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Reality Check.

love the gamelove the game10+ posts
I am very impressed with the members inputs on various quesions i see posted on HSBBW. I would love to get some input from you now.

Here it is. My son is an 05 rhp here is his info:

Pitching select ball since 12 Now throwing 75 to 78 and has thrown 80. He has a great curve and good change. Throws srikes. He works out with a good pitching instructor all winter for the last few years. Was the #1 JV Pitcher last year and #1 for his summer Legion team last summer. He works on strenth and conditioning all year. He is 6'0'' 150. ( size 13 shoe)and he does do the milk shake thing to gain wieght.

He will be pitching Varsity this year and made one of the best 17yr old teams in the area for ths summer of 2004. ) they will play in all the right leagues and torneys)

The thing is he wins without blazing speed I have seen him pitch out of trouble time and time again. His era is always around 2. He has really become a pitcher not a thrower. He took the ACT's and scored a 29. SAT's scored a 1280, and will be taking them 2 or 3 more times. Top 10% in class and National Honor Soceity

His pitching instructor ( ex pro ) says by his Senior year he should be throwing 83 to 84. Everyone say he will fill out into those feet.

He has been to a few shocase and camps. but all they seem to look at is speed. The question is this?

He does not want to go to a small college under 6000 students. His grades will get him Scolorship $$. Is it possible for him to play at a D1 school or larger D2. He is just looking to make the team.

Thank you for your replies.
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BizazzBizazz1,000+ posts
Although some folks got off on a tangent, you might want to check out the 78-83 mph thread below.

First, your son should go to a school where he will be happy. It sounds as if he's made a decision to go to a larger school. That's going to limit him in terms of choices. I'm sure there will be D-1 schools that would give him the opportunity to walk on. But unless he's an invited walk-on he'll really have to "wow" the coaches to make a roster.

With a size 13 shoe he'll probably grow some more. At his present size he would have to work to be noticed.

Is he planning to attend showcases? If he can demonstrate his command of pitches and the ability to get people out then he should get some looks.

I would caution though, eliminating smaller-size D-II and NAIA programs reduces the options of playing. Even if he gets to walk on at a D-1, he's going have an uphill battle to get playing time.

The fact he's a 2005 tells me a lot can change, both physically and in attitude about where to go to school. My son is a 2004 and I can tell you a lot of things changed between the fall of his junior year and summer before his senior year.
O Orlando1,000+ posts
Bizazz is giving good advice, but I would add a reminder of a familiar theme around these parts...."fit" (academics and baseball program), neither of which is is related to the size of the school.

Please also keep in mind that being designated a D1 has to do with (I believe) the number of major sports/sports programs the school has, not the quality of the baseball program. Being a D1 doesn't make the school a Stanford, UT, UF or the like for baseball. Watch out for your son's getting hung up on being at a D1 program or a larger school. Keep in mind his life's goals, and choose the school on that basis....not that it's a D1 or over 6,000 students.

It's early days for you, but still time to be initiating action. Check the timeline for your progress, and keep doing what you're doing to have him ready for Spring and Summer seasons.

And keep an open mind.

Best of luck!

---------------------------------
From 'Nice Guys Finish Last' by Leo Durocher:

Baseball lives at the center of a never-flagging whirl of irreconcilable opinions.
MrandMrsBaseballMrandMrsBaseball1,000+ posts
Love,
I agree w/ Bizazz. Much can change.........for the better and for the worse. It's very hard to project! One bit of advice I would give you from our situation is to not always believe it when everyone tells your son how good he is. We had coaches telling us, "He's great!" "I want to be his agent!" "Boy, the next few months are going to be fun for you guys" (this in June right before the July 1 contact date)
Needless to say we came crashing back to reality when the calls didn't come rushing in and other boys he's played with, many not nearly as effective, were signing all around us.
Remember, you pay these coaches, and while they mean well I'm sure, they also have to keep you and your son motivated and encouraged. Would you keep going to the pitching coach if he told you not to get your hopes up for a big D1?

Have your son work VERY hard this year and definitely showcase. But only go if he's in top form. As Bizazz says, if he's effective he'll get noticed. I also agree you shouldn't limit yourself to big D1's. Pick some schools in each level.
Good luck, hope he has a great season this year!

_______________________
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." Rogers Hornsby, Hall of Famer

RacabRacab1,000+ posts
It is early to know how fast he will be throwing in his senior year. By sure he is going to be around 6'2" and may be he will be over 85 with that size. If right now he is around 80, let the showcases for next year and continious in the traveling team. He needs to show that he knows how to pitch to those large D-1 he wants to attend and he has 2 pretty years to do so. In case that in his senior year he still in the lower 80's, them look for an smaller school that he can transfer to any D-1 school without problem, that way if he pitch well, he be atractive to some D-1 schools.

"Peace is, the respect for the other people's rights".
Benito Juarez

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TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
Love,
Don't be so anxious, one never knows how this whole thing works, you just have to go with the flow. From an academic standpoint, this will work in your son's favor. He needs to grow and develop naturally and he will, but it may not be by the end of this year. When recruiting a player, there are a lot of factors involved. Don't push, let him have fun. Consider all options for schools but know that you have a long time to go. Exposing him this summer is really important.
My son is 6'3" 180. His velocity is most probably the least impressive, though he is able to hit over 90 on occasion. He fits the citeria "CAN HE PLAY", which will probably be the most important factor in his future.
Also you mentioned his speed, his grades, his ERA. You did not mention mechanics, does he use a variety of pitches? Does he show leadership, composure, maturity on the mound (for his age level). Is he well liked by his teammates? These are important things to consider.
FungoFungoHighly Regarded and Beloved Old Timer
Love the game,
Let me commend you for being realist about the situation. With your approach, I’m quite sure the decision will be a good one. If I were in your situation, I would estimate the importance that academics and athletics will play in his decision. With a 29 on the ACT he obviously has a good head on his shoulders and as you stated, is in a good position to get academic money. Having academic money is a great tool to make the roster but at the same time it does nothing to improve a player’s ability to play or to contribute to the team. I have heard some say that a player on pure academic money sometimes gets passed over because the coach has no scholarship money invested. Of course it’s too early to predict the outcome but it would appear, as Bizazz said, that your son would have an uphill battle if he plays baseball at a major division one college. Major D-1 colleges normally don’t select players because of their projectability and then devote their time and energy to develop those players. Major D-1 colleges select players on their ability to have an early impact. Having said that, I still would NOT turn my back on that option. Like others stated, stay positive, work hard, and good things will happen.

Fungo

Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
HeyBatterHeyBatter1,000+ posts
Agree with all the good advice above. As an example of how things change, my son had a list of about 40+ schools he was interested in, receiving letters etc. at the start of his junior year. I'd say all but 3 were D-1 schools.

Now as a senior and after a summer of camps, showcases, interviews, more contacts, etc. his list is 9 schools; 1 is a D-1 and the rest are D-111's and of these 9 schools, 3 were on his original list. things changed as time went on as you look for that fit and he has finally found one. He's made a "verbal" to one coach and applied early decision to that school and is now just waiting to hear from admissions. A year ago, this school was barely on his radar.

You just never know. Good luck and just keep plugging away at all possible avenues, searching for that "magic slipper" that will fit.
B baseball7Member
When your son throws, make sure he lets it loose.

So many times, I think pitching lessons are over-rated. Let the kid throw hard and monitor the mechanics.

It's like a sprinter trying to get faster if he only runs at 80%. Throwing speed, bat speed, etc. you need to push the envelope.

Don't sit around and "accept" 80 mph and hope the speed will come. Do something about it.
P 04Parent100+ posts
Start looking at "mid major" D1 schools. If your son does fill out those shoes he may get a chance at a major D1.

Since you are in OH look at the Mid American Conference programs (baseball & academic), contact coaches, make unofficial visits, etc.

With your son's test scores, he will have some nice choices by the time he graduates.

Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have any questions about some of the MAC schools.
RacabRacab1,000+ posts
baseball7

I am not sure about your advise to overthrow the pitches to increase velocity. Pitchers got it have a cruise speed and in occasions may throw the whole arm when need it. The sprinter example is not good, cause the sprinter has competition from other runner, the competition of the pitcher it is him self, and if you compare him with a runner, have to be with a marathon's runner, because the pitcher have to save enery to pitch as more as possible. Overthrowing is one of the main reason for arm injuries. Anyways I know what you mean, and I want to be sure nonbody get confused thinking that you recommend to throw all the pitches at maximun capacity.

"Peace is, the respect for the other people's rights".
Benito Juarez

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B BigWI1,000+ posts
Love The Game,

Your son sound a lot like my '05, 6'2 175 Size 14 shoe, 29 ACT Top 5% etc.

My son throws a little harder then your son does, but not a whole lot, I expect him to be throwing 82-84 by this spring.

I would get your son on an appropriate weight routine try to build some strength.

Why look to just make the team? look to play! Don't look down at DIII, he should go where he is a good fit, academically as well as athletically and where he is wanted. I would tell him that there are some GREAT schools that play DII or DIII. Look at the school that will fit him acdemically.

Johns Hopkins, MIT, RPI and many others play DIII.

The DIII school my oldest son goes to wasn't even being considered until May of his senior year when the coach made a really big push for him.

Play every game as if it were your last

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dadchs20dadchs20100+ posts
This is just my opinion and nothing more. I want to first of all congratulate you on your son's tremendous academic achievements. It is rare that they stay that focused, and I think they should be mentioned along with the person who has had tremendous baseball achievements. Second, I think you shouldn't "limit" if that is the correct term yourself to just D1 schools or school's with a student population of 6,000. As others have stated, there are tremendous baseball programs at the DII, DIII levels and the academics are first rate. Go where your son feels comfortable with the academics, student population, and baseball coaches and program. Jeez, it drives me nuts that we can only see "D1" schools, and if our baseball son's don't get a D1 scholarship then they are somehow inferior to others. I don't buy it, if my son was fortunate to be able to play baseball for ANY college I would be extremely proud of him and would support him all the way. Oh yeah, I think I would be more proud of him on graduation day, than draft day if you want to know the truth. An education is a great gift, and if baseball can get him one...fantastic. Don't ever limit your options!

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infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
Absolutely terrific comments here. Our son is now heading into his senior year in college so we went through pretty much the same experiences described. DI, DI, DI. Well despite his heart, his effort, his drive, and his skill, DI did not have a place for him. He chose the DIII that he learned about and learned about him at the major summer camp he attended. Ending his junior year of college he had the fabulous opportunity to transfer to a DI and chose not to transfer. Lot's of reasons but the "DI" was no longer a meaningful distinction to him
It sounds like your son is very competitive and a very high achiever with similarly high goals and expectations. The idea that he "just wants to make the team" seems out of character. Having watched very good players over a 3 year period make the college team but not play, I can assure you college baseball is way too much of a committment to just make the team. It is a sacrifice, it is work, it is hard work. I have seen some great, great kids who were honest with themselves in admitting that the sacrifice and the work was not worth it without the playing time. There are exceptions but in my experience not very many. I would be very cautious in thinking he will accept just "making the team." I would identify the schools he wants and the schools that want him because they think he can play there and focus primarily on the ones that overlap. If something better works out for him, all the better.

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love the gamelove the game10+ posts
Wow great comments and information. I knew you would come through.

First ..Hey I would love for hime to go to a D2, D3 or a NAIA school, and I never said Major DI... His pitching coach is a strait forward guy and does not blow smoke He said my son could fit into a small school.

He just wants to go to a College with more kids than his High School ( 1800 )..and is looking for a college town...To answer Baseon balls... He has great mechanics at least that what all his coaches and peopel who know alot more about baseball tells me. he is a leader on the mound, no fear and a great team mate.

I told him jsut to have fun this spring and summer and if he still wants to this summer we will go to Perfect Game,( he has been getting stuff from them the last year) he has been to serveral College showcase and camps(4) and one showcase for profit.


He had his test scores sent to Ohio University, Georgetown College (KY), Evensville (In) and Whinthorp in (SC)

Thank yoou again for your input.
B baseball7Member
Racab

The biggest gains in velocity are made in the off season. Of course, pitching mechanics should be worked on diligently, but pure, raw arm speed should be a major focus as well. I'm not saying to work on velocity in games. To do so would be foolish.

Never once did I say overthrow. Pitching is fast tempo, smooth motion. Muscles don't work well when they are not working together.

It is the pitcher's job to find the right combination of fluidity and maximum arm speed to produce a faster pitch. It can be done.

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