Playing Time in College

I don't understand why freshman expect to play, at all. Is college baseball getting like college basketball? One and done?

It does happen. USC is playing a couple freshmen a fair amount. We know a kid who was a starting MIF last year as a freshman at a good school.

Really curious to see if my son next year will play much. Guess you have to be ready mentally as a parent also to relax and prepare Jr to work hard and have him expect to sit. That way the playing time he gets will be more meaningful and enjoyable. I have seen first hand studs sitting and wounder if it's personal or political. As a parent or a player you just have to let it go the first year and let the actions as a player speak for themselves. And as a parent the lack of actions or reactions is a good thing. Stay calm and observe and enjoy! He is playing and getting an education after all right? Enjoy it and love Jr through it all with your support. Good luck to Ev1 this year!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by CADad:
It does happen. USC is playing a couple freshmen a fair amount. We know a kid who was a starting MIF last year as a freshman at a good school.

Did he lose his spot to a freshman, this year?

VD,
I think you are trying to make more of this than there is. No, the kid is still the starter and doing fine this season.

I have been looking for the stats of kids we know and I'm not finding too many stats. Simple as that.

quote:

Originally posted by Vicarious Dad:
I don't understand why freshman expect to play, at all. Is college baseball getting like college basketball? One and done?

It's interesting to watch parents and players who have never played "second fiddle" throughout their lives go to the college environment and find out they where not as good as they thought, or as ready in regard to their ability.

Those with the desire will work to get to that next level, many of those who were "spoon fed" will remain unsatisfied and blame someone else.

Its just part of the experience.

My eldest son was red shirted his first year - and played very little his 2nd year. During the summer - he played all the time and did very well.

My youngest son is having a similar experience. Played only about 40% of the time his freshman year - and even less now. Played very well in his 1st summer league.

You just wait - and hope they are given a chance.

A few kids that went on to D1's out of our area are getting some major playing time, and in a couple cases hitting in the middle of the lineup on some pretty good programs. I think playing time varies in every situation, depending on position needs. And of course, the bat dictates most of the decisions!

The very few boys that I've seen get significant playing time early in college were vastly superior players on good varsity HS teams by their sophmore year. The run of the mill HS stud learns quickly the challenge of college baseball and acedemics is far more difficult than they had anticipated.

quote:

Originally posted by CADad:
Guess you gotta pay your dues.

That's basically it for most, the same for those entering HS who think they deserve to play varsity asap.
You may be even better than the other guy, but coach has other plans, that's just the way it is.

Baseball is about paying your dues. JMO.

There are only two younger position players starting on my son's college team this year -- the sophomore hit .472 in about 50 AB's last year, thus proving his worth, and this year's freshman DH has already hit 2 doubles and 3 HR's in 7 games. Like others have said, you have to be incredibly talented as an underclassman to start. Typically, all things being fairly equal, upperclassmen will get the nod. However, teams often have a number of freshman pitchers who make substantial contributions.

Also , a lot has to do with the players choice---some really do their homework and find schools where the underclassmen get a shot to start early on

Agreed TR. Playing time should be an important factor in choosing where to go to college. Along with academic fit and student life.

Do I go to a higher rated program and sit a year or two, or go to a lower rated one and play sooner? Most players have to make this decision.

The step from HS to college has seemed to me to be the single biggest step we've experienced.

quote:

Do I go to a higher rated program and sit a year or two, or go to a lower rated one and play sooner? Most players have to make this decision.

There is no guarantee that even at a lower rated school will you get substantial playing time as a freshman when you're measured against juniors and seniors with 20-40 pounds of extra muscle on them -- unless you're a D1-caliber player who decides to play for a D3 school. At a jr. college you'll improve your chances, although even there playing as a freshman isn't a given.

quote:

Originally posted by fillsfan:


Do I go to a higher rated program and sit a year or two, or go to a lower rated one and play sooner? Most players have to make this decision.

You go to a lower rated one and make them higher rated.

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There is no guarantee that even at a lower rated school will you get substantial playing time as a freshman when you're measured against juniors and seniors with 20-40 pounds of extra muscle on them --

Infield08: That's it in a nutshell! You have 18yr. old boys, in most cases, going to College and competing for a spot against experienced 20yr. old College "men" players. As others have said, "luck of the draw" has alot to do with it as you may be "blocked" at your position or get lucky and have things "open up" for you due to circumstances or an injury.

I see way too many kids chasing the "bright lights" of the Big schools and then either being cut, or seeing reality and transferring to a place where they have an opportunity to play far sooner than spending the two years many sit at their coveted D1 or even D2 programs. You can talk all you want about playing against high profile programs and competitive schools but it matters not if you are on the pine! Moreover, if the goal is to have an opportunity to play Pro the visibility opportunites are there in Summer leagues for College players to be seen by Pro scouts.

I recall my sons logic in selecting NMSU for his school. They were in last place and he felt his chance to get in the lineup there were better than at a team that was winning every year. They played the likes at ASU, Okla State, Long Beach State, UNLV, Fresno State etc---so he knoe he would be seen if on the field---His recruiting class at that time was rated one of the tops in the schools history and they began winning.

I found his logic to totally make sense if one is not "hung up" on the fact of playing for a Top 20 program and being able to brag he was on the roster even if not playing regularly