This is a topic that concerns me deeply. I grew up watching my friends and neighbors attend baseball academies, dreaming of being like Sammy Sosa, Barry Bond, or Randy Johnson. The passion is incredible and the talent is undeniable, but the reality is very harsh. There are more baseball academies in the country than universities, which reflects a priority that, in the long term, is not sustainable for most young people.
The main problem is that the vast majority of these young people fail to get signed. Families invest everything they have in training, equipment, and special nutrition, sacrificing their children's education for a prospect that is almost nonexistent. When, at 16 or 17, they are told they have no future in professional baseball, they find themselves with nothing: neither a sports career nor an academic education. This creates a generation of at-risk youth, who feel frustrated and without options in a country where it is already difficult to get ahead. It is a very risky gamble that, for the vast majority, ends in disillusionment and without a plan B.
In addition to the lack of academic opportunities, this system can also create an emotional and psychological void. These young people's identity is built around baseball, and when that dream fades, they face an identity crisis. Not only do they lose a goal, but they may also feel they have let themselves and their families down. It is crucial that as a society, and especially as parents, we recognize the importance of balancing sports with education. Baseball should be a complement, not the only path, so that these young people can have a secure and promising future, regardless of whether or not they make it to the Major Leagues.