Spring Baseball - 2016 - College

My son's D3 team reports for Spring training exactly one month from yesterday, a week before school starts.

66 days until first game!  

It'll be a little different for us this year.  The D2 university son was at did not renew his scholarship (his grades slipped) so he decided to go back to the junior college and get his AA (he was a few credits shy when he transferred to the 4 year university) before he goes on to different university (that's the plan anyway).  So officially he hung up his cleats, but he's listed as a "student assistant" (volunteer coach) for the JuCo.

It won't quite be the same, but I'm glad he's keeping his hand in the sport he loves.

I should add the D2 university coach still wanted him, but couldn't offer any money.

Not to throw a wet rag on this conversation. This will unfortunately be the first spring I will not get to watch my son play baseball since he was 5. He was recovering from ulnar nerve transposition surgery this past September. Everything was going well until last Monday. He threw his first bullpen from the mound and felt a pop. A MRI confirmed out worst fears, torn UCL. I am sitting in his apartment waiting for tomorrow when the TJ surgery is scheduled. 

I wish all of your sons a healthy spring. Never take a single inning for granted. You never know when it will be over. We are hoping for the best, but I'm never again going to take anything for granted.  The next 12 months will likely be the longest of my life.

Son is in good spirits, all things considered. He was pretty upset for the first couple of days. After a couple conversations with his head coach and surgeon he completely changed his attitude and realized that everything happens for a reason. He said he is just ready to get the surgery over with and get to work on the rehab.  

younggun posted:

Not to throw a wet rag on this conversation. This will unfortunately be the first spring I will not get to watch my son play baseball since he was 5. He was recovering from ulnar nerve transposition surgery this past September. Everything was going well until last Monday. He threw his first bullpen from the mound and felt a pop. A MRI confirmed out worst fears, torn UCL. I am sitting in his apartment waiting for tomorrow when the TJ surgery is scheduled. 

I wish all of your sons a healthy spring. Never take a single inning for granted. You never know when it will be over. We are hoping for the best, but I'm never again going to take anything for granted.  The next 12 months will likely be the longest of my life.

Son is in good spirits, all things considered. He was pretty upset for the first couple of days. After a couple conversations with his head coach and surgeon he completely changed his attitude and realized that everything happens for a reason. He said he is just ready to get the surgery over with and get to work on the rehab.  

That's a bummer.  I really wish your son luck with this.

Good luck tomorrow and Merry Christmas!

younggun posted:

Not to throw a wet rag on this conversation. This will unfortunately be the first spring I will not get to watch my son play baseball since he was 5. He was recovering from ulnar nerve transposition surgery this past September. Everything was going well until last Monday. He threw his first bullpen from the mound and felt a pop. A MRI confirmed out worst fears, torn UCL. I am sitting in his apartment waiting for tomorrow when the TJ surgery is scheduled. 

I wish all of your sons a healthy spring. Never take a single inning for granted. You never know when it will be over. We are hoping for the best, but I'm never again going to take anything for granted.  The next 12 months will likely be the longest of my life.

Son is in good spirits, all things considered. He was pretty upset for the first couple of days. After a couple conversations with his head coach and surgeon he completely changed his attitude and realized that everything happens for a reason. He said he is just ready to get the surgery over with and get to work on the rehab.  

Sorry YG! All the best to you and YG Jr. Injuries suck! Continue to encourage him, reflect on the journey and hope for the future. Prayers your way!

FoxDad posted:

It'll be a little different for us this year.  The D2 university son was at did not renew his scholarship (his grades slipped) so he decided to go back to the junior college and get his AA (he was a few credits shy when he transferred to the 4 year university) before he goes on to different university (that's the plan anyway).  So officially he hung up his cleats, but he's listed as a "student assistant" (volunteer coach) for the JuCo.

It won't quite be the same, but I'm glad he's keeping his hand in the sport he loves.

 

I should add the D2 university coach still wanted him, but couldn't offer any money.

Fox, sorry to hear about the re-route.  Really great that he is able to jump right in to the coaching gig, though.  Keep us in the loop with how that goes.  That will provide him with a whole new set of baseball challenges! 

younggun posted:

Not to throw a wet rag on this conversation...

YG so sorry to hear about that.  I feel your pain.  We'll all be pulling for a successful process and rehab for him. 

It is good to hear that HC has been involved. 

FWIW, when cabbage lost his first college year to surgery, it was a big hurdle to get past the actual procedure.  That seemed to trigger a more tangible countdown to recovery.  Still, the wait between procedure and first date of therapy was a particularly tough period.  Another player who recently had a similar experience found that detailed planning of good reads, career research and other things he COULD do helped considerably.

Hang in there, Young Gun.  What a tough break.

Best of luck to your son younggun. Hoping the surgery goes well and he has a successful rehab. 

Thank you MomLW!  Welcome to the hsbbweb btw!

As a parent of a freshman this year, the Spring 2016 season brings on a lot of excitement as well as the unknown.   Moving from a High School & Travel Ball veteran parent to being a "newbie" again!  Trying to meet upperclass parents who already know everybody, understanding the little nuances of attending games like where are you supposed to park, what to bring, do we get to see the players after games on the road, etc.  But the excitement of seeing our son work to earn a spot on the field at this next level is very exciting!  65 Days until Opening Day!

Sorry to read that younggun - hopefully your son can come back.  Hard to go cold turkey though!  My oldest did the transposition when he was like 14 or 15 and was able to throw/pitch again in HS. While recovering he helped coach my youngest son's minor division team... Funny to seem him throw BP with the other arm...  When my youngest was 14 or 15 he had the decompression surgery...  Now he's on the shelf again after having labrum repair surgery this past September (90% tear, anterior).  He just "threw" for the first time the other day... Well really not throw - more like elbow on glove and flick the ball using just the forearm - 25 times at 25 feet.  Only another 30-40 weeks of rehab.

younggun posted:

Not to throw a wet rag on this conversation...

Hate to hear that, younggun. Best wishes for a successful outcome and full recovery.

wow, I hate to hear about the injuries and other reasons players aren't going to be on the field this spring. Just last night a neighbor, former HS teammate of my son and a D2 conference foe, was in the basement. He just got the sling off from a shoulder labrum tear and is already out for the season.

Younggun the best of luck to your son, Foxdad I was hoping to see your son play at next years regional, the best to him in his travels down the coaching road.

Sons team is only 45 days to the opener.

After a 2015 run to the D2 world Series and end of season ranking of #4 its hard to expect to top that. The team lost some key players due to graduation. But after watching some fall scrimmages I don't see much of a drop off in talent. They may have gotten stronger with the addition of some transfers.   7 of the top 8 pitchers return and a redshirt that was one of the top 4 pitchers from two seasons ago returns healthy. 

my son will be a RS-Jr this year, he will be graduating with a biology degree this spring. I am not sure the exact direction he is going with that, his intent is to go into the medical field. If he returns for a 5th year he will also get a sports medicine degree before hitting the post graduate grind.  Last year was his first year as a starter, he was the closer the previous year. Except for a mid season bout with the flu that kicked his butt for a couple weeks he had a pretty good season.

The best of luck to all for the upcoming season. May all of the players stay healthy and the parents get to attend every game!

Cabbagedad, MMM1531 - thanks!

I have to admit it was disappointing to see this happen, but as we all know, life goes on.  I'm grateful he was able to play ball beyond high school.  It has been a wonderful ride and now he's just taking a different route.  Will keep you in the loop.

younggun posted:

Not to throw a wet rag on this conversation. This will unfortunately be the first spring I will not get to watch my son play baseball since he was 5. He was recovering from ulnar nerve transposition surgery this past September. Everything was going well until last Monday. He threw his first bullpen from the mound and felt a pop. A MRI confirmed out worst fears, torn UCL. I am sitting in his apartment waiting for tomorrow when the TJ surgery is scheduled. 

I wish all of your sons a healthy spring. Never take a single inning for granted. You never know when it will be over. We are hoping for the best, but I'm never again going to take anything for granted.  The next 12 months will likely be the longest of my life.

Son is in good spirits, all things considered. He was pretty upset for the first couple of days. After a couple conversations with his head coach and surgeon he completely changed his attitude and realized that everything happens for a reason. He said he is just ready to get the surgery over with and get to work on the rehab.  

I am so sorry to hear that Young Gun!  Fingers Crossed for a speedy recovery!

Today, I made reservations for Vegas!  Ryno's team will be participating in CSN's Border Battle Jan. 29 - 31.  We are going to drive down, and I can't wait.  Only about 6 weeks away!

Thanks to all of you for your prayer,support and well wishes. Son just got out of surgery. Everything went well. 

Now the road to recovery begins. Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year. 

younggun posted:

Thanks to all of you for your prayer,support and well wishes. Son just got out of surgery. Everything went well. 

Now the road to recovery begins. Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year. 

Good luck to him on his rehab!

Good luck to everybody this spring. First time in a long time there will be no Spring baseball for us. I plan to attend some games form my sons former HS and college. Everybody enjoy the spring. 

younggun posted:

Not to throw a wet rag on this conversation. This will unfortunately be the first spring I will not get to watch my son play baseball since he was 5. He was recovering from ulnar nerve transposition surgery this past September. Everything was going well until last Monday. He threw his first bullpen from the mound and felt a pop. A MRI confirmed out worst fears, torn UCL. I am sitting in his apartment waiting for tomorrow when the TJ surgery is scheduled. 

I wish all of your sons a healthy spring. Never take a single inning for granted. You never know when it will be over. We are hoping for the best, but I'm never again going to take anything for granted.  The next 12 months will likely be the longest of my life.

Son is in good spirits, all things considered. He was pretty upset for the first couple of days. After a couple conversations with his head coach and surgeon he completely changed his attitude and realized that everything happens for a reason. He said he is just ready to get the surgery over with and get to work on the rehab.  

I am glad I dropped in to read but not glad to hear the news. 

Sending you a pm.

Approaching this season with uncertainty.

Son is a redshirt senior recovering from shoulder surgery. He just started throwing a few pitches from a mound at half speed, and it's too early to project whether he will pitch this season.

We're excited about the team, which surged last year from its perennial spot in the cellar of their conference to a 35-win season and second place finishes in both the regular season and conference tournament.  They return a senior-laden team that lost only two starting position players to graduation last year.

Son wants to be part of taking the next step with his buddies, but he also knows he has only one season left and doesn't want to pitch until he is truly ready. If he can't pitch this season, there might be a next year: the school compliance officer thinks he could get a hardship waiver, and the coaches say they'd have some scholarship money, though not as much as he's been getting.

He completed his graduation requirements this week, but didn't file to graduate. He will take courses this spring to round out his information systems degree with certificates in networking, web development, and cybersecurity.  Cybersecurity went from an afterthought to his primary vocational interest this past semester--one good professor can have that effect. If he can't play this year, he'll apply for a masters program when the school applies for his hardship waiver.

At this point, he doesn't know what is possible as far as playing this spring, and he's not even sure what he should be hoping for. So he's just working, and we're just waiting.

Son is a freshman at a D1.  Didn't get to play any IF in the fall....just pitched and DH'd.  Had his "meeting" with the pitching coach after the fall and was given some very interesting info....more than we had expected.  Depending on how things go when they get back after the holidays, his role could end up being a lot bigger than he had thought for his freshman year.  Hopefully he'll get back, have a good month and get the news he's hoping for as the season starts

Swamp, yes, uncertainty for your son but he found his career path and is still in position to enjoy the ride just a while longer one way or another - win, win!!!

For my son, I find myself looking back as I look forward.  Going into his RS Jr year, he seems to have already had the full breadth of experiences... a lost year to injury, good Falls, a bad Fall, nearly 200 teammates being cut, a year of earning PT, an all-conference year, three "recruiting" phases and three HC's. 

What could possibly be next?? 

I'm sure the story, for each of our boys here at HSBBW, could be a book.  I'm excited to see how it plays out for him and proud regardless.

PS - I'm sitting here reading Cabbage's calendar schedule provided by his coach for now until first game Feb 5.  Well, he does have Christmas Day and New Years day off

Cabbage dad

Tuesday the 23 Feb SSU at SF State.  Will you attend?

Bob

Consultant posted:

Cabbage dad

Tuesday the 23 Feb SSU at SF State.  Will you attend?

Bob

Hi Bob!  I'm still coaching HS ball so the weekday game will be tough but they play again at the end of the season over a weekend and I'll sure be shooting for one of those.  We'll have to connect as that get's closer.

May 7, SAT @ SSU should be a good game.

Bob

baseball news pre season polls are out... another sign that spring is getting closer!!!

http://baseballnews.com/colleg...div-i-poll-12-21-15/

http://baseballnews.com/colleg...div-2-poll-12-22-15/

http://baseballnews.com/colleg...div-3-poll-12-22-15/

Sons team SDSU, made it in the top Forty. A lot of work to be done.

Son's team (Wright State) was in the "got votes" category. Reality of mid major D1, gotta win the league tournament. Playing some teams in the same category early for a series (Georgia and NC State)  and a mid week game with Louisville.

Last year we played several early series with top 10 / 20 teams and did well. Won a game in each series and lead / tied late in all but one of them. It definitely helped the team confidence. Hopefully we can do the same this year.

65 days until "play ball"  

Younggun - Best of luck to your son, his healthy recovery and good days ahead.....been through that with mine a little over a year ago.  

Merry Christmas to everyone! 

Can someone explain the NCAA D1 academic eligibility and probation rules for spring sports. Thanks in advance.

The NCAA standard for D1 student-athletes to be eligible is based on the school's individual minimum GPA for graduation and how many years of school the athlete has completed.

Thus, there is no minimum GPA for a freshman to play in the spring of his first year. A freshman who was a qualifier out of high school only has to meet the NCAA standard of completing 6 credit hours for the fall term to play in the spring.

For subsequent years, their cumulative GPA must be at least 90 percent of the institution’s minimum overall grade-point average necessary to graduate by the beginning of year two, 95 percent of the minimum graduation GPA by year three and 100 percent by year four. So if the school will let you graduate with a 2.0 GPA, you can play as a sophomore with a 1.8 GPA going into your sophomore year.

Academic progress rates don't kick in until the end of the second year.

It's possible the school or the conference may have stricter rules.

At my son's school, he needs to maintain a 2.4 GPA to keep his scholarship. 

Swampboy posted:

The NCAA standard for D1 student-athletes to be eligible is based on the school's individual minimum GPA for graduation and how many years of school the athlete has completed.

Thus, there is no minimum GPA for a freshman to play in the spring of his first year. A freshman who was a qualifier out of high school only has to meet the NCAA standard of completing 6 credit hours for the fall term to play in the spring.

For subsequent years, their cumulative GPA must be at least 90 percent of the institution’s minimum overall grade-point average necessary to graduate by the beginning of year two, 95 percent of the minimum graduation GPA by year three and 100 percent by year four. So if the school will let you graduate with a 2.0 GPA, you can play as a sophomore with a 1.8 GPA going into your sophomore year.

Academic progress rates don't kick in until the end of the second year.

It's possible the school or the conference may have stricter rules.

 

Thanks! Good info to be equipped with going forward.

BK_Razorback posted:

Swampboy posted:

The NCAA standard for D1 student-athletes to be eligible is based on the school's individual minimum GPA for graduation and how many years of school the athlete has completed.

Thus, there is no minimum GPA for a freshman to play in the spring of his first year. A freshman who was a qualifier out of high school only has to meet the NCAA standard of completing 6 credit hours for the fall term to play in the spring.

For subsequent years, their cumulative GPA must be at least 90 percent of the institution’s minimum overall grade-point average necessary to graduate by the beginning of year two, 95 percent of the minimum graduation GPA by year three and 100 percent by year four. So if the school will let you graduate with a 2.0 GPA, you can play as a sophomore with a 1.8 GPA going into your sophomore year.

Academic progress rates don't kick in until the end of the second year.

It's possible the school or the conference may have stricter rules.

 

Thanks! Good info to be equipped with going forward.

Most schools have higher guidelines for GPA than required by the NCAA as well as academic progress rates. Make sure you understand the schools requirements.

Shout out to YG, glad to hear suregery went well, best wishes for a healthy recovery. This spring will be interestesting for son, should get a chance to  compete. Buying season tix for homes games!

Thanks shoveit. We will be there rooting for the rest of the team this year and hoping for a full recovery for the next. 

Its about to get real......1 month from today is sonnyboy's first collegiate game.  Not sure how much playing time he will get if any being a freshman..... but excited none the less.  Can't wait to cheer on the team whether he is on the bench or the field. 

#1BBALLMOMFAN

I remember it well, very emotional once that day arrives. All the hard work and now your sitting there watching him standing in line for the national anthem.

Good luck, enjoy the moment! 

#20

Picked Off posted:

#1BBALLMOMFAN

I remember it well, very emotional once that day arrives. All the hard work and now your sitting there watching him standing in line for the national anthem.

Good luck, enjoy the moment! 

#20

 

Gee, can't seem to pick him out from the crowd.  Haha.  Happy Holidays to you and your family!  I hear the boys think we broke up.  Looking forward to February.  Tell your son to stay at the other end of the line.  I got cabbage some lifts for Christmas but I'm thinking it won't help much.

#1bballmomfan posted:

Its about to get real......1 month from today is sonnyboy's first collegiate game.  Not sure how much playing time he will get if any being a freshman..... but excited none the less.  Can't wait to cheer on the team whether he is on the bench or the field. 

Yup, five weeks for junior.  After a very busy fall, he was glad to come home for some rest and doing a whole lot of nothing over Christmas break.  I think that lasted about three hours...  

He has played football, basketball, several trips to airport to pick up other friends home from school, "friend gatherings" almost every night, helped a few times with my HS squad, daily workout prescribed by school, hit in the cage almost daily, ugly Xmas sweater parties, traveled in several directions to see family for Holidays, selling stuff on ebay to earn money for summer ball and most recently, a bunch of the guys decided to go shoot shotguns (and other assorted firearms).  

I have a family heirloom shotgun that was his great grandfather's.   His name was Carl and he was a machinist so his name was engraved on the shotgun.  I reluctantly let son take it out.  It hadn't seen the light of day for over ten years and that was only briefly to scare away the first boy wanting to date my daughter. By the end of the day, the boys had a favorite gun of choice.  Carl. 

At least he didn't go snowboarding this year.  Yet.  His mother wishes he was a bit more of a bubble wrap kid. 

Best wishes to your son, #1bballmomfan and everyone else looking forward to opening day!

Son has thoroughly taken full advantage of just being home for the holidays and relaxing.  We went to our deer lease for a few days then he followed that up with eating, sleeping, working out, spending time with his siblings playing xbox and playing cards, little more xbox, hitting the cages and fields several times a week....eats more and just being a carefree college student .  LOL Love having him home.  I know he's anxious to get back and get into some dirt though. Seems just like yesterday when he picked that big barrel bat up for the first time, when the glove was the size of a cooking mit and his pants swallowed him up to now being so grown up.  Some of the best years of our lives as parents watching him navigate and learn about life and it's ups and downs....and it seems to only be getting better. College has agreed with him so far and that makes a mamma's heart happy.  Baseball has just  been the icing on the cake for him.  I'm gearing up and getting ready for a new chapter and watching some college baseball.  Can't imagine it should feel differently sitting in that stand as any other, but somehow I imagine it does. 

Enjoy it as much as you can.  It will be a very memorable event especially for the new starters and freshmen.  For my son's first appearance, we took lots of pictures but I really wish we had taken some video in addition.   Good luck!

Fenway - great advice!  I know I'll be there with camera in hand but probably wouldn't have thought to bring the video camera.  Thanks!

fenwaysouth posted:

Enjoy it as much as you can.  It will be a very memorable event especially for the new starters and freshmen.  For my son's first appearance, we took lots of pictures but I really wish we had taken some video in addition.   Good luck!

Took care of that...hubs bought me a new zoom lens for the good old camera.  Best present in the world to me so that I can capture those once in a lifetime moments and videos.  Now if I can just figure it out before the first game.  So many settings and functions.  ANY PHOTO EXPERTS out there willing to give advice????

I am! send me a PM with your questions. Or start a new thread and we can give everyone on the board some photo advice. I worked for newspapers for 25 years and now have my own photography business. Photograph many of my son's games (2017RHP) but also try to enjoy the games and pick one time to take photos and other times just to watch and be a mom. Lighting, composition and speed are what you need to work out to get the sharpest, well-composed photos. And think about multiple photos that tell a story.

Loving this thread, as our son navigates the college recruitment landscape this year, it's exciting to read about your sons in college.

Many thanks & Happy New Year!

#1bballmomfan posted:

Son has thoroughly taken full advantage of just being home for the holidays and relaxing.  We went to our deer lease for a few days then he followed that up with eating, sleeping, working out, spending time with his siblings playing xbox and playing cards, little more xbox, hitting the cages and fields several times a week....eats more and just being a carefree college student .  LOL Love having him home.  I know he's anxious to get back and get into some dirt though. Seems just like yesterday when he picked that big barrel bat up for the first time, when the glove was the size of a cooking mit and his pants swallowed him up to now being so grown up.  Some of the best years of our lives as parents watching him navigate and learn about life and it's ups and downs....and it seems to only be getting better. College has agreed with him so far and that makes a mamma's heart happy.  Baseball has just  been the icing on the cake for him.  I'm gearing up and getting ready for a new chapter and watching some college baseball.  Can't imagine it should feel differently sitting in that stand as any other, but somehow I imagine it does. 

I see that you live in Texas and so does Redfishfool.   He is always talking about going to the deer lease!

46 days

Opening night is 2 months from TODAY. So excited to make the road trip and see son's first college regular season game.  He'll play second base. My principal excused me for the day (so long as I cover my classes )

chefmike7777 posted:

46 days

24 Days for me!

rynoattack posted:

chefmike7777 posted:

46 days

24 Days for me!

lucky lucky man

10 days until guys report for "Spring Training" -- that's a week before classes start.   I'm afraid though the kid has been chilling too much and working too little during the break.   Ready to see him shift his preparation  into high gear. 

1 week to go before team's first practice, and 39 days until their first game. Hey El Niño, you need to chill in February, March, April and May.

Players report in 4 days. They were just told  to make sure to bring sleeping bags with them so that they can camp out in the gym for three nights and four days.  They begin the campaign by eating, sleeping, learning the system, working out and practicing together for the first few  days back before school starts. Now that's taking the idea of training camp pretty literally. 

Team chemistry wins championships!

Mine flies back to school tomorrow (Tuesday).  First practice - 6AM Wednesday.

School and official practice starts today. He has been there since December 27th, though being close he did pop in often to the homestead. As far as I can tell most everyone who was not in dorm was back about a week ago. I know I have 15 different players at my house since then to feed off and on .

Grocery budget took a good whacking in last week

39 days 2 hours 47 minutes until first pitch

Mine went back Saturday.  They reported to field yesterday at 10:00am.  Had an hour meeting, ate lunch in fieldhouse, practiced from noon to 3:00, post practice meal, done at 4:00.  First game is January 29th.  Still get nervous, so it's not just a freshman parent thing.  Good luck to all.  

Son goes back to school next Monday with classes starting on Tuesday.  First game is February 29th.  CAN'T WAIT! Best of luck to all for a healthy & successful season.

My Son's Spring Practice started at 5:30 this morning!  First game is Superbowl weekend so it should be cold/rainy in McMinnville, Or!  His school (Linfield) is ranked #10 in pre season.  They lost some pitching to graduation but have some good arms coming up!  Offense should keep getting better with only a handful of graduates leaving and a strong group of Sophomores that got alot of playing time on Varsity last year.  My Son will probably spend another year as a Utility player, which is awesome getting to play multiple positions!  May even pitch a little, can't wait! 

Have to share.........just got the call from a super excited young man that during their scrimmage he dropped his first college bomb of 380+ against a pretty descent pitcher.  Son said pitcher took it well and congratulated him for taking advantage of his ill placement.  In 2 weeks is "GO" day.    Little brother starts his select ball next week so ready or not here comes the best time of the year!!!!!!!!!!!

Awesome!!!!!!!  And to hear a woman talk like that... "dropped his first bomb"...  well, my kinda woman

Dropped the son off last week for Spring Training.  Then the wife and I went and enjoyed the So Cal sunshine and beaches for a few days.  Stopped in to say hi and take the kid to lunch on the drive back home.   Pretty clear it's going to be tough to get much playing time.  The team kept 13 outfielders in toto.    2 seniors, 5 juniors, 1 sophomore and 5 frosh  (though one of he frosh is hurt and can't throw right now but can bat, so that's really 4 and a potential DH, I guess).    Definitely looks like the frosh are all headed for JV squad  this year.  7 of the 8 upperclassmen are returning varsity outfielders  and one is a junior  JC transfer.  Two of the returners saw  almost no  PT last year when the varsity carried a mere  7 OF.  If they carry all 8 of the upperclassmen, there will be even less to go around.    Tough odds.  Very crowded OF.  Kid says that they can all play too and that a number of the bench guys would be starting on other teams in the league.   On the bright side,  my kid seems to be playing his butt off.  But  man, that's a lot of competition!  

That's just crazy.  Seems kind of selfish too for the coaches to stockpile so many players.  I know it's a business, but that is cold.

JCG posted:

That's just crazy.  Seems kind of selfish too for the coaches to stockpile so many players.  I know it's a business, but that is cold.

Yeah, it left me wondering how typical this is for a D3 with a JV program.  There are something like 40-42 players on the total roster between JV and Varsity.  Still 13 OF seems on the high side, though. 

Questions that need to be asked in the 1st interview. SSU or SRJC is no different. 100 players "trying" out in the Fall only  30 will have active participation in practice and games.

At MSU, there was a Freshman team, 100 players "tried out", only 5 played 3 years later on the Varsity in the College World Series.

Question:  JV or "red shirt" or transfer.

Bob

Goodwill Series and Area Code 1983-2016

Sometimes it depends on the league. The OAC almost every team is in the 40's. In my faborite, the NCAC is usually carries in the 30's. Denison since Deegan has taken over may carry the lowest roster size. The HCAC is similar to the OAC. Bluffton carries in the 50's. But Bluffton neber cuts a player. There are players on team that know that they will never see the field. (Thanks to jboss for his info there). Mount Union in the OAC does the same thing.

BishopLeftiesDad posted:

Sometimes it depends on the league. The OAC almost every team is in the 40's. In my faborite, the NCAC is usually carries in the 30's. Denison since Deegan has taken over may carry the lowest roster size. The HCAC is similar to the OAC. Bluffton carries in the 50's. But Bluffton neber cuts a player. There are players on team that know that they will never see the field. (Thanks to jboss for his info there). Mount Union in the OAC does the same thing.

40+ or even 50 WITHOUT fielding a JV team?  Wow! 

Son's first year at JuCo there was 55 or so during the fall season.  When asked the coach said not to worry, he won't have to make cuts.  They'll self cut by spring.  Sure enough, a few became ineligible due to grades, some injured (redshirt) and the rest self cut (quit).  Come spring the roster was at 35.

Additionally by the last month the active roster was down to 28 or so as more quit due to lack of playing time, grades and I think maybe one or two injuries.

SluggerDad posted:

BishopLeftiesDad posted:

Sometimes it depends on the league. The OAC almost every team is in the 40's. In my faborite, the NCAC is usually carries in the 30's. Denison since Deegan has taken over may carry the lowest roster size. The HCAC is similar to the OAC. Bluffton carries in the 50's. But Bluffton neber cuts a player. There are players on team that know that they will never see the field. (Thanks to jboss for his info there). Mount Union in the OAC does the same thing.

40+ or even 50 WITHOUT fielding a JV team?  Wow! 

Not sure anout JV, if there is they do not play many games.

Wife and I are just trying to learn the freshman ropes and excited too see what playing time and contributions son can make to help his team this spring. They say "adversity doesn't build character but reveals it" and his path to get to this point has been filled with one roadblock after another. I'm not sure how I would've handled it but he has with the heart and desire of a true champion. 

Between his freshman and sophomore year of high school he experienced elbow pain during summer ball. His forearm would tighten and his bicep would contract. After 6 months of doctor visits, MRI, nerve tests and rehabs, it was diagnosed as a pinched nerve in his shoulder. At one point we thought we were headed for Thorasic Outlet surgery. Thankfully we live near one of the best in the country for this and he said surgery was unwarranted. He pitched pain free and with a loose arm his sophomore year and through district play of his junior year. In the third round of the playoffs, in the 6th inning of the game, after a fastball on a 1-1 count, he toed the rubber but looked uncomfortable. I saw him twitch his arm slightly and knew immediately it was his elbow. As many on here know,  it's the sickest feeling a parent can have. He signaled for the pitching coach but the coach just thought he wanted another pitched called. When he realized the coach didn't understand, he started to walk off the mound and collapsed in pain. He didn't rupture his ligament, he tore it completely off the bone. This was in middle May of '14. He had surgery in June of '14 to repair and we opted to do reconstructive surgery at the same time. Yes, he now has 2 ligaments in his arm. The doctor said his original was surprisingly healthy with little scar tissue and had pulled cleanly off the bone. Hindsight, his arm had tightened up in the first round of the playoffs (shoulder nerve again) and he didn't tell anyone about it. He learned an unfortunate lesson that the pronator muscles are important to provide support and stability to the elbow and...... communicate. 

Now he had 14 offers from D1 schools, 12 from power 5 conferences. He had committed to a high academic P5 school although there was one school that had really caught his attention that I thought he would never consider. He really loved the coaching staff and especially the pitching coach but thought the opportunity to play baseball and get an education from the high academic trumped that. 

A month to the day after his arm surgery, he had an emergency appendectomy. Two weeks before signing day, the school pulled his offer. Third punch in the gut. After the other schools found out about this, most contacted him to see if he was still interested? Only the one school he loved didn't. We found back channels to let them know he was available and they called him to gauge his interest. They still wanted him and everything worked out, hurrah!

After finishing his rehab in mid October, he started his throwing portion at the end of October. Because the original ligament was still healthy and reattached, it was thought he might be able to return mid season of his senior year. His throwing portion started uneventful, in fact, it was quite amazing. In April of '15, he was suppose to start ramping up his bullpens and the ball was jumping out of his hand. Unfortunately, he kept complaining about a tugging in his elbow. He kept asking, "do you think I have scar tissue in there. We're now at the end of May and doctor visits and an MRI later, he's scheduled for ulnar nerve transposition surgery. So in June of '15 he has the surgery. Doc tells us he had a "spider web" of scar tissue around the nerve. 

After all this, things work out for a reason and he heads to school in July. The "reason", he is on campus with one of the best if not arguably the best pitching coach in college baseball. They bring him along slowly and when he eventually throws his first bullpen, the coach tells him he's seen enough, he doesn't need to rush into fall ball and says he will play a major roll in the spring. He eventually has a limited, quiet but strong late fall. 

Sorry but we're not done. :-) Right before Thanksgiving, he starts complaining about what sounds like a hernia. It only bothers him when he lifts and runs but not throwing. I say, welcome to the family, I had one, your uncle, grandad and great grandfather all had them. Only thing is, he had no protrusion. They want to keep him on a throwing program even though the rest of the staff is shut down because they are trying to build up his arm strength. 2 ultrasounds and an MRI later, it's discovered he has a sports hernia. Now originally, we were told they thought they could manage it through the season, but the pitching coach had a different idea. He didn't want him to have to worry about it during the season and when and if he would hurt. So, we found a specialist and he had surgery on Dec. 28th. He threw all the way up to surgery and will start throwing again lightly this Friday. 

Through this whole ordeal, nothing has made us prouder than watching him grow as a young man and his resiliency and determination will carry him far. 

So......here's cautiously and optimistically hoping it's all behind him and praying he can just do what he so passionately loves!

FoxDad posted:

Son's first year at JuCo there was 55 or so during the fall season.  When asked the coach said not to worry, he won't have to make cuts.  They'll self cut by spring.  Sure enough, a few became ineligible due to grades, some injured (redshirt) and the rest self cut (quit).  Come spring the roster was at 35.

Heh, funny....this sounds exactly like my son's juco, same situation.  Looks like the spring roster is currently at 40.

Season starts in 13 days....woot! 

So......here's cautiously and optimistically hoping it's all behind him and praying he can just do what he so passionately loves!

AGDAD19 - If this were a competition, your son would probably be in the lead for comebacks.  Good luck and hopefully the decks are cleared for the rest of his career.  I've still got about 24 months to go before my 2017 gets his shot and I am hoping for a much less eventful two years.  

Please give us an update as the season progresses.

Our freshman son will start practice 9 days from now. 1st game is on the 19th of Feb. He says, "there are lots of pitchers", but tells us his bullpens are going well. He seems to have a good relationship with his pitching coach and understands the communication, feels confident he will get substantial innings this spring. He's excited for the opportunity and can't wait to get started. 29 more days till I get to watch some baseball. Yay !!

Sons college roster posted this weekend and seeing his name on it took it to a whole new level.  Hoping he gets to travel with them next weekend.  

#1bballmomfan posted:

Sons college roster posted this weekend and seeing his name on it took it to a whole new level.  Hoping he gets to travel with them next weekend.  

 

I remember when my son was a freshman at a JuCo.  JuCo's can play a limited number of fall games.  For the first several away games he didn't make the "travel squad" (bus held 28 - 25 players and 3 coaches plus gear), but late in the fall season he calls with news he had made the travel squad and they would be playing about an hour from home (the JuCo was 4.5 hours away).  My wife and I were real excited.  From that point on he always made the travel squad.

Opening day for our son tomorrow.  Already have taken the day off and will be there for the whole weekend series.  Good luck to all.  Enjoy every inning of every game because it goes fast.  

2014 ( Juco) scrimmages Saturday and first DH is Feb 6th... between the 4 of them I have 147 games .... at least I can watch 2013 on the OVC games on the digital channel and a couple on SEC network.

Clemson baseball will be having their annual baseball dinner this saturday with guest speaker Dale Murphy as well as the first annual Fan Fest on Feb 6th. Official practice begins tomorrow.

There are a couple of folks here whose sons are on the team, and I am wishing their players the best of luck for the coming season.

As an FYI, I read that one of our webster's son was ranked #94 freshman. Congrats to Ryley Gilliam. I heard he is the real deal!

Best of luck to all of your sons this season. Enjoy the journey!

Our son called last night, made the travel team for opening weekend, 1 on Friday, Dh on Sat.  Has been  pitching and playing 2nd.  He is 9 hours away in ark. their playing in Okla.  Still 9 hours from Houston.  We are leaving tomorrow afternoon.  So excited, hope he gets on the field but will be good to see him.

Was really just a closer on his hs team and PO only so he has enjoyed all the time in practice.  Coach wants to work him on field to but, said if he decided to go just po they would talk.

He is playing naia.  They have 43 on the team, took 30 this trip.

Safe travels to all.

BS...great feeling and congrats to your son...not easy task to make team and even greater to make the travel squad and to get to play like he is going to. I am sure that he put a lot of hard work into it and now it shows. Go and have a great time watching him...remember that our kids don't want us to 'cheer' too much because it 'embarrass' them (in my case, I don't care with my son, I still cheer like crazy for the team).

Have a great time and drive carefully all the way and enjoy it. Time flies and these moments are really precious (not priceless! because they are still costing money!). 

Son’s team played their opening series last weekend at PG Lakepoint. It is a fantastic facility. Typical opening series, both teams looked a little rusty. Weather was fantastic for January.

It was great to get my baseball fix in, now we wait for two more weeks to see the next game.

Son looked solid for 1^st outing. 5IP, 10K, 0BB, 3 hits. He got some nice ink in the PG blog…

http://www.perfectgame.org/blogs/View.aspx?blog=580

Son's team opens the season in... two minutes.  I had a bit of a flashback as I texted him a morning message.  It was the same that I gave him in Little League, all his other sports, Babe Ruth, HS, JC and now at his 4-yr...  it was the same we discussed at length here in a past thread...

"Play Hard.  Have Fun"

Looks like he has beat the odds again and either earned a starting spot or at least a heavy role in the OF rotation.  Of course, as always, that is a moving target and can change in an instant.  Those of you who know his story know how much we consider this all to be just really good gravy.

Best wishes to all your boys and enjoy it!!!!

All - Just wanted to pop in and say thanks for supporting my D2 baseball blog last season, and I hope everyone returns to keep tabs on the season in 2016! Good luck to everyone with children/friends/relatives all across the college landscape, and particularly D2! www.roadtocary.blogspot.com =)

Yesterday was opening day for our son's team.  The weather was beautiful, and we got to watch our son play the game that he loves.  It doesn't get any better than that!  We are really looking forward to the season!

11 days, 4 hours, 3 minutes

Just got season tix in the mail!!!

#ClemsonFamily

Shoveit4Ks posted:

Just got season tix in the mail!!!

#ClemsonFamily

Son playing at Clemson?? Really cool, great athletic program.  

Shoveit4Ks posted:

Just got season tix in the mail!!!

#ClemsonFamily

Woo Hoo!!! 

#wearefamily #gotigers #orangeandpurple #clemsonpride

We are huge Tigers fans!!

7days!!!!!

Gov posted:

Son playing at Clemson?? Really cool, great athletic program.  

Yup, pretty lucky kid. Can't wait for next weekend.

Son's team opens homestand against Oregon in a week. I can't wait to see the team compete!. 

Shoveit4Ks posted:

Gov posted:

Son playing at Clemson?? Really cool, great athletic program.  

Yup, pretty lucky kid. Can't wait for next weekend.

Sent you a PM

3 days 6 hours 26 minutes until start of season! Got text from son over weekend. He gets the ball on the bum game one Saturday ay 1pm (#2 starter for team) - so until I see him again doing the thing he loves 4 days 3 hours 26 minutes

Son's JC baseball season has already started, and he has made 2 starts. The first start was game 1 of the season, and he was a little off.  He threw 3 2/3 innings and allowed 4 runs, 2 earned.  He got a ND, and the team eventually came back to win.  His second start was much better.  5 innings, 4 hits, 1 walk, and 5 K's.  He was throwing from 88 - 90 in the first 2 innings, but dropped to 85 - 88 thereafter.  He says he still isn't quite there yet, but he feels he is getting stronger every day.  Hopefully his arm will keep making progress, and he can hit his goal of 92 by season's end.  We are going to watch him pitch again on Friday.  Love this time of year!

3 days!!!  

Snow yesterday....but 65-69 degrees opening weekend.  Perfect for baseball!

Little update on son.....been very enlightening.  He's made travel team roster so far for all the games, although several games he only stepped foot on the field to help the outfielders warm up. (He's the only freshman and has a lot to learn and he knows it.)  He did get 1 shot batting in the line up and flied out to center.  Has pinch run and that's about it.  Although it's hard to sit and watch and I'm sure is even harder for our son,  he knows he has to do his time and that he's competing with grown men.  We asked if he still felt the same about the team/coach/decision even though he isn't playing.  His response was "Yes, I trust coach _______ and I know he's got the teams best interest and when he thinks I'm ready he will let me know."  I have seen so much growth in him.  I obviously would love to see him on the diamond, but knowing he's at peace and in his element working towards his life long dream is an amazing feeling.  Don't kid yourself, he wants to be on the field so bad he can't stand it, but he knows in due time.  Coach cut the travel roster team from 30 to 25 and he even beat out a junior who's competing for his same position.  He loves what being part of the team means, the travel, the meals, the bonding between them win or lose.  We haven't missed but 1 game out of the 12 games they have played so far.  Son asks why we come when we know he's not playing?  We tell him because this is a chapter of his life that we wouldn't want to miss on or off the field.  Explaining that his performance isn't indicative of our support and that he's part of a team and we support "his" team.  Parents of those who don't play college sports don't really understand, or maybe we are weird, but my husband and I just choose to be there knowing he will likely step on the diamond little if any at all.   

To everyone who has a son opening up this weekend, best of luck!

Good luck to all the college players & parents this weekend.   

#BBALLMOMFAN - I completely agree.  Son is 9 hours away.. and redshirt freshman.  We still went to opening weekend.  Now it does mean I will probably adjust the number of weekends we visit because he isn't playing but it's about showing your child that the things that matter to him or even her for that matter, are also important to you.  And being that far away, they may not always say it but they are just as happy to see you as you are to see them!

leaving work  now for my first D1 game.... it's a whopping one hour away... and its a DH.... its about 65 degrees  and sunny...

Son is long to mid relief.... hoping I see him today since they are playing 18 innings.

bacdorslider posted:

leaving work  now for my first D1 game.... it's a whopping one hour away... and its a DH.... its about 65 degrees  and sunny...

Son is long to mid relief.... hoping I see him today since they are playing 18 innings.

Good luck to your son & hope you've a good time!

Good luck indeed to all players and there families!  It is indeed exciting and I will be watching some college baseball today and this weekend via the Internet!

1st double header of D1 baseball done. 

2 2/3 innings pitched in relief. 

3 swinging K's, and 1 ER.  Butterflies were all around he said until the 1st swing then it was "business as usual".  Looking forward to following the next 3  years.

The college season is here! It's dark and cold out. Had a death in the family. But man did I smile checking the scores on D1Baseball.com. I love that it is back. When I set to write a book about college baseball I tried to capture that warmth of opening day... there is just nothing like the freshness of a new season! Best of luck for 2016

OK I'm busting at the seams.... Last weekend they played to far for me to travel but good friend of mine made the game.  As I mentioned in the update he was able to bat but flied out.  This weekend however DH made the Friday game and I drove the 4.5 hours for the Saturday game that morning.  Was going to leave before 4th game was over due to the 4.5 hour drive in front of me back home, but decided to stick it out I was there and I'd make the best of it and take him out to dinner so I buckled in for the long haul and  boy am I glad I did.  Son got to bat and not only got to bat he went yard....yes first home game to play and my son hit a homerun.  My husband was watching it via computer since our youngest also plays baseball and he was home with him.  I couldn't believe it.  He ended up going 2-2.  Had to bribe a kid candy and coke after he snagged the ball.    Sons team is now 13-3. 

Son first outing yesterday. In fourth threw a pitch 5 feet in front of plate. I knew something was wrong immediately. Coach came right out. Pulled him. MRI next couple of days. It is his elbow. They fear UCL and tommy John surgery. 

He was / is more worried about how I am doing. Ugh!  

Ill let  you all know

Sorry to hear that, Chef!

chefmike7777 posted:

Son first outing yesterday. In fourth threw a pitch 5 feet in front of plate. I knew something was wrong immediately. Coach came right out. Pulled him. MRI next couple of days. It is his elbow. They fear UCL and tommy John surgery. 

 

He was / is more worried about how I am doing. Ugh!  

 

Ill let  you all know

So sorry.  Will be praying for good news.

Best of wishes to your son and family

Hoping some good news comes your way, Chef. 

#1bballmomfan posted:

OK I'm busting at the seams.... Last weekend they played to far for me to travel but good friend of mine made the game.  As I mentioned in the update he was able to bat but flied out.  This weekend however DH made the Friday game and I drove the 4.5 hours for the Saturday game that morning.  Was going to leave before 4th game was over due to the 4.5 hour drive in front of me back home, but decided to stick it out I was there and I'd make the best of it and take him out to dinner so I buckled in for the long haul and  boy am I glad I did.  Son got to bat and not only got to bat he went yard....yes first home game to play and my son hit a homerun.  My husband was watching it via computer since our youngest also plays baseball and he was home with him.  I couldn't believe it.  He ended up going 2-2.  Had to bribe a kid candy and coke after he snagged the ball.    Sons team is now 13-3. 

This mini-story brought back memories of my experience (and my father's) a few years back. The long drives, the unknowing of what the weekend would entail for me, the lows of a bad game (or not playing at all... even after my dad drove 8 hours up to Maine !), and of course the times of highlights when everything went right (like your son's homerun).  Congrats on the good game. What conference is he in?

_________________________________________

Amazon: Going with the Pitch SE

Author of "Going with the Pitch: Adjusting to Baseball, School and Life as a Division I College Athlete" (Second Edition)

chefmike7777 posted:

Son first outing yesterday. In fourth threw a pitch 5 feet in front of plate. I knew something was wrong immediately. Coach came right out. Pulled him. MRI next couple of days. It is his elbow. They fear UCL and tommy John surgery. 

 

He was / is more worried about how I am doing. Ugh!  

 

Ill let  you all know

Oh noooooo. However, he will get a medical waiver and be good to go next spring, which is his draft year.

Go to the Cincinnati Reds doc.

PM coming your way in a bit.

We are going to him  Kremchek    He comes highly recommended. Goes to team doc tomorrow for initial and initial MRI. But ultimately it will be Kremchek 

My son had TJ by Kremchek....highly recommend.   Hang in there!  

So sorry to hear Chef.  Prayers and Best wishes to your son.

So just returned from my son's 1st college game.  We weren't going as it was 6 hours away, and he's a freshman so we didn't think he'd get in.  He called Friday night and said the coach told him he was giving him a chance at some point this weekend, so we packed up and drove down.  He got 1 inning.  3 k's 12 pitches.  Coach told him he will be getting many more chances. I am so happy for him, and so happy we didn't miss it.

Good luck Chef - hope it turns out OK.

Just returned from son's first college game, with the JV squad.   Interesting experience and an eye opener about how his program works.    My son played quite well.  In nine plate appearances, he got 3 hits, including 2 singles and a triple and walked three times and drove in 2 runs.  Put up some really good AB's.    Hope he keeps it up and maybe works his way off the JV squad.  But you never know -- his team is so stacked with outfielders,  that's a tall order.  Plus the 4 frosh outfielders can all really play.

 It turns out that there are only 12 guys on the JV squad -- there were originally 13 but one was academically ineligible.    They  are all freshman position players.  I hadn't realized that there are no dedicated JV pitchers.  All pitchers are on the varsity and the coaches use  JV games to allow a wide variety of pitchers to get work in.  For example, the number 2 starter and the number 3 starter from the varsity -- both have been a bit shaky so far this season -- each started a game of the three game series.  Several freshman relievers got some work in, but so did several upperclassmen.  It seems like the JV games are also used to help determine the varsity pecking order among the pitchers.  

At the same time you get  the distinct impression that the relatively compact JV season functions  sort of as an extended try out for frosh position players  -- there is only one frosh position player on the varsity, and there are no upperclassmen on JV.   The one freshman varsity position player is apparently a real stud.

I wonder if any other schools use their JV squads in quite this combination of ways. 

At first, my son seemed a bit discouraged --  more discouraged than I have ever seen him be  about baseball, even with all the lost time due to injuries,    In fact, all of the JV guys seemed pretty much the  same way.  You can tell that these guys feel intense pressure to prove themselves in their relatively limited opportunities.  They aren't at all sure where they stand. Next year there will be a new crop of frosh and a new crop of transfer to compete against -- 25 committed so far.   And to make matters worse the all know that from last year's JV squad only 2 are on this year's varsity and none repeated JV.   There were 12 or 13 JV  players last year.  7 or 8 of them tried out this year which means  5 or 6  got cut.   Talking to my son's roomies and parents in the stands,  I'm not sure any of the JV players has felt this kind of pressure before.   But still,  they played with great intensity.  It's  evident that are lots of talented  players on the  small JV roster.  Many of them might be on the travel squad in a less competitive, less cut throat environment.  My son described the vibe as "figure it out, kid,  if you can't do the job,  we'll find someone who will."  

But he was  much happier by the end of the weekend than at the beginning of it.  That's for sure.  He seemed almost like his old self, actually.  

I am sorry to hear that as well Chef.  My thoughts and prayers to the young man! 

chefmike7777 posted:

Son first outing yesterday. In fourth threw a pitch 5 feet in front of plate. I knew something was wrong immediately. Coach came right out. Pulled him. MRI next couple of days. It is his elbow. They fear UCL and tommy John surgery. 

 

He was / is more worried about how I am doing. Ugh!  

 

Ill let  you all know

oh man.   that sucks major league.   Hope he heals well.

9th inning, 2 outs with a 12-0 lead, my freshman son gets to come in for his college debut for the last out. 4 pitch K and the moment is over. Many years waiting to see him on that mound!  Although brief, a great experience that I was fortunate enough to see!  Exciting to see him work towards earning some more innings as the season progresses. 

Son got in Saturday night for last out of the game. Was a bit nervous, gave up a hit on tough chopper fielded up 3b line and low throw to 1st but settled in a struck out next guy looking. 93-95 and hammer was working in first college appearance. Pretty exciting stuff.

Thoughts and prayers out to Chef on the MRI.

Sorry to hear about that Chef...  Never easy to have an injury come up.  Hoping for a positive prognosis and comeback!

As for my son, he got his first opportunity to pitch on Saturday.  It has been rough for us (my son and myself) so far this season.  He's a senior and the team had played 9 games before he got his first time on the mound.  He was feeling very discouraged.  And it's not like the other pitchers were doing great...  So, he finally got his opportunity.  Did very well, other than giving up a 3 run HR.  Ugh...  Pitched 3 innings.  1st inning got them out 1-2-3 with a K.  2nd inning, gave up a walk, no hits and one K.  3rd inning, weak GB single up the middle, infield single, pop up to 3rd, then the HR.  He was super pissed...  Coach left him in and he struck the next two guys out and came off the field cursing.  One pitch killed him.  Just hoping the coach will keep some confidence in him and give him some more opportunities.  

Team is doing well.  They are 8-2 on the season and 3-0 in conference play.  They can really hit and have come from behind to win a number of games.  In the game my son pitched in on Saturday, they were down 12-5 in the 7th inning and came back to win 13-12.  Won a game last weekend in which they were down several times during the game and wound up winning 19-18 in 10 innings.  One thing you can say, they never give up.  

Here's to hoping for more opportunities and a good senior year!!  Time really does go by fast...

chefmike7777 posted:

Son first outing yesterday. In fourth threw a pitch 5 feet in front of plate. I knew something was wrong immediately. Coach came right out. Pulled him. MRI next couple of days. It is his elbow. They fear UCL and tommy John surgery. 

 

He was / is more worried about how I am doing. Ugh!  

 

Ill let  you all know

Oh no!

I saw the uncharacteristic stat line and wondered what happened.

Let us know how it goes. We're pulling for him.

bballman posted:

Coach left him in and he struck the next two guys out and came off the field cursing.  One pitch killed him.  Just hoping the coach will keep some confidence in him and give him some more opportunities.  

 

I love what he did after he gave up the HR and hope that the coach will see and feel the same way.  That's toughness.

Good Luck Chef

Traveled to Florida to finally see some games.  It is one thing to hear about the high level of baseball in top collge leagues down south, quite another to see it.  

The pitching was the best we've seen not on TV.  Fielder's make sick plays laying out, etc.  (Graig Nettles when I was a kid  comparison for me, or Machado of current players).  As a fan, I had to clap for all teams' good plays I saw (there were many).  Of course great fastballs; and sliders & curves that demonstrate where the term 'dropping off the table' came from.

People back home don't realize the talent and competition.   One game (2 really great arms, 0-0 til the 9th) had 40-50 scouts.   There are scouts at practices.  "We are not in Kansas anymore Toto....."   

Glad son is getting some time.  A fight for PT.  Parents very nice and welcoming, good things to say about Son, the pitchers love throwing to him.  He loves his teammates and the coaches and obviously the weather.  Think he will see more action as he continues to prove himself.  A scout called last night to say it is an accomplishment for a northern freshman kid to get on the field in Florida.  

Good luck and success to all.

chefmike7777 posted:

MRI next couple of days. It is his elbow.

Chef, so sorry to hear this news. Hoping for the best.

NYdad2017 posted:

bballman posted:

Coach left him in and he struck the next two guys out and came off the field cursing.  One pitch killed him.  Just hoping the coach will keep some confidence in him and give him some more opportunities.  

 

I love what he did after he gave up the HR and hope that the coach will see and feel the same way.  That's toughness.

Thanks NYdad...

Chef, just read this. I'm sorry to hear about your son. Will send you a PM in a bit

RFF

Sorry to hear the news Chef.  Thoughts + prayers out to your son and the family.  Hoping for the best for him.  Keep us updated with results so HSBBWeb community can support you all.

Ok gang here is where we are for son and his injury. Saw a Doc yesterday who then ordered an MRI in afternoon yesterday. Thanks to Redfishfool, I called the trainer and asked what kind of MRI and asked if it was a contrast MRI. she said no since it was since a recent injury, and it would be uncomfortable and maybe a bit painful for my son. That they would do it if the "regular" MRI did not show enough. I insisted upon a contrast since it would give a more complete picture. She called Doc and it was changed to contrast. 

Met with Orthopedic surgeon doc today (this is school's preferred Doc). He said it was a slight tear, showed us (son, I and trainer) where it was on MRI and recommended rest for 4 weeks and inflammatory, then he would do a follow up MRI and consult. If all checked out then he could start throwing program. I did ask them to send MRI to Kremchek office as a second opinion and that office  will let me know tomorrow if they see / recommend anything differently (I guess WSU coaching staff and Kremchek have a great relationship).

I talked briefly to pitching coach and he said still not sure what they would do with his season as of moment. If it all went perfectly and he was back in 6-7 weeks, it would still be mid to late April and only 4-6 weeks left in season. Not sure they want to burn up a year of eligibility for 1/3 of season. I concur. My son will want to play .  We will see how it goes from here. Next 4 weeks are basically a lot of athletic training therapy for rest of body, rest for arm, and waiting.

Of course, that all depends on 2nd opinion.

Thanks for all your support and guidance. Love this community!

Chef, best of luck to your son.

Hopefully Kremchek will concur + the healing can begin.  Best to all. 

Hoping that he heals up quick and can get back at it, Chef. 

chefmike7777 posted:

Ok gang here is where we are for son and his injury. Saw a Doc yesterday who then ordered an MRI in afternoon yesterday. Thanks to Redfishfool, I called the trainer and asked what kind of MRI and asked if it was a contrast MRI. she said no since it was since a recent injury, and it would be uncomfortable and maybe a bit painful for my son. That they would do it if the "regular" MRI did not show enough. I insisted upon a contrast since it would give a more complete picture. She called Doc and it was changed to contrast. 

Met with Orthopedic surgeon doc today (this is school's preferred Doc). He said it was a slight tear, showed us (son, I and trainer) where it was on MRI and recommended rest for 4 weeks and inflammatory, then he would do a follow up MRI and consult. If all checked out then he could start throwing program. I did ask them to send MRI to Kremchek office as a second opinion and that office  will let me know tomorrow if they see / recommend anything differently (I guess WSU coaching staff and Kremchek have a great relationship).

I talked briefly to pitching coach and he said still not sure what they would do with his season as of moment. If it all went perfectly and he was back in 6-7 weeks, it would still be mid to late April and only 4-6 weeks left in season. Not sure they want to burn up a year of eligibility for 1/3 of season. I concur. My son will want to play .  We will see how it goes from here. Next 4 weeks are basically a lot of athletic training therapy for rest of body, rest for arm, and waiting.

Of course, that all depends on 2nd opinion.

Thanks for all your support and guidance. Love this community!

While some folks make negative comments about our site and members, RFF giving you that advice shows how valuable this site really is.

Sent you a pm.

The best to your son, hopefully it heals on its own.   did they classify as grade 1,2, 3   sprain?  I think 3rd degree sprain has some tearing involved.. sometimes different docs use different terminology. 

PRP injection could be an option, you might want to inquire about it.

Will be hoping for the best for your son, Chef.  

Second opinion right away is a very good move.  Son lost over four months (and, thus, a whole season) due to a mis-diagnosis and subsequent wrong treatment that likely would have been avoided had we taken that extra step with his scapholunate ligament tear his first college fall.  

I'm with you on the 4-6 week thing but no need to think that far ahead just yet.  

Thanks all.  More news to point about 2nd opinion. Head coach called really concerned. Said as he delved further into it. Throwing program would be 6-8 weeks after 4 weeks rest. So mid to late May at best. Felt like we should definitely do more than just send down MRI. As he felt team doc is ultra conservative. Said he called 4 MLBers he know plus 5 other HC to see their experience with partial tear.  No one had ever not had surgery. Even if they waited and rehabbed then it tore again. If that were to happen he would lose both this year and next. So with that HC told son he was done for year. I made spot with Kremchek Monday. If he says no surgery then ok  but we will see. 

Son was heart broke but tried to be tough. Worked until Momma hugged him. He was all excited that 6-7 weeks he would be back on mound. Now done and probable surgery or at least long rehab. My heart is breaking for him. 

Terrible news.  My heart goes out to your son and your family.

He will be fine, more so because u guys are so close. He will not lose a redshirt year and he can get in extra classes. I hate to see this happen but it's better now than later.  

He'll work hard to get back and be a better man because of it.

TPM posted:

chefmike7777 posted:

Ok gang here is where we are for son and his injury. Saw a Doc yesterday who then ordered an MRI in afternoon yesterday. Thanks to Redfishfool, I called the trainer and asked what kind of MRI and asked if it was a contrast MRI. she said no since it was since a recent injury, and it would be uncomfortable and maybe a bit painful for my son. That they would do it if the "regular" MRI did not show enough. I insisted upon a contrast since it would give a more complete picture. She called Doc and it was changed to contrast. 

Met with Orthopedic surgeon doc today (this is school's preferred Doc). He said it was a slight tear, showed us (son, I and trainer) where it was on MRI and recommended rest for 4 weeks and inflammatory, then he would do a follow up MRI and consult. If all checked out then he could start throwing program. I did ask them to send MRI to Kremchek office as a second opinion and that office  will let me know tomorrow if they see / recommend anything differently (I guess WSU coaching staff and Kremchek have a great relationship).

I talked briefly to pitching coach and he said still not sure what they would do with his season as of moment. If it all went perfectly and he was back in 6-7 weeks, it would still be mid to late April and only 4-6 weeks left in season. Not sure they want to burn up a year of eligibility for 1/3 of season. I concur. My son will want to play .  We will see how it goes from here. Next 4 weeks are basically a lot of athletic training therapy for rest of body, rest for arm, and waiting.

Of course, that all depends on 2nd opinion.

Thanks for all your support and guidance. Love this community!

While some folks make negative comments about our site and members, RFF giving you that advice shows how valuable this site really is.

Sent you a pm.

Chef, good luck w son.  Resources are phenomenal on this site!  Keep us posted, simply knowing questions to ask can be tremendous.

Did they say which band was torn?  Anterior or posterior?

I'm not sure which is anterior or posterior but if you put your palms up, then it would be on the inside of elbow. same side as pinky finger

Best of luck with whatever path is chosen.  Was looking forward to following him this season but will simply wait for his return next season.

2017LHPscrewball posted:

Best of luck with whatever path is chosen.  Was looking forward to following him this season but will simply wait for his return next season.

thanks, one of the nice things for the team is there is pitching depth. Jeremy was considered an important cog for sure but they do have depth. AS a bummer as this is, I am excited about following the team this year. They have high hopes and expectations

Hi All - this past weekend we went to watch one of my sons HS teammates in his first college start.  

Last year when my son got called up to varsity as a freshman, I'd chuckle almost every night picking him up from practice and my son saying.... the Senior pitchers cellophaned my wallet and phone together AGAIN at practice today.  The pitchers were good to him - but he was also an easy target as a freshman.

Pretty awesome day - sell out crowd on Saturday @ UGA and really amazed how he responded.  5 shutout innings, 7 Ks, 1 BB, 1 questionable hit, and left with a 3-0 lead.  

Fun day for us getting to a college baseball environment, and just glad we were able to be there to support him, and his family, in his 1st college start!

Best of luck, and health, to all this spring!

Shoveit4Ks posted:

Son got in Saturday night for last out of the game. Was a bit nervous, gave up a hit on tough chopper fielded up 3b line and low throw to 1st but settled in a struck out next guy looking. 93-95 and hammer was working in first college appearance. Pretty exciting stuff.

 

Thoughts and prayers out to Chef on the MRI.

Was good to hear him get in and listen. I know he'll have many more just like it.

Heading down to watch the Campbell Fighting Camels against Minnesota in a little bit. Don't know if we have any Camel or Gopher parents on here but I'm looking forward to it nonetheless. 

Son will head to Fla. next weekend for the final time in his college career. Team will play their first game on Mon. 3/7. Looking for big things out of this years team as they return all 8 position starters, 6 of whom hit over .333 last year, along with a very good pitching staff. Son has been fortunate to have been a starter & letterman his entire career. Have to reiterate what has been said many times on this site, enjoy the ride 'cause it's over before you know it. GOOD LUCK to all & stay injury free!

Today was something of a landmark.   It was the first game since son's freshman year in HS, when we sent him on a trip with his travel team that neither of us could make,   that neither my wife nor I was there to witness.   Strange feeling.  I suppose there will be more of those games in the future.  

At least from his postgame  report sounds like he played well again, went 1 for 3 and got an outfield assist.

Get to see him in action again next week. 

Sounds like he's a little miffed at the way they use the JV team, though.  Today, they brought down three varsity bench guys -- including two outfielders -- and gave them significant number of AB's in todays DH,  thereby diminishing the AB's of the JV players. 

Chefmike7777

Sorry to hear about your son. Prayers go out to your son and your family.

Our freshman son has been called upon 3 times out of the bullpen over the past two weekends. He has thrown well. Just recently, on Friday night, he went out for the 9th and got three strike outs swinging.  He has thrown 2.2 innings. Looking forward to a fun year.

I said this on the other thread Chef, but I want to repeat it here, My prayers go out to you and your family. Good luck to your son. Please keep us informed. 

That's awesome Hunter.  

Got final news about son. Tommy John surgery with Dr Kremchek this Friday. Said original MRI was "terrible". Did X-ray, ultrasound, and a contrast MRI with fluid. Showed a significant tear across the middle of muscle. Holding on a one end by a couple threads. 

The difference in the whole process of diagnosis was like mid day at the equator on the longest day of year vs midnight in anartica on shortest day of year. 

He is ok with outcome. He has been saying surgery since it happened. 

More to come but will move it out of this topic. This topic is about boys on the field. Looking forward to all the upcoming updates

All the best to your son chefmike!

justbaseball posted:

All the best to your son chefmike!

+1

All the best to you and your son! 

Well Chef, the road back begins this Friday. Best of luck to your son. 

NYdad2017 posted:

Well Chef, the road back begins this Friday. Best of luck to your son. 

Agreed.  I wish him well, I think the timing is right.

This is a good time to strengthen your bond without baseball as father and son.  It's all good.

Keep in touch!

Speaking of that bonding the other downside of Surgey this Friday vs later. I was set to drive him 7 hours to North Carolina after appointment today to be with his team for rest of his teams spring break week trip. I was just going to sleep night and come back but was REALLY looking forward to that 7 hour trip today just to hang out and shot the breeze with him.

Our relationship has grown so much since he was off to college and I stopped giving him the vibe that I was interested in him the athlete and was interested in him as my son. Would have been a fun 7 hours.

As an over worried and therefore to involved for dad. Make sure you tell your kids you love them. Not who they are or who you are trying to get them to be. 

Nice post chefmike - I was thinking of heading over to NCSU this past weekend to watch your son until I read on here that he was hurt.  Sorry to have missed him (and you!!). 

Dang!  That would have been fun!  Who knows next year we might be back in North Carolina. I guess we start year there often. 

Best wishes to your son Chefmike. I hope the best for his future.

Clemson Tigers had their first annual meeting with state rival South Carolina last night.  The Tigers made some mistakes which cost them dearly, but overall, I think that they did pretty well against a guy throwing mid 90's and a ranked team, as well as considering that the Tigers did not have one senior in their line up.

Very interesting to note that the SC pitcher last night Clarke Schmidt, is the brother of the Tigers pitcher, Clate Schmidt who will start the game this afternoon in Greenville (neutral)  for the Tigers.

Imagine being the parents of those boys!  

FWIW, Tiger starting pitcher Clate Schmidt battled and beat lymphoma last season. You always hear about stories of players never giving up, this one surely is a great story.  

That's why it is so very important to enjoy one game at a time and there will be good games as well as bad ones for your players as well as for their teams.  It comes with the territory. 

So stop getting stressed over the silly stuff and enjoy the ride!!!

Update. Senior Clate Schmidt pitches game of his career, and Tigers defeat SC with a shut out.

This is an extrodinary tale of two brothers and why I love baseball, who cares where they go to school. 

And this is why I love baseball.

That is a great story about Clate Schmidt. My girl friend works the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and I shared this note with her. This is how great stories spread! Congrats to the family. (Now I just want the warm weather to come north so we too can start enjoying baseball!)

_____

Amazon: Going with the Pitch SE

Author of "Going with the Pitch: Adjusting to Baseball, School and Life as a Division I College Athlete" (Second Edition)

TPM posted:

Clemson Tigers had their first annual meeting with state rival South Carolina last night.  The Tigers made some mistakes which cost them dearly, but overall, I think that they did pretty well against a guy throwing mid 90's and a ranked team, as well as considering that the Tigers did not have one senior in their line up.

Freshman Ryley Gilliam gets a mention from Aaron Fitt after a good weekend for Clemson.

https://twitter.com/aaronfitt/...s/706612033366536193

Coach Lee is getting it together and  yes Ryley has an outstanding breaking pitch that is only going to get better.  

I see Fitt mentioned Paul Campbell as well.  Paul was a teammate of my son on his travel team in high school.  Glad to see he is doing well. 

I had the opportunity to take my family to watch Clemson play opening weekend and sat around a lot of the parents. There were a couple freshman that played on the Saturday game and could only imagine how proud their parents must have felt. 

All the parents actually.  What  great moments. Also got the opportunity to talk to a parent from Maine.

Congrats to all your kids AND to the parents. Lots of time and commitment. Nothing like seeing your child succeed in their dreams.

Just got a text that the freshman gets his first start tomorrow night.................vs #8 TCU.  Told him to hit his spots and change speeds.  Last he will hear from me until after the game tomorrow night (hope the weather holds off).

At my sons game on Saturday, son's housemate, a little if any used backup catcher got a chance to pinch hit late in the game.  First pitch, he drives it out over the left center field fence for a two run homer.

It's another of those stories of a great kid, hard worker, who had a great HS career that got stuck behind more talented players. This kid never gripes, shows up every and day does his job.  He will graduate this spring and already has multiple job offers.  He got mobbed on the way to the dugout. It was a great day for him.

i was fortunate to be behind the backstop, got my phone out and got it all on video. His parents weren't coming for the Saturday game, I don't know who I was happier for the kid or the dad. Dad told me he got tears in his eyes watching his boy cross the plate and get all of the high fives and helmet bumps.. 

Afterwards we took my son and the kid out to dinner, I bet he still has a smile on his face.. I still do!

mmm1531 posted:

At my sons game on Saturday, son's housemate, a little if any used backup catcher got a chance to pinch hit late in the game.  First pitch, he drives it out over the left center field fence for a two run homer.

 

It's another of those stories of a great kid, hard worker, who had a great HS career that got stuck behind more talented players. This kid never gripes, shows up every and day does his job.  He will graduate this spring and already has multiple job offers.  He got mobbed on the way to the dugout. It was a great day for him.

i was fortunate to be behind the backstop, got my phone out and got it all on video. His parents weren't coming for the Saturday game, I don't know who I was happier for the kid or the dad. Dad told me he got tears in his eyes watching his boy cross the plate and get all of the high fives and helmet bumps.. 

Afterwards we took my son and the kid out to dinner, I bet he still has a smile on his face.. I still do!

 

 

Great story, and evidence of character, patience, work ethic & team by this kid.  

Every employer wanted this kid before, & now he's got a great story to tell.

Good luck to him & your son this season.  Awesome share....

mmm1531 -  that is a great story! 

SoxIn7 posted:

I had the opportunity to take my family to watch Clemson play opening weekend and sat around a lot of the parents. There were a couple freshman that played on the Saturday game and could only imagine how proud their parents must have felt. 

All the parents actually.  What  great moments. Also got the opportunity to talk to a parent from Maine.

Congrats to all your kids AND to the parents. Lots of time and commitment. Nothing like seeing your child succeed in their dreams.

That's awesome! I hope that you get a chance to go watch another game at Clemsom.  

My son became a Vulture for the first time in last nights game. Pitched 2/3 of an inning in relief and got the win. Lol