accomplished on the field.

After graduating, he got a job as head coach of a highly respected college prep school in San   Antonio. He had a number of kids that he gave lessons to and he coached at a couple of summer baseball camps. He also began the process of moving on to graduate school.

Last fall he finished his MBA at the University of Texas and got married earlier this spring. He now works at a well respected Oil & Gas firm, he and his bride just bought their first home and he is well on the road to a productive life.

Baseball was the catalyst that changed my son’s life; it taught him the lessons that are the cornerstone for a successful life and has shown him to look beyond what he knows and you may find a life which is both productive and happy.

Great story ILVBB, love it.

 

People come to this site to figure out the maze we all have to get through to give their kids the opportunity to play baseball in college. Along the way a few more get the opportunity to play professional baseball, but the majority move on with their lives much richer because of this opportunity. I know I am just one of many that love to hear these stories.

 

Like your son, mine moved 1/2 way across the country and met kids on his team from all over the country, and at his school from everywhere in the world. He got an excellent education, grew into a man, and even if he does get drafted will move on to graduate school to one of the top two universities in his field, all paid for by someone else other than me.  His path is set all because baseball led him on a path to someplace he would not have been had it not been for it.

Joiletboy,

 

 I know what your trying to say, but the people you are saying it to have went through all of this and have great memories of their little boy's playing baseball and would love to experience it again. Cute faces and crooked hats are replaced by flat bills and whiskers, It seems like all of a sudden one day you look around and he's got a deep voice and car keys. I have found myself being anxious at times, but I try to live it up everyday.

I love these stories more than the ones about the on field successes. Congrats to all of your sons who have moved on to be successful in life.

I usually talk about by freshman in college son who is playing baseball on here (I have 5 kids and he is the middle one).

 

The one I want to talk about here (my 2nd one) is Christopher. He never played college ball, wasn't even given a chance. He was a very solid 2 year starting catcher in HS. Good catcher, fair arm, average bat, excellent leader. He got his chance to start as junior by working his tail off. Baseball taught him how to work. How to want something and go for it. How to be a great teammate. How to be a leader. My son just entering college looks up to Christopher more than anyone else in the world, He got to see his older brother want it even when it wasn't easy. So when the day comes when it isn't easy for Jeremy, he will know what it takes to be a grinder.

 

What did Christopher learn from baseball? He learned to grind when necessary. When college was tough, he grinded. He learned how to be organized in his time. He learned how to lead young men and how to be part of a team.

 

Today, Christopher is a 5th grade teacher in the school he went to. He leads young people every day. He grinds when there are tons of papers to read. He is a good teammate to other teachers, always willing to help with whatever school function or project is going on. He learned from baseball how to be tough on those that need to be, and gentle on others that need that. He is loved by his kids ( I lead our 3-6th grade select program so I know a lot of those kids and parents and they tell me) and thier parents.

 

The great thing about baseball (along with many other extra curriculars) is it teachs you things you can't learn in a classroom, yet are so important in this world.

 

Baseball taught him how to be a good man and for that I am grateful 

Way to go chefmike7777! Get story, congrats to Christopher. 

birdman14,

I've enjoyed the PM's we've shared over the years, you've helped me more than you know.  While one journey has come to an end, another has just begun.  You should be proud!  BTW, great Avatar...love the smile on Tim's face.

Great story birdman! Maybe I'll have my story in a couple of years. Good Luck to all your sons who are done with baseball and continuing their success in and out of the diamond!

My son tweeted the other day "Thanking the Lord I get to get up today and do what I love for a living. Coach baseball."

 

He is a college baseball coach. He loves every minute of his 13 hour days. From working on the field. To long drives to see players. To weight lifting at 5:30 am  to bull pens at 6:00 pm. So I would just say that it's all good.

 

I always knew deep down in my heart he would always be on a field somewhere. I am very thankful that he gets up everyday loving what he does.

What an awesome thread.  Thanks to all who have shared their stories here.  The on-field successes bring about the immediate burst of excitement and joy for our kids.  But witnessing the character traits that are developed along the journey provides us with a deep-routed source of long lasting pride.

Easily one of the best threads I've read in some time.  Love the pride that comes through in each of your posts.  Hoping to see more....

I was worried about the same thing for my son, because like yours, he did not have time for internships (like his classmates), because of summer ball. Instead baseball became his internship...He told stories of leadership (as a team captain) getting the message from the coach to the younger players, working towards a common goal as a team, meeting deadlines, and juggling work loads, and meeting individual goals (awards and statistical). They just came about naturally in the interviews because he had lived them. 

 

Ditto with the lack of internships and he was often asked what made his experience unique over people who had more work experience.

 

 

 

 

I don't want to take this thread off track but, about internships; you don't have to always play summer ball.

 

My son played summer ball (full time) after his freshmen season and then he decided he wanted to work the following summer. He found an internship and played baseball on the weekend. Jim Colburn (ex Dodger) started a local league for Sat/Sunday only players and was made up of mostly local JC kids, with a few like my son back from college and it worked out perfectly. He pitched around 40 innings that summer and it was perfect for him as he got some work in (he was working on some mechanics and pitches) He worked during the day, went to the gym after work and played a game or two on the weekend. Best of both worlds is available if you seek it out. 

Great thread. Congrats to your son, hopefully his future will be bright.

Great stories of success, thanks. 

Great stories fellas. Here's mine:

Oldest son: Went to an NAIA school, they were not very good his freshman yr which was lucky for him because he got to play about 60% of the time. That team had every kind of problem you can imagine, grades, drugs, couldn't win games they should have won, zero support from admin...  But the next year was a little better as they got rid of some bad characters, then his jr year they got a new coach and things were on upswing. Senior year they won the conference and so he got to experience the lowest of lows and then a tremendous high getting to go into the playoffs... he got to play a ton of ball and got some nice accolades along the way but of course he knew when school ball was over there would be no more for him.

  He is now an HR guy for a local company. He also coaches one of the Legion teams and is enjoying several different roles among the community that keep him involved with youth (baseball and special olympics, etc).

 

Middle Son: My middle son is the hardest working kid I have ever coached. I have coached since 1978 and I did have a couple of guys when i was coaching college ball that were nearly as hard working and no one else is even close. He could do 2 things pretty well on the field; hit a fastball and a good glove in the outfield.

The fact that he is autistic/asperger's kid has presented him with several difficulties that some days he overcomes and some days he does not.  His baseball career was far better than I ever dreamed it could be; he got to play varsity for 2 years, was all-league once. He was not good enough to advance to the next level, but with much hard work (thousands of flash cards studied) he did graduate from high school.

He now works part time at the local hospital and takes 2 classes at a tech school. He got his driving permit last week (at age 20). His job at the hospital is going very well. He works in the dept that prepares carts for surgery and sterilizes instruments.

 

Youngest son: Still in high school. Plays baseball and football.

 

trojan-skipper - I am happy for all your sons.  The middle one however, I must say, I am extraordinarily impressed.  The tears well-up in my eyes when I read that.  Very impressed by that young man.  All the best to all your boys and your family in the future.

 

This is why the hsbbweb is the best site ever invented.

Our oldest son graduated with a great G.P.A. this past May with a double major in business and sport management. Making a long story short, he got hurt on the field ...a lot... in both high school and in college. A knee injury and a surgery for a different injury in college were the worst/ best things that ever happened to him. He became intensely interested in orthopedic medicine. After graduation, he went right back to undergrad school to get more science and math classes under his belt. Now he is shadowing in both a free clinic and in a doctor's office and studying for the medical entrance exam.

 

Baseball taught him time management, working toward a long term goal, humility, leadership, how to function on limited sleep, teamwork, it gave him best friends, etc. Baseball was everything to him. Yet when the baseball ended he knew how to take everything he learned, pick himself up and use all the lessons in a different way. Though medical school is a crap shot too, I know he has the tools to succeed in life, where ever he ends up.

 

And did I also mention he is getting married next year to a wonderful young woman that we all adore? She was a college softball player for all four years- imagine that.

 

Yep, baseball was a gift. I am grateful.