| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| IBABASEBALL |
Posted - 08/08/2017 : 09:48:21
"Once your kid hits high school, focus on the grades, let the coaches and instructors take care of the baseball."
Why is it ok for parents to focus on grades but not sports?
I see them being very similar.
So why not let the teachers and instructors doing the academics at school handle the grades? Music lessons, Academics, Sports, what's the difference? Stop yelling at your kids about sports but its ok to yell about grades? I am just trying to see what others think.
Not really sure where I stand yet.
|
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Punishers |
Posted - 08/11/2017 : 14:15:45
All depends on the goals. Are you playing to go to school or going to school to play? The student really has to ask themselves. What would I want to do if this baseball thing doesn't work out? The top players will get drafted out of high school. So now the realization of a career outside of baseball comes to mind. The end goal is to make money. Go to school, get an education, get a job and make money. You just want to make sure it is something you are passionate about and not just a check. The baseball world is gritty and a lot of people fail to understand or underestimate the competition. Compare to football or basketball for college, baseball is last on the list. A decent football player can make millions after 3yrs, basketball players can after 6 months (if they go to UK or like and make it to final four). GPA not required for most if not all of them cause it's a money train for the schools. Become a student first, athletics are 2nd maybe 3rd, no matter if it's D1, DII, D3 school. |
| Shut Out |
Posted - 08/11/2017 : 13:42:48
quote:
Originally posted by jbarley
If you have a low gpa with honors that is not as good as high gpa without as far as getting in school for sports. We are talking sports and there are High Academic schools that will get you in if you throw 90 plus.
Probably safe to say 90 percent of the people on this board will not or do not have kids playing div 1 baseball. Even less go to Ga Tech.
Even if the 90 plus fastball gets you in if your academic ability is not equal to the rigor of high academic school you will be back home faster than your 90 plus fastball reaches home plate!! |
| NF1974 |
Posted - 08/11/2017 : 11:07:40
Crazyforbaseball- Well said and right on the money |
| Crazyforbball |
Posted - 08/11/2017 : 09:49:38
There are plenty of kids who can do both...play ball AND succeed academically. Therefore, due to the limited number of openings at D1 schools, they have absolutely no reason to "settle." As far as absolute superstars, they will be drafted right out of high school. For the rest, grades are essential and let's not forget all the other "skills" necessary to gain entrance to the top programs or the ivies...like CHARACTER, demonstrated leadership ability, community service, clubs or instruments or student government. So unless you are 100% certain you are one of those 11.7 in the money train, you best be of some worth to the school beyond just throwing a ball 90mph. And high school students are well served to remember the character bit, all the time, not just at PG showcase tournies. Having spoken to someone who has had a lot of interaction with scouts, "you just never know who is watching." Now we all do know our fair share of less than stellar, straight A, community leader types who DID, in fact, play baseball at D1 schools, sure, but to that I say....not all D1 schools or their programs are created equal. Depends on the player's long term goals, and his do not always line up with those of his parents. |
| tbaillie2 |
Posted - 08/11/2017 : 08:43:49
High academic schools look at all of it, so low gpa w/ honors v high gpa w/o is relative (how high/low are you suggesting).
As noted 99.99% won't go on to make a career playing baseball. The comment on grades helping round out teams, even 'high' Div 1 rings very true. With the scholarship metrics (11.7 or whatever it is now, and 18 at least getting some form of that) say half of div 1 teams kids don't get athletic money. Obviously a kid has to be able to compete and make the program better, but grades are huge for those last spots - plus, when talking 'better' academic Div 1 and then Div 3 - you have to have the grades. |
| CaCO3Girl |
Posted - 08/11/2017 : 08:13:10
quote:
Originally posted by jbarley
If you have a low gpa with honors that is not as good as high gpa without as far as getting in school for sports. We are talking sports and there are High Academic schools that will get you in if you throw 90 plus.
Probably safe to say 90 percent of the people on this board will not or do not have kids playing div 1 baseball. Even less go to Ga Tech.
From GA tech admissions website:
When evaluating your application for freshman admission, we are very interested in understanding how you stretched and challenged yourself relative to the curriculum that was available at your school. Georgia Tech is looking for students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity and aren’t afraid of a challenge!
You should demonstrate success in the most rigorous curriculum available at your high school, such as:
Advanced Placement
International Baccalaureate
AICE Program
Dual Enrollment
So, yes, some colleges want to see that you had honors and or AP classes as part of their admissions requirements. High GPA no honors they wonder why you didn't challenge yourself and are you really ready for tougher courses. Low GPA with honors, you obviously can't cut it.
This also isn't for only Division I. Try getting int Johns Hopkins, MIT or Emory (All D3's) with crud grades, even if you are throwing 90...not going to happen. Lots of academically challenging DII, DIII, and NAIA that have a tough admissions process. Remember a baseball player in college is called a student athlete, NOT an athlete student. The student portion comes first.
|
| Newbie BB Mom |
Posted - 08/11/2017 : 08:07:03
quote:
Originally posted by jbarley
If you have a low gpa with honors that is not as good as high gpa without as far as getting in school for sports. We are talking sports and there are High Academic schools that will get you in if you throw 90 plus.
No, not if you have a 2.6 gpa and poor test scores, they won't. As CaCo says, they need kids who can actually pass their classes while playing baseball. A kid like that would struggle to remain academically eligible at Ga. Tech or Vandy or Stanford, even with all the tutoring and support. How does that help the baseball coach?
quote:
Probably safe to say 90 percent of the people on this board will not or do not have kids playing div 1 baseball. Even less go to Ga Tech.
But also probably safe to say that the other 10 percent of us do, and that many of us here know some of those 10 percent. This town is lousy with great baseball talent. Most of us with kids playing in the older age groups know kids playing, or going to play, D1 ball (including at Ga. Tech).
|
| jbarley |
Posted - 08/10/2017 : 18:42:45
If you have a low gpa with honors that is not as good as high gpa without as far as getting in school for sports. We are talking sports and there are High Academic schools that will get you in if you throw 90 plus.
Probably safe to say 90 percent of the people on this board will not or do not have kids playing div 1 baseball. Even less go to Ga Tech.
|
| in_the_know |
Posted - 08/10/2017 : 10:59:03
quote:
Originally posted by whits23
bballman was right but also sadly if you look at some baseball rosters in college all the kids take park management or something like that so 1 tutor can go on road and help them all with homework and they all get a crap degree. Then they become academy coaches or work at hertz. all due respect
In the words of the late, great Judge Smails, "Well, the world needs ditch diggers too" |
| NF1974 |
Posted - 08/10/2017 : 10:47:00
I agree with CaCO3girl about the fact that getting good grades will also help you if you do get drafted right out of highschool as you will have some leverage, namely college.
I also want to reiterate the point being made here that there is academic money,not baseball scholarship, available to a kid who has good grades/test scores etc. My own experience is that my son got almost all of his tuition paid for with academic grants etc.. and played baseball. There is a lot of money out there if you look for it. |
| Shut Out |
Posted - 08/10/2017 : 09:08:38
I wish there was a "like" button on this website. CaCOGirl you are right on! |
| CaCO3Girl |
Posted - 08/10/2017 : 08:32:47
quote:
Originally posted by whits23
not to pick on certain schools but i know one that is in SC that had 11 kids of 27 taking parks and rec management HMMM. They also discourage you from taking any honor classes in HS as it can make your gpa lower. They will get you in and get you out if you can play.
That is just the life of college sports..they use you so make sure you use them.
I visited John Thompson coach of GTOWN once and he always had a flat basketball on his desk to explain to kids that when the air is gone from basketball you better have a GOOD degree to fall back on. He would also say..Yes we use you but you need to use us..get a degree you can use.
If a kid has zero AP or honors classes and a 2.9 GPA the college may not let him in. Just remember in order to play baseball at Ga Tech you still have to be able to get INTO GA tech. Coaches can only help so much, and it's a lot less than people think. If the kid washes out in the first year due to grades it doesn't help anyone, so the colleges really try to take only baseball players that can cut it academically.
Also, AP classes (if you pass the test) can be very helpful. If you start your freshman year with only 12 credits but you also have 6 AP credits it gives you a cushion. The NCAA's job is suppose to be to keep kids on track for graduating. Not having to take 16 credits per semester, because you have some credits already, while being on the road would help with that goal. |
| whits23 |
Posted - 08/09/2017 : 20:01:18
not to pick on certain schools but i know one that is in SC that had 11 kids of 27 taking parks and rec management HMMM. They also discourage you from taking any honor classes in HS as it can make your gpa lower. They will get you in and get you out if you can play.
That is just the life of college sports..they use you so make sure you use them.
I visited John Thompson coach of GTOWN once and he always had a flat basketball on his desk to explain to kids that when the air is gone from basketball you better have a GOOD degree to fall back on. He would also say..Yes we use you but you need to use us..get a degree you can use. |
| Newbie BB Mom |
Posted - 08/09/2017 : 15:10:18
I personally know of talented baseball kids who had their D1 baseball dreams dashed because of their high school grades. The better your academic record, the better your chances are of making that college roster. If you have a 2.6 in high school and want to play D1 college ball, you better be really, really good at baseball.
On the other hand, a decent (by Atlanta-area standards) baseball player with a 3.8 and a solid SAT score has access to colleges they might not otherwise have a chance with. Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Stanford, etc. Push that GPA up a little more and the Ivies might be interested. As bballman said, they won't get baseball scholarships (which are paltry anyways), but they'll get in to schools they otherwise wouldn't and probably get academic money instead. Kids who are willing to work hard at school can use their baseball to get a great college education. |
| CaCO3Girl |
Posted - 08/09/2017 : 14:30:24
quote:
Originally posted by nastycurve
quote:
Originally posted by CaCO3Girl
Because 99% of the parents don't know bubkis about sports.
I focus on his grades, every missed assignment, every poor grade he has to answer to me. I control if he goes out on a Friday night. I graduated college and can help him with his questions and direct him to resources.
Every missed catch, every poor throw, he has to answer to his coach. He controls if he plays in the games at all. The coach should be very knowledgeable about baseball, he can help him with his questions and direct him to resources.
I'll also add that if a kid can pitch 95mph that really can affect the rest of his life, just as poor grades can affect the rest of the kids life. Consider this though, if the scouts know the kid barely passed high school there is no need to make their best offer, that kid wasn't going to go to college anyway. Case in point, Diamond back pitcher Taijuan Walker. HS grad year 2010, in October of 2009 he was throwing 93mph according to PG, he went in the first round for 800K....did I mention his LISTED GPA on PG was a 2.6? It was probably much lower than a 2.6. Imagine what he could have gone for if he had a better GPA.
I agree books are the most important. I tell my so all the time its easier to be a lawyer and make 200k than it is to be a baseball player. And if you are a lawyer you never have to worry about throwing or hitting a curveball lol. Books guarantee a future, baseball has no guarantees.
With that said, MLB is a professional athletic organization. Outside of the correct attitude and temperament(to a point)all they need is the baseball IQ, skill and athletic ability.
We were at a camp and talking with an Orioles Scout and a mom wanted him to explain to her husband how important grades were for him to have a career in the major leagues. He replied "Ma'am, we don't care about grades. As a matter of fact we don't care if he can spell baseball as long as he can throw, hit or catch one. Colleges care about grades and personally I recommend he get them, but if hes great, we will take him."
MLB doesn't care about grades, you are very right. However, if you have excellent grades that will help you go higher in the draft. They have to entice you away from college. If you have a 2.2 GPA you are probably going to take a pack of gum as a signing bonus rather than going to college....and they know that! |
| Crazyforbball |
Posted - 08/09/2017 : 13:47:11
The truth is only 4% of MLB players have college degrees. But if he is "that guy" you probably know that by the end of freshman year. Bballman's post is very relevant. The sad truth is we are so focused on success on the field that we forget these are kids. They want a life. They want to be successful but sometimes we need to keep the whole process in perspective. It's made known pretty early on in high school that it's not really realistic to pursue high school baseball AND AP classes...stick with honors, and get all A's. It's sad that they are basically forced to pick a path...of course there are exceptions but unless your kid is a total braniac, there are only so many hours in the day. This is representative of society as a whole. I'm no spring chicken but a mere 30 years ago it was possible to do both well. No longer. |
| dgersh22 |
Posted - 08/09/2017 : 11:55:38
quote:
Originally posted by CaCO3Girl
quote:
Originally posted by whits23
bballman was right but also sadly if you look at some baseball rosters in college all the kids take park management or something like that so 1 tutor can go on road and help them all with homework and they all get a crap degree. Then they become academy coaches or work at hertz. all due respect
I think that was more a back in the day thing. Some have random majors, but some don't. The kid that comes to mind is Max Pentecost. He went to Kennesaw as a bio-engineer or something like that, crazy difficult major and was no slouch on the field either, or so says his first round draft pick status.
I do wish there was a website for the draft that put Majors with the kids name and position.
You might be surprised, Whits23 is probably still not that far off. I looked at the roster from UGA last year and yes some of there players are taking a very hard major, but the majority have majors that are not too taxing.
1- 5th year grad student
1-Civil engineering
1-Bio Molecular engineering
2- Biology
2- Exercise Science
5- Sports Management
7- Communication Studies
1- Finance & MIS
4- Management
2- Real Estate
3- Marketing
1- Computer Science
3- Business |
| Hurricane |
Posted - 08/09/2017 : 11:45:03
Just as some kids will never throw 90MPH or run a sub 7.0- 60 yard dash. Some will never be doctors or attorneys no matter how hard they work or study. |
| CaCO3Girl |
Posted - 08/09/2017 : 10:47:21
quote:
Originally posted by whits23
bballman was right but also sadly if you look at some baseball rosters in college all the kids take park management or something like that so 1 tutor can go on road and help them all with homework and they all get a crap degree. Then they become academy coaches or work at hertz. all due respect
I think that was more a back in the day thing. Some have random majors, but some don't. The kid that comes to mind is Max Pentecost. He went to Kennesaw as a bio-engineer or something like that, crazy difficult major and was no slouch on the field either, or so says his first round draft pick status.
I do wish there was a website for the draft that put Majors with the kids name and position. |
| nastycurve |
Posted - 08/09/2017 : 10:40:41
quote:
Originally posted by CaCO3Girl
Because 99% of the parents don't know bubkis about sports.
I focus on his grades, every missed assignment, every poor grade he has to answer to me. I control if he goes out on a Friday night. I graduated college and can help him with his questions and direct him to resources.
Every missed catch, every poor throw, he has to answer to his coach. He controls if he plays in the games at all. The coach should be very knowledgeable about baseball, he can help him with his questions and direct him to resources.
I'll also add that if a kid can pitch 95mph that really can affect the rest of his life, just as poor grades can affect the rest of the kids life. Consider this though, if the scouts know the kid barely passed high school there is no need to make their best offer, that kid wasn't going to go to college anyway. Case in point, Diamond back pitcher Taijuan Walker. HS grad year 2010, in October of 2009 he was throwing 93mph according to PG, he went in the first round for 800K....did I mention his LISTED GPA on PG was a 2.6? It was probably much lower than a 2.6. Imagine what he could have gone for if he had a better GPA.
I agree books are the most important. I tell my so all the time its easier to be a lawyer and make 200k than it is to be a baseball player. And if you are a lawyer you never have to worry about throwing or hitting a curveball lol. Books guarantee a future, baseball has no guarantees.
With that said, MLB is a professional athletic organization. Outside of the correct attitude and temperament(to a point)all they need is the baseball IQ, skill and athletic ability.
We were at a camp and talking with an Orioles Scout and a mom wanted him to explain to her husband how important grades were for him to have a career in the major leagues. He replied "Ma'am, we don't care about grades. As a matter of fact we don't care if he can spell baseball as long as he can throw, hit or catch one. Colleges care about grades and personally I recommend he get them, but if hes great, we will take him." |
| bballman |
Posted - 08/09/2017 : 10:29:01
quote:
Originally posted by whits23
bballman was right but also sadly if you look at some baseball rosters in college all the kids take park management or something like that so 1 tutor can go on road and help them all with homework and they all get a crap degree. Then they become academy coaches or work at hertz. all due respect
Not in my experience.
Copied from a post on another board in reference to a study done with PAC12 athletes:
"This has been discussed a lot on here. But I think its something I wish I would have better understood before our sons started.
Football and School like Dueling Full Time Jobs
"In 2015, a Pac-12 survey said its athletes spend an average of 50 hours a week on their specific sports and are often “too exhausted to study effectively.”
From the Pac-12 study cited....
"The survey also concluded that travel for competitions is "extremely stressful" on athletes. Because of travel, athletes say they have fallen behind in homework, studying and sleeping."
"Lack of sleep was the No. 1 drawback to participating in athletics, the survey concluded. More than half of the respondents (55 percent) said sleep would be the No. 1 priority if they were granted an extra hour during the day."
Other conclusions:
• Eighty percent of Pac-12 athletes say they missed a class for a game in 2014-15.
• More than half (54 percent) say they don't have enough time to study for tests.
• Almost three-quarters (73 percent) said they felt a voluntary activity was considered mandatory. Some reported coaches threatening to "kick athletes off the team for missing voluntary activities."
• Two-thirds say sports demands impacted their social lives. "Pac-12 athletes express a desire to make new friends outside of their sports teams." |
| bama21 |
Posted - 08/09/2017 : 06:59:05
If you don't have the grades, you are not going to college....PERIOD. Unless you are playing other sports, then that's a different story. For me, I expect excellence in the classroom and on the field, why shouldn't you expect both. Personally, I don't rely on his teachers for everything, nor do I with his coach. As far as the classroom vs. the field, totally different. |
| whits23 |
Posted - 08/08/2017 : 20:58:21
bballman was right but also sadly if you look at some baseball rosters in college all the kids take park management or something like that so 1 tutor can go on road and help them all with homework and they all get a crap degree. Then they become academy coaches or work at hertz. all due respect |
| bfriendly |
Posted - 08/08/2017 : 15:59:16
quote:
Originally posted by Crazyforbball
I assume you are referring to my comment about "if you are going to yell, yell about the C in chemistry not the dropped ball." As far as "yelling" I was being sarcastic. It is perfectly fine to be as involved, or not, in your child's sport as it is in his academics. The bigger point I was trying to illustrate was that some of us who have kids who play competitve sports can get so wrapped up in the game that it begins to take precedence over academics. The fact of the matter is that only a minute percentage will ever make it to the show so it's important to remind our kids to focus on their education 1st...AND for those few who are good enough to go D1, these schools expect good grades, not just athletes. Even for the rare athletes who are drafted right out of high school, if you look them up, MOST were outstanding students committed to D1 schools. It would be a shame to be a top level athlete, only to be turned away from a top school because the only thing you ever focused on was your sport. Or even worse, be injured and unable to play, and now not even be able to get into a mediocre school because your grades stink. Of course, to each his own, but my son knows if his grades stink, or he can't get his homework done, then baseball goes, not homework. What are your options if you are on the cusp as far as having what it takes to play in college, then realize as a junior that you are probably not going to make the cut? But you've spent ALL your time focusing on baseball up to this point? My comments were reinforcing the notion that for MOST players..you hope to be able to play baseball in order to get an education, not the other way around.
Yell This^^^^ at Yourself!! Very nicely put, SPOT ON!! |
| CaCO3Girl |
Posted - 08/08/2017 : 15:23:46
quote:
Originally posted by Crazyforbball
I assume you are referring to my comment about "if you are going to yell, yell about the C in chemistry not the dropped ball." As far as "yelling" I was being sarcastic. It is perfectly fine to be as involved, or not, in your child's sport as it is in his academics. The bigger point I was trying to illustrate was that some of us who have kids who play competitve sports can get so wrapped up in the game that it begins to take precedence over academics. The fact of the matter is that only a minute percentage will ever make it to the show so it's important to remind our kids to focus on their education 1st...AND for those few who are good enough to go D1, these schools expect good grades, not just athletes. Even for the rare athletes who are drafted right out of high school, if you look them up, MOST were outstanding students committed to D1 schools. It would be a shame to be a top level athlete, only to be turned away from a top school because the only thing you ever focused on was your sport. Or even worse, be injured and unable to play, and now not even be able to get into a mediocre school because your grades stink. Of course, to each his own, but my son knows if his grades stink, or he can't get his homework done, then baseball goes, not homework. What are your options if you are on the cusp as far as having what it takes to play in college, then realize as a junior that you are probably not going to make the cut? But you've spent ALL your time focusing on baseball up to this point? My comments were reinforcing the notion that for MOST players..you hope to be able to play baseball in order to get an education, not the other way around.
I agree entirely with the statement "if you are going to yell, yell about the C in chemistry not the dropped ball." I didn't take it as sarcastic, I agreed 100%. A C in chem will get a conversation, if there is an "I don't care attitude" we WILL be progressing to yelling. |
|
|
