Isn't that the way it is for most kids?
Scorekeeper
Let's say a couple of these kids that go on the trip are starters or otherwise play a lot. There are two kids that step in and play very well while the two kids are gone. What would you say to the parents and kids that didn't go on the trip when, as you are suggesting, they come back and are put back into their old positions?
What if the two kids that stayed and played had the same opportunity but chose not to go on the trip? It's not punishing the kids that go. It's being fair to the kids that didn't.
Let's say a couple of these kids that go on the trip are starters or otherwise play a lot. There are two kids that step in and play very well while the two kids are gone. What would you say to the parents and kids that didn't go on the trip when, as you are suggesting, they come back and are put back into their old positions?
What if the two kids that stayed and played had the same opportunity but chose not to go on the trip? It's not punishing the kids that go. It's being fair to the kids that didn't.
Yes it is. The vast majority will suit it up for the last time when HS ends. That is one reason I want them to have a great experience. There is no doubt that people will just have to disagree on this subject. Good luck coach , I hope this situation works out for both your team and these players as well.
Midlo, I'm assuming that you've read all of my posts on this topic. If so you will note that these players would miss betwee 7 to 10 games of a 25 game season, as well as 4 or 5 practices. This means fully 25% to 40% of our season. How could this not severely impact my team? I want all my players there, no matter their grade, position or status.
Do you disagree that I, as a coach, have a right to want players on my team who will be there for most, if not all, of my games? If you had to choose between a player who would be there every day, and one who would miss 1/3 of the season, who would you want to keep? I may be faced with that if I'm looking at keeping 30 out of 45 or 50 players.
Frankly, I'm also a little offended at your allusion that this has anything to do with starters vs. bench players, as you put it. I don't know who the players are and I don't need to know. My rules apply to ALL players equally; it isn't about your talent, it's about your dedication to the team. If you find a NON-MANDATORY trip, that in no way affects your grade, a more important life experience than our baseball season, then by all means go do that and I will bear you no ill will.
You refer to baseball as an extracurricular activity. Well it may be so, but I strongly believe that athletics can and do teach you an awful lot; sometimes more than a class at school. And I think that an athletic season and contest, taught by the right person (and I hope I am one of those people)can mean much more than a 10 day trip that, IMHO, is taken by most of the kids as a way to get away with their friends; not because they are dieing to expand their minds.
"....just so you can keep your insurance policy intact in mid-season. Gimme a break, you can call up some JV guys if you're that worried."....again, you are presuming to know what I am thinking, and you are being a bit presumptious as to what my motives are. I am not in the least worried about having too few players, or not having enough good ones. For all I know, the players the teacher is talking about are a bunch of JV players who I wouldn't even have on my Varsity team.....doesn't matter; it isn't about whether I win or lose games, its about your commitment to the team and your responsibility to own your position on the team while I've let another kid go who had MORE desire than you to be a part of the team and to stick around for every function we have.....
Now, it may be splitting hairs, but I feel that if the school wanted this to be a part of that classes' curriculum, they would make it mandatory and give some sort of credit for it. The business class does it, and all of the kids have to go on the 3 day trip. If they don't, it's like missing an assignment.
The school gives these students a CHOICE as whether to go on this trip...some, I would guess, don't go simply due to the expense. Obviously, if the school doesn't make it part of the requirements of the class, that would make the trip itself an extracurricular activity, wouldn't it?
Do you disagree that I, as a coach, have a right to want players on my team who will be there for most, if not all, of my games? If you had to choose between a player who would be there every day, and one who would miss 1/3 of the season, who would you want to keep? I may be faced with that if I'm looking at keeping 30 out of 45 or 50 players.
Frankly, I'm also a little offended at your allusion that this has anything to do with starters vs. bench players, as you put it. I don't know who the players are and I don't need to know. My rules apply to ALL players equally; it isn't about your talent, it's about your dedication to the team. If you find a NON-MANDATORY trip, that in no way affects your grade, a more important life experience than our baseball season, then by all means go do that and I will bear you no ill will.
You refer to baseball as an extracurricular activity. Well it may be so, but I strongly believe that athletics can and do teach you an awful lot; sometimes more than a class at school. And I think that an athletic season and contest, taught by the right person (and I hope I am one of those people)can mean much more than a 10 day trip that, IMHO, is taken by most of the kids as a way to get away with their friends; not because they are dieing to expand their minds.
"....just so you can keep your insurance policy intact in mid-season. Gimme a break, you can call up some JV guys if you're that worried."....again, you are presuming to know what I am thinking, and you are being a bit presumptious as to what my motives are. I am not in the least worried about having too few players, or not having enough good ones. For all I know, the players the teacher is talking about are a bunch of JV players who I wouldn't even have on my Varsity team.....doesn't matter; it isn't about whether I win or lose games, its about your commitment to the team and your responsibility to own your position on the team while I've let another kid go who had MORE desire than you to be a part of the team and to stick around for every function we have.....
Now, it may be splitting hairs, but I feel that if the school wanted this to be a part of that classes' curriculum, they would make it mandatory and give some sort of credit for it. The business class does it, and all of the kids have to go on the 3 day trip. If they don't, it's like missing an assignment.
The school gives these students a CHOICE as whether to go on this trip...some, I would guess, don't go simply due to the expense. Obviously, if the school doesn't make it part of the requirements of the class, that would make the trip itself an extracurricular activity, wouldn't it?
Currently, I have written two seperate responses to this thread that were quite lengthy, but have not posted them. One, because my opionon personally doesn't really matter much here and it's been stated a few times by everybody else. And two, because I have an extremely similar situation with two of my players that's going to take shape with myself, our varsity head coach and some of his players, and our administration this week.
Here's a little different way of seeing the situation, though.
I was just talking to a few students last week about traveling since I've played ball in latin america over a summer and was surprised at how many had been out of the country. Two girls were talking about how they preferred Rome over Paris, with a third girl saying she liked London better than Rome or Paris. Now, to these kids an optional school trip would not be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Tell the kid from an inner city school or low income area that had to win a scholarship for such an opportunity that he'll have to sit out if he goes on this trip and you're just a rotten human being that probably shouldn't be coaching.
So, personal situation thing that has to have the actual meaning of "once in a lifetime opportunity" weighed before true consequences can be decided upon for a particular student. At least that's my view as a first year coach who has had the opportunity to travel and learn about the world. I was lucky and able to do it during my summers and get to play ball while doing so.
Here's a little different way of seeing the situation, though.
I was just talking to a few students last week about traveling since I've played ball in latin america over a summer and was surprised at how many had been out of the country. Two girls were talking about how they preferred Rome over Paris, with a third girl saying she liked London better than Rome or Paris. Now, to these kids an optional school trip would not be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Tell the kid from an inner city school or low income area that had to win a scholarship for such an opportunity that he'll have to sit out if he goes on this trip and you're just a rotten human being that probably shouldn't be coaching.
So, personal situation thing that has to have the actual meaning of "once in a lifetime opportunity" weighed before true consequences can be decided upon for a particular student. At least that's my view as a first year coach who has had the opportunity to travel and learn about the world. I was lucky and able to do it during my summers and get to play ball while doing so.
CC,
EVERYBODY's opinion matters. I've picked up so much by discussing things on these forums, expanding my view and looking at things from different angles. Everyone who has posted on this thread has given me more insight in to how I might deal with this situation. Even those who disagree with me have given me some great ideas....
Just to add to what you said: One of the things that kind of bothered me in the e-mail from the teacher was that this was a "once in a lifetime" trip.....I'm not so sure that's true. I coach at a private school where probably 1/3 or better of the students have gone or will go out of the country with their families. Additionally, I wouldn't think that at age 17, that would be your BEST opportunity to go to a foreign country. I would hope that over the next 50 years you would have more income and as much time to get away and do this. Remember this trip still involved the students paying to go.
Finally, some of my fondest memories are of baseball and football games and practices in high school. I wasn't good enough to go on and play college ball, so my baseball career ended there (except for playing 30 and over ball for fun). I don't regret on missing out on trips and rearranging my schedule to make sure I didn't miss ball. (Some of my teammates and I joked that we went on Spring Break too....Fort L. in a 'Vette...it just happened to be fishing at Fort Loramie (Ohio) in a CHEVette).
Since then I've had the opportunity to go to Mexico, Canada and England. I could actually go to many other places, but choose not to at this time. I guess "once in a lifetime" is also a matter of opinion.
EVERYBODY's opinion matters. I've picked up so much by discussing things on these forums, expanding my view and looking at things from different angles. Everyone who has posted on this thread has given me more insight in to how I might deal with this situation. Even those who disagree with me have given me some great ideas....
Just to add to what you said: One of the things that kind of bothered me in the e-mail from the teacher was that this was a "once in a lifetime" trip.....I'm not so sure that's true. I coach at a private school where probably 1/3 or better of the students have gone or will go out of the country with their families. Additionally, I wouldn't think that at age 17, that would be your BEST opportunity to go to a foreign country. I would hope that over the next 50 years you would have more income and as much time to get away and do this. Remember this trip still involved the students paying to go.
Finally, some of my fondest memories are of baseball and football games and practices in high school. I wasn't good enough to go on and play college ball, so my baseball career ended there (except for playing 30 and over ball for fun). I don't regret on missing out on trips and rearranging my schedule to make sure I didn't miss ball. (Some of my teammates and I joked that we went on Spring Break too....Fort L. in a 'Vette...it just happened to be fishing at Fort Loramie (Ohio) in a CHEVette).
Since then I've had the opportunity to go to Mexico, Canada and England. I could actually go to many other places, but choose not to at this time. I guess "once in a lifetime" is also a matter of opinion.
I was wondering if the coaches would allow their player miss practice for a pre draft work out for a MLB team? what about missing a game?
Here in Connecticut a HS player cannot even work out with his travel team during his HS season much less attend a pro workout
quote:a HS player cannot even work out with his travel team during his HS season much less attend a pro workout
Same with us in Kansas.
Our son missed baseball four times for school related trips- two trips abroad, then to Washington, D.C., and another to Yosemite. None were in high school. Each was a very valuable educational experience, although I must admit I clutched up at the though of being away from baseball.
However, the high school teacher in this scenario is wrong to pressure the kids or the parents. The coach, like any classroom teacher, has attendance rules which he must enforce. In the case of baseball, it is for the good of the team. All the ballplayers can go after baseball is over. Our son will miss his Senior trip to Disneyland this year to play baseball - it is a once in a lifetime experience. But he has already had a number of them that are baseball related. He can go to Disneyland later with some friends if he wants. We all know they have a short window to play. Eventually it will close. We would not even be having this conversation if this had come up in a college.
By the way, these "educational" trips give a teacher a free trip and meals based on how many kids go - so the more the teacher solicits, the more benefits for her. For that reason, our District will not give a teacher sick days if kids miss school - so they are not part of the curriculum. Yes, I know she has to supervise, but did she mention that? Teachers at our District take these trips during the summer to avoid conflict with school activities. You know, like parents do to avoid taking kids out of school?!
However, the high school teacher in this scenario is wrong to pressure the kids or the parents. The coach, like any classroom teacher, has attendance rules which he must enforce. In the case of baseball, it is for the good of the team. All the ballplayers can go after baseball is over. Our son will miss his Senior trip to Disneyland this year to play baseball - it is a once in a lifetime experience. But he has already had a number of them that are baseball related. He can go to Disneyland later with some friends if he wants. We all know they have a short window to play. Eventually it will close. We would not even be having this conversation if this had come up in a college.
By the way, these "educational" trips give a teacher a free trip and meals based on how many kids go - so the more the teacher solicits, the more benefits for her. For that reason, our District will not give a teacher sick days if kids miss school - so they are not part of the curriculum. Yes, I know she has to supervise, but did she mention that? Teachers at our District take these trips during the summer to avoid conflict with school activities. You know, like parents do to avoid taking kids out of school?!
quote:Originally posted by Missouri-BB-Dad:
Scorekeeper
Let's say a couple of these kids that go on the trip are starters or otherwise play a lot. There are two kids that step in and play very well while the two kids are gone. What would you say to the parents and kids that didn't go on the trip when, as you are suggesting, they come back and are put back into their old positions?
What if the two kids that stayed and played had the same opportunity but chose not to go on the trip? It's not punishing the kids that go. It's being fair to the kids that didn't.
I'd like to see the kids who went on the trip compete for their positions. That seems fair. No other consequence is necessary.
Isn't this what happens when injuries take players away? How bad can it be for the substitutes to have the oportunity to step-up and show their mettle?
I elected not to go on my Senior Trip way-back-when, so I don't know what went on.
But, I'd like to think there is still some educational benefit on trips like the one that spurred this discussion. I believe that more exposure to other cultures, careers, or what-have-you is most beneficial to the kids who are still determining which direction to take their lives.
More Exposure = More Choices = Better Choices
My niece took a break from school over the holidays to do a "Spanish Immersion" project in South American orphanages. It was probably billed as "a once in a lifetime opportunity", but it looks more and more like she will be doing a lot more of this type work. This project made a profound impact on her and has given her much greater focus in her life.
This has been a most interesting thread for which I am not sure if there are perfectly right and wrong answers in every situation. It certainly can be argued both ways which has been done in a civil manner and that is nice.
It is difficult in life to deal with absolutes because frankly sometimes there are shades of grey. For instance, what if the reason a kid needed to miss games was to participate in a bone marrow transplant for a sibling. I doubt that kid would be looked down upon for "hurting" the team.
On the other hand, great "reasons" can always be found for doing something other than what was originally committed to. What if a kid says my grandparent is ill in Hawaii and I need to go see them before they die? or what if a kid has a religious obligation that they feel compelled to honor? What happens if the coach just lets anyone take off for any decently articulated reason? There are always things more important than baseball - right?
The education trumps baseball argument has been thrown out in this thread. How about the high school experience itself is all part of the education including baseball and field trips. Maybe the lesson of honoring one's prior commitments is just as important as the lessons learned from the trip. Perhaps creative minds can see to it that both lessons are learned.
It is difficult in life to deal with absolutes because frankly sometimes there are shades of grey. For instance, what if the reason a kid needed to miss games was to participate in a bone marrow transplant for a sibling. I doubt that kid would be looked down upon for "hurting" the team.
On the other hand, great "reasons" can always be found for doing something other than what was originally committed to. What if a kid says my grandparent is ill in Hawaii and I need to go see them before they die? or what if a kid has a religious obligation that they feel compelled to honor? What happens if the coach just lets anyone take off for any decently articulated reason? There are always things more important than baseball - right?
The education trumps baseball argument has been thrown out in this thread. How about the high school experience itself is all part of the education including baseball and field trips. Maybe the lesson of honoring one's prior commitments is just as important as the lessons learned from the trip. Perhaps creative minds can see to it that both lessons are learned.
This one is real tough. On one hand it's only baseball, so big deal-unless you are the coach and your job may or may not depend on how the team performs. On the other hand, it's only a class trip-that while pretty cool, is not life or death either.
I would say to use previous precedent to make the decision here. If players have been excused in the past for other school activities-practices or games on the day of or after proms, soncerts, etc. come to mind, then I say excuse them and deal with being shorthanded for a week. If nothing else, it lets some non-starters get some games in and the coach can (possibly) see what he has for next year.
Now if past precedent does not allow for any absebces, then go with that. However, this is going to get real ugly when the teacher goes to the administration and the politics start happening. Either way, I'd love to hear how this turns out.
I would say to use previous precedent to make the decision here. If players have been excused in the past for other school activities-practices or games on the day of or after proms, soncerts, etc. come to mind, then I say excuse them and deal with being shorthanded for a week. If nothing else, it lets some non-starters get some games in and the coach can (possibly) see what he has for next year.
Now if past precedent does not allow for any absebces, then go with that. However, this is going to get real ugly when the teacher goes to the administration and the politics start happening. Either way, I'd love to hear how this turns out.
I have reread and reread this thread and to me the key word in the entire thread is "voluntary" which nin my mind equates to "optional"---it had no bearing on the class grade from what I read-- If it is every year event class trip , many schools have these, then it is a different story and even then variations on the theme occur----the players have an obligation to their fellow players and coaches--- to take a "voluntary" trip and miss a large percentage of the season tells me that the player doesn't care about the team---
We have players who attend camps and make college visits during our fall season and they still keep the abscences at a miniumum by returning to complete the weekends competition---these are the kids you want around when you coach---I have kids call my room after midnite to let me know thay are back and ready to go in the morning--sign off is usually "see you at breakfast coach"
We have players who attend camps and make college visits during our fall season and they still keep the abscences at a miniumum by returning to complete the weekends competition---these are the kids you want around when you coach---I have kids call my room after midnite to let me know thay are back and ready to go in the morning--sign off is usually "see you at breakfast coach"
nice post cleveland dad.
TRHit-
I don't think it means they don't care about the team, but I don't think you should discount the value of the trip either. Some of these kids have been studying the other culture for years and to have the opportunity to go visit is a special thing.
If a kid wants to go on the trip and play baseball, why not let him? Honestly, what's the big deal? So he misses a few games. It stinks for the coach, but after all, these kids are still just kids. They will have to make real decisions soon enough, so why force this on them now. I think the kids that are real serious about baseball will choose that and the others will go on the trip. The coach should look at it this way: I can have these 5 guys for 15-20 of my 25 games or for none of the games. Overall, how many players does it really affect. I think the coach should also speak to the school about the possibility of rescheduling subsequent trips so this conflict does not occur again.
We went through a similar thing with my son Senior year during football season. He had the opportunity to go south and play in a couple of baseball tnmts during football season. We told the football coach up front that he would be missing a few games, so he could have him for 6 games or no games. They chose to have him for the 6. It cost him some post season accolades as his stats were down, but football was just a game he liked to play.
I don't think it means they don't care about the team, but I don't think you should discount the value of the trip either. Some of these kids have been studying the other culture for years and to have the opportunity to go visit is a special thing.
If a kid wants to go on the trip and play baseball, why not let him? Honestly, what's the big deal? So he misses a few games. It stinks for the coach, but after all, these kids are still just kids. They will have to make real decisions soon enough, so why force this on them now. I think the kids that are real serious about baseball will choose that and the others will go on the trip. The coach should look at it this way: I can have these 5 guys for 15-20 of my 25 games or for none of the games. Overall, how many players does it really affect. I think the coach should also speak to the school about the possibility of rescheduling subsequent trips so this conflict does not occur again.
We went through a similar thing with my son Senior year during football season. He had the opportunity to go south and play in a couple of baseball tnmts during football season. We told the football coach up front that he would be missing a few games, so he could have him for 6 games or no games. They chose to have him for the 6. It cost him some post season accolades as his stats were down, but football was just a game he liked to play.
PF
What are we teaching kids who have a committment to their team and then they want to leave for nearly two weeks ---this is not a school excursion it is a teachers excursion--As coach I wouldn't want them, the playetrs/students, on my team and I have to wonder what college coaches might think about their committment to playing the game
What are we teaching kids who have a committment to their team and then they want to leave for nearly two weeks ---this is not a school excursion it is a teachers excursion--As coach I wouldn't want them, the playetrs/students, on my team and I have to wonder what college coaches might think about their committment to playing the game
quote:Originally posted by Missouri-BB-Dad:
Let's say a couple of these kids that go on the trip are starters or otherwise play a lot. There are two kids that step in and play very well while the two kids are gone. What would you say to the parents and kids that didn't go on the trip when, as you are suggesting, they come back and are put back into their old positions?
I guess I’m really a strange bird in that I assume any player can beat out the guy ahead of him at any time, if given ample opportunity. Thinking like mine makes things more simple. When the players come back, they have to earn their positions back, not have them handed to them.
What if the two kids that stayed and played had the same opportunity but chose not to go on the trip? It's not punishing the kids that go. It's being fair to the kids that didn't. You make my point. If the PT were handed out fairly to those who earned it, the kids that didn’t go would have already earned their shot and been playing if they deserved it.
Look, I’m not saying anyone is an ogre here. I’m simply saying that when push comes to shove, HS sports shouldn’t be treat with the reverence of sainthood, especially for Seniors.
Your seniors will normally have gone out the summer before they were Fr and done something with the HS team, then played fall ball, winter conditioning, spring tryouts, baseball season, and start it all over again in the summer.
That goes on in their So year, their Jr year, and even their Sr year. Its not like those Srs haven't paid their dues! If after those 4 years of unbelievable commitment, they can’t be given 12 days off, not to go to Fl and party, but on a school sponsored trip, the program has its priorities bass ackwards.
I’m not saying I’m right and anyone who doesn’t agree with me is wrong, but I am saying it isn’t fair to label players who choose to go as being so dishonorable, they need to be punished. To me its really strange that everyone is so willing to forget the 3+ years those players have already demonstrated EXTREME commitment.
Some college coaches are faced with broken committments every year when a player chooses pro ball over college ball.That doesn't change the players committment to the game.
As Clevelanddad posted their are many gray areas, My son missed practice to go to a predraft work out for the team that drafted him, should the coach have told him no you can't go to work out? An event that would effect his future? By missing practice should the coach bench him in the next game? (which was the general rule)Who is hurting the team the player or the coach? We were lucky to have a coach who was flexible
As Clevelanddad posted their are many gray areas, My son missed practice to go to a predraft work out for the team that drafted him, should the coach have told him no you can't go to work out? An event that would effect his future? By missing practice should the coach bench him in the next game? (which was the general rule)Who is hurting the team the player or the coach? We were lucky to have a coach who was flexible
Lets say it's basketball season and jr has a chance to go play baseball in another country for a week and a half.
1. Would a baseball coach make this same request to the basketball coach for time off as that teacher did if he felt it was a great opportunity?
2. Would the parents and coaches on this site who say "you stick by your committment" have the same opinion if it was a great baseball opportunity and not a school opportunity during another sports season?
To me this all depends who's shoes I'm standing and CD's thought that there is no right or wrong answer is the line I now take.
1. Would a baseball coach make this same request to the basketball coach for time off as that teacher did if he felt it was a great opportunity?
2. Would the parents and coaches on this site who say "you stick by your committment" have the same opinion if it was a great baseball opportunity and not a school opportunity during another sports season?
To me this all depends who's shoes I'm standing and CD's thought that there is no right or wrong answer is the line I now take.
TRHit-
Like I said, the kids dedicated to baseball are not going to miss games. For the kid that's good enough to be on the team and this will be his last year playing, why force him to make a decision like that? I think a fair compromise would be for the players to let the coach know before tryouts if they are going on the trip or not. That way he can make an informed opinion of who wants to take. The thinking will most likely be different if the player is his starting SS or his #5 OF.
I know we skipped many family functions-including elementary and middle school graduation. HS grauation was going to be missed, but we got rained out.
Like I said, the kids dedicated to baseball are not going to miss games. For the kid that's good enough to be on the team and this will be his last year playing, why force him to make a decision like that? I think a fair compromise would be for the players to let the coach know before tryouts if they are going on the trip or not. That way he can make an informed opinion of who wants to take. The thinking will most likely be different if the player is his starting SS or his #5 OF.
I know we skipped many family functions-including elementary and middle school graduation. HS grauation was going to be missed, but we got rained out.
My son's teachers were also flexible by allowing my son to miss classes so he could attend baseball games out of state with a scout team. They understood it was his opportunity to travel to colleges and maybe get a baseball scholership. They allowed him to make up the work and were very supportive.
Back to the original post... I can't say that the coach is wrong in this case but I do think there are cases when rules can be bent.
Back to the original post... I can't say that the coach is wrong in this case but I do think there are cases when rules can be bent.
My son's freshman year, I planned (and paid for!) a cruise over Spring Break. Being our first year, I didn't realize they played baseball over Spring Break. Son came home after the first day of tryouts, and said coach told them" if you can't play Spring break, don't bother trying out." My son wasn't about to not play baseball so we went on the cruise without him and lost the money we'd paid for him. I learned my lesson and of course have not planned anything over Spring Break. Not a school trip, but optional as well... even though it was already paid for!!
quote:Originally posted by njbb:
My son's teachers were also flexible by allowing my son to miss classes so he could attend baseball games out of state with a scout team. They understood it was his opportunity to travel to colleges and maybe get a baseball scholership. They allowed him to make up the work and were very supportive.
Back to the original post... I can't say that the coach is wrong in this case but I do think there are cases when rules can be bent.
njbb,
As a parent I think you are allowed to pull your son out of school without repurcussions, it happens often, and a student can do assignments while not being in class. In sports that are extraciricular, there are a different set of rules, and it is not something that can be made up when you are gone. You are either there or not there.
What about the situation where one coach is requesting another to let a player take time off to play a different sport which may be a great experience or a showcase for a college opportunity? Should this player be given that opportunity of a trip, or should he have to choose one over the other.
I see both situations having the same potential ramifications.
I would hope that everyone who says "if you go on the class trip you are not playing" would also say "If you're going on a trip for another sport you will not be playing this sport".
You are either committed or not committed, I dont think there is a grey area to bend the rules. If you let one go you let them all go.
You guys realize what all this means, don't you?
The week of this trip, nothing but rain!
Mark your calendars, and get your spring seeding done the week before.
The week of this trip, nothing but rain!
Mark your calendars, and get your spring seeding done the week before.
After rereading the letter in the first post,the teacher states that according to the players they would be benched if they missed more than 3 games. That seems like the coach of these players is very flexible . I stated before that in this case I agree with the coach. But I still believe there are gray areas when you bend the rules.
TCB1,
This string has and continues to be a great read. Just for follow-up fun, I suggest you start up a POLL under the same title (Baseball vs A Class Trip).
Let's draw in more poster opinions.
POLL Topic examples only.
1) Miss the trip & play ball!
2) Take the trip & accept the baseball coaches terms.
3) Miss the trip. Go to study hall & baseball.
4) Move the trip to summer.
5) Take the trip.
...When you return & while sitting on the bench, teach the baseball coach what you learned by introducing him to a few foreign language phrases.
6)....
This string has and continues to be a great read. Just for follow-up fun, I suggest you start up a POLL under the same title (Baseball vs A Class Trip).
Let's draw in more poster opinions.
POLL Topic examples only.
1) Miss the trip & play ball!
2) Take the trip & accept the baseball coaches terms.
3) Miss the trip. Go to study hall & baseball.
4) Move the trip to summer.
5) Take the trip.
...When you return & while sitting on the bench, teach the baseball coach what you learned by introducing him to a few foreign language phrases.
6)....
As parents with kids that played HS sports this is a inevitable situation, it is going to happen. Basketball games during concerts, football games the day of SAT exams, baseball during vacations etc. It is a tough decision for a kid, it usually depends on their level of importance to a team. We faced this a few times and told our sons that whatever you want to do do we will support it but remember what the consequences are because the rules were set by the coach in pre-season. The decision was always theirs and they always "blew off" the "trip" and never looked back knowing that a honoring a commitment is the right thing to do regardless. Remember when we were kids and someone backed off a promise? "Indian Giver"!!!
I personally think that being part of your schools team is a honor, a lifetime memory and forges lifetime friendships.
I personally think that being part of your schools team is a honor, a lifetime memory and forges lifetime friendships.
quote:...When you return & while sitting on the bench, teach the baseball coach what you learned by introducing him to a few foreign language phrases.
At last...some humor!
quote:Originally posted by rz1:
Lets say it's basketball season and jr has a chance to go play baseball in another country for a week and a half.
This scenario just occurred for our son, who had the opportunity in January to travel to Guatemala with the 14U USA Baseball team for 10 days. The opportunity wasn't entirely a surprise, but the timing was. And so it turned out that our son did break his commitment to play basketball. Of course he missed school, and jazz band practices. It seems to me that missing band practice is just as undesirable as missing baseball practice. His absence from the basketball games probably cost two victories.
The trip to Guatemala was educational and very likely literally a "once in a lifetime" event, so in fact no one complained. Even non-baseball folks could see the trip as being a bigger stage than middle school basketball. But the fact is that we made the decision to go selfishly; we chose what seemed best for our son, without much regard for the effect on other people.
What about the possible lesson to keep ones commitments? As others here have noted, conflicts among activities happen frequently. In California, most sports are played throughout the year. One either plays only one sport, or ends up balancing one sport (or other activity) against another.