fillsfan - " "Agree with what has been said about better exposure with the travel team. However, their should be a very good reason why someone is not playing HS ball. Can't imagine their are too many good reasons though."
I got one for ya - politics...
In Wisconsin we have schools that participate in a spring season (March - 1 week of June). They are limited to about 24 - 26 game season and rarely play that. The majority of the high schools in the state play "spring ball".
We also have about 70+ schools that play a summer season that starts in May and runs through July. More games (unlimited schedule) and better weather.
One reason the spring season is so popular is many small towns have a very strong American Legion presence. In the case of the schools that play a summer season, those communities typically don't.
Nice thing about the summer season is that college coaches are done with their season and take in "summer season" games.
In a perfect Wisconsin world I'd like to see the season start at the end of March with games starting mid-April and running through the end of June. It would fullfill the desire of those who want to play school/travel/legion ball.
We also have about 70+ schools that play a summer season that starts in May and runs through July. More games (unlimited schedule) and better weather.
One reason the spring season is so popular is many small towns have a very strong American Legion presence. In the case of the schools that play a summer season, those communities typically don't.
Nice thing about the summer season is that college coaches are done with their season and take in "summer season" games.
In a perfect Wisconsin world I'd like to see the season start at the end of March with games starting mid-April and running through the end of June. It would fullfill the desire of those who want to play school/travel/legion ball.
papi325,
Tell me what you consider politics. A lot of times when a kid doesn't make the team (JV or Varsity) he wants to make or doesn't play the position he wants, parents call it politics. Another word for daddyball I guess. Is politics when the booster club president's son plays instead of our kids?
I do agree that there are kids who get the benefit of the doubt with some coaches, but if a kid is better than the chosen kid it will show eventually and a decent coach will play the better player.
Their is also the issue of paying your dues. Every freshman and sophomore is not entitled to a varsity spot because we, his parents, think he is better than the upper classmen. If the talent is close, IMO, the coach will go with the junior or senior. In this case the younger player should accept his role and do what is asked of him. Remember it works both ways. But if the underclassman is head and shoulders better than the senior, he will play.
Tell me what you consider politics. A lot of times when a kid doesn't make the team (JV or Varsity) he wants to make or doesn't play the position he wants, parents call it politics. Another word for daddyball I guess. Is politics when the booster club president's son plays instead of our kids?
I do agree that there are kids who get the benefit of the doubt with some coaches, but if a kid is better than the chosen kid it will show eventually and a decent coach will play the better player.
Their is also the issue of paying your dues. Every freshman and sophomore is not entitled to a varsity spot because we, his parents, think he is better than the upper classmen. If the talent is close, IMO, the coach will go with the junior or senior. In this case the younger player should accept his role and do what is asked of him. Remember it works both ways. But if the underclassman is head and shoulders better than the senior, he will play.
There are some very disturbing comments on here about HS baseball.
I live in north Texas and I can tell you in the area we live if you do not play HS baseball you will not play summer league ball. You can not keep up with the HS kids if you take Jan - May off. Someone commented about 14U team beating HS teams. Not around here! You would be hard pressed to find a HS team in the upper classifications that has a varsity player on the team that doesn't play for a select team in the summer. In other words you are limited to district boundaries but there are plenty "select" ball players to make up the HS roster.
My son played select ball starting at 9 and last year he commented on how much more HS baseball meant to him than summer ball. Select teams around here have constant turnover and the players are teammates only inthe sense that they wear the same uniform. In HS they practice together every day, see each other in school, hang out with each other after practice/games.
This is so sad if in other areas of the country someone would even have this conversation. I also wander what information you would put on the college questionnaire as to HS coaches name/email/phone number. All of them I have seen ask for HS and summer information.
Thank God I live in Texas!
I live in north Texas and I can tell you in the area we live if you do not play HS baseball you will not play summer league ball. You can not keep up with the HS kids if you take Jan - May off. Someone commented about 14U team beating HS teams. Not around here! You would be hard pressed to find a HS team in the upper classifications that has a varsity player on the team that doesn't play for a select team in the summer. In other words you are limited to district boundaries but there are plenty "select" ball players to make up the HS roster.
My son played select ball starting at 9 and last year he commented on how much more HS baseball meant to him than summer ball. Select teams around here have constant turnover and the players are teammates only inthe sense that they wear the same uniform. In HS they practice together every day, see each other in school, hang out with each other after practice/games.
This is so sad if in other areas of the country someone would even have this conversation. I also wander what information you would put on the college questionnaire as to HS coaches name/email/phone number. All of them I have seen ask for HS and summer information.
Thank God I live in Texas!
Im right there with you Lionpop. I live in Houston and around here EVERYONE does both. Mostly because its a very very competative region. In my district there are many kids who play on select teams ive played against as well as starting on there respective teams. You find out who the standouts are and ive seen a college/pro scout at dang near every district game we've had this year. And for the 14u team beating a varsity team? You must've lost your mind, ive played in the Elite 24 USSSA tournament, there good but most of them are already done growing and dont get much better, at least from my experience anyway