<p>Hello,
I will make this very brief (could go on and on). My Son signed with an NAIA school to play baseball. Classes have not even started and many many things implied just are not looking to be the case! I assume we are screwed for a whole year but when can he go without penalty next year? I know it sounds like emphasis is on athletics but actually it is not.....however knowing my Son and his fight to survive academically he needs ball to drive learning in his case. He is not a stellar student, he is a solid athlete but we have not illusions of him going further than college (no we dont want to pull the plug on it but i am a realist) He is a very strong hitter, fair student, and very dedicated athlete.......I am trying to use athletics to keep his interest in managing to get a degree. As I said he has not even started and even I am seeing this is just not what we were sold on.......not only in terms of ball but school. I doubt he could do a mid year transfer but I am not opposed to it after fall is done. Anyway, he can play d2,d3 juco community college but what have we "blown" by signing with this naia school that made is sound like the team needed him right away but now has so very many on roster I dont see how anybody can be happy.
I would like some solid advice, I do not need to hear "if he was the best there wouldnt be as issue so work on it" beleive me he is but the people older than him look to be settled and he has his work cut out even to get some jv time.......we made clear from the begining we wanted a smaller roster with more opportunity as this is what will drive him scholastically.</p>
<p>That’s a rough situation. I’m not experienced in college baseball (but there are a couple of excellent posters here who are), but as one father to another I’d advise you to step back a bit and don’t do anything. The first few weeks for an incoming freshman can be rough, and it doesn’t help if you’re getting calls from your son that he hates his situation. </p>
<p>It sounds like you thought he’d be plugged into the lineup and contributing from day 1, but there are some other players established in those spots. Most coaches that I’ve known want to see a kid work his way into his spot. Even if he is earmarked as their starting SS (or whatever) he’s going to have to prove himself. </p>
<p>So the best advice I can give you would be not to commiserate with him about what a raw deal he’s got, but tell him it’s a challenge he has to meet. Hustle and work and realize he’s going to have to earn it. No one like to see their kid unhappy, but it’s one of those lessons that make them better for the experience.</p>
<p>justdad,</p>
<p>Sorry to learn of your son’s situation. I think Varska has given you excellent advice. I’ve heard some of the NAIA and JUCOs have a hell week (6 hr pracices/5 days a week) or bootcamp week that weeds out some of the freshmen or players not committed to the program given the sheer number of players that want to be on the team. It has been decribed to me as a baseball hazing. NAIA and JUCOs are not subject to NCAA rules, and are considered non-member schools. I would tell my son to ride this out, and then get together with you to talk face to face if needed to discuss options and possible next steps. The first week of practice is pretty gruelling for most college baseball programs that I know of. My son loves his school, but I heard him “grousing” a little bit about the first freshmen week (last year)…he isn’t usually a “grouser”. ;-)</p>
<p>In the mean time, I would call the NCAA directly at 317-917-6222 to discuss your son’s specific situation and transfer requirements into an NCAA member instituion (D1, D2, D3). The NCAA also publishes a number of documents that detail transferability. Here is one: [NCAA</a> Publications - NCAA Transfer Guide - 2010-11](<a href=“http://www.ncaapublications.com/p-4200-ncaa-transfer-guide-2010-11.aspx]NCAA”>NCAA Publications - NCAA Transfer Guide - 2010-11)</p>
<p>I would also read up on NAIA transfer rules since you would be going from a non-member to an NCAA member institution. [Legislative</a> Services](<a href=“http://naia.cstv.com/member-services/legislative/]Legislative”>http://naia.cstv.com/member-services/legislative/)</p>
<p>There is a lot of information on the web about the topic but most is outdated. I would go directly to the source (NCAA) and NAIA to get the answers your son needs for his specific case. I have a sneaking suspicion it will involve your son notifiying the current NAIA AD about your intentions before you can reach out to any NCAA schools of your intentions. </p>
<p>Best of luck, and please let us know what you find out.</p>
<p>Good advice Varska.</p>
<p>All recruited athletes who were at the top of the heap in HS,
must earn it starting day 1 in college.
They are now at the bottom of the food chain…and have to earn their slot. </p>
<p>This likely applies to most sports.</p>
<p>Has he talked to the coach?
Schools will contact the enrolled students institution before they recruit an athlete. Ethical players ask the coach/AD for permission to transfer.</p>
<p>I agree with all of the above, I have a daughter who signed with NAIA for basketball, she has been gone 2 weeks, they are currently kicking their butts with conditioning etc… It is probably along the same lines of weeding out the weak. Is your son receiving $? If he is then I would assume the coaches clearly feel your son will help the program. And like stated above it is all about earning your spot. My daughters team has a HUGE roster, very guard heavy which is not at all what she is used to or came from. Hopefully your son can take on the challenge and ride this out. It will make him a stronger better person in the long run and isn’t that what we want for our kids? To grow as people. If after the first year if things really are not working out then look to transfer. Just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>D3 school he was leaning towards brought in 30 freshmen. A number my son was never told during the recruiting process- obviously a lot of guys vying for a few openings. He had a few D1 options but based on current rosters (at the time) it didnt make sense he wants to be on the field. He chose to go the JUCO route and has not looked back - his playing time was great. Early on in the recruiting process I would have said the JUCO route was not even up for discussion but after talking extensively with my sons summer team coach it made more sense so opened up to the idea. I follow most of the boys who my son has played with and without fail all who were at the D3 or NAIA level did not get much playing time at all 3-6 six at bats etc … One friend who went D1 ended up as a starter and lead-off another saw the mound for 2/3 of an inning (1st or 2nd game of the season) and never saw the field again other than to pinch run once. </p>
<p>In short I would at least look into the JUCO route. However, with my limited knowledge in regards to transferring and eligibility requirements I cant guide you there. I see Fenway gave a lot of (as always) great links and comments. </p>
<p>Hope it works out for your son. Send me a note if you want to discuss the JUCO route. In my own opinion for baseball I think it is a good option. I know this is not for everyone, but for my son it has been especially good. He was actually looking forward to go back to school.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice guys. Still not sure what to do. Let me give a few more details to answer some of the speculation. Yes we knew he would have to earn it…this program is new only 2nd year for baseball at this school. There are 73 players on the roster! This is AFTER hell week … yep they lost a couple (no not my son). In short the numbers are just much much hight that implied … we dont mind fighting for the spot but lets face it…for most this is a 4 yr situation and time is our most valued asset. I feel they have really hurt him for at least half of that time. I place this sort of high because I know if the extracuricular is there he has a better chance of academic success. They do have a jv squad and honestly we figured a year there…but WOW 73! OSU lists 33 the yankees 40 LOL</p>
<p>just feel like I let him down, he had a chance with a great program, very good playtime opportunity and a college setting he loved…we just couldn’t swing the price tag</p>
<p>73 is INSANE!!! Okay, I have changed my opinion… go Juco if not too late… then he can perhaps get a scholarship for his second 2 years. good luck</p>
<p>nearly all freshman and Sophmores too…just not sure I can go JUCO without him sitting out a year???</p>
<p>I take it back…73???
sigh
there are some very good baseball parents here who can help…</p>
<p>Hugs and good luck</p>
<p>The rules on Juco transfer vary by state - but are generally easy to find on the web. </p>
<p>In California, where I live, the rules allow a player to transfer at mid year - and play that Spring. The major rule that he would have to meet is that he would have to be eligible to play at his old school to play at his new school. </p>
<p>So as long as he is passing his classes, he would be fine at a CA juco in the Spring of 2012.</p>
<p>73 is a huge roster. My guess is there are about 60 families with the same concerns. I wonder if there will be a big drop off with kids quitting or transferring and the problem will take care of itself.</p>
<p>your right, I am sure I am not the only one. I think the big problem is the program being in its infancy…I just cant get over the numbers, I mean how can the staff even properly train the ones they KNOW they want on the field with that sort of chaos. I think the only question is … do I transfer him at winter break so he can play 2012 with new college or after the 1st year. I feel robbed and sorta stupid for not seeing through some things. Thanks for the support guys</p>
<p>not that it matters in my decision but I found it interesting to note there are about 20 red shirted that are not technically on the roster</p>
<p>justdad,</p>
<p>My two cents…I think you & son have a lot of information about the program. I don’t typically suggest parental involvement with coaches, but this may be one of those cases as it could involve finances. Maybe the three of you (coach, son, father) need to sit down to have a heart to heart. After that heart to heart, ask your son what he wants to do with baseball, college and career to get some short term and long term goals identified. As best I can understand, your son has options as either a 4-2-4 NCAA transfer, NAIA to JUCO, or NAIA to NAIA transfer. Regardless of the destination, he will most likely have to sit some for games. First, I would find out the situation from the coaches lips. Second, talk to son about what he wants to do. Third, understand the options in detail by contacting the NAIA offices, college ADs. I read the NCAA Transfer Guideline on a cross country plane yesterday and it is pretty clear cut on the qualifications, rules and penalities if your interested in pursuing that. Once you have all the information then I would execute a plan to tranfer if that is the direction your son wants to go in.</p>
<p>In addition, I don’t think you should continue to blame yourself. You and son appear to have been intentionally mislead & deceived about the program. From what I’ve read, seen and heard, it happens alot in college athletics. Freshmen quickly learn that their recruiting experience is vastly different from being a player on the team. THere are a lot of people I know in D1, D2, D3 baseball who have successfully transferred for various reasons. I would make sure they are the right reasons by giving the coach an opportunity to explain, and then making an informed decision to move forward.</p>
<p>I hope this helps and feel free to PM me if you want to discuss specifics. Best of luck.</p>
<p>You didn’t steer him wrong. You did the best with the information you had and were given.</p>
<p>As to the finances, let may be the best lesson of all. These are tough times. As much as we may want to give our kids, we will always fall short somewhere. But that’s not as important as being there. Your son appears to have all the love, support and caring from his father. You can’t buy that. </p>
<p>Best of luck to all!</p>