Good stuff here in this topic.
The right fit also includes going where you are wanted and feel comfortable that may include the weather, location, academics, fanbase, football program, coaching staff food in the cafeteria, female population, whatever. You can never find everything that you want, so you have to decide what is the most important. It's trying to fit all the pieces of the puzzle together and although you stress over how your family will know, he will know if you discuss all beforehand. And yes, most often you won't really know until a year or two down the line, but you also will know that you did the best in trying to figure out that puzzle the best you could with the tools you had to work with.
I know some players that gave up baseball because the school they wanted their degree at didn't recruit them. I know some who couldn't care where they went as long as they played baseball. It's up to your player to decide what's teh best route to take and that in turn would make it the right fit for him, but maybe not for someone else.
Where would my son go to college for an education if he wasn't a baseball player?
Either where he is at or a place that specializes in PGA club pro's in the south.
Well, up here, we have Herb Page, and British Open champ Ben Curtis, currently at the Ryder Cup, and the boy works/studies at the facility.
Is that a good fit so far? I don't know, but ask every ELITE team that lost to Fresno????
You see, individual talent and personal baseball goals exceed where one is "camped"
Either where he is at or a place that specializes in PGA club pro's in the south.
Well, up here, we have Herb Page, and British Open champ Ben Curtis, currently at the Ryder Cup, and the boy works/studies at the facility.
Is that a good fit so far? I don't know, but ask every ELITE team that lost to Fresno????
You see, individual talent and personal baseball goals exceed where one is "camped"
Sometimes on this site we throw around the "good fit" phrase because it "feels good", but without much thought. When do you know you really have a "good fit"?
I need a new pair of shoes, I go to the store and try some on, one pair looks cool, the pair I always wanted, I walk the carpet and they feel "ok" but I know I can break them in. I then turn to the salesman and say "this is a good fit" I'll take them. A week later I have a blisters the size of a half dollars on both feet and I can't take the shoes back.
Unfortunately if you swap a few words in the above scenario, that is the recruiting process for some student/athletes. I guess my only thought on this thread is that don't get caught in the "fluff" of your decision. What you see may not be what you get. Sit down with your kid and break it down using examples of experiences in your life where you might have jumped the gun because you were thinking "now" instead of looking at the expanded picture.
This is not a scare tactic, rather a heads up for families that are experiencing this for the first time. Remember that first car you bought, you thought it was the cats meow, but after you drove it a while you found out you may have not done all your homework and there was a better deals out there if you would have looked deeper.
My son came home last week with diploma in hand, and said with a big grin, "That school choice work out, didn't it".
It took 4.5 years, but now I can say for certain it was a "good fit".
I need a new pair of shoes, I go to the store and try some on, one pair looks cool, the pair I always wanted, I walk the carpet and they feel "ok" but I know I can break them in. I then turn to the salesman and say "this is a good fit" I'll take them. A week later I have a blisters the size of a half dollars on both feet and I can't take the shoes back.
Unfortunately if you swap a few words in the above scenario, that is the recruiting process for some student/athletes. I guess my only thought on this thread is that don't get caught in the "fluff" of your decision. What you see may not be what you get. Sit down with your kid and break it down using examples of experiences in your life where you might have jumped the gun because you were thinking "now" instead of looking at the expanded picture.
This is not a scare tactic, rather a heads up for families that are experiencing this for the first time. Remember that first car you bought, you thought it was the cats meow, but after you drove it a while you found out you may have not done all your homework and there was a better deals out there if you would have looked deeper.
My son came home last week with diploma in hand, and said with a big grin, "That school choice work out, didn't it".
It took 4.5 years, but now I can say for certain it was a "good fit".
rz1,
congrats on the young mans degree!!!!!
My son told me he was happy last night with his decision to go to a JC.He discussed his feelings about it and told me it was the right decision but that there were things he didnt like about it as well. But for the most part at this time hes happy. I guess we are really back to square one with recruiting as he will be back looking in two years granting he makes the team.
I think not everyone finds the perfect fit in all areas. I just want my son to feel content for the most part, like the guys hes playing with, the coaches, likes the school, professors, etc but there will be bad days for all of them no mater where they are just as there are for all of us. Thats part of growing up.
congrats on the young mans degree!!!!!
My son told me he was happy last night with his decision to go to a JC.He discussed his feelings about it and told me it was the right decision but that there were things he didnt like about it as well. But for the most part at this time hes happy. I guess we are really back to square one with recruiting as he will be back looking in two years granting he makes the team.
I think not everyone finds the perfect fit in all areas. I just want my son to feel content for the most part, like the guys hes playing with, the coaches, likes the school, professors, etc but there will be bad days for all of them no mater where they are just as there are for all of us. Thats part of growing up.
quote:I think not everyone finds the perfect fit in all areas.
I guess when you think about it there's always pros and cons with every decision. Not everything is black and white. As the Counting Crows song goes, my favorite color is a "shade of grey"
#1, #2, and #3 - The integrity and character of the Head Coach.
#4 - Prestigious institution well known for high academia.
#5 - Location, location, location
#6 - Has a football team! Saturday afternoon fun!
#7 - Chance to play early.
#8 - Just far enough away from home. Did I say location?
#4 - Prestigious institution well known for high academia.
#5 - Location, location, location
#6 - Has a football team! Saturday afternoon fun!
#7 - Chance to play early.
#8 - Just far enough away from home. Did I say location?
My view is that there were at least 50 colleges or more that my son would love to play at. We didn't over do the analitical analysis. How can you get a valid conclusion when you are dealing with what you think you know and not facts. The education,the location and a few other facts are the only thing you really know. You think you know things like the coaches, the team and how you will fit in. If you look at college rosters over a few years you will see most if not all have tremendous changes. Coaches leave, players leave and so many variables.
Location was our number 1 concern. It is a constant. Other things that were important have changed in the 3 years my son has been at college.
After 3 years my son has seen colleges that he loved to play at. He loved College of Charleston. There coach just left to coach Auburn. He had a very successful program but saw an opportunity. Anyone who researches the college scene will see that changes are always occurring and these changes can affect the decision that you laboured over to make.
The coach that made you all those promises can be gone in a puff of smoke and a Hi Ho Silver.
Location was our number 1 concern. It is a constant. Other things that were important have changed in the 3 years my son has been at college.
After 3 years my son has seen colleges that he loved to play at. He loved College of Charleston. There coach just left to coach Auburn. He had a very successful program but saw an opportunity. Anyone who researches the college scene will see that changes are always occurring and these changes can affect the decision that you laboured over to make.
The coach that made you all those promises can be gone in a puff of smoke and a Hi Ho Silver.
Ah good point BHD and my point exactly. We told son that who was his coach was important, but that could and can change from year to year, so make sure there are many other things that make you happy as well.
I just have to say
, when I hear someone state that their son chose the school for baseball only.
I just have to say
, when I hear someone state that their son chose the school for baseball only.
Over the last 4-5 years I have followed some 500 college ball players from Canada. I knew several personally and others just by reputation. I can tell you that many do not get past 2 years. I listen to stories of bitterness and disappointment from the ones I do know. Most left with great expectations , after all, they were the studs on their teams. Mnay were great ball players but for a multitude of reasons they come home with their dreams cut short. the biggest reason is lack of playing time and financial. Many are cut, many by a new coaching staff. Many from injury and disolutionment.
I also find it scary that peolpe don't see the big picture. I didn't see it either except for the fact that I knew so many players who talked to me about their experiences both good and bad.
I am going to a ball game at 2:00 pm today in Buffalo. A Canadian college team is playing a D1 team in the area. The Canadian team has several ex US players on it and has always had several over the years. A couple of them I have know for years and they had great experiences for the most part but there were some bad dips along the way.
I is important to have guared optimizm when dealing with college sports. Get signed to a college is great but be prepared for the ups and downs
I also find it scary that peolpe don't see the big picture. I didn't see it either except for the fact that I knew so many players who talked to me about their experiences both good and bad.
I am going to a ball game at 2:00 pm today in Buffalo. A Canadian college team is playing a D1 team in the area. The Canadian team has several ex US players on it and has always had several over the years. A couple of them I have know for years and they had great experiences for the most part but there were some bad dips along the way.
I is important to have guared optimizm when dealing with college sports. Get signed to a college is great but be prepared for the ups and downs
quote:Originally posted by TPM:
I just have to say
I agree that I feel the same at times
However, many times the statement son chose the school for baseball only may be a somewhat simplistic statement that has more behind it. The longer I've been on this site the more convinced that many parents who post have kids who have had more college options. As a result they bring secondary criteria and a number of options that may not apply to all players situations.
Sometimes a player may only have one option to play baseball and go to school thus son chose the school for baseball only
Maybe the answer is so simple that a "good fit" is where the player is happy, content, and getting an education. Regardless if they did choose the school for baseball reasons only, whether they admit or not, they are getting an education and that is the biggest part of the equation because baseball as a career after college is a longshot and the real prize is a degree.
So if it was for baseball only, GREAT, because if it wasn't for baseball they may not have pursued college at all.
There are many reasons why people do what they do, but if you have an opportunity to have a few options, choose where you think you will be happy, not just in baseball. Take away the fluff as you mentioned and consider all aspects if baseball doesn't work out. JMO. I ma not talking aobut those that have had situations that would limit their opportunities (injury, grades, financial hardships).
There is a parent who wrote to me that their son was offered more scholarship opportunities than the school he chose, only because if things didn't work out he would be happy at the school. Those are the things I am talking about. Now more than ever, with new tranfer rules, you have to consider more than the baseball program. JMO.
I think that you were aware of what I meant, but have further explained for clarification.
There is a parent who wrote to me that their son was offered more scholarship opportunities than the school he chose, only because if things didn't work out he would be happy at the school. Those are the things I am talking about. Now more than ever, with new tranfer rules, you have to consider more than the baseball program. JMO.
I think that you were aware of what I meant, but have further explained for clarification.
Another aspect---why is it the parents email on forms and not the players?
Son picked college for baseball. IF he wasn't playing, he might be happier somewhere else, but he could cross that bridge...they don't have academic "sit-out" rules and if his playing days were over, he would naturally seek a school that represented his interests, as he did when he chose his current university for baseball.
TRhit-
I am confused. What forms are you referring to?
If it is college apps, questionaires, etc. maybe we are a focus group of one, but my son's email was the only contact info (and our home #) on all of them.
If you were referring to something else, could you clarify?
I am confused. What forms are you referring to?
If it is college apps, questionaires, etc. maybe we are a focus group of one, but my son's email was the only contact info (and our home #) on all of them.
If you were referring to something else, could you clarify?
On most of the info forms we receive it has the parents email not the players---you email back and you are communicating with the parent not the player
TRhit-
I guess we were in the minority.
Fully agree with you that player's email should be on ALL forms (college apps, recruit questionaires).
When my son was younger he had a pretty goofy, tacky screen name/email address. One thing we did force him to do was to change it to reflect his name. Wanted to make sure his initial impression with coaches, college admissions people was a positive one.
I guess we were in the minority.
Fully agree with you that player's email should be on ALL forms (college apps, recruit questionaires).
When my son was younger he had a pretty goofy, tacky screen name/email address. One thing we did force him to do was to change it to reflect his name. Wanted to make sure his initial impression with coaches, college admissions people was a positive one.
jbbaseball
I have no problem with your thinking---as to me being in the minority I am not too sure about that but that does not even matter as long it worked for the player involved and it always has
I have no problem with your thinking---as to me being in the minority I am not too sure about that but that does not even matter as long it worked for the player involved and it always has
quote:So how about you, what made you decide it was the right fit for you as the parent.
Well, TPM's little dancers might sway a few, but this is what did it for me!
JBB,
Hey, how can one NOT want their son to go play at Standford.
It's so obvious, it's all about that TREE.
BTW, I agree with you and TR, players should use THEIR own email address.
Hey, how can one NOT want their son to go play at Standford.
It's so obvious, it's all about that TREE.
BTW, I agree with you and TR, players should use THEIR own email address.
I could not agree more that the absolute #1 factor in choosing a school/baseball program is THE INTEGRITY OF THE COACHING STAFF!! I don't care how good the academics are---or how 'big' the school name is --or the prestige that is associated with a baseball program---without solid human beings running the team---it's not worth the time and effort your son will put into it!
Anyone willing to elaborate on what a good coach with integrity would be? Or, What are things a son/parents would look for?
* Someone who keeps his word and follows through on any promises or commitments that he makes, even when it requires sacrifice on his part
* Someone who is honest in his assessment of your son during recruiting, highlighting not only your son's strengths but also areas in which he needs to improve
* Someone who does not promise the moon and then ends up delivering somewhat waaaaaay different
* Someone who leads by example and models exemplary behavior and speech
* Someone who has a good reputation with former and current players and parents
* Someone who is honest in his assessment of your son during recruiting, highlighting not only your son's strengths but also areas in which he needs to improve
* Someone who does not promise the moon and then ends up delivering somewhat waaaaaay different
* Someone who leads by example and models exemplary behavior and speech
* Someone who has a good reputation with former and current players and parents
bb10,
what a probative question! What a difficult one to answer.
I think Infield 08 outlines very solid points.
It is important to recognize that one size will not "fit all."
From where I sit, the most important would be a coach who is willing to make a commitment to your son based on your son working harder than he ever worked before, and then following through on that commitment, no matter what the sacrifice.
Where I also feel Infield 08 is very insightful and right on point is the reputation with former players.
If you see former players returning to coach, returning to watch the team play, returning on Alumni day, those are major hints this is a coach they respect.
They may not have loved that coach every minute of every day he was driving them to be the player they never knew they could be. But they respect those coaches because, looking in the rear view mirror, they know.
Finally, when you learn that coaches and former players stay connected and the coaches support the player when the player cannot do anything more for them on the field, those are traits you want in the coach for your son.
what a probative question! What a difficult one to answer.
I think Infield 08 outlines very solid points.
It is important to recognize that one size will not "fit all."
From where I sit, the most important would be a coach who is willing to make a commitment to your son based on your son working harder than he ever worked before, and then following through on that commitment, no matter what the sacrifice.
Where I also feel Infield 08 is very insightful and right on point is the reputation with former players.
If you see former players returning to coach, returning to watch the team play, returning on Alumni day, those are major hints this is a coach they respect.
They may not have loved that coach every minute of every day he was driving them to be the player they never knew they could be. But they respect those coaches because, looking in the rear view mirror, they know.
Finally, when you learn that coaches and former players stay connected and the coaches support the player when the player cannot do anything more for them on the field, those are traits you want in the coach for your son.
.
While I agree with the points presented about the importance and characteristics of a coach with integrity...and their critical role in fit...
Without any attempt to hijack the thread, I'd take a bit of a different view....
While a coach can be a great help...as players mature, at some point the player has to become bigger than the coach...and bigger than the program...while still being an interal and critical part of the "team".
Meaning that at some point a player has to take responsibility for his own destiny rather than leaving it in the hands of the good/bad coach or the level of the program, or anything else.
For those who rise, nothing stops their progress, not even poor coaches. Good coaches are a great tool, bad coaches are a nuisance. Players on the way up learn to adapt, adjust, learn to refuse to use coaches as an easy way out of self responsibility. As a result great players come from and rise from all sorts of programs and situations...it's character, it's maturity...not just coaches with integrity.
44
.
While I agree with the points presented about the importance and characteristics of a coach with integrity...and their critical role in fit...
Without any attempt to hijack the thread, I'd take a bit of a different view....
While a coach can be a great help...as players mature, at some point the player has to become bigger than the coach...and bigger than the program...while still being an interal and critical part of the "team".
Meaning that at some point a player has to take responsibility for his own destiny rather than leaving it in the hands of the good/bad coach or the level of the program, or anything else.
For those who rise, nothing stops their progress, not even poor coaches. Good coaches are a great tool, bad coaches are a nuisance. Players on the way up learn to adapt, adjust, learn to refuse to use coaches as an easy way out of self responsibility. As a result great players come from and rise from all sorts of programs and situations...it's character, it's maturity...not just coaches with integrity.
44.
Nice thread.. Will add to this later.. 