Reality Check

Naw, I get Plate Dad's post - I don't think he was being a "downer". I just think he was saying that it is tough to make it to the "top".

Actually, I kinda like the odds - they appear to get better if you make it to college ball - you stand almost a 10% chance of being drafted. Mine has already made it to college ball - now he knows he needs to be that 1 in 10!

I always pull for the longshots myself.

 

I agree with Flotg's point that you shouldn't focus on the odds. Just focus on what you have to do to achieve your dreams.

 

Plate Dad, everyone is just teasing, we love ya, man. I may need to go to attend that class, but I understand you and you've made some great points.

 

I really don't think looking at the numbers is a bad thing. After all, more knowledge on any subject can only help us.

I don't think the #'s are there to discourage, but just to make a point for those who need it. Most of the athletes who have 'what it takes' would not look as the odds stacked against them, but as what do I have to do to beat them. They have the 'bull dog mentality', the work ethic, the support system, etc. to make it, so they would never let the #'s get in the way. I also think that this type of young person, although going for their dreams with all they have, are smart enough to have a 'back-up' in case of injury or some other factor.

I think the #'s probably help to weed out those who really don't have the desire and the heart to 'go for it' anyway and to encourage them to go ahead and prepare for something else.

Ex.: We went to a NCAA clearing house meeting a while back and they gave the odds/numbers (baseball is pretty good compared to basketball) of those who start a sport in high school, still playing their sr. year, playing college, pros, etc. When I looked around the room (I knew most of the kids), I was amazed that some of those sitting there were actually considering playing at the next level. Some were students who were always in trouble, some were those who barely make grades good enough to play HS ball, some were the ones who don't mind missing practice and never attend optional 'out of season' workouts, etc. For those students, I think the #'s shown were needed to let them know that talent alone will not get you to where you want to go....so either get serious about your goal of playing at the next level or change course direction if you really don't desire and the have the work ethic, the character, the heart, and whatever else is needed, to play after high school.

I have a great friend who is a 'life coach' so to speak and I love his advice. Be careful who you share your dreams with. Only share with those who you know are pulling for you and supporting you.
I think sharing your dreams with the wrong individuals would be more of a detriment to most young people than looking at these numbers. I think that it's relationships that we value... not what the statistics say.

 

To Sportsmom's point. Winners make things happen, losers let things happen.

Hey Plate Dad. I was not teasing you. I think you just left a word out or two and I did not understand your first question.

As to academics, ACC statistics say that fewer baseball players have academic problems than FB and BB. I think the admission standards may be higher, especially for non-revenue or low revenue sports. At least that is what the ACC office tells me. It is however tough for a baseball player to graduate in 4 years. Not all players take a full load in season. The draft and the schedule tend to hurt schools APR.

 

You know me. Thick skin to go with a thich skull. No worries. Your point does bring up something. This past week my son was speaking with a assist coach at a D-1 school. He asked him how was the schools roster shaping up for next year. He said that it was good not full yet. They wanted to see how the draft would shake out, transfers and grades would turn out. I then told a story of a player that did not go to study hall and how they found out and he was directed to leave practice and finish those requirements and how he was sat a game. I thought that was a good question followed by a great answer. My son knew that grades were important and now he knows that if you do not stay on them, even in college bad things will happen.

 

Half full or half empty.

It is ok to dream. It is also ok to be skeptical but again how a person channels /processess all of the odds, chance data etc is the determinant factor.

Ive seen it many times where odds are against you. Each night when you go to bed you go to sleep. 50/50 whether you wake up or not IMO. You either do or don't.

Let me rephrase that. Its not that the odds are against you....its absolutely you against yourself.

I really do believe that ANYTHING is possible! You want to be president of the US? You can do it.

Want to fly the Space Shuttle? You can do it.

Want to learn how computers work? You can do it.

Want to be a professional athlete? You can do it.

Want to plant a garden? You can do it.

ANYONE can do ANYTHING if there is but one shread of desire or spark. No matter the odds.

Set your sites. Manage fears. Redirect apprehension over the odds. FOCUS your energy and CONCENTRATE!!!

But thats why its hard. FOCUS, CONCENTRATION, MANAGE, SET SITES, REDIRECT, etc...its work. It ain't easy and Uncle Fear is right there trying to derail your every move.

 

Gloveside and I are on the same page. Anything is possible. Stats are just something to talk about.

 

I think it is alot better to concentrate on hitting the ball hard - catching them all and running like a wild dog - than it is worrying about odds.