Bum there are many opportunities for college BB players other than pro ball. My son is already helping in camps to teach young pitchers. He just did one put on by MLB guys and he has done a few now.
He may want to coach as well in HS or where ever. He also can play high level senior ball here until he is old and gray. We have 3 senior leagues that have ex pros who retired and college guys. Great ball and a real lot of fun.
Having watched 3-4 minor league teams I know how few make it to the big league.
PG I agree you should put every effort into both.
Senior Ball Bobble? Yikes! He's only 17 and I don't even want to think about that yet! But thanks for the tip. 
quote:Originally posted by PGStaff:
Some go to college with their major goal being to become a major league player.
Some go to college with their major goal being to get a degree.
The smartest of all are those who go to college to do both, but realize they have the most control over getting that degree.
The person who goes to college for the “SOLE” purpose of using that as a route to Major League baseball, should either sign out of high school or attend a junior college.
In any case, it is in their best interest to do as well as possible in both the student and the athlete part. Example of not cheating yourself in either… BILL BRADLEY - Rhodes Scholar and Basketball Hall of Famer.
Excellent!
pg... you not only beat me to that post, but you said it way better than I could have. The way I look at it, EVERY ballplayer will need to use his education later in life. Even the guys who go pro will benefit from an education... ask some of the professional athletes who made lots of money but had no idea how to handle it and ended up with nothing.
My boys all fall into the category of "going to college to get a degree, but love the game of baseball and will stay on the ride until it stops spinning" and they are enjoying/have enjoyed every minute. Anyone who believes that my sons are wasting their time playing college ball because they will never play MLB is just plain wrong. The student athlete who has a coach who stresses academics is the lucky one. Saying he should "hang up his spikes" is just ridiculous. Extend your attitude to the high school player then... if your hs coach reminds you to hit the books and keep your grades up, he's telling you there's no future for you in baseball? Of course not.
Reality sets in for everyone at different moments in this game - EVERYONE stops playing at some point or another.
My boys all fall into the category of "going to college to get a degree, but love the game of baseball and will stay on the ride until it stops spinning" and they are enjoying/have enjoyed every minute. Anyone who believes that my sons are wasting their time playing college ball because they will never play MLB is just plain wrong. The student athlete who has a coach who stresses academics is the lucky one. Saying he should "hang up his spikes" is just ridiculous. Extend your attitude to the high school player then... if your hs coach reminds you to hit the books and keep your grades up, he's telling you there's no future for you in baseball? Of course not.
Reality sets in for everyone at different moments in this game - EVERYONE stops playing at some point or another.
quote:Originally posted by newagent:
I make no apologies for my opinons, and I have a right to stand up for myself. I have no agenda. If you don't like what I say fine. Some of you, not all of you do not have the big picture in mind. Please consider the following questions:
1. Where do I see the athlete in 5 years?
2. What happens when baseball and my agent no longer see my son as profitable?
3. If cutting my son was a business decision why I am taking it so pesonal?
4. Why won't teams return my agents phone calls?
5. Why won't my agent return my phone calls?
Do I have strong opinions? Yes
For those that dislike me, then disregard my postings.
However, for those that want to learn, and AND I MEAN LEARN, then please consider my skepticism. Whether college or staright to pro, once they leave high school, they will see for the first time how cut throat this business is. From broken promises, to broken friendships. My reason for being on this site is to caution the coveted athlete as to the perils of this sport. Some people do not know what the definition of "hard times" is. Neither did I until I started representing the people that went through them. With that, judge if you must, but at the end of the day, I have done my part because you have been warned. BASEBALL AINT ALL SPORT.
First this is a site that has information and discussions about HIGH SCHOOL baseball and the process of moving into and through a very special time in kids’ life. Pro ball is potentially one end of this process and if you provided some unique insight into the professional side of the business I am sure there would be some interest in your opinions. However, when you post nonsensical posts about college baseball that shows you are clueless about what is actually happening in college people form opinions. Additionally when you post things like “my agent won’t return my phone calls” and the rest of the gobbledygook above it clearly shows to me, and I am sure others, that you also have no credible knowledge about the agent side of the business. It is so obvious to 99% of the people who read and post on this site that pro baseball is a business, and is run as such, for me at least your opinions are waste of space. I don’t know you so I certainly don’t dislike you but I will certainly disregard your posts. Best Regards, BOF
quote:“IF YOUR COLLEGE COACH IS STRESSSING THE IMPORTANCE OF ACADEMICS, HANG UP YOUR SPIKES AND HIT THE BOOKS. Tell your teammates its been real, but now you have to be real as well. Although one can be both a student and an athlete, the laws of nature and time preclude him from exceling in both”
I have been associated with this site for several years. I have not visited for several weeks. I decided to catch up and see what I missed. I saw the above. The question is what parents want to hear? I am sure if a college is interested in your son you dont want that coach stressing academics!!!!
if this is the advice floating around out there then we are in worse shape than I thought.
quote:Originally posted by newagent:
A college athlete falls into one of the following two categories:
FUTURE PROSPECT:
Baseball is a full time job. If your son is on the brink of being drafted, grades will suffer. In fact, if grades and attendance don't decline, he probably is not working hard enough. The road to professional baseball requires discipline and sacrifice. For those parents who wish to support their son's future in professional baseball, it is impossible, better yet hypocritical for a parent to emphasize the importance of an education. After all most people attend college for the purpose of obtaining the highest form of professional employement. Last time I checked, MLB was the highest form of professional employment. With that said those working with the athlete should remain consistent playing professional baseball first, being educated second. As far as I am concerned, any aspiring major leaguer who choses to attend college should major in an area that will aid and assist in alleviating the stresses befalling a professional ballplayer. I think some colleges now offer a major in Yoga.
NON-BASEBALL PROSPECT:
IF YOUR COLLEGE COACH IS STRESSSING THE IMPORTANCE OF ACADEMICS, HANG UP YOUR SPIKES AND HIT THE BOOKS. Tell your teammates its been real, but now you have to be real as well. Although one can be both a student and an athlete, the laws of nature and time preclude him from exceling in both. A student can obtain a 4.0, but is that because they are studying for the test, studying to absorb the material, or cheating (hear about those scandals, lose your right to play and attend a double whammy). With all due respect, unless an athlete seeks to "engineer" the most advanced wooden bat (say super duper unbreakable maple) the athlete should take it easy.
If in college he wants to learn, encourage and assist. If in college he wants to play baseball, encourage and assist. But for those that push both, you should cease and desist. I have never heard of a parent sitting on his death bed saying, son I really wished you worked harder to get a B+ in principles of rock identification 201, have you?
I am not going to pile on, because I thought it was an interesting read. Until I got to the death bed confession about working harder in a class of principles of rock identifecation 201. I thought that class was a 101 course.
respectfully yours,
drill
quote:Originally posted by newagent:
A college athlete falls into one of the following two categories:
FUTURE PROSPECT:
Baseball is a full time job. If your son is on the brink of being drafted, grades will suffer. In fact, if grades and attendance don't decline, he probably is not working hard enough.
That is probably the stupidest thing I have ever read on this website. LOL
Congrats newguy - you win the Bozo award for January 2008. LOL