Baseball Camp during Football Season

I am totally against football players doing anything baseball during the football season----the player is in football shape not baseball shape

Forget about well he looks or does---I am concerned with injury to the player---it can be a disaster waiting to happen

TRhit,

Yes, I was also worried about that, you are 100% correct and like I said, we did not think it through and we will not make the same mistake again. Baseball can wait until baseball season.

Thank you for the advice.

While middle school is physically less demanding in football, my son also wasn't physically developed. The past two years he played fall ball and football. After playing football games Friday afternoon he never felt 100% for weekend baseball. There were weekends he couldn't grip the bat properly or swing properly from being banged up. Baseball prevented him from resting his body over the weekend from football. When basketball started he wasn't 100% from the fall season.

Entering high school he knows what he wants from baseball. Fall ball is part of it. He's also an excellent basketball player. He dropped football. It was disappointing, but our kids aren't growing up and playing in the same era where we could play three sports. The first time I touched a baseball in the fall was college.

I think it depends on the individual athlete. I know many boys who play both baseball and football (6A) or are dual sport athletes in highschool.

This is always quite a common topic this time of year. Lots of good info in the archives.

quote:

Originally posted by shortstopmom:
I think it depends on the individual athlete. I know many boys who play both baseball and football (6A) or are dual sport athletes in highschool.

This is always quite a common topic this time of year. Lots of good info in the archives.

I believe an athlete can play football and baseball in high school. I just believe it's physically demanding to play football on Friday and tournament baseball all weekend in the same season. I suggested to my son to pass on fall ball if he wants to play football. But baseball is too important to him.

quote:

But baseball is too important to him.

I completely understand.
Sounds like our sons have alot in common.

While I have not encouraged my son to play Fall baseball while playing Varsity football (6A) I have allowed it to be his decision. He is fully aware of the time and the risks that are involved.

Whether or not the player can do it physically, I feel there there is a moral injustice to the primary sport for that season. In this case the player is a multi-position and probably holds the key to that teams season.

What does the football coach think of his "double-dipping".

What if he gets hurt at the baseball camp? Is it fair to the football team?

What would the baseball coach think if his star player went to a football camp during the baseball season?

IMO, I feel if you can't give a team sport 110% during that season you are potentially only cheating your teammates, and that is the #1 rule in team sport.

Back in the prehistoric days the seasons were defined. You played baseball during baseball season football during football season and basketball during basketball season. Can you have a 3 sport athlete today in high school?

quote:

I feel there there is a moral injustice to the primary sport for that season.

Moral injustice? Hmmm,...that to me sounds a bit harsh but I do understand where you are coming from RZ.

The sport during its primary season takes precident over the second sport during its non-season.
Thats a given.
In our area during the Fall, there are numerous Saturdays and Sundays when football is not scheduled. ( Our 6A Varsity plays on Friday nights )
Son could stay home and pick his nose, or he can go out and play a baseball game or attend a college baseball camp/showcase.
Which do you think he chooses to do?

quote:

What if he gets hurt at the baseball camp? Is it fair to the football team?

What if he gets hurt tripping on the sidewalk? Is that fair to the football team?
Life is short.
Perhaps he should sit home in front of the tv sporting a bubble wrap wardrobe.
Perhaps he should not play golf, bowl, lifeguard, or play basketball for fun during football season either.

quote:

What would the baseball coach think if his star player went to a football camp during the baseball season?

Player would not attend football camp if there was a conflict with baseball. If it was an open time period for baseball, ( in our situation that would have to be during the weekend ) then player would/could attend.
And vice versa.
Happens in the summer all the time.
Again, primary season for individul sport takes priority.

quote:

What does the football coach think of his "double-dipping".

Football coach was actually the one who hand walked son through the NCAA process when son was first approached by DI schools for baseball.

Our coaches have been 100% supportive. My son and his team mates are indeed very lucky to have such support.
Football coaches come and watch the baseball games and baseball coaches come and support football. Just the way its done around here.
Up until this year, both sport coaching staffs were partially intertwined.

Not everyone, in every part of the country, has the same situation.
My point is to let others know that sometimes it does indeed work. Its not easy, but its nice to have the opportunity if one so desires to.

Now,......can we get back to the double dipping part? I'll take mint chip and mocha fudge, sugar cone please.

The point that many are missing:

these are 16/17 year old still physically developing young men----if they are playing football they are in football shape not baseball shape and a QB in particular takes a beating in a Friday nite football game---there is no way, at least in my mind, that he be on a baseball field either Saturday or Sunday especially as a pitcher

It is not even a case of conflict between sports it is a case of a young developing body taking a beating that is not needed and can be very harmful---we complain about overuse of arms but it matters not that a QB gets hit nearly every other play and then pitches a day or two later

Think about it folks!!!!

In our situation, son is not a pitcher or a quarterback, perhaps thats why it has worked for him.

I do see your point TR.

My hope is that the masses/folks allow for individuals to make their own decisions.
Never say never, but use common sense.

Here's some guys who probably wish they were on the baseball team...

quote:

Originally posted by Will:
Back in the prehistoric days the seasons were defined. You played baseball during baseball season football during football season and basketball during basketball season. Can you have a 3 sport athlete today in high school?

It can be done. But I don't see how the player can be 100% committed to excelling at all three sports.

In my daughter's high school class (in a large classification school) aside from some kids running multiple seasons of track, only two athletes played three sports. They didn't do much of any offseason work in one of the sports. They were recruited for college in the other two.

In our area, most of the athletes are two and three sport athletes; the three sport athletes play mainly football, track, and basketball. Most of our baseball players also play football. We received permission from the football coach for son to attend this baseball camp because his baseball coach thought it was important and a great opportunity. Just as the baseball coach gives permission for players to go to football camp during baseball season if no games are scheduled. The coaches work together on these issues, but the sport of the season takes priority.

Question:

Why go to a camp where you want to excel when you are not in tip top shape for that specific sport?


Does that make any sense?

quote:

Originally posted by TG:

quote:

Originally posted by Will:
Back in the prehistoric days the seasons were defined. You played baseball during baseball season football during football season and basketball during basketball season. Can you have a 3 sport athlete today in high school?

It can be done. But I don't see how the player can be 100% committed to excelling at all three sports.

In my daughter's high school class (in a large classification school) aside from some kids running multiple seasons of track, only two athletes played three sports. They didn't do much of any offseason work in one of the sports. They were recruited for college in the other two.

I guess that would depend on your definition of "excel" as to whether one can be committed 100%. I won a single award my senior year "on the court, on the field, etc" and that was "Hustle" award for basketball. No MVP, no All-Anything, heck I was only a starter for one sport. But I was a 3-sport athlete and I think all of my coaches would probably agree that I excelled at job. It wasn't to be the "star" and rarely would my name appear in a newspaper article.

In football, I played center on a 6-4 playoff team would win one game in triple overtime and another in double overtime. I was the smallest guy on the line of scrimmage (either side of the ball) 9 out of 10 games. Oh, and we ran the ball right up the middle a lot!

In basketball, I don't know what I played really. Anything I was told to do. Oftentimes in spots where there was say 20 seconds left in a period and it wasn't crucial to have the best player on the team in, I went in for him to get him off the court. I scored a total of 6 points in my varsity career spanning two seasons, but I rebounded, had a few steals, and as mentioned above hustled and outworked a lot of people on the floor. Down 30 points, I was still diving on the floor after a loose ball!

In baseball, I started out the year catching full time. An injury here, a blowout there and all the sudden I'm playing 3rd base (first time in 4 years) and playing the outfield (first time in at least 2 years). We had kid who because of family issues missed a doubleheader so that day I played 1st base (first time in 4 years). I won't claim to be great at any of the positions, but I was good enough that I survived. I ended up near the end of the season mainly running bases and being in the dugout. I played the role of a 4th or 5th coach at times in the bullpen or on the field. In the dugout I was always watching things that many never notice.

So I've typed way too much, but I think it's time to rethink "excel" because it doesn't always mean to be the star of the show. I didn't "excel" as an excellent center, an excellent point guard, or an excellent pitcher-- instead I excelled as a TEAMPLAYER because I played 3 TEAM SPORTS in high school..


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shortstopmom, I also understand what it's like to play for varsity coaches who support each other and their respective program. Our boys basketball coach, our football coach, our s****r coach, and our baseball coach get along great! It's not many places that the s****r coach and the football coach are really good friends! Our star basketball player showed up for the 1st day of Two-a-days unannounced last year. Our baseball coach encourages the players to play football. But I think probably one reason they get along so well is they don't expect to take an athlete out of one sport to work on another. If a football player also plays baseball, then during football he plays football and during baseball he plays baseball.

Finally to go along with what TR is saying, here's more reason courtesey of Kenny Chesney's "Never Gonna Feel That Way Again"

"Friday night butterflies
Like clockwork they'd arrive
A little chill and the October sky
Nervous till the kickoff game
4 quarters win or lose
Spent Saturdays black and blue
But it was what I love to do
And it was more than just a game"

I prefer to do one sport at a time, but here's my problem: son is a linebacker/tackle for the football team and a catcher seriously wanting to play baseball at XYZ college and this college has invited him to their skills evaluation camp towards the end of football season.

Yes, we are going, BUT yes, he is sore/bruised up on Saturdays because he always give 100% in whatever sport he is playing. So, does the XYZ college coach give him some slack for maybe not having a pop time <2 seconds because right this minute, football is a full time job almost and there is very little time for baseball conditioning because of that. Or, does son take a chance on missing out of XYZ college because the kid who was lucky enough to have fall ball available does a bit better than him at this upcoming camp?

I can't change this, but it worries me because both sports mean a lot to him but college baseball is his deep desire. Quitting football wasn't really an option for him, there is a strong team tradition for football in our town and he wants to and also feels the need to play this year for his team mates on the football team.

Surely I'm not the first one in this situation. Please tell me your experiences and give some helpful advice.

If the college coach truly has interest in him hink he would be smart enough to have him come in after the football season.

One of our players has an invite for an overnite to a Division I program on a weekend that we are in a major tournament---guess what---spoke with the coach and he will have the boy in for a visit after the event


Things can be made to happen

quote:

Originally posted by Bulldog 19:
I guess that would depend on your definition of "excel" as to whether one can be committed 100%.

My definition of excel is to do what is necessary for a player to meet the maximum of their potential and star if that ability exists. I'll provide an example one of the two athletes. She never touched a volleyball other than at practice because she was always busy working on softball and track. Therefore she never met her potential in volleyball. She only had time to do what was necessary in practice to contribute to the team. Also it's hard to make three sports in a large high school where most athletes are focused in the offseason on improving their skills in their sport.

quote:

Originally posted by mom of 2 catchers:
I prefer to do one sport at a time, but here's my problem: son is a linebacker/tackle for the football team and a catcher seriously wanting to play baseball at XYZ college and this college has invited him to their skills evaluation camp towards the end of football season.

Yes, we are going, BUT yes, he is sore/bruised up on Saturdays because he always give 100% in whatever sport he is playing. So, does the XYZ college coach give him some slack for maybe not having a pop time <2 seconds because right this minute, football is a full time job almost and there is very little time for baseball conditioning because of that. Or, does son take a chance on missing out of XYZ college because the kid who was lucky enough to have fall ball available does a bit better than him at this upcoming camp?

I can't change this, but it worries me because both sports mean a lot to him but college baseball is his deep desire. Quitting football wasn't really an option for him, there is a strong team tradition for football in our town and he wants to and also feels the need to play this year for his team mates on the football team.

Surely I'm not the first one in this situation. Please tell me your experiences and give some helpful advice.

A kid from our '05 class was a great high school athlete. He ran for 1,000+ yards in football, scored in double digits in basketball and made first team all-conference in baseball as a soph. He could have been developed to play D1 in any of the three sports. His passion is baseball. He was an early round draft choice three years ago. After his soph year the scouts recommended he quit football for fall ball. Had he not signed he got ride offers from major D1's. It's not the answer. It's just one kid's solution to the situation.

A couple of former teammates have sons playing at an SEC school. One focused on baseball after being all-state his freshman year. The other played football, basketball and baseball. He was some level of all-state in all three sports. The first kid redshirted his frosh year and got 50% playing time his RS frosh season. The other was second team All-American his soph year. They were both BA Top 150 coming out of high school. So who can say which is the better avenue.

My QB/SS son tried it after being selected to play on a well respected, and well scouted, fall team, but after three weeks of riding to games early Saturday mornings with ice packs on the bruises and swellings from the night before, he realized there was no way he could play both ways on Friday night, and play baseball worth a hoot on Saturday.

We can't forget the importance of having enough time to do their homework and get plenty of rest.

quote:

I guess that would depend on your definition of "excel" as to whether one can be committed 100%. I won a single award my senior year "on the court, on the field, etc" and that was "Hustle" award for basketball. No MVP, no All-Anything, heck I was only a starter for one sport. But I was a 3-sport athlete and I think all of my coaches would probably agree that I excelled at job. It wasn't to be the "star" and rarely would my name appear in a newspaper article.

In football, I played center on a 6-4 playoff team would win one game in triple overtime and another in double overtime. I was the smallest guy on the line of scrimmage (either side of the ball) 9 out of 10 games. Oh, and we ran the ball right up the middle a lot!

In basketball, I don't know what I played really. Anything I was told to do. Oftentimes in spots where there was say 20 seconds left in a period and it wasn't crucial to have the best player on the team in, I went in for him to get him off the court. I scored a total of 6 points in my varsity career spanning two seasons, but I rebounded, had a few steals, and as mentioned above hustled and outworked a lot of people on the floor. Down 30 points, I was still diving on the floor after a loose ball!

In baseball, I started out the year catching full time. An injury here, a blowout there and all the sudden I'm playing 3rd base (first time in 4 years) and playing the outfield (first time in at least 2 years). We had kid who because of family issues missed a doubleheader so that day I played 1st base (first time in 4 years). I won't claim to be great at any of the positions, but I was good enough that I survived. I ended up near the end of the season mainly running bases and being in the dugout. I played the role of a 4th or 5th coach at times in the bullpen or on the field. In the dugout I was always watching things that many never notice.

So I've typed way too much, but I think it's time to rethink "excel" because it doesn't always mean to be the star of the show. I didn't "excel" as an excellent center, an excellent point guard, or an excellent pitcher-- instead I excelled as a TEAMPLAYER because I played 3 TEAM SPORTS in high school..

I loved this reply Bulldog. I would love to have a team full of guys like you.

I am with hokieone on this. My 08 tried to do both last fall as a JR. He is a rover/SS. He made it through one weekend! Never again.
What made it worse a year ago was the pitcher he had to face, Neil Ramirez!

Have to agree with TRhit. You gotta be in baseball shape......and my guy wasn't last fall. He is playing football only this time around in the fall. His aspirations are college baseball. He has made the choice, realizing he may be missing some baseball opportunities by playing football in the fall. We will still let the chips fall where they may.

He still loves playing both sports.

Good luck to all that have this "challenge".....

If your dream is to play college baseball you can still play other sports and get there. It might not be the path you intended but it can happen.

You pass up on baseball stuff in the fall to play football or you pass on baseball stuff in the fall to play basketball or miss a saturday baseball game to run at a track meet. It could possibly hurt you in getting some notice.

But if you are good schools will see you. You may have to go to a smaller school for baseball and then transfer to a bigger one but the fact is you are playing college ball.

The memories, friendships, hard work / discipline, lessons gained from other sports will be more than worth it.

I wanted to play college baseball and I did. I really had no school in mind - I just wanted to play. I did play football in high school and had absolutely no desire to play ever again. I almost didn't play my senior year to concentrate on baseball. I played football that fall and played in a state championship football game. In baseball we were terrible and I ended up walking on at a NAIA school. Would I like to have played at a higher level - yes. It might have even happened if I did concentrate on baseball only but I never would have played in a state championship game.

I will always have that memory to cherish. I have those buddies on the team who I played cards with in the hotel room on that trip. I got the plaque hanging in my home office saying I was a runner up in a state championship football game.

I realize that this isn't really the point of this thread but I think it does tell a small message.