Part-time fall showcase?

larry

You are so right

We do not accept football players on our fall team--all week they are using "football" muscle groups not "baseball muscle" groups and then getbeat up in the weekly game.

Forget about whether or not they help themselves baseball wise by being seen in the condition, what about the possibility of injury?

As I say we do not accept football players

This is a very good discussion. I’m not sure there is a clear cut answer.

I can think of many examples where high school football players were recruited for baseball in part because of fall baseball. Yes, they often play when they’re sore and banged up, but they still play baseball. Most of those who have done this are position players. Pitchers who play football should not pitch in the fall IMO. But some do!

Here are some examples from the fall league we play on weekends in Iowa.

Drew Davidson (This year’s Big 10 Player of the Year) was recruited by Nebraska and many other colleges based mostly on his fall baseball performance. He ended up signing with Illinois. He was an outfielder and defensive back/receiver in football.

Zach Dillon (Baylor’s catcher) played fall baseball and linebacker on the states #1 ranked football team which his father was the head coach of. His father was very much in favor of Zach playing fall baseball.

Jeff Clement (Southern Cal catcher and projected 1st round pick) was a linebacker who never missed a weekend baseball game. Maybe one of the most scouted fall players in Iowa history.

Matt Macri (Notre Dame and now Colorado Rockies) was the star QB of the state championship football team, but played fall baseball for his final two years in high school.

Each year in the big PG/BA WWBA Championship in October there are many football players participating. Even top pitchers like Kyle Drabek. All the football players mentioned above played in that event also.

I think it is obviously much more difficult, but many have done it and been very successful at it. To me it depends a lot on if you are planning to be a football player or baseball player at the next level.

Not arguing for or against here… Just saying it has been done before… by many players.

PG

I truly think it depends on the philosophy of the coach--we just do not believe in it, yet players and coaches do it every year

We just dont take football players on our team in the fall--yes some do it and they do well but others do it and do not do well and I fully agree with you, PG , with regard to pitchers--to me football and pitching together is a HUGE NO NO

Just my feelings on the matter

TR,

I certainly respect your feelings on the subject.

Personally, I have no opinion because every situation is different. If someone wants to play baseball, I’m not sure if it’s right to tell them they can’t. However, it certainly is within your rights to tell them they can’t play on your team. If that makes any sense?

I’m trying hard to recall any adverse affects regarding players who have done this. I’m sure there are some, but I can’t recall any off hand. Must be that positive thinking kicking in again.

I'd be curious to hear some negative results regarding this.

PG...thanks for the many examples of players who successfully accomplished this feat. However, you are talking about exceptional athletes, from the bios you displayed of the various players.

I started this thread to get some good advice for my cousin's boy. He is 16, a rising senior, and will be the starting QB on his football team for a smaller school in Western MD. He is 6'2, 200 lbs. On the diamond, he pitches and plays SS. From what I have seen of him, he has a higher ceiling on the mound. He is 87-88, with a sharp breaking curve, sinking changeup, and developing a nice split finger (used occasionally at this point).

He comes from solid farming stock. Tough kid, level head, solid grades, and strong leadership skills. I could certainly see him playing baseball for one of the local D1's in the area (Towson, MD, UMBC, West Virginia, etc..). I don't know about the football though. Maybe, and it is a big maybe, he could play football (on the defensive side of the ball) at the same level. His heart is with football, but even he thinks he has a better shot of playing college baseball.

If he were a can't miss D1 baseball player, I would strongly encourage him to play fall baseball, when he gets the chance, for many of the reasons you mentioned previously. However, the fact that he may not be 100% when playing really concerns me in that he could hurt himself in the eyes of college coaches watching him play...

larrythompson,

Sounds like that boy is pretty talented. I would be more concerned with real injury rather than getting hurt in the eyes of scouts and college coaches.

Those that scout for a living, don’t need to see a player at 100%. In fact, they hardly ever see a player they could honestly say was at his very best.

While I think it is more important for pitchers to be in good baseball condition or closer to 100%, position players stick out like a sore thumb nearly anytime you see them. Their results may not be as good, but talent stands out and scouts don’t often miss real talent. If the player is really good, the scouts will soon find out he is playing football, too and might be even more inclined to follow him closely.

Yes, we are talking about those with exceptional ability.

Once again, I have no opinion regarding any individual player, just throwing out some things to think about.

The best part of not recommending certain things you’re not sure about, one way or the other, and allowing others to make their own decision, is you will never be giving out bad advice. Of course, you won’t be giving out any good advice either!