Parents of baseball players froze this
week as news broke about 16-year-old Bryce Harper's decision to drop
out of high school, complete his GED and enter community college two
years early.
Bryce Harper has become a household
name since his debut on Sports Illustrated a few weeks back. Being
referred to as a "prodigy" could give any teenager and his
parents a big head. This move will make Harper eligible for the draft
in 2010. Don't get me wrong, he would be eligible that year if he
stayed in high school, but this way he has two years of college under
his belt. If he can pull it off, he will be the number one draft and
take home millions with that college degree.
Not a bad move for a teenager with
talent. I guess my response is at what cost? There is nothing to say
he wouldn't have gone first as a high school grad. Are his parents
thrusting him into a grown up world to quick?
What about regrets? As a parent, I
would hate that my child is missing his senior graduation, his senior
prom, senior pictures and all the festivities that go along with
being a senior. Educationally-maybe there is not a lot of learning
those last two years, but socially, kids come a long way. At least I
did.
Yes, Harper will be set for life with
the money he makes. Yes, unlike his counterparts, he will have two
years of college to show for it. I do understand that athletes have a
small window, although I do believe in baseball that window is
bigger.
I also realize kids have been coming in
from other countries just as young to play baseball. I am not naive.
What happens when every parent of a little leaguer starts grooming
their kid to do the same? Or that freshman's parents who believe
their child is the most talented kid on the team, but he is far from
it?
I worry about the precedent this sets.
I do hope Harper gets all his dreams. He is talented and has a lot of
individuals making decisions for him since he is only 16. I just hope
they have his best interest at heart.
What are your thoughts? Should a
16-year-old forgo his last two years of school for baseball?
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