Summer Ball before College question

Play against the best competition, his future teamates are. you don't want to waste a summer/oppotunity to get better.

We were faced with the same question. Rather than traveling to/from tournaments, spending money that we didn't have, our son stayed home and played in the local 19u league. The league was made up of mostly players from the area; some were at or going to 4yr schools some JC kids and some were still in high school.

It was not the highest level of competition; but he was able to get 200 AB's and had time to work out at the gym. When he got to college; he was physically prepared and played very relaxed.

I suspect that the coaches from his future school will tell him what they want him to accomplish before he gets on campus. Whether it is competing or preparing physically; they will probably make it very clear what they expect.

We too had the same concerns. My son talked to his college coach, told him he wanted to take a month long trip right after graduation, and asked if it was ok, instead of "playing" officially on a team. His coach approved his trip, but he did say that son just needed to be ready and prepared to play baseball from day-one of college. When son returned from the trip, early July, he built a regular routine of hitting, throwing, and conditioned in a strict conditioning regimen with a trainer three days a week until a few days before he left for college.

Now that college practice has started, he says he is feeling very well prepared and in top condition - and is keeping up well with all of the returners not just his classmates. So, make sure that your son talks with his coach to get the coach's take on it - and whether your son plays or not, he needs to make sure he is in top condition ready for college. We have seen how well it pays off.

no11... could not agree more. Conditioning, speed training etc. are critical in summer leading up to your first fall practice in college. Players can get burned out by too much travel and too many games ---- I would recommend a reduced schedule that allows player to see live pitching AND have time and energy to workout in preparation for college.

Some players that are going D1 will attend summer school @ the D1 school. This allows them to workout & train with the college coaching staff along with getting a few college academic credits out of the way.

Is that allowed ?

I don't know the rules about working with the staff but a lot of kids do go to Summer school to get credits and work out on campus. As to the original question, my '09 son played in a local collegiate wood bat league this past summer. It gave him some at bats and about 2-3 innings of pitching per week. The league was laid back and players did miss games to go on vacation. League was made up of players from all classifications. He was able to get quality playing time without all the travel.

quote:

Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
Is that allowed ?

Most of the time a schedule is given for them to follow, they have full priveledges as they are now enrolled in school. As far as I know there is nothing that doesn't allow this, but are rules about working off season with the coaching staff.

FWIW, our son played but very limited, he is a pitcher also. I do not feel one has to spend money for this before they head off for college, my opinion is save the $$ for school, you are gonna need it.

I recall hearing recently that taking 3 months annually off from pitching is what several prominent arm surgeons are recommending for recuperation.

A robust cardio/strength training program, coupled with a good throwing program may be something you should consider after 4 years of HS ball and prior to 3+ years of what could be year round competition.

What can he possibly learn in 6-10 starts next summer that a) he doesn't already know or b) the college pitching coach will want him to change anyway?

Welcome to HSBBW STL Pitcher.

To answer your question about what to do. My son was there where your son was after his high school year and was tired of all the traveling (East Cobb) and wanted to chill at home and play on a local team. He ended up playing on a local Legion team and absolutely LOVED it! It allowed him to keep his arm fresh while strengthening it, and more importantly, sleep in his own bed every night. His willingness to play local saved me a wad of money s well.

Backstop-17, his son getting 6-10 starts will allow him to continue tweaking his mechanics as most pitches do, and quite honestly, I have found that most college coaches won't change a pitchers mechanics. Most believe that if it's not broken, why fix it? That doesn't mean that tweaks don't happen. They do.

Thank you all for the great responses. This just reinforces my original intentions.

My son heads of for the Southeast in July to D1. He plans to do his LOI in November as well.
He is going to do the summer session of school to get "a leg up" on the college process. Several schools we visited have a early start program to allow the student athletes to get acclimated to college life, earn some credits and hopefully make the spring season less stressful....academically and athletically.
Not sure what summer plans will be yet. He will only have about 3 weeks from graduation to collegiate enrollment. Likely play with summer league with highest possible competition available.

StLPitcher-
Welcome to the HSBB Web from another StL pitcher parent!

There are many paths to success. However, it is never a bad idea to play against the best competition possible (and within reason). I don't think it is necessary to travel the U.S. to do this.

We were in a similar situation. Just play locally, and make sure he is in a core strength program. The pitching is not important at this stage, but pitchers do have to throw. You could do the same thing with a throwing program. No one has said it, but you'd feel like a schmuck if he got hurt in a meaningless summer game.

quote:

Originally posted by trainscout:
StLPitcher-
Welcome to the HSBB Web from another StL pitcher parent!

Hey TrainScout, Our son's know each other very well. Think...CBC

Yeah that's what I thought!

What about Metro Collegiate league? I know some kids that played, don't know its level.

Definitely worth looking into. At this point, all I want is for D to keep working hard, keep improving, and most of all stay healthy before next Fall. I just don't see the need to spend the money for travel ball next summer.

quote:

Originally posted by trainscout:
StLPitcher-
Welcome to the HSBB Web from another StL pitcher parent!

Ditto!

Your pitchers will get plenty of work in the fall when they go off to college. If he had it to do it over, son would not have pitched summer before he left for college, even the few times he did, it still meant bullpens, practice, etc. Save it for when it counts. Trust me on this one, work on conditioning, take a class.

quote:

Originally posted by STL Pitcher:
My son 2010 pitcher has committed to a D1 and will sign a LOI in the early signing period.

He will continue to work hard over the winter and play for his high school in the Spring. For the past 2 years he has traveled quite extensively in an effort to be seen by college coaches, etc. Now that he will be committed to a College, I really don't want to spend the money traveling over the summer before he leaves for College. Plus, I would like for him to spend his final summer before college in town.

Any recommendations from others who have been in this situation? Were you or your sons able to stay sharp pitching in Legion that final summer?

I would ask Coach Moulder what he thinks your Son should do!