So I was thinking about levels of college baseball today. I see many players go d3 who I feel could have gone d1. In your experiences, do the players choose d3 because they thought it was a better academic opportunity, or did they truly not have any options at any level of d1? Just a thought.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
The level chooses the player. If a “D1 caliber player” chooses to go play at a D3 program, well that is probably because they are a D3 player.
Some players may choose to go to the school that offers the best education/financial aid package, but generally speaking if all things are equal you won’t see a kid choose a D3 program over a decent mid-major D1. If they do I think it may be because they never got the love from that D1 program they were hoping for.
Approximately 135K seniors play high school ball each year. I don’t think those with “next level” skills are hoping to go D2 or D3. They want to go D1, because generally the competition is better and statistically speaking they have a higher chance of getting drafted.
I know kids who played in the Centennial League and NESCAC who received D1 mid major offers. They knew they weren’t pro prospects. They were more interested in the best avenue to grad school than pro ball.
They knew they would start and probably star on a D3. They chose the best combination of their perception of baseball experience and academics. I know kids who played at these schools knowing it was ok to miss practice or a game due to academics.
Here’s a simple big picture, long term example. Do you want to play D1 baseball and get a UMass degree or play D3 baseball and get a Tufts degree? If a kid picks UMass he should get his head examined.
What RJM said... It can be very difficult for baseball players to put sufficient emphasis on the academic side of the equation when making the decision but many are smart enough and/or mature enough to do so. It will almost always pay off in a big way later in life Baseballcomesthird! If you can find the school that gives you both, jump at the opportunity!
RJM posted:I know kids who played in the Centennial League and NESCAC who received D1 mid major offers. They knew they weren’t pro prospects. They were more interested in the best avenue to grad school than pro ball.
They knew they would start and probably star on a D3. They chose the best combination of their perception of baseball experience and academics. I know kids who played at these schools knowing it was ok to miss practice or a game due to academics.
Here’s a simple big picture, long term example. Do you want to play D1 baseball and get a UMass degree or play D3 baseball and get a Tufts degree? If a kid picks UMass he should get his head examined.
I understand what you are saying, but to me it is taking the easy road and they gave up on themselves and their dream after their senior high school year. I don’t respect guys who go that route simply for the “BMOC” effect. I get being “realistic” and knowing most players don’t get the opportunity to play pro ball, but you can’t tell me that if players have the chance to play at a school (let’s say Ivy or Patriot League in D1) of comparable value (educationally) they wouldn’t choose one of those schools if they had an offer to play over a D3 school. They likely did not have an offer from a school of that caliber and went the route you stated.
Going to Tufts is taking the easy road??
At one point, my son had 2 NESCAC offers to go along with a few mid-major D1 offers who didn't have the same academic reputation. Until his Patriot League offer came, we were leaning NESCAC.
We wouldn't have gone that route due to BMOC, instead it would have been more about the academics. Think that’s the point RJM was making.
RJM posted:Here’s a simple big picture, long term example. Do you want to play D1 baseball and get a UMass degree or play D3 baseball and get a Tufts degree? If a kid picks UMass he should get his head examined.
Depends. If UMass offers a 50% scholarship and you're paying full tuition for Tufts...not as obvious a choice anymore
I go by the belief that if you're not a potential pro prospect your college decision should be based on two things. Affordability and academics.
I see players going to low level D2s and NAIAs, where the academics aren't very good, and don't understand it. Same with good students going to lower academic D3s. At a certain point the baseball isn't worth it. Players should be using baseball to further their career or get into a school they might not have been accepted to without it.
JUCO a different story obviously
If you're a legit pro-prospect, it doesn't matter where you attend college; you'll be found and either drafted or signed as a FA.
PABaseball posted:RJM posted:Here’s a simple big picture, long term example. Do you want to play D1 baseball and get a UMass degree or play D3 baseball and get a Tufts degree? If a kid picks UMass he should get his head examined.
Depends. If UMass offers a 50% scholarship and you're paying full tuition for Tufts...not as obvious a choice anymore
My statement was based on baseball and academics. It’s the forty year long view versus the four year short sighted view. Sometimes it hard for kids to see down the road. The mature kids with long term goals can see down the road.
A kid can go to a lesser college and kick down doors when he graduates. But it’s a lot easier if the college opens doors for you.
2022OFDad posted:RJM posted:I know kids who played in the Centennial League and NESCAC who received D1 mid major offers. They knew they weren’t pro prospects. They were more interested in the best avenue to grad school than pro ball.
They knew they would start and probably star on a D3. They chose the best combination of their perception of baseball experience and academics. I know kids who played at these schools knowing it was ok to miss practice or a game due to academics.
Here’s a simple big picture, long term example. Do you want to play D1 baseball and get a UMass degree or play D3 baseball and get a Tufts degree? If a kid picks UMass he should get his head examined.
I understand what you are saying, but to me it is taking the easy road and they gave up on themselves and their dream after their senior high school year. I don’t respect guys who go that route simply for the “BMOC” effect. I get being “realistic” and knowing most players don’t get the opportunity to play pro ball, but you can’t tell me that if players have the chance to play at a school (let’s say Ivy or Patriot League in D1) of comparable value (educationally) they wouldn’t choose one of those schools if they had an offer to play over a D3 school. They likely did not have an offer from a school of that caliber and went the route you stated.
Really? So you know what their dream was? Really, you don't respect guys ...? Who the hell are you? If ignorance is bliss, you're as happy as can be. I know a lot of guys who went D-II or D-III for reasons other than to be professional athletes. In fact, of the players who have played for me that have gone on to play professionally, I have more who went D-II than went D-I. Finally, if you were a player and academically qualified for academic scholarships for a school like Washington University in St. Louis, you'd have to consider that.
Agree with Goosegg that, based on everything I've seen and heard, a legit pro prospect will be found. The system is designed for that. Not to mention there is some really good baseball at every level. Not sure if you've taken in a top tier D3 game but, if not, you might be surprised.
2022OFDad posted:RJM posted:I know kids who played in the Centennial League and NESCAC who received D1 mid major offers. They knew they weren’t pro prospects. They were more interested in the best avenue to grad school than pro ball.
They knew they would start and probably star on a D3. They chose the best combination of their perception of baseball experience and academics. I know kids who played at these schools knowing it was ok to miss practice or a game due to academics.
Here’s a simple big picture, long term example. Do you want to play D1 baseball and get a UMass degree or play D3 baseball and get a Tufts degree? If a kid picks UMass he should get his head examined.
I understand what you are saying, but to me it is taking the easy road and they gave up on themselves and their dream after their senior high school year. I don’t respect guys who go that route simply for the “BMOC” effect. I get being “realistic” and knowing most players don’t get the opportunity to play pro ball, but you can’t tell me that if players have the chance to play at a school (let’s say Ivy or Patriot League in D1) of comparable value (educationally) they wouldn’t choose one of those schools if they had an offer to play over a D3 school. They likely did not have an offer from a school of that caliber and went the route you stated.
I could argue they gave up on themselves academically taking the much less challenging academic situation.
CoachB25 posted:2022OFDad posted:RJM posted:I know kids who played in the Centennial League and NESCAC who received D1 mid major offers. They knew they weren’t pro prospects. They were more interested in the best avenue to grad school than pro ball.
They knew they would start and probably star on a D3. They chose the best combination of their perception of baseball experience and academics. I know kids who played at these schools knowing it was ok to miss practice or a game due to academics.
Here’s a simple big picture, long term example. Do you want to play D1 baseball and get a UMass degree or play D3 baseball and get a Tufts degree? If a kid picks UMass he should get his head examined.
I understand what you are saying, but to me it is taking the easy road and they gave up on themselves and their dream after their senior high school year. I don’t respect guys who go that route simply for the “BMOC” effect. I get being “realistic” and knowing most players don’t get the opportunity to play pro ball, but you can’t tell me that if players have the chance to play at a school (let’s say Ivy or Patriot League in D1) of comparable value (educationally) they wouldn’t choose one of those schools if they had an offer to play over a D3 school. They likely did not have an offer from a school of that caliber and went the route you stated.
Really? So you know what their dream was? Really, you don't respect guys ...? Who the hell are you? If ignorance is bliss, you're as happy as can be. I know a lot of guys who went D-II or D-III for reasons other than to be professional athletes. In fact, of the players who have played for me that have gone on to play professionally, I have more who went D-II than went D-I. Finally, if you were a player and academically qualified for academic scholarships for a school like Washington University in St. Louis, you'd have to consider that.
Easy there, Coach! Don’t take it personally! The numbers for the draft historically just dont support what you are saying. There are 8X more players drafted out of D1 than D2. So what I am saying is if a kid has the desire to play professionally, playing D1 ball is a better route to take. I know there are good D2 and D3 programs, but where the rubber meets the road the path to take to get to the pros is D1. The numbers simply bear that out. I said that the financial picture may play a factor, we agree there.
I respect a player who puts themselves into the most competitive environment they can in order to sharpen that edge, you know? Just the way I personally feel. You don’t have to agree, but it’s how we do things in my family.
RJM posted:2022OFDad posted:RJM posted:I know kids who played in the Centennial League and NESCAC who received D1 mid major offers. They knew they weren’t pro prospects. They were more interested in the best avenue to grad school than pro ball.
They knew they would start and probably star on a D3. They chose the best combination of their perception of baseball experience and academics. I know kids who played at these schools knowing it was ok to miss practice or a game due to academics.
Here’s a simple big picture, long term example. Do you want to play D1 baseball and get a UMass degree or play D3 baseball and get a Tufts degree? If a kid picks UMass he should get his head examined.
I understand what you are saying, but to me it is taking the easy road and they gave up on themselves and their dream after their senior high school year. I don’t respect guys who go that route simply for the “BMOC” effect. I get being “realistic” and knowing most players don’t get the opportunity to play pro ball, but you can’t tell me that if players have the chance to play at a school (let’s say Ivy or Patriot League in D1) of comparable value (educationally) they wouldn’t choose one of those schools if they had an offer to play over a D3 school. They likely did not have an offer from a school of that caliber and went the route you stated.
I could argue they gave up on themselves academically taking the much less challenging academic situation.
You certainly could make that argument! This site seems to have 3 distinct flavors of parents posting on it: 1) kids are bonifide studs going to big time programs...no need to brag, kids are legit 2) Kids are going to mid major programs and parents are grateful for the chance their kids have received 3) parents who are making making excuses as to why their player is going to a school other than D1.
Thats just my observation. Yours may be different.
2022OFDad posted:RJM posted:2022OFDad posted:RJM posted:I know kids who played in the Centennial League and NESCAC who received D1 mid major offers. They knew they weren’t pro prospects. They were more interested in the best avenue to grad school than pro ball.
They knew they would start and probably star on a D3. They chose the best combination of their perception of baseball experience and academics. I know kids who played at these schools knowing it was ok to miss practice or a game due to academics.
Here’s a simple big picture, long term example. Do you want to play D1 baseball and get a UMass degree or play D3 baseball and get a Tufts degree? If a kid picks UMass he should get his head examined.
I understand what you are saying, but to me it is taking the easy road and they gave up on themselves and their dream after their senior high school year. I don’t respect guys who go that route simply for the “BMOC” effect. I get being “realistic” and knowing most players don’t get the opportunity to play pro ball, but you can’t tell me that if players have the chance to play at a school (let’s say Ivy or Patriot League in D1) of comparable value (educationally) they wouldn’t choose one of those schools if they had an offer to play over a D3 school. They likely did not have an offer from a school of that caliber and went the route you stated.
I could argue they gave up on themselves academically taking the much less challenging academic situation.
You certainly could make that argument! This site seems to have 3 distinct flavors of parents posting on it: 1) kids are bonifide studs going to big time programs...no need to brag, kids are legit 2) Kids are going to mid major programs and parents are grateful for the chance their kids have received 3) parents who are making making excuses as to why their player is going to a school other than D1.
Thats just my observation. Yours may be different.
I’m not sure how you managed to turn a marginal D1/D3 question into a discussion on pro prospect opportunity. A kid who is marginal D1 or D3 is not a pro prospect. It doesn’t mean he absolutely won’t become one. But probably not.
A majority of players in D1 programs aren’t going to be drafted. They just all believe they will be entering college ball.
Stud is a relative term. There are a lot of high school studs will become competent major college players. But it doesn’t mean they’re stud pro prospects. My son’s travel coach (former college coach and pro scout) saw my son as a potential pro prospect. But as a top student he pushed getting the best education possible.
Maybe my view comes from having been one of these players and having two kids who fell into the same category. Like me they had quality college baseball and softball careers. Then they used their degrees and the reputation of the college they received it from to advance in life.
If we were discussing Texas versus Trinity (TX) that’s a no brainer. Texas is a very good university with a worldwide academic reputation with baseball players who are potential pro prospects in a major conference versus Trinity (TX) which is a HA.
But UMass is a middle of the road academic university in a mid major conference versus Tufts which is a HA. If one of my kids chose UMass over Tufts I would reconsider based on the idea maybe they’re not smart enough to survive Tufts.
I hear ya...but fwiw there were guys drafted 1st 3 rounds who weren’t Power 5 conference players...
2022OFDad posted:I hear ya...but fwiw there were guys drafted 1st 3 rounds who weren’t Power 5 conference players...
There are some historically very good programs (Coastal, Fullerton, etc,) that are not in power conferences. There are also players who blossom in college who weren’t big recruits.
2022OFDad posted:...You certainly could make that argument! This site seems to have 3 distinct flavors of parents posting on it: 1) kids are bonifide studs going to big time programs...no need to brag, kids are legit 2) Kids are going to mid major programs and parents are grateful for the chance their kids have received 3) parents who are making making excuses as to why their player is going to a school other than D1.
Thats just my observation. Yours may be different.
There are WAY, WAY more flavors than that in parents who post here.
2022OFDad posted:CoachB25 posted:2022OFDad posted:RJM posted:I know kids who played in the Centennial League and NESCAC who received D1 mid major offers. They knew they weren’t pro prospects. They were more interested in the best avenue to grad school than pro ball.
They knew they would start and probably star on a D3. They chose the best combination of their perception of baseball experience and academics. I know kids who played at these schools knowing it was ok to miss practice or a game due to academics.
Here’s a simple big picture, long term example. Do you want to play D1 baseball and get a UMass degree or play D3 baseball and get a Tufts degree? If a kid picks UMass he should get his head examined.
I understand what you are saying, but to me it is taking the easy road and they gave up on themselves and their dream after their senior high school year. I don’t respect guys who go that route simply for the “BMOC” effect. I get being “realistic” and knowing most players don’t get the opportunity to play pro ball, but you can’t tell me that if players have the chance to play at a school (let’s say Ivy or Patriot League in D1) of comparable value (educationally) they wouldn’t choose one of those schools if they had an offer to play over a D3 school. They likely did not have an offer from a school of that caliber and went the route you stated.
Really? So you know what their dream was? Really, you don't respect guys ...? Who the hell are you? If ignorance is bliss, you're as happy as can be. I know a lot of guys who went D-II or D-III for reasons other than to be professional athletes. In fact, of the players who have played for me that have gone on to play professionally, I have more who went D-II than went D-I. Finally, if you were a player and academically qualified for academic scholarships for a school like Washington University in St. Louis, you'd have to consider that.
Easy there, Coach! Don’t take it personally! The numbers for the draft historically just dont support what you are saying. There are 8X more players drafted out of D1 than D2. So what I am saying is if a kid has the desire to play professionally, playing D1 ball is a better route to take. I know there are good D2 and D3 programs, but where the rubber meets the road the path to take to get to the pros is D1. The numbers simply bear that out. I said that the financial picture may play a factor, we agree there.
I respect a player who puts themselves into the most competitive environment they can in order to sharpen that edge, you know? Just the way I personally feel. You don’t have to agree, but it’s how we do things in my family.
The problem is that I do take comments like that personally when my daughter was attacked for going D-II instead of taking the various D-I offers. Statements like you made were said about her and that she was merely seeking easier competition. There were so many other factors that play into those types of decisions that we often aren't privy to. In my daughter's case, it was that my mom was dying and in hospice and so, BB wanted to stay close to home. She entered college in August and mom died in December. Why do you think that "D-I" is so much better? If you were only talking about the top programs then I would agree but to simply say, "D-I" doesn't cut the mustard. The truth is that there are players at the D-I level that would not start at many D-IIs.
Here is a link to the last draft regarding D-II Players:
2022OFDad posted:RJM posted:2022OFDad posted:RJM posted:I know kids who played in the Centennial League and NESCAC who received D1 mid major offers. They knew they weren’t pro prospects. They were more interested in the best avenue to grad school than pro ball.
They knew they would start and probably star on a D3. They chose the best combination of their perception of baseball experience and academics. I know kids who played at these schools knowing it was ok to miss practice or a game due to academics.
Here’s a simple big picture, long term example. Do you want to play D1 baseball and get a UMass degree or play D3 baseball and get a Tufts degree? If a kid picks UMass he should get his head examined.
I understand what you are saying, but to me it is taking the easy road and they gave up on themselves and their dream after their senior high school year. I don’t respect guys who go that route simply for the “BMOC” effect. I get being “realistic” and knowing most players don’t get the opportunity to play pro ball, but you can’t tell me that if players have the chance to play at a school (let’s say Ivy or Patriot League in D1) of comparable value (educationally) they wouldn’t choose one of those schools if they had an offer to play over a D3 school. They likely did not have an offer from a school of that caliber and went the route you stated.
I could argue they gave up on themselves academically taking the much less challenging academic situation.
You certainly could make that argument! This site seems to have 3 distinct flavors of parents posting on it: 1) kids are bonifide studs going to big time programs...no need to brag, kids are legit 2) Kids are going to mid major programs and parents are grateful for the chance their kids have received 3) parents who are making making excuses as to why their player is going to a school other than D1.
Thats just my observation. Yours may be different.
This is just so wrong. And furthermore, I hope that no one here, registered user or not, believes this kind of nonsense!
I don’t know that I’ve ever seen anyone on this board making excuses as to why their kid is playing/played D3.
Everyone should be looking for the right balance of baseball, academics, financial, social and cultural fit. On a board with a lot of active members it’s going to cover the full range of college programs.
If someone posts their kid isn’t playing D1 because of his major (STEM, etc.) that’s not an excuse. It’s a reality. For some kids trying to play D1 with a difficult major is a high risk decision on their future.
Fit is everything, and fit means something different for every aspiring student-athlete (and their families). There are hundreds of variables at play - location, weather, coach, quality of team, depth chart, facilities, cost, scholarship $, presence or absence of certain majors, etc. We say that our '22 has a goal of playing college baseball, period. Where he winds up will depend on a combination of the above factors - and, of course, his development.
CoachB25 posted:2022OFDad posted:CoachB25 posted:2022OFDad posted:RJM posted:I know kids who played in the Centennial League and NESCAC who received D1 mid major offers. They knew they weren’t pro prospects. They were more interested in the best avenue to grad school than pro ball.
They knew they would start and probably star on a D3. They chose the best combination of their perception of baseball experience and academics. I know kids who played at these schools knowing it was ok to miss practice or a game due to academics.
Here’s a simple big picture, long term example. Do you want to play D1 baseball and get a UMass degree or play D3 baseball and get a Tufts degree? If a kid picks UMass he should get his head examined.
I understand what you are saying, but to me it is taking the easy road and they gave up on themselves and their dream after their senior high school year. I don’t respect guys who go that route simply for the “BMOC” effect. I get being “realistic” and knowing most players don’t get the opportunity to play pro ball, but you can’t tell me that if players have the chance to play at a school (let’s say Ivy or Patriot League in D1) of comparable value (educationally) they wouldn’t choose one of those schools if they had an offer to play over a D3 school. They likely did not have an offer from a school of that caliber and went the route you stated.
Really? So you know what their dream was? Really, you don't respect guys ...? Who the hell are you? If ignorance is bliss, you're as happy as can be. I know a lot of guys who went D-II or D-III for reasons other than to be professional athletes. In fact, of the players who have played for me that have gone on to play professionally, I have more who went D-II than went D-I. Finally, if you were a player and academically qualified for academic scholarships for a school like Washington University in St. Louis, you'd have to consider that.
Easy there, Coach! Don’t take it personally! The numbers for the draft historically just dont support what you are saying. There are 8X more players drafted out of D1 than D2. So what I am saying is if a kid has the desire to play professionally, playing D1 ball is a better route to take. I know there are good D2 and D3 programs, but where the rubber meets the road the path to take to get to the pros is D1. The numbers simply bear that out. I said that the financial picture may play a factor, we agree there.
I respect a player who puts themselves into the most competitive environment they can in order to sharpen that edge, you know? Just the way I personally feel. You don’t have to agree, but it’s how we do things in my family.
The problem is that I do take comments like that personally when my daughter was attacked for going D-II instead of taking the various D-I offers. Statements like you made were said about her and that she was merely seeking easier competition. There were so many other factors that play into those types of decisions that we often aren't privy to. In my daughter's case, it was that my mom was dying and in hospice and so, BB wanted to stay close to home. She entered college in August and mom died in December. Why do you think that "D-I" is so much better? If you were only talking about the top programs then I would agree but to simply say, "D-I" doesn't cut the mustard. The truth is that there are players at the D-I level that would not start at many D-IIs.
Here is a link to the last draft regarding D-II Players:
Sorry about your situation and your daughters as well, but I stand by my comment that a player’s chance of going pro is 8X better by playing D1 ball. In your daughter’s case, and I know I will catch hell from you and likely all the moms on here, but women’s softball is a different r animal in that there is no professional prospect playing after college. So going D1 or D2 really doesn’t matter. Sorry, not discounting your daughters talent or your situation, just can’t compare baseball and softball from that perspective.
RoadRunner posted:2022OFDad posted:RJM posted:2022OFDad posted:RJM posted:I know kids who played in the Centennial League and NESCAC who received D1 mid major offers. They knew they weren’t pro prospects. They were more interested in the best avenue to grad school than pro ball.
They knew they would start and probably star on a D3. They chose the best combination of their perception of baseball experience and academics. I know kids who played at these schools knowing it was ok to miss practice or a game due to academics.
Here’s a simple big picture, long term example. Do you want to play D1 baseball and get a UMass degree or play D3 baseball and get a Tufts degree? If a kid picks UMass he should get his head examined.
I understand what you are saying, but to me it is taking the easy road and they gave up on themselves and their dream after their senior high school year. I don’t respect guys who go that route simply for the “BMOC” effect. I get being “realistic” and knowing most players don’t get the opportunity to play pro ball, but you can’t tell me that if players have the chance to play at a school (let’s say Ivy or Patriot League in D1) of comparable value (educationally) they wouldn’t choose one of those schools if they had an offer to play over a D3 school. They likely did not have an offer from a school of that caliber and went the route you stated.
I could argue they gave up on themselves academically taking the much less challenging academic situation.
You certainly could make that argument! This site seems to have 3 distinct flavors of parents posting on it: 1) kids are bonifide studs going to big time programs...no need to brag, kids are legit 2) Kids are going to mid major programs and parents are grateful for the chance their kids have received 3) parents who are making making excuses as to why their player is going to a school other than D1.
Thats just my observation. Yours may be different.
This is just so wrong. And furthermore, I hope that no one here, registered user or not, believes this kind of nonsense!
It’s just my observation.
Goosegg posted:If you're a legit pro-prospect, it doesn't matter where you attend college; you'll be found and either drafted or signed as a FA.
I don't completely disagree. Pitching you can see. 90+ is 90+ in HS, D1 or D3. But a position player is going to have a very hard time. Especially if they're towards the lower end of D3 baseball where you will see pitchers throwing in the high 70s, topping at 82.
Well, "how we do things in my family" is to find the right fit for the child, not the parents' egos! And the edge that we want sharpened is the academic one. As for choosing D3 because there were no D1 offers, it never got that far for our son. He set his sights on the education he wanted first, and when a school expressed interest in him that he didn't think was an academic fit, he told them very nicely that he wasn't interested. So we don't know how many offers may have come. He achieved his goal of continuing to play the game he loves and getting a world class engineering degree from a certain technical institute in Cambridge. By the way, one of his teammates was drafted in the 8th round by the Cubs AND has a kickass education, so it does happen.
If every player who wasn't deemed a "pro" prospect at 17 gave up, what would the landscape of MLB look like? Seem to recall a scouting report on Max Muncy from PG having him as a "7.5", and I remember Evan Longoria received 0 D1 offers our of hs. So many people say it doesn't matter where a player plays "if they're good enough, someone will find them" yet don't apply the same logic to academic pursuits.
2022OFDad posted:CoachB25 posted:2022OFDad posted:CoachB25 posted:2022OFDad posted:RJM posted:I know kids who played in the Centennial League and NESCAC who received D1 mid major offers. They knew they weren’t pro prospects. They were more interested in the best avenue to grad school than pro ball.
They knew they would start and probably star on a D3. They chose the best combination of their perception of baseball experience and academics. I know kids who played at these schools knowing it was ok to miss practice or a game due to academics.
Here’s a simple big picture, long term example. Do you want to play D1 baseball and get a UMass degree or play D3 baseball and get a Tufts degree? If a kid picks UMass he should get his head examined.
I understand what you are saying, but to me it is taking the easy road and they gave up on themselves and their dream after their senior high school year. I don’t respect guys who go that route simply for the “BMOC” effect. I get being “realistic” and knowing most players don’t get the opportunity to play pro ball, but you can’t tell me that if players have the chance to play at a school (let’s say Ivy or Patriot League in D1) of comparable value (educationally) they wouldn’t choose one of those schools if they had an offer to play over a D3 school. They likely did not have an offer from a school of that caliber and went the route you stated.
Really? So you know what their dream was? Really, you don't respect guys ...? Who the hell are you? If ignorance is bliss, you're as happy as can be. I know a lot of guys who went D-II or D-III for reasons other than to be professional athletes. In fact, of the players who have played for me that have gone on to play professionally, I have more who went D-II than went D-I. Finally, if you were a player and academically qualified for academic scholarships for a school like Washington University in St. Louis, you'd have to consider that.
Easy there, Coach! Don’t take it personally! The numbers for the draft historically just dont support what you are saying. There are 8X more players drafted out of D1 than D2. So what I am saying is if a kid has the desire to play professionally, playing D1 ball is a better route to take. I know there are good D2 and D3 programs, but where the rubber meets the road the path to take to get to the pros is D1. The numbers simply bear that out. I said that the financial picture may play a factor, we agree there.
I respect a player who puts themselves into the most competitive environment they can in order to sharpen that edge, you know? Just the way I personally feel. You don’t have to agree, but it’s how we do things in my family.
The problem is that I do take comments like that personally when my daughter was attacked for going D-II instead of taking the various D-I offers. Statements like you made were said about her and that she was merely seeking easier competition. There were so many other factors that play into those types of decisions that we often aren't privy to. In my daughter's case, it was that my mom was dying and in hospice and so, BB wanted to stay close to home. She entered college in August and mom died in December. Why do you think that "D-I" is so much better? If you were only talking about the top programs then I would agree but to simply say, "D-I" doesn't cut the mustard. The truth is that there are players at the D-I level that would not start at many D-IIs.
Here is a link to the last draft regarding D-II Players:
Sorry about your situation and your daughters as well, but I stand by my comment that a player’s chance of going pro is 8X better by playing D1 ball. In your daughter’s case, and I know I will catch hell from you and likely all the moms on here, but women’s softball is a different r animal in that there is no professional prospect playing after college. So going D1 or D2 really doesn’t matter. Sorry, not discounting your daughters talent or your situation, just can’t compare baseball and softball from that perspective.
You won't catch heck from me but then again, your ignorance is showing. My daughter's best friend and another pitcher from the conference both play(ed) professionally. My daughter had an offer after the draft. Still, your point is valid per softball in that professional ball isn't much of an option unless you are a superstar.
Still, and again, I've coached several players who played D-II and I provided a list of those drafted. If your point were D-II versus the top 5 conferences, then you have a point. If you simply mean "D-I" again, you're showing your ignorance. Many of those playing, or sitting on the bench of a D-I will never see the field. Finally, there are a lot of players playing for JUCOs who are doing to the sign professional contracts instead of actually seeking degrees. I've coached a couple of them as well with 3 making it to the big show.
Matty posted:Well, "how we do things in my family" is to find the right fit for the child, not the parents' egos! And the edge that we want sharpened is the academic one. As for choosing D3 because there were no D1 offers, it never got that far for our son. He set his sights on the education he wanted first, and when a school expressed interest in him that he didn't think was an academic fit, he told them very nicely that he wasn't interested. So we don't know how many offers may have come. He achieved his goal of continuing to play the game he loves and getting a world class engineering degree from a certain technical institute in Cambridge. By the way, one of his teammates was drafted in the 8th round by the Cubs AND has a kickass education, so it does happen.
That’s great for that one player, and for your son. But you don’t go to MIT for baseball. You may as well say the name if you are going to hint around it that hard.
Coach,
8x the players are drafted from D1 over D2. That is a fact. You can try to spin your numbers any way you want, and of course there are guys who will never play significant time on a D1 team. But if they want to give themselves the best odds of getting drafted out of college, they aren’t selecting D2 and D3 schools.
Players are drafted, not NCAA divisions. There is value in playing college baseball, and there are many good reasons a player / family may select a D-II or D-III or Juco.
If a kid doesn't go "all in" for a Power 5 shot to fulfill his dream he's selling himself short?
It is a 1 in 200 shot for a college baseball player to make MLB. It is 100% that they will need to support themselves.
It is a worthy thing for any young man that has the self awareness to recognize he is a marginal (not a) professional prospect. If he then decides to prioritize his education and continues to play ball on the off chance he improves enough to become a legit prospect strikes me as a completely rationale approach to life.
It is unlikely he will end up at the end of some bar talking about the one time he went 2-4 against State U hit .167 in 50 college at bats before washing out as a Jr. and coming home to play slow pitch softball and work for the city Park & Rec cutting grass.
They don't write songs about the millions of guys who take care of business but I am tired of listening to the legions of guys that never grew up and keep telling me how great they used to be.
HomeField2020 posted:Players are drafted, not NCAA divisions. There is value in playing college baseball, and there are many good reasons a player / family may select a D-II or D-III or Juco.
So send your kid to a D2 or D3 then, and tell me with all honesty you think you put them in the best position possible to get them drafted. Please, you are kidding yourself.
luv baseball posted:If a kid doesn't go "all in" for a Power 5 shot to fulfill his dream he's selling himself short?
It is a 1 in 200 shot for a college baseball player to make MLB. It is 100% that they will need to support themselves.
It is a worthy thing for any young man that has the self awareness to recognize he is a marginal (not a) professional prospect. If he then decides to prioritize his education and continues to play ball on the off chance he improves enough to become a legit prospect strikes me as a completely rationale approach to life.
It is unlikely he will end up at the end of some bar talking about the one time he went 2-4 against State U hit .167 in 50 college at bats before washing out as a Jr. and coming home to play slow pitch softball and work for the city Park & Rec cutting grass.
They don't write songs about the millions of guys who take care of business but I am tired of listening to the legions of guys that never grew up and keep telling me how great they used to be.
Huh? You apparently are a Toby Keith fan. 2019dad kind of touched on it, but it sounds like you all are giving up on your players development at age 17/18 and I’m not.
2022OFDad posted:luv baseball posted:If a kid doesn't go "all in" for a Power 5 shot to fulfill his dream he's selling himself short?
It is a 1 in 200 shot for a college baseball player to make MLB. It is 100% that they will need to support themselves.
It is a worthy thing for any young man that has the self awareness to recognize he is a marginal (not a) professional prospect. If he then decides to prioritize his education and continues to play ball on the off chance he improves enough to become a legit prospect strikes me as a completely rationale approach to life.
It is unlikely he will end up at the end of some bar talking about the one time he went 2-4 against State U hit .167 in 50 college at bats before washing out as a Jr. and coming home to play slow pitch softball and work for the city Park & Rec cutting grass.
They don't write songs about the millions of guys who take care of business but I am tired of listening to the legions of guys that never grew up and keep telling me how great they used to be.
Huh? You apparently are a Toby Keith fan. 2019dad kind of touched on it, but it sounds like you all are giving up on your players development at age 17/18 and I’m not.
And the great thing is, you'll be able to let us know how your player does. Obviously, D-I now, the question is, power conference and how high he will be drafted. 2022 dad, you have observations and I have players drafted. We'll see how your young one does. Good luck and I mean that with no ill intent.
Yep, we will see.
2022OFDad posted:luv baseball posted:If a kid doesn't go "all in" for a Power 5 shot to fulfill his dream he's selling himself short?
It is a 1 in 200 shot for a college baseball player to make MLB. It is 100% that they will need to support themselves.
It is a worthy thing for any young man that has the self awareness to recognize he is a marginal (not a) professional prospect. If he then decides to prioritize his education and continues to play ball on the off chance he improves enough to become a legit prospect strikes me as a completely rationale approach to life.
It is unlikely he will end up at the end of some bar talking about the one time he went 2-4 against State U hit .167 in 50 college at bats before washing out as a Jr. and coming home to play slow pitch softball and work for the city Park & Rec cutting grass.
They don't write songs about the millions of guys who take care of business but I am tired of listening to the legions of guys that never grew up and keep telling me how great they used to be.
Huh? You apparently are a Toby Keith fan. 2019dad kind of touched on it, but it sounds like you all are giving up on your players development at age 17/18 and I’m not.
Don't know who Toby Keith is, was he in an Officer and a Gentleman? Are you finding some sort of comparison to that movie?
But to the point - I am curious how you derive "giving up on a players development at age 17/18" from the statement above that a player "continues to play ball on the off chance he improves enough to become a legit prospect".
Having a gimlet eye regarding professional baseball is not "giving up on the dream". It is sober thinking. I hope 2022 isn't the guy sitting on a barstool in 2032 talking about how his 2042 is going to make everyone proud. If he pursues baseball as a single minded goal … chances are he will.
In the likely probably of that outcome what I really hope is he doesn't meet my 2019 daughter so she doesn't have to support or listen to him.
Did Bilal change his chat name?
There are currently two MLB position players from Massachusetts. Nick Ahmed plays short for the D’backs. Outfielder Chris Shaw was a September call up for the Giants. It’s not impossible to make the majors. But the odds sure are long. It’s why education is important.
