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Between now and the fall many players (HS, JUCO, and even 4yr) along with parents will be asking 100's of questions as to where to go school this year. These questions, thoughts, and concerns will permeate the mind each and every day until a decision has been made.

The HSBBW has covered this topic on many occasions and I thought it worthwhile to begin again for you players/parents who may be struggling a bit as to where to go to school and play ball.

The outlying question on your mind is: At the end of the day, how do I know I/we are making the RIGHT decision?

Even as my son has just completed his JUCO career and hoping to find the "ideal" school to finish his last 2 years we (along with other JUCO players) must once again go through this process. For many HS and JUCO players who had successful springs this process and decision-making will be made easy for you. Scouts have made it known they want you (or your player) in the fall! I congratulate those of you who are enjoying this side of recruiting.

Then there are the myriad of others out there who for one reason or another maybe didn't have the spring you had hoped for, injury-plagued year, scouts never made it to any games, very limited playing time, Coach/player relationship, etc. that you now hope to find a school that you'll like and play ball.

Below is a list, albeit incomplete, that you and your parents can sit down and go over to be sure you are including everything in the decision-making process. This list is compiled from someone who has experienced most, if not all, of these either by themselves or compounded with others. As you see, this list will grow from those who have experienced the same and will add to the list. Like anything, take the ones you need and trash the rest.

1 - Do I really like the school, or am I blinded by the fact that I/he would go just because he can play baseball there? The former is not an option but a requirement, the latter is.

2 - How's the location of the school? In other words, is it important that son be able to come home often and/or the parents can go there with ease? (parents - if Junior is there to play ball, he essentially will not have the need (or time) to come home often if at all) Practice, required group study, homework, making friends, bonding with teammates, etc. Also, will my parents be able to come often to watch me play when at home or some select away games?

3 - Do I like the coach and is what I saw during the recruiting process the way he REALLY is? I'm afraid that a majority of the time you will see a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde on this one. LOL. Trust me. I'd rather the coach be dry as my granddaddy's skull and tell my son how hard it's going to be than sugarcoat it and fill his head full of sugar plums! The coach's mean business in the fall and aren't there to win a popularity contest amongst the boys. Ask the coach during the recruiting process if he minds giving you a couple of players phone #'s to talk to. Of course he'll give you ones to his best/favorite players but you can still ask the tough questions. They'll tell you.

4 - Does it REALLY matter at the end of the day (or 4yr playing career) what level I play at? In a word - NO! Every kid is not born the same thus everyone possesses different talents and gifts. Because of that fact, you see why there are 5 different levels of ball to play at. In these 5 levels even exist more tiers, i.e. D1/D1-A/Mid-major D1, JUCO D1/D2/D3 to name a few. Each player and/or parent to a degree already has a gut feeling where they should play. (save the ones who still have blinders on and earplugs in!). The sooner you know, the sooner you will be able to narrow your search. Don't be frustrated or discouraged, but be glad you know and go for the gusto! A degree is a degree!

5 - Does playing time mean much or would I be content riding the pine? Tough one. A majority, but not all, D1 freshmen will find themselves most likely redshirted their 1st year. Yes, even you who holds multiple HS records, All-Star, MVP, etc. Then comes your Sophomore year and you read during the summer that the Coach has signed a stud JUCO transfer in your position. Do I stay or do I go begins to enter your mind. You will be surprised just how often these scenarios actually DO happen.

6 - My grades in HS weren't exactly the best, will I do good in college? You won't have a choice to do good or not do good. You don't pass 12hrs in the fall you become instantly academically ineligible to play in the spring. No ifs, ands, or buts. Those required nightly/weekly study halls are there for a reason and ARE required. For the most part, you're an adult now and these Prof's and coach's aren't going to hold your hand and make sure you're attending classes, completing assignments, etc. so you better be disciplined to take care of business. Don't shock your parents at Thanksgiving that you most likely won't be playing in the spring and them not no why - too late.

7 - Refer to question #1 again. Do I really like the school? You better. Get hurt and you will find yourself at a place that you will attend whether you like it or not. Make it the former - that you will! Fall is easy but try the spring when all your teammates are leaving early on friday for a 3 day "away" series and you are back at the campus by yourself.

8 - What's in the community surrounding the campus? Take a peek. You'll find yourself wanting to go out and if you don't have a theater, game room, gym, bowling alley, etc to go to you will tire from playing solataire rather quickly!

9 - Should I play for a mediocre D1/D2 program, or a perennial strong year-in/year-out NAIA program? This comes down to a personal decision but important nevertheless. Don't get hung up on the "level" of play, but more of "where can I get early and lots of playing time?"

10 - I want a 100% scholarship and if not, I'll hold out til one shows up. (a little suggestion here - you might not want to hold your breath during this time! trust me) Certainly you know about the 11.7% scholly's available for a team of 35 players, etc. Don't let your decision, if at all possible) be about how much money you get or don't get. I say this sorta tongue in cheek because I am fully aware that times are hard and finances must be a major concern. If they want you and you want them, figure out a way to make it work out. He won't be the only boy on the team who is having to do this mom or dad. I promise.

11 - How do I know that U of Wherever is the right fit? It would be easy to make that decision if every answer to the ones fell right into your lap how you want. You'll be lucky if 1/2 do. But if there is a "guage" that help answer this question I would have to say that if a majority (not all) were easily answered with no trepidation, then you're close to knowing your decision.

12 - Does the school have my major? This question is sometimes answered by those young men who kinda already know what they'd like to do after school should baseball not be in the equation. If your son doesn't have a clue, at least look at the different degrees offered by the school and go over them with him so he can learn what they offer. For instance, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical in Daytona, Fl MIGHT not be the best fit if your son wants to be a PE coach in HS. Honestly, this one is kinda important. He really needs to know what "kind" of school he is attending so he's not stuck in 3yrs wondering why on earth he chose this particular school (besides the baseball. See #1 again)

I apologize in advance for the length of this post but there's no really "black or white" answer to this dilema. Again, I've only touched on a few. Many others will add to this list, i.e. Will I really, really learn how to wash clothes?! Unless you want to stink in class, you will!

Enjoy the summer and I recommend you begin writing a checklist of questions and rate them in order of importance, i.e. 10 being important to 1 being no concern at all. It will help and you parents will be surprised at how your son answers these!

YGD

"The difference between excellence and mediocrity is commitment." Twitter: @KwwJ829

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YGD, great post. We have been through all of these questions recently. Sometimes what seems to be such a sure-fire fit in every way (location, baseball, academics, and everything else) just doesn't pan out. You can go through all of these steps, lock everything down, and STILL find later that the 'fit' the player worked so hard to identify just doesn't bear fruit.

Good luck to YGD, Jr as he moves on to the four-year!

Krak
YGD, very good subject, something I've been thinking about. Son just completed freshman year at JUCO, did well, hit high 200s. I suggested to him he should start researching what 4 year school he might be interested in. Just like HS, he said he is good enough someone will want him. So I asked his college coach if he should be going after schools. He said as long as son continues to work hard, he was good enough that a 4 year program will take him. In the fall many sophomores are recruited from JCs, we'll see in a few months who comes knocking.
YGD - Awesome list. I would highly recommend this list to anyone considering college baseball. You've basically distilled 18 months of pain and angst (aka learning) into this list. I wish we had this list before son #1 started looking at schools and baseball programs 18-24 months ago. I'm looling forward to additions as my son #2 is a rising hs sophomore. Thanks.
Last edited by fenwaysouth
YGD: Great post! It should be made a permanent reference on the front page.

The only thing I would add is.

6b. Grades…grades….grades.. A number of coaches have asked/told my son “what are your grades? because if I have to worry about you staying eligible then forget ever playing here” Good grades open more doors than you can imagine and your opportunity universe opens up dramatically if you can go to high academic, mid-level baseball schools.

12b. Make a plan and work your plan. Think about what you want to do after college and make a list of 30 schools that interest you. Research them and grade them 1-30 based partially on YGD’s criteria. Send all of them information on you periodically.(2-3 x per year) Make up a plan where you can get in front of them during your Soph and Junior summers. Pick quality events - you don’t have to go to all of their camps to be seen by them. Grade them based on academic and athletic fit and develop a simple two level matrix that has at the top your stretch school for both baseball and academic fit and then on down the line. When you go through the planning process it forces you to think about all of the variable YGD pointed out.
I didn't read every word so perhaps I missed it. One of the biggest things is "How good am I and how good am I going to be?".

This is where a lot of kids and parents slip up. Players have to be confident in their abilities from game to game but sometimes that can lead to an unrealistic assessment of the player's abilities and projection.

Sometimes parents can be too cautious trying to shield their sons from getting in over their heads.

It ain't easy.

CollegeParent,
Might you be saying that you were less than 100% certain at some point? Smile
Last edited by CADad
Excellent list YGD- should be required reading for all parents of prospective college players.

Parents need to do their research as thoroughly as possible.

Read old rosters of the schools interested in. Check to see that players stay @ the school.If players disappear from year to year, where did they go? Released from the team, transferred, or academically ineligible ???? Talk to as many players and their parents currently on the team but take their feedback with a grain of salt. Players that don't start might be more negative.

Match the academics to your son's academic track record. If he needs more help academically make sure the school has a good academic advisor that works with the athletes to help them stay eligible. Check the common data set (google) which shows the current GPA/ SAT scores for incoming freshman. Is your son in the ballpark academically?

But, at the end of the day, even with tons of research, it's all up to our sons to make the grade! They have to keep grades up to eligible and put in the work to be successful on the field.
Excellent work YGD! Perhaps Julie can link this to our recruiting tips section.

My perspective is different. As YGD said, people have to make their own list of priorities. I suggest baseball is very important to people here or they wouldn't spend so much time here. If the baseball experience goes sour, my experience from reading hundreds of stories here is the whole thing goes sour. No amount of bricks and mortar, academic prestige, location, etc. can overcome that unless the player decides to quit the game anyways. Most don't want to do that however. If you don't like the school you are at, that is easy to fix, you simply transfer to another school. If you don't like the baseball team you are with, that is much more difficut to fix. You may have to sit a year, may have to transfer to a juco, may have to transfer down in division, let alone trying to figure out how you get your name back out there again to prospective baseball opportunities. When you transfer, you'll have those lingering questions hanging over you about either your baseball abilities or your attitude. I contend bad education decisions can be corrected and fixed anytime in the future. Bad baseball decisions can ruin the whole experience no matter how good the underlying institution/education decison was.

Couple of other thoughts...

Nothing wrong with prioritizing baseball early in ones life. There is no sin in that. It is a form of entertainment like music and the arts. Would we tell our musically-inclined kids to pick a school as if music were not in the picture or would we encourage them to pick the best music school possible - with all other things considered?

There are treasures to be mined from the sport of baseball that cannot be learned in the classroom. Teamwork, perseverence, leadership, overcoming adversity, unmitigated joy, personal growth, lifetime memories. Spiritual treasures that are priceless in value and can never be stolen from the individual.

Look for teams and coaches that win. Don't worry so much about the division but look for the opportunity to contribute to something larger than the individual. A place where the collective whole is greater than the sum of the parts. A place where the coach, although he may be tough and hard on you, loves you and will get the utmost amount out of your abilities. A place where the coach will get after you if you start slacking off in the classroom. A place where you will play, and you can ultimately tell that by how hard the coach recruits you.
Great list!

However,I would question this line from #5?

A majority, but not all, D1 freshmen will find themselves most likely redshirted their 1st year.

I don't have the specific numbers, but particularly if you look at scholarship players, I don't see that the majority of healthy Freshmen are red-shirted?
In fact, just the opposite!

With the new rules,a team can hardly afford to have a scholarship sitting on the sidelines. In the old days, teams would "stock-pile" top Freshman and red-shirt them.

I would be curious to see a report on this, but I doubt that it's available?

My son was a Freshman this past year.

At my Son's D1 school (top 40 program), every Freshman on scholarship got playing time.
In addition, only one of the 9 D1 kids we know from his Summer team was red-shirted and that was a medical redshirt.

Honestly, while I enjoyed seeing my Son play, I wish he WAS red-shirted because he was sometimes over-matched hitting against some of the top pitchers who may have been 3 or 4 years older.

Then comes your Sophomore year and you read during the summer that the Coach has signed a stud JUCO transfer in your position. Do I stay or do I go begins to enter your mind. You will be surprised just how often these scenarios actually DO happen.

This just happened to my Son. We will see how he responds?

It just furthers your point made in #4. Find the right level for your ability!

No matter what happens for us, we are thrilled with his college choice!
He loves the place and is doing well in school.

#3 is another great one! Check out the Head Coach! His 'integrity' is a key element.
Also, if possible, check out the other Sports at the school. (Men's and Women's)
Make sure the Athletic Department and School really support and promote the programs.

This forum has provided so much help to so many of us!
This list is another great example!
It probably should have read more about little playing time and/or red-shirting. That's more what I was trying to convey than anything else.

And like you, those who only played a couple of innings here or there and wasted a year wished they had been redshirted.

Im glad to hear your son is enjoying his school. That's so important.

YGD
He started 15 games, appeared in 47 of the 58 games and had 77 AB's.
He certainly had his opportunities, but probably wasn't ready for the level of pitching he saw.

Hopefully, he'll get bigger, stronger, faster and improve next year.

But like I said, he loves the place and will stay there as long as they will have him!
quote:
Originally posted by ThinkPitching:
quote:


3 - Do I like the coach and is what I saw during the recruiting process the way he REALLY is? I'm afraid that a majority of the time you will see a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde on this one. LOL. Trust me. I'd rather the coach be dry as my granddaddy's skull and tell my son how hard it's going to be than sugarcoat it and fill his head full of sugar plums! The coach's mean business in the fall and aren't there to win a popularity contest amongst the boys. Ask the coach during the recruiting process if he minds giving you a couple of players phone #'s to talk to. Of course he'll give you ones to his best/favorite players but you can still ask the tough questions. They'll tell you.

YGD


Nice Post YGD.

I identify with number 3 the most. One of the best things I did for one of the schools that had interest in me, was go and see a game without telling the coach. That's when I really got to see what he was like, and it wasn't a good picture.

Stu


Awesome input Stu.
quote:
Originally posted by ThinkPitching:
quote:


3 - Do I like the coach and is what I saw during the recruiting process the way he REALLY is? I'm afraid that a majority of the time you will see a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde on this one. LOL. Trust me. I'd rather the coach be dry as my granddaddy's skull and tell my son how hard it's going to be than sugarcoat it and fill his head full of sugar plums! The coach's mean business in the fall and aren't there to win a popularity contest amongst the boys. Ask the coach during the recruiting process if he minds giving you a couple of players phone #'s to talk to. Of course he'll give you ones to his best/favorite players but you can still ask the tough questions. They'll tell you.

YGD


Nice Post YGD.

I identify with number 3 the most. One of the best things I did for one of the schools that had interest in me, was go and see a game without telling the coach. That's when I really got to see what he was like, and it wasn't a good picture.

Stu


We went to a Junior Day along with several other recruits at a D1 school. While there, we attended a game. The Head coach was ejected for vehemently arguing a rather uneventful call at first base.
Not very impressive for the many Parents and players in the stands?

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