Emeraldvilly,
Im coming in late to this post. Been reading it just been busy. I just wanted to respond as far as the experiences I have had on this site.I posted a starting post on changing my mind as my first post on this web. My son had very good D3 schools looking at him,very good educational schools and some also had very good baseball programs.
My son has decided to go to a Junior College. I received numerous reponses from many of the people wwho are on this particular forum. Many great supporting responses thattold me it was my sons decision. I believe what TRhit says is go where you can play. he has always stood by this staement in anything I have read. It is overwhelming in the beginning when you first begin to try and get an idea as to how to market your player. And for those of us in states like CA. and Florida where it is warm and the boys can play all year long, there are more opportunities than those in some of the staes on this forum who have only 2-3 travel teams.
All of our sons have differenc circumstances. They play different positions, different abilities , different locations, different developing times. My son would of been cut from some of these high schools mentioned on this forum as a freshmen. I would imagine as a freshmen or sophmore he would of received a 6-7 from PG. (missed those showcases and deeply regret it.)But my son has come a long ways since then he is not even close to being the same player then as now.
If you are a parent of a high school player just getting involved please dont feel everyone on this site is just about D1. Even the parents of D1 players would tell you and have told many on here go where it is the right fit. where they can play, get a good education and like where they are.
Showcases are excellent, in that they give your player a chance to see the bigger picture. To see how many very good players there are out there. My son has gone to some and some college camps and he comes back wanting to work harder and learns things he has to do to get better. He has personaly emailed college coaches after a camp and asked for their feedback Many (top D1 programs) thanked him and told him they wished more players would ask them for an honest evaluation.They have given him things to work on .
Long post here and a lot of things i am trying to say. Most importantly it takes everone involved to help your player, as many as you have access to.Not all of our boys are going to play D1 baseball,but most of our boys probably would if they could.I know mine would.My son will go to a JC next year, to me any level they play at each year they go up is a huge accomplishment. When they make the fresmen team, when they start as a junior etc etc.Just playing baseball oneday to the next is a gift to the kids that love the game.I dont believe anyone on here wants to intimidate newcomers , or plyers that may only play HS, or those going to JUCos,D2, D3 NAIA.I know I an many posters love to hear of any successes and accomplishments made by anyone who wishes to share them.
Fanofgame,
I must say, excellent post!
It's about FIT above anything else.
CADad, good post, however more often times than not as seen in the past parents have very high expectations, mostly because they DO not understand. IMO, the value of the showcase helps , parents can see where their players are rated to his peers, ans so does much of the information given here.
I must say, excellent post!
It's about FIT above anything else.
CADad, good post, however more often times than not as seen in the past parents have very high expectations, mostly because they DO not understand. IMO, the value of the showcase helps , parents can see where their players are rated to his peers, ans so does much of the information given here.
quote:I am frequently dismayed to see the D1/Pro emphasis on the board. Do any of the other levels matter to the "gurus" on here? Because I'm thinking, if my son were to be fortunate enough to play at a non-D1 school, God forbid maybe a JUCO, would I feel worthy enough to speak up on the HSBBW?
I don't know what a "guru" is as we are all in the same boat (and that boat is subject to sink at any time.) As I think back I can remember when my son played rec ball. I didn't feel badly about where others played or aspired to play or talked about playing. Actually I hung on every word they said. I was being educated. My son had found his place in rec ball and was having a ball. He moved on to travel ball and I was happy because he was happy where he was while others played high school and college. He went on to play high school and D-1 ball while others played other levels or were drafted. I asked many question on the HSBBW about what we could expect in D-1 ball in anticipation of his college "career". Thank goodness there were other that shared their thoughts. I have come to realize this willingness to share is a very important aspect of the HSBBW. In sharing this information I hope I never implied that D-1 baseball or my son was any "better" than any other player. Players "fit" on different rosters, different divisions, in different colleges and in different rounds of the pro draft. Like every other parent I'm proud of my son but I never looked at my son as being luckier or more fortunate or less fortunate than others ---- we just did our homework and he found a good fit and things worked out. If your son is a high draft pick, you have a need to focus on that aspect of baseball, educate yourself and hopefully you will share that with the others. Personally I find people here as willing to talk about D-3 players as they are JUCO or D-1. It doesn't matter where they play ---- but what they get from the game and what they give back to the game. If you are still frustrated and think you're being talked down to, then --- I don't know ---- maybe you can have a bumper sticker made up that says: My JUCO player can beat up your D-1 player"
Fungo
Great post Fungo!
And I would just like to echo what Fungo has stated.
I do not see anyone here promoting D-1 over any other collegiate baseball. I believe any young man who is playing ball after high school, whether it be D-1, D-II, JUCO or Professionally should be very proud as well as their parents of their accomplishments. I hope in my remarks I have not promoted my son or D-1 is the way to go. As a matter of fact, to be real honest, I do not believe my son is D-1 material at this stage (Freshman) but someone did and gave him a chance. Any baseball after high school is a great accomplishment not matter what level. And remember, there are different reasons why kids go to different levels and it's not always about talent.
And I would just like to echo what Fungo has stated.
I do not see anyone here promoting D-1 over any other collegiate baseball. I believe any young man who is playing ball after high school, whether it be D-1, D-II, JUCO or Professionally should be very proud as well as their parents of their accomplishments. I hope in my remarks I have not promoted my son or D-1 is the way to go. As a matter of fact, to be real honest, I do not believe my son is D-1 material at this stage (Freshman) but someone did and gave him a chance. Any baseball after high school is a great accomplishment not matter what level. And remember, there are different reasons why kids go to different levels and it's not always about talent.
Well Fungo, "guru" was the only word I could think of at the time!
As usual, I mostly agree with your post. I'm not sure though if we're all in the same boat. Maybe we're all just in dinghies strung together with rope. Oh my -- can you imagine the HSBBWsters in that situation?
That bumper sticker would be funny. I wonder how many people would "get it".
As usual, I mostly agree with your post. I'm not sure though if we're all in the same boat. Maybe we're all just in dinghies strung together with rope. Oh my -- can you imagine the HSBBWsters in that situation?
That bumper sticker would be funny. I wonder how many people would "get it".
quote:Originally posted by emeraldvlly:
I'm not sure though if we're all in the same boat. Maybe we're all just in dinghies strung together with rope.
What a great analogy
Just another perspective.
There will always be lots of folks that will find a level - supposedly - or truely - above where your son is playing - and they will make you know about it.
When your son excels at the "level" he is playing - they will shake their heads - and say Yeah - nice - but he isnt playing at zzz level.
Heres the trick - perform well at whatever level you play at - and do it with some attitude and some fire - and then watch these people disappear.
Hint: Its not the level - its the player.
There will always be lots of folks that will find a level - supposedly - or truely - above where your son is playing - and they will make you know about it.
When your son excels at the "level" he is playing - they will shake their heads - and say Yeah - nice - but he isnt playing at zzz level.
Heres the trick - perform well at whatever level you play at - and do it with some attitude and some fire - and then watch these people disappear.
Hint: Its not the level - its the player.
fanofgame and its, both of you.. nice post! 
Folks, D1 is not the way to go for most players, that is true. But it's an okay dream to have. From the time these kids are 7 or 8, some of them had one goal in mind, major league baseball. Iknow mine did! I've asked him at least once a year since and he's still got the same dream! (I just tell him to have a solid backup plan.)
Ya never know. Bum's Jr.'s friend (a RHP) was at a showcase this past Fall, and he was doing POORLY. He walked 5 or 6 guys in the one inning he pitched, gave up about 7 runs, and just looked awful. His dad, distraught, came up to me and complained that his son had only thrown one inning in the entire showcase and that the family had spent over $500.00 on the trip. I felt REALLY BAD, especially since I was the one who originally talked him into the showcase!
The next day, the coach put him in for two more innings. He settled down, looked good, and he got contacted by a D1 coach who signed him to a NLI based on that showcase. Nice $500 spent there.
So think big, just be emotionally prepared for things that can go wrong.
Folks, D1 is not the way to go for most players, that is true. But it's an okay dream to have. From the time these kids are 7 or 8, some of them had one goal in mind, major league baseball. Iknow mine did! I've asked him at least once a year since and he's still got the same dream! (I just tell him to have a solid backup plan.)
Ya never know. Bum's Jr.'s friend (a RHP) was at a showcase this past Fall, and he was doing POORLY. He walked 5 or 6 guys in the one inning he pitched, gave up about 7 runs, and just looked awful. His dad, distraught, came up to me and complained that his son had only thrown one inning in the entire showcase and that the family had spent over $500.00 on the trip. I felt REALLY BAD, especially since I was the one who originally talked him into the showcase!
The next day, the coach put him in for two more innings. He settled down, looked good, and he got contacted by a D1 coach who signed him to a NLI based on that showcase. Nice $500 spent there.
So think big, just be emotionally prepared for things that can go wrong.