I am a young 2020 and have been considering repeating a grade for a while. I was wondering if any of you could weigh in on the pros and cons of repeating?
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This would probably work a lot better if you went first... list what you think are the pro's and cons and we'll give specific feedback to consider.
Fairly common approach for kids transferring to a private school. What is your birth month?
Thanks Cabbagedad.
Pros:
-An extra year to grow in academics.
-Become more mature physically and mentally
-Become used to living away (If I went to a boarding school)
Cons:
-Living away from family
-The expensive cost of boarding school
I am a class of 2020 Born in early May 2002. I would most likely go to an independent school.
Are you looking at ISL schools (he's from the Boston area)? Which ones? Are they expressing interest in you? Or you in them? Do you project as a D1 prospect? It's a waste of time and money if you're not. These schools are 60K per year.
If you're a potential D1 prospect and another year might make a difference it would be better to PG at a school like Avon Farms (CT) on the back end, if needed. Maybe an extra year won't be needed.
With what you're proposing it's time for a reality check. Are you expected to start on varsity next year where you are now? Are you one of the best players on a top level travel team for your age group?
Are you good enough to play for BBN or LA? You wouldn't have to board. It's less expensive. You also don't have to board at the boarding schools if you're close enough to commute. They take day students.
I'm specifically looking at Inspiration Academy. It is an affordable coast and it is extremely serious about baseball. They have top notch facilities and coaching. I would board there as it is in Florida.
I have a good chance to start on varsity as long as I continue to develop physically. My travel team is in the top 5 in New England but I may move clubs next year. I believe I could play at BBN or LA but it would be more expensive than Inspiration Academy. I feel that as a 2020 I am above average but if I were to go down as a 2021, I would be much more ahead of my competition.
I have an August 2002, so he is a 14u 2020 like you....I understand. However, I have to say I'm not taking this approach with my son. If he isn't ready phsycially or academically when 2020 hits he will likely go to a Junior college (JUCO) to mature a bit. JUCO's often give scholarships AND have great relationships with 4 year schools, who are also looking for an older player who can contribute right now to their program.
While right now you think you would be "much more ahead of your game if you were a 2021", I have to say, they will be catching up soon due to their growth spurts and getting older. The difference in an 8th grader vs. 9th grader can be HUGE. The difference in an 11th grader vs. a 12th grader is not nearly as big.
RJM posted:Are you looking at ISL schools (he's from the Boston area)? Which ones? Are they expressing interest in you? Or you in them? Do you project as a D1 prospect? It's a waste of time and money if you're not. These schools are 60K per year.
If you're a potential D1 prospect and another year might make a difference it would be better to PG at a school like Avon Farms (CT) on the back end, if needed. Maybe an extra year won't be needed.
With what you're proposing it's time for a reality check. Are you expected to start on varsity next year where you are now? Are you one of the best players on a top level travel team for your age group?
Are you good enough to play for BBN or LA? You wouldn't have to board. It's less expensive. You also don't have to board at the boarding schools if you're close enough to commute. They take day students.
Spot on RJM. My oldest is a second half of July birthday and did a PG year. He met the criteria you mention above. There are several excellent choices for schools with competitive baseball depending on academic ability and goals. Most will do day students if that makes the most sense.
cabbagedad posted:This would probably work a lot better if you went first... list what you think are the pro's and cons and we'll give specific feedback to consider.
Another classy response although I am of the opinion that this site is probably not the best forum to help guide some 15 year old on whether he should pack up and attend some boarding school 1,000 miles away. I would suggest that the kid needs to outline his goals, with some specificity, identify any gaps on achieving those goals and then do the pro/con on all the options available. This is probably way too detailed and way too personal for this board. If he is looking for practical advice (how to go about repeating, how to do a PG year) there is probably some good advice here and maybe some ideas on alternative routes (like JUCO ball mentioned above), but whether he should/should not skip is a little too complex and personal for this site IMO.
Current Pros/Cons are extremely skimpy and do not reflect significant research. This is a serious decision and hopefully this site is not his best sounding board.
I don't understand why one would repeat a year of high school in the hopes that it will make them a better baseball prospect down the road, and pay to do so on top of it. If you need the extra development, do a PG year where there is a clearer idea of what your talent really is.
I have heard great things about Inspiration Academy. The coaches & teachers are supposed to be fantastic. My advice to you would be for you AND your parents to get on a conference phone call a few times with calls to 2 or 3 people at Inspiration Academy, someone from their coaching staff, another phone call with admissions, and perhaps a 3rd call with an Inspiration Academy guidance counselor, and ask them your specific questions. Get some feedback directly from them as to whether it would be good for you to repeat a grade.
I would then have a meeting (with your parents) with a guidance counselor at your current school to get feedback from them, as well.
Good luck to you!
Here's a good way to assess your baseball skills. If a private school is willing to give you a lot of money (scholarship) to play baseball for them you might be a future D1 prospect. If you have to pay them (tuition) to play its less likely so. Keep in mind all you might accomplish is graduating from high school at nineteen.
You also don't have to attend an expensive private school to stay back a year. You could transfer to a Catholic school. Or if you're a stud baseball player how about Saint John's Prep or Xavarian (quality academic Catholic private schools). They're not wickedly expensive compared to BBN.
What is it that you want? Do you want to play for BC or another New England D1? Or do you want to play in the ACC or SEC?
Here's some homework for you ... Research how many New England players left New England per year over the past few years to play for a Power 5. Get some names. Ask your travel coach how you stack up against Ben Bowden (Lynn Classical), Rhett Weismann (BBN), and Tyler Beede (LA) when they were your age.
Just to interject a few thoughts:
Just like college, do NOT go to a boarding school JUST for baseball. What if you get hurt? What if you don't make the top team? What if you are on the bench? You are a 15-16 yr old or so boy and would be way far away in Florida from your friends and family. Yes you will have new friends, but you will be at a new school far from home that actually has a cost (even if more affordable than the many excellent independent schools in and closer to New England). And yes it is Florida so baseball can be played all year...
But if going there (and not saying a word about the school as I do not know it well enough) to repeat and to repeat for baseball (not academics) and making the change to increase your recruiting chances, I would be very very very certain that I would be happy there if baseball does not work out the way you hope, including adding that extra year at this point of high school.
As a current 2020 you have a lot of time in the recruiting process despite what you may think by seeing other rising sophomores and even rising freshman committing. The overwhelming majority of college baseball playing 2020's have yet to be recruited.
If you are with one of the top 5 travel programs in New England, then why would you change? Those teams have for the most part great success in getting kids from New England in front of the right coaches. The NEB Invitational, Boston Open etc had numerous coaches last summer, not to mention the PG and PBR events up there.
So, I just hope you to think about these decisions carefully, not switching teams, switching schools and switching even graduation years just for baseball reasons. Well I guess switching baseball teams is probably for baseball reasons, but why would you switch? If it is for playing time or you feel you aren't being developed/recruited, you have to think about that too.
Having said all of the above, it sounds like this is all negative. It is not meant to be negative, but meant to be cautious. The fact that you are asking these questions is terrific. You are the one who knows you best, and you are the one who lives with the consequences of these decisions. Being an "informed consumer" and understanding all of these consequences can help you make the best decisions that are best for YOU.
Baseballcomesthird posted:Thanks Cabbagedad.
Pros:
-An extra year to grow in academics.
-Become more mature physically and mentally
-Become used to living away (If I went to a boarding school)
Cons:
-Living away from family
-The expensive cost of boarding school
Lots of good feedback in other posts here. 2017LHPScrewball points out several important things, including that this is a serious decision that requires a great deal of research and your list should be more extensive. Also, that, hopefully, a bunch of strangers on a message board is not your primary sounding board. So, with that, I am going to assume that we are just one of many resources you are utilizing and that, of course, that your family is your first and primary resource.
I am just going to touch on one aspect that comes to mind when I read your list. I don't know you or your situation well enough to know if going away to a boarding school will be great for you or not. It is for some and not for others. I recall a recent thread when you described the meaning of your screen name and how family was a big part of that. And, you do list living away from family as a "con". Also, something I don't see on your list of cons - no mention of not graduating with or hanging around as much with your group of friends that are your classmates. Maybe you have a big circle, maybe you don't. Just don't forget that aspect.
When I was young, I moved across the country, quite far away from all friends and family. That geographical distance remained for the rest of my life. I have been very fortunate and things have worked out well. But, I don't think there is a day that goes by that there isn't at least some regret that I wasn't able to spend more time with my family and friends from home. Often, I missed weddings, birthdays, reunions. Sometimes, I missed funerals and chances to help family in need. Immediate family, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
So, my point is... give serious consideration to the thing that is most important in life... people. Especially family and friends. Don't be in a hurry to leave your family and your home if it's not time yet. Baseball comes third and, some day, may not even be on the list. Family... ??
Do I recall correctly that you are home-schooled, BaseballComes3rd? If not, my bad. But if so, then I think a year of boarding school isn't such a bad idea, whether done in HS or post-grad, with or without the emphasis on baseball. Going to college can be like jumping into a very deep pool with only rudimentary swimming skills. A year at a boarding school might help.
BTW in your thread on Image Academy you got very positive feedback on the baseball program from a legit source in Kyle Boddy.
I can tell from your writing that you are a thoughtful and emotionally mature young man so I don't think mental maturity is an issue for you.
My thoughts...
I heard Gary Player, the famous golfer, talking the other day about what makes a great athlete. He said it was not size and strength (i.e., how far you hit the ball) but the mind that separated people...
I want to see young guys like you be competitive. I don't want to see them red-shirting themselves for hopes of a better tomorrow. I want to see them taking what God has given them now and compete their butts off with what they have. Let some coach down the road decide if you need to be red-shirted (i.e., being held back a year). Your job is to compete. Be the first one there and the last to leave. The guy with the biggest heart and the one always with the dirtiest uniform. Use your mental powers to overcome any perceived physical short-comings. If you get to college and they think physical maturity is an issue, they can red-shirt you then. I am just giving you a different perspective. I won't lose any respect for you if you go ahead with this decision but I wanted you to see it from a different angle.
My son was even younger than you are and not physically mature when he graduated from high school. He didn't turn 19 until a month after his freshman year in college had ended. He had a good freshman fall season but was told he was being red-shirted on opening day of his freshman year. He called me in tears and I told him he could feel sorry about things or work twice as hard to show those coaches they made a mistake. Told him to be the best redshirt player in the country. He did that.
Several weeks later another player asked to be red-shirted because he wasn't playing and that opened a spot for my son. He initially got into games as a late inning defensive replacement but if his turn came up in the batting order they would pinch hit for him. One day, St. Patties day 2006, in a tie game in the ninth inning with a runner on second, his turn came up and they did not pinch hit for him. The first pitch he saw in his college career he hit for a line-drive, walk-off, game-winner. Nobody in our family will ever forget that moment. That one at bat changed his whole career as he pretty much never came out of the lineup after that the rest of his career. I apologize to the old-timers here as I've told that story a thousand times but it is true. Competitiveness (and some luck) is the most important tool that you have. Consider, letting someone else decide if you need to be redshirted.
I know of many kids who reclassed to play sports. Baseball basketball and football. Some worked out and some didn't. What do your parents think?? You should be talking to your parents in depth. It is a BIG decision. On the East Coastg kids transfer to schools like IMG from all over the country with some very good reviews but mostly mixed reviews.
To reclass is not for everyone and to go from NE where you have friends and family to Fla where they play baseball almost year round is going to be a culture shock. Do you play any other sports? Can you realistically handle that grind? Way tougher than you think. Playing ten months out of the year is super tough and takes getting used to let alone 11 or 12 months.How many games do you play a year now? Sounds great to play 100 plus games per year but when you havent grown up playing baseball in the winter the mental grind can make you sour on the game.
How far do you want to go in the sport?? Do you want to play in college or just get drafted as high as possible and start your pro career as quick as you can? I have seen kids on both sides of that fence. Talk to your parents and do as much research as possible before making that decision is all I am suggesting.
ClevelandDad, We ancient old timers never get tired of TB's story & you telling it!!
BB's3rd, heed the wisdom of the one's who have gone before you!
Thank you all for your input. I am truly a student of all aspects of baseball and am always willing to learn. Clevelanddad, I find it good to hear another side of this discussion. I believe being competitive and not holding anything because is very important. Hard work does pay off and I have seen it many times with myself and teammates.
NxtLvl, I live in New England but I am from the west coast. Lived there 13 of the 15 years of my life. I have been playing baseball year-round since I was 7. From ages 7-10 I played around 60-75 games per year. From 11-13 we played around 70-85 games per year. We also practiced 3 times per week with the games on Saturdays and Sundays. However, Prior to tournaments from age 10-13 we would practice everyday from around 3 weeks before the tournament started. We would usually take 3 weeks off after the summer season but we would be back at after the break. It may seem like early specialization but I have always loved the game of baseball ( Nothing forced upon me by my parents). Now that I live in New England I play around 80 games per year including HS, Fall, and travel ball. I aspir to play collegiately and professionally but know that if I don't, I want to have a job that involves coaching baseball. I am extremely close to my family and had to leave some of them a couple of years ago. Tough? Yes. However, life goes on and there are ways I stay connected to loved ones. Also, my parents and I have been discussing repeating a grade since we thought about it in sixth grade.
Thank you all for the responses!
You will be a soph next year. If you stayed where you are would you start on varsity? What size high school? What league? You said you might change travel programs. Are you being recruited away to a better program?
I have a good chance of starting on varsity. I play in a d1 top three Massachusetts high school.
Baseballcomesthird posted:I have a good chance of starting on varsity. I play in a d1 top three Massachusetts high school.
So your high school played Super Eights? Top 3? St Johns Shresbury, St Johns Prep, Central Catholic? If so, you really don't need to be playing anywhere else. There are several Super Eight players moving on to big time college baseball. A BC High pitcher is currently on the 18u Team USA.
Note for others: Super Eights is the top eight teams regardless of size classification.
I meant to say too 3 baseball conference, not top 3. My bad.
Don't do it just for baseball. If he is a real prospect he will make it anyway and if not he won't make it even a year later.
Don't forget that the additional growth can help but is also considered into projection by scouts.
If it helps him emotionally and academically it can make sense but even then there is a cost. The kid will enter work a year later and you have to feed him a year longer (which is probably almost as expensive as a year of college).
So if he really needs it academically it can make sense but if his grades are already good it probably doesn't make much sense since baseball scholarships are usually not that great either.
No,no,no, no, and no. Keep playing the game, if the interest you are looking for doesn't come, use Juco with a solid baseball program as an option for your first year.
FYI, being older in your class isn't what impresses coaches and makes you a better athlete.
If your decision is for better grades, then that's much more important.
JMO
CD I will never get tired of hearing that story. I didn't know you or your son at that time but I kept up with Coastal because I knew your son's knucklehead room mate very well. And I knew Coastal's coaches very well. That is an awesome story and I love to hear it.
Sounds to me like you are less interested in becoming a college player and more interested in becoming a pro player.That is what I hear when you say you are reclassifying in high school to play baseball at a higher level. Sounds like you are playing at a level that should get you D1 attention but you arent satisfied with your present trajectory, you aspire for more. Your wish is to be a pro player and an extra year will make you a better prospect. Maybe improve your draft stock or even get you into the draft right out of high school. I know plenty of guys that have done that for basketball and baseball. Nothing wrong with it. Sounds like you have already made up your mind about transferring to play in Fla as well. I wish you the best of luck. Keep us posted please
If draft is what the player is striving for, spend money on a FL JUCO. Some are better than D1 programs and scouts are always around.
Being 30 something round pick out of HS is not what your goal should be.
Piggybacking on TPM a bit, a college friend of my son took a gap year at a boarding school out of HS. I do not know the reasons for the gap year, but he landed at a top academic D1 to play baseball. He got all sorts of awards during his college career and he was disappointed that he didn't get drafted after his junior year. With more awards and good stats his senior year, he gets drafted. But, now he is 2 years older than than the college juniors that were drafted and MANY years older than the foreign players and high schoolers that were drafted. He saw the writing on the wall and played only one summer. (But he did fulfill his dream to play pro ball).
I am realizing that being older in the lower levels of pro ball is not particularly a good thing.
nxt lvl posted:Sounds to me like you are less interested in becoming a college player and more interested in becoming a pro player.That is what I hear when you say you are reclassifying in high school to play baseball at a higher level. Sounds like you are playing at a level that should get you D1 attention but you arent satisfied with your present trajectory, you aspire for more. Your wish is to be a pro player and an extra year will make you a better prospect. Maybe improve your draft stock or even get you into the draft right out of high school. I know plenty of guys that have done that for basketball and baseball. Nothing wrong with it. Sounds like you have already made up your mind about transferring to play in Fla as well. I wish you the best of luck. Keep us posted please
For a pro prospect it is actually better to be younger, rutherford dropped in the draft because he was old for a hs guy.
For college being older might be a slight advantage because it is less about projection and more about what you can do now.
BCT seems to be thinking about repeating a grade because he is a young 2020. He gave his size and stats on another thread -- runs a 7.3 or so, throws from the OF in the 70's and exit velo was not yet high enough to warrant repeating a grade for MLB draft reasons. Maybe he will get there, but the repeating question seems to be more about HS.
I've had one on the younger side and one on the older side, and IMHO it all evens out by 11th...the differences are much more noticeable in 8/9/10
Sorry for being very late to this thread...
There's been a lot of very good comments here. My oldest did a PG year in Florida and as I've posted numerous times, we would do things very differently if we could do it over.
I've seen dozens, maybe hundreds, of young men do a PG year for baseball. Generally, it's a waste of time and money. Most players are simply older after a PG year, not better. Particularly those young men, like BCT, who will already be 18 as a graduating HS Senior.
There's plenty of baseball and academic development that BCT can do between now and HS Senior year to make himself a better ballplayer and student. And then much more "marketable" to colleges.
I've see PG years be positive, as others have noted, at more traditional day and boarding schools where there's a college prep curriculum, variety of sports and other extracurricular activities, robust college counseling, and student work assignments (yes, working on campus as a requirement).
Some kids are very young for their grade. Some kids need academic improvement. Some kids can benefit from a transition year away from home but still in primarily an academic environment.
Doing a "gap year" is also something that might make sense. Again, not just for baseball. Work to make money. Volunteer. Take a couple college courses. Live at home and eat meals with your family. Worship if your family does so. Enhance your SAT/ACT scores. Complete college applications. And do some baseball and conditioning training. Play games...there's a surprising number of adult/alternative/summer/fall/winter leagues around the country.
Just my opinion based on my family's experience and seeing many other young men go down this path.