Taking a Year Off?

I know that I wondered about this question myself, early in senior year. My son is on the young side for his grade, too. Then someone (actually, a coach) told me that they mature tremendously in the senior year and just seem to realize that it is time. As it turns out, he was right as to my son and he is so ready for college.

But there are many kids who do take time off, and there are also lots of programs, from private school postgrad years to overseas programs to Peace Corps type programs; and then there are kids who just work.

You might want to research some of the programs through your school's college/career advisor, if there is one, or on the internet, and have a backup plan. Local junior college is also a good option if the kids aren't ready. They can still play ball, and take as light or as heavy a load as they want, and still be living at home and transitioning more gradually to adulthood. Several boys on my son's high school team are doing that, partly for academic reasons, partly for playing time reasons, and some because their parents or they felt that they were not ready to leave home.

I guess if it were my son, I would lightly broach the subject and see if it seems to appeal to him a lot. I think, though, that I would still encourage him to apply because things might change. A lot of colleges allow kids to defer their entrance for a year. It would be tougher if he committed to a coach to play, though, and then wanted to take a year off.

A few thoughts

01-- if you take a year off where does he play and will he stay in shape physically ?

02-- why do you need the year off???? I hate to see a kid break the academic regimen---it is tough to get back in the groove

03--- What is the reason for taking the year off? What does he expect to gain?

Just some thoughts

I had a son who graduated from HS in 2001 then:

2002 - Played and started at a 4yr school.

2003 - Took the entire season off, both in the classroom and on the field; was even unsure as whether or not he would continue playing baseball

2004 - Missed it; came back to a JuCo, had a good year

June 2004 - Drafted

congragulations. who drafted your son? was he
being scouted in 01 and 02? best of luck.

Hotcorner,

Thank you very much...a lot of hard work and heartache along the way. He was drafted in the 9th round by the Montreal Expos as a SS. He is fighting for playing time and trying to make the adjustment to the pitching. We started seeing area scouts around the middle of his sophomre year in HS. The cross-checkers and scouting directors did not start showing up until his 2nd year in college.

The rest is history, it is up to him now. as we all know it is not an easy journey ahead, but one that many would like to be taking.

Thanks Again