Have they started

Illegal in Illinois, Bill.

I think thatkids from the same school can practice together so long as they aren't being coached.

I think the wording is "open gym." Gym time open to all the student body. Baseball is afterall the favorite American past time. Lots of interest across the school in a little catch and hit. The high school baseball coache(s)just happens to supervise the extra curricular event. Of course, no coaching would ever take place during the "open gym" time. That would be in violation of IHSA rules.

Much better and safer for those who are selected to the team to be ready to play in those 20 and 30 degree games in March.

Illegal in Illinois yes...but how closely is it watched. I already know of 2 high schools who have their varsity guys get together WITH their coach. My school (I'm a freshman) lets the varsity guys get together without the organization of the coach. Coach won't even go near the place if his team is there.

I always find it amazing that High School Coaches can't be around giving instructions to their kids, but travel league coaches have full access at this time.What a joke.

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but travel league coaches have full access at this time.What a joke.

But the travel league coaches are not supposed to have more than 2 players from the same high school team working out at the same time.

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I already know of 2 high schools who have their varsity guys get together WITH their coach.

And then the varsity coach is SURPRISED when someone reports him and the school is required to forfeit games or titles; or, worse, individuals involved lose their baseball eligibility.

Does anyone know the purpose of not allowing off season coaching in the high schools?

What a wasted opportunity for kids (and coaches). The off season is where a majority of improvement happens for players (particularly for hitting). The way it stands now, most high school coaches, many of whom have a lot to offer their kids, are not participating in the development of their players as much as they could. There is not enough time during the season to get the kind of reps necessary to make meaningful change (improvement).

Mike F

I agree Mike totally, however if the kids want to work there are planety of places for them to get the work done it just cost some money and againn has to be limited to 2 from a school. I am sure ihsa will tell you it is to keep it fair. Another one I never understand is the 500 mile rule I think they still have, where you can't take your team to Az or fla to have games over spring break. I always thought that would be a great way to have good competition, practice , team bonding and get away from the cold and injuries that you can suffer palying baseball when it is 30 degrees outside and the ground is a mess.

The reasoning behind the restrictions for off-season workouts in baseball are the same as for any other sport. I am not saying I agree with the "details" of the restrictions, but the reasoning behind them is sound. It is to stop HS coaches from turning their particualr sport into a year round activity--thus allowing HS athletes to "theoretically" be able to participate in multiple sports (as they should). We tend to forget that HS sports are in end in themselves for MOST athletes. The truth is few will go on to compete in them after HS. D1 athletics may have forgotten that their athletes are students first and athletes second, but it would certainly be sad if the high schools did also.

As for travel programs, the IHSA is limited in their ability to place restrictions on them. You can only govern what you are allowed to govern.

As for the travel restrictions placed on IHSA teams (NOT just baseball), they are overbearing and outdated--at the least.

lineshot, I think they did away with the travel restrictions as long as the kids don't miss any school.

This is from IHSA's January 11 minutes. "The Board approved modifying the Travel Policy to allow schools to travel to any location to participate in an interscholastic competition provided that no more than one day of school in traveling to and from and participating in the contest will be missed by any member school’s program. The new policy will take effect immediately. However, member schools that have made plans under the old policy may still follow through with those plans for the rest of the current school term."

This allows a coach to take his team about anywhere, during spring break.

thx bfan and tuz, that would be great news.