How much baseball is too much?

It is my opinion that you should take at least 3 months away from baseball every year. Kid's need time for physical and more importantly mental rest.

It’s too much baseball when they stop having fun. I don’t mean they will always enjoy every play of every game. But if the whole thing becomes a grind and they can’t seem to get physically rested it’s time for a break. Some kids (and parents) won’t recognize this point on their own.

LD

Great point

A lot depends on the area of the country that you are in--here in the Northeast the only way you get baseball time after November and thru February is in the gym

My Son has been going year round for quite some time now... Since he was 8 or 9 (he's 16 now). Between seasons (usually a matter of weeks after the Spring season and before Summer ball, a couple weeks between Summer and Fall ball, and about 2 months before Spring) he is usually missing the game after 5 or 10 days and off to the batting cages after 2 or 3.

Probably the biggest difference I see between my own generation and today's players is that the best of today's players focus on baseball. We played football in the fall, basketball in the winter and baseball in the spring -- usually the same guys on all the teams. Today, the kids -- by their own choice -- play baseball close to year round.

I agree that there is a mental weariness that sets in and a rest is in order at some point. Also a physical period is good especially for pitchers. But hey, that's what winter is for!

These days we're off basically from early November until we start gearing up again in early to mid February. And that doesn't count a few indoor sessions in January and the first half of February.

The result of all this is that the caliber of HS player today is, I hate to admit it, advanced far beyond our era. Baseball requires athleticism but also a high level of precision. Those who dedicate themselves to honing their skills are going to achieve levels of precision that those who don't won't achieve.

Your coach may be "old school", or maybe he just wants the guys to play for his football team. But if your son wants to put baseball first, by all means do it. If baseball is his first love, there is no reason to fall behind his future competition. Believe me, beyond the borders of your school district, there are thousands of kids his age playing 10+ months per year. Some day he may be trying to beat them out of playing time at a higher level. I wouldn't let his high school coach put him at a disadvantage.

And if your son plays in the summer and fall, I'm sure his high school coach will still appreciate it when he comes ready to play next spring!

I can say that my son was "mentally" tired by the end of last year's season. LL,AAU,All-Stars.It seemed like his entire summer was baseball. In fact his entire AAU team seemed totally listless at times.We are trying something unique this year,AAU only.My wife and I asked him to pick the one thing that is the most fun for him. My son choose AAU ball.We have spent a lot priceless dad/son time this spring. He works very hard at what I call skill building. Lotsa'long toss,ground balls,fly balls,infield footwork,pickoff moves and live bp with the oldman! I will never forget these times..we talk..laugh.. about everything school, girls. I know in a few short years I will miss this time so much...

It is truely amazing how quick it hits you. I was just like you with my oldest Son who is 16 and just finishing his Sophomore year. I did not realize how sidelined I would become once he hit H.School. Practice after school each day till dark without me! I can't even look in the dug-out without the feeling I'm in the wrong place, someplace off limits to anyone other then players and coaches.And thats okay, its just so different. Enjoy the time you have with your Son now. It changes dramatically sooner then I ever realized!

If the summer program is a good program the time off is probably beneficial. Probably is the key word. For it to be beneficial your son must prepare for the coming spring by strength training, proper nutrition, mental preparation, and skill improvement. You know what he needs to improve.This time off is very important for pitchers. Good luck!

LineDrive - Good post!

Here, very few kids play more than one sport once reaching HS. Not saying that's a bad thing, but it's just not common here. If you play baseball, typically you play year round taking Nov-Jan off. My son always played rec basketball during those months. Great way to help keep in shape and it was a good mental rest for him every year.

My personal view is that other sports are good ways to take "time off" from baseball. They build different strengths, and get the mental refreshment that comes from getting a break from an activity.

My son, now in his freshman year, played 3 sports until HS and in HS dropped basketball. Football and baseball are pretty compatible schedule wise. It of course means no fall baseball, but other than that there is not too much overlap.

My kid loves baseball. But he also loves football. He knows that baseball is his best sport as far as his potential to play in college at a higher level. But I fully expect him to play football all four years of high school.

Like may folks, I worry about burnout and too much specialization too early. I don;t think there is any one answer for all kids. It depends on the kid.

But I will say this: I don't think dropping all other sports in HS is necessary in order to be able to play at D1 in college and then eventually pro. I've seen and known too many people who played professionally but played more than one sport in high school.

Obrady,
You are in the hotbed of competitive baseball.
Have you heard of EAST COBB?
It's in Mariatta
they have many competitive team's in there organization.
all levels.
Check it out, Go look at a tournament are team's playing and see if your son fit's in.
Tryout, I believe you will see what it take's to be a good Ball Player. Those Player's Play Year Round. the EH

quote:

It’s too much baseball when they stop having fun. I don’t mean they will always enjoy every play of every game. But if the whole thing becomes a grind and they can’t seem to get physically rested it’s time for a break. Some kids (and parents) won’t recognize this point on their own.

Linedrive,

That's the way I feel too!

hitdapill,

You should know that nearly all the best players in the country have their summers dominated by baseball. In fact, other than those who play other sports, the spring, summer and fall are all dominated by baseball.

Just for a point of reference, people should look at what the majority of top college and pro prospects do year round. There is a very good reason why around 60% or more of those drafted come from three states. (California, Florida, Texas) 75% or more come from the south or west where they have the ability to practice and play more.

The one thing we hear often from high school players is they want to go south to play college ball if possible. That is because it allows more practice, more games and better competition. (More Baseball)

Also, I can see how a player could get tired of working out year round, but the actual games are what they live for. I could be wrong, but I think the best players would like to play as many games as possible. Some would like nothing better than to play a double header every day.

I believe that playing other sports is great and even valuable to some. However, when I see a player who doesn't play other sports taking off half the year, I question his love for the game.

All this said, I do think pitchers need to take some time off. I think all players need some time off for physical and mental reasons. I just don't think that time off should happen during baseball season. I know people will disagree, but I'm a big believer in "more is better".

Let's say you have a son who has amazing talent. He is very successful in youth and high school levels and becomes a big prospect and gets drafted. He has only played during the season and did not compete in other sports. Everyone knows he has the talent it takes, but can anyone know he can handle what's next. Spring Training in February until April, Games nearly every day April until September or even later. Then possibly, Instructional or Fall or Winter ball. Maybe a couple months off before reporting to Spring Training the next year, but you have to get ready for Spring Training somewhere in that time. Then it starts all over again.

That's the job that most baseball players want! If you don't really love the game enough to play it a lot when your young, will you love it in the end?

Sorry, for maybe getting off the topic here. But we see the very best high school players every year. Not all, but most of them are playing well over 100 games a year and I think they love it. Pitchers are a different topic!

Point is... If it's fun... do it! Don't try to protect kids from getting better. If it's a health concern... Protect the kids!

And just to be clear… There’s nothing wrong with taking lots of time off. Some kids are very happy only playing a few games a year and that’s perfectly fine! IMO

I think a lot depends of the kid and his make-up. surely, playing games 12 months a year is no good, especially for a pitcher. My son has trained year round for the last 3 years - HS ball, summer/legion/Collegiate league, fall games with his Academy team, then indoor workouts until the HS season starts up. HS season here in PA is 20 games, MAYBE twice that for summer. OH - and he plays varsity football too. When he needs a break in the fall or winter, he stops the baseball for a week or 2 - again - it depends on the kid & his physical and mental make-up.

If you think your guy needs more, find him a fall league or indoor facility with qualified people to work out with. If not, he can do long toss with one of his buddies/parents/sibs a couple times a week on his own to build up. Get the ASMI Pitchers Conditioning Program [ www.asmi.org ] for his to lift and build strength the right way.

Lots of thinsg to do to prepare and better yourself as a player, without actually playing games.