I noticed where an Air Force Academy kid was doing quite well in the GCL. I didn't think those guys could get out of their committment unless they were inordinately tall or otherwise had a special circumstance etc. --- anyone know?
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I'd say being drafted counts as a special circumstance. 
With respect, JW, I doubt a young man who didn't get a place at the service academy and wanted a career in the armed forces would agree with you.
AcademyDad has a thread going in the General section about his son and the GCL.
AcademyDad has a thread going in the General section about his son and the GCL.
quote:I noticed where an Air Force Academy kid was doing quite well in the GCL. I didn't think those guys could get out of their committment
Officer Karl Bolt, Is stationed in Tampa.
Still Fulfilling his commitment to the Armed Forces at this time.
Orlando with respect, Do you think of the Thousands of Cadets that are out there.
That Officer Bolt took that Oppurtunity away from said young man.
Also Officer Bolt could do more for Moral and Honer being an Officer in the MLB, Then anything he could do Stationed over sea's. JMHO.
EH
quote:Originally posted by J.Weaver #5:
I'd say being drafted counts as a special circumstance.
Getting drafted is wonderful, but IMO, there are many things in life much more important than playing baseball.
EH, Orlando brings up a good point.
Of course there are things more important, but it would still count as a special circumstance, in my opinion.
Apparently the school felt the same way?
Apparently the school felt the same way?
TPM, Yes Orlando bring's up a good point.
Just not with this Young Gentlemen.
How many Cadets Fail, Or Get in trouble with Academic's.
Those cadets took a spot from somebody deserving a spot.
Like I said Officer Bolt is still fulfilling his commitment.
Not only that But if Ordered anywhere in the World.
Officer Bolt would Be there, No questions asked.
With No Regrets, It would be his Honer to serve as he is now.
JMHO.
EH
Just not with this Young Gentlemen.
How many Cadets Fail, Or Get in trouble with Academic's.
Those cadets took a spot from somebody deserving a spot.
Like I said Officer Bolt is still fulfilling his commitment.
Not only that But if Ordered anywhere in the World.
Officer Bolt would Be there, No questions asked.
With No Regrets, It would be his Honer to serve as he is now.
JMHO.
EH
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Sadly, I think the aspect that gets lost in this story is the fact that the young man has no intention of not fully fulfilling and honoring his military comittment in WHATEVER capacity that his superiors choose, and whenever and wherever they choose. So far his only "crime" is that he took his responsibility to win ballgames for the Air Force Academy too seriously, worked too hard, got too good and in the process gave himself and the military too many options. Sad when that is considered the WRONG thing to do.
Sadly if those who pass judgement knew him they would understand the situation better. I have known him peripherally for a few years and he is honorable, comitted and about as fine a young man as you will EVER, EVER meet on any level you choose. I think without knowing him and his family you cannot understand what a fine representative he is of the military and of us, and how much he values and takes his position seriously as does his family. I can assure you that he is not looking for "a way out." I can assure you that he is the not the selfish me first athlete that he is made out to be by some and that we are so accustomed to seeing. There are many ways to serve your contry, Might it just be that he can do 100 times more good as a semi-public figure representing the military than he ever could handling logistics?.
I assure you that he will serve, and he will serve with great distinction. The question is when, where, and in what capacity or package of capacities the military, not you, not me, sees best for him. He was brought into the academy in part because is athletically gifted and he was offered the opportunity to see how far that gift will take him, and in this capacity has given the military this option and this profile. So far all he has done is ask, and his superiors so far have agreed that it is in the best interest of their departments to let his baseball progress.
It will continue to be up to his superiors to decide if he is of more use to the nation in the "David Robinson" mode, or some other. That is their choice. He is not a villian for working hard, following his God given talent and giving his superiors that that option. I respectfully submit that where he can be best ultilzed is best left to those who make those decisions.
I only wish those who pass judgement on him knew him personally. As I've said his only crime is giving the military to many options.
I expected he would encounter resistence in the blather of sensationalist media, I had expected that he would be treated better here...
44
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Sadly, I think the aspect that gets lost in this story is the fact that the young man has no intention of not fully fulfilling and honoring his military comittment in WHATEVER capacity that his superiors choose, and whenever and wherever they choose. So far his only "crime" is that he took his responsibility to win ballgames for the Air Force Academy too seriously, worked too hard, got too good and in the process gave himself and the military too many options. Sad when that is considered the WRONG thing to do.
Sadly if those who pass judgement knew him they would understand the situation better. I have known him peripherally for a few years and he is honorable, comitted and about as fine a young man as you will EVER, EVER meet on any level you choose. I think without knowing him and his family you cannot understand what a fine representative he is of the military and of us, and how much he values and takes his position seriously as does his family. I can assure you that he is not looking for "a way out." I can assure you that he is the not the selfish me first athlete that he is made out to be by some and that we are so accustomed to seeing. There are many ways to serve your contry, Might it just be that he can do 100 times more good as a semi-public figure representing the military than he ever could handling logistics?.
I assure you that he will serve, and he will serve with great distinction. The question is when, where, and in what capacity or package of capacities the military, not you, not me, sees best for him. He was brought into the academy in part because is athletically gifted and he was offered the opportunity to see how far that gift will take him, and in this capacity has given the military this option and this profile. So far all he has done is ask, and his superiors so far have agreed that it is in the best interest of their departments to let his baseball progress.
It will continue to be up to his superiors to decide if he is of more use to the nation in the "David Robinson" mode, or some other. That is their choice. He is not a villian for working hard, following his God given talent and giving his superiors that that option. I respectfully submit that where he can be best ultilzed is best left to those who make those decisions.
I only wish those who pass judgement on him knew him personally. As I've said his only crime is giving the military to many options.
I expected he would encounter resistence in the blather of sensationalist media, I had expected that he would be treated better here...
44
.
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quote:Also Officer Bolt could do more for Moral and Honer being an Officer in the MLB, Then anything he could do Stationed over sea's. JMHO.
WOW! Now THAT is one heck of a statement! I'm sure that all of our service men and woman who are putting their lives on the line everyday overseas would be happy to know that they could be viewed as having more honor by playing baseball back in the USA than serving their country overseas!
To be clear, I do not know Officer Bolt or his family aside from what is written here on the HSBB site. Also, a huge congrats to him for being drafted by MLB. Hey, I'm a Philly gal myself...and Officer Bolt is one of MY guys now! I do not wish him anything but good luck, health and fortune in whatever direction his professional career takes him...whether on the baseball field or the military...or both!
However, to say that Mr. Bolt's contribution on the baseball field carries more honor and morale than anything he could do stationed overseas is a disservice to all of our fine men and women who have made that commitment and have put themselves in harms way in carrying out their duty. As much as we all love baseball, and it plays an important role in all of our lives on this sight...and regardless of political stances....I would think that most of us value and respect our servicemen and women and the sacrifices they make on our behalf. They deserve better than the above statement....JMO.
Considering Officer Bolt's commitment to the military and the type of young man so many have said he is...I would think that he himself would never place himself in the category of having more honor than his fellow soldiers either....regardless of WHERE he serves and in whatever capacity.
mrmom,
O44,
Just explained about as well as anybody could.
Great Testimonial Sir.
EH
quote:anyone know?
O44,
Just explained about as well as anybody could.
Great Testimonial Sir.
EH
luvbb,
You are correct in your Statement.
Although I did not mean it that way.
And there's know way that anything we do in baseball compare's to what are service member's are going thru with honor.
No arguement here.
EH
You are correct in your Statement.
Although I did not mean it that way.
And there's know way that anything we do in baseball compare's to what are service member's are going thru with honor.
No arguement here.
EH
Well said, luvbb.
We all love baseball here, but it is still a game and an entertainment at the professional level.
Being one of the 4100+ minor league ballplayers is about as semi-public as you can get. (As the 66er's fan t-shirt says --- 'all guts, no glory'.)
I'm not sure how observer44 thinks that the young man has been portrayed as a 'villain' here; observer certainly doth protest way too much.
I wonder if there would be such adamant support for the postponing of an armed forces career by a recent academy graduate in wartime if one was an American Idol finalist who wanted to pursue, instead, a singing career.
We all love baseball here, but it is still a game and an entertainment at the professional level.
Being one of the 4100+ minor league ballplayers is about as semi-public as you can get. (As the 66er's fan t-shirt says --- 'all guts, no glory'.)
I'm not sure how observer44 thinks that the young man has been portrayed as a 'villain' here; observer certainly doth protest way too much.
I wonder if there would be such adamant support for the postponing of an armed forces career by a recent academy graduate in wartime if one was an American Idol finalist who wanted to pursue, instead, a singing career.
Orlando, and luvbb.
I do understand where your coming from, And I'm not the one to make a statement.
I'm not articulate enough to explain??
And I'm not here to speak for anybody, These are my thought's and mine only.
Just please do not Question this young man's Character or his commitment to his Duty.
I'm proud of him.
As I hope his fellow Officer's and enlisted men are proud of him.
And if for some reason it boost's morale and fellow Service personal are Honored to have one of there own Represent them in some small capacity.
I feel thats a good thing.
It's just my opinion.
And I apologize if I did not convey my message clearly enough.
EH
I do understand where your coming from, And I'm not the one to make a statement.
I'm not articulate enough to explain??
And I'm not here to speak for anybody, These are my thought's and mine only.
Just please do not Question this young man's Character or his commitment to his Duty.
I'm proud of him.
As I hope his fellow Officer's and enlisted men are proud of him.
And if for some reason it boost's morale and fellow Service personal are Honored to have one of there own Represent them in some small capacity.
I feel thats a good thing.
It's just my opinion.
And I apologize if I did not convey my message clearly enough.
EH
playing MiLB .. very cool
Academy grad - Air Force Officer .. honor
some who see those career paths on the same level may well have precluded an intelligent discussion
I think we'll see things work thru and this young young man will be fine
and btw, I could not speak for the thoughts & intentions of my own children with the assurance O44/EH have on someone they've never met or "known peripherally"
what is known peripherally anyway?
Academy grad - Air Force Officer .. honor
some who see those career paths on the same level may well have precluded an intelligent discussion
I think we'll see things work thru and this young young man will be fine
and btw, I could not speak for the thoughts & intentions of my own children with the assurance O44/EH have on someone they've never met or "known peripherally"
what is known peripherally anyway?
quote:by Orlando: Being one of the 4100+ minor league ballplayers is about as semi-public as you can get
EH/44
I don't think that ANYONE ever questioned character or giving up total commitment or Bolt being portrayed as a villan, those statements are UNFAIR. Let's not get what's really important confused here, that's the point. We all know it takes a special person to be accepted into the service academies.
My reply was about JWeaver's comments. Baseball is a great game, and getting drafted is wonderful and cool but not a great honor. Serving your country is a great honor not playing baseball. In reality it is a job, just like serving your country is a job. One job certainly has a lot more appeal than the other, but one is a lot more important than the other, that's where some people have this issue confused. IMO.
Whatever the decision that will be made by his superiors will be in his best interest. But to suggest it is more important for him to play baseball now, well some may not agree and do not have to agree with that statement. As I said no one has ever questioned his character.
Let's bring our troops home so they can watch a baseball game while sitting in the stands. That would certainly boost morale.
JMO.
I don't think that ANYONE ever questioned character or giving up total commitment or Bolt being portrayed as a villan, those statements are UNFAIR. Let's not get what's really important confused here, that's the point. We all know it takes a special person to be accepted into the service academies.
My reply was about JWeaver's comments. Baseball is a great game, and getting drafted is wonderful and cool but not a great honor. Serving your country is a great honor not playing baseball. In reality it is a job, just like serving your country is a job. One job certainly has a lot more appeal than the other, but one is a lot more important than the other, that's where some people have this issue confused. IMO.
Whatever the decision that will be made by his superiors will be in his best interest. But to suggest it is more important for him to play baseball now, well some may not agree and do not have to agree with that statement. As I said no one has ever questioned his character.
Let's bring our troops home so they can watch a baseball game while sitting in the stands. That would certainly boost morale.
JMO.
quote:Just please do not Question this young man's Character or his commitment to his Duty.
If you re-read my post, you will clearly see that I did neither of the above, and actually made a point to state that in my post. What I DID do was question a statement posted by you. You have stated that your intent was not conveyed by the words you chose...I will take your word for that.
Bee
I never said I never met the young man.
And i'm sure that O44 has met Him also in a round about way?
Thats why i'm so Proud of him.
luvbb,
[qoute] You have stated that your intent was not conveyed by the words you chose...I will take your word for that.[/qoute] Thank You
EH
quote:and btw, I could not speak for the thoughts & intentions of my own children with the assurance O44/EH have on someone they've never met or "known peripherally"
I never said I never met the young man.
And i'm sure that O44 has met Him also in a round about way?
Thats why i'm so Proud of him.
luvbb,
[qoute] You have stated that your intent was not conveyed by the words you chose...I will take your word for that.[/qoute] Thank You
EH
EH/OB44
I admire you both for defending the player as an honorable young man.
It wasn't the issue and I do understand about how things become personal.
If anything was ever stated negative about any of our kids, or any kids, I would zap it in a NY minute.
I hope that you both realize this was about the game of baseball and the non importance of it compared to other things in life, not a hit on the player.
I hope this clears up any comments regarding passing judgement on the player, I don't think that was done here.
Besides, moms very seldom pass judgement on another person's son.
JMO.
I admire you both for defending the player as an honorable young man.
It wasn't the issue and I do understand about how things become personal.
If anything was ever stated negative about any of our kids, or any kids, I would zap it in a NY minute.
I hope that you both realize this was about the game of baseball and the non importance of it compared to other things in life, not a hit on the player.
I hope this clears up any comments regarding passing judgement on the player, I don't think that was done here.
Besides, moms very seldom pass judgement on another person's son.
JMO.
There are some implied indignations in this thread which I believe are perhaps unwarranted - whether you know the young man in question or not. Reading between the lines, it appears some are miffed that the young man may be wanting to have things both ways - get a supreme education for free and then renegotiate something else when the pro option becomes viable. The military academies want it both ways as well. Why do I say that? They could end all this alleged controversy by making it a policy that incoming cadet's must forgo any pro aspirations up front but they have not. I am guessing this would hurt their recruiting... let me explain...
To me the issue with the young man in question is not if he will fullfill his obligation but when (I believe this is what ob44 has been saying). Thus far, he is just asking to delay it till sometime in the future which seems reasonable to me. None of his comments (that I have seen in print) seem to indicate he thinks he is above anything or is trying to get out of anything but others may see it differently.
Here is the other side of it rather than just focusing on this one young man. He has 30 other teammates who were not drafted. If the Academy were to get rid of the ball team just to eliminate the possibility of a kid getting drafted someday, then maybe they would never have been able to attract those 30 other kids in the first place. Thus, it seems to me a small risk for them to take to allow those very few players to have a chance at pro ball IF that even ever happens. Karl is one of very few players in the history of the Air Force Academy to be drafted.
CPLZ's son is going to West Point and I am guessing (correct me if I am wrong Chip) may not be there if they would have nixed the pro option up front. I believe West Point allows pro prospects to buy out their obligation for cash which I believe is 200,000 or something like that. I realize some may have a problem with that policy but the service academy may consider it an acceptable risk since all the other players on the team will indeed become service members. It could be argued that the team is an effective recruiting tool for them (the academies) in spite of the possibility one or two every now and then will be drafted.
I suppose the other option is for the Academies to tell all their athletes that there is no pro option at the end of the rainbow. Either commit to the military or forget the Academy. I am guessing this is not a workable solution for them or otherwise that policy would already be in place.
To me the issue with the young man in question is not if he will fullfill his obligation but when (I believe this is what ob44 has been saying). Thus far, he is just asking to delay it till sometime in the future which seems reasonable to me. None of his comments (that I have seen in print) seem to indicate he thinks he is above anything or is trying to get out of anything but others may see it differently.
Here is the other side of it rather than just focusing on this one young man. He has 30 other teammates who were not drafted. If the Academy were to get rid of the ball team just to eliminate the possibility of a kid getting drafted someday, then maybe they would never have been able to attract those 30 other kids in the first place. Thus, it seems to me a small risk for them to take to allow those very few players to have a chance at pro ball IF that even ever happens. Karl is one of very few players in the history of the Air Force Academy to be drafted.
CPLZ's son is going to West Point and I am guessing (correct me if I am wrong Chip) may not be there if they would have nixed the pro option up front. I believe West Point allows pro prospects to buy out their obligation for cash which I believe is 200,000 or something like that. I realize some may have a problem with that policy but the service academy may consider it an acceptable risk since all the other players on the team will indeed become service members. It could be argued that the team is an effective recruiting tool for them (the academies) in spite of the possibility one or two every now and then will be drafted.
I suppose the other option is for the Academies to tell all their athletes that there is no pro option at the end of the rainbow. Either commit to the military or forget the Academy. I am guessing this is not a workable solution for them or otherwise that policy would already be in place.
I believe the service academies do have a policy in place for cadets who have the opportunity to play professional sports involving two years of active duty and a partial repayment of the cost of their education (to the tune of six figures). I believe this policy was put into place to deal with the very few cadets who develop professional sports potential. The academies have already offered a compromise.
But I do have faith that each year 4,000 quality candidates without professional sports aspirations could be found to fill the incoming places at the service academies.
Much has been made in discussions here before about commitment, questioning the ethics of hs players who verbally commit to one school but change their minds when the possibility of a better offer comes along or programs who fail to fulfill on promises made or even inferred by a player or their families. IMHO, a commitment to serve your country after having been given the benefit of an academy education is much more serious than the commitment to play for any given baseball program and should be held to the exacting standards of those institutions. Or even the standards discussed here before about the value and lesson of commitment.
The academic and physical standards for entry into the academies are high, as are the levels of training in both aspects. Just as the programs any of our sons improved them as players, the coaching and additional physical training geared to make them better and more fit officers involved in four years at a service academy makes their players better and stronger.
About a third of any entry class into one of the academies washes out before graduation for a variety of reasons. It is my understanding that no active duty commitment is incurred until the start of their third year giving, in the instance of a potential professional player, the opportunity to transfer to a civilian universtiy where that potential could be fully explored.
But I do have faith that each year 4,000 quality candidates without professional sports aspirations could be found to fill the incoming places at the service academies.
Much has been made in discussions here before about commitment, questioning the ethics of hs players who verbally commit to one school but change their minds when the possibility of a better offer comes along or programs who fail to fulfill on promises made or even inferred by a player or their families. IMHO, a commitment to serve your country after having been given the benefit of an academy education is much more serious than the commitment to play for any given baseball program and should be held to the exacting standards of those institutions. Or even the standards discussed here before about the value and lesson of commitment.
The academic and physical standards for entry into the academies are high, as are the levels of training in both aspects. Just as the programs any of our sons improved them as players, the coaching and additional physical training geared to make them better and more fit officers involved in four years at a service academy makes their players better and stronger.
About a third of any entry class into one of the academies washes out before graduation for a variety of reasons. It is my understanding that no active duty commitment is incurred until the start of their third year giving, in the instance of a potential professional player, the opportunity to transfer to a civilian universtiy where that potential could be fully explored.
