Spring de-commitments

My son had a teammate in a similar situation. He wasn't getting a lot of DI interest and signed with a JUCO. He was still interested in going DI and had a great spring HS season so it was a possibility to go late to DI. The JUCO coach told him that if he wound up getting an offer from a DI school, he could get out of the agreement they had signed. I think it only applied to DI schools.

I'm not an expert on this, but NCAA, JUCO and NAIA are run by different governing bodies so to switch between them should not be an issue - other than not holding true to your word. DIII is different as well since there is no binding agreement - no NLI. However, not sure what the consequences are if you were to back out of an NLI with a DI to go to another DI or a DII. This might not be allowed per NCAA regulations.

Try and control those things in your control like grades, athletic conditioning, baseball skills, etc.

These other things are a distraction imho. Why worry about them unless these become a reality which in all likelihood is unlikely imho.

That said, if a D1 spot opens in the spring, it may be due to unforeseen circumstances from what was known in the fall. For example, what if someone (a recruit or current player) became injured or became academically ineligible? The coach would then have to go out and recruit someone at the last minute i.e., the spring. Signing at a JUCO does not take you off the board but it is nice the coach has stated that he would be OK if a D1 offer came along. It seems these type of questions answer themselves if you think about it.

Focus on today and what is important today. Tomorrow will easily take care of itself. Inventing issues that may not transpire tomorrow only takes away from the positive efforts that ought to go into today.

I agree with ClevelandDad. Most stuff will work itself out.

In D3 there is no commitment per se, only your word that you will attend.

You can change your mind up until you take part in Baseball activities in the fall. Some D3 Commitments never show up on campus in the fall for one reason or another.

quote:

CD said....Focus on today and what is important today. Tomorrow will easily take care of itself. Inventing issues that may not transpire tomorrow only takes away from the positive efforts that ought to go into today.

That is the best advice I've read in a while. Sometimes we get twisted around the axle with details and options. Simplify today.

I was raised believing that your word is your bond--- part of our countries problem is ones word means nothing today

quote:

CD said....Focus on today and what is important today. Tomorrow will easily take care of itself. Inventing issues that may not transpire tomorrow only takes away from the positive efforts that ought to go into today.

That is the best advice I've read in a while

tmorrow does not always take care of itself !

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
I was raised believing that your word is your bond--- part of our countries problem is ones word means nothing today

I could not agree with this statement more. This is one of the things that I always try to teach my kids, as well as my employees. If you make a commitment to someone or something, it is your responsibility to fulfill that, regardless if something else comes along. It is how I lead my life, both personally and in business, and how I expect my children and those that we deal with to also behave. One of the many reasons my son committed to where he did, we knew that the coaches had the same philosophy on this.

the problem is that people dont beloieve this anymore

We told our son to choose his college carefully, because once he made his decision it was one he would have to follow through on. He decided JUCO knowing that it leaves options open for later...later being 2 yrs...not 3 months. Told him that he had to show his committment if he expects coaches to be committed.

Perhaps my original question wasn't clear.

I wasn't necessarily asking if committed players de-commit. I was trying to ask if other institutions would approach a player who has committed to a JUCO or DIII.

Apparently the answer is "yes", or "some."

And, I would be surprised if a school just came out of the woodwork that hadn't previously expressed serious interest.

In my opinion, there are too many restrictions that hold players accountable, and none that hold coaches accountable, so I believe the whole "being true to your word" doesn't necessarily apply because you can be true to your word and the next day the coach could go against his word and screw you over... For example when a major D1 told a guy I know who signed his LOI that they didn't want him anymore... 1 week before school started.

No accountability by coaches, but the players are supposed to stay true to their words?

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
the problem is that people dont beloieve this anymore

If you get an offer from a D1 school, this will change your life. It is 4 years and most likely a respectable education, along with great baseball. If someone gets the opportunity to go to a D1 (which is most players' dream) instead of a Juco, you're saying they shouldn't take it because they might hurt the Juco coach's feelings? That's ridiculous...

We were told by our son's pitching coach to expect Spring offers from other college's (D2, D3 and possibly D1) even after the JUCO signing period in January. My son assured him that he will not change his mind regardless. We are sure the pitching coach will pass that along to the JUCO coaches.

I do not believe other JUCOs can pursue a player that has committed in writing to another JUCO.

As far as worried about hurting a JUCO coach's feelings...no. Worried about teaching a young man to stand by his word...yes.

To add on to what 2013LHP and Bleacher Dad said:

When my son committed to his JUCO, they said they would appreciate if he told other JUCOs that he was committed to them. But if a 4 year school came calling, they understood that if he went that route it would be alright, and even expected if he de-committed and went to a 4 year instead, if offered by a 4 year.

As so happens, my son took the ACT the weekend before committing and he got his results and gave them to his summer coach. He said good job and he would give this info to any 4 year school knowing he was committed to the JUCO.

But like Bleacher said, keep your word, and my son plans on attending his JUCO.

In the original post, they said the coach would tear up the agreement if a 4-year school came along. Thus, you wouldn't be breaking a commitment if that situation arose.

I agree that people should honor their commitments but when you have the JUCO coach's blessing on it, I don't see the conflict or the ethical/moral dilemma. Now, to commit to one JUCO and then leave for another, then of course, there is a problem with that.

The goal is to play college ball at a 4 year school not JUCO ball. JUCO is merely one means to get there and most JUCO coaches support that.

Unfortunetly there are coaches out there that are not true to their word and there are players as well, we just don't hear about that side as often.
Do your homework. Funny, I know of one program that continually does this, yet players keep coming. Whose fault does that become?
IMO, in general most coaches know that this sort of thing hurts more than it helps.

The player was entitled to keep his scholarship at that D1, if at all he was awarded one.

As far as not breaking commitments to JUCO, I agree with CD, the whole object is to attain a scholarship to play ball at a 4 year program and if any JUCO coach indicates he would be unhappy if a player did, go in another direction.

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
I was raised believing that your word is your bond--- part of our countries problem is ones word means nothing today

ABSOLUTELY. This says it all. My son committed to a great D2... And that's final. He is certain to get d1 offers... But it doesn't matter if Arizona State made a full ride and a free car offer (I know they can't, just saying) he will stay with his commitment. If you're a great player, you will be seen. But if you're a young man who's word means nothing, that will be seen MUCH more in my opinion.

quote:

Originally posted by Pop Up Hitter dad:

quote:

Originally posted by northwest:
In my opinion, there are too many restrictions that hold players accountable, and none that hold coaches accountable, so I believe the whole "being true to your word" doesn't necessarily apply because you can be true to your word and the next day the coach could go against his word and screw you over... For example when a major D1 told a guy I know who signed his LOI that they didn't want him anymore... 1 week before school started.



No accountability by coaches, but the players are supposed to stay true to their words?

Well said Northwest, son been there done that



Surprised the pro coach group hasn't jumped all over you for saying this.

Hmmm. I'm not amongst "the pro coach group" alluded to above, BUT

I didn't realize that the poor example of others was justification that one could use to rationalize their own lack of responsibility, or ethics?

You are right TR; there are many in today's world that find a way to justify their children's poor decisions, bad behavior, or what have you rather than have them do what's right, be the better person, set an example.

we cannot control what coaches say and do but I can be very influential in what my guys do

I am with TR. If you give your word, live up to the commitment. If your goal is to continue to pursue other options, be up front and ask how the Juco coach would feel or the D3 should a D1 come calling. I suspect they will appreciate your being straight forward and you can come to an agreement but if not, why should they hold your spot only for you to bail for a better opportunity? At the collegiate level, you are risking their livelihood with false promises.
Treat others the way you want to be treated.