Anyone willing to answer some or all of the following questions?
How long ago was your son a college freshman baseball player?
Son#2 - 9 years ago
Son#3 - 6 years ago
What level was he playing? Juco, D3, D2 or D1? Something else?
Son#2 - D3, Acedemic
Son#3 - D2, finished Juco
Did he stay at that school through graduation? If not, how many different colleges did he attend?
Son#2 - Yes
Son#3 - No, stayed 2 years, 1 as RedShirt/Shoulder Labrum Tear, then 1 year at Juco (nothing further)
If he switched schools, why did he switch?
Son#3 - Grades and motivation to do school work
How much did your son play as a freshman? If he did not play, was he redshirted? If he was redshirted, when was he told about it?
Son#2 - Every 4 games, Starting P
Son#3 - Pitched/relief opening weekend in a blowout loss, got a few more outings
What were the biggest surprises and challenges for your son freshman year?
Son#2 - He actually had to study in college... Some teammates wouldn't put in the effort - it's tough to be a P when your starting SS and CF struggled, but didn't put in the effort to be better.
Son#3 - Freedom has it's cost/price...
Overall, how was your son's experience as a freshman baseball player? Did it meet, surpass or miss his expectations? How about in regard to your expectations as a parent?
Son#2 - He's an athlete with the mentality of I'm going to play and he did - so in that aspect met... For me, happiness and joy at seeing him perform well at a sport he loved.
Son#3 - I would say it didn't meet mainly because he was compared against much better athletes. That FB you relied on in HS is BP for a college senior (as he found out in his first outing). As a parent, proud / happy that we was able to accomplished, sad that the lure of continuing to play baseball wasn't enough to keep him studying. Very frustrating as a parent that the college expects to pay the bills will not share certain information - there's a lot of take and hiding behind FERPA when all they want is for you to fill out your FAFSA.
Based on your son's experience as a freshman baseball player and your's as the parent, what advice would you have for the freshman player and his parent?
Player - Make sure the school you choose passes the broken leg, arm, etc. test. Will you be happy at the school if you cannot play your chosen sport. Be a great teammate and forget being that prima donna you were at your HS or travel team. Everyone is as good as you. Remember how much that coach that recruited you said to you - guess what he's telling every player the same thing past, present, and especially future.
Parents - Don't be a helicopter. If you watch the show Survivor, recall the phrase "you have done all you can do in this game, now your fate is in the hands of the jury" - there's a corollary there. Be supportive, go to the games, cheer on the team, let your child talk to the coach... Don't be too surprised/upset if your child wants to go out with friends in the evening when you visit - trust me you don't want to be out to 2AM anyway... Get your child to sign their FERPA form before you drop them off or make a payment. It's the only way you will know how they're really doing in the classroom.
Did your son complete 4 years of college baseball eligibility? If not, why?
Son#2 - Yes, played all 4 years, then 3 years law school... His role changed Sr year to relief
Son#3 - No, grades - even at the Juco he failed one course... He had a D2 coach wanting him to join his program, but he chose not to.