[QUOTE]
Wonder where his father fits into the equation? QUOTE]
Positive or judgemental?
1) FYI - He lost his dad when he was 4 years old and no, he does not have a male mentor. I've been a single mom who's dedicated my life to my two boys for the last 13 years.
Positive?
2) Insinuating that I did not see grades as important? I totally agree that grades are crucial; never said that they weren't. Community college is definitely an option.
"I've got him enrolled in SAT/ACT prep classes over the summer." Obviously you missed that part.
3) The original question was NOT whether I should spend the $$ on grades or the trip, and was answered by several who let me know that JUCO colleges AND pro scouts will be there; not just D1, D2, or D3 schools.
"You should know that many of the very best Junior Colleges in the country do recruit hard at the event you are referring to. Also the number of MLB scouts in attendance will amaze you. That includes many of the 30 MLB scouting directors and crosscheckers."
"Top JUCO's recruit out of state regularly as well out of the country. My son was offered by several jUCO's after Jupiter. To play in a top JUCO requires that your player be seen. If I could go to East Cobb or Juliter or Ft. Myers again with my son for a WWBA or BCS event, I would be all over it! Some of the best days of my life!"
4) "His school & HS Coach allowed him to play with a 1.4 GPA last year, 1.9 this year? That doesn't make sense to me..." WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH THE ORIGINAL QUESTION?
Again, obviously you missed the part that said he had a 2.6 this year. Of course he would not be allowed to play with a 1.4!
"You won't have many parents sharing their experiences and what they learned themselves if this becomes the norm."
Touche'. I love the site, but this is one mom who certainly learned her lesson and will not be posting again.
hartbr, Please read
1. If you are widowed, my condolences. I am too.
It would be good for your son to have a man to talk to about the issues of grades, his future, his goals, plans. An uncle, granddad, coach...I would have my kids write annual goals, & a plan on how to do it. Pros & Cons on school, sports, friends, etc.
2. Many of us don't understand leaving a child that is ADD/ADHD in Honors classes that "took his grades down last year". I gave the jr high "benefit of doubt" for 3-4 wks, then had him moved to regulars. Freshman year, admin again "hit him up". I moved him immediately. He needed to succeed at his level of ability, not for the sake of the school system numbers. It was definately a balancing act between too easy & too challenging, but it worked for him.
3. Original question is the same as the topic of the thread: Your first post in this thread..."I'm also having some serious second thoughts and I know you guys will give it to me straight. Should I bother to spend the $$ on a trip like this for a kid with a 2.6 CURRENT GPA, and a 1.8 CUMULATIVE GPA?"
In answer to your first post, most of the responses were take care "Academics first", which is "giving it to you straight". No one is going to make the decision for you, but since you admitted to having 2nd thoughts, posters & I agree that it is in your sons best interest to get the grades in order, as opposed to seeking exposure, with his set of circumstances. It's not necessarily either or...it is priorities. So, bottom line is, it doesn't matter what college or Juco sees him, if he doesn't or can't handle the classroom requirements, or if the school doesn't offer special helps for LD kids.
If you are in Maryland, why don't you look into the JUCO's recommended by BaseballmomCEP, from the 6'7 1/2" thread...She offered some excellent help.
Those few top ranked JUCO's want really good STUDENT-ATHLETES, not struggling students who are athletic. And, yes, pro scouts attend. You didn't indicate that you wanted him drafted. Is that what your son wants?
4. I stand corrected on the GPA. What GPA has to do with the "original question"...everything both threads have focused on...grades first & "if you should bother?". SAT/ACT prep can be very time consuming & challenging. Since he has struggled so, perhaps supplementing with qualified ADD tutors is appropriate.
HSBBWEB was started 14 yrs ago by Bob Howdeshell. There is much more to this site than the message boards. It's well worth it for you& especially your son to learn the in & outs of this roller coaster of a process.
From the main website, this page refers you to many outstanding articles on recruiting. http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/recruiting_tips.htm
This page has great articles written by College Coaches at all levels, including Juco's. http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/i...llege_interviews.htm
This page reveals the reality of playing College Ball. http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/inside_the_numbers.htm
This article is by Gregg Legg, one of the original posters. It's all important, but # 4, 5, & 8 are crucial. http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/legg_editorial.htm
There are also articles on the reality of Pro ball, the draft, what scout look for, etc.
There's so much more to learn.
Best of luck to your son.
1. If you are widowed, my condolences. I am too.
It would be good for your son to have a man to talk to about the issues of grades, his future, his goals, plans. An uncle, granddad, coach...I would have my kids write annual goals, & a plan on how to do it. Pros & Cons on school, sports, friends, etc.
2. Many of us don't understand leaving a child that is ADD/ADHD in Honors classes that "took his grades down last year". I gave the jr high "benefit of doubt" for 3-4 wks, then had him moved to regulars. Freshman year, admin again "hit him up". I moved him immediately. He needed to succeed at his level of ability, not for the sake of the school system numbers. It was definately a balancing act between too easy & too challenging, but it worked for him.
3. Original question is the same as the topic of the thread: Your first post in this thread..."I'm also having some serious second thoughts and I know you guys will give it to me straight. Should I bother to spend the $$ on a trip like this for a kid with a 2.6 CURRENT GPA, and a 1.8 CUMULATIVE GPA?"
In answer to your first post, most of the responses were take care "Academics first", which is "giving it to you straight". No one is going to make the decision for you, but since you admitted to having 2nd thoughts, posters & I agree that it is in your sons best interest to get the grades in order, as opposed to seeking exposure, with his set of circumstances. It's not necessarily either or...it is priorities. So, bottom line is, it doesn't matter what college or Juco sees him, if he doesn't or can't handle the classroom requirements, or if the school doesn't offer special helps for LD kids.
If you are in Maryland, why don't you look into the JUCO's recommended by BaseballmomCEP, from the 6'7 1/2" thread...She offered some excellent help.
Those few top ranked JUCO's want really good STUDENT-ATHLETES, not struggling students who are athletic. And, yes, pro scouts attend. You didn't indicate that you wanted him drafted. Is that what your son wants?
4. I stand corrected on the GPA. What GPA has to do with the "original question"...everything both threads have focused on...grades first & "if you should bother?". SAT/ACT prep can be very time consuming & challenging. Since he has struggled so, perhaps supplementing with qualified ADD tutors is appropriate.
HSBBWEB was started 14 yrs ago by Bob Howdeshell. There is much more to this site than the message boards. It's well worth it for you& especially your son to learn the in & outs of this roller coaster of a process.
From the main website, this page refers you to many outstanding articles on recruiting. http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/recruiting_tips.htm
This page has great articles written by College Coaches at all levels, including Juco's. http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/i...llege_interviews.htm
This page reveals the reality of playing College Ball. http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/inside_the_numbers.htm
This article is by Gregg Legg, one of the original posters. It's all important, but # 4, 5, & 8 are crucial. http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/legg_editorial.htm
There are also articles on the reality of Pro ball, the draft, what scout look for, etc.
There's so much more to learn.
Best of luck to your son.
quote:hartbreakerr
hartbreakerr- I think that many of us on this web site understand your situation, feel for you and your son. Many have offered you good advice without being judgemental to your situation. I really hope in time that you reconsider your statement that "this is one mom who certainly learned her lesson and will not be posting again". This site has many wonderful members who can provide you with good information from their experiences with their kids. When you post on here you do have to take the good with bad. It offers different perspectives and points of views and you can take away from it what you want.
We all have different kids with different challenges and there realy isn't a one size fits all fix for any of us. But getting losts of opionions will hopefully allow you to see many different possibilities for your son. I kind of look at posting on here like taking a one day seminar for business. Not everything applies to my job but there are several great takeaways that I can use to help me be more productive and successful.
In the three years I've been on here I've posted for advice and got alot of responses that I didn't want to hear. My 2013 has had issues where I've seeked advice on injury recovery, pitchers weight training, conditioning, playing football/fall baseball, loss of velocity, etc...some members are downright mean spirited. But most really want to help you. Don't let it get you down or discourage you just take it for what its worth. Good luck to you and your son!
I generally try and stay out of the academic stuff...but I agree with nearly every piece of advice given here, which brings me to this...
You could be including me in that comment, in which case I really don't care. But with regards to the others...sorry, but I don't see it that way at all. Sure, I've had my difficult days with nearly everyone on here, but these folks are nice people who tell you the straight scoop. They're not gonna stop to 'feed the beast' as the saying goes.
quote:..some members are downright mean spirited...
You could be including me in that comment, in which case I really don't care. But with regards to the others...sorry, but I don't see it that way at all. Sure, I've had my difficult days with nearly everyone on here, but these folks are nice people who tell you the straight scoop. They're not gonna stop to 'feed the beast' as the saying goes.
quote:Originally posted by johnj314:
In the three years I've been on here I've posted for advice and got alot of responses that I didn't want to hear. My 2013 has had issues where I've seeked advice on injury recovery, pitchers weight training, conditioning, playing football/fall baseball, loss of velocity, etc...some members are downright mean spirited. But most really want to help you. Don't let it get you down or discourage you just take it for what its worth. Good luck to you and your son!
Are they downright mean spirited or do they offer up tough love because they perhaps have seen their players go through things that you may think are made up and more prepared to tell it like it is because of the experience they have been through?
There's no better advice given here than from one mom to another who has had similar circumstances and offering up good advice. You may see it as mean spirited but I see it as some tough love. Her son went to a top D1 bb program (as well as academic) and drafted and a pitcher in AA ball.
Are you prepared to offer up better advice than someone who has been through it?
I'd listen to her before I would anyone else. It's frustrating, giving advice to others who really had their mind made up (that's ok) to begin with but then take offense to the advice given if it isn't in line with what they want to hear (not ok).
The best advice given here seems to come from those that rarely ever wore rose colored glasses as their sons progressed, they understand how it works, they understand the importance of being a complete person besides being a one dimensional bb jock, never complained about the coach being unfair, or that some other player got more time in than theirs (who was better), that they bragged that their kids were super studs and coaches dreams and never blamed anyone for their sons injuries or if they fell below the mendoza line in school work.
Those players of those parents far succeed most in how far they have gone in the game.
John, why would you suppose that is?
Hart, you have a PM from me.
Perhaps I did not phrase my question correctly. I wanted to know if there would be any benefits to taking my son (who does have poor grades) to the tournament? Yes, it is an expensive trip, but that is only a small part of the equation. Did I know what I was going to do? Probably. Does that mean that I can't solicit advice? What the heck? I wasn't asking for someone to tell me what to do, just get a few opinions. What I ended up with felt like everyone judging everything from my parenting skills to where my son's father was in the picture!! Really??
To those who offered their wisdom and experiences - thank you from the bottom of my heart.
To those who offered their wisdom and experiences - thank you from the bottom of my heart.
quote:To those who offered their wisdom and experiences - thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Truthfully...not sure you're gonna accept this(?)...but I think everyone did their level best to do just that.
You are very welcome!
quote:Originally posted by hartbreakerr:
Perhaps I did not phrase my question correctly. I wanted to know if there would be any benefits to taking my son (who does have poor grades) to the tournament? Yes, it is an expensive trip, but that is only a small part of the equation. Did I know what I was going to do? Probably. Does that mean that I can't solicit advice? What the heck? I wasn't asking for someone to tell me what to do, just get a few opinions. What I ended up with felt like everyone judging everything from my parenting skills to where my son's father was in the picture!! Really??
To those who offered their wisdom and experiences - thank you from the bottom of my heart.
My point of view is a little different. If you have the money, I would send him on the trip. There is more to it than just the baseball. There is the life experience, the friendships and the value of the adventure. Baseball opportunities I view as a bonus.
In regard to the grades, my experience has been that baseball and other sports have helped all four of my children in the classroom. Why? I don't know, but I do know this: The last thing I would take away from any of them is the baseball or any other sport (even for what most here believe are valid and important reasons -- and they probably are -- but not in every case).
Best of luck to both you and your son. And don't be afraid to trust your own good judgement.
Hartbreakerr,
I agree with JEMAZ..no matter what the situation is..Your son will benefit from the trip especially if you have budgetted for it already. I sent my son alone for the first time in his life on this Georgia trip last summer for him to have an idea of travelling with the team and living it..It helped with his mental toughness and re-affirmed his love for the game to play against the best competition.
I wish the best for your son and your family in reaching the best decision..
RR23
I agree with JEMAZ..no matter what the situation is..Your son will benefit from the trip especially if you have budgetted for it already. I sent my son alone for the first time in his life on this Georgia trip last summer for him to have an idea of travelling with the team and living it..It helped with his mental toughness and re-affirmed his love for the game to play against the best competition.
I wish the best for your son and your family in reaching the best decision..
RR23
I would also send my son, the event is also a good opportunity for him to see how he measures up to other players amoung other things. If he shows good some 4 year coaches may follow him at the JC.
My son would have to really screw up for me to take away the opportunity to play if I already told him he could go.
My son would have to really screw up for me to take away the opportunity to play if I already told him he could go.
Hartbreakerr,
I just read/skimmed through this thread. First, let me say that I'm sorry that your boys lost their father at such an early age. I know it can be difficult to raise children on your own, as my mom handled that task as well.
My son attended the WWBA PG 17U tournament in Georgia two years ago, I tagged along too and we had a blast. The tournament was during a very busy 10-14 day period in which the 18U woodbat tourney preceded the 17U, you had the Stanford Camp, and the Area Code tryouts all going on during that time period. We had committed to the PG Tournament (like you) with his summer team knowing that the majority of schools on the west coast that were recruiting my son would be attending the Area Code tryouts, and would not make the trip to Georgia because of budget constraints. I chose the bonding father/son time in Georgia over the other opportunities that he had. It was the best $2,000 that I've spent over the last few years in baseball.
Best of luck to your son during his senior year. Hopefully he'll continue to improve on his grades and obviously that will open up a few doors that are currently shut. If you're making the trip with him to Georgia...Have Fun, take lots of pictures, and enjoy the southern hospitality!
I just read/skimmed through this thread. First, let me say that I'm sorry that your boys lost their father at such an early age. I know it can be difficult to raise children on your own, as my mom handled that task as well.
My son attended the WWBA PG 17U tournament in Georgia two years ago, I tagged along too and we had a blast. The tournament was during a very busy 10-14 day period in which the 18U woodbat tourney preceded the 17U, you had the Stanford Camp, and the Area Code tryouts all going on during that time period. We had committed to the PG Tournament (like you) with his summer team knowing that the majority of schools on the west coast that were recruiting my son would be attending the Area Code tryouts, and would not make the trip to Georgia because of budget constraints. I chose the bonding father/son time in Georgia over the other opportunities that he had. It was the best $2,000 that I've spent over the last few years in baseball.
Best of luck to your son during his senior year. Hopefully he'll continue to improve on his grades and obviously that will open up a few doors that are currently shut. If you're making the trip with him to Georgia...Have Fun, take lots of pictures, and enjoy the southern hospitality!
quote:Originally posted by hartbreakerr:quote:Why are his grades low?
He had a really rough sophomore year that brought his grade down. This year was much better. Also, I have not allowed him to get his license until he keeps his grades up or gets a job. I think reality is setting in for him now and he's just discouraged. I don't know anymore. It really sucks to see a talented kid like him give up the game.
As the parent you have to take part of the blame.
Your son's grades didn't go down overnight.
I would concentrate right now on having your son practice the ACT test. If he can score 25 or higher and keep his grades up his senior year I don't see a problem getting accepted into most colleges.