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First, how did you deal with your son moving around every 4 to 5 years and having to prove himself at each new location? This is a constant issue with military kids. At the point that you’ve established yourself as one of the better area players, you move…again. It’s always tough the first year to prove yourself on the best travel teams. Many have been around for several years and the core players are a mix of local folk’s kids and parents that have known each other for years. At some point, it becomes apparent that you have a legit but it does take time and the politics can be brutal! The cream really does rise to the top…eventually.

Secondly and more appropriate for the location of this post…how does moving around effect your son’s recruitment. I can certainly see where an untimely move (Soph, Jr, Sr year) can be detrimental to a solid player’s recruitment. How do you plan to combat this issue? I know showcases probably take care of this issue to a certain extent.

Lastly, has your son ever been asked to play another position because “bubba has just always been our second baseman?” This is where being a utility player comes in handy and can really help to get your guy in the starting line-up. This is always a little tough for the player to deal with. You’re guy is the clear-cut better at the position of his preference but is forced to play somewhere that avoids making waves (i.e., Better SS but ends playing 3rd). Of course, this usually works itself out too with some time/patience. This is always a tough situation for both parties involved and I can certainly understand both sides.

Hopefully there are a few military posters or individuals knowledgeable on the topic. Thanks for your input in advance. Happy New Years!
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BK - what a great attitude that you and your son have. He has already learned some of the greatest lessons. Neither you nor him make excuses for your plight and it appears your son has learned how to compete. Moreover, he has learned that playing anywhere in the lineup is preferable to the bench and thus has developed his skills accordingly. These will be huge assets for him when he gets to college because a) he'll be no stranger to intense competition b) he knows how to find his way into a lineup due to versatility and c) it also appears he has learned how to fit in and become a good teammate under difficult circumstancs.

I am not from a military family but your approach seems the right one - focusing on those things he can control and continuiong to develop his skills. If you can attend showcases, none of the recruiters will know whether or not your son is from a military family as all they will care about is his talent and his ability to do well in school. Keep encouraging him to long toss and build arm strength. If you can get him with a speed and strength trainer that will help immensely. Keep encouraging him to maximize his five tools, showcase them accordingly, and I think things will work out just fine.

PS - my son had a college teammate from Oklahoma on his team near Myrtle Beach, SC. That kid is moving up draft boards and his Dad is in the military. He has had a fine college career thus far.
Last edited by ClevelandDad
BK,
first of all, thank you for your service and the sacrifices and difference you and your family and making.
For recruiting, CD has it right. Showcases can help overcome any disadvantage created by the mobility.
While not right on point, Krakatoa is teaching children of military families stationed in Korea.
He was able to devise a recruiting effort, through a lot of input on this board, that utilized showcases to get his son exposure so he could be successfully recruited.
Hopefully, you can PM him or he will post.
I think shortstopmom has experience from a military background and could be a source for you, also.
For playing multiple positions, it can be a major advantage to learn them well and play them well.
Many high school players never play the same position in college.
Playing more positions, and playing them well, gives a college coach a lot of options for your son.
With the limitations on spots, injury, and the attrition that occurs in college baseball, versatility can be an advantage for a player that coaches will appreciate.
Last edited by infielddad
ClevelandDad...it's been a good but tough lesson for both of us to learn. PT is PT...period. I think the other tough lesson was the fact that there is always someone better at the highest levels of the game. Being a BIG fish in a small pond is easy. Things certainly change when everyone on the team is a BIG fish. Our most recent team is a try-out travel team that has kids from about a 100 mile radius. That type of situation certainly makes the team dynamics interesting. You certainly learn to appreciate PT and competing and really earning a position…regardless of where it is on the field.

I'm a big believer in playing at the highest level you can play while still getting meaningful reps.

As for the speed and agility work, my son works with a local speed training facility that does a fair amount of work with collegiate athletes prepping for the NFL combine. It’s a little pricier than I would like but still a good program.

I appreciate your comments.
We're in the same boat. I suggest that you do your research well before your next move. I researched the best HS programs in the area that I was moving to and cross referenced that with their academics and the housing market, this was all done as soon as I got my orders. I got my son involved and showed him that where he was moving had a tradition of winning and a high percentage of their players going onto college which made him excited to move and be challenged. He was a middle school kid when we moved and we started going to watch games at his future high school as well as attending the clinics they put on. If we were to move again I would do the same thing as well as looking at the travel teams in the area. Most schools have web pages for their teams so you can see a sort of depth chart. Search the local newspapers to see if the kids in the position(s) your son plays are all star caliber. You might also find articles on the coach. The internet is the tool to use. I opted not to contact the coach directly because we had time. If I were to move again (my son is a freshman)I might, I haven't decided. It was already stated that you can't under estimate the value of a good showcase/ showcase performance. I have started a savings fund for my son to be able to attend the big showcases in a few years regardless of where we are stationed. I figure that if the money doesn't get used then it goes into his college fund so it's a win win. Good luck.

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