Knowing your out-of-pocket costs is more important than getting caught up with a scholarship percentage.

Sadly, I remember a parent calling to share with me his had just committed to a very good baseball school, all excited over the fact he received a 30% scholarship to very good baseball school!

No doubt congratulations were in order, but when I asked was he aware the school tuition and expenses? He said no, but assured me all was good as he went on to share with me all the companies the school baseball team was sponsored by.

Whether it was a bug in the ear or not, he finally asked, “So what does it cost to go there?” I was almost afraid to tell him Tuition and Expenses of this particular school was $48,000/year realizing he had let his emotions blind him over his son’s scholarship percentage.

When I told him, the phone fell quiet and I could almost picture him calculating his Out-of-Pocket expenses for the first time. I felt bad when he shared with me he could not afford the difference.

Unfortunately this is not unique. Most families get caught up in the “Percentage Comparison Game” [e.g. my son got 15%, my son got 25%] with other families only to find out Out-of-Your-Pocket becomes REAL once your son graduates from high school.

Most Valuable Player equips every College Recruitment in a Box with a MVP College Budget Calculator for this reason. Follow the step-by-step fill in the blank process to calculate your Out-of-Pocket expenses for Every School your son is considering.

Not only are you finding the right school for your son athletically, academically, and socially, it is important to find the right school you can afford financially.

Until next Blog,

Al McCormick

 

http://vimeo.com/81438838

 

I organized this Audio Blog a couple years ago, but as I mention in the Audio Blog, the questions each player should be asking are the same today as they were back then. This game, how we play this game, and what it takes to play college baseball is the same, and so are the answers.

The only thing changing is the nature of Coaching; several coaches have taken on new challenging roles.

Kevin Schnall has left Coastal Carolina and is now Head Recruiter at University of Central Florida in Florida

Mike Keehn remains the Head Coach at University of North Alabama in Alabama

Paul Murphy remains the Head Coach at Gwynedd-Mercy in Pennsylvania

Clay Smith has left NAIA power house Belhaven and is now Head Coach at Copiah-Lincoln Junior College in Mississippi

David Langston, a respected and winning JUCO coach, is now Head Coach of Bob Jones, a High Profile High School in Alabama

Every one of these coaches are the type coach, type person, you want your son to play for. I can assure you, if given the opportunity your son would be a better player and a better man.

Listen to what they have to say and apply it!

Until next Blog,

Al McCormick

This is the question I ask  every player I work with for the first time; especially those looking to improve their ability to hit. It is interesting how we cloud our minds with crazy, but “3” is the most common answer with some saying “5” assuring me they are doing it based upon location.

From a hitter’s perspective neither is correct!

The moment a hitter exaggerates what a pitcher can do is the moment a hitter places the pitcher in charge. Worse, these are the hitters who create too many “what if ” scenarios.

Pitchers have two and only two pitches; Fast ball or Off-Speed. Now it makes sense to think fast ball, adjust off-speed.

Establish this “think fast ball, adjust off-speed” mentality before the game while he is warming up in the bullpen. During the game refocus that thought when you are in the on-deck circle and continue it when you are in the batter’s box. Pull back based upon the pitcher’s fast ball thinking fastball, and if it is not there yet, it’s off-speed. Adjust!

At a macro level, hitting is that simple!

Interested in how to keep hitting simple and being able to adjust to hit the off-speed pitches, I recommend either the digital or audio version of, “Hitting is Simple…Have You Figured it Out Yet?”

Until next Blog,

Al McCormick

Nathan Maxwell

Some people have big named athletes or celebrities as their role models, their heroes, their inspiration. I had my few with Derek Jeter and Kobe Bryant. I got here to Tampa and we had an “adoption day” set up which I had no idea what that meant. In walked a little boy and this is where my mentality on just about everything changed.

Nathan Maxwell is the name of my role model, the name of my hero, my inspiration. I wake up some days and instantly think about Nathan and when I get tired he’s the thought that comes to mind. Nathan is the little boy that walked into the University of Tampa locker room that day. Huge smile, a little timid, quiet. He was given his own jersey, letter of intent, and equipment. He was adopted to our team.

At first sight he seemed like any other “little leaguer” that loves the game. He talks, walks, laughs just as you and I did when we were younger. But Nathan has a tumor in his brain that has changed his life. There’s more information dealing with Nathan’s health but that’s not what makes him my role model, hero, inspiration.

My team went to his little league game on a Saturday after a Friday scrimmage and it was bright and early. Nathan took the mound knowing his new adopted big brothers were all in the stands watching. Making it look easy he struck out the side, hustled in, suited up to hit. After a base on balls he took first, stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball, then scored on a base hit. Smiling and pumping his fist at us as we cheered him on I felt something.

Nathan has a brain tumor, something that has pulled him away from the game he loves, away from school for some time, and away from his family and friends. It has affected his endurance when playing and his growth. Medication has affected his personality and his body. He was in pain. But he never quit. Never quit playing, never quit hustling, never quit smiling or being happy.

Why does this inspire me? Because there are days I wake up and not want to roll out of bed. Some days I don’t want to lift, take extra ground balls, or run. There are days I’m in a bad mood and now that I think about it, I couldn’t be more selfish. After meeting Nathan I can say I haven’t had one day where I didn’t stop myself complaining or being sour about a situation. I take what I have as it is because I’m ok. If Nathan can go about his days, his games, and his life smiling and being happy, there’s no excuse why you or I can’t. I’m thankful for having Nathan walk into my life because I will remember what I’ve learned through him forever.

We are all truly blessed, don’t take it for granted, live life with a smile, there is always someone that would take your problems over theirs any day.

Pray for Nathan, pray for his family, a quick prayer can only help.

My role model, my hero, my inspiration deserves it.

by Gio Alfonso, University of Tampa

Zig Ziglar once said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you’ll just help enough other people get what they want.”

I would like to challenge everyone with two things from this day forward

1. Accept Gio’s request and pray for both Nathan and his family
2. Recognize what Gio and the University of Tampa baseball team is doing and attempt to do the same

Meeting young men like Gio makes me appreciate this game I love.

Keep fighting Nathan, and thank you Gio.

Until Next Blog,

Al McCormick