PG,
Fall Ball may have been the topic, but FUNGO placed the following as the reason for doing fall ball or not;
"If you start getting into baseball shape about a month prior to the start of spring practice, and considering the increase in Christmas camps and showcases,the only time for downtime seems to be in the fall. Your thoughts?"
As if down time is a givin. For many out there, it is not an option they consider. They are going full bore almost year round. So I took a different road to point out that there are experts out there advocating down time, espically for pitchers.
Also keep in mind that after the end of October until March 1 there are no evaluations by Division I schools---
One needs to think of the entire picture
One needs to think of the entire picture
Well, we run Christmas activities that are well attended. However, There is the month of November for down time.
If someone were to ask what is most important between playing fall ball - Christmas Camps - Showcases... I think I would recommend they play ball in the fall above the others. It's fairly obvious that is what the vast majority of the top players are doing if they are not playing football in the fall. I'll go so far as saying it's the best time of the year to play baseball in most cases because of the weather. Also, I think the pitchers are less likely to be over loaded with pitches in the fall.
There is no clear cut path as to what works the best. I do think people should be careful to not abuse pitchers... Be it in the off season or during the regular season. Down time is important and when that down time occurs can be important. And of course, the load over the entire season should be of most importance when considering down time.
Note: I don't believe in too much down time for hitters!
If someone were to ask what is most important between playing fall ball - Christmas Camps - Showcases... I think I would recommend they play ball in the fall above the others. It's fairly obvious that is what the vast majority of the top players are doing if they are not playing football in the fall. I'll go so far as saying it's the best time of the year to play baseball in most cases because of the weather. Also, I think the pitchers are less likely to be over loaded with pitches in the fall.
There is no clear cut path as to what works the best. I do think people should be careful to not abuse pitchers... Be it in the off season or during the regular season. Down time is important and when that down time occurs can be important. And of course, the load over the entire season should be of most importance when considering down time.
Note: I don't believe in too much down time for hitters!
I guess I need to go back to my earlier post - it really depends upon where you live.
Here fall ball runs through Thanksgiving. While the varsity workouts/tryouts start officially Feb 1, with game around Feb 20, the first unofficial workouts are usually Jan 4th or 5th - first day back from Christmas vacation - not to mention a certain PG showcase in January.
When you put the full calendar together, it is essentially year around baseball - and no real slot for "down time". Looking back at my son's schedule, he has thrown essentially year around for two years now.
He is planning taking part of August and all of September off. October will be a gradual build up prior to taking the mound again in November.
In the down time, he is going to be working out harder than ever before with a trainer who works with pro pitchers in the off season.
Hopefully this explains where I was coming from...
Here fall ball runs through Thanksgiving. While the varsity workouts/tryouts start officially Feb 1, with game around Feb 20, the first unofficial workouts are usually Jan 4th or 5th - first day back from Christmas vacation - not to mention a certain PG showcase in January.
When you put the full calendar together, it is essentially year around baseball - and no real slot for "down time". Looking back at my son's schedule, he has thrown essentially year around for two years now.
He is planning taking part of August and all of September off. October will be a gradual build up prior to taking the mound again in November.
In the down time, he is going to be working out harder than ever before with a trainer who works with pro pitchers in the off season.
Hopefully this explains where I was coming from...