USC

LHPMom2012-

First off welcome aboard! Now, take a quick bow...and then try sending a PM, or otherwise summoning HeyBatter. He can probably tell you as much about USC as anyone here. He's our resident Trojan Horse.
You're definitely on the right track to address academics first. Top priority for sure. I wouldn't worry about son's out of state status, USC is a private and won't care if your tuition checks are written on Maryland paper.

LHPMom2012--

USC is a worthy destination--tons of history and great baseball tradition. It is also a high goal. I think they just signed 6 of Baseball America's top 100 high school players. So tell him to work hard and keep his dream alive!

Camp is a great idea, but ultimately it may be most advantageous for him to play on a "College Development" team. Check out http://roundthird.blogspot.com for general information, and in particular the following article: http://roundthird.blogspot.com/2008/10/redefining-travel-ball.html

The site also has many good articles that help you determine if this option is right for your son. Plus there are many links to established programs.

USC has probably the greatest tradition of any single baseball school, although the Trojans are now rebuilding under Chad Krueter, Doyle Wilson and Tom House. They recruit -- and sign -- many of the very best players. It is tough to play there, but not impossible.

The on-campus facility is first-rate and the weather perfect. The school (where my daughter attends) has among the highest academic standards and is very difficult in the classroom. Grade inflation does not exist here. However, athletes have all the support they could need to succeed.

The total cost to attend USC for a year exceeds $50,000. Nearly all students get some level of assistance, but even with half a scholarship, the total is a hefty $25,000.

If you play at USC, like Arizona State and a few others, you have a legitimate chance at pro ball. To get the chance to play at USC, you need to be very, very good. I agree that one of their prospect camps is the ideal way to be seen.

The fact that your son is from Maryland should make no difference. That will all depend on his talent level. Andt he fact that he is a left-handed pitcher can't hurt, but they will have lots of choices.

Best of luck. If it works out, there are few places as good and probably none better.

29 of 40 (73%) are from California. They have fertile turf at home to recruit. 3 of 40 (8%) are from east of the Mississippi. An interesting note is the two freshman will be 20 when their freshman season starts. The other will be a 22 year old junior.

USc is a great school. The team plays high quality baseball. They also play some high quality teams. I would tell your son that if that's what he wants to do, go for it.

sizzle pop, first of all thanks for the "props" .
Ah, my trojans.

LOts of great comments already posted so sorry for repeating anything.

First of all the program has been down the past couple years in the results that they have seen but I think it is still a high quality program. Certainly first rate facilities, tough conference and non-conference schedule.

MOST Ncaa championships of any program.

With that said, USC is as tough a program as there is to get into IMO. They recruit nationally and usually compete with the MLB draft for players, so you need be a top tier player for this program.

Definitely go to their camps, certainly no guarantee, but that way they will see you.

USC has become exceedingly difficult to get into as far as academics, 4+ gpa, top tier SAT's etc. and I must admit I do not know how much slack an athlete receives. I must believe you get some but you must be near the mix of other incoming freshman.

It's also a tough load to carry there and players have transferred away in recent years because they could not remain eligible.

Bottomline USC is a top tier program, much like most of the Pac-10, SEC and similar D-1 conferences.
You will be competing with the best and need be one of the best both in terms of baseball and academics.
(Lucky me, I was accepted many moons ago when it was known as the University of Second Choice, but those days are long gone).

Thanks for all the great insight. We've registered to attend this winter's camp, but after that we'll probably be steering the boy elsewhere! He'd love to train under Tom House, but hopefully we can find another program run by one of House's disciples. (The Boy has been working with a House-trained pitching coach for the past 3 years.) Money, grades, SATs, not to mention fires and earthquakes... oh brother.

HeyBatter, I went to Maryland when it was best known for its ranking on the Playboy list of party schools, and now they have closed their bars in favor for all-night coffee houses to study. What's wrong with this generation; don't they know how to party?

LHPMom2012