Baseball and Football Conflicting

I'd suggest being up front with your football coach and telling him your situation, your conflicts etc. and see what he has to say. Maybe he has a suggestion or solution and certainly sounds like you owe him that courtesy in any event.

If the conflicts cannot be resolved and you have to make a choice, unfortunately that choice was going to need to be made some day and I guess that day has come. Once you reach a certain level you can only juggle so many interests, it happens to everyone.

hEYbatter is right on - be totally up front but not confrontational. If a decision has to made take your time with it - contact your coach ASAP preferably face to face.

Good luck and let us know how it all turns out.

Great advice - you can never go wrong by talking in a mature manner with your football coach. By doing this there is a possibility to work out a compromise.

Sometimes life is about making hard choices and this will probably be your first one. Take your time and talk to the people who matter and go with your heart.

Good luck with the choice and your playing careers.

You've been given some excellent advice. No matter how this develops, represent yourself in a mature and respectable manner and you'll never have regrets in the future. If the coaches can't or won't accomodate you to some degree, you'll have to make a decision about where your priorities lie. That's not easy, but it's something your going to have to consider all throughout life.

I see this situation often with the boys who play summer baseball with us. Unfortunately, there are times the boys handle the situation better than the high school coaches. Whatever you do, take the "high road" and represent yourself to them in a mature and forthright manner, and you will always be able to be proud of the man you're becoming.

quote:

Originally posted by coach2709:
Great advice - you can never go wrong by talking in a mature manner with your football coach. By doing this there is a possibility to work out a compromise.

Sometimes life is about making hard choices and this will probably be your first one. Take your time and talk to the people who matter and go with your heart.

Good luck with the choice and your playing careers.

I sure do find it interesting you all are suggesting he talk to his football coach about this. From the 3 previous replies, I did not see one suggestion to talk to the baseball coach involved. Football coach is not the one who should be expected to give up ground here. From the sounds of it, the choice is that of the player's and he should not expect the football coach to accomodate him. Just think if the football coach had all 60+ players come and expect him to allow them to miss this or that for some other sport. He wouldn't have much of a team, would he?

To the OP, I don't have any real good advice because I've never been in this kind of situation. I played 3 sports in high school and the only conflict I can ever remember having was basketball open gyms in the summer conflicting with baseball games. And that was an easy fix: go play baseball. Our coaches work extremely well together.

My son plays both football and baseball, and I tend to come down about where Bulldog does here. In football season, he plays football.

If at some point he feels he needs to play fall baseball then he would give up football that year.

That day may come - but my personal view is that it is possible to play both, and also not kill your college baseball scholarship options.

Hadn't thought about it since the OP was so directed to concerns about the football coach, but talking to the baseball coach too is a great idea. Maybe he can make some concessions at that end.

Perhaps can get both coaches together and see what can be worked out. As noted above, plenty of people play multiple sports in high school, so being direct and honest with all concerned seems like a good shot at getting something worked out. But, if all efforts fail, does become time to choose and if you see baseball as your future, I think you've made your choice.

Our HS football coaching staff and baseball coaching staff overlap. Perhaps that is how my son has been able to do both. Not sure if this is the same for you, rhbaseball. (?)

The key for us has been upfront communication with all coaches involved as early as possible.
We are lucky. Son has been supported and encouraged to play more than one sport.
Our coaches have been very understanding and give son credit in one sport if he is actively involved in another. For example, he may miss a football carwash while attending a summer baseball tournament. Coach calls it even as long as son brings in documentation of having attended the baseball event and my son makes sure he attends the next football event if possible.
Its a huge balancing act.
I will also say that we have made each sport season the priority sport and the secondary sport is fitted in when possible.

My advise would be to go to your coaches and show them your delima. Ask them for their guidence and advice. I hope they listen and are willing to work with you! All fingers, toes, bats, and helmets crossed. Please write us back and let us know how things went!

( we give biiig kudos to understanding coaches, employers, and teachers who have been willing to make this balancing act work! )

Here's my 2 cents.
If this is VARSITY sports we are talking, you cannot interrupt the "in-season" sport.

Perhaps the time is near where you need to start thinking about which sport you want (or have the talent) to play at the next level. That might help your decision some. One more question...is there the CHANCE you can still play football and miss the BASEBALL GAMES?

rhbaseball,
No one can TELL you what sport you should play. YOU alone must decide what YOU want to do. However you need to understand the consequences of your decisions prior to making those decisions. Having said that I think I would approach the football coach and ask him about his policy if forgo part of the football season and honor your commitment to your baseball team. Then you talk to your baseball coaches and also ask them about their policy if you fail to honor your promise to them and play football. After learning both coaches' positions you will be prepared to make your decision and without any unexpected repercussions. My advice is NOT to make your decision immediately or in the presence of either coach --- but a day or two after you talk to both coaches. Waiting a few day allows you to evaluate your information and make the right call. To me it is a no-brainer. I would --------
Fungo

quote:

If this is VARSITY sports we are talking, you cannot interrupt the "in-season" sport

Trojanskipper,...well said. Thats exactly what I was trying to say, only my words were more confusing. Thank you!

( Perhaps I shouldnt try and cook baked beans, make deviled eggs, slice watermelon, and BBQ bratz while typing on the internet at the same time! That, combined with the fact that they are shooting historical cannons off across the street, and the whole house is shakin'!
Brain overload! )

SSMom
I just devoured the same menu you prepared for your crew... love those deviled eggs!!!!

Trojan-skipper,

Exact thought here too.

This conflict has happened to me, too.

I would have a talk with your baseball coach. You seem to be playing baseball all spring and summer, and perhaps fall too. Football lasts 10-12 short weeks, and then it's gone. Take advantage of the time you have to play football now, if it truly is fun for you.

Happened to us too - my kid was on Varsity football 10-12...and...DAD was the football coach! heehee

Anyway, the summer select team we played for understood that if boys played football, they would miss a couple baseball games. It is ultimately your decision, however, our thought was if you want to do both, football only plays 10 games (unless you make the playoffs) so they got precedence. There were three boys who did both and it always worked out that at least one was at every baseball game. It was not uncommon for our kid to play a friday night football game and be up and at a tournament at 7:00 a.m. the next morning...dead tired, but he'd tell you he'd do it all over again.

quote:

by rhb: I will have to miss practices and two games if I were to do both. I just don't think this would be fair to my football teammates

that's a pretty fair statement with which your fb coach will likely agree ...
you'll walk into his office & inform him that you play a 26 game hs varsity baseball season in spring, a 65 game summer season, and also feel the need to add a fall showcase season playing into October.

it's pretty clear where fb stands.

quote:

by rhb: My heart tell me just drop football, but I don't know how I can tell my football coach

my guess is that unless you play at a very small school where "warm bodies" are in very short supply, it'll be clear to both of you that you've already made your decision.

some folks have suggested some some fairly complex negotiations with coaches regarding making exceptions on policies re: practices/schedules/games ...

they prolly skimmed over - "My heart tell me just drop football"



good luck & don't let the academics slip

This is an individual decision that you should discuss with the coach and then make your choice.

My son ran into this last fall and explained to the football coach that his athletic goal was to play baseball in college. They discussed it and the football coach told him they would work with him and let him out of some practices and conflicting summer workouts (not games) to play baseball. He thought about it hard but eventually felt that football would put too much of a strain on his body and the risk of injury that close to his goal wasn't worth the risk. I believe his decision was pushed along by a couple of friends of his, both a year older. One that hurt his shoulder the year before playing football and about cost him a baseball scholarship. The other showed up at the Saturday morning showcase games really tired. Both went on to play baseball (although the one that hurt his shoulder is still having some problems).

My son says he never regreted his decision, as he has ended up on a D1 team for next season and is really excited but as I started out, it is an individual decision that you should be as sure as you can that are going to be happy with.

We do not take football players on our Fall team---not because of scheduling conflicts but because we do not believe a young player (16 thru 18 yrs of age) can play a football game on Friday nite and play baseball the next day--the body is too beat up--- so we simply do not take football players

Good comments here....my son also plays football and baseball.
Simply put, his summer baseball teams always knew that he was a football player. He looked for and played on summer teams that either "released" him for football beginning in early August, or the teams shut down their summer season around that time.

He tried doing a fall ball team last year as a junior while playing football. We (especially MY SON) found out very quickly it's just not possible. TRhit advice/comments are spot on!

While his opportunity to play at next level will almost certainly be baseball, he still loves the game of football. He has realized he may miss out on some baseball opportunities by not playing fall ball. But he wouldn't trade his football experiences in any way.

GOOD LUCK to you!

My quarterback/shortstop-playing son tried this in the fall of his senior year as he was selected for a well respected elite fall showcase team. After the third Saturday morning of rolling out of bed in the wee hours, following a Friday night football game, and riding 3-4 hours to the showcase site while applying ice to various bumps and bruises from the night before, he decided there was no physical way possible he could be at his best for the baseball games.

If your son is a kicker or punter, it might work, but otherwise, Friday night contact leaves a good bit of Saturday morning soreness.

Mine also would have never given up the "Friday Night Lights"; he loved playing football and has no regrets at potential baseball opportunities. He is much enjoying life after his first year of college baseball, and doesn't feel playing that last fall would've changed his course, or where he chose to go to school.
Life is about choices, and sometimes you have to make one.

I have to say I'm not a big fan of HS football and basketball coaches when it comes to conflicts with summer baseball. In our area football and basketball coaches require players to attend workouts, weekend camps, 7 on 7s, etc. throughout the month of June and into July. The boys are scared to death to tell the coaches they can't attend because of baseball. It absolutely destroys continuity and chemistry of summer baseball teams. Most football and basketball coaches don't give a rip about baseball no matter what time of year it is. The feeling is mutual.

Hokie:

Your son sounds a lot like mine. Baseball is absolutely #1 for him. No way he could play D1 football, but baseball is at least a possibility.

Yet he also would not miss being on the football team. Fall is for football. Yes, that means no showcase team.

We are blessed because our football and baseball programs coordinate this stuff really well. In fact our HS varsity baseball coach (who is terrific baseball guy, played minor leagues) is also the running back coach on the football team.

So conflict is minimized ...

But I am with you. Do not try to play baseball in the fall if you play football!

quote:

Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
But I am with you. Do not try to play baseball in the fall if you play football!

Yeah, I would definitely have to agree with that one! I did it for two years in junior high. At that time, baseball did come first because it was the school sport. I would go directly from a baseball game to football practice twice a week. I can remember one Saturday going directly from a doubleheader to a football game! Was completely worn out by 6PM that night!

Our baseball coach is a huge supporter of our football program and he'll do almost anything to get his baseball players to play football. At our school, the summertime is definitely not optional, but if you're gone to another sport our coaches do not make a big deal about it provided you are getting weight lifting in and you show up at least some. I know one baseball player may be on the verge of not being on the basketball team as a senior because I'm told he hasn't been to basketball once all summer!

Anyway, I'm in complete agreement that playing two sports at once is extremely difficult and you don't want to be doing that!

It seems that there are many different scenarios out there.
Some situations allow an athlete to do both,
while others do not.

I say, you won't know until you ask or try.

Its not always black and white.
Sometimes there's a little gray matter and situations can work out for all.

rhbaseball,...I hope things work out for what is best for you and your teams! If your heart says to drop football, then perhaps you have answered your own question and this road will not be as bumpy as you are worried it might be.

Difficult, doesn't have to mean impossible.
Its up to the individual to find his comfort zone, to know his abilities,
and level of contribution to a team
and to his personal goals.

Never say never.

rh...Neither of the coaches, baseball or football OWNS you!

If you are banking on your fall showcase team to help garner a baseball scholarship, then you should head in that direction.

If you have a college football career ahead of you, then head in that direction.

I get upset when I see a football team in high school with 100 players, 70% of which NEVER SEE THE FIELD during a game during their junior or senior years!

I'll never understand why football coaches need 80-100 players when they only play about 30 during games. Worse, all of those 160-185 pound "linemen" gettting munched in practices for the benefit of the high school coach!!!! Why do you kids do it?

If you are a major college prospect in football, I would talk with the baseball coach about missing a few games to play football. After all, you are playing baseball "outside" the sports season.

Good luck with your decision.

As a football and baseball player myself, I also have run into this problem. I had considered not going out for football to pursue baseball, but in the end I decided to play football. We ended up winning state, so I feel it was a good choice, but I also had a baseball teammate not go out to concentrate on baseball. It is all your decision. For me, playing football made me appreciate baseball even more, and I could not wait to start the season once football was done. Hope you can figure out the situation.

Here in NY the HS football coaches cannot have mandatory workouts before a date in August. However, they have "Optional" workouts. Our 15U travel team went to a recent tournament. One of our starting pitchers had lower back pains from football camp. Another pitched terrible. After the game he told us that he had started lifting weights with the football team the week before the tournament. If they had let us know ahead of time we may have been able to find at least one extra pitcher for that tournament.

Congratualtions to this THREE sport athlete!

Mike Stanton: State athlete of the year!!

( to read more please go to http://ssbaseball.rivals.com/ )

by Ronnie Flores (CalHiSports.com)
While many boys athletes from around the state excelled in two sports, our winner for the 2006-07 school year was a standout in three. Go inside to learn more about recent Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks grad’s three-sport dominance.

quote:

Originally posted by BeenthereIL:

I get upset when I see a football team in high school with 100 players, 70% of which NEVER SEE THE FIELD during a game during their junior or senior years!

I'll never understand why football coaches need 80-100 players when they only play about 30 during games. Worse, all of those 160-185 pound "linemen" gettting munched in practices for the benefit of the high school coach!!!! Why do you kids do it?

Would that be the equivalent of H.S. Baseball coaches carrying 25 to 30 players on a varsity roster and most of them will be lucky to landscape the field? I understand exactly what youre getting at BeenthereIL, why have all of these kids around if you know you cant find playing time for them?

quote:

Originally posted by BeenthereIL:


I'll never understand why football coaches need 80-100 players when they only play about 30 during games. Worse, all of those 160-185 pound "linemen" gettting munched in practices for the benefit of the high school coach!!!!

It'd be nice if we had "185 'linemen' to munch on in practice." See, 185 pound kid here is the starting line at our school!! I played center weighing roughly 180 pounds on a state playoff football team.

In our area, most teams dress both the JV and varsity for the varsity games on Friday night. No, most of the bottom fifty wont see any playing time, but they did in the JV game the day before.

And they would definitely prefer being on the sideline suited up on Friday, even knowing they won't get in.

It's a team thing.