Players Only Please

I'm glad you started this topic, because for me there is a huge difference.

High School pracice (for me): Run 4 poles, stretch, run 4 more. Sprints (6).
-Infielders (JV and V) in the field; outfielders in the cage (sometimes a coach observes hitters).
-Outfielders take fly balls, infielders hit now.
-More running: depends on mood and last time we ran
-A general "in and out" session with infield and outfield.

A select practice is tougher to say because 1) there are fewer of them and 2) they aren't the same thing OVER AND OVER... but I'll do my best.

-Warm up: usually running 2 poles, stretching, throwing, maybe a sprint or two.
-Infield/Outfield drills going on at the same time. This can be working on short hops, double plays, relays, catching balls over your shoulder, etc.
-PFP, and this also includes in all infielders. This is a very effective pitcher warm up along with infield. So it's basically an infield session.
-Typically a team workout such as a full in and out. Working on relays, double plays, etc. Important to note that the intensity of the Select workout is much higher and even though we do more than in the High School work out, it takes less time usually.
-Hitting on the field (something we never did in HS). Outfielders get priority when getting fly balls, every1 else either works on ground balls being hit inbetween pitches or simply "shags."

As for coaches, at the HS level all coaches were normally present. There was no distinction between levels, meaning the JV coach works with the V level and freshman level, and visa versa. The select level there are usually your main 1 or 2 coaches orchestrating the entire thing while dads often help out on the smaller things. If you can't tell, I love the select practice, where as I highly dislike the repetitive HS practice.

Bullpens in HS were rarely given time for where as in select if you wanted a bullpen, you get a catcher and show up early or stay late.

DTiger,

I believe the Select practices can be that way because of the High School practices. If the players have been working on baseball and conditioning skills from August-May, these reps aren't still needed in the Summer.

Major league players certainly work harder and differently in Spring Training as compared to the season.

I definately agree, but after a loss I just don't feel that running is the proper way to work on the problems. This is what usually happened. I think select practices are better (for me) because every player truly wants to be there. The coach gives individual, insightful, instruction that gets respect, rather than a HS coach that says "stay ontop" where the select coach would point out the dropping of the shoulder and hands caused by trying to adjust to the speed of the pitch. It's just frustrating for me.

What level of HS team were you on, not to take BP on the field? JV ~ Varsity ~ Fr.

quote:

Originally posted by Dtiger:
I definately agree, but after a loss I just don't feel that running is the proper way to work on the problems. This is what usually happened. .........

Oh, I know some HS BB teams that could probably beat the cross-country team! Not that their running abilities reflect the results on the baseball field!

quote:

What level of HS team were you on, not to take BP on the field? JV ~ Varsity ~ Fr.

SwingDoc,

Dtiger plays varsity for Jesuit. He actually beat the Jackets at Ameriquest this year on the mound!!

I'm still not getting the information I was seeking. At a select practice, how many players are there in ratio to coaches working with them as compared to 30-40-50 players involved in a HS practice? All select coaches don't need to be grouped in a great light or a bad light, nor do High School Coaches. There are good and bad in both buckets. I just wanted to know the makeup and routine of the workout.

Select baseball and practice? Those two don't go together.

Maybe a walk through before the season. But when you play 5 days a week you gotta give the boys some time to play PS II.

Check your mailbox Ken. Thanks

Swingdoc,

Back at ya.

My son's teams in years past have been like Ken's assertions. They practiced a few times before the season, mainly so the boys could learn each other's names.

When the season started, no practice. They'd show up 30 minutes prior to game time and take BP and then get after it.

Summer is much too busy of a season, not to mention the heat, to throw in a bunch of practices.

I would definately agree that during summer practicing is almost impossible. Having said that, my team normally does practice on rare occasion. We will schedule a practice before a game on the weekend or something, and yes it is tiring. The ratio of coaches to players is normally about 2:15. There are normally only 2 coaches max, at the most 3. Dad's and other family members (brothers) play important roles, at least at the younger ages. For example: when we were 13, we had 3-4 brothers at practices, and games, to help us. They would scout, etc.

swingdoc,
i would say the practices are different in this way... high school is usually done in stations. hitting station different fielding stations. and occasionally in and out.
usually we dont practice much for select like kellerdad said. we get to games early and work on things then. if we do have a practice its mainly in and out a few more defensive drills and hit at the plate