My son's HS coaches make no bones about it. Play for them only! They coach the American Legion teams after the HS Season is over (summer & fall). Players are expected to play for the HS and the Legion team and are told if they play on any other teams, it "may"/will effect how they are looked at the following spring.
These coaches also chastise and single out players who take lessons from outside sources.
The fact that they are a sub .500 every year is no surprise.
I know this is far from the norm and maybe a bit off subject, but dual sport athletes actually have some advantages regarding the baseball draft.
Also there are several football/baseball players who play both in college. The Cubs have a pitcher who was an all american receiver at Notre Dame. It's not just at the highest levels, there are many high school football/baseball players. Arm injuries most often occur in the baseball pitcher. TJ surgery is not so common in QBs as it is in pitchers. We all know that other injuries are more common in football, but lots of kids play football knowing that. So long as kids enjoy football and football remains an option, how can anyone tell a kid not to play? Maybe the advantages of playing will outweigh the risks in the end for that kid. How could anyone know for sure?
Also there are several football/baseball players who play both in college. The Cubs have a pitcher who was an all american receiver at Notre Dame. It's not just at the highest levels, there are many high school football/baseball players. Arm injuries most often occur in the baseball pitcher. TJ surgery is not so common in QBs as it is in pitchers. We all know that other injuries are more common in football, but lots of kids play football knowing that. So long as kids enjoy football and football remains an option, how can anyone tell a kid not to play? Maybe the advantages of playing will outweigh the risks in the end for that kid. How could anyone know for sure?
Right on PG! 
If your a good coach you will allow your player to help his stock out and play with a travel team, in the off season. If your a good player and good parents you will communicate this with the team. The problem that a lot of coaches run into is that they are depending on a player to be somewhere and the the day before the coach hears, "Coach I am playing in San Diego this weekend with my travel ball team." This is what makes us upset. If that same player had said something 3 weeks ago, nobody would care. The problem is that the player does not communicate with us and lies to the travel ball coach, "He won't let me play." Now we are pitted against each other when instead we should both be confronting the player.
quote:HS is different. If you don't like the coaches rules or "recommendations", there is nowhere else to go. That is not right.
I understand this comment completely. But is it really "not right?"
Should we be teaching our kids that if they don't like something the only (or 'right') decision is to go somewhere else? I don't know?
I had a football coach once when I was a bit younger
who I did not like at all. He screamed and yelled at me for the littlest things. Actually, to be honest...he brought tears to my eyes at least once he was so cruel. It was the only time my father, who watched this man, told me that if I really wanted too I could quit...but that he thought it might not be too bad an idea if I stuck it out either. Wise man! 
I did stick it out...and I still can't stand that coach. If I saw him today in the grocery store he would raise my blood pressure. But he sure taught me how NOT to behave as a coach. Yes, I think that a$$ hole made me a better coach. I also felt I learned that I could endure an awful lot. And I think that from the "endurance test" he made me go through...that years later when I felt miserable at work for a few weeks here and there...I stuck it out. And THAT has paid GREAT dividends because I've had a wonderful career and the "stick-it-out" periods were worth the end results.
I know, I know...its not all so simple and wonderful as this. There is no doubt there are nutcases running HS and all other kinds of teams. My own kids have endured a few. But sometimes I think there is much to learn from enduring difficulty and hardship.
Just a thought, nothing more.
justbaseball, I think you took my point a little out of context. My whole statement was:
I was really only addressing the issue of a coach not allowing the players to play anywhere other than their summer/fall team or other sports.
I would agree whole heartedly that just because you don't like your HS coach, it's no reason to quit. You must stick that out. Like I said, I was referring to coaches controlling what you do outside the HS season.
quote:HS is different. If you don't like the coaches rules or "recommendations", there is nowhere else to go. That is not right. HS coach has a lot more influence on the kids decisions because there are no other choices. My opinion is the HS coach could let the kids know what he would like them to do (in regards to other sports or where they play summer and fall), but ultimately it is up to the player.
I was really only addressing the issue of a coach not allowing the players to play anywhere other than their summer/fall team or other sports.
I would agree whole heartedly that just because you don't like your HS coach, it's no reason to quit. You must stick that out. Like I said, I was referring to coaches controlling what you do outside the HS season.
Again maybe a bit off topic, but maybe not.
Please don’t take this as though I know it all. In fact, I’ve gone on record as saying I have proven to be far from the perfect parent. I just know that when people post certain things it can come out like they know-it-all even if they don’t mean it that way.
There were a few things I did as a parent that I believe helped in many circumstances. Having three boys who played athletics they all got the same exact message. That message in how they were to conduct themselves was made very clear and simple “THE COACH IS ALWAYS RIGHT!”
Obviously, at times the coach was not right, but it is my belief that this sends a message that the parent is not going to listen to every little complaint. It also tells the kid that you the parent are not going to complain. This to me is the best way to succeed and the attitude it takes.
If the coach wasn’t right, we would deal with that problem in other ways. If it’s something unreasonable, come to me and ask what I think. They had a good idea of what I would think is unreasonable so I didn’t hear much in that regard.
It had more to do with their attitude than anything else. And yes, we ran across some coaches that required a little thinking on our part about how to stay on the right path without causing problems with the coach, but we always figured out how to do it.
I have met other people and players who seem to go by a different rule… I think they go by… “THE COACH IS ALWAYS WRONG!” That never works very well.
Please don’t take this as though I know it all. In fact, I’ve gone on record as saying I have proven to be far from the perfect parent. I just know that when people post certain things it can come out like they know-it-all even if they don’t mean it that way.
There were a few things I did as a parent that I believe helped in many circumstances. Having three boys who played athletics they all got the same exact message. That message in how they were to conduct themselves was made very clear and simple “THE COACH IS ALWAYS RIGHT!”
Obviously, at times the coach was not right, but it is my belief that this sends a message that the parent is not going to listen to every little complaint. It also tells the kid that you the parent are not going to complain. This to me is the best way to succeed and the attitude it takes.
If the coach wasn’t right, we would deal with that problem in other ways. If it’s something unreasonable, come to me and ask what I think. They had a good idea of what I would think is unreasonable so I didn’t hear much in that regard.
It had more to do with their attitude than anything else. And yes, we ran across some coaches that required a little thinking on our part about how to stay on the right path without causing problems with the coach, but we always figured out how to do it.
I have met other people and players who seem to go by a different rule… I think they go by… “THE COACH IS ALWAYS WRONG!” That never works very well.
PG, once again... 
PGStaff,
That is a very, very good post.
I have read it several times and I believe you have captured so much about sports, competition, encountering adversity and being successful...as a player, athlete, teammate and person.
That is a very, very good post.
I have read it several times and I believe you have captured so much about sports, competition, encountering adversity and being successful...as a player, athlete, teammate and person.
PG - the thing I admire about your writing style is the humility. By conceding you don't have all the answers, it adds credibility to your arguments imho... As usual, I agree with justbb and infielddad...
I just wanted to share with you an email that I received from a parent. This player is not playing in our Spring League. But has issues on how the their high school coach is handling things at their school.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mr Spiers,
I wanted to share with you another great reason your spring league needs to succeed. Our high school players have been instructed that they are no longer allowed to have ANY outside coaching lessons.
This included hitting, pitching and any personal training. My concern is how can players be expected to get better with a roster of 26 players on the varsity team and only a few swings of the bat at practice.
Players get better by working hard, and this include spending extra time with one on one training. As a parent we realize that following the rules is very important but we also understand that if your son is not better than the competition he will not earn the spot.
I wish you much success this spring season,
****** ******X
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mr Spiers,
I wanted to share with you another great reason your spring league needs to succeed. Our high school players have been instructed that they are no longer allowed to have ANY outside coaching lessons.
This included hitting, pitching and any personal training. My concern is how can players be expected to get better with a roster of 26 players on the varsity team and only a few swings of the bat at practice.
Players get better by working hard, and this include spending extra time with one on one training. As a parent we realize that following the rules is very important but we also understand that if your son is not better than the competition he will not earn the spot.
I wish you much success this spring season,
****** ******X
PG, I also agree with you. A parent should always support the coach and the program. This thread, and my post were dealing with what happens outside the baseball season.
I don't mean to sound defensive, but I will always support the coaches decisions. My response to my son when he is not happy about play time, position, or spot in the order has always been - "you need to work harder and earn the spot".
Once again, I was referring to decisions the coach makes when the season is over. I'll further clarify that my responses are theoretical. My son's HS coach is not one to dictate outside of the HS season. He knows my son gets lessons and he knows he plays on an independent summer team and is very supportive.
What would happen to PG if the coaches of ALL the best prospects in the country banned their players from attending showcase events for whatever reason. I do not think that would be a good thing. Yet, from some posters responses, that is what is happening with some kids.
I don't mean to sound defensive, but I will always support the coaches decisions. My response to my son when he is not happy about play time, position, or spot in the order has always been - "you need to work harder and earn the spot".
Once again, I was referring to decisions the coach makes when the season is over. I'll further clarify that my responses are theoretical. My son's HS coach is not one to dictate outside of the HS season. He knows my son gets lessons and he knows he plays on an independent summer team and is very supportive.
What would happen to PG if the coaches of ALL the best prospects in the country banned their players from attending showcase events for whatever reason. I do not think that would be a good thing. Yet, from some posters responses, that is what is happening with some kids.
quote:Originally posted by ABD Bulldogs:
I just wanted to share with you an email that I received from a parent. This player is not playing in our Spring League. But has issues on how the their high school coach is handling things at their school.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mr Spiers,
I wanted to share with you another great reason your spring league needs to succeed. Our high school players have been instructed that they are no longer allowed to have ANY outside coaching lessons.
This included hitting, pitching and any personal training. My concern is how can players be expected to get better with a roster of 26 players on the varsity team and only a few swings of the bat at practice.
Players get better by working hard, and this include spending extra time with one on one training. As a parent we realize that following the rules is very important but we also understand that if your son is not better than the competition he will not earn the spot.
I wish you much success this spring season,
****** ******X
Mr. Spiers,
What happened to players getting together to work on their own, before practice, after practice, on Saturdays/Sundays? If a player does not feel his is getting enough BP in practice, why isn't the player in the cages before/after practice and on weekends? Why isn't he hitting off a tee before and after practice and on weekends?
Why aren't two players getting together doing soft toss?
Why do you post a letter from a parent like this which suggests what they "can't do" when it is clear you could respond and show them many things they and their son can do?
I would venture to say that our son, and many of those who play Milb, had the success he did because of all the extra work he did when they were not at practice... and we never hired him professional coaches.
FWIW… A few more dangerous thoughts.
The High School Basketball coach at the school our kids went to was well known as a one sport guy. He demanded that his players participate in summer AAU Leagues and practice year round. We had one son who actually did this and played basketball only. The other two still went out for basketball, but never had a chance to play much. Both had enough talent to play, but they played baseball all summer. I’m sure they would have been better basketball players had they concentrated on that sport.
I thought the basketball coach was wrong, but he was very successful. In the end, what he did, didn’t matter. One son played basketball on a state championship team. One son played professional baseball. The other son also played professional baseball and made it to the Big Leagues. The decisions the coaches made didn’t change the course, near as we can tell.
There already are high school coaches that tell their kids not to do certain things. I can somewhat understand why a high school coach might not want his players getting outside instruction during the high school season. We have to remember… There are good and bad instructors, too. The whole instruction thing is another topic all together IMO.
I will say this… Good or bad coaches are not defined by how much freedom they allow. Many have said here… Communication is the key! That might be true, but it depends on the type of communication. Sometimes… Silence is Golden! Everyone should know that to be true from past experience.
We all know there are some bad apples out there. The question is… Should we fight with the bad apples, accept the bad apples, or try to fix the bad apples? IMO When there is a problem the first step should be to use a little diplomacy. When diplomacy doesn’t work, you usually have a problem! That is all I got… Step two is the tough one to figure out.
The worst part of all these type discussions is that sometimes the good and the bad can get confusing. One person can read something and think it’s bad while someone else might think it is good. This then carries on further than the original topic and some base their opinion of the coach on something more personal rather than the facts. We hardly ever see posts that state the coach was absolutely right and we were wrong. Or our son screwed up so the coach had no choice but to cut him. Surely that has happened along the way somewhere.
Anyway… IMO the same as many others here. There’s nothing wrong and everything right about a coach who wants to know what his players are doing… even in the off season. I would be disappointed in a coach that didn’t care. There are too many who don’t!
That said, do coaches “own” all of the players “time”? Maybe it’s OK to go cliff diving, or jumping a motorcycle over 20 cars, but you are not allowed to go to a showcase or play on a travel team because that is bad. I believe there is something wrong with any coach who would disallow any of his players the opportunity to advance and/or improve on his own time. After all, that “should be” the #1 goal of every coach in every sport or every teacher in every classroom! It’s all about the kid… Right? Unfortunately, not in every case!
BTW, all the above includes all coaches of young players, not just high school coaches. There are travel coaches who also disallow their players opportunities at times. And yes there are parents and players who will strand their team in a heartbeat to get a better opportunity. There’s plenty of selfishness and blame to go around on all fronts.
Working together… What a unique idea!
The High School Basketball coach at the school our kids went to was well known as a one sport guy. He demanded that his players participate in summer AAU Leagues and practice year round. We had one son who actually did this and played basketball only. The other two still went out for basketball, but never had a chance to play much. Both had enough talent to play, but they played baseball all summer. I’m sure they would have been better basketball players had they concentrated on that sport.
I thought the basketball coach was wrong, but he was very successful. In the end, what he did, didn’t matter. One son played basketball on a state championship team. One son played professional baseball. The other son also played professional baseball and made it to the Big Leagues. The decisions the coaches made didn’t change the course, near as we can tell.
There already are high school coaches that tell their kids not to do certain things. I can somewhat understand why a high school coach might not want his players getting outside instruction during the high school season. We have to remember… There are good and bad instructors, too. The whole instruction thing is another topic all together IMO.
I will say this… Good or bad coaches are not defined by how much freedom they allow. Many have said here… Communication is the key! That might be true, but it depends on the type of communication. Sometimes… Silence is Golden! Everyone should know that to be true from past experience.
We all know there are some bad apples out there. The question is… Should we fight with the bad apples, accept the bad apples, or try to fix the bad apples? IMO When there is a problem the first step should be to use a little diplomacy. When diplomacy doesn’t work, you usually have a problem! That is all I got… Step two is the tough one to figure out.
The worst part of all these type discussions is that sometimes the good and the bad can get confusing. One person can read something and think it’s bad while someone else might think it is good. This then carries on further than the original topic and some base their opinion of the coach on something more personal rather than the facts. We hardly ever see posts that state the coach was absolutely right and we were wrong. Or our son screwed up so the coach had no choice but to cut him. Surely that has happened along the way somewhere.
Anyway… IMO the same as many others here. There’s nothing wrong and everything right about a coach who wants to know what his players are doing… even in the off season. I would be disappointed in a coach that didn’t care. There are too many who don’t!
That said, do coaches “own” all of the players “time”? Maybe it’s OK to go cliff diving, or jumping a motorcycle over 20 cars, but you are not allowed to go to a showcase or play on a travel team because that is bad. I believe there is something wrong with any coach who would disallow any of his players the opportunity to advance and/or improve on his own time. After all, that “should be” the #1 goal of every coach in every sport or every teacher in every classroom! It’s all about the kid… Right? Unfortunately, not in every case!
BTW, all the above includes all coaches of young players, not just high school coaches. There are travel coaches who also disallow their players opportunities at times. And yes there are parents and players who will strand their team in a heartbeat to get a better opportunity. There’s plenty of selfishness and blame to go around on all fronts.
Working together… What a unique idea!
Another very, very good post PG! 
Our older son had a coach during his sophomore year in HS that got very angry at me when he took a pitching lesson from his longtime pitching coach...during the season. The reason he got mad was because, while I didn't think my son would pitch on that Saturday in a game, he was in fact called in to do just that...with a slightly tired arm from the lesson. He only lasted about 50 pitches.
While I didn't like the coach getting angry at me (actually he pretty much yelled at me)...the coach was right...at least in principal. I didn't communicate, nor did I ask my son to communicate. And I left the coach without an important pitcher on Saturday.
This is the kind of story that could get turned into..."My son's coach is a jerk because he won't let him 'develop' under a professional pitching coach!" That characterization would be wrong. But if I told you that in a letter how would you know the difference? I am your friend...maybe I pay for my son to take lessons from you or be on your team...whose side will you take?
So I agree 100% with PGStaff when he says:
Have you ever heard a parent (or player) say anything close to that? Rarely. I still have a hard time admitting the coach was right in the situation above...6 years later! But he was.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that a letter from a parent saying their son's HS coach won't allow this-or-that without context just isn't that valuable to persuading me one way or another. Parents misunderstand, misrepresent, mischaracterize the basis of a coach's decisions...and sometimes they're right in their characterization too. I just cannot tell from this or that letter or story.
And then I know that both HS and travel coaches are faced with the following..."My son cannot hit/pitch/field the way you are teaching him...his professional instructor says that is all wrong!" Again, they could be "right" in that declaration...but they are more often misinterpreting someone's message (i.e. the parent isn't skilled enough in baseball knowledge to understand the nuances) and the result is frustration all around.
Again, YES! There are bad HS coaches. But I also see more and more bad travel/summer coaches than ever before in our area. Its the Wild West out here...I'm just very happy that in our younger son's case we have terrific coaches on both sides of that fence.
quote:There already are high school coaches that tell their kids not to do certain things. I can somewhat understand why a high school coach might not want his players getting outside instruction during the high school season. We have to remember… There are good and bad instructors, too. The whole instruction thing is another topic all together IMO.
Our older son had a coach during his sophomore year in HS that got very angry at me when he took a pitching lesson from his longtime pitching coach...during the season. The reason he got mad was because, while I didn't think my son would pitch on that Saturday in a game, he was in fact called in to do just that...with a slightly tired arm from the lesson. He only lasted about 50 pitches.
While I didn't like the coach getting angry at me (actually he pretty much yelled at me)...the coach was right...at least in principal. I didn't communicate, nor did I ask my son to communicate. And I left the coach without an important pitcher on Saturday.
This is the kind of story that could get turned into..."My son's coach is a jerk because he won't let him 'develop' under a professional pitching coach!" That characterization would be wrong. But if I told you that in a letter how would you know the difference? I am your friend...maybe I pay for my son to take lessons from you or be on your team...whose side will you take?
So I agree 100% with PGStaff when he says:
quote:We hardly ever see posts that state the coach was absolutely right and we were wrong. Or our son screwed up so the coach had no choice but to cut him. Surely that has happened along the way somewhere.
Have you ever heard a parent (or player) say anything close to that? Rarely. I still have a hard time admitting the coach was right in the situation above...6 years later! But he was.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that a letter from a parent saying their son's HS coach won't allow this-or-that without context just isn't that valuable to persuading me one way or another. Parents misunderstand, misrepresent, mischaracterize the basis of a coach's decisions...and sometimes they're right in their characterization too. I just cannot tell from this or that letter or story.
And then I know that both HS and travel coaches are faced with the following..."My son cannot hit/pitch/field the way you are teaching him...his professional instructor says that is all wrong!" Again, they could be "right" in that declaration...but they are more often misinterpreting someone's message (i.e. the parent isn't skilled enough in baseball knowledge to understand the nuances) and the result is frustration all around.
Again, YES! There are bad HS coaches. But I also see more and more bad travel/summer coaches than ever before in our area. Its the Wild West out here...I'm just very happy that in our younger son's case we have terrific coaches on both sides of that fence.
This winter my son has been practicing each Sunday with the team that he will play for this summer. Now that the official HS season practices have started, my son's HS coach told him to stop working with the other team.
He didn't give a reason. I suppose it has something to do with the same reason why JBB son's coach was angry - and also the slight risk of injury.
I was thinking of having son ask the reason, but what is the point? It is his team. He sets the rules. My son's job it to do what he is told.
It reminds me of my very favorite scene out of Forrest Gump, one of my favorite movies ever. Gump is in basic training. The platoon is all lined up in the barracks, for inspection. Drill Sargent gets in Gump's face, screams:
GUMP! WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE, GUMP?
"TO DO WHATEVER YOU TELL ME TO DO. SIR!"
"GODD*MN-IT GUMP YOU ARE A F***ING GENIUS!"
That's kind of what I think a purpose in life on a baseball team is.
He didn't give a reason. I suppose it has something to do with the same reason why JBB son's coach was angry - and also the slight risk of injury.
I was thinking of having son ask the reason, but what is the point? It is his team. He sets the rules. My son's job it to do what he is told.
It reminds me of my very favorite scene out of Forrest Gump, one of my favorite movies ever. Gump is in basic training. The platoon is all lined up in the barracks, for inspection. Drill Sargent gets in Gump's face, screams:
GUMP! WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE, GUMP?
"TO DO WHATEVER YOU TELL ME TO DO. SIR!"
"GODD*MN-IT GUMP YOU ARE A F***ING GENIUS!"
That's kind of what I think a purpose in life on a baseball team is.
In CT the players cannot workout or play outside of school once the practices begin
Rob & TR, I am in agreement with that 100%. During the HS season, the coach owns the players. I have always thought it a bad idea to get pitching lessons during the season. Always tough to fit it in with trying to get enough days rest. My son's summer team did workouts 2 days a week for one month prior to tryouts. They will do nothing until the HS season ends.
In PA they can't compete in another program without authorization. The Team USA athletes in our high school got written permission. When my daughter was in high school, her travel softball team played a lot of Sunday "scrimmages" against other travel teams. Scrimmages are not considered competition. My son's high school baseball coach bans all outside athletic activity unless it's practicing baseball.quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
In CT the players cannot workout or play outside of school once the practices begin
My son is tempting the gods. Tryouts are Monday. He's getting in his last snowboarding of the season Friday night. When I talked with him about it, I had it thrown in my face I skied during the baseball season. Never tell your kids about your past.
quote:both sides of that fence.
That would be the side I'm on! When it comes to this topic.
Everyone looking to control players year around.
HS coaches now face pressure from parents seeing a "better player" leaving in the summer to play for travel teams. The other parents see this top level player leaving and they want the same "opportunity"
HS Coach then has to decide. Give my summer up or put in place a coaching staff and develop a "entire program" for the summer. Some Coaches did not sign up for this 12 month commitment, some are excited about this. Some encourage players to leave with other teams and some draw a line in the sand or worse.
On the other hand many players involved in hs programs that "pseudo" force or "quasi" black mail their players to stay involved with the hs summer program to do what is best for hs program.
Now you have "summer HS teams" who are playing in summer tournaments that used to be only the top level select teams.
Summer teams bullying hs teams by promising "better opportunity" They are out to build their name on players hs programs nuture. Summer teams also building a reputation on playing in select tournaments. Tournaments that now allow any team willing to pay the $1000's of dollars in entry fees.
Now HS Summer programs can enter the same tournaments the "select teams" are entered. Fostering a enviroment of distrust and conflict. This creates a interesting atmosphere between HS summer programs and travel teams. Not a good enviroment where each claim a stake.
All are to blame with most tournaments hosting 20 teams (5 top teams and 15 hs or hs equivalent teams)
Marietta summer tournaments goes from 80 teams to 160+ teams in just a few years. Everyone after the $.
Everyone is going after what they want. HS Coaches/ Summer Coaches/ Tournament organizers / Parents. Well you got what you want.
What a mess it has become. Isn't anarchy great?
Just a old dog making noise, but give me the good old days of 6 -top level teams playing each other.
HS coaches now face pressure from parents seeing a "better player" leaving in the summer to play for travel teams. The other parents see this top level player leaving and they want the same "opportunity"
HS Coach then has to decide. Give my summer up or put in place a coaching staff and develop a "entire program" for the summer. Some Coaches did not sign up for this 12 month commitment, some are excited about this. Some encourage players to leave with other teams and some draw a line in the sand or worse.
On the other hand many players involved in hs programs that "pseudo" force or "quasi" black mail their players to stay involved with the hs summer program to do what is best for hs program.
Now you have "summer HS teams" who are playing in summer tournaments that used to be only the top level select teams.
Summer teams bullying hs teams by promising "better opportunity" They are out to build their name on players hs programs nuture. Summer teams also building a reputation on playing in select tournaments. Tournaments that now allow any team willing to pay the $1000's of dollars in entry fees.
Now HS Summer programs can enter the same tournaments the "select teams" are entered. Fostering a enviroment of distrust and conflict. This creates a interesting atmosphere between HS summer programs and travel teams. Not a good enviroment where each claim a stake.
All are to blame with most tournaments hosting 20 teams (5 top teams and 15 hs or hs equivalent teams)
Marietta summer tournaments goes from 80 teams to 160+ teams in just a few years. Everyone after the $.
Everyone is going after what they want. HS Coaches/ Summer Coaches/ Tournament organizers / Parents. Well you got what you want.
What a mess it has become. Isn't anarchy great?
Just a old dog making noise, but give me the good old days of 6 -top level teams playing each other.