Has your player gone off to college in a colder climate? Or maybe your family has moved and your younger players are dealing with this. An awful lot of California players head to the Midwest and beyond to continue playing beyond HS. There must be some good stories?
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Has your player gone off to college in a colder climate? Or maybe your family has moved and your younger players are dealing with this. An awful lot of California players head to the Midwest and beyond to continue playing beyond HS. There must be some good stories?
Dad can you send me another pair of long handles!
Dying to hear these stories, as my guy is contemplating going to Ohio as a place to continue his playing career. I think the ground is still frozen there, while he has his first two interscholastic scrimmages this coming week, and first actual games the week after. They've been training and playing outdoors since the beginning of January, when "voluntary" open fields started.
Son played on a great team with a really good shortstop from southern Florida,
this SS turned down big Florida schools to go to a D1 in northern New England (respecting that player's privacy by being unspecific here).
We mentioned that this will be a very major adjustment weather-wise,
as our son has played in flurries and 28-33 degree temps the last few years in early HS season (free plug: wear at least 2 UnderArmour ColdGear shirts or Nike HyperWarm) and we are several hundred miles south of that D1.
the SS (& his mom) both said baseball was the major decider- he chose the place where he will get to play.
Our son chose to go where he will play over the great weather {and the groups of young ladies in mini-skirts & daisy dukes who "coincidentally" walked by on the tours he took. We joked that they got $20 each to pass by at 10:15 am}.
We took a look at rosters, much more common than we thought,
many NY, NJ and New England schools have California & Florida players,
suspect Ohio is the same.
Has your player gone off to college in a colder climate? Or maybe your family has moved and your younger players are dealing with this. An awful lot of California players head to the Midwest and beyond to continue playing beyond HS. There must be some good stories?
Our son is at a school (NC) that should be just slightly warmer than back home (VA), but not by much. Yesterday they played in subfreezing weather (temp at game time was in the mid-20's reaching freezing about midway of game 2). Meanwhile it never made it past above 30 F here at home.
Interesting that you bring up this topic. Son was "interviewed" by the local university sportscaster. He did ask how he adjusts to playing in cold weather. Son said he tries to keep moving around to keep his blood pumping. While in the dugout he paces back and forth and between innings he jogs down the line to the fence and back. He dresses in layers - t-shirt and a long sleeve shirt underneath his jersey. Otherwise, he just deals with it.
When he asked if he rather be his color commentator in the booth where it's warm or down on the field, my son said with no hesitation - down on the field. That's a true ball player for you. 
cabbagedad,
I got stories out the wazoo about son, son's teammates moving from warm climates (SoCal, AZ, VA, NC, FL, TX) to play in the northeast. Sleeping bags, hand warmers, layers of clothes are an absolute necessity for the parents and fans. I can't tell you how many time we froze our tookus off this time of year.
My wife and I were talking this AM about the D1 opening games that happened yesterday. I can guarantee you many northern teams hadn't practiced outside at their facilities before heading south for their opening games. My son's first official college appearance was against Univ of Virginia, and it was the first time his team had been outside since the previous Fall. My son's former school has at least 2-3 feet of snow on the field right now. It is a real challenge for these teams.
My favorite cold weather story is watching my son pitch an amazing complete game in 40 degree weather, sleet & rain with no sleeves. Everybody on both teams was wearing sleeves. People were shivering everywhere except for him. Between innings he'd put a jacket on. He was in a zone. My wife and I weren't going to tell him to change anything much less talk to him. After the game was over, we asked him if he was cold. He said he wasn't cold during the game but all of the sudden he noticed how cold it really was just talking to us.
My second favorite cold weather story is watching my son's freshmen roommate and teammate (SoCal) order winter clothes online after spending a couple days on campus. Previously, he'd shipped himself a box of shorts, cutoffs, and surfer garb from home. He turned to us to tell us that he didn't realize the northeast was this cold in the Fall. Both my wife (from Maine) and I laughed for quite a while, and suggested he order significantly heavier clothes for the Fall and Winter.
I got tons more.
cabbagedad,
I got stories out the wazoo about son, son's teammates moving from warm climates (SoCal, AZ, VA, NC, FL, TX) to play in the northeast. Sleeping bags, hand warmers, layers of clothes are an absolute necessity for the parents and fans. I can't tell you how many time we froze our tookus off this time of year.
I think the only thing we didn't bring to opening day was a sleeping bag. Did have several blankets we wrapped ourselves up with. Oh and my long scarf to wrap around my neck - that was the main reason I felt so cold - the cold air creeping down my neck - otherwise I was okay. Not really warm, but not freezing either.
I do remember when son was playing a travel ball game - I think he was 11 or 12 at the time. It was a round robin between 3 teams with us playing in the 2nd and 3rd game. By game 3 the temps were below 40 with a 10-15 mph wind of the NW. Son is catching in short sleeves. All the Moms (both teams) had gone to the cars to keep warm. Most of us Dad's were standing wrapped in blankets. I think I was shivering by games end. The cold never bothered my son until the final game was over (I don't recall the results) and they were packing up. Then he realized how cold it was.
I grew up in Florida pretty much my whole life. When I played in Binghamton NY with the Mets, there were a few games in which I really thought my fingers would fall off. I don't know who has it worse, the hitter or the pitcher. As a pitcher, I could not even feel the baseball. I could only imagine the hitter hoping for a walk and only wanting to swing at perfect pitches. I'm getting cold just thinking about it!...
Great article, thanks. So many messages to be had.
I grew up in Florida pretty much my whole life. When I played in Binghamton NY with the Mets, there were a few games in which I really thought my fingers would fall off. I don't know who has it worse, the hitter or the pitcher. As a pitcher, I could not even feel the baseball. I could only imagine the hitter hoping for a walk and only wanting to swing at perfect pitches. I'm getting cold just thinking about it!...
Having grown up in the Binghamton area (Endwell), I know exactly what you mean. My family left NY for VA almost 40 years ago due to the weather (and taxes).
My son is experiencing his first real winter ever.Up until a few months ago the only snow he had ever seen was on tv.So far he's handling it well,but he still prefers the weather in SoCal.I'm watching the campus webcam right now and its snowing with about 2-3 feet of snow on the ground with a temperature of 16 degrees ! Here in San Diego it's sunny and 80.
When he arrived in Western Massachusetts the only cold weather gear he had was a couple of hoodies.He did not want to buy boots,gloves,or a heavy coat.He didn't think he would need them. When he came back for Thanksgiving he admitted that those items are actually necessary, and could we buy them for him 
His biggest challenge has been indoor practices.No one practices indoors in SoCal ! Multiple teams use the indoor practice facility so practice times are all over the board.Some of the practices have been from 10pm-midnight. The other challenge for him has been live pitching BP in the cage instead of outside on the field.Regular BP is fine in the cage,but when the pitchers really pitch instead of throw it's harder to pick up the ball and arm action with all the nets and contraptions indoors.I'm sure this is an adjustment every player from warm weather states need to deal with.He'll get used to it.
The good news is the team will start their season next month in Winter Haven,Florida.They will play 12 games in eight days outside in the warm Florida sun After that, its back to New England and I'm sure there will some really cold games ahead.
This is one of the toughest winters in western Ma. in the last 20 years. Not that they would ever practice outside in the winter even in a good year. Unless you have a turf field their will be a lot of teams starting league play late.
My son is experiencing his first real winter ever.Up until a few months ago the only snow he had ever seen was on tv.So far he's handling it well,but he still prefers the weather in SoCal.I'm watching the campus webcam right now and its snowing with about 2-3 feet of snow on the ground with a temperature of 16 degrees ! Here in San Diego it's sunny and 80.
When he arrived in Western Massachusetts the only cold weather gear he had was a couple of hoodies.He did not want to buy boots,gloves,or a heavy coat.He didn't think he would need them. When he came back for Thanksgiving he admitted that those items are actually necessary, and could we buy them for him
His biggest challenge has been indoor practices.No one practices indoors in SoCal ! Multiple teams use the indoor practice facility so practice times are all over the board.Some of the practices have been from 10pm-midnight. The other challenge for him has been live pitching BP in the cage instead of outside on the field.Regular BP is fine in the cage,but when the pitchers really pitch instead of throw it's harder to pick up the ball and arm action with all the nets and contraptions indoors.I'm sure this is an adjustment every player from warm weather states need to deal with.He'll get used to it.
The good news is the team will start their season next month in Winter Haven,Florida.They will play 12 games in eight days outside in the warm Florida sun After that, its back to New England and I'm sure there will some really cold games ahead.
My daughter spent the first five years of her life in southern California before we moved to PA. We went on a softball recruiting trip to Boston. It was 20 out. When it's not snowing in SE PA it's typically 40 in the winter. After a visit with a coach, in the parking lot she turned to me and said, "Dad, what in the world were you thinking when you moved us from southern California. This could have been a recruiting trip to UCSB instead of the Arctic." She went to college and played softball in Florida. I was shocked she came back. She's in law school in PA now.
About twelve years ago at the LLWS the AZ team was wearing long sleeve Under Armor. It was 75 for the night game (in August).
Play ball!
42 degrees with 10-15 mph winds for son's first start of the high school season. Said he lost the feel for his curveball by the 4th inning. Good thing we live in Florida!
We live in Florida. Sr. son pitched this past Friday night with the temp of 40 degrees at 7pm. He threw well, even popping the mitt at 92. he said once he got warmed up he was ok.I guess he will be ok playing next year in the state of SC.
This morning shoveled 3 inches of snow with more coming & foot of driveway so son could get to practice.
40-42 degrees seems downright tropical right now
We live in Florida. Sr. son pitched this past Friday night with the temp of 40 degrees at 7pm. He threw well, even popping the mitt at 92. he said once he got warmed up he was ok.I guess he will be ok playing next year in the state of SC.
This post made me laugh...you have no idea! I think he will be fine way up north in South Carolina!!
Dying to hear these stories, as my guy is contemplating going to Ohio as a place to continue his playing career. I think the ground is still frozen there, while he has his first two interscholastic scrimmages this coming week, and first actual games the week after. They've been training and playing outdoors since the beginning of January, when "voluntary" open fields started.
Yep, snow on the ground and -1 degree right now in Dayton OH. My son's team goes south or west for first few weeks every year to get started. didn't go far enough south this past weekend, LOW 30's and cancelled last game because of expected bad weather. . His home field is all turf and that is becoming more prevalent in D1's at least in Ohio. He practices outside anytime it is above 32.
He has a couple teammates from CA, one from AZ (first year with team) and one from WA. one of CA boys hit GS in PH debut (first ever collegiate AB - Talk about memories!!), AZ boy lit it up on the mound 9K, 3H 1R in 7 IP
Somewhat on/off topic tangent, on cold:
At a recent Pro Invitational, sat with a dad we have seen at many events, his son is very high ranked player.
He said he has been consistently told Pro scouts find it harder to evaluate HS players in the Northeast, New England & upper Midwest because of the weather. Many years it snows or hits 30 degrees in April.
We have heard the same.
It is not the same game when you are more worried about keeping warm than playing.
Some of son's teammates had hands in pockets and in belt in early games last year.
(The other 1/2 of this good conversation was on North vs South pitching, he said scouts told him southern kids face 85-90+ in high school regularly, while northern HS players see a lot of 70-75/78 mph which some kids feast on, with only a few pitchers hitting 85 mph- which is when you see meets the challenge & who is really a good hitter).
As many others on here have said in other threads, going where you will play is a good guideline.
Most schools spend the 1st 4-5 weeks/weekends down south, playing tough teams.
Just thinking out loud here, so I am sure there are "cons" to go along with the "pros" of this idea, but why not start later and play 4 game weekend series (2 on Saturday). (This is actually what the Ivy League has done for years...play 4 conference games per weekend). Would:
- allow season to start later and more games to be played in shorter calendar time frame
- put more emphasis on conference play / rivalries
- force coaches to go deeper into pitching staffs (may have to consider 7 inning games on days of DHs)
- likely bring more offense into the game as teams would have to go deeper into the pitching ranks
Feel free to poke holes in this idea, just a thought. I don't think Fall college baseball has a shot with football. Not saying it is a bad idea, just never see it happening.
Location? I barely saw any flakes commuting home from DC. There were reports of a snow squall line moving through the area with brief, but intense snow showers, but not really a "storm".
Now Monday night's snowfall was a storm - ended up with 7" where I live.
When y'all down south staht getting a foot every weekend - then you's gots real snow... 'til then, buck up
My son in NC tells me the world stopped and the snow was barely over his shoes and I'm trudging through snow up to mid-thigh to climb a ladder to take 2-3 feet off my roof!
BucsFan,
I agree with your scheduling suggestion but it ain't going to happen because a Fri/Sat/Sun series is the way they've always done their conference series. With the Fri/Sat/Sun format there is "weather flexibility" over three days rather than being fixed on Sat/Sun doubleheaders. Not to mention gate receipts over three days vs two days and additional missed class time if your team is traveling,.
As a parent and fan I loved the weekend doubleheaders for travel reasons (and one less night to pay for hotel) not to mention I think it gives more players an opportunity to get into the game and keep their butts in the classroom an additional day. But that is just one former weekend doubleheader enthusiasts opinion.
Conferences that are geographically closer together (like the Ivy or a lot of D3s) can do the two double headers on the weekend schedule. The five major conferences are very spread out. Imagine getting on a bus after a doubleheader on a Sunday night and having a eight hour bus ride. Then after trying to sleep on the bus, arrive back at campus, shower and go to class.
BucsFan,
I agree with your scheduling suggestion but it ain't going to happen because a Fri/Sat/Sun series is the way they've always done their conference series. With the Fri/Sat/Sun format there is "weather flexibility" over three days rather than being fixed on Sat/Sun doubleheaders. Not to mention gate receipts over three days vs two days and additional missed class time if your team is traveling,.
As a parent and fan I loved the weekend doubleheaders for travel reasons (and one less night to pay for hotel) not to mention I think it gives more players an opportunity to get into the game and keep their butts in the classroom an additional day. But that is just one former weekend doubleheader enthusiasts opinion.
Son's match up this past weekend was changed to a Friday afternoon game and a double header on Saturday. Team FINALLY got back to school yesterday at 4am after a 16 hour bus ride after 2 flight cancellations. So much for not missing classes. As for saving on hotel rooms....we are on day 4 of extra nights trying to get home. Only 8 degrees here, but I saw on the news last night that Vandy had their infield cleared. Good for them?
Love the double header format and wish there were more of them.
We live in Florida. Sr. son pitched this past Friday night with the temp of 40 degrees at 7pm. He threw well, even popping the mitt at 92. he said once he got warmed up he was ok.I guess he will be ok playing next year in the state of SC.
This post made me laugh...you have no idea! I think he will be fine way up north in South Carolina!!
It is all relative. Son went to a Xmas camp at Clemson, when we lived in Orlando. We scraped an inch of snow off the car on the way to the field. He decided after that he was not going to school north of I-10.
I kinda remember my son playing in this weather all the time through March. This was a mid-March game that was snowed-out. They made up the game the next day as a doubleheader with a game temperature somewhere near freezing. Brutal!
birdman14,
It is a rite of passage to say we froze our a$$es off for 4 years in the college stands! I'm cool with turning over this tradition over to the next group of college players, parents and fans espeically after this year. I'm pretty sure I'm okay with it. What are your thoughts?
birdman14,
It is a rite of passage to say we froze our a$$es off for 4 years in the college stands! I'm cool with turning over this tradition over to the next group of college players, parents and fans espeically after this year. I'm pretty sure I'm okay with it. What are your thoughts?
I don't you didn't ask me, but my thoughts...
BucsFan,
I agree with your scheduling suggestion but it ain't going to happen because a Fri/Sat/Sun series is the way they've always done their conference series. With the Fri/Sat/Sun format there is "weather flexibility" over three days rather than being fixed on Sat/Sun doubleheaders. Not to mention gate receipts over three days vs two days and additional missed class time if your team is traveling,.
As a parent and fan I loved the weekend doubleheaders for travel reasons (and one less night to pay for hotel) not to mention I think it gives more players an opportunity to get into the game and keep their butts in the classroom an additional day. But that is just one former weekend doubleheader enthusiasts opinion.
I agree on the weather flexibility. Last weekend my son's D2 team originally had a Saturday doubleheader sandwiched by single games on Friday and Sunday. With the brutal cold temps forecast to hit on Sunday, they made it into 2 doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday.
They have a similar schedule this coming weekend. Still wondering if they'll play at all since the last storm dropped 3-5" of snow/ice. No changes posted yet.
birdman14,
It is a rite of passage to say we froze our a$$es off for 4 years in the college stands! I'm cool with turning over this tradition over to the next group of college players, parents and fans espeically after this year. I'm pretty sure I'm okay with it. What are your thoughts?
I don't you didn't ask me, but my thoughts...
Haha! Nothing like sitting on freezing aluminum bleachers. I won't be missing the March home games much at all! But the southern travel in the dead of winter and the warmer games come April (usually), those I will truly miss. 
I'm very partial to spending my time in warmer climates in Feb & March because I have that option now. I'm thinking of some MLB Spring Training games or another trip to BVI which is an awesome place. It warms my chilled bones just thinking about it. But, your right birdman14 when April/May rolls around that is the best time for college baseball and I'll miss it.
Sailing around the BVI, now that's a great idea!
