It seems that many suburban high school teams play together in the summer.
If a player goes to a high school that doesn't stay together, would another school let that player play with them during the summer?
Did that make sense?
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Most Chicago area schools do have a Summer League Team. I don't think you can play on another school's team in Summer League, but if you are super serious about playing ball, you should find another team to play on as well.
Betterpapi,
If your school does not offer a summer program, depending on the age of your son, I would get them involved with a couple travel teams, Legion or 16/19 plus league. We never had all three options due to the summer league and our residental area. I think the Legion Dragons are base in Plainfield. I wish the boys had the option as compared to travel and H.S. summer ball. MHO.
Teams such as Lombard Lightning have played a few weekday game in the past. My older son played for LL and my younger son currently is a team member. I am not sure what they are doing this year in regards to their schedule. I just pay buy the raffle tickets and pay the note. The Westmont Park district, offers an option, but 50% to 70# competitive as compared to travel. Lots of fun from what I hear.
I am not sure what the NSB (North Side Boys) feel about legion but my older son's roommate is from Freum (Kyle Schmidt) has played Legion and has said that it is quite competitive.
The options may be better without High School ball. No conflicts with Summer State Finals, racing back from from Memphis for a playoff game, balancing ect, ect, ect, ect.
If your school does not offer a summer program, depending on the age of your son, I would get them involved with a couple travel teams, Legion or 16/19 plus league. We never had all three options due to the summer league and our residental area. I think the Legion Dragons are base in Plainfield. I wish the boys had the option as compared to travel and H.S. summer ball. MHO.
Teams such as Lombard Lightning have played a few weekday game in the past. My older son played for LL and my younger son currently is a team member. I am not sure what they are doing this year in regards to their schedule. I just pay buy the raffle tickets and pay the note. The Westmont Park district, offers an option, but 50% to 70# competitive as compared to travel. Lots of fun from what I hear.
I am not sure what the NSB (North Side Boys) feel about legion but my older son's roommate is from Freum (Kyle Schmidt) has played Legion and has said that it is quite competitive.
The options may be better without High School ball. No conflicts with Summer State Finals, racing back from from Memphis for a playoff game, balancing ect, ect, ect, ect.
Almost all schools in the southwest suburbs play in the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Summer League. The regular season for this league is 5 weeks long and operates on a T,W,R or M,W,F schedule. Then there are regionals leading to the Summer State Championship at North Central College in Naperville. The teams the compete in this league are varsity teams from there respective schools.
This summer we will also be entering into the 2nd year of a Summer Sophomore/JV league. This league is similar to the varsity league. High schools will have a team that consists of current fresman or sophs.
I am one of the organizers of the league. A little history (not much because this is only the 2nd year)of the league is that and we had 9 teams in the league last year. Most teams played a 15 to 16 game schedule and then competed in tournament at the end of the summer season. We had quarter finals, semi finals, 3rd place and championship games.
For this summer, we are looking to have more teams from the south and southwestern suburbs join. So far we have 9 teams committed and our looking to expand it to 16 teams. We should know the final amount of team by mid april.
Please let me know if you have any questions about the league.
Thanks
This summer we will also be entering into the 2nd year of a Summer Sophomore/JV league. This league is similar to the varsity league. High schools will have a team that consists of current fresman or sophs.
I am one of the organizers of the league. A little history (not much because this is only the 2nd year)of the league is that and we had 9 teams in the league last year. Most teams played a 15 to 16 game schedule and then competed in tournament at the end of the summer season. We had quarter finals, semi finals, 3rd place and championship games.
For this summer, we are looking to have more teams from the south and southwestern suburbs join. So far we have 9 teams committed and our looking to expand it to 16 teams. We should know the final amount of team by mid april.
Please let me know if you have any questions about the league.
Thanks
Coach, wouldn't you want to stay clear of the weekends, why play on Fridays?
What is your HS, and who are the other HS's committed and are considering?
What is your HS, and who are the other HS's committed and are considering?
My name is Andy Satunas and I am the Sophomore Baseball Coach at Lockport Township High School.
We try our best to stay away from Fridays. The Soph/JV league will operate on a T,W,R schedule out of a respect to a players commitment to his summer travel teams.
As for teams that have committed to the league, I feal uneasy announcing them in this public forum until closer to the deadline. I hope you understand.... Because you know, as well as I do that many things can happen between now and summer. However, many teams from the SWSC will be represented.
As for H.S.'s who are considered. We sent an open invitation from the IL/IN border all the way along I-80 up to the Naperville area.
I hope I answered some of your ?'s
We try our best to stay away from Fridays. The Soph/JV league will operate on a T,W,R schedule out of a respect to a players commitment to his summer travel teams.
As for teams that have committed to the league, I feal uneasy announcing them in this public forum until closer to the deadline. I hope you understand.... Because you know, as well as I do that many things can happen between now and summer. However, many teams from the SWSC will be represented.
As for H.S.'s who are considered. We sent an open invitation from the IL/IN border all the way along I-80 up to the Naperville area.
I hope I answered some of your ?'s
quote:We try our best to stay away from Fridays. The Soph/JV league will operate on a T,W,R schedule out of a respect to a players commitment to his summer travel teams.
Coach, I sent you a PM.
Coach Hit It Hard,
Would any of these teams take a player that wasn't from their high school?
I imagine not every HS player plays on these summer teams.
Would any of these teams take a player that wasn't from their high school?
I imagine not every HS player plays on these summer teams.
Unfortanetely for that ballplayer, NO.
Do you know of any other quality summer leagues for high school kids around the South and Southwest suburbs?
Legion ball was mentioned above but I have heard it might be weak since the best kids are playing with the HS league?
Legion ball was mentioned above but I have heard it might be weak since the best kids are playing with the HS league?
Check the baseball academies and area batting cages they have info on teams looking for players. You can Probaby find what your looking for here on this site.
Papi
I think you will find that Summer HS League is about the weakest baseball being played in the summer. Some schools make an effort to be more competitive during the playoffs and the level of play does get higher at that point. As jsc59 said above, yoru son may benefit from not being obligated to summer ball, especially if he is very good and a pitcher.
The Levels of play beginning with the highest (IMHO)
1."Elite" 18 Travel (Top Tier, Orioles maybe a couple of others.
2. 18 Travel, Legion, "Elite" 17 Travel
3. 17 Travel, "Elite" 16 Travel
4. The very best HS Summer Varsity Teams
5. 16 Travel, "Elite" 15 Travel
6. HS Varsity Summer League
7. 15 Travel
8. HS Soph. Summer League
Again, just my opinion.
I think you will find that Summer HS League is about the weakest baseball being played in the summer. Some schools make an effort to be more competitive during the playoffs and the level of play does get higher at that point. As jsc59 said above, yoru son may benefit from not being obligated to summer ball, especially if he is very good and a pitcher.
The Levels of play beginning with the highest (IMHO)
1."Elite" 18 Travel (Top Tier, Orioles maybe a couple of others.
2. 18 Travel, Legion, "Elite" 17 Travel
3. 17 Travel, "Elite" 16 Travel
4. The very best HS Summer Varsity Teams
5. 16 Travel, "Elite" 15 Travel
6. HS Varsity Summer League
7. 15 Travel
8. HS Soph. Summer League
Again, just my opinion.
Don't forget us old sluggers FBD...as you can see, I can still launch a mean shot. They don't call me "Ol' Shotput Gotwood" for nothing!
Fastball,
Nice listing. We are pretty much in agreement in regards to your list, but not knowing how ompetitive Legion ball plays the game, I would think the best of the best of the 17 year old travel could possible rank higher.
Also, IMHO H.S. summer ball would be ahead of 16 year old elite travel due to the size and strength of day in day out pitchers and hitters. Most of the elite 17 year olds/or some 17 year olds playing on the 18 year old teams will also be playing on their H.S. summer teams. I would also add a last line that would include some of the in-house leagues that include some decent players that choose not to play Legion or travel for whatever reason in the summer. It is not the same as travel or summer ball but it is another playing option.
Nice listing. We are pretty much in agreement in regards to your list, but not knowing how ompetitive Legion ball plays the game, I would think the best of the best of the 17 year old travel could possible rank higher.
Also, IMHO H.S. summer ball would be ahead of 16 year old elite travel due to the size and strength of day in day out pitchers and hitters. Most of the elite 17 year olds/or some 17 year olds playing on the 18 year old teams will also be playing on their H.S. summer teams. I would also add a last line that would include some of the in-house leagues that include some decent players that choose not to play Legion or travel for whatever reason in the summer. It is not the same as travel or summer ball but it is another playing option.
Fastball
My problem with your list is that it is a gross overgeneralization. Some high school summer league teams are required and competitive, while others go the legion ball route. I would expect a little more love for the high school leagues.
My problem with your list is that it is a gross overgeneralization. Some high school summer league teams are required and competitive, while others go the legion ball route. I would expect a little more love for the high school leagues.
Ballyall..
No doubt generalized, but I did have the "Very Best" HS Summer teams ranked high. I also mentioned that when the playoffs come, some teams become competitive. I meant that day in and day out Summer HS is not that strong.
No doubt generalized, but I did have the "Very Best" HS Summer teams ranked high. I also mentioned that when the playoffs come, some teams become competitive. I meant that day in and day out Summer HS is not that strong.
FBD,
Welcome to the world of rankings. You can please some of the people some of the time.............
STOP SNOWING!!
Welcome to the world of rankings. You can please some of the people some of the time.............
STOP SNOWING!!
It all depends where you play. Each area/town is different. With 19 year olds able to play legion, it is a lot better than people give it credit. It certainly ranks above 16/17 year old travel teams, if you play for the right team in the right league. I would give an edge to 18 year old travel teams over all of these though.
Are there any other "H.S. Soph Summer Leagues" out there? I am unfamiliar with the N, NW, and W suburbs.
Thanks
Thanks
quote:Originally posted by itsrosy:
STOP SNOWING!!
I don't think he heard you rosy...and even if he did, he couldn't help much...
Now for real action on this issue you're going to have to talk with the Almighty Himself...
Hit it Hard..
Yes the teams schools around here (NW Burbs) seem to have Soph. Summer Teams.
Yes the teams schools around here (NW Burbs) seem to have Soph. Summer Teams.
Rosy....
For the record, I want it to stop snowing at this point too. I'm almost out of salt.
For the record, I want it to stop snowing at this point too. I'm almost out of salt.
quote:Originally posted by FastballDad:
Rosy....
For the record, I want it to stop snowing at this point too. I'm almost out of salt.
FBD, That's a shame. Let's not forget about that wondeful "blanket" that is going to make our fields just picture perfect this summer. If you keep this up and start making rankings on a regular basis, you will upset enough people to qualify to be a moderator. LOL.
Rosy, I'll never be in your league. LOL, I've been insulting the sox here for more than 3 years and while I get ripped a little bit by the sox fans, it's almost always in a fun way. Maybe I need to get meaner.
That snow blanket will help (later) but now that the really cold temps are gone, we no longer need it. I made an offer to our HS Coach to clear the snow off at least the infield to help get the field ready earlier. I hope he lets us do it.
That snow blanket will help (later) but now that the really cold temps are gone, we no longer need it. I made an offer to our HS Coach to clear the snow off at least the infield to help get the field ready earlier. I hope he lets us do it.
FBD, 4 on a list of 8 is a high ranking?
playball.
Coach. the number should be #3. It would be a tough argument, that H.S. summer baseball to be higher than yhree, Travel is just more competitive than day in day out high school summerball.
fastball,
I like the ground cover, reminds me of the day that you had piles of snow at the A&P or National Food chain parling lot in early April. I always fought hard to beof to be "king of the hill."
Coach. the number should be #3. It would be a tough argument, that H.S. summer baseball to be higher than yhree, Travel is just more competitive than day in day out high school summerball.
fastball,
I like the ground cover, reminds me of the day that you had piles of snow at the A&P or National Food chain parling lot in early April. I always fought hard to beof to be "king of the hill."
Playball2, and others who disagree with my putting "Very Best HS Summer Teams" behind Elite 16 Travel and 17 Travel, you are probably correct. I really haven't seen much of those very best HS Teams because our school does not focus on The Summer Playoffs and we really don't get far enough to see them.
I do believe though that the 16 Year Old Top Tier Team my son was on (not a featured player) as well as a couple others (such as McHenry Co. Hurricanes and a few others) that year would have given any Summer HS Team a run for their money if not more than that. I don't know if that is typical or if it was unusual.
It comes down to whether or not you think a team made up of the very best incoming Juniors can beat a team from just one High School. Even if that school does have all it's best players, not too many schools can put 8 players out there most of who will be playing D-1 baseball like the Elite Travel Teams do.
I do believe though that the 16 Year Old Top Tier Team my son was on (not a featured player) as well as a couple others (such as McHenry Co. Hurricanes and a few others) that year would have given any Summer HS Team a run for their money if not more than that. I don't know if that is typical or if it was unusual.
It comes down to whether or not you think a team made up of the very best incoming Juniors can beat a team from just one High School. Even if that school does have all it's best players, not too many schools can put 8 players out there most of who will be playing D-1 baseball like the Elite Travel Teams do.
lsc..
I'm with you on the old days. Unfortunately these days, those snow mountains are a huge potential liability. With all the big equipment we use, we have some really big piles of snow and chase kids off of them because of past legal issues.
Just another sad sign of the times.
I'm with you on the old days. Unfortunately these days, those snow mountains are a huge potential liability. With all the big equipment we use, we have some really big piles of snow and chase kids off of them because of past legal issues.
Just another sad sign of the times.