Question for any player or parent who has played college summer ball

Look in the "After high school" section of this site-lots of threads on this topic. Feel free to PM me if you have questions.

My son's experience is that living situations setups, costs etc.. revolve more around the individual teams then leagues. Even within the particular teams different host families will have different expectations.

Talk to your college coach about summer ball. I know a lot of schools will place kids in leagues based upon their skill level at their age. The Puget Sound Collegiate League here has a lot of Juco and Div II and III guys but also a fair number of Div 1 guys that are here because they are young and they need exposure and playing time without being overwhelmed. We have an 18 year old staying with us now that played Div 1 last year (redshirted) and was sent here by his coach.

As for staying in places, generally check their sites. The PSCL has a host family program where a kid stays with the family. I pretty much pick up the cost of feeding him and boarding him while he is here. It isn't too bad except I get maybe a chicken wing and a toothpick after the 18 year old and my 15 year old son dive on dinner.

Our experience in the CPL was tremendous! I am sure it varies by club and also by host family.

Our son had the same host family the 3 years he played on the team which is unusual on several levels since most players play on different teams each year and obviously end up with different living arrangements.

Although it is not the route we took, it is my understanding that players rarely have much opportunity to determine where they will play, or what league they will play in. They are generally assigned by their coach.

But, in answer to your question, at Fayetteville in the CPL, our son brought his Cleats and Glove. Everything else was provided except for breakfast and lunch, but his host family had a refrigerator that they stocked for him.

It was truly a fantastic experience for all of us, but especially for my son.

quote:

Originally posted by Wklink:
Talk to your college coach about summer ball. I know a lot of schools will place kids in leagues based upon their skill level at their age.

Wklink is right in that you should be talking to your college coach if not now, as soon as fall practice starts up. Generally college players don't pick what team/league to play in but its more being referred by your college coach. I'm sure there are exceptions, player referrals, or being a known phenom for instance. Son had a buddy who inquired to several teams, they wouldn't return his inquiries. His college coach evidently didn't have time or thought player wasn't good enough to refer.
Leagues to get an invitation to play that are too good to turn down are Cape Cod, Northwoods, and Skeeter (Alaska) leagues.