I will answer my own question once everyone has had a chance to reply. I ask that ONLY parents of players that are in high school or younger reply. I will get the college parents opinions later. thx
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It's not that I want him to play. He wants to play. His goal was always to leverage baseball to get the best education he can. Don't get me wrong, he loves baseball and can't wait to play in college.
I would support my son (2020) no matter what he wanted to do (with the obvious exceptions). He is choosing baseball. If it was classical ballet he wanted to do, I would be on the Highschoolballetweb.com site, learning how to navigate the process.
If the question were "why do you want to play college baseball?" - he would tell you to help him get into the best school possible - for the education and the opportunities that education will provide him.
I am indifferent about my 2017 son playing college baseball. If he gets the right offer at the right school that fits hit talent level then great. Otherwise at this point I'm more concerned about him getting the maximum academic and merit based scholarships and get a degree that he can start making decent money.
I want my son to play college baseball because I think he understands that he will be a student-athlete and that he must put in the necessary effort in the classroom in order to set foot on the diamond. He loves baseball, tolerates school at this point. I think as he begins to take some focused classes, he will begin to enjoy that aspect, but that will probably take at least a year. Secondly, I want my son to play college baseball so as to keep him busy and not dreaming up stupid college stunts on the weekends. Despite the huge amount of work, that level of work will not only teach him how to manage his time but should give him an appreciation for the level of effort needed to excel. I think it will help him become a man, develop friends for life and have a heck of a story to tell when its over (the kind of stories employers love). Some of the same reasons I wanted him to play high school baseball.
lionbaseball posted:I am indifferent about my 2017 son playing college baseball. If he gets the right offer at the right school that fits hit talent level then great. Otherwise at this point I'm more concerned about him getting the maximum academic and merit based scholarships and get a degree that he can start making decent money.
Uninspiring answer. Assuming he gets the right offer at the right school, why would you want him to play college baseball? Leave out the negatives and give us your best summation of any positives that you would get from your son playing college baseball.
My boy would say because he loves working on baseball, playing baseball and being around baseball players. Not about leverage to get into a school.
2017LHPscrewball posted:lionbaseball posted:I am indifferent about my 2017 son playing college baseball. If he gets the right offer at the right school that fits hit talent level then great. Otherwise at this point I'm more concerned about him getting the maximum academic and merit based scholarships and get a degree that he can start making decent money.
Uninspiring answer. Assuming he gets the right offer at the right school, why would you want him to play college baseball? Leave out the negatives and give us your best summation of any positives that you would get from your son playing college baseball.
Im actually with lionbaseball on this one. Im indifferent to my son playing. In fact my 2017 recently decided against playing college ball. I posted a thread on that. Totally fine with his decision. I really have no skin in the game when it comes to his playing, totally his life and his decision. Im also more concerned about his getting into a school that fits him academically and can get him off to a great start in life.
I want to support my kids in whatever they aspire to. Older son plays college football, middle son plays baseball, younger one plays hockey. If they had passion for band, debate, or something else, I'd support that too. (that wasn't too likely as my wife and I were both college athletes, and I'm pretty sure there's no artistic DNA present). We made the decision to let them try anything they wanted, and even forced musical instruments on them when they were younger- thank goodness that didn't last long! had a few months of bad drums and saxophone, it was painful.
We think it's important that they find something to be passionate about, to set goals, and work to achieve them. In the end if there's no college scholarship, that's ok. As long as they learn the value of goal setting, gain some work ethic, and care enough about something to stay on the straight and narrow, it was well worth the time, effort, and money spent to support their interest.
And from a selfish point of view, I love sports, I love watching my kids play, and if this short period of time can be extended for a few more years, I am all in!
pabaseballdad posted:I want to support my kids in whatever they aspire to. Older son plays college football, middle son plays baseball, younger one plays hockey. If they had passion for band, debate, or something else, I'd support that too. (that wasn't too likely as my wife and I were both college athletes, and I'm pretty sure there's no artistic DNA present). We made the decision to let them try anything they wanted, and even forced musical instruments on them when they were younger- thank goodness that didn't last long! had a few months of bad drums and saxophone, it was painful.
We think it's important that they find something to be passionate about, to set goals, and work to achieve them. In the end if there's no college scholarship, that's ok. As long as they learn the value of goal setting, gain some work ethic, and care enough about something to stay on the straight and narrow, it was well worth the time, effort, and money spent to support their interest.
And from a selfish point of view, I love sports, I love watching my kids play, and if this short period of time can be extended for a few more years, I am all in!
That is an inspiring answer. Maybe the question needs to be tweaked - In your opinion, what are the benefits (lets set scholarship money aside) for some kid off the street (not necessarily your kid) that you see being gained by playing college baseball? Either you have some benefits identified or your answer is simply "none". I don't care is not an appropriate answer to the question.
My son would be the fourth generation to play college baseball. If he gets to play pro ball, he would also be the fourth generation to do so.
It's fun to watch him play.
John Kinsella: Well, good night Ray.
Ray Kinsella: Good night, John.
[They shake hands and John begins to walk away]
Ray Kinsella: Hey... Dad?
[John turns]
Ray Kinsella: [choked up] You wanna have a catch?
John Kinsella: I'd like that.
Whenever I tell one of my kids I'm too tired to throw, my wife reminds me of that scene and kicks me out to the backyard.
I used to asked my son if he wanted to play whatever sports before every season (baseball, football, basketball). After several years, he finally asked me "Dad, you know I want to play, why do you keep asking me that?" My answer was simply that I don't want you to think that you HAVE to play any sport. Play because YOU want to and not for me or any other reason. I still let him know that my love for him has nothing to do with how he does on a football or baseball field.
So, same goes for college. His dream, not mine!
My son absolutely loves baseball and he wants to keep playing it in college. He could play club or intramural but he really wants to play where his school is on his jersey and share that with a group of similar guys. I am not sure he understands how challenging it is going to be for him to pursue Engineering and play baseball, but I am not about to tell him he cannot do it. I've given the stories and posts about it on this forum so he is aware of what he is getting into.
And the benefit I see of that goal is his recognition of what he needs to do to be able to play college baseball: work hard in practice, eat well, get stronger working out, stay away from drugs and alcohol, get good grades, prep and strive for high SAT/ACT scores, etc. He may not get the chance to do it, but all of the things he did chasing his dream have benefitted him in so many other ways that all of the costs of pursuing it was worth it.
Backstop22 posted:My son absolutely loves baseball and he wants to keep playing it in college. He could play club or intramural but he really wants to play where his school is on his jersey and share that with a group of similar guys. I am not sure he understands how challenging it is going to be for him to pursue Engineering and play baseball, but I am not about to tell him he cannot do it. I've given the stories and posts about it on this forum so he is aware of what he is getting into.
And the benefit I see of that goal is his recognition of what he needs to do to be able to play college baseball: work hard in practice, eat well, get stronger working out, stay away from drugs and alcohol, get good grades, prep and strive for high SAT/ACT scores, etc. He may not get the chance to do it, but all of the things he did chasing his dream have benefitted him in so many other ways that all of the costs of pursuing it was worth it.
Regarding engineering and baseball, give him stories about successful college ballplayers like Doug Glanville. There is local agent named Hunter Bledsoe who majored in engineering at Vandy and still holds some records there. There are many exceptions to that "rule" of avoiding the combination of a rigorous major with baseball.
I am with a few others. It's his dream. To me it's just that plain and simple.
2017LHPscrewball posted:lionbaseball posted:I am indifferent about my 2017 son playing college baseball. If he gets the right offer at the right school that fits hit talent level then great. Otherwise at this point I'm more concerned about him getting the maximum academic and merit based scholarships and get a degree that he can start making decent money.
Uninspiring answer. Assuming he gets the right offer at the right school, why would you want him to play college baseball? Leave out the negatives and give us your best summation of any positives that you would get from your son playing college baseball.
If he does get to play baseball I hope my sons learns time management and I would be curious to see how good he can get with the right coaching and talent.
bacdorslider posted:I will answer my own question once everyone has had a chance to reply. I ask that ONLY parents of players that are in high school or younger reply. I will get the college parents opinions later. thx
It is completely and totally for personal self-esteem reasons. I don't care about the academics, although he is to be a good student. If he wanted to play soccer, I wouldn't be happy about it and wouldn't get too excited about the games. I played baseball, it's what I know about. It's what I love. I think he can be a college player and I would like to see him achieve that goal. I want to watch him play. I want to put my arm around him afterwards and tell him I'm proud of him. I want for him to have the sense of accomplishment that he did more than most people. And I like baseball. Furthermore, teaching my son to pitch and helping him to get better at it is kind of a hobby that I enjoy.
But the far and away overriding factor is that I want to fulfill personal unreached dreams vicariously through my son and feel like I'm somebody.
Because I didn't. My dad did however, as did my grandfather. I didn't. I was more into the outdoors. Devoted many years to guiding canoe trips in the North Woods. That was my passion. Not baseball.
Years ago, when 2018 was 8yo, we began spending time on Cape Cod. He attended the Chatham As baseball camp for 7-years straight. THAT was where he became exposed to BIG, COOL, BASEBALL PLAYERS. My son's idols in baseball were not the pros, but young college guys whom he was lucky enough to hang with. As an only child it was great for him to have these "older brothers" who looked like grown men but acted like 10-year olds. Magical. Those summers were some of his best baseball memories. Mine too.
It was also where, he began dreaming, with my encouragement, of playing college ball. He saw those guys on the Cape and has been at it ever since. He never talks about pro ball. Just college ball. Like those Cape League players.
Photo attached of 2018 with a 2011 Chatham Angler from University of San Diego. I think he plays for the Cubs now?? (On a side note, it was because of 2018s exposure to guys like Kris Bryant in 2011, that he became aware of great colleges like USD. What a thrill it was then for son to get a text last summer from his showcase coach that one of the ACs at USD wanted him to call!)
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He has loved playing since seven. His travel team past three years all focused to play in college. Will now hopefully have 30 or so "brothers" like a fraternity to share a game they love hopefully for next 4 years at the right fit. D3 rocks!
The only answer, for me, is because that's what he wants to do.
If if it were my dream, we'd have tee times at 9 AM and 2 pm every Saturday.
A lot of people ask me why did you stop playing golf (I was a low, single digit handicap golfer). My answer is because I have a son who loves playing baseball. So, I watch him play and help him where I can to accomplish his goals.
#1 Assistant Coach posted:Because I didn't. My dad did however, as did my grandfather. I didn't. I was more into the outdoors. Devoted many years to guiding canoe trips in the North Woods. That was my passion. Not baseball.
Years ago, when 2018 was 8yo, we began spending time on Cape Cod. He attended the Chatham As baseball camp for 7-years straight. THAT was where he became exposed to BIG, COOL, BASEBALL PLAYERS. My son's idols in baseball were not the pros, but young college guys whom he was lucky enough to hang with. As an only child it was great for him to have these "older brothers" who looked like grown men but acted like 10-year olds. Magical. Those summers were some of his best baseball memories. Mine too.
It was also where, he began dreaming, with my encouragement, of playing college ball. He saw those guys on the Cape and has been at it ever since. He never talks about pro ball. Just college ball. Like those Cape League players.
Photo attached of 2018 with a 2011 Chatham Angler from University of San Diego. I think he plays for the Cubs now?? (On a side note, it was because of 2018s exposure to guys like Kris Bryant in 2011, that he became aware of great colleges like USD. What a thrill it was then for son to get a text last summer from his showcase coach that one of the ACs at USD wanted him to call!)
And to answer your question, about why do I want him to play college ball? Because I thought those guys in the Cape League were pretty cool, too. I admit it. As a 40-year old dad, I looked at those guys and began reflecting on my HS and college years, and what at age 40, did I have to show for it? Not much more than a couple friends and a diploma in a drawer somewhere.
I want more for my son. I want him to have 34 brothers, not just two friends. I want him to forever be able to begin a job interview with the interviewer asking, "So you played college baseball?? What was that like?" Am I "redoing" my youth thru my kid? Maybe. But don't all parents to some degree? Aren't we supposed to nudge our kids (nudge) in a better direction than we might have chosen? I kinda thought that was in the job description as parent? Nudge, mind you. Not force. Big difference. So far kid is smarter than his old man. Hope it stays that way.
Our son's team played at the regionals this year for the first time in sixty or so years. The biggest thing that I noticed while watching from the stands all season was that this team was close like brothers. I realize that many on this site have sons playing/trying to play at the professional level, and I really respect that, but some college players play purely for the love of the sport and their teammates. That is why I hope that my son will continue to play for his last two years of college eligibility.
It is his passion and I love to watch him pursue it. If he wants to play I will be there to support him....there really isn't anything to say.
To give a direct answer to the question. I don't. I want him to play football but unfortunately he doesn't like the sport. So second I'd rather him concentrate on grades. His planning on being a physics major concernes me with him playing a sport as well.
With all that said there is no where else the kid would rather be than on a ball field. He a little socially awkward and pretty much looks out of place or out of sorts anywhere he's at, except on a ballfield where he looks like he belongs.
So eventhough deep in my heart I'd love to see him catching passes on Saturdays. Weather it's HS, college, or a beer league I love seeing the joy on his face when he plays. So I don't care about college I just hope he can find a place to play as long as he wants to.
P.S. So he can learn to dance like #25.
That question is odd....why do I want my son to play college baseball? I don't have a "want" when it comes to baseball. I only WANT my son to have choices, this is one possible path, there are others. It's up to him to figure out if HE wants it.
....so he can have four more years of playing the game he loves. Simple as that.
I'm happy to see that the majority of answers are about supporting what their son's dreams are, not their own.
Many thoughtful answers!
Why...? So he can learn to dance like this!!!
We haven't even talked about college, right now his sights are set on HS. But to answer the question, for my own selfish reason, so I can watch him play for 4 more years after HS, but its his call not mine.
I've been thinking about this one; thinking about all the selfish reasons I want him to play so I can enjoy it; thinking of all the opportunities being a college athlete extends to you no matter what you do with the rest of your life; thinking of how absolutely cool such an experience would be for him. In the end, though, I think it all boils down to one thing. I want the kid to live out every experience he dreams about. I want him to enjoy his youth and enjoy his life. A college education mixed with his love for baseball could set him up for a good, happy life.
I want my son to play college baseball because he wants to. It's always been his dream to play college baseball, and professionally if he's lucky. He puts in the work as a player and student, making it very easy to support him as a parent. Son seems to get it: that the combination of being a solid player and a good student will open a lot more college playing opportunities. He also understands that if he's able to play college baseball and also succeed as a student, he'll be a lot more marketable to employers coming out of college.
I don't deny it would be a blast to be able to watch him play in college, but, it's his dream to play in college.
Bolts-Coach-PR posted:Why...? So he can learn to dance like this!!!
Or like this...
hshuler posted:Bolts-Coach-PR posted:Why...? So he can learn to dance like this!!!
Or like this...
Tremendous production quality and choreography for Pitt... Siskel & Ebert give it two-thumbs... WAY up!!!
Sheesh... Pokes look a little anemic compared to that effort...
Sad, embarrassed emoji - not available...
Bolts-Coach-PR posted:hshuler posted:Bolts-Coach-PR posted:Why...? So he can learn to dance like this!!!
Or like this...
Tremendous production quality and choreography for Pitt... Siskel & Ebert give it two-thumbs... WAY up!!!
Sheesh... Pokes look a little anemic compared to that effort...Sad, embarrassed emoji - not available...
LOL
My son has always been a very talented football, baseball, and wrestler, Upon his junior year he wanted to focus on baseball to play in college. Mind you this is a kid who will study sports, reenact, and push himself to get where he feels he needs to be. So when he dropped football and wanted to concentrate I supported him and will do what I can to help him achieve his goals. I played softball until college where I was lucky enough to get in on a school that wanted to start soccer team, I had the athletic ability and worked my ass off to achieve those skills needed. In the 2 years I played for them we didn't have 1 goal scored against us. Mind you it was almost 35 years ago. Women's soccer was just starting in CA.