Son shouldn't pass up this opportunity right?

It's a little complicated.  He's taken some online courses over previous summers, and he's in an advanced math program where he started HS algebra in 7th grade.  So at this point he only has 6 more credits required to graduate. Although he still has to take 2 years of english, which would be his only required class his Sr year if he doesn't opt to take english 4 over the summer.

 

He wants to take dual enrollment courses over this summer which would give him a couple classes less to take towards his undergrad degree.  It's free to boot.

 

The program he may or may not get into (lottery slots), would start next fall. It's based on a college campus. He would take one semester of classes that would fulfil his HS requirements for graduation, then he would start the next semester as a college freshman.  He would graduate "high school" in 2017, but would be graduating with his AA along with his HS diploma.

Does this program based on a college campus have a baseball program?  Or would he still be able to play for his HS team while he attends classes at this program?  You are right, it is a little complicated.  Essentially, he would stop attending classes at his HS after this year, correct?  The other question you may have to have answered is would attending this program count towards NCAA eligibility years?  

 

Sounds like you have A LOT to think about.  Way more than the average HS parent.

How did Pedroia get in this thread?

  bbscout, who has a thread named in his honor on the HSBBW, scouted Pedroia in high school and absolutely loved him, from his many posts on this site.  Pedroia went to the Area Code games after his junior year and turned heads and was signed by ASU, where he went as a freshman and ended up winning his position battle which led to Ian Kinsler transferring.

Pedroia was a talent and fierce competitor with a love for the game coming out of HS, but not the type bbscout could get his organization to take a chance on with the draft out of HS, if I remember his posting correctly.

dave, I don't think Pedroia ever went to a JC.

 

Seems to me that you have a very gifted son. Sounds like he has a lot going for him other than baseball and knows what he wants to do (good for him) and you want something else (not good for you).
Rob,
Let him choose his own path. You habe got to step back, he sounds much more mature than most kids his age. You should be proud of these accomplishments.

My son couldn't pass up playing a single summer. I don't know what i'd do if he had this dilemma...probably weigh the pros-cons and let him decide after we talked it out. If he was resigned to work and take classes previously, then he may already be out the door and really not interested, regardless of the opportunity. Best of luck to you, i know it has to be hard see him potentially pass it up but in the end, he may not be in love with the game. Many kids have baseball end for them before ending it for themselves....at least it's on his terms this summer.

I thinks some are missing an important point. Does graduating HS at the same time as earning an AA interfere with eligibility?

People usually regret the things they didn't do, more than the things they did!  Good Luck with your decision.

A lot of good things to think about in this thread.

 

After thinking about it for a day, son has decided he will play this summer.  For now he's going to see how the calendar looks to decide on taking summer classes.

 

I asked him what his reasoning was, and basically he said he wants to see if he really is good enough to play in college.  He thinks that he can get a good feel for that over the summer.  I think it comes down to the fact that he has never seen himself as a college level player, so the concept of not playing in college wasn't really a big thing to him.

 

As to the college program he is trying to get into - Basically it is a high school within a college.  Technically, it is a high school.  The students are classified as high school students - even though they are taking college courses on a college campus.  We investigated the NCAA issue, and learned that there are no eligibility issues as long as the students are still enrolled in "high school".  It's treated the same as kids taking dual enrollment classes.

 

The downside is that the "school" doesn't have any athletic programs - and very little extra curricular activity outside of some academic competition teams.  My son could still play for his current school, but he would need a waiver from the school board. Although it may not be practical depending on class schedules and such.

 

 

Bravo.  Good luck.  Very interesting thread with lots of good thoughts/advice on both sides; as was said, there really wasn't a wrong path to take.  Lots of folks with good advice.  Please keep us posted with updates.  Not a big surprise to those of us here that he decided to play this summer.  After all, he is a kid.  Baseball is a game.  Kids like to play. Baseball is fun.  Kids like to have fun!

TPM:

I shouldn't affect his eligibility.  My son is doing the exact same-graduate in May with HS diploma and AA from local JUCO with 65sem hrs of college credit.  He still has 4yrs of eligibility in college.

I'm really glad you feel that way.  Lots of perspectives and experiences were offered.  I love your son's reasoning....he wants to see if he is good enough for college. Frankly, it is a great reason.  Good luck!

"The coach tells me that he's running a 16U team this summer, and would like my son to play for him.  The team is sponsored by a group of scouts, so there is no cost. "

 

This is a general question for the group but may have impact on your specific situation.  When a team like this is formed and there are "Sponsors" underwriting the cost of participation what are the guidelines? Could they pay for things like equipment, travel, food etc.and most important is there a risk of losing amateur status?  I would hate to see the opportunity to enter college affected by acceptance of what appears a great offer.

Its ok as long as this is what's done for everyone.

 

By eligibility I meant how many years will the player have left if he does attend classes on a college campus?

 

I had a dialog conversation with Rob and all I can say is WOW.  His son doesn't need baseball to get into school, he knows what he wants to do with his life.