What is your son's goal?

Fungo,

Good question - I have a son who will be playing his senior year in high school this coming spring.

Based on what he tells me - I think his goal has 3 main parts:

1) To be better than he was this past fall.
2) To walk off the field proud of his efforts every game - win or lose.
3) To earn the respect of his teammates and his coaches.

My sons personal goals for his senior season

...was to throw three no-hitters.

His team goal was to keep a highly underclass team focused on working hard.

His gametime goal was to be able to tune out his mother...

We always try to make long term and short goals.

In the long run, son wants to play pro ball. To make that goal, he wants to play college. He wants to play four years of high school. He also understands that he will need to play some sort of showcase/impact team between the next 2-3 summers. We all understand baseball has moved from fun to serious. I think he has fun playing seriously. (make sense?)

Short term, he will attend 8 man work outs. He studies. He contines to work out on his own. He tries to stay focused on the above, and NOT on girls or Guitar Hero. That is the hardest part! A guy has to have some fun! esp at 14!

Dad and I have to goal to learn as much as possible so we can be informed. (scary)

Where do they see themselves twenty years from now?

Do they have a back up plan?

Son's short term goal...stay eligible
Son's long term goal...get drafted so he doesn't have worry about grades.

Father's short term goal for son...stay eligible for 2008 season.
Father's long term goal for son...graduate from college and not have to worry about grades,

Thr general consensus of Dads I've spoken to with son's in college.

Son's goals, MLB.
Fathers goals, stay eligible.

Education, education, education.

Fungo,
Interesting question, not alot of answers so far. I am wondering if it is because most don't have very clear defined goals when they enter into HS, both parents and player, so how can you have just one? I think it is important to make realistic short term and long tern goals, concentrate on the things that will help you reach those goals one step at a time. Sometimes, you have to remove the big picture (example, to play MLB) to concentrate on the small stuff that may help you to reach that goal someday.

Looking back, son's goals were different each year so it's hard to say what his #1 goal was, but I would say to play baseball in college. Make varsity, become a starter, get to a regional or state championship, play for a good summer team to help in the recruiting process and make wise off campus HS baseball (tournies, showcases) choices to be seen by coaches were some of the goals.

As parents we thought his #1 goal should be to just enjoy his experience from year to year and let everything fall into place. Remain healthy.

The dream of a young HS player to play MLB should never be clouded by the specific goals needed to achieve that dream because it is a very long and complicated process.

JMO.

quote:

Originally posted by Tiger Paw Mom:

Looking back, son's goals were different each year so it's hard to say what his #1 goal was, but I would say to play baseball in college.

Going into his Senior year just like last year our coach encourages each player to set (3) personal goals to work towards, and then come together as a team and set at minimum (3) team goals. He reminds them that failing to plan is planning to fail.

But my son's #1 personal overall goal is like TPM's son and that is, play baseball at the next level..college. He has had this goal/dream ever since he was a little guy that I can remember and it has never died.

My son's 3 goals are

1) Run sub 6.5 60
2) Make 08 All State team
3) Play for solid D1 Program

Our Goal for Ryan

Enjoy his senior season and achieve his goals.

quote:

Interesting question, not alot of answers so far. I am wondering if it is because most don't have very clear defined goals when they enter into HS, both parents and player, so how can you have just one?

TPM, good points. I think you’re right about not having any goals in HS. At least the goals they have little or nothing to do with their high school baseball team. I think when we read the responses we start to see high school baseball has very little to do with ---- high school baseball. We don’t talk about winning the state tournament or beating the cross town rival. We “ignore’ our high school team and set our goals on college and playing MLB or obtaining some personal accomplishment. Is this the right approach if we adhere to the philosophy of “there's no "I” in team?

College players for the most part are different. If your son was asked about his goals in college don't you think he would have been much more team oriented? I'll bet he would mentioned making the college team as a freshman, playing in Omaha or winning the ACC. Why is high school so different?

I think that the "goals" are more in the eyes of the parents than the player---and they not even be goals but more like "DREAMS"

Fungo,
Good points, I also noticed a lot of no discussion about the team goal.
My son was asked to attend college early, but he said no, he was determined to help his team get to a playoff and as you mentioned, was able to beat our big rival his last year in HS. I am sure they were part of his goals, but maybe not priority.

I thought you were referring to personal not team goals. So in all fairness, I can see why that may have been left out of the discussion. In HS, we as parents were more concerned about courses and grades, and class #. Those were the things that we thought would make the difference in reaching the goal, not what he did on the field as that was pretty obviuos.

Priorities, it's all about priorities and everyone has different ones. It's putting those priorities in the correct order that will make the difference in achieving your goal.

JMO.

Fungo,
I don't think it's reasonable to assume that a 16-18 year old HS player can formulate the same goals as a 20-22 year old college player. They don't possess the foresight or experience.

I read it as personal goals as well.

As for team goals, they set out to win the section title (they don't have state payoffs), they lost in the semi's one year and they were very upset resulting in winning it only 2 out of 3 years the senior group was on varsity.

In getting to their goals they needed to sort out all the redundant talent they had at the various positions and still keep all the players happy.

They were always the top dog in their league, so they were more about not letting a certain team beat them at the same time dominating those that think they had a chance to beat them.

They were all about team/player development, they would workout with the JV’s and freshman to get them acclimated to the speed and talent of the game, which resulted in the team transition from year to year very effective. He being a leader on the team would have parents come up to him or me and say how helpful he was in working with the young players.

Son is freshman, so he hasn't even made the "real" team yet... can't really have specific goals yet except to play for the school.

As to long range - aren't long term goals really dreams anyway? Son knows - as well as anyone can prepare him anyway - that playing pro is a difficult journey. Just because you want to does not mean you will. To that alternative, he is taking honors courses and preparing for college just like all the other kids his age. Otherwise, it is a positive and forward thinking baseball attitude.

There are enough naysayers as it is.... parents need to not only be objective, but supportive of that long term goal or dream. If son wanted to be a doctor, and odds of making it are probably nearly as slim and certainly more expensive, but people get so excited about the idea. Yet they roll their eyes and become all negative when an athlete want to be a pro. harumph

I have to agree with TR on this one. HS goals are usually what a parent puts on their children. I started to respond with my sons goals and then realized while he is the one trying to reach the next level. Any specific goals such as 60yd times, velocity increase, batting average, level of play were not his but mine.
I do believe in goal setting and one day soon I will sit down with him and discuss, what he wants to attain not me.

quote:

Originally posted by 55mom:
Son is freshman, so he hasn't even made the "real" team yet... can't really have specific goals yet except to play for the school.

As to long range - aren't long term goals really dreams anyway? Son knows - as well as anyone can prepare him anyway - that playing pro is a difficult journey. Just because you want to does not mean you will. To that alternative, he is taking honors courses and preparing for college just like all the other kids his age. Otherwise, it is a positive and forward thinking baseball attitude.

There are enough naysayers as it is.... parents need to not only be objective, but supportive of that long term goal or dream. If son wanted to be a doctor, and odds of making it are probably nearly as slim and certainly more expensive, but people get so excited about the idea. Yet they roll their eyes and become all negative when an athlete want to be a pro. harumph

55mom,
Your son can have specific goals just entering HS. For example, to play in the varsity team. That can be his goal and go about the necessary work to achieve that goal. I think that the less complicated the goals, or a few at a time, brings success. Often individuals get caught up in the big picture that clouds the direction one has to take to reach their goal.
We had a discussion on here a while back about dreams vs. goals being the same. It made for an interesting discussion.

I think my son's goals are all attainable. Just ran 6.6 60 (At Florida Prospect Invitational at FIU NOV 17-18) and THAT WAS RIGHT AFTER PLAYING A GAME IN WHICH HE ALSO PITCHED 2 INNINGS. HE could be in running for all State if he has a solid season and playing solid D1 and/or D2 is very attainable.

My son's long term goal is to play baseball for Penn. It's the one Ivy with an undergraduate management program (Cornell only has hospitality management). He's only a freshman and could change his mind several times on his major, but this is where his head is now. If asked a second set of schools he would list Virginia, North Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest and Penn State. He has already checked out the USN&W school of management top one hundred. Obviously he'll have to maintain his GPA to get into these schools (just got first high school grades ). If the opportunity presents itself, it will be interesting to see what happens if his academic opportunities don't match up with baseball opportunities. Becoming a pro baseball player is not a goal.

As a freshman in a top classification school, his offseason goal is to develop as much upper body strength as possible between now and March, then make varsity or make enough of an impression to be a starter his sophomore year (very realistic). He's 5'9", 133 right now (physical late bloomer expected to be over 6'). As for travel, he's already on a good team.

quote:

Originally posted by Tiger Paw Mom:

quote:

Originally posted by 55mom:
Son is freshman, so he hasn't even made the "real" team yet... can't really have specific goals yet except to play for the school.

As to long range - aren't long term goals really dreams anyway? Son knows - as well as anyone can prepare him anyway - that playing pro is a difficult journey. Just because you want to does not mean you will. To that alternative, he is taking honors courses and preparing for college just like all the other kids his age. Otherwise, it is a positive and forward thinking baseball attitude.

There are enough naysayers as it is.... parents need to not only be objective, but supportive of that long term goal or dream. If son wanted to be a doctor, and odds of making it are probably nearly as slim and certainly more expensive, but people get so excited about the idea. Yet they roll their eyes and become all negative when an athlete want to be a pro. harumph

55mom,
Your son can have specific goals just entering HS. For example, to play in the varsity team. That can be his goal and go about the necessary work to achieve that goal. I think that the less complicated the goals, or a few at a time, brings success. Often individuals get caught up in the big picture that clouds the direction one has to take to reach their goal.
We had a discussion on here a while back about dreams vs. goals being the same. It made for an interesting discussion.

I guess I meant specific to being on the team. In my other post I mentioned his goal of making the team, and what he is doing. He doesn't have specifics like time in the 60s or throwing no hitter.

And you mention something I think is very important! Keeping things simple. There are times when I talk to people around here (not website here, hometown here) and then I feel we aren't doing enough! We really do not want to get ahead of ourselves, and feel like it is most important to stay on track. We aren't in a position to give thousands to a team, or private lessons ad nauseum. We can be realistic and help him realize he has to work hard to make things happen.

Again, let me just be clear to everyone, I have no clue about where son will go. I just want to be supportive of him and assist with good advice as he goes along. In my eyes, both of my sons are wonderful young men and already have bright futures. Baseball success with youngest has been, and hopefully will continue to be, a bonus.

I read Fungo's question literally - and so I asked my youngest what his goals were - as I havent a clue without asking.

I will add this though - as a parent - I hope that deep down - his primary goal is to smile and have fun playing the game because it all goes by way too fast.

IMO.

I have a freshman HS son. Some of his goals were set by my wife and me:

* Keep up with your schoolwork,
* Keep us informed about your grades and problems that arise,
* Follow the (strict) rules at your new HS,
* Stay within his cell phone text-message and call limits,
* Have fun playing baseball if the three things above are in good shape.

His goals seem to be:

* Hang out with his friends at football games,
* Meet new girls,
* Do homework on time to keep Mom and Dad off his back,
* Figure out when the earliest possible date for getting a driving learner's permit comes,
* Play some baseball if friends, girls and Mom and Dad permit.

Seriously, for baseball...as a freshman #1 goal is to make the team, #2 goal is to win a role on the team, #3 goal is to have fun and get better.

I agree with tpm that goals change yearly but I also know that my son has 1 long range goal that has been with him since he was 10 years old and that is to have a bobblehead .

I remember that as my son was going into HS, his goals related to HS baseball, not beyond. Freshman year his goal was to play varsity, which didn't happen initially but worked out a few weeks into the season. Next goal was to become ace pitcher for varsity, which he accomplished junior year. Going into senior year, while he was working toward playing college baseball, his main focus was on beating their "arch rival" school in baseball, who they had not beaten for 9 or 10 years, long before my son's time. Coincidentally, he was dating a cute girl from the arch rival school! He pitched a shutout against them for the win, which was one of the top highlights of his HS years.

Going into college, he set his sights on making the pitching rotation and getting playing time, but during the season he has not seemed to focus much on individual performance; more on beating particular opponents, achieving team goals for playoffs, etc. Now in his 4th year, his top goal is to earn his degree! That is mom and dad's top goal for him also.

quote:

Originally posted by rz1:
I agree with tpm that goals change yearly but I also know that my son has 1 long range goal that has been with him since he was 10 years old and that is to have a bobblehead .

I got some here, who does he want?

Thats a funny comment rz1. A few years ago I was talking with a family friend who had just made it to the big leagues. He was talking about how cool it was to play himself on playstation (or whatever the game was), but that he'd know he really made it when they made a bobblehead of him!

Bum Jr.'s goal before his freshman year in H.S. was to just make the team. He did that and became the "ace" of the freshman squad. The next year his goal was to make varsity.. he worked very hard.. and they pulled the plug on him just before the season started when an older kid transferred in. So they put him on J.V. where he went undefeated. This year--his junior season-- his goal was to become the "ace" of the varsity squad. He did that easily plus he signed a NLI with a Pac-10 school. Man I'm proud of him! Next year, his senior year, his goal will be to add 3-4 MPH, get ready for college, and win a state championship.

My guy’s goal this year is to break the school Home Run record. He wants to have a monster season. The team will have a difficult year as we lost 11 seniors last year. He will be the Shortstop for the first time since his freshman year, so he has a goal of playing his position well also. He would like to get some professional interest this year as well.
His ultimate goal is to play in MLB.

Senior year this year, so I asked him about his goals past and future;
Freshman year, prove coach wrong
Sophomore year prove coach wrong, play for a good coach in summer.
Junior year Make team, if not transfer to a different school, lead the team in all pitching and hitting categories, get seen by colleges
Senior year, have fun, hit 90, work rear off, settle on which college offer to take, don't take h.s ball seriously, just relax and play.
College; continue to improve each year.

Current Freshman:
Start JV Freshman year
Start Varsity So. year.
Make all league by Sr. year
Team win districts
Play college baseball

His: MLB

Mine for him: Play ball at as high a level as his ability will take him for as long as he can.

As a sophmore varsity starter, son was worried about proving himself, a lot of pressure. The other day he told me: "this year I will be able to focus more on team winning and not have to worry about the other stuff". I knew what he meant.

Other goals

Raise GPA to 3.6

Get arm healty

Weigh in Spring at 200lb, now 190

Get college offers


Anything beyond that is fuzzy

Highest GPA on team

Lowest ERA (or WHIP) on team

In this order of priority.

I spoke to my son last night and his goals were simple. Keep working hard and he will keep improving. We also discussed not worrying about things he can't control. Such as era., when a routine ( I do mean routine, can of corn type) flyball with 2 outs and the bases loaded is scored a double does era matter? Or when you have 2 bases loaded clearing doubles in the same game and have only 1 rbi. Or when a sac fly is scored an at bat and no rbi. How can you count on stats. The answer, you can't. I think college coaches understand that. At least I hope they do.

Long term, son wants to play college and then in the majors. Short term, he wants to make the varsity as as sophomore and improve his grades so he can improve his chances of playing college baseball somewhere.

My goal for my son is to improve his weakness (fielding). I would also like him to improve his mental game.

My goal for me is to go an entire season throwing batting practice without getting hit by a ball hit back up the middle.

Nitric,
As far as your personal goal, although one should shoot for the stars, it is not productive to set impossible goals. Perhaps having a goal of purchasing a better screen would be more appropriate.

If new screen is not in the budget, you can teach son to be a pull hitter.

Good discussion folks.. as a guy that works with high school baseball players this was good reading for me.

Son is now playing D1 college ball.

But Senior year in HS, he wanted to get that baseball scholarship. Like a lot of your sons, he worked hard to attain it and got some pro interest along the way. He also wanted to enjoy his Senior year of baseball with his friends and win another championship. Seeing him take a role of quiet leadership was very rewarding for us, and ultimately more long lasting than the drive to get a scholarship. Senior year is special. My advice is to enjoy it, because when they move on you will miss seeing him every day, the games, and even the parents in the stands.