High School Rules Question

This is not a NFHS rule.

This may be a coaches rule or even a school rule, but I would find that hard to enforce...

My son's HS had a rule that effectively barred a player who was in his season from participating in any other HS teams off season programs....This was done mostly as an agreement between the varsity head coaches....

The rules in this area vary by state - here in California you can read the rule here:

http://www.cifstate.org/Constitution/BylawPDF/600%20Series.PDF

It is a very delicate area in that the penalties are severe - so I would double check with the player's coach before doing anything. We had a local s **** r player who played a game with the Junior National team during his season - because the paperwork was not filed correctly, his team forfited 4 games and as a result lost any chance at post season play.

Yea, I am here in Missouri and was told that if even 2 kids are doing a lesson together that is considered a practice, which would be a violation and the players would be kicked off their school teams. I am trying to get a hold of my sons Athletic Director for his school today, but they are out for Easter break. I have boys wanting to tryout tonight since they have no games or practices going on.

According to our HS ( 6A ) athlete rule book it states: No one may participate in any baseball program other than his/her highschool baseball team during their baseball season according to the State of Kansas. ( KSHSAA )

Check out their website for more answers:
http://www.kshsaa.org/

Hope this helps.

Shortstopmom, I belive that KS and MO must have the same rules. I went into the FAQ section of www.kshsaa.org and found that an athlete can take lessons of the same sport during that sports time. Here is what they list:

A student may receive private instruction at any time of the school year, subject to the limits outlined in the KSHSAA Handbook, Rule 26. (NOTE: Private instruction is defined as one student receiving instruction from one person during the period of instruction.)


I read this as the 1 on 1 lessons I was told that MO has.

I think if it were me, I might just get on the ol' bullhorn and give them a call. That way there's no room for misinterpretation.

PH: (785)273-5329
FAX: (785)271-0236
Email: kshsaa@kshsaa.org

I was assuming you were on the KCK side and not the KCMO side, so sorry. Must have been reading too fast.
Perhaps the KSHSAA can point you in the right direction, or will be able to tell you for certain if MO and KS share the same highschool rules.

I do know that some MO baseball academies have been advertising in the KCStar for 18U Fall teams,..and I had wondered how they were allowed to hold tryouts at this time. If you would,...let me know what you find out.
Hope you get your question resolved.

Best of luck to your new team!

As ssmom suggests, calling is a very good idea.

Also, you might not want to just rely on what the person on the other end of the phone says because they could be wrong. You may want to have them point you to the rules so you can see for yourself if the actual verbal instructions were correct. Conversely, if you look up a rule on the Internet, you may want to call and confirm your understanding of the rule with someone else.

I would echo what was said by the others about doing your research to determine that answer. In Kentucky, that rule has been proposed, but, to my knowledge, has not yet been approved. For example, my son (and this is not uncommon in my city) played Babe Ruth baseball while he was a freshman. The HS coaches liked it and would basically tell kids that they would rather them be playing in a Babe Ruth game than practicing because it gave them more game experience.

OK, I guess all of you were right. The best way to find out something is to just call them. I spoke with George Blaze with the Missouri State High School Activities Association and here are the rules for current baseball players on a high school team that want to tryout for a summer team.

1. The tryout must be held on a day that the player does not have a school practice or game. Sundays are prefered.

2. Player can only attend this tryout once. They cannot be called back for a second look.

3. Unlimited players my tryout at the same time so long as the coach is not affiliated with any high school.

4. Current high school players already on the summer team cannot attend the tryouts. Coaches only.

George also confirmed that a current player is allowed to attend 1 on 1 private lessons with an instructor that is not affiliated with a high school.

Well as you can guess, since we are a 15u team we are all new to these high school baseball rules. There is only 1 boy on the team that had an older brother that played high school baseball and that was 4 years ago.

Thanks for all your answers and comments. It is great to have a place to come and get some answers without getting the run around.

coach
you can get an answer to just about any baseball question here.that is very special, and on occasion you can also get a good natured run around at no extra charge.;lol. there are some very knowledgeable people here, of course i'm not one of them. glad you found your answer.

jcg7301,
Coach, if me I would evaluate the players discreetly in game situations. I would totally avoid any sort of tryout for a rostered HS player during the HS season. The mere mention of summer ball (esp. travel teams) during season is enough to send some HS coaches through the dugout roof, and why jeopardize a kids eligibility or standing with his HS coach? Best just to avoid all that if it's not absolutely necessary (and it shouldn't be). If they're taking lessons you might consult the instructor for more insight.
Don't worry, your younger players will understand if a few HS guys make the team despite not "trying out." Now the parents may be another story, but you can't worry about those folks anyway.

Spizzlepop,

I have been to a couple of the games to watch some of these kids, the problem is this. The one boy I want to watch play SS has been at catcher both games I have gone to. During summer he was starting SS and back up catcher. He is the best catcher on his school team so that is where he plays, the only time he gets SS time is when the starting SS is on the mound.

Plus with my son also playing school ball, I tend to always be at his games as I like to watch him play.

I am the manager of this team and our head coach has the final say on players. I scout and he drafts, and with all the high school games around here starting at 4pm or 4:30pm it is hard for him to get off work early enough to get to the games, I am lucky to have a flexible job to be able to attend.