High school v. summer ball

First Question:

Why isnt the player on a high level summer team?

Did he try out for any?
Was he invited to any such teams or showcases?

Answers to these and we can go forward

great question
in my view, in a state as large as texas, for example, there are a lot of kids who live in smaller markets, and to play on a top level summer teams means a lot of money and separation from family, etc at a pretty young age. for that matter, i suspect that some of those in the smaller, rural markets don't even know about some of the top summer leages.

in far west texas, for example, most summer play is on school-based summer teams, and those who travel off to play in the summers are viewed as disloyal by those coaches and parents who don't know any better. puts a kid in a real awkward situation - do i stay on my school summer team and play in obsurity all summer, or do i spend the summer away? although it violates every rule in the book i know of kids who have gone off for summer ball [and future d-1 careers as a result] but who lost their h.s. position as punishment for not staying on the school summer team. more than you wanted to know, but that's what i see in different parts of my state, especially outside the larger metro areas.

rc/max29,
Go to "find" & type in baseballmom2... She lives out your way & can give you some info on programs out there...

Texas Tech coach is also a good contact....& they have some programs for summer...

Then there is http://www.blacksox.org Don Patty is the man to talk with... Summer program is dorm type, 6-8 intense weeks of "nothing but baseball" & 60-80 games in 2 months...Many of his kids go on to college ball. They do a great job of teaching basics & showcasing kids thru out Tx & Okla...

Now about "punishing" a kid for not staying home & playing on the summer team... Narrow minded, IMHO...Just give them the other side of the coin... If a few players come back better prepared, then they are contributing more to the HS program, which will produce better results for the coach & program overall...
The 2 well known/accomplished teams (Lubbock Monterrey & Midland Lee) didn't get there just playing HS Summer league...I'd imagine.

www.midwestprospects.com Brian Rupe is director... Runs excellent showcases thru out Okla & Tx. Give him a call for other input...

Hope these ideas help... Bottom line, do what is in your SON'S best interest.

I agree that it does seem like the markets are Houston, SA/Austin & DFW for higher level play... Time to get a "power program" out in West TX??? It would be a good thing!! Go for it!

great post baseballmom.

as for outstanding summer teams, i would add the lubbock hubbers, who made it to the connie mack world series this year. the downside to that team, though, is that at least this year it featured a bunch of kids who already graduated and signed.

fortunately for my kid, he has options. i hate it, though, for those for whom economics, lack of knowledge, or short sighted coaches really limit their post-high school options. More of these kids than you would imagine are in that situation.

Here in the Northeast the HS season is at most 20 games long and is merely a warmup for the players summer and falls seasons--- a lot has to do with the location of the player--N/S/E/W--warm weather/cold weather.