Monday, December 27, 2010

Major League Baseball's College Scholarship Program

In the early 1960s, the Major League Baseball Clubs established the Professional Baseball Scholarship Plan to help baseball players further their college educations.  A players is eligible for this program if it has been included in their first year Uniform Player Contract.  Not all players are eligible to receive the benefits of this program.

The basic agreements and guidelines of the scholarship program can be found here:

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/scholarship.jsp?content=guide

 During my research I found that a great number of Arizona Fall League players rec'd some version of the Professional Baseball Scholarship Plan included in their first year contracts.

However,  of  the 22 players that rec'd a version of the Professional Baseball Scholarship Plan only 4 had since returned to school to complete additional coursework.  Three players re-enrolled during the fall semester during an offseason and one player had taken additional coursework online. 

More assistance is needed to assist ballplayers in taking the necessary steps to finish their education before or immediately after their playing careers are over.  Their chance for success outside the game of baseball increases if they have their four-year college degree.  

Thursday, December 23, 2010

NHL Continuing Education and Career Development Programs

The NHL Alumni Association partners with the Professional Athlete Transition Institute (PATI) to develop and implement programs to assist with career development and transition services for all former and current NHL athletes.  The PATI is implemented by Quinnipiac University and is located in Hamden, Connecticut. The PATI is dedicated to the development of niche services designed to meet the career development, career transition, education and research needs of elite athletes and the organizations that serve them. (“Professional athlete training, 2010”)  The PATI offers a variety of customized services for former NHL athletes. These services are designed to enhance the educational, business, skill development, and personal goals of current and former NHL members.
The PATI offers the following specialized services to all current and former NHL players: entrepreneurial services, educational services, career exploration and transition, one-on-one business and life coaching, business skills development, and work study programs. 
The PATI recognizes that all professional athletes possess a variety of unique competencies and skills related to teamwork, leadership, perseverance, and discipline that are unique to the  new career seeking athlete.  They also understand that athletes lack first-hand corporate work experience.  The PATI strategically partners with several corporations to develop a dynamic learning community, with customized, flexible job-shadow, information meeting, mentor and Internship guidelines and programs. (“Professional athlete training”, 2009
 Below is a link to the PATI
http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x270.xml

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Player's Career Expectations in Arizona Fall League

As part of my senior research project I interviewed 25 participant's in the 2010 Arizona Fall League.  Below are their responses when asked to assess their goals for their baseball career and the expectations of what kind of player they would become.

I thought this was relevant for my study because most high-level athletes have an overblown sense of their talents and abilities.  Some of these players will eventually go on to have great success in the major leagues but most of them will not achieve the success on the field or financially that they strive for.

What are your expectations for your baseball career?


Play in Majors at least one game

1
4%
1-2 years Major League service time

1
4%
3-5 years

1
4%
6-8 years

4
15%
8-12 years

6
23%
13+

12
46%
People may select more than one checkbox, so percentages may add up to more than 100%.

What kind of player will you be at the big league level?


Bench player or middle reliever

2
8%
Platoon player or situational reliever

4
15%
Everyday player, starting pitcher, or closer

7
27%
All-star caliber player

6
23%
Hall of Fame caliber player

5
19%
People may select more than one checkbox, so percentages may add up to more than 100%.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Major League Baseball: A study of continuing education and career development programs

Senior Research Project PowerPoint presentation.  Press Menu to view in fullscreen mode

Number of College Graduates on Pro Sports Rosters

Major League Baseball 

26  graduates on opening day rosters in 2009

National Football League

880 players with 4-year degrees-

Carolina Panthers-42 graduates on roster

University of Miami-32 current NFL players rec'd degree at the "U"

National Basketball Association

Approx. 75-80 graduates 21 percent of the league

In offseason, 45 players returned to class to work on degree

Reference Material

Wall Street Journal article
WSJ article #2
Hurricanesports.com article





Introduction

Good morning,

I decided to publish my senior research project online for a couple reasons.

1.  I think my research is relevant.  Major League Baseball trails the National Football League in regards to offering their current and former players career development and continuing education opportunities.  In 2009, there were only 29 college graduates on opening day major league rosters.  The NFL has over 400 college graduates on current rosters and the NBA has more than 90 graduates.  This difference can be attributed to several factors.  One of them being the lack of career development and continuing education programs that are offered to MLB players.

2.  To market myself.  I believe I can be an asset to a Major League baseball organization.  I have an interest in scouting, player development, and baseball operations and administration.  I am hoping the content I place on this blog will show a prospective employer or client I have the ability to prepare reports and conduct independent studies and investigations.