JD,
I don't agree with you
, the championship roster has nothing to do with the regular roster, only that the NCAA is cheap and doesn't want to pay for more than necessary in post season.
Rather, one set number makes it fair for all sides with the same number on each for competition. It is up to the player to work towards that goal, just as our players will eventually be working toward the goal of being on an MLB roster.
It really doesn't have to be that difficult, schools technically do not need to have more show up than needed, most teams don't need more than 27-30 players, perhaps those that regularly go deep into post season want a few more, I just don't get, will never get why coaches over recruit. If the coaching staff does a good job getting who they feel is good for their program, you don't need more than that, but sometimes some get caught up in losing players and have to be prepared. Some schools do what they do because they get away with it, the players keep showing up, year after year, because of who they are.
I don't mean to get on workinghard, or anyone else, but sometimes we just want rules because we are from a society that feels that our kids should be able to do what they want when they want. IMO that all of the obstacles you have to overcome playing college ball prepares you for the obstacles you need to face in real life, and life isn't easy.
The purpose here at the HSBBW is to make those aware that this decision is most difficult, and everything possible should be considered. I don't think that walking on has ever been favored over other options. I certainly never thought it was a good option. As far as attending the dream school, if mine had gone to his, I think after a very short time he would not have been very happy. So I don't buy into the dream school stuff, I buy into finding the right fit, over all.
Look, we sent ours off when transfer rules were in effect for D1 players, we never considered this an option, make your decision because you felt this was a place you would be happy, the coaches were more than honest and up front, he was lucky, was he always 100% happy, no, would transfering make a better situation, no.
Everyone has different reasons for making decisions. Yes some rules stink, yet when it comes down to it, more players I know made good decisions and stuck with it, did what they had to keep their scholarship (stay clean and get good grades, what was required by the coaches).
The way to avoid this is to secure a scholarship (either bb or academic) so you do not have to try out in the fall, trying out is a whole lot different than showing up to try out. If my son secures a scholarship gives up other opportunities I do not expect him to try out in fall. I expect him to be on that 35 man roster come spring, if not the coach has been dishonest in the recruiting process. And there is a big difference between being a walk on for a program that has 35 showing up vs. 50. Know who you are dealing with and how they run their business.
There are many coaches who have screwed players, many players who have screwed coaches, either by transfering in the past, signed an NLI, transfered to JUCO to avoid 3 more years before the next draft or by deciding just a few days before class they were going to play pro ball. Now I am not going to say I agree or don't agree, but all of these problems need solutions, and until someone in the NCAA comes up with better ones, this is how it is going to be.