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9 replies

Soon to be College Student with TJ. Any advice helps

G graysol39Member
So i am recent high school grad, going on to school at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Ca. I have had two surgeries now. In June of 2011 i had a calcium buildup that had to be microscopically shaved off. A very minor procedure. Came back strong but tore my UCL playing in high school of 2012. I still played through the year and had TJ in June 2012. I am currently rehabbing, hoping to gain my abilities on the mound again. I also would like to play at Pepperdine, but competition is tough and there are not a lot of spots. I have already spoke with the coach and we will continue talking when I arrive on campus. But tryouts are in September, and if i can't make the team I can't continue to rehab on campus. My goal is to baseball at Pepperdine. Any advice? Tips? I understand that I won't be able to show my abilities for quite sometime, but in order to continue to rehab on campus with some great therapists and tools, i must be a student-athlete. So any advice what I should do?
6'6 225lbs Before TJ 4seam: 88-91 2seam: 86-90 Slider: 83-87 Splitter: 77-81
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CPLZCPLZ1,000+ posts
First,
Understand that the moment you take your first class there, your 5 year clock starts.

Second,
There is no way you will be ready to make the team this year. Being cleared to start playing again and regaining your previous velocity and abilities are two completely different things.

If you were my son and baseball were VERY (I stress that word because if it's not very important, I wouldn't give the same advice) important, I would advise you to grey shirt. Attend a JC or local college with 11 credits or less each semester so that your 5 year clock doesn't start ticking. Then,after you have fully rehabbed and regained form, start at Pepperdine and try out.

Best of luck,

Chip Porter
fenwaysouthfenwaysouth10,000+ posts
graysol39,

I think CPLZ has given you great advice. First determine what is most important to you. If you want to get drafted or play baseball professionally then I think the JUCO path he has laid out makes a lot of sense. Basically, you are delaying the start of that 5 year eligibility clock. If your education is the most important then you go to Pepperdine but understand your 5 year eligibility clock will start. With either scenario, you'll need to work with your own orthopedists and PTs to rehab which costs money. So, I'd factor in the rehab costs into the overall budget as well.

Good luck!
Last edited by fenwaysouth
CollegeParentNoMoreCollegeParentNoMore1,000+ posts
w/o seeing you play and assuming the coach did not recruit you, your biggest problem would be making the team even if you were healthy. One advantage you would have at Pepperdine is that the school is expensive so not as many kids go there with the hope of making the team as they do at public schools.

RE: the JC route Pepperdine does recruit JC players in SoCal, not sure how hard they try for out of state JC players.
G graysol39Member
I have about an 85% academic scholarship and covered another 5% with local scholarships. Although I agree that in ten years the diploma is typically all the same and that actually job experience matters highly I believe that the degree helps a great deal initially to get in the position i wish to see myself in the working industry. But after my schooling I wish to follow in my uncle's footsteps and be drafted. Hopefully the rehab goes well and I am able to come back with full strength. Actually saw the elbow specialist/surgeon today and she wants me to start my throwing program in late October/early November. I'm glad to here that!!
CPLZCPLZ1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Dad04:
...but don't major in baseball. Good luck rehabbing.


That's valuable information regarding the level of scholarship you are being offered, and certainly changes the advice giving landscape drastically.

My advice to my son would change based on this new information also, and it would be, to go to Pepperdine and be a student first, which you've obviously developed some skill at also, and let baseball come to you, or not, in its time. If you've really got what it takes to play there, you'll get 2 or 3 good seasons in after rehabbing, and at the same time realize the value of both the scholarship and the prestigious degree.

Some people may tell you that 10 years down the road that degree won't matter, but that's not true...you'll still have graduated from Pepperdine and no one can take that away from you...and others will know as well.
Last edited by CPLZ

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