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6 replies

North Dakotan needs some more advice about JUCOS

W waynek10+ posts
Thanks to all of you who replied to my previous post...much appreciated! MN-Mom...how old was your mother-in-law when she dated Roger Maris in Hibbing? I thought he moved to Fargo early in his HS career. Interestingly, the Fargo legion BB program was selling T-shirts last summer which stated "the record is still 61!" Up here, and our state legislature passed a resolution to that effect, the feeling is no other MLB player has ever hit more then 61 HRs without the benefit of chemistry. But I let me get to the point...

As mentioned in my previous post, my son has been offerred very close to a 1/2 academic ride at our local university. Next weekend there is a scholarship competition there (essay and interview) that could increase the academic ride if my son does well. The coach told me he would like my son to participate so he knows how much BB money he will need to offer on top of the academic money. That's fine, but last night an Iowa DI Juco coach called again. This coach originally got my son's name from one of the many pro scouts that followed his HS team last spring to scout a LHP(6'5',220lbs with a 90+ FB who was drafted in the 30th round MLB amateur draft but signed a NLOT with the U of Minnesota). The scout told this coach my son is one of the top 5 2006 HS players in the state.

In any case,my son sent in the required info to this JUCO earlier in this process mainly just to see what they would offer...they do fund 12 full rides...as a possible negotiating chip as we deal with other colleges he really would prefer. My son has a 4.00GPA and doesn't want to go the JUCO route if 4 year colleges also make good offers. Playing DI BB or the possibilty of pro BB isn't a major consideration for him. He just wants to play college BB and get a good education.

The problem is the JUCO coach said he will be in Fargo over the Thanksgiving weekend visting with a pitching recruit there and wants my son to drive down so he can meet with him there too...200 miles away and we have family coming here and other plans. Do I tell this coach we are no longer are considering his JUCO or do we make this trip just to see what he offers? I'm having a difficult time not being straight with him...it goes against my grain...Please advise. Thanks in advance for your comments.
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M montanadad100+ posts
Waynek,

I understand your delimma completely. My oldest son is a Freshman at a JUCO, playing baseball. My 07 son is also interested in playing baseball in college, but like your son he is also a 4.0 student, only taking honors and IB courses. His class rank at the moment is 1/628.

I cannot imagine my younger son going the JUCO route from a strictly academic standpoint. Although some might counsel to keep all options open, I think my counsel would be to be direct and honest with the JUCO coach. Tell him that at this time it does not appear that going the JUCO route is really the path that your son wants to pursue but that may change in the future. That leaves the door open to a degree.

Question, if baseball is not a major consideration for your son, then what is a major consideration for him as far as schools? Finding the right fit includes school, baseball program, coaches, intended major, etc. It sounds like there could be academic money in a number of schools. Just something to think about.
D dbg_fan1,000+ posts
montanadad,

Your son is a junior, so you have a time advantage that Waynek is lacking.

With the GPA & class ranking you report on your son, I recommend that you VERY seriously consider sending your son the the Stanford Camp next summer. Many of the very best academic schools in the country have coaches that work the camp, and recruit players they've seen at the camp.

For the same reasons you list, we did not relish the thought of our son attending a JUCO.
06catcherdad06catcherdad1,000+ posts
Waynek, I think you kind of answered the question for yourself. You mention that your son has a nice scolarship package at your local university, and it might be improved upon. If he's happy going there and parents support his choice, you are most likely done with his college search. You also obviously have a concern about being straight up with the juco coach, or you wouldn't be asking for advice. That says a lot about your character.

I think you probably represent yourself in the best manner, and will be at peace with yourself, if you tell the juco coach your son's situation and explain that if it doesn't work out or if son changes his mind about attending college in his hometown, that his juco will be right at the forefront of schools son would consider. There is nothing wrong with telling him that your son will most likely be attending the local school, especially since he's got scolarship money on offer. You've already said his college choice will be about more than just baseball, so the choice should be easier.
M montanadad100+ posts
dbg,

I'm aware of the time differences between Waynek's situation and ours. My point was simply that from an academic standpoint, a student that has a very high GPA probably will not find a JUCO to be the best option unless there are other factors involved.

Thank you for the encouragement to attend Stanford's camp. That is absolutely on the agenda. We tried to go to Stanford's camp last year, but the camp was full before we even got the application. My son did receive a personal letter from the coaching staff last week asking about what his class schedule was this fall, etc. So we are hopeful that he will at least have the opportunity to go to Stanford's camp this year.

BTW- My '05 son did choose to go the JUCO route and is doing very well. So I have nothing against JUCO's, it is simply a matter of "fit" for the individual.
MN-MomMN-MomHSBaseballWeb Owner
Waynek,

About the Maris question, I'll have to ask my mom-in-law to tell me the story again, but I think she was in HS, and she is 71 or 72 now.

Good responses above about your son's situation. I also wanted to mention that if the local school feels like a good fit for him (academics, baseball, social, etc.), there can be a huge benefit to having your son close enough to come home when he wants, and for you to get to his games. My son is a college soph and just arrived home for a weekend visit from his college which is only 90 minutes away. We saw quite a few of his games last year, probably about half. He is becoming more independent each year, but it is really nice to have had the opportunity to make a more gradual transition to his being out of the house, than if he had been too far away to come home more than a few times per year.

Good luck!
W waynek10+ posts
Thanks again for all your replies. MN-Mom, I'm still really curious about the Maris deal with your mom-in-law...just kidding!

In any case, the JUCO coach called again last evening. 06catcherdad, I appreciated the "character" comment. We've tried to raise our son in that manner and he is a great kid. I was straight with the JUCO coach, telling him about the local 4 year university that has offered an academic scholarship that equates to nearly 1/2 tuition for 4 years, the scholarship competition their this weekend where my son has the chance to increase the academic money and that a BB scholarship offer will follow after that competition result is known. I also told him we couldn't meet in Fargo Thanksgiving weekend because of family committments.

Well...he kind of brushed this all off, saying he still wants to meet with my son sometime soon , will keep in touch, and that he would be able to meet or exceed any local offer...I guess this a good situation, but for those of you who have been through this before, what would you do?

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