How come spring training is only five weeks? Don't give me they train all offseason. There was a day when players had jobs in the offseason. They had very little time to train until spring training. Players don't forget how to hit and pitch in the offseason. They just need their timing back.quote:but being in top level hitting shape takes months of work. I would argue that to be an elite hitter you never stop hitting. Top level pitching takes months of work, and to be an elite pitcher means you must always be throwing.
One other thing for people to consider...
Why are the top baseball states per capita e.g., Florida, Texas, California, Georgia, etc. also the warmest weather states? Because the best baseball gene pools are only located in those states? I think not.
There was a thread awhile back about the differences in the number of games played. Warmer weather states (as posted here on the hsbbweb) often had dozens and dozens more games played each year than their Northern counterparts (sometimes twice as many per year). Over the course of a pre-high school and high school career, that might account for thousands of at bats before players even competed at the collegiate level. bbscout also commented on this statistic (he estimated three to four thousand at bats). I think kids who want to play multiple sports should indeed do that because it is fun. I agree with Coach May that there is another side to it however that also should be considered.
Why are the top baseball states per capita e.g., Florida, Texas, California, Georgia, etc. also the warmest weather states? Because the best baseball gene pools are only located in those states? I think not.
There was a thread awhile back about the differences in the number of games played. Warmer weather states (as posted here on the hsbbweb) often had dozens and dozens more games played each year than their Northern counterparts (sometimes twice as many per year). Over the course of a pre-high school and high school career, that might account for thousands of at bats before players even competed at the collegiate level. bbscout also commented on this statistic (he estimated three to four thousand at bats). I think kids who want to play multiple sports should indeed do that because it is fun. I agree with Coach May that there is another side to it however that also should be considered.
You're excluding every other sport. Don't stray from the original comment I responded. However, the reality is if you place any athlete who excels in any sport on an unfamilar field he's going to fail badly until he learns the sport.quote:Originally posted by kbat2012:quote:Originally posted by RJM:
I'm not sure what s****r has to do with the conversation. The person compared baseball players to all other athletes. I'll stick with rotflmao.
I am just stating the Fact, I played college S0CCER, nothing more. ROTFLMAO!
Well playing three sports and two sports in high school sure didn't stop the Brewers from drafting a kid I know in the 1st round this year. This kid played football and basketball his freshman and sophomore year I believe and then quit basketball and played football after that. Hurt his knee in a football game his senior year. He still attracted 25-30 pro scouts EVERY time he pitched as a senior. He was taken 32nd overall.
What, had he not played basketball and football in high school would he have been drafted 20th? Maybe higher? I doubt it. I'd be real curious to see how much harder you all think he could possibly thrown if he "dedicated" himself to baseball only. He's already hitting 96 pretty consistently.
What, had he not played basketball and football in high school would he have been drafted 20th? Maybe higher? I doubt it. I'd be real curious to see how much harder you all think he could possibly thrown if he "dedicated" himself to baseball only. He's already hitting 96 pretty consistently.
There's also a sports demographic aspect of it based on the popularity of the sport. In our area (southeastern PA) football, basketball, hockey, lacrosse, s****r and track are all more popular than baseball. When a kid is little he's likely to gravitate to a more popular sport unless he's steered elsewhere by his parents. I'll bet if my son was making the choice alone when he was six or seven years old he'd be playing lacrosse. Running around and hitting people with a stick would have had far more appeal than baseball.quote:Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
One other thing for people to consider...
Why are the top baseball states per capita e.g., Florida, Texas, California, Georgia, etc. also the warmest weather states? Because the best baseball gene pools are only located in those states? I think not.
There was a thread awhile back about the differences in the number of games played. Warmer weather states (as posted here on the hsbbweb) often had dozens and dozens more games played each year than their Northern counterparts (sometimes twice as many per year). Over the course of a pre-high school and high school career, that might account for thousands of at bats before players even competed at the collegiate level. bbscout also commented on this statistic (he estimated three to four thousand at bats). I think kids who want to play multiple sports should indeed do that because it is fun. I agree with Coach May that there is another side to it however that also should be considered.
quote:Originally posted by Bulldog 19:
Well playing three sports and two sports in high school sure didn't stop the Brewers from drafting a kid I know in the 1st round this year. This kid played football and basketball his freshman and sophomore year I believe and then quit basketball and played football after that. Hurt his knee in a football game his senior year. He still attracted 25-30 pro scouts EVERY time he pitched as a senior. He was taken 32nd overall.
What, had he not played basketball and football in high school would he have been drafted 20th? Maybe higher? I doubt it. I'd be real curious to see how much harder you all think he could possibly thrown if he "dedicated" himself to baseball only. He's already hitting 96 pretty consistently.
The exception does not prove the rule. Jason Neighborgal could throw 100 mph and his career was over in a heartbeat. No I don't think concentrating on baseball would have improved that kid's velocity or his draft position. For others that may not be the case. The only thing I am arguing in this thread is that the opposite corallary is not true. If those 20-30 scouts did not like that kid's baseball skills, his prowess on the football or basketball court would not have mattered. I am not arguing that playing multiple sports is bad or should not be considered. I am arguing (in general, not the exception) the more you practice baseball the better you get.
quote:Originally posted by RJM:There's also a sports demographic aspect of it based on the popularity of the sport. In our area (southeastern PA) football, basketball, hockey, lacrosse, s****r and track are all more popular than baseball. When a kid is little he's likely to gravitate to a more popular sport unless he's steered elsewhere by his parents. I'll bet if my son was making the choice alone when he was six or seven years old he'd be playing lacrosse. Running around and hitting people with a stick would have had far more appeal than baseball.quote:Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
One other thing for people to consider...
Why are the top baseball states per capita e.g., Florida, Texas, California, Georgia, etc. also the warmest weather states? Because the best baseball gene pools are only located in those states? I think not.
There was a thread awhile back about the differences in the number of games played. Warmer weather states (as posted here on the hsbbweb) often had dozens and dozens more games played each year than their Northern counterparts (sometimes twice as many per year). Over the course of a pre-high school and high school career, that might account for thousands of at bats before players even competed at the collegiate level. bbscout also commented on this statistic (he estimated three to four thousand at bats). I think kids who want to play multiple sports should indeed do that because it is fun. I agree with Coach May that there is another side to it however that also should be considered.
Good point but it proves my point 100%. Why does Minnesota produce more college hockey players per capita than California? Could it be that more kids are up there in the Northwoods practicing and perfecting their skills?
quote:As I posted earlier I am all for multiple sports, but make no mistake about it, it DOES come with a penalty.
Im my opinion there is no question that this is true. My son plays football, so that meant there was no way to get any baseball exposure in the fall. No showcases or camps, and of course no fall ball at all. Plus there is clearly an opportunity cost in his baseball development for the time he is playing other sports.
Pretending otherwise, I think, is denying reality. Also I wouldn't pretend that the conditioning or skills he develops playing football totally offset the opportunity cost of not playing baseball. There is some offset, to be sure. Some football skills make him a better baseball player. But the offset is not a net gain.
That said, he made the choice to continue to play football because he likes it so much. He is a high schooler. There will be plenty of time for him to specialize in college. I don't doubt that once he is a year round baseball player he will quickly catch up to those who have played year round throughout their HS years.
And that is where I will disagree with Coach May a little bit. Yes, you forgo baseball development while you play another sport, but that doesn't mean that those who played baseball only will forever be ahead of kid who played a second sport. Everyone strives to reach his potential. Playing baseball year round may make a kid closer to realizing his potential by the end of HS than a kid who played another sport.
But the two sport kid, once he focuses on BB only, will then have bigger relative gains toward his full potential.
That is why there are so many college baseball player who played multiple sports in HS. If playing one sport in HS meant that you were permanently ahead of two sporters, then you wouldn't see so many two sporters in college.
Robk isn't reaching your full potential at the end of HS where you should be if college BB is the goal or being drafted ?
I don't think Coach May said that you are permanantly ahead if you only play BB. Fact is there are thousnads of guys trying to get scholasrships in BB and you may be hurting your chances. He seems to be saying that the guy who wants to play college BB should understand that he may not be as prepared and have the same level of play when it counts.
I don't think Coach May said that you are permanantly ahead if you only play BB. Fact is there are thousnads of guys trying to get scholasrships in BB and you may be hurting your chances. He seems to be saying that the guy who wants to play college BB should understand that he may not be as prepared and have the same level of play when it counts.
quote:Originally posted by Bulldog 19:
Well playing three sports and two sports in high school sure didn't stop the Brewers from drafting a kid I know in the 1st round this year. This kid played football and basketball his freshman and sophomore year I believe and then quit basketball and played football after that. Hurt his knee in a football game his senior year. He still attracted 25-30 pro scouts EVERY time he pitched as a senior. He was taken 32nd overall.
What, had he not played basketball and football in high school would he have been drafted 20th? Maybe higher? I doubt it. I'd be real curious to see how much harder you all think he could possibly thrown if he "dedicated" himself to baseball only. He's already hitting 96 pretty consistently.
Pretty much the same scenario except the player blew out his knee in football his jr year and never fully recovered. Could have definitely played college ball as a LHP who was a varsity starter as a freshman in HS.
Tons of "what if" similar stories. Life is about choices and we have to learn to live with the outcomes. You can get hurt stepping off a curb, etc...
My son was begged to play football since he had a great arm but ended up playing varsity golf instead. IMO he made the right choice.
It is not all doom and gloom for the kid that wants to enjoy playing other sports. While playing other sports doesn't necessarly improve one's physical baseball skills, there are plenty of other benefits that can help the player achieve success at a higher level of baseball.
i.e. My son certainly didn't learn how to deal with hostile crowds/opponets on the HS baseball field, he learned by playing basketball and football. There's nothing better then a packed HS gym with half the gym screaming at the player to fail, to learn how to control one's emotions. Better to learn this lesson before you show up for a game at Fullerton, Fresno or Long Beach etc.
i.e. My son certainly didn't learn how to deal with hostile crowds/opponets on the HS baseball field, he learned by playing basketball and football. There's nothing better then a packed HS gym with half the gym screaming at the player to fail, to learn how to control one's emotions. Better to learn this lesson before you show up for a game at Fullerton, Fresno or Long Beach etc.
Why do the forms that college coaches ask recruits to fill out all ask, "What other varsity sports do you play?" I've been told that they like to see the athleticism displayed by being able to compete at the varsity level in other sports. I don't want to start another debate, but it's been said that the sport of baseball requires more skill than athleticism. If you have the skill to play baseball and the athleticism to dunk a basketball and play nose to nose with those quick point guards, maybe you project better. It's also been said about the warm weather vs. cold weather ball players - the warm weather ball players are what they are, you don't have to "project" much, but the cold weather players may be much better they show now (project better) because they aren't as: polished, coached, experienced, etc.
College coaches are not in the business of projection. They don't gamble like scouts might on future ability. They have only a year to get the most out of a player. They don't have the funds to waiton a player. If your goal is a scholarship you had better be at your best during recruiting.
In my opinion if you are a stud BKTB or FTB player you are going to play those sports in college. A much better scholarship. Blow your shot at BB and you might never get a 2nd chance. Fewer dollars and not many players on a team get any money.
If you are serious you had better impress the recruiters especially with your dedication to BB.
In my opinion if you are a stud BKTB or FTB player you are going to play those sports in college. A much better scholarship. Blow your shot at BB and you might never get a 2nd chance. Fewer dollars and not many players on a team get any money.
If you are serious you had better impress the recruiters especially with your dedication to BB.
[/QUOTE]How come spring training is only five weeks? Don't give me they train all offseason. There was a day when players had jobs in the offseason. They had very little time to train until spring training. Players don't forget how to hit and pitch in the offseason. They just need their timing back.[/QUOTE]
This is a silly statement. If you are a ML player on the roster getting paid big bucks you DO NOT have to come to spring training in tip top shape, your job is secure. Most MLB players don't even work their butts off in spring training. Most are just beginning their training.
However, the young milb players HAVE to arrive in tip top shape in order to compete for any spots available or for their next level. Those that have been training all off season, pitchers who come ready for bullpens (not just beginning to throw) have the edge.
CD is correct about players from warm weather states. They have more opportunities to play outdoors and therefore have an opportunity to develop skills they need to get the looks they get for scholarships. I also agree with CD, it's not in the gene pool, but the time they put in to develop those skills. Not that players from the northern states do not get scholarships from the larger southern schools, but often not as often or as much. For most college coaches, they may like that you are athletic, but you have to be able to come ready to play and compete for most programs these days, redshirt days are over.
Play another sport because it's fun and you enjoy it, but don't play another sport because you feel it will help you to get a better baseball opportunity. If you all go back and read what I posted a few pages back, coaches like players who participate in other sports, but it all comes down to who has the better skills on the field to get the opportunity, not how fast you run a mile.
This is a silly statement. If you are a ML player on the roster getting paid big bucks you DO NOT have to come to spring training in tip top shape, your job is secure. Most MLB players don't even work their butts off in spring training. Most are just beginning their training.
However, the young milb players HAVE to arrive in tip top shape in order to compete for any spots available or for their next level. Those that have been training all off season, pitchers who come ready for bullpens (not just beginning to throw) have the edge.
CD is correct about players from warm weather states. They have more opportunities to play outdoors and therefore have an opportunity to develop skills they need to get the looks they get for scholarships. I also agree with CD, it's not in the gene pool, but the time they put in to develop those skills. Not that players from the northern states do not get scholarships from the larger southern schools, but often not as often or as much. For most college coaches, they may like that you are athletic, but you have to be able to come ready to play and compete for most programs these days, redshirt days are over.
Play another sport because it's fun and you enjoy it, but don't play another sport because you feel it will help you to get a better baseball opportunity. If you all go back and read what I posted a few pages back, coaches like players who participate in other sports, but it all comes down to who has the better skills on the field to get the opportunity, not how fast you run a mile.
Not sure if anyone will ever know for sure if concentrating on one sport in high school is better than playing more than one.
For every example of success playing only baseball in High School I could give another example of those who played more than one sport and were extremely successful in baseball.
If I use our state for example….
Jeff Clement became a first rounder in baseball, he also played football.
Matt Macri is in the Big Leagues, he was an all state QB in HS.
Ryan Sweeney is in the Big Leagues, he played basketball in HS.
Brad Nelson is in the Big Leagues, he led his HS basketball team in scoring.
The highest draft pick last year was BJ Hermsen, he was all state in 3 sports.
Wes Obermueller pitched in the Big Leagues, he was a 3 sport guy in HS.
I’d have to say that most often the kids who played more than just baseball ended up being the most successful at baseball. Yes, they were the best athletes.
Georgia’s top prospect this year is Donovan Tate. He is a football star.
Last year Georgia’s top pitching prospect Ethan Martin was a football star.
One of Florida’s top draft picks (1st round) Casey Kelly had a football scholarship to Tennessee.
Alabama’s top baseball prospect was a football star. He signed to play pro baseball.
Many of the nation’s top baseball prospects, play or have played other sports in high school. Some concentrate on baseball year around. There is no clear cut proof that one way is better than the other. But chances are if a player is an outstanding athlete he will probably be playing more than just baseball in high school.
The clear cut loser is the baseball “only” player who does not work at improving his game in the off season. Personally, I think that experiencing lots of competition can be very valuable, even if that competition is in another sport. Everyone is impressed by and wants the tough competitor. While you can be the toughest of all competitors while only playing baseball, there is a certain discipline, toughness, dealing with pressure and team work learned in other sports that relate very well to potential baseball success.
Bottom line…
Playing Multiple Sports - Good or Bad?
Either way has worked for many! Both ways has failed for many! There is no correct answer!
For every example of success playing only baseball in High School I could give another example of those who played more than one sport and were extremely successful in baseball.
If I use our state for example….
Jeff Clement became a first rounder in baseball, he also played football.
Matt Macri is in the Big Leagues, he was an all state QB in HS.
Ryan Sweeney is in the Big Leagues, he played basketball in HS.
Brad Nelson is in the Big Leagues, he led his HS basketball team in scoring.
The highest draft pick last year was BJ Hermsen, he was all state in 3 sports.
Wes Obermueller pitched in the Big Leagues, he was a 3 sport guy in HS.
I’d have to say that most often the kids who played more than just baseball ended up being the most successful at baseball. Yes, they were the best athletes.
Georgia’s top prospect this year is Donovan Tate. He is a football star.
Last year Georgia’s top pitching prospect Ethan Martin was a football star.
One of Florida’s top draft picks (1st round) Casey Kelly had a football scholarship to Tennessee.
Alabama’s top baseball prospect was a football star. He signed to play pro baseball.
Many of the nation’s top baseball prospects, play or have played other sports in high school. Some concentrate on baseball year around. There is no clear cut proof that one way is better than the other. But chances are if a player is an outstanding athlete he will probably be playing more than just baseball in high school.
The clear cut loser is the baseball “only” player who does not work at improving his game in the off season. Personally, I think that experiencing lots of competition can be very valuable, even if that competition is in another sport. Everyone is impressed by and wants the tough competitor. While you can be the toughest of all competitors while only playing baseball, there is a certain discipline, toughness, dealing with pressure and team work learned in other sports that relate very well to potential baseball success.
Bottom line…
Playing Multiple Sports - Good or Bad?
Either way has worked for many! Both ways has failed for many! There is no correct answer!
How come spring training is only five weeks? Don't give me they train all offseason. There was a day when players had jobs in the offseason. They had very little time to train until spring training. Players don't forget how to hit and pitch in the offseason. They just need their timing back.[/QUOTE]quote:Originally posted by TPM:
This is a silly statement. If you are a ML player on the roster getting paid big bucks you DO NOT have to come to spring training in tip top shape, your job is secure. Most MLB players don't even work their butts off in spring training. Most are just beginning their training.
However, the young milb players HAVE to arrive in tip top shape in order to compete for any spots available or for their next level. Those that have been training all off season, pitchers who come ready for bullpens (not just beginning to throw) have the edge.
CD is correct about players from warm weather states. They have more opportunities to play outdoors and therefore have an opportunity to develop skills they need to get the looks they get for scholarships. I also agree with CD, it's not in the gene pool, but the time they put in to develop those skills. Not that players from the northern states do not get scholarships from the larger southern schools, but often not as often or as much. For most college coaches, they may like that you are athletic, but you have to be able to come ready to play and compete for most programs these days, redshirt days are over.
Play another sport because it's fun and you enjoy it, but don't play another sport because you feel it will help you to get a better baseball opportunity. If you all go back and read what I posted a few pages back, coaches like players who participate in other sports, but it all comes down to who has the better skills on the field to get the opportunity, not how fast you run a mile.[/QUOTE]
_____________________________________________________________________________
Don't you think moderators should chose words not designed to offend posters like "I disagree" rather than calling their posts "silly." "Silly" would be fine from another poster. From a moderator it's offensive given you're supposed to keep the peace, not inflame. Your response displays you did not understand my comment or took it out of context. I prefer not to elaborate.
rjm
NOW . in my opinion,your being silly.
NOW . in my opinion,your being silly.
This topic alway causes a little heated discussion.
It is clear that multi sport guys are usually good athletes. Most if not all of our sons are capable of playing several sports. Maybe not at the highest level.
The way I saw it was my son accepted the risk of playing Varsity BKTB and it was at the highest level and included trips all over the US. Thay had an annual trip to Vegas and Arizona where his coach now coaches. It didn't intefer with BB. If it did that would have prompted me to step in and try to stop him. He owes his dedication to BB which as I said was his ticket. We were only concerned about his last year of HS and up to then he could knock himself out. He was ready to just play the 2 sports and the only cocern was not getting injured. Sprained ankels, broken fingers can be deadly to a pitcher.It was his decision knowing the risks.
The question does it matter to a cocch if you played other sports I would agree with TPM and say NO. As I have said it is like play money. It doesn't buy anything. As far as questionaires asking about other sports they also ask about hobbies and other irrelevant stuff in regards to BB. All the coach cares about is your BB talent and ability to be a team player.
It is clear that multi sport guys are usually good athletes. Most if not all of our sons are capable of playing several sports. Maybe not at the highest level.
The way I saw it was my son accepted the risk of playing Varsity BKTB and it was at the highest level and included trips all over the US. Thay had an annual trip to Vegas and Arizona where his coach now coaches. It didn't intefer with BB. If it did that would have prompted me to step in and try to stop him. He owes his dedication to BB which as I said was his ticket. We were only concerned about his last year of HS and up to then he could knock himself out. He was ready to just play the 2 sports and the only cocern was not getting injured. Sprained ankels, broken fingers can be deadly to a pitcher.It was his decision knowing the risks.
The question does it matter to a cocch if you played other sports I would agree with TPM and say NO. As I have said it is like play money. It doesn't buy anything. As far as questionaires asking about other sports they also ask about hobbies and other irrelevant stuff in regards to BB. All the coach cares about is your BB talent and ability to be a team player.
PG,
Good examples however, you are speaking about a few elite players who most likely would have risen to the top regardless. This isn't about "baseball draft" opportunities either, but college opportunities and about the majority, not the minority of an elite group.
I do agree with you about those watching baseball prospects while participating in other sports if they are considering drafting them. One scout called the place where son worked to inquire about his "work ethic". It doesn't always limit itself to sports.
What's bugging me is the perception that those that play only baseball maybe less athletic. Or those that play multi sports are better athletes. It's about the individual and what he wants to accomplish and how he wants to reach his goal, and how he wants to spend his hS years. It's also about position.
Good examples however, you are speaking about a few elite players who most likely would have risen to the top regardless. This isn't about "baseball draft" opportunities either, but college opportunities and about the majority, not the minority of an elite group.
I do agree with you about those watching baseball prospects while participating in other sports if they are considering drafting them. One scout called the place where son worked to inquire about his "work ethic". It doesn't always limit itself to sports.
What's bugging me is the perception that those that play only baseball maybe less athletic. Or those that play multi sports are better athletes. It's about the individual and what he wants to accomplish and how he wants to reach his goal, and how he wants to spend his hS years. It's also about position.
Reading some of these heated replies from parents makes me wonder whose dream baseball is.
Some parents spend more money trying to obtain a scholarship than the scholarship is worth. Between Club fees, lessons, camps, showcases, travel, training equipment, uniforms, and baseball equipment we are all spending a pretty penny.
Some parents spend more money trying to obtain a scholarship than the scholarship is worth. Between Club fees, lessons, camps, showcases, travel, training equipment, uniforms, and baseball equipment we are all spending a pretty penny.
Blprkfrnks,
You are soooooooooo right on.
When a parent comes on and posts that their sons are playing multi sports because itis "fun", I don't beleive half of them. Same when they say they go to every tourney or showcase for "fun". There are very few parents of baseball players that aren't thinking about the future. Most everything that's done is done for a reason.
I might get booed for that remark, but I have been around here a long time. Just as we preferred our son to play only baseball for a better opportunity, there are those who want their sons playing multi sports for better opportunities.
The difference is between us as parents, I will admit it.
You are soooooooooo right on.
When a parent comes on and posts that their sons are playing multi sports because itis "fun", I don't beleive half of them. Same when they say they go to every tourney or showcase for "fun". There are very few parents of baseball players that aren't thinking about the future. Most everything that's done is done for a reason.
I might get booed for that remark, but I have been around here a long time. Just as we preferred our son to play only baseball for a better opportunity, there are those who want their sons playing multi sports for better opportunities.
The difference is between us as parents, I will admit it.
RJM,
Regardless of moderating capabilities, I am a webster and a parent above all else. I even have feelings too.
It wasn't meant to flame, it was just a silly statement, for all you profess to know about the game, you should know that you HAVE to come ready to play come spring training and things are way different than they were years ago. You think it's easy for the player that has to find a job and train both at teh same time in order to get ahead.
BTW, I disagree with your statement, if that makes you feel any better.
Regardless of moderating capabilities, I am a webster and a parent above all else. I even have feelings too.
It wasn't meant to flame, it was just a silly statement, for all you profess to know about the game, you should know that you HAVE to come ready to play come spring training and things are way different than they were years ago. You think it's easy for the player that has to find a job and train both at teh same time in order to get ahead.
BTW, I disagree with your statement, if that makes you feel any better.
TPM,
I could give examples of those who played three sports and didn't play any sport in college. What examples does anyone want? First round? 50th round? Small College? Div I? There are many examples at every level? Not just a few elite players.
IMO College opportunities are based on talent. If you have talent you have a chance to get the best opportunities. It is not based on concentrating on one sport or playing more than one sport. Both ways can work!
In many cases the multi sport athlete IS in fact the better athlete. He may not be the better baseball player, though. What is wrong with that?
If we were honest, how often is the kid who only concentrates on baseball the best pure athlete in his school? Even in college where nearly all concentrate on one sport, how many baseball players would be considered the best athlete at their college?
I could also go the other way and give examples of those who did concentrate on baseball alone and reached the top. There fore, it doesn't seem like there could be a correct answer as to which way is best.
I agree 100% It is all about the individual!
From strictly a business perspective, I wish they all did nothing but play baseball year round. It just doesn't happen that way.
I could give examples of those who played three sports and didn't play any sport in college. What examples does anyone want? First round? 50th round? Small College? Div I? There are many examples at every level? Not just a few elite players.
IMO College opportunities are based on talent. If you have talent you have a chance to get the best opportunities. It is not based on concentrating on one sport or playing more than one sport. Both ways can work!
quote:What's bugging me is the perception that those that play only baseball maybe less athletic. Or those that play multi sports are better athletes. It's about the individual and what he wants to accomplish and how he wants to reach his goal, and how he wants to spend his hS years. It's also about position.
In many cases the multi sport athlete IS in fact the better athlete. He may not be the better baseball player, though. What is wrong with that?
If we were honest, how often is the kid who only concentrates on baseball the best pure athlete in his school? Even in college where nearly all concentrate on one sport, how many baseball players would be considered the best athlete at their college?
I could also go the other way and give examples of those who did concentrate on baseball alone and reached the top. There fore, it doesn't seem like there could be a correct answer as to which way is best.
I agree 100% It is all about the individual!
From strictly a business perspective, I wish they all did nothing but play baseball year round. It just doesn't happen that way.
quote:Originally posted by PGStaff:
In many cases the multi sport athlete IS in fact the better athlete. He may not be the better baseball player, though.
Exactly!
PG you summed up after 8 pages of post the exact way it is. The better athlete is not always the better baseball player.
But he COULD be.
There is just much more to being a multi sport athlete that just being a capable athlete.
I don't think that this is just about getting a shot at pro ball or college ball.
It's about being with, and competing with your friends (in another sport). Memories made with your friends at practices, team dinners, tournaments or events away from home.
It's about building your character and leadership in different ways outside of baseball.
It's about competing in a sport that you love other than baseball.
It's about having a whole different circle of friends outside of baseball.
Are there guys that should just concentrate on baseball because playing another sport would take away from their skill development, I guess so.
Are there guys that can do both and it doesn't seem to make a difference, sure.
Are there guys that play baseball exclusively and never play past high school or college, yes.
Are there guys that that show up one day on a ball field in high school, college, or pro tryout that haven't played the game since little league and hit the cover off the ball, probably.
Of course it is truly about what you display on the field that coaches, crosscheckers,and scouts are evaluating. But don't these guys also look at certain physical attributes that cannot be taught?
As many have pointed out, there is not a right or wrong answer to this
There is just much more to being a multi sport athlete that just being a capable athlete.
I don't think that this is just about getting a shot at pro ball or college ball.
It's about being with, and competing with your friends (in another sport). Memories made with your friends at practices, team dinners, tournaments or events away from home.
It's about building your character and leadership in different ways outside of baseball.
It's about competing in a sport that you love other than baseball.
It's about having a whole different circle of friends outside of baseball.
Are there guys that should just concentrate on baseball because playing another sport would take away from their skill development, I guess so.
Are there guys that can do both and it doesn't seem to make a difference, sure.
Are there guys that play baseball exclusively and never play past high school or college, yes.
Are there guys that that show up one day on a ball field in high school, college, or pro tryout that haven't played the game since little league and hit the cover off the ball, probably.
Of course it is truly about what you display on the field that coaches, crosscheckers,and scouts are evaluating. But don't these guys also look at certain physical attributes that cannot be taught?
As many have pointed out, there is not a right or wrong answer to this
If it would really be so great for you, why wouldn't mlb teams make club teams in basketball and football and make their players compete in these sports instead of giving them silly baseball training exercises? Bet they never even thought of that...
What we have here is a Failure to Communicate.
Short version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u-I0D9ReqI&feature=related
Unique longer version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOylJbmr8JA&feature=related
EH
Short version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u-I0D9ReqI&feature=related
Unique longer version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOylJbmr8JA&feature=related
EH
Ok my first time chiming in on this topic and I am going to speak from my own personal experiences.
In high school I played football and baseball. As a team / school we were MUCH better in football. I got to play twice in the playoffs in football and was even state runner up. I learned how to be a winner and how to compete and work from football. My baseball team was not very good and got beat out in the first round of the playoffs every year. I ended up playing small college baseball and I have to attribute a lot of it to what I learned from football.
Out of all my college team mates I cannot think / remember any of them being baseball only. We all played at least one other sport and we were all good at the other sports.
A guy I played HS baseball with was baseball only until our senior year until he played all three - basketball / football / baseball. He was a stud in all three and he had no clue what he was doing. He never made it to college because of grades but he could have played some level at all three with baseball being his best.
As for the kids I have coached the better baseball players were multisport kids. I had one kid who thought he was going DI because he concentrated on baseball exclusively. He didn't. I had a catcher who played the big three and he ended up on a DI roster as a walk on.
I am a big supporter of playing more than one sport and work with my guys if they do. But I came from a very small school where we pretty much had to play more than one sport. I think Coach May hit the nail on the head that if you have a kid who does baseball only then he has the advantage over a kid who doesn't because of the skill development but a good athlete will pick up the baseball skills quicker and not be as far behind.
I had one kid who hadn't played baseball since little league but he played football and basketball. His dad wouldn't let him play three sports until his senior year and he came out for baseball. He ended up being a stud and after a month of getting coached in baseball you couldn't tell he hadn't played in years.
I guess the point I am trying to make is that you can't pigeonhole a kid into that being a multisport player makes you better / gives you a better opportunity OR that being sport specific makes you better / gives you a better chance. Take each kid on individual basis and work with it.
I know I am not going to turn down a kid who is a stud in another sport athletically. I am pretty sure I can teach him what he needs to know and he will become productive which will help my team. But if I got a kid who is baseball only I am going to work him so he can keep getting better.
As a coach that is my job - take what I have and make it better. If that means I get them all year or if I get them a few months out of the year so be it. I am going to teach the game and try to put each player into a position to succeed.
In high school I played football and baseball. As a team / school we were MUCH better in football. I got to play twice in the playoffs in football and was even state runner up. I learned how to be a winner and how to compete and work from football. My baseball team was not very good and got beat out in the first round of the playoffs every year. I ended up playing small college baseball and I have to attribute a lot of it to what I learned from football.
Out of all my college team mates I cannot think / remember any of them being baseball only. We all played at least one other sport and we were all good at the other sports.
A guy I played HS baseball with was baseball only until our senior year until he played all three - basketball / football / baseball. He was a stud in all three and he had no clue what he was doing. He never made it to college because of grades but he could have played some level at all three with baseball being his best.
As for the kids I have coached the better baseball players were multisport kids. I had one kid who thought he was going DI because he concentrated on baseball exclusively. He didn't. I had a catcher who played the big three and he ended up on a DI roster as a walk on.
I am a big supporter of playing more than one sport and work with my guys if they do. But I came from a very small school where we pretty much had to play more than one sport. I think Coach May hit the nail on the head that if you have a kid who does baseball only then he has the advantage over a kid who doesn't because of the skill development but a good athlete will pick up the baseball skills quicker and not be as far behind.
I had one kid who hadn't played baseball since little league but he played football and basketball. His dad wouldn't let him play three sports until his senior year and he came out for baseball. He ended up being a stud and after a month of getting coached in baseball you couldn't tell he hadn't played in years.
I guess the point I am trying to make is that you can't pigeonhole a kid into that being a multisport player makes you better / gives you a better opportunity OR that being sport specific makes you better / gives you a better chance. Take each kid on individual basis and work with it.
I know I am not going to turn down a kid who is a stud in another sport athletically. I am pretty sure I can teach him what he needs to know and he will become productive which will help my team. But if I got a kid who is baseball only I am going to work him so he can keep getting better.
As a coach that is my job - take what I have and make it better. If that means I get them all year or if I get them a few months out of the year so be it. I am going to teach the game and try to put each player into a position to succeed.
EH- 
You are so right.
Does anyone else feel like their posts never get read before someone comments?
You are so right.
Does anyone else feel like their posts never get read before someone comments?
Talk about human nature! Everyone wants to defend the path they they chose. So much posturing and superior attitudes...
PS. I've seen some very good 3 sport athletes not make it out of high school, and I've seen some marginal 1 sport athletes make it to the Majors. So as a well known coach used to say, "I can only go by what I see".
It's very possible that playing multiple sports helps the exceptional athlete and also very possible that it ends the marginal athletes career in high school, and as some brought out each athlete and his parents need to figure out where they fit and what their goals are.
Maybe your son wants to play 3 sports, maybe my son wants to play college baseball and feels he will miss out on his dream if he spreads himself too thin.
If some one else has obviously answered THE question, am I allowed to give my opinion?
PS. I've seen some very good 3 sport athletes not make it out of high school, and I've seen some marginal 1 sport athletes make it to the Majors. So as a well known coach used to say, "I can only go by what I see".
It's very possible that playing multiple sports helps the exceptional athlete and also very possible that it ends the marginal athletes career in high school, and as some brought out each athlete and his parents need to figure out where they fit and what their goals are.
Maybe your son wants to play 3 sports, maybe my son wants to play college baseball and feels he will miss out on his dream if he spreads himself too thin.
If some one else has obviously answered THE question, am I allowed to give my opinion?
quote:Talk about human nature! Everyone wants to defend the path they they chose.
No need to defend.
If your son is/was a multi-sport athlete, then that was the right decision for him. If your son concentrated on baseball, then that was the right decision for him. End of story imho... or is it?
Where it becomes cloudy is trying to convince one side or the other of the superiority of one decision over another and the pitfalls in the opposing decision. If people are honest (see Rob Kremer's post above), there are always pros and cons with any decision we make in life. In this thread alone, I have learned:
Multi-sport Pros -
1) Develop athletic skills that compliment your baseball skills
2) Develop team and leadership skills that compliment baseball
3) Develop lifetime memories
4) Have lots of fun
What could possibly be wrong with that decision?
Multi-sport Cons
1) Not working on your baseball skills
Seems like a fair trade-off given the number of multi-sport athletes in the higher levels of the game.
The Pro and Con list for the baseball only player kind of looks the opposite of pro and con list for the multi-sport athlete. There are no free lunches or perfect decisions in life. Every choice we make results in time away (opportunity cost) from some other activity that may be of value. While we are all out going to tournaments and watching games, there are other worthwhile activities that we all are missing. Nothing wrong with that, that is what we choose to do in a free country. This is not Democrats and Republicans arguing here, this is America where each person is free to live their lives as they see fit. The fact there are trade-offs with any decision one might make, ought not to diminish the ones that we do make.
This discussion has brought many HSBBW posters together to join in on this topic, and I applaud that.
The more we talk, the more we keep the discussion alive, and perhaps the more we can all learn. For some, they have been through this subject over and over again,....for others this may be their first participation in this topic. I enjoy listening to fellow baseball people from across the US, no matter what side of the fence they are sitting on. I especially enjoy the ones sitting in the middle.
I hope as we continue to talk it might help others form their own opinions and that they can take away something positive to use in their life or perhaps their child's.
I know I did.
A few years back I too came to the HSBBW board, just as Blprkfrnks has, and was looking for answers/opinions about the multi sport athlete and had a question about increased risk factor.
My eyes were opened by fellow poster's opinions and experience. To this day I still apreciate their help. It actually made a difference and that's pretty darn cool!
There may be no right or wrong answer,..but imho, there is always room for more opinions, and hopefully this is one story that wont have an actual ending.
Open forum, open discussion, open minds.
The more we talk, the more we keep the discussion alive, and perhaps the more we can all learn. For some, they have been through this subject over and over again,....for others this may be their first participation in this topic. I enjoy listening to fellow baseball people from across the US, no matter what side of the fence they are sitting on. I especially enjoy the ones sitting in the middle.
I hope as we continue to talk it might help others form their own opinions and that they can take away something positive to use in their life or perhaps their child's.
I know I did.
A few years back I too came to the HSBBW board, just as Blprkfrnks has, and was looking for answers/opinions about the multi sport athlete and had a question about increased risk factor.
My eyes were opened by fellow poster's opinions and experience. To this day I still apreciate their help. It actually made a difference and that's pretty darn cool!
There may be no right or wrong answer,..but imho, there is always room for more opinions, and hopefully this is one story that wont have an actual ending.
Open forum, open discussion, open minds.
I admit I HAVEN'T read all the post on this thread simply because there is no right or wrong answer. In the past I have read the thousands of opinions before and understand both sides. On the positive side we do have 9 pages of right answers?
quote:Add one more Con: More risks of injuries.
This could also be a "Con" for being a baseball-only player.. greater risk of overuse injury.
To me, that's a bigger risk than the risk of playing another sport.
That being said, I suffered more injury playing baseball than I did playing football. And I was forced to miss more baseball due to injury than I was due to injury in football or basketball.
quote:I think you have more chances of "survival" till you "Pro day" if you only play one sport. JMHO
Is that why the number of Tommy John surgeries in adolescent athletes have skyrocketed in the past few years?..
Bulldog that is a whole different topic but indeed a good one. A lot more kids playing a lot more games at a much earlier age. By only playing baseball I do not mean playing all the time. I mean working at the things that are baseball specific and training for baseball specific reasons. I think a big misconception is if you play all the time you are working at the game. Working at the game to me means working on your arm strength , core strength , speed , agility , hitting , fielding ie overall athleitc ability.
As many have said there is no right or wrong answer here. I brought up the other side of the equation to get people to think a bit. If a kid wants to play multiple sports then they should do it. If a kid wants to focus on one sport then they should do that. But I think it is important for players to understand that there are pros and cons. For some the cons are few if any. For others they are not. If your son aspires to play at the next level and he struggles at hitting for example when is he going to work at hitting outside of the hs season if he is playing two other sports?
If your son can mash and he can put down a bat for 6 months pick it up and hit then fine. If he is a pitcher and he needs to develop more velocity and learn how to be a more polished pitcher and he wants to pitch at the next level playing two other sports will limit his ability to work at this. The window of opportunity is short. The clock is ticking. For some kids it will not matter. But for some it will. If your son is one of those that it will matter to then you at least should discuss this with him so he can make a good decision.
Saying have fun and play everything is easy to do. Saying to a kid that needs to put more time and effort into a sport he aspires to play at the next level that he needs to make some decisions is not easy. Again thats up to the player. But at least we should arm them with some information.
Hey if your kid can play multiple sports and wants to fine. If he wants to play baseball at the next level and he can do it by playing HS baseball and then football and basketball then by all means do it. If he aspires to play baseball in college but he needs to work at the game alot more than four months out of the year he has some decisons to make. Or does he?
As many have said there is no right or wrong answer here. I brought up the other side of the equation to get people to think a bit. If a kid wants to play multiple sports then they should do it. If a kid wants to focus on one sport then they should do that. But I think it is important for players to understand that there are pros and cons. For some the cons are few if any. For others they are not. If your son aspires to play at the next level and he struggles at hitting for example when is he going to work at hitting outside of the hs season if he is playing two other sports?
If your son can mash and he can put down a bat for 6 months pick it up and hit then fine. If he is a pitcher and he needs to develop more velocity and learn how to be a more polished pitcher and he wants to pitch at the next level playing two other sports will limit his ability to work at this. The window of opportunity is short. The clock is ticking. For some kids it will not matter. But for some it will. If your son is one of those that it will matter to then you at least should discuss this with him so he can make a good decision.
Saying have fun and play everything is easy to do. Saying to a kid that needs to put more time and effort into a sport he aspires to play at the next level that he needs to make some decisions is not easy. Again thats up to the player. But at least we should arm them with some information.
Hey if your kid can play multiple sports and wants to fine. If he wants to play baseball at the next level and he can do it by playing HS baseball and then football and basketball then by all means do it. If he aspires to play baseball in college but he needs to work at the game alot more than four months out of the year he has some decisons to make. Or does he?
Why else would they be playing. I know my son wouldn't play s****r and basketball if it wasn't fun. It turns out he may be a college prospect in another sport. A college coach was surprised to find out he's only a sophomore. He has mentioned the possibility of dropping one sport if he feels it's getting in the way of his baseball development. So far he hasn't felt that way. He works real hard on his baseball ten months a year even when he's playing other sports.quote:Originally posted by TPM:
When a parent comes on and posts that their sons are playing multi sports because it is "fun", I don't beleive half of them.
I know my daughter wouldn't have played volleyball and ran track in addition to softball if it wasn't fun. She was recruited in two sports.
It may be the kids playing one sport focused on the Holy Grail who may feel under pressure and not having as much fun.
While parents may state they want their kids to have fun, they also want them to become good athletes so they can compete in sports after HS and gain some dollars to help pay for college. This may not be indicative of here, but I know plenty of parents who wanted their sons in multiple sports for that reason alone. It was a constant battle fopr some of my friends during each season, during football, get your rear to the cages for hitting practice, I paid for that fall ball team and you have spent more time on the bench than on the field. 
I know you are tired from the basketball game, but get up and get to the field? Most of them, although good athletes never went beyond HS playing any sport. I know that it bothered many of them that their sons never secured a baseball scholarship (the game THEY loved and thought their sons loved more than anything).
Get that?
Coach May covered that pretty well, the dilemma of multi sport athletes. Yes, many players can go from sport to sport and be stars, but most in general have to practice to improve and compete.
I have never stated anything against the "fun" side of playing multiple HS sports. If you go back and read my posts, I always alluded to playing for the right reasons, not the wrong.
If you go back to BLprkfrnks's original post, there is discussion about having to force new baseball practices upon his player (who is not as sharp as he should be due to football) and states it hasn't been "fun". He states the predicament as, "we" are in.
So I will tell you what I AM NOT going to do as a parent. If my player shows strong ability in one sport, yet wants to have fun and plays two or three sports, not concentrate on his school work (most important in the entire picture) I AM NOT going to be the one who gets on his case to practice or do homework and make both of us miserable, this is going to be his problem (or hers) not a 'we" problem.
And, last but not least, after all of this, I am not going to b and moan when my son doesn't get recruited to the school I think he should be recruited to or not drafted.
Get that?
Coach May covered that pretty well, the dilemma of multi sport athletes. Yes, many players can go from sport to sport and be stars, but most in general have to practice to improve and compete.
I have never stated anything against the "fun" side of playing multiple HS sports. If you go back and read my posts, I always alluded to playing for the right reasons, not the wrong.
If you go back to BLprkfrnks's original post, there is discussion about having to force new baseball practices upon his player (who is not as sharp as he should be due to football) and states it hasn't been "fun". He states the predicament as, "we" are in.
So I will tell you what I AM NOT going to do as a parent. If my player shows strong ability in one sport, yet wants to have fun and plays two or three sports, not concentrate on his school work (most important in the entire picture) I AM NOT going to be the one who gets on his case to practice or do homework and make both of us miserable, this is going to be his problem (or hers) not a 'we" problem.
And, last but not least, after all of this, I am not going to b and moan when my son doesn't get recruited to the school I think he should be recruited to or not drafted.
One thing that occurs to me after reading and learning from all the posts, is that we did not have a plan for our kids to do one sport or another.
They just came home and said, I'm trying out for whatever sport. We were oblivious to any pros or cons at the time. They just wanted to do it, mostly because, through the years their friends were fellow athletes and they just wanted to be together and yes, have fun.
We as parents never thought beyond whatever they were doing in the moment. We really didn't know anything about this website or the showcase events, or that pouring more effort into one sport might make them that much better. We just did not think about it too much.
I do not know what influence I would have had over them, had I known that specializing would have been some kind of advantage, or prepared them better for the sport they chose in the end, baseball.
I have been thinking about this alot. If I had a young kid right now, what would I do? Would I be planning his/her future based on potential injury, overuse , or financial limitations? (Playing more than one sport also has additional costs).
It is probably just me, I know, but I just cannot see me trying to convince my kid that he shouln't play another sport because he might get hurt, or because he might not make another team, because his skills will not be sharp. These issues just did not come up. They just wanted to do what they wanted to do. So, within our means, we allowed them to compete in whatever sport they were abel to. I am not sure I would do things so differently now...
They just came home and said, I'm trying out for whatever sport. We were oblivious to any pros or cons at the time. They just wanted to do it, mostly because, through the years their friends were fellow athletes and they just wanted to be together and yes, have fun.
We as parents never thought beyond whatever they were doing in the moment. We really didn't know anything about this website or the showcase events, or that pouring more effort into one sport might make them that much better. We just did not think about it too much.
I do not know what influence I would have had over them, had I known that specializing would have been some kind of advantage, or prepared them better for the sport they chose in the end, baseball.
I have been thinking about this alot. If I had a young kid right now, what would I do? Would I be planning his/her future based on potential injury, overuse , or financial limitations? (Playing more than one sport also has additional costs).
It is probably just me, I know, but I just cannot see me trying to convince my kid that he shouln't play another sport because he might get hurt, or because he might not make another team, because his skills will not be sharp. These issues just did not come up. They just wanted to do what they wanted to do. So, within our means, we allowed them to compete in whatever sport they were abel to. I am not sure I would do things so differently now...