Two months away

TPM-Good Topic starter and I do agree with what you've said. We were in the same situation last year as well. I will add my two cents about pro vs college that I think
may be the most important point when making a decision.

First of all, the dollar amount naturally has to be figured into the decision, a huge bonus to do something a kid has always wanted to do is ALMOST a no-brainer. But above
and beyond all else is MATURITY. Is your son ready to go from being taken care of 100%
to the total opposite of taking care of himself 100%? OVERNIGHT. Unless he gets with one
of the ML teams that have dorm-like situations with cafeteria eating privileges at the
Rookie-short season leagues.

There are so many situations that arise that are unforseen for a young 18-19 year old
away from home for the first time that he just cannot or will not be prepared for. He has gone from a situation on his team where he was a stud and loved(in most cases) by
his teammates to one where his teammates want him to fail so that they will advance ahead of him.

I know of players that have the makeup and personality to handle this and excell and
I have first hand knowledge of a player signing, reporting to minor league camp, sleeping in his pickup truck and heading back home the next day and having the contract
voided because he could not bear the thought of being away from home.

There is NO right or wrong choice, just what is right for your son.

Talked to the father of a 1st round pick a few years ago(son now starting pitcher in ML)
and told him how impressed I was that his son could develop so quickly and be so mature
to make it to the Majors in 3 years. He smiled and said thanks but it wasn't as easy as it seemed. Questioned himself many times while in the minors. Not everything is as it seems on the outside.

Good scouts will also look at the makeup of a possible draft signee as well, because
they certainly do not want to sign players that they think aren't at the maturity level
they need to be at-it only makes them look bad when a boy fails because he wasn't ready
to leave home.

Sorry to be so long-winded. Just my thoughts.

TPM-
Great post!

My son is a late bloomer who has only recently learned that he could possibly be selected in the draft this year. Now there is a mad rush by scouts to see him pitch...and this is his first time pitching in HS. Several games have been postponed because of the weather- pushing the process even more behind.

He is not an academically motivated child but he has signed with a JC with a strong baseball program and is happy with his choice...He says he is OK with his college plans but I know how disappointed he will be if his name isnt called.

Of course this is a very exciting time for our family it is also very emotional and at times stressful. Being from NJ I find it a little lonely-I feel like a lot of people here cant relate to how I am feeling.

Moc,
In our case, my son was mature enough for the situation, and he is very far from home now, so distance was not an issue.
Despite that, I still didn't think he was ready.

Thanks for starting the topic Tiger Paw Mom. I haven't posted in a while because senior year so far has been fun and crazy all at the same time. Just watching scouts in the stands or crowding around the bullpen fence to watch son warm up ....... well, after a while it all starts to resemble a beauty pageant! All I can say for now is that it really is a nice "problem" to have. It should be interesting to see whether or not he is deemed "pretty" by the judges come June 7th.

crollss, I sent you my #. Call me if you want to talk

the quicker it gets by the better, waiting is the worst part haha, but im having fun playing high school ball right now, thats all im concerned with, im just gonna play hard and hope everything works out. But it is DEFINATELY an exciting time

Folks

You cannot control what will happen

I have seen players told they were being drafted by team so and so and then get drafted by a team that had not even talked to the player or family

Enjoy your spring season and lets the cards fall where they may--you cannot woory about it

Does anyone know when a draft and sign has to report?

As far as I know, they will be told AFTER they sign when and where they are to report. The later they sign, the later they report. (Really late signers don't even play ball their first summer.) Our son signed one day and was asked if he could leave the next day. He wasn't able to make such a quick turn around as he had some things to finish here, so he got an extra day.

quote:

Originally posted by lafmom:
Does anyone know when a draft and sign has to report?

The short seasons start around June 17th. From a time frame, you can plan on a scout calling immediately when you are drafted. The scout will try and get you signed within a day or two. Will then hand you an airline ticket and your son is off to a mini camp/orientation for about 4-5 days. Upon completion they get an assignment, climb on a plane to their minor league team, get a day to adjust, find a house and then start playing. As FBM says, Boras clients will not likely be on this schedule but most of those who sign will be.

This is interesting that they could have to report this soon. In Kentucky, our state tournament isn't until June 14-18, so obviously this could be a problem for a team. Thanks for the info.

Hs players would report the day or 2 after graduation. After a high school player signs he is not allowed to play HS baseball.

Players report asap after they sign, many will not sign for a few weeks to finish up their HS or college season. Many from college are drafted before the CWS, still in the playoffs and if headed that way they wait and some will sign a few weeks after that just for a rest. Scouts and teams are aware of this.

Of course, some will just hold out and never sign