possibility of a medical hardship?

I would phone the NCAA and talk to a BB representative.

I know under the old rules guys were sined under a RS witha medical waiver. Not sure how new rules moght affect things.

tsirhc,
Sorry about the injury to your son. I'm not familiar with Florida HS regs, but I would be very surprised if there were ever an exception made for additional HS eligibility to be granted anywhere. You get four years period.
It sounds like your son will likely have opportunities to play down the road. Good luck and keep us posted.

tsirhc - If he is a senior in HS, is he planning on staying in HS for a 5th year due to his medical condition?

You need to go speak with the AD at your son's high school to inquire about any rules in the State of Florida regarding this. This has nothing to do with the NCAA.


HS sports are extra curricular activities, to be played while they attend HS. After graduation, which is expected to be in 4 years, you are done. You wish for your son to remain at school for another year because he missed one year of HS sports? I would be surprised if such a thing exists and if it does, let us know.

I do not know your son's situation, how much he has played, over used, etc., but this is a good example of how things can go wrong too early and interfere with opportunities to play college sports.

Best of luck.

quote:

Although a few colleges were rumored to be interested, nothing has been offered yet. We just found out that he has a torn ACL and will require surgery that will almost certainly prevent him from playing this coming season

I should have been clearer. My point was colleges still sign players who miss their senior year of BB. I cetainly would not comment on the Sate of Florida hardship rules.

Although a student is given four consecutive years of hs eligibility there are exceptions to this rule: one is when a medical hardship exists. I know that it has to be appealed to a governing body in the state of Florida, but I do not know the specifics. If anyone does know please provide a heads up. One reason I am considering this option is that my son is homeschooled and is currently taking most of his classes at a local community college through "dual enrollment." Staying behind to compete another year in hs would only help my son in my opinion - he has been a late bloomer physically, and I think better offers might come in. In fact, we are concerned that no offers will come in now that his injury is appearant.

BTW, his injury was not due to overuse - he is a pitcher, but was playing flag football when he tore his ACL. He actually went to the doctor and they did not think anything was significantly wrong. He later went and played CF and was going after a popfly and hurt it again. This time we asked for a MRI and it revealed a complete rupture. Interesting though, it did not swell very much, and he was able to throw a bull pen prior to getting the MRI - not effectively however.

I don't either, you would have to find out specifics through the AD of the nearest school (the one he would attend) most likely, especially since he is home schooled, I wouldn't trust anyone here with an answer or educated guess.


You might want to check out any eligibility specifics regarding dual enrollment on a campus as well.

Why don't you see if the local JUCO has a bb program and speak with them and that possibility. I would much rather do that than hold my son back in HS.
How long is recovery for ACL? It is not always 100% successful. Could he play next summer? Would he be able to become a walk on next fall? Is this surgery worth it to just get a chance to play baseball. I would certainly consider all options.

quote:

by tsr: If anyone does know please provide a heads up. One reason I am considering this option is that my son is homeschooled and is currently taking most of his classes at a local community college through "dual enrollment." Staying behind to compete another year in hs would only help my son in my opinion - he has been a late bloomer physically, and I think better offers might come in. In fact, we are concerned that no offers will come in now that his injury is appearant.

you're probably right that no offers will come until he's playing again ...

there are post-grad schools/academies that allow 5th yr hs student athletes ..

their $25,000+ $45,000+ price tag should sound plenty reasonable for someone who wants son to play hs sports after he has graduated hs

.

quote:

there are post-grad schools/academies that allow 5th yr hs student athletes ..

Right you are!

"prep schools" I believe that they are used more often by basketball players to try to skill upgrade and and land DI scholarships.

Local player spent the last two years at one, still not in college...but his clock is also not ticking yet.

44
.

From the FHSAA Rule Book: The waiver from eligibility rules are on a case by case basis. Formal appeal is before a committee, after written application by the school principal, but section 13.1 says;

quote:

The fact that a student is retained in a lower grade because he/she fails to pass the required number of courses, is voluntarily withdrawn from school or repeats a lower grade shall not be sufficient grounds for granting an undue hardship waiver. Likewise, the fact that a student, who is otherwise eligible for promotion to the next grade, repeats a grade because he/she is among the smaller students in the class and/or to gain social and/or emotional maturity shall not be sufficient grounds for granting an undue hardship waiver.

FHSAA Rulebook

I seriously doubt he gets a medical waiver based on the rule book. The grade repeating business is handled before high school. It won't fly senior year. I can almost guarrentee if he never goes to college, he won't mature because he went to college.

Given that he's home schooled it would seem that another option would be to continue preparing him academically and try to find places other than HS for him to play while letting him mature physically and recover from his injury. Travel teams, scout teams, showcases, etc. There wouldn't be many opportunities during the HS season but that really isn't all that long of a time and he can probably find an adult baseball league to play in during that time.

Also, even if he is a late bloomer he should be able to catch on with a JC and get maturity and exposure there if that fits within his academic needs.

When I'm not pretending to practice law, I am a doctor...on the internet. CADad's suggestion of playing next upon recovery of the injury could be valid. A son's teammate recovered from a football related ACL surgery in October 2001 to play in March 2002. Maybe he can recover to play well enough to get an offer. Offers occur up until just before classes start. After looking at the rule book, I don't think playing 4 years in five in Florida is possible. The FHSAA is NOTORIOUSLY conservative. They usually rule against waivers, no matter what, who or why.

Good point Doctor Dad04. If surgery is done now, he may be ready for the spring. Depends on how extensive it is.

quote:

Originally posted by Tiger Paw Mom:
Good point Doctor Dad04. If surgery is done now, he may be ready for the spring. Depends on how extensive it is.

My diagnosis: 5 months rehab. It's not an elbow.

I really do not see how the rule mentioned above applies to my son. He would be seeking another year of eligibility in hs athletics because of an ACL tear not because he would be kept back a grade. Futher, it is not that we want to keep him back from proceeding on to college, my son is already enrolled in college and goes to a college campus with adults Monday through Friday: currently taking 12 hours in a dual enrollment program. In fact, he has been doing this for that year and already has completed over a year's worth of college credits. At the end of this school year he will be a second semester sophomore in college and still just 17 years old.

So what EXACTLY are you looking for? A high school grad still playing with highschool students?

If your son is taking college credits on a college campus, doesn't that interfere with eligibility (the college clock is ticking). Or does that happen after graduation?

quote:

I really do not see how the rule mentioned above applies to my son. He would be seeking another year of eligibility in hs athletics because of an ACL tear not because he would be kept back a grade.

It applies because those are the only grounds for a waiver. The rule is intentionally general. ANY exception to eligibility needs to be appealed. In your sons case he would be asking for 4 seasons in five years. You would need to prove, via an appeal, that he was not able to graduate on time for some reason other than he chose not to, such as family hardship, injury or illness. If that is actually the case, then you have a chance. You'll need a serious s ob story and be able to back it up.

Any other reason, such as playing athletics, is not grounds for a waiver, imo.

That is my understanding, but you probably require qualified professional advice, an attorney, to further the case.

quote:

currently taking 12 hours in a dual enrollment program. In fact, he has been doing this for that year and already has completed over a year's worth of college credits. At the end of this school year he will be a second semester sophomore in college ...

let us know what they say when ya explain that you'd like a college soph be allowed to play vs hs freshman

my guess is he ought to put up some pretty good numbers

quote:

Originally posted by Bee>:
let us know what they say when ya explain that you'd like a college soph be allowed to play vs hs freshman

If this works out, maybe Robert Stock can come back and complete his senior year at Agoura High School.

First of all, all I did was ask. There really isn't a reason to get stupid with the jokes and what not. This obviously a very big deal to us.

Anyway, you may not be familiar with how dual enrollment works in the state of Florida. In Florida, a student that is in the 11th grade can test into the dual enrollment program that allows him/her to enroll in college courses that count for college and hs at the same time. This is why my son has so many college courses completed. However, dual enrollment does not count toward collegiate athletics eligibility.

My point about his college is that we are not terribly concerned with getting him started in college "on time." He is already ahead of pace. Anyway, thanks for the help: hopefully my son can rehabilitate in time for the season. We have been thinking that rehab would take a year.

quote:

We have been thinking that rehab would take a year.

Sons teammate was committed to UF at tight end, tore his ACL in mid October. He was playing 3rd base in February. He wasn't 100%, but he played.

tsirhc-
I've also heard that it takes a year for many to regain fully the power and feel lost from ACL surgery. If speed is a big part of your son's game, then I would count on that much time.
I don't see anything wrong with considering all his options, but it seems to me that moving forward would be the best path to take. As CADad pointed out, there are lots of options (summer teams, JC, etc) that provide more exposure and even higher levels of play than HS.

I don't think anyone made jokes on purpose, that's just what happens sometimes when the poster doesn't give all the information. IMO, it does seem a bit odd that a HS student who has aquired enough college credits to be considered a sophmore would want to still play HS ball. You don't get better by playing with or against those younger than you, JMO. There is nothing that says another year would guarantee a baseball scholarship. If he is good but young, JUCO is a good option. This is something you can speak to the HS coach about as well and get his opinion.

You need to speak to the doctor about his rehab and how long before he can resume playing. You also might want to speak to him whether it is necessary at this time. Then find what can you do by speaking to someone who understands FHSAA rules. Then find a summer team for him to play on next summer for exposure.

tsirhc, I think you really need to go to fhsaa.org to get the answer to your question. Just from a quick read of the rules, I don't think you'll get the answer you're hoping for.

The way I read it, a medical hardship would be something bad enough to render him incapable of doing his schoolwork for long enough that he would not be able to complete the academic requirements to pass his grade. As long as he can do his schoolwork and progress to the next grade, which he can while recovering from his ACL surgery, I think the clock keeps ticking.

But CADad, I think, has the silver lining:

quote:

Travel teams, scout teams, showcases, etc. There wouldn't be many opportunities during the HS season but that really isn't all that long of a time and he can probably find an adult baseball league to play in during that time.

I hope your son recovers quickly.

quote:

There really isn't a reason to get stupid with the jokes and what not. This obviously a very big deal to us.

My point about his college is that we are not terribly concerned with getting him started in college "on time." He is already ahead of pace. Anyway, thanks for the help: hopefully my son can rehabilitate in time for the season. We have been thinking that rehab would take a year.

so, if someone does not agree with your line of thinking they are stupid?

several responses view your fixation on son playing hs baseball after fulfilling grad requirements as bewildering (polite term) - rightly so imo

quote:

As CADad pointed out, there are lots of options (summer teams, JC, etc) that provide more exposure and even higher levels of play than HS.

if son's ambtion is college ball a high level of play in summer is very important ...

hs stats are important to parents


since home schooling offers alot of flexibility, some long range planning goes a long way ...
some (home school) parents I know planned out hs graduation before son(s) began 9th grade ..
both graduated at 19 ys old -

one went pro from hs

other drafted as 21 yr old soph, again as a 22 yr old jr - now pitching mlb

good luck

Hey bee,

I have no "fixation" about my son playing in hs. It is my son's desire to play Div.I; if juco is the only option, and he wants to play there - fine. The problem with the juco route for him is that he already has so many college credits that he would end up taking classes that he really doesn't need. Further, exactly which view point did I even offer that people disagreed with? I simply asked questions and tried to give my son's situation, which is a bit different than most kids today. BTW, it does not really matter if my son ever plays an inning of baseball again. He is already such a blessing to his family: he is a great student, never been in a lick of trouble, and really excited about the rest of his life.

Thanks for all of the advice. A quick note: my son has been playing for summer and fall travel teams for the last four years, so obviously he will do this again so long as his knee allows it. My son is 5-10 and tops out around 85, sits at 82. However, in the last year he has added about 7 mph in velocity - it seemed as though he was just breaking through some velocity walls. Being that he is still quite young he has been thinking that another year would only help. In the end, it is what it is.

tsirhc:




I didn't intend to offend. Sorry. I wish your son the best.

infidel,
Robert would be younger than many of the seniors playing in the Marmonte league this coming season.

Yup. He won't be 18 for another month. He is quite incredible!

It would be interesting to see just how dominant he would have been this season if they had waited another year before starting him in school and then kept him in HS for his senior season.

My guess is that if they had taken that route they wouldn't have sent him to USC early as he'd have probably had a good shot at going in the top 5 in the 2008 draft.

He has a pretty good chance of going early in the 2009 draft so things are probably going to work out just fine for him.

quote:

The problem with the juco route for him is that he already has so many college credits that he would end up taking classes that he really doesn't need.

But he needs a 5th year of high school?

quote:

by tsirch:
(1) The problem with the juco route for him is that he already has so many college credits that he would end up taking classes that he really doesn't need.
(2) Further, exactly which view point did I even offer that people disagreed with?

re # 1 .. I agree

re # 2 - viewing it as desirable that someone should play (extra) hs baseball who (from your description) should have graduated academicly -
btw, you CAN do that in college

HS is NOT the minor league of college baseball, it's about aquiring the academic base which will allow admission to a college - congrats .. you seem to have done a fine job there

now, I maybe stating the obvious ... however you DID ask for opinions ...

this is what I'd do ...my 10 pt program

1) graduate HS asap (even early) -
YOU WILL HAVE A FLA SUNSHINE SCHOLARSHIP "IN HAND" $$$

2) communicate with "in-state" colleges where ya realisticly feel he can contribute ...

3) interview & get feedback from coaching staffs

4) choose one and enroll

5) apply for academic $$$

6) if unable to tryout as a walk-on freshman yr due to recovery progress, volunteer as student staff (manager etc) ... you will have access to facilities, workout routines, would travel, and get familiar w/team & coaches - & visa/versa

7) soph yr - when you are healthy ...
TRY OUT at earliest chance (if even necessary, ya may have an invite at that point)...
YOU HAVE 4 YRS REMAINING ELIGIBILITY - don't hurt anything else

AND ... esp w/new rules YOU will be a VALUABLE ASSET to coach as a KNOWN "player/recruit" who has proven academic eligibility, FITS IN, AND needs little (IF ANY AT ALL) baseball money ...
your GPA & APR would have coaches salivating

8) play 4 yrs, helping the team accomplish it's goals

9) after 5 yrs of basicly free college, son will have played 4 YRS COLLEGE BASEBALL

10) after 5 yrs of basicly free college, son will have a Bachelor's Degree, PLUS Master's Degree, & prolly be working on a Doctorate (or two)


isn't that better than hanging back pitching against HS freshmen?? (rhetorical)

tsirch: I'm sorry that your son got hurt in his senior year. Mine did, too. He had been hit by a pitch in June, which broke the two bones in his wrist, but we didn't know until January that the cartilage had also torn. Surgery could not be scheduled until the end of February--co-incidentally, it was the day of the high school try-outs....So his missed out on his senior year entirely. The coach did not even allow him to be ON the team because he didn't try out. Bummer.

Of course this unfortunate set of circumstances totally changed his plans. Ours, too. He is at a D3 school, where he will Medical Hardship his first year. Hopefully, he will not have missed too much baseball so that he will be able to play when he is a sophomore. He, too, is young for his class, so we welcome the year to grow and develop. Thankfully, life goes on. It doesn't for some.

Good luck to your son. I hope he gets to play.

I was typing when Bee posted his 10 step program.

Sounds good to me. I agree with this plan whole-heartedly.

Bee's program is proactive. In the unlikelihood (imo), the waiver is granted, recovery to the point of being competitive, even in high school, isn't a certainty. It would be disapointing for a kid to wait around until March 2009 taking juco courses he didn't need, only to find out "My knee still hurts."

Sons current roomie just quit baseball, or actually baseball quit him, since he has been rehabbing an elbow for three years without an inning thrown. Sometimes, enough is enough.

Thanks to all!