Have you heard about this kid from Las Vegas, Bryce Harper? Dubbed “The Chosen One” by Sports Illustrated (no pressure there), this 16-year-old baseball phenom is reported to be such a sure thing in baseball he and his parents have chosen to take him out of high school and enroll in a local community college and earn his GED.

Why? Because it is anticipated that Harper will be the chosen one when the 2010 professional baseball draft takes place next year.

Needless to say, the airwaves have lighted up and everyone has an opinion about the decision this family is making. Some say take the money while others call his parents pimps, criticizing the decision.

So, what do I think?

I don’t care what he does. I really don’t...not in the least.

Would I make this same decision? I’m not sure. I’d like to sit here and say, “Oh no, not me! No son of mine is going to drop out of high school to play baseball. No chance!”

Yeah, right. I’m a human being, and how much money is being waved in the face of this kid and his parents? Remember LeBron James? When he came out of high school and signed to play professional basketball his life was forever changed, and he and his family never worried about money again.

There are more things in the world than money. Sure there are...but imagine someone tempting you with that kind of life for you and your son.

The talk has been that Harper will earn up to $20 million to play the game he loves. $20 million...I’ll say it one more time....$20 million.

I see teenagers leave high school all the time to attend college early. My nephew did so. He received a great academic scholarship as a 16-year-old and moved away from home and went to college.

He is a well-adjusted young man who has no negative effects that I can see from the decision that he and his parents made. It was their decision to make. I offered no advice except to do what he thought was best. Follow his heart.

My nephew isn’t in the same tax bracket as Harper will be, but he experienced his life and its unique opportunities and challenges. I guess that’s how I see Harper’s life. His life will have unique challenges and advantages, but it will be his life and his decision.

It’s easy to sit back and throw stones. But until I walk in his cleats, I’m not offering judgement to the Harpers. Rather, I say, “Good luck, kid. We’ll see you at the stadium.”

sschulte@davisclipper.com