Steps to pro career?

Tony P,

Since you are new to this site, I believe the best advice that you can get to your inquiry is to read as much as you can that has been posted through out hsbaseballweb.

My own personal advice would be to hold your son accountable for HIS desire to play pro ball.... doesn't matter how much YOU want him to get a chance at it, pro ball is ultimately something that your son has to achieve on his own(with a lot of support from you in a LOT of different ways).

Best of luck during his last 2 years of HS and if the pro ball "dream" is not met then, I hope he continues to pursue it while obtaining a college education.

Get started on the reading... lots of folks on this site have gone the path before you.

Welcome aboard Tony P!

If your son has the talent and has not avoided the major showcases, he will undoubtably be found.

If he is a position player, work on Hitting and perfecting his footwork around the bag, and how he addresses a ball that he is fielding.

Work on core and lower body strength and speed.

Tony P-

There is way too much to discuss in terms of "how to become a pro player". My best advice to you would be to let your son work as hard as he can and set his own goals.

Meanwhile, soak in as much information as you can on this site and elsewhere. You'd be surprised how valuable the info is here that you receive. I've been dumbfounded for years at how much I've received from this site, and judging by the two people that posted above me (and the success that they and their sons have had in baseball), you will be just fine in getting your information.

I like you have a son who has the skills to maybe play pro. My son, Alec, is home schooled and does not get seen. We also live in to sticks. We took him to a C. Reds try out and he was the last kid they sent home out of about 200! He also was the smallest kid there. 5'8" and 150 lbs. Why did they look at him so long? He runs like the wind and can field with the best of them. He also plays with GREAT passion. He is a contact hitter with little power. He is a senior and realizes if he wants to play he must be proactive to be seen. Plan your work and work your plan. Good luck with your boy. He can get there. Willie Lyle

Parents do play a part in this but I'm not sure if anyone can define that part. There are many parents on the HSBBW that have pro or ex-pro players and I would venture to say we all went about "IT" in a different manner. I like what One Players Pop said "

quote:

My own personal advice would be to hold your son accountable for HIS desire to play pro ball.... doesn't matter how much YOU want him to get a chance at it, pro ball is ultimately something that your son has to achieve on his own (with a lot of support from you in a LOT of different ways)

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I think the word SUPPORT is key here. I will admit I supported my son in efforts to play pro ball but I also supported him when he wanted to retire from pro ball too. I would have also have supported him if he said he wanted to concentrate on something other than baseball. This will sound corny but --- I know "pro baseball" holds a special place in the hearts of many (my son and I included) but pales in comparison to that relationship we develop with our sons as they pursue the goal of professional baseball.
Fungo

quote:

Originally posted by Tony P:
I am very new at this. Joined up toady. Got a question for some help.
What steps do you take if you think your son has the skills to be a pro? Not just baseball skills alone but all the intangibles that go along with it. He will be High School Junior in 2010.
I don't want him to miss his chance because of my lack of know how.
Thanks, Tony P

I am not really understanding the need to feel that one must "prepare" their son for a pro career. There is so much more to it than that, ask OPP. I think he jokes about the big circle he put on the side of the barn for son to target each day, a good example how if you got it, they are going to notice it no matter what you do to prepare. That's what it's all about, IMO. You can be the biggest stud among your HS team, hit the ball to the other side of the fence, strike out an entire team in one game, but that doesn't make you necessarily pro material.
I find it rather interesting what parents do these days to get their sons noticed for the next step, lessons, long workouts, numerous showcases, expensive travel teams, yet some don't even get the college opportunities they think that they should have, let alone being drafted.
That being said, IMO, the best steps to prepare your son is to let him mature physically and mentally, make good choices, be a good team mate, try to do their best in school, and just be a normal kid for as long as they can. For most it doesn't happen after HS, so my advice is to concentrate on finding the best college fit to prepare him for the next step, if the pro opportunity comes along, well that's just some icing on the cake, most HS players drafted, unless high or with high upside (future potential), don't turn pro.

JMO.

From what I have seen pro careers go not to players who are "prepared" by others. They go to players who are blessed with physical gifts to do thing most cannot, without getting hurt.

Pro careers go to those with the tunnel vision to pursue a dream when others have given up or told them to do the same.

Either your son is prepared right now, or he is not, so don't worry about it. You can support his journey, but that is about it. I would also define "pro career." It can mean $600 a month during the season, million$ a year or something in between.

EDIT: You can buy him an air mattress. He'll need one.

I do lessons and when I have a kid that may develope into something special say 10th grade up. I will reduce thier rates to have more time to work on mental parts of the game. I generally tell him what has to be done and wait to see if he does it on his own. The guys that were forced to do work in col. and pro ball didnt get it and didnt last.

Advice is stay calm stay loose and make no excuses. Teach your son to learn from the best players. If he is the best player help the guys that want to learn. Start helping the young guys and lead by example.