There is a program for every player

Welcome to the HSBBW!

First, has he been to any showcase to get an idea of where his skills are at this time? How are his grades? The showcase evaluation will give you an idea of where to start.

IMO there is always a place for a player who really wants to play after HS, but make sure it is something he wants to do, not what you want him to do.

Don't sell your son short, I have known a few players that were not considered any type of "chip" players as juniors in HS and now playing in professional ball, not milb but MLB.

Exposure, has he had any besides HS?

Why don't you get in touch with the coaches at McMurray Univ. and Hardin-Simmons Univ. in Abilene. Both are D3 programs that might have an interest in your son. I don't know anything about the McMurray coach, but Coach Coleman with Hardin-Simmons is an outstanding guy who mentors his players and treats them like sons. Make an appointment with Coach Coleman and he will talk your ear off for hours. He is extremely friendly and helpful and if he can't take your son, he might know someone who will be interested in him.

By the way, Coach Coleman told us that D3's can't hold tryouts, but added that he oftentimes attends the annual tryout at Abilene Christian University and picks up players that D2 ACU isn't interested in. Check with ACU to see when the tryout is. I think it's in June.

Best wishes!

You might start by looking at the local/regional Junior colleges.

Check each to see if they have camps this fall. They are usually put on as a fund raise for the school but they also take notice of HS players. Work ethic and a love for the game can go a very long way with this type of program.

Next try and see if the local big college has a fall baseball league for HS students. A lot of them do. Also a way to raise funds but they also look for kids they can recommend to a JC or maybe even see if the player would fit their program.

The level of play after HS is as varied as what you see in HS. So I have seen and know as well, there is a place somewhere for every kid that wants to continue playing.

The challenge is matching the player to the proper level of play. I am not saying he would be a starter but that there is opportunities out there to contribute and have the college experience with a team. Plus you never know how someone will develop over the next year or two.

And as a coach some would create a roster spot just for a bull nosed kid that gives everything and loves the game. Remember the movie Rudy? They feel that type of player can bring just as much value in how he rubs off on those around him as another utility player that may get no innings and complain all the time. There are JUCO's that I would put against any D-1 program and some D-1's that I don't think could beat our old HS team 2 out of 3.

Anyway I would start there and make sure he plays some where this summer also. His age alone would bring people to a game just to look for players. And you never know a coach may be looking at the other teams starting pitcher but takes notice of your son and his love of the game as well.


GL and let us know how things go.

Hwy380,

Welcome to our world. You are a breath of fresh air listening to your description of your son. Sounds like a working mans son. The advice given so far is outstanding as many of us have been there done that.
By your description your son works hard and that is the key to success. Good luck.

Make a short video. Nothing fancy. In fact, the more real the better, but show his swing and few other basics. Reach out to schools. Most do not have budgets for recrutiing. Your son can e-mail coaches to find out about camps. Research on your own camps and showcases. They are pricey, so you need to carefully consider which ones match your sights.

PS Generally speaking, baseball coaches are willing to provide information and help to kids that want to continue playing. Top tier DI programs-that's a different world.

I just thought about some Division 3 jr. colleges in Dallas that have teams. I have heard that the level of competition isn't that high (at least at some of them), so perhaps your son would do well there. Look into Richland College, Eastfield College, Cedar Valley College, Northlake College, and Brookhaven College.

This comment is more "one man's impression" than it is fact-based, none the less . . .

My impression is there may be more opportunity for a player like your son outside the state of Texas. The reason is that Texas (along with Florida, California, and a few other southern states) turns out LOTS of baseball talent. Much of that talent ends up at the D3 schools in Texas. [Only the best of the best ends up at the D1's in TX.] If your son is willing to go a bit farther from home, I believe the number of possibilities will go up. Many states in the midwest & the east have a college (it seems) in nearly every town of 1500 people. The ratio of schools to number of HS baseball players wanting to continue appears to favor a look to the north &/or east of Texas.

Again, not completely a data-derived opinion, but here are a few data points (based on 5 mineutes of web searching) to illustrate:

Texas has a population of 20.8 mil and has 26 D2 and D3 baseball programs. That is 1 school for each 800,000 people.

Ohio has a population of 11.3 mil and 26 D2 and D3 baseball programs. That's the same number of schools, but about half as many "potential players", 453,000 / school.

West Virginia has a population of 1.8 million and 14 D2 and D3 schools. That's only ~128,000 people per school.

Understand, I am making no inference about the ability of players in Ohio vs WVA vs TX. I'm just pointing out the numbers say there are more possibilities to play college ball there than in TX. And we aren't even looking at NAIA or JUCO ball.

And I'm not ajusting for the relative ages of the populations in each state. You get the point....

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Originally posted by Up in the Stands:
This comment is more "one man's impression" than it is fact-based, none the less . . .

My impression is there may be more opportunity for a player like your son outside the state of Texas. The reason is that Texas (along with Florida, California, and a few other southern states) turns out LOTS of baseball talent. Much of that talent ends up at the D3 schools in Texas. [Only the best of the best ends up at the D1's in TX] If your son is willing to go a bit farther from home, I believe the number of possibilities will go up. Many states in the midwest & the east have a college (it seems) in nearly every town of 1500 people. The ratio of schools to number of HS baseball players wanting to continue appears to favor a look to the north &/or east of Texas.

Again, not completely a data-derived opinion, but here are a few data points (based on 5 mineutes of web searching) to illustrate:

Texas has a population of 20.8 mil and has 26 D2 and D3 baseball programs. That is 1 school for each 1.25 mil people.

Ohio has a population of 11.3 mil and 26 D2 and D3 baseball programs. That's the same number of schools, but about half as many "potential players".

West Virginia has a population of 1.8 million and 14 D2 and D3 schools. That's only ~128,000 people per school.

Understand, I am making no inference about the ability of players in Ohio vs WVA vs TX. I'm just pointing out the numbers say there are more possibilities to play college ball there than in TX. And we aren't even looking at NAIA or JUCO ball.

That is an outstanding post and I agree 100%. We have many parents from California who have posted similar things. There is more talent in California than there are available positions and I am sure it is the same in Texas. There are some powerhouse D3 schools here in Ohio btw - national championship caliber.

For the original poster, I would get out a map and draw a one hour driving circle from your home at the center. I would contact every juco coach that fell in that circle and see what they have to say. After speaking to them, ask for a tryout, or ask if they will attend one of your sons games, and/or ask if they are aware of any other opportunities. With the Internet these days, this information (school location, coaches numbers) is easy to find.

I will tell you that in the State of NC there are more opportunities by far than there are players to fill them. From numerous D1 programs to Community College programs.

One of the best ways to find a kid a home is to have a coach with contacts contact the college coaches and inquire of his behalf. Many of these programs have JV programs as well. They are always looking for young men that want an opportunity to play at the next level. And many times you will see a kid and say "Who the heck is that." A kid that flew under the radar his hs career and then busted out at the college level. This happens for many reasons but never happens when they dont give it a shot.

There is a program for every player that wants to take his shot. And he is determined to do what it takes to be a part of a college program. I have coached a long time. I have NEVER had one single player not play college baseball that had the desire to play college baseball. Guys that were bench players and seldom saw playing time who later earned all conference honors in college. Guys that were lucky to make the hs team as fresh and sophs who later were starters at the college level. Guys that now coach in college who started on the JV squad and graduated as a starter at the college level.

There are many excuses you or a player can find on why it didnt happen. But if a player wants it and is willing to go where he can get an opportunity it can be done. It boils down to "how bad do you really want to play in college?" Good luck

hwy380,

My son was facing the same situation as your son a couple of years ago. He was a good player but got lost in the large talent pool that this part of the country has. (we are also from North Texas) Son made it very clear he wanted to play D1 baseball and was willing to go far from home to do it.

Our solution was to have him attend camps that were hosted by schools further north and make sure the coaches who worked these camps knew that the Texas kid was very interested in playing at a northern school. It paid off and son is playing D1 ball at South Dakota State. He is having a great time and the team is doing pretty well so far this year.

The advise offered to you by the other posters is excellent (D2, D3, juco, NAIA)but don't think that there isn't any opportunity to play D1 if your son is truly willing to explore opportunities outside the geographic box. Our example of a kid going from Texas to South Dakota may seem extreme to a lot of folks from the warm south, but the game is played the same way, by young men who have just as much passion for it and work just as hard at it as players from any other parts of the country.

If you are curious, the camp that made the difference for our son was at the University of Kansas. The head coach there saw enough potential in our son to recommend him to the head coach at South Dakota State. They also happen to be father and son. SDSU turned out to be the right place at the right time.

This thread makes me feel better for my struggling son. But with so, so many schools out there....how to find that one match?!?! A daunting task.

Go Jacks has a very valid point... And that is what worked for their family and it seems to be the right choice for them.

However I have seen that situation as described backfire twice the last few years. Both by a close friend of the family's daughter and by my nephew. Both moved many hours away from home to have the chance to play sports. Basketball and baseball. The challenge is in making sure your son has the mental toughness to be far away from home,family and friends. both the above players left after one year and neither are playing now.But during the course of that year they were both miserable.

So as I stated there are places for every player but you really need to approach it from the standpoint of being a "Student/Athlete" The goal being able to enjoy playing on into college but starting on your academic skills. That said looking at a 4 year school especially away from home although providing a place to play might not be a good idea for some. Looking at a JUCO close to home now and getting core courses out of the way would provide the chance to improve his skills, get some playing time and maybe get a look from the 4 year schools that recruit from the two years.
Even with that; making sure that the credits earned will transfer to the 4 year school they hope to attend. And maybe just maybe everything blends into the perfect storm.

TPM

Yes he has done a showcase in the Perfect game they gave him a 6.5 on there chart that is respectable. This is all for him. I never even played the sport. He loves the game and works hard at it. He has a decent glove at first but his only true attribute is power hitting. thee are allot of power hitters with a higher PG raking of 6.5.

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Infield08

Infield08 thanks for going as far as dropping a name. We will make the trip. I have a couple of DVD's we can take from the Perfect Game showcase is there any more I should take. Here is a question when he played for a select team in Colorado as a 9th graded the coach listed him as there number 1 power hitting prospect. These guys we know relatively well even though that was 9th grade should we get a letter from them? Will it be helpful.

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GovernorTim

GovernorTim

I was told that most the JR Colleges want ready players only. Does vary from program to program?

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Infield08

Infield08

I just saw the list of schools. I do have a card up my sleeve, my son gets batting lessons from one of the former Brookhaven coaches back when the team led the nation in Home Runs I think that year they also went to the national championship game. His name is Corey Thornton. He likes my son a lot and was the first person who told us "there is a place for every kid"

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Up in the Stands

Up in the Stands

Being out of state is not a problem. I was serious my son will go anywhere to play and go to school. Would you say the best course of action is email and some online video? Any other suggestion for out of state self recruiting please post.

My guy went from NY to New Mexico to play college ball---no big thing--he was where he wanted to be

Why do people listen to what others tell them. Get out and make your opportunity. Stop listening and take some action.