Getting pressure to play football.

Is it pressure or are they "recruiting" him to play?  To me pressure is a bad thing and coaches should never do this but talking to a kid who did play last year and was good is not a big deal.  In what manner are they talking determines if it's pressure or "recruiting".

How much does he enjoy playing football is probably the biggest question?  If he enjoys playing it then he needs to play it.  There are no guarantees he will play MLB, MiLB, DI or lower so he needs to enjoy the things he enjoys while he can.  Life is full of "shoulda, coulda, woulda" people and sometimes you can't avoid being one but if you can then I say avoid it at all possible.

The football coaches are correct in that there are a TON of guys (and gals) who played multiple sports and made it to the big stage.  But the flip side is that there are a ton of guys (and gals) who specialized and made it to the big stage.  Neither side is a fool proof way to get there.  Your son has to make the decision if giving up something is worth the chase.

The fact he dressed varsity for the state football championship shows they like him and think he has a future in the sport.  Does the baseball team play for state championships?  I've been part of two state championships - one as a player in football and one as a coach in baseball - and being there is a truly awesome experience.  The only thing better is obviously winning one.  Let's say the football team makes it back this fall and wins the whole thing but your son didn't play.  How would he feel about that?  Then what if all that happens and (hopefully not) he gets hurt and cannot compete in baseball anymore.  Lot of "what if's" there but they could happen.

Obviously I'm a huge supporter of football.  I've coached it for close to 15 years and played it at a high level in high school.  But my first true love is baseball and will always be baseball.  I was lucky enough to play two years of NAIA baseball but I have great memories of playing football with my buddies and competing for a state championship.  I almost didn't play football my senior year because of baseball.  The day we started practice one of my buddies came to my house and forced me into his truck.  That's how I ended up playing football my senior year and got to play in a state championship.  I'm so glad my buddy stopped to get me 21 years later.

That's my experience and there are many, many others who have the same experience. There are many, many others who have different experiences.  It just comes down to what your son is comfortable giving up to go baseball only.

By the way - I had more injuries playing baseball than I ever did in football.

As a coach (at the high school level), and as someone who played multiple sports in HS, my advice would be to play football, especially if it's something he enjoys doing. There are several reasons for this, but to me the biggest one is it will keep him from playing too much baseball (which is a real thing, trust me) and risking overuse injuries.

Now, if he gets to his junior or senior year, and it looks like he's going to be able to earn a scholarship to a big time D-1 or even be a Top-10 rounds guy in the draft, then he might consider giving up football. But I would advise him to definitely play his sophomore year (IF that's what he wants to do). 

I am a HS baseball coach and I am a big supporter of multiple sports.  My line is drawn at interest.  What I mean by that is that I do not feel an athlete needs to decided until he is getting SERIOUS interest at the next level.  It is great to have aspirations but there are far more players that have aspirations than there are D1 players out there.  If your son has not gotten interest from the next level I would let him continue playing football, especially since he was dressed for a State Championship game.  If, and when he gets serious interest from a D1 college for baseball then you might want to revisit this conversation.

In regards to positive, Nick Saban comes to mind.  He gave a interview one time in which he stated that he used to only recruit Football and track guys and then one year he got a football baseball guy.  He realized that the football/baseball guys were more athletic and tougher.  Now he focuses on those type.  On top of that the bigs and the NFL are littered with dual sport athletes.

This is also an important reason to keep playing FB.  College baseball coaches are the same way, they LOVE two-sport guys, especially BB-FB players. If they have to make a decision on two different guys, the 1st tie-breaker will almost always be 'do either of them play FB?' If one does and one doesn't (with talent being relatively equal), they're almost always going to take the multi-sport guy.

After my freshman year I wanted to just focus on baseball, in large part because I just did not like football practice.  The coaches were contacting me and my mom really wanted me to play football.  At the time I made the decision, I did it for her, but years later I am glad I played through HS.  I had several D2 football offers but ended up playing baseball in college.  I am happy to have the football memories, experiences and friendships.

I played D1 baseball and pretty much everyone on our team made all district in more than one sport in HS.  Plus I have been told by several college baseball programs that they look for guys who play more than one sport in HS.  In spite of the football practices, it ended up being the right decision for me; thanks to mom.

Sounds like it's time for him to learn to do the things he wants to do, not the things others want him to do.

Appreciate the advice guys. As I mentioned it was his decision to let the coaches know he would not be playing. I as a parent believe he did not think it through and that's why I am here. As a parent I want to give him the pro's and con's to this decision. Let me add. To hear MJ2000 say he did not like practices, was what I needed to hear. My son felt the same way. Keep in mind the FB team made it to the championship game through Thankgiving Day. An extra 6 weeks of practice on top of his travel baseball schedule of 12 hours practice a week. 

That being said, the advice you guys mention with Nick Saban and the preferance of college coaches wanting a 2 sport athlete is interesting as well.

Although as mentioned also, to mss out on this experiance I believe he may regret. That alone is what I will try to make him think through a bit.

Thanks guys!!!!

This discussion is a double-edged sword for sure if u are up north. The weather in the north just doesnt allow a player to get enough games in without fall tournaments. 85 games is a solid HS, Travel Ball, & Fall Ball season combined, which seems to be a good number for PT and to still avoid burnout/injury.

College coaches like 2-sport athletes due to the athletic qualities different sports build. But southern coaches say that northern players "just dont play enough."

Playing football and baseball at the same time is near impossible and the kid ends-up not playing to their full ability at either sport. Basketball doesn't allow you to get ready for the baseball season and puts you behind the power curve. It's a lose-lose situation that can be argued either way.

For example, there's a local kid that was a 10th round draft pick by the Jays...went to Miami as the highest drafted player on the team and the coach says "he's going to be a good player for us but like most northern kids, he hasn't played enough baseball to know the game." Bet he didn't see that one coming.

But they still took him

Not trying to pick at you because you're providing the other side of the argument and you do make good points.  But at the end of the day the player has to try and decide if missing out on something is worth the what if is the most important question.

BTW - I don't think anybody likes football practice.  I hated it as a player and wasn't real fond of it as a coach either.  But kinda hard to play football everyday like you do in baseball.

Kid sounds like a great athlete whose coaches are fortunate to have him.  At least is sounds like he wasn't given an ultimatum "Play X or else...."  Our most talented catcher is also a nice basketball player and was told this weekend by his AAU basketball coach, "if you play HS baseball this spring, you can forget playing basketball for us."  I was shocked to hear this and really disappointed for his HS baseball coaches and teammates (not the least of whom is my son who really liked pitching to him).

I find it very interesting that as far as I know, I've not heard of similar ultimatums proffered by select baseball coaches to their kids who play multiple sports.  AND that the "select" baseball season makes way for the HS season.  I have heard about these types of ultimatums from basketball, soccer, and volleyball select programs, and that just sucks.

Play multiple sports until the competition tells you otherwise.

Don't know about the Northern issues.

Weight training and football workouts are going to make him a MUCH better baseball player.

Do what he wants to do and ignore the rest.

Worst case he could concentrate on baseball only in his Jr year.

Totally 100% agree with BOF on this one.  If your son likes playing both sports, play both sports until a decision needs to be made.   From what you've shared, nobody is demanding or suggesting that he only play one sport. 

However, if your son feels a need to focus on one sport that is a different matter entirely.  If he was to focus on sport, I would suggest that he play the sport that he is passionate about.  If he has 7 more years between high school and (possibly) college then I'd pick the sport that would give me the greatest personal satisfaction.  

With all things being equal, if the motivation for money is great and a big part of how the family can (only) afford college then I think I'd get in the football queue out of practicality and necessity to get a college degree.

I agree if you can keep up, play both until maybe Junior summer.  But, it sounds as if the kid himself decided he was done with football!  Listen to your son and his reasons.  If he doesn't like football practice that's about 95% of what football is, practice.  He may like having a life beyond sports or want more time to study?  

If he is a position player, in my opinion there come a time when it's pretty hard to keep up with the bat with guys playing year round when you come off 6 months of football and while the bball players were facing the tough summer league pitching, you might be stronger after all the weight lifting but it doesn't matter your timing isn't right.  

I know a talented kid who had several D1's looking at him summer before his senior year.  He played both sports and these colleges wanted to see him play baseball not football in the fall in order to make their minds up.  They could not and he ended up going to a D2.  Absolutely NOTHING wrong with that outcome but the fact is he would have other options.

Listen to your son.....if he made the call, be sure he knows he could continue longer with both but all let him know you support his decision regarding how he wants to spend his time.   

To me this is no brainer.  If he wants to play both, fine.  If he wants to play only baseball, fine.  Either way your son will figure it out.  I can remember football practice too - hated it also, but loved Friday nights.  Football does provide additional mental and physical strenght that will help him with baseball - no question.  Good luck and play hard...

There's no reason that he cant do the same type of weight lifting or even better,  baseball specific weight room work. Also no reason to not work on speed and agility during the off-season. Just as important to the baseball player as the football player.