Bryce Harper: Should A 16-Year-Old Drop Out of School For Baseball?
Posted: Thursday, June 18, 2009
by Laura Trahan
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.
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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