Players Growing Up

My favorite question "Do you peek at presents before you open them?"

These are all so one sided. Funny even. I recall a few for this past year's draft and one team actually asked, "would you accept our offer if we drafted you?" We completed several while son was in HS and he didn't get drafted. The process was exciting though. I was such a homer, newb.....funny. 

Last year when the draft was coming up it was different, he basically sent them all to his advisor and then they sent a boiler plate form as a response to every team who requested one. Things changed a bit for sure.

I've been job hunting recently and am reminded (and reassured) that all the skills my son learned while looking for a college baseball home will be just as valuable when he looks for a job!

I support PItchingfan's message.

But, I'm skeptical that most parents can resist the urge.

Similar to:  Trust, but verify.

While in college my son pretty much handled things on his own, by his choice.  After he narrowed down the field to the top 2 or 3, my wife and I were then invited to meet financial advisors, agents, accountants, and insurance to get our opinion.  When dealing with MLB scouts, he met all on his own.  I would think scouts can form an educated guess when they compare what is written on the forms vs talking with the player.  Son kept a notebook of all teams he had contact with.  A copy of the information form along with notes about phone conversations, meetings, name of scout, and important names in the organization.  Son said a few scouts were impressed that he remembered certain things when they met several months later.  Might as well get as many brownie points as you can.  If your son is invited to a MLB pre-draft workout there is a good chance a vision exam and more psychological testing/questions will be conducted.  The team wants to know everything about you, both on and off the field.  Good luck Pitchingfan, it can be a remarkable ride.  Hope many more requests will come shortly!

I imagine players get better at this at the college level versus high school. Re the funny question about peeking at presents - you reminded me that this was an MLB personality test, not a team questionnaire!  Those are generally much more straightforward. 

I will admit I started helping him word things better and answer questions, then we got to the final answer and I made him start over with his words, even grammatical errors because one of these teams knows him pretty well and I thought if they read this they will know it was not the words or language my son uses.  It was also a good opportunity to talk to him about what they might be looking to figure out with the questions and to think through his answers.  I reminded him if he is able to have a conversation with them face to face he needs to be able to communicate his own thoughts and put them into adult words.  Again, a part of the journey and definitely part of baseball leading to life lessons. 

Critical items re questionnaire given to a HS player:

1. You got one.

2. Health History 

3. Amount you want if drafted.

4. Address for subsequent home visit.

If a home visit is scheduled then the interest is real. During the home visit a good area scout will pay attention to everything, e.g., who answers which question, family dynamics, height of mom and dad amd siblings present, etc. 

There is no right and wrong; just be yourself. Ultimately it comes down to: 1. Baseball skills, 2. Money required to "buy out" the college offer,  and 3. Other things (e.g., character issues, maturity (i.e., perceived readiness to face the MILB grind as an 18 yr old).

For families the home visit is the time to ask YOUR questions. Do your homework and prepare to ask all the questions you'd want to know before deciding your son should pass on college and head straight to proball. MILB is no picnic for college guys; its exponentially harder for an 18 year old.  Its mom and dads DUTY to make an initial determination if they think S is ready - they are the ones who know junior the best,  warts and all.

It's easy to be wowed and cowed by the process and clubs count on that; but the consequences of sending a kid who's not prepared into proball are severe (remember a kid needs to finish his draft contract (or be released) to use the MLB scholarship fund (six years I believe). That is a long, long time if a kid isnt having fun amd succeeding).

All that being said, enjoy the process, it is fairly unique and exciting!

Enjoying the Ride posted:

My favorite question "Do you peek at presents before you open them?"

If you peek at them is most likely irrelevant to them. They're probably more curious about whether as a 18/19 yr old young man your parents still put presents under the tree for you. 

It didn't specify Christmas presents as far as I can recall. Another good one "Would you rather be a cat or a dog?" And the proverbial "Do you love to win or hate to lose?"