Prepster ... put on your thinking cap.

How do you know

what level you can play at?

Sources of information and feedback:
High School coach or coaches: Some guys play for HS coaches that have had several guys play at the next level. They have a great understanding of what it takes to be able to play at the next level and the ability it takes to play at all levels. Some HS coaches have played at the next level. They are a great source of feedback as to which level you may or may not have the ability to play at. If you do not play for a coach that can help you then seek out the ones that can. There are many that can and will be glad to help you out.

Showcase Coaches: Many if not all have had several players go on to play at the next level. They can give you honest feedback as to where you can and cant play.

Professional Scouts: Every questionaire that I have recieved from college programs asks the same question. "Give us some names of professional scouts that have seen you play". Professional scouts will give you honest feedback on your ability and what level you can play at. Dont be afraid to ask them. Dont be afraid to call and get an opinion.

College Coaches: Go to some college camps. Ask for feedback. Most college camps will give you an evaluation at the end of the camp. Alot of time it is generic in nature. But nothing is stopping you from asking questions. "Do you think that I am a D-1 player. If not what level do you think I can play at?"

Other sources: People you know that are straight shooters that have either played in college or have sons that have played in college. Dont be afraid to ask. Dont be afraid to get your feelings hurt. And dont take it personal if you get an answer that you did not want to hear. Remember this source of information is only a guide. Because you have no idea for sure wether they are shooting you straight or trying not to hurt your feelings.

Ways for you to judge yourself:
Be honest with yourself and go see some baseball. How many D-1 college baseball games have you yourself actually gone to see in person? Really how many? How many D-2 D-3 or JUCO games have you personally attended? How many HS baseball games outside of your own sons team have you actually watched? Legion games? Showcase team events? WWBA events? And when you go to these games what are you watching? Are you a fan and just taking in the game? Or are you watching the speed of the players , the size and strength of the players , the arm strength , the power at the plate , the skill level of the players? I wish I had a penny for everytime I have heard this comment "He can definitely play at the D-2 level". Really? How many D-2 games have you been to? Do you realize that just about every kid on that D-2 roster was the best player on his HS team?

Once you have gained a full grasp of how good the players are at these levels you can start to understand where you stack up. If your just an average player on your HS team why are you waiting for the letter from LSU? The fact is you can be the best player on your HS team and not be D-3 material. It all depends. You could be the fourth best player on your HS team and be D-1 material. If you really want to know how you stack up in this whole thing you have to get out and see.

You will get a good indication of what level people think you can play at by who recruits you. You will also get a good understanding of how you stack up when you step out of your comfort zone and play against the best competition you can find.

 

There's a lot of good advice accumulating on this thread with recent posts. The one I've lifted prompts the following observation:

It would be difficult to exagerate the magnitude of the step involved between even a high level high school program and major college baseball; and, it's not only about the level of baseball played there (although that's a lot of it). It's also about the challenge of taking on the rigor of varsity level sports in the midst of the academic challenge. For many freshmen, either one, alone, could easily represent the toughest challenge he's faced to date.

Focusing on the baseball part of the equation: The coach of a major D1 program has no choice but to produce wins. His ability to provide for himself and his family depends on it. As a result, he tries to recruit those players who seem the most capable of stepping in and making a positive contribution as early as possible; despite the fact that the implication for the 18-year-old freshman is that he finds himself facing 21-year-old men who are seasoned from 56+ game seasons in places like Columbia, Clemson, Miami, and (in a few cases) Omaha.

The result is that major college rosters are full of highly developed players; often causing the competition for roster spots to exceed the competition they face from the opposing dugout at times during the season.

I bring this up not to discourage; but to reinforce what Coach27 and others here have said about being realistic about one's expectations. If after receiving the opinion of trusted others, it is the player's choice to play major college baseball, wonderful. Once the goal is set, work as hard and as consistently as possible as you can to achieve it. You can be pretty certain that the player occupying the locker on either side of you once you get there will have done exactly that.

 

Thats a great post!

When I went to college I was suddenly confronted with several things I had never experienced before. First I was on my own. My own laundry. I had to get where I was supposed to be all on my own. There was no one there telling me what I needed to do and where I needed to be. It was up to me to do what I was supposed to do. The coaches expected you do handle your business. It was on you if you did not. The players I was around for the first time in my life were all as good as me if not better. And yes they had the same desire to play that I did. None of us came there to sit the bench but someone was going to. The things that allowed you to survive in this environment had nothing to do with how fast you ran the 40 or how much you could bench press. It was about being able to manage your time and staying focused on what you had to do. When I met my posistion coach he said "There are alot of guys at this posistion. Dont worry you will not have to beat them all out. In fact you might not have to beat anyone out. All you have to do is out last them." I had no idea what he meant at that time but I soon found out. Grades got some. Drinking and having too much fun got others. The inability to stay focused and follow rules got some more. The coach was so right.

Lack of talent is not the main reason many kids do not play in college or stick once they are there. The lack of work ethic , focus and the ability to stay the course is the main culprit.

 

Great Post

Prepster good points!!!

 

Do you have game?

This is so true in the game of life as well. Be passionate as well and it will help you succeed.

 

Great points. You have nailed it. Most failures are that of players not being able to transend to life on their own as quickly as others. Then throw in baseball or any other sport at the college level. Failure is like you stated due to the rigures of college not the lack of talent. I remember our class president straightA student in HS got tossed out due to he wanted to party all the time. Big loss.

 

I dont necessarily agree with that in ALL respects. You need to check things out and do your research on the person evaluating. For example Freddy Suggs will come out and evaluate your son. He wil honestly tell you where he sees your son playing. Obviously that depends on how well your son performs on that day. Scouts must go on what they see that day, not the "potential" that may be there. BUt if you want Freddy to come out and evaluate he will. He'll give you an honest opinion and not tell you what you may want to hear.

The bottom line is, research and do your homework, or it will not pay off.

 

Okay, let me see if I can say this better to see if I can convince you. I may not, but I'm going to try. Freddy is an exception, but he is not going to charge you for his opinion anyway, so he doesn't fall into the group I mentioned.

Most parents aren't really looking for an evaluation...they are looking for confirmation. A confirmation that they agree with it. They will pay a professional instructor at an academy to evaluate their kid or they will send their kid to a PG event for an evaluation. What do you think they will say? They will accentuate the positive things they see and will tell him what he needs to work on. When the parents ask them where do they see their son playing in college, they will say, "if he continues to improve in the areas that he needs to work on, I'm sure there is a D1 school that needs him" Doh!!!!...they said the magic words. Unfortunately, they didn't read between the lines. What the evaluator was really saying was this:

Needs to work on his arm strength: What he is really saying is

The kid has a weak arm

Needs to work on driving the ball: What he is really saying is

The kid is a weak hitter

These guys are being paid money and the priority for them is to get you to come back to use their facilities or enter into their tournaments.

If one is seeking an honest appraisal of your son's ability, you won't get one from those you pay for. An honest appraisal will be done from someone with no personal gain and it will be done for free. Pro scouts, college coaches and respected HS coaches including some coaches from respected Showcase teams are all good sources to check with.

 

another good topic to bring back