A hearty congratulations to those of you have committed to play college baseball next season!
As you begin your last high school semester, keep in mind that your college admission and accompanying commitment are conditioned upon satisfactory classroom performance during your last semester.
Several years ago, a highly-recruited shortstop signed his NLI in November with his dream school. An above-average student and all-around hard worker up until that time, he decided that he'd coast through his final semester; a path that led to much worse performance than he'd experienced in the past.
As soon as his final transcript was forwarded to the university, the Admissions Office notified the head coach that he no longer qualified for admission. The head coach had to call the shortstop and tell him that could not be admitted.
When the shocked shortstop pleaded with the coach for reconsideration, he was told that the only way that the Admissions Office might consider re-admitting him was if he enrolled in his local community college's summer school and aced the college-preparatory courses he took. If that occurred, the Admissions Office would re-consider his application; but, he would not be able to take part in fall baseball. There was also no guarantee that he'd be re-admitted.
The shortstop subsequently made A's in the community college courses, was re-admitted to the university, made good grades in his first semester, and was allowed to join the team for the spring season. A good student throughout college, he became the team's starting second baseman.
Now a high school teacher and baseball coach, if you meet this very fine young man, it won't take him long to bring up this story if he knows you're in your final year of high school. He'll tell you that the path he followed ended up bringing him much more work and stress than if he'd simply maintained his original form during his last semester.
Best of luck to you!
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