Question for parents of pro and college players

I remember in T-ball people surrounding the fence where we were playing because son kept diving and catching balls at first base. That was our first clue he was pretty good. As he grew older, he became a hitter as well. Now as a college-age player, he stays up there in BA and sometimes makes the leader boards in summer ball. I would say he always was the good player on the team and then college - everyone was good. He certainly had to up his level of competition. He's holding his own now. He still loves it.

Mine was good from the start. Strong arm and good bat from T-ball on. He also had a good understanding of the game. He stll holds the single game home run record at the local Little League and the single season HR record at his high school. The HS field has legit fence distances by the way.

He was recruited by 4 of the 5 service academies and VMI for football. When he couldn't get his SAT and GPA up enough and decided against the prep school route, the academy recruiting stopped and he went to a high level D-III for football. That didn't work out so he is attempting this year to revive his baseball career at a JUCO in Kansas.

In T-ball and Coach Pitch my son was good but not a real standout. His first year in Kid Pitch he played the minimum but hated it and worked so that he was starting at 3rd by the end of the season. After that he was one of the local stars of his age group in Pony until he broke his throwing hand just prior to his HS freshman season. He played sparringly as a FR and was primarily a DH as a soph. He hated the lack of field time so he worked hard to get in shape and he started and set the single season batting average and HR record for the school his JR season. He also had a perfect record pitching as a closer. His SR year he set the career HR record for the school and lead the conference in strikeouts. He lead his legion team in HRs and, I believe in batting average and doubles, this summer. He was recruited to a mid D-1 this year and has a couple of pro scouts interested in watching his progress.

The one thing I can say about him is that his work ethic was/is incredible and he never accepted not being the best player on the team or not playing.

JT, Jr always had a knack for the game (field sense)...and was one of the better players in LL...but never hit with a lot of pop. Was one of smaller players in 7th and 8th grade before he hit his growth spurt in 9th grade and passed many guys. The biggest think he has going for him now is his work ethic...where on his D3 team, allowed him to pass some players on the depth chart who did not put the work in.

quote:

Originally posted by CPLZ:
All worked out, talked with him yesterday, he loves West Point

Isn't this all that matters? Nothing to be ashamed of there, I hope you are all very proud of him!

Great discussion


I have had the great fortune of watching two sons and a stepson play college baseball, all with varying degrees of success

All three were stars in the LL thru HS levels, I won't use the term "stud" but they were outstanding. We knew early on they had talent but they had to make it get where it should and they did

My youngest son, who perhaps had more talent than all three of the others but never had the "drive" gave up the game as a HS junior.


The memories of watching them as they developed will never evaporate---and all four are now holding great jobs and earning a nice living---one in banking, one in media, one in hotel/tourism and the youngest is a teacher