North vs. South

My son plays and trains indoors in southwestern Michigan. Between H.S. and travel ball he plays about 60 games a year. Hard to compete with southern schools that have warm weather on there side.

The increase in indoor facilities helps close the gap but doesn't fully compensate for not being able to play games any time of the year like you can in the South or West.  Certainly, there are top level players from everywhere, just not as many as in the warm weather states.  Youth players who are willing to get all their work in at a training facility for several months without playing games are far fewer than those who can get out and play a lot of games along with their training.  And when you have far fewer top level players, competition is not as good and so overall performance levels are less likely to rise.  Also, game experience is a big point of separation at younger ages.

 

I grew up in the snowbelt and played HS tennis, among other sports.  We trained indoors in the winter more than most - played in those big bubble domes, used ball machines in the gym, hit volleys against folded up bleachers, ran in the HS hallways, etc..  We typically won our league easily and did well in sectionals.  We were all that.  Then, during my senior year, we did a mini tour to Florida.  Schools with 20 man rosters would send their bottom 7 against our starters.  Totally cleaned our clocks.  It was an eye opener, to say the least.

 

That said, there were a few guys from our area that were good athletes and absolutely dedicated to the sport.  They found a way to have successful college careers in spite of the geographical disadvantage.

 

Another related note... I have worked several large tournaments for one of the bigger sanctions at various locations around the country.  There are distinct differences in the quality of play when comparing same age groups.  It is very predictable based on geographic location.  Again, though, there are a few top kids in each area that could play anywhere.

A cold weather kid can train all he wants indoors in the cold weather. But it still doesn't replace reps on a real field outdoors with a real background like warm weather kids. With pitchers 90+ is 90+ regardless of where it's thrown. It's why MLBers who grow up in cold weather are more likely to be pitchers. Plus they probably have less wear and tear on their arms.

 I have heard that said about pitchers and 90+. Hopefully, the same thing can be said about hitting for power. I know indoor practice isn't the same but,it has to help some.   Over all though I would hope that the quality of baseball improves up here. So that the powers that be don't just look at where your from and dismiss you right off the bat. Finding quality competition up here is one of the biggest  problems. There is an added travel expense to find good teams to play. I do envy you guys that live in warmer climates though. 

Great topic.  I'm from northern New England, so I probably have some bias.  We've had some indoor facilities open in our area, and there has also been quite a few summer travel showcase team operations get started in the past few years.  I think they've helped a lot.  That said, I agree there will likely always be a gap between northern and southern or western kids.  The gap has probably closed, but there is still a gap.  

 

I agree with the post that 90 is 90 and that pitchers probably have the best shot of coming out of the cold.  Large frame power hitters or kids with exceptional skills will also find their way to being seen too.  I think more of those types of northern kids are getting found than probably ever before.  It's a good trend, and good for the competitiveness of the game.

Remember, all players have their obstacles.  It comes down to who has talent and who is most determined to overcome their hurdles.  I think it is very important that you don't allow your son to fall back on excuses and realize that he will follow your lead.  If he hears you talking about size, speed, geography, competition level,etc. as reasons (excuses) he is at a disadvantage, he will buy in and follow suit.  If you are consistent with your message to him that obstacles are there to be jumped, he will be far more inclined to jump them.  Hopefully, you are just coming here to flush out your concerns and that's great.

 

Side note -  From a previous thread, I hope you took JH up on his offer to connect you with someone in your area regarding throwing mechanics.  Even if your son does not pitch, addressing throwing mechanics at this stage can be a difference maker.  JH is a very qualified resource to say the least.  

 

I believe your son's current strength is his hitting.  If a coach sees a good hitter with poor throwing mechanics, there will be concerns.  If he sees a good hitter who at least has decent arm action, no concerns.

There were two earthquakes in Orange County recently.  One registered 5.1.  The other registered $144.5 million.  That's Mike Trout's new contract.  A New Jersey kid.  I would expect more kids to strap on the batting gloves and swing it no matter the weather outside after learning this news.  Just really enjoy watching his game.  However, I want to emphasize that a kid's passion for the game should drive them more than the money. 

 

Also, the Stony Brook and Kent St runs in the NCAA Baseball Tourney must have encouraged the baseballers in the north.  That was great fun!

 

No, I am not from, nor do I live in NJ.  I am in Carolina and seeing a lot of wet fields.  But thankful we can play outside for about 8-9 months/year.  It does pay dividends.

 

I see 70's and sunny this week.  Let's play two!!

It's got to be tough up north. 

 

There is another active thread right now "lucky to get 15 games in this year" for northern HS.  Our DFW HS Freshman team has played 18 already (lost 1 to rain). All things being equal, that has to be hard to overcome.

For the most dedicated players I would think the indoor facilaties would help alot.  However it also seems logical to me that only the most dedicated would work as hard being in doors for 5 months.  there are more ice rinks in the south now but very very few high level players are from the south.

Well today was the first time my son and I have gotten to the diamond. It was 55 here and everything was pretty dry. Even had to take off my sweatshirt. He has his first tourney down in Elizabethtown Ky next weekend. You really get a better idea of what's going on outside. The stuff I was telling him was popcorn in the cage is popcorn. At least I don't have to discuss that with him anymore. On the good side I would say he has added 20 feet to his max distance. He got to see some infield flies looked a little rusty in that part of his game.It is refreshing to get a real back drop on things. I don't deny that it makes a big difference. My reason for starting this topic was more on the indoor facilities impact on cold weather baseball. As for the weather being an obstacle/excuse it is what it is. I don't think it is anything he thinks about.He just wishes he could play year round. Now on the powers that be preconceptions of what they are going to get from cold weather baseball players that may be another thing. I am hoping that older kids are more prepared to play a higher level of ball. It will make it easier when he a little older.But, he doesn't think in those terms. It's more like see the ball,hit the ball and run like hell.

hueysdad,

 

Weather is a topic near and dear to my heart and I have to admit you don't realize how good you got it until you have to deal with adverse weather.  I live in VA but grew up in New England.   My son grew up in VA and goes to school in upstate NY.  Most kids want to play baseball in the south or west...not my son....he wants his parents to suffer in those early Spring games!  We played two conference games this Saturday that were barely tolerable.  Sunday, we woke up to 1-2 inches of snow and freezing rain.  Those games have been rescheduled for Tues.  Our opponent has to drive back to Boston to take exams today, and drive back tonight to upstate NY to play conference games tomorrow.   It sucks to be them, and the whole league had games get rescheduled.  Last weekend, our opponent in CT had to change their home field location to Long Island for synthetic grass so we could get the games in.  IMHO nobody should be playing college baseball on grass above the Mason-Dixon line.  I think you'll find a lot of people agreeing with that statement at this point in time.

 

Southern teams have such an advantage because they have opponents come to them in the early Spring / late winter.   They don't have to travel.   Our first 15 games are on the road.  They can practice any time outside.  Our team practices inside, but it just isn't the same especially for outfielders.

 

I'm a true believer that anyone can beat anyone in athletic competition.  In college baseball, it is such an advantage to be playing on your home field, being the home team and not travelling.   Southern teams also get the benefit of northern kids wanting to come south.  The deck is stacked against northern teams for the most part.   One of the most dramatic events I saw was in 2012 when St Johns beat North Carolina @ North Carolina in the NCAA regional on a walk-off homer to advance.  I have witnesses....Prepster was there with me.  You could have heard a pin drop.   Sometimes, lightening strikes for the northern teams. 

I went to our high school field on Saturday and we still have a good amount of snow all around the perimeter of the field and I sunk down about 2 inches into the dirt when I walked out onto the infield. 4 games cancelled so far and Spring Break starts for us Next week. Hopefully we get a few warm days to melt the snow and dry everything up so we can start baseball when we get back.

Here in NW Ohio, our first game starts in 7 1/2 hours......it will be the first time that our kids have been on the baseball field.   Don't think much else needs to be said....lol.  It's easy to see why northern kids are behind the kids from the warmer states.

.....but our hockey and figure skating really sucks down here.

 Who would want to go inside to play a game during nice weather? Hockey could quite possibly be the worst sport ever. From "Hockeytown"

Another consideration in the north, south thing is population of states and priority of sports. Philadelphia is a large metro area but by 13u I would say the youth sports pecking order is basketball, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, then football. In my son's high school soccer and lacrosse drew more fans than baseball.

Sorry for the title of the topic. It was more to draw attention and elicit responses. I was't around and don't know anyone who participated in the civil war. I guess the topic should have been called indoor practice and it's impact on baseball. Not too catchy . Population and demographics would surely play into how many kids move up the ladder in baseball. I skimmed through state populations it was kinda interesting..

Just goes to show that hard work and repetition will make you better.

God didn't specifically say he would have all the talent born in the warm weather states only.

It is an advantage in the HS and college levels.

However I would like to know the breakdown statewide, where major leaguers were born.

Maybe stats can come up with something.

I think you'll see most are from populated states including the north.

Family genetic history is more relevant than where someone is born. My kids were born in Southern Ca. But by the time they were playing sports we had moved away. Where someone lives during the deformative years (as my father jokingly called it) of middle school and high school is more relevant than where someone is born. But in the world of rock, paper, sciccors genetics come first.

 

The growth of indoor facilities helps improvement. But its not the real thing of getting outdoors. Otherwise you would never hear about the disadvantage of college teams that practice indoors, then head south and play teams that have only been outdoors.