As everyone else in HS baseball is finished or is finishing, Iowa's first day of tryouts is today
summer
This is an older article. I believe Iowa is now the "only" state with summer HS baseball(and summer HS softball)
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Hey Coach,
In the article, they elude to a follow up article on how the Iowa HS Summer ball impacts recruiting.
Would you happen to have that link as well?
Have a great season!
In the article, they elude to a follow up article on how the Iowa HS Summer ball impacts recruiting.
Would you happen to have that link as well?
Have a great season!
…Eckstaine also said summer is hectic enough and thinks a season played during the school year would draw more fans. …
When I read that, I almost choked! Does this guy think spring HS ball games draw thousands of fans, other than parents and family? If anything, being able to play until 9 at night without lights is much more conducive to drawing fans, at least IMO.
When I read that, I almost choked! Does this guy think spring HS ball games draw thousands of fans, other than parents and family? If anything, being able to play until 9 at night without lights is much more conducive to drawing fans, at least IMO.
My two cents... Illinois has very similar demographics to Iowa...many small rural communities, same type weather during Spring (tho the southern portion of the state may have some early warmth), etc...etc. How do they manage to pull off Spring baseball without watering down other sports programs in their rural schools?
I understand not doing things that just benefit the top 5%, but when you are the "ONLY" state doing it this way...it's seems more like, "But it's the way we've always done it!" logic.
I understand not doing things that just benefit the top 5%, but when you are the "ONLY" state doing it this way...it's seems more like, "But it's the way we've always done it!" logic.
Because of our major interest being the top 5%, I hate Iowa playing their HS games in the summer. While the best everywhere else are playing against the top competition in the country, the best Iowa kids are playing their HS season against the 95% that are not among the best of competition. From a Pro standpoint, the senior season is fairly meaningless and it can put an Iowa kid a year behind in recruiting too. Also many seniors who don't plan on playing at the next level don't even go out because it's their last summer and they get jobs to raise money for school.
On the other hand, that (the top players) is why we started a wood bat spring (and fall) league back in 1996. It's for the best players in the state. Since that time all but one Iowa HS player drafted has played in those leagues. The only one drafted that did not play in the league was a coaches son who went in the 49th round.
Oddly enough there are some Big 10 coaches lobbying to change the college season. I can only see that as making things worse when trying to recruit a top player. Who wants to play in a league that separates thenselves from national competition. And what about the summer leagues, how attractive would Big 10 players be when they can't even start the summer season on time?
The only benefit is the weather. Just about everything else is a negative.
On the other hand, that (the top players) is why we started a wood bat spring (and fall) league back in 1996. It's for the best players in the state. Since that time all but one Iowa HS player drafted has played in those leagues. The only one drafted that did not play in the league was a coaches son who went in the 49th round.
Oddly enough there are some Big 10 coaches lobbying to change the college season. I can only see that as making things worse when trying to recruit a top player. Who wants to play in a league that separates thenselves from national competition. And what about the summer leagues, how attractive would Big 10 players be when they can't even start the summer season on time?
The only benefit is the weather. Just about everything else is a negative.
Thanks PG for jumping in there. I agree 100%.
Stats4Gnats you are correct also.
Bleacher Dad I am still looking for it. Thanks for you input. There really is no logic to it anymore.
PG- Maybe if it's possible and get some input from Bruce Kim(of PG) who played at Norway and was eventually drafted by the Tigers. "Hey Bruce, played with you in the 70's"
In very quietly discussing this with other coaches at the IOWA HS Coaches Association Clinic, it is a taboo subject and not many HS coaches that I saw were willing to make it into enough of an issue to do battle with the powers that be.
It's pretty sad.
Stats4Gnats you are correct also.
Bleacher Dad I am still looking for it. Thanks for you input. There really is no logic to it anymore.
PG- Maybe if it's possible and get some input from Bruce Kim(of PG) who played at Norway and was eventually drafted by the Tigers. "Hey Bruce, played with you in the 70's"
In very quietly discussing this with other coaches at the IOWA HS Coaches Association Clinic, it is a taboo subject and not many HS coaches that I saw were willing to make it into enough of an issue to do battle with the powers that be.
It's pretty sad.
legendscoach,
A few years back, Bruce attended a meeting set up to vote on changing to spring baseball. It was left up to the coaches to vote for or against the change. Bruce gave the group many reasons for changing to spring. The coaches voted against any change by a large margin.
The summer season is more attractive to the majority of coaches. It provides extra income for many who coach more than one sport. It's unfortunate that they voted for what was best for them (the coaches) rather than what was best for the players and baseball.
I have never bought in to the idea that high school sports don't exist for the most talented kids. I understand the idea of providing extra curricular activities for all students. If that is the goal, why do they cut players? Does the musical department exist for the kids who can't sing or lack musical ability? There isn't anything equal, the best players are the ones you typically see on the field. What is so wrong with helping young kids that show the talent to reach the next level at baseball, music, other sports, math, debate, etc.? If school administrators want to keep claiming they don't cater to the most talented players... They need to have a no cut policy. Otherwise it doesn't make any sense to claim the top 5% doesn't matter if they are taking the opportunity away from the bottom 5% or more. Isn't the whole idea of education about preparing young people for the future? Well, for some that future includes baseball!
A few years back, Bruce attended a meeting set up to vote on changing to spring baseball. It was left up to the coaches to vote for or against the change. Bruce gave the group many reasons for changing to spring. The coaches voted against any change by a large margin.
The summer season is more attractive to the majority of coaches. It provides extra income for many who coach more than one sport. It's unfortunate that they voted for what was best for them (the coaches) rather than what was best for the players and baseball.
I have never bought in to the idea that high school sports don't exist for the most talented kids. I understand the idea of providing extra curricular activities for all students. If that is the goal, why do they cut players? Does the musical department exist for the kids who can't sing or lack musical ability? There isn't anything equal, the best players are the ones you typically see on the field. What is so wrong with helping young kids that show the talent to reach the next level at baseball, music, other sports, math, debate, etc.? If school administrators want to keep claiming they don't cater to the most talented players... They need to have a no cut policy. Otherwise it doesn't make any sense to claim the top 5% doesn't matter if they are taking the opportunity away from the bottom 5% or more. Isn't the whole idea of education about preparing young people for the future? Well, for some that future includes baseball!
Thanks PG really appreciate your straight shootin.