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19 replies

serious dilemma....

WP wisconsin pitcher10+ posts
hi everybody, im recently a registered member of the board, but ive been a guest for quite some time now, i just decided to use the help for a category previously left untouched (for the most part.) i decided on this because the choice is driving me nuts.

i'm an 05 rhp, and i have been getting serious interest from a lot of dII and d3 schools throughout the midwest, not many scollys from dI (mostly walk-on requests), but the dIIs have a lot of money on the table, and the schools are baseball powerhouses. however, the schools are not what you would consider academic think-tanks, and im ranked in the top 10 PEOPLE in my class of 400, and would like to get a good job after college and most definitely go to grad school.

now to my dillemma, i currently throw around 82, but I am as scrawny as a rail and have never touched a weight in my life. it is probably because of this that i am attractive to coaches, and have been promised to throw an extra 6-7 mph with weight training and hard-work, speed necessary to make it to the pros. Now, the academic school i really want to go to (love the campus, has my major ranked real high on their schools rep) but they dont have a baseball team (its university of wisconsin). they do however, have a club team, but college and hopefully pro baseball has always been a dream of mine, and it may happen, but not through club. also, similar to many on the board, im not ready to give up baseball in my young age, and club teams play only about 20 games (less than i do in high school).

thanks for taking the time to read the autobiography of my life Smile, and any suggestions on what i should do would be appreciated: weak academics fine baseball and ample funding, or top notch academics, and club baseball. thank you
Last edited {1}
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L lafmom5,000+ posts
Wisconsin, Welcome. First of all, I'm sure you'll get some advice from folks much more knowledgeable than I.

However, as the parent of an '05, I have come to recognize that no one can really suggest what is best for you. You're at an age now where you're going to have to make the choice (with some guidance from parents). The "perfect fit" is very different for each person.

But, here's my personal opinion on your situation. It sounds like you haven't found the "perfect fit" for yourself. There are plenty of D2-D3 schools out there that have a good mix of academics and good ball. Maybe you should keep exploring possibilities. Have you contacted any of these schools? Why don't you tell us why major you're looking at as well as location of schools and maybe someone can make some recommendations for you. Good luck buddy!
FungoFungoHighly Regarded and Beloved Old Timer
wisconsin pitcher,
I’m sure you will get a lot of suggestions but you and I both know YOU have to make the call! I admire you desire to better yourself academically and appreciate your desire to continue playing baseball and I personally feel as if you can do both. In order for one to get a “good” job you do not have to attend an “academic think-tank”. An education is not something that is accomplished in four years and is not necessarily guaranteed with a diploma from a prestigious college. Besides, if you were to look at the resumes of what one would consider successful, highly educated people, you would see that many started their education at less prominent schools and progressed on to get their degree from a more prestigious university. May I suggest you focus on PREPARING yourself for a good education? I think this can be done at those DII or DIII schools that are recruiting you for baseball. If you dedicate yourself to baseball and academics, these colleges are more than adequate to open doors allowing you to move on to bigger and better things. You will also have a better understanding of what it takes to succeed athletically, in the classroom, and in the workplace. Best of luck to you.
Fungo
B BigWI1,000+ posts
Wisconsin Pitcher,

I too am from Wisconsin and have two sons who are pitchers, one an '03 and one an '05. You sound a heck of a lot like my '05 son

As the two previous poist indicate no one can make the call for you but I am willing wo walk you and your folks through the process that my sons and I took.

First question I will ask you is the same one I asked my '05 (and still waiting for an answer).

Which is more important, High Academic school or playing D1 BAseball. You need to answer that question ASAP. Also What do you want to major in.

Send me a PM or Email (check my profile and remove the _NO_SPAM_) with more Info about you Who you are, what part of the state etc. and we can talk about what we did for my 03 and are doing for my 05 and some of your options.

My 05 also wanted to go to UW but does not want to play club ball.
Last edited by BigWI
CM Coach May1,000+ posts
Welcome to the site. I will be frank and to the point. If I want to I can go back to college right now and Im 45 years old. But I can't go back and play college baseball. You have a chance to do something that very few have the chance to do or take advantage of. Its your call and it should be your call. But when your 45 you don't want to look in the mirror and say "I wonder?". Having regrets and wishing you could go back and do it over. You don't want that I know. If you truly love baseball play it as long as you can at the highest level you can. There are some outstanding D-2 D-3 schools academically. Go to Wisconsin for your post grad work. Just my opinion wanted to give you something to think about. Good luck
rz1rz15,000+ posts
Micdsguy,
How can you have a womens rowing team if a baseball team is eating up scholarships. Roll Eyes

They say they could not drum up fan support. Now, the Madison Mallards a summer team made up of college players in the Northwoods league averages 6500 a game for 30+ home dates.

But seriously, I work for the UW and at that time the Athletic department was in bad shape and title IX was the buzz word. Pat Richter, who was the Oscar Mayer CEO, and a baseball and football All American from WI had just been hired as the AD. He has said it was the hardest call he ever had to make, but it was a wise business move.

When my son was in HS, I had personal issues about this. Now as soph playing out of State I feel that he has grown because of his independent experiences. I'm sure we would have had blinders on during the recruiting process and the UW most likely would have been a no brainer, literally. Ryan was talented enough to have school choices that resulted in him having the opportunity to find the best fit. Regardless of how good the program would have been, it would have been hard to go elsewhere. End result, he's where he should be, and plays at home during the summer. Win/Win.
Last edited by rz1
rz1rz15,000+ posts
In defense of the crew team, they are nationally and internationally competitive. Many Olympic rowers have come from the program, and academically it's the top program by far on campus. The squad is much larger than a baseball team and is almost all privately funded. They host one of the prestigious regattas in the country, have good community support, and probably the best training facilities in the country, and from an economic stand point they use very little gas Smile.
Last edited by rz1
Moc1Moc1500+ posts
Wisconsin Pitcher, At the risk of being redundant, Fungo and Coach May have given you excellent advice in my opinion. You seem to be very much interested in playing baseball at
a higher level and you are correct about being "projectable" because of your frame. Many kids
mature and fill out later than others and good coaches and scouts are pretty good at predicting future abilities.

You do not want to look back and wonder if you could have done something in baseball. There are plenty of excellent DII schools that compete at the highest level as well as DIII's and
NAIA.

Good Luck!
S Savannah100+ posts
There are some great academic DII & DIII schools. Actually, most of the very good academic private schools are DIII. However, they cost big $$$$$$!!!

Go play baseball!!! Get in the weight room, mature a little and show what you can do. Do this with the idea of transfering. I know this seems like a life changing decision, but, it is not if you don't close the door to baseball. You can always transfer to U of W if baseball doesn't work out. You can't however, restart your baseball career (at least it is not likely you would).
M micdsguy1,000+ posts
quote:
Even if boxing was still an NCAA program, the PC correct folk that control Madison would have it run out of town.

I'm not quite that old, but know others who claim that was THE campus sport in the 40's & 50's.


OT: As I recall, NCAA college boxing was eliminated around 1960 immediately after the death of the Wisconsin team's popular captain. Only a small number of schools had teams by then. Maybe the service academies still do.

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