What happened to GO44DAD?

i know a kid who had rough freshman season with similar story (maybe without the highlights you referred to), lost his scholarship after season, considered transfer but against everyone better judgement stayed as walkon, spent summer at a known pitching training facility not near home, had solid very good 2nd year (got scholarship back i believe), lost Jr season to Covid and ended up as team ace, won some huge games, beat a national power in the regionals...and over all an amazing ride.

Pitching is lonely place during the bad times!

Enjoy retirement

If you remember sons first gig was at Florida Southern and the Ranch is close by. He got to be a friend of Randy Sullivan and had some players attend during holidays.

Your post is on point. Players, especially pitchers have a really tough time their first year, many even after. It's not HS baseball anymore.

I wish more players would seek better opportunities to get into the game on a regular basis. But the lure of  the big P5 is just too much to ignore.

Sobering post to say the least, but TPM is right about it being par for the course for a freshman pitcher at a D1 program. Lots of us suggest to be careful what you wish for - because you might get it and you aren’t ready for it. Hardly ANY 18 year old kid is. Hopefully posts like this from Gary will open some eyes, but I doubt it. The D1 journey (for the overwhelming majority) is difficult at best and often downright brutal. It’s a full time job that often turns into a love/hate relationship with baseball.

Thanks for this.  I was following your son, and saw what was happening.  The exact same thing seemed to happen to many other players I was following, too.  His story isn't over, and I hope he makes a comeback like the player in old_school's post.  In the meantime, do you have any advice for those who have yet to experience it?  Anything he could have done differently?  Or was this just bound to play out like this?

Good to hear from you.  I've watched for your son too.  Sorry to hear about the arm soreness.  It's a double edged sword...tell them you're hurt, you fall out of the rotation, don't tell them, you don't perform and fall out of the rotation.  As you know, similar boat here.  Kid's first two appearances were 3 up 3 down.  Things were looking great. Next appearance, gave up 2 runs in a game with 5 pitchers where we were run ruled. Fourth appearance, threw with 103 fever the day after "voluntary/not voluntary" covid vaccine...gave up 2 runs.  Sprained his ankle the next week, never saw the field again, and didn't get to travel again.   Pretty brutal.  I am guessing his confidence is being tested like never before. Hope we see both of our boys out there more next year...where again, we have no idea what we are walking into.  Takes more than just talent and hard work...also takes a little bit of luck to stay healthy...and you are right, the universe doesn't care and has given this group a kids a run for their money.

@Go44dad posted:

Then he started a slow, freshman type decline. Got a sore arm and didn't tell anybody, mechanics slipped, confidence dipped, velocity had a little less rip, got abused a little bit (by USF and UConn).  Kinda fell off the pitching list, did a lot of sitting and was left off the roster for regionals and supers where he pondered his existence, I'm sure.

Here's his season.

He "opted out" of his summer league assignment in Santa Barbara, and is living in Lakeland, Florida's finest "by the week" hotel next to the bus station while in an 8 week training program with Randy Sullivan and Florida Baseball Ranch/Armory.  And trying to cook for himself. He was home for about six days between school and Florida, and will have about the same between Florida and school in mid-August.

I am going to have my son read your entire post!  Thank you for sharing.

Similar story for my Covid sophomore.  Got off to a great start, had some gaudy stats after first several starts.  Developed a pretty bad foot problem, decided not to tell anyone, and his performance declined.  Pitched through it, however with disappointing results.

Issue continued in summer ball, where he’s struggling with command because of his foot.  I encouraged him to tell coaches he needs a break to heal.  Day he was going to speak up, coach approached him that he wants to give him more of a “routine” because scouts are intrigued with his stuff.

I’m concerned foot issue ends up with arm issues.  He knows the risk, but he’s a grown man, so allowing him to make the decision...despite my urge to wanting to step in.

Son had similar in 2020.  For most 2020 was a nightmare but I think it may have been a good thing for son.  He broke his ankle in fall of 2019 in freak accident.  Never really got the feel for landing on it in 2020 and didn't have great outings because he didn't trust ankle not to roll.  Time off helped him strengthen it and trust it.  Pitched great most of this year so there is next year for your sons.