Some of the top Freshmen coming next year in the SED

Don't know. Didn't watch any JV games. Why don't you tell us?

Really?

Top Freshman "next year"? So what you mean is who were some of the best 8th graders this year?

I'm going to make sure I bookmark this thread and then refer back to it in 4 years to compare.

I'm guessing most of the posters on "High School Baseball Web" didn't go to too many middle school games.

The Glove - I don't mean to sound condescending, but really? Did you just ask that?

Rich
www.playinschool
@PlayInSchool on Twitter (I like your style on the Twitter handle Redbird!)

I am pretty sure that Freshmen are in 'High School'.

Calm down folks. Let the new folks speak.

The title is confusing. Does the Glove mean "Freshmen coming next year" to be those who will be freshmen next year, and thus 8th graders playing junior varsity this year (PIS - SED does not have middle school baseball, it has JV baseball for 8th graders and up) or does the Glove mean freshmen this year who played JV and will be coming to varsity next year or does the Glove mean freshmen this year who played JV or varsity? Please rephrase your question, Glove.

quote:

Originally posted by PIS:

I'm guessing most of the posters on "High School Baseball Web" didn't go to too many middle school games.

As mentioned above, the SED does not have middle school baseball. And I DO know a number of Western Branch folks who went to JV games (where they would have seen 8th graders play) as well as to Varsity games when the games were not being played at the same time. In fact, a couple of the SED schools schedule some special nights when the JV game between the two schools precedes the Varsity game.

It is really amazing that as strong as SED usually is that there is no Middle School ball. The PONY leagues and travel teams (sometimes derided as Daddy ball) have beeen feeding a huge amount of talent to WB, GB, GF and Hickory over the years. The group at WB that was with the Drillers and the Storm team that is turning up at GB were teams that traveled all over and were competitive everywhere they went. The core of this years NR squad played travel ball together for 4-5 years before moving into HS and becoming a powerhouse.

I am proud to have helped to run teams over the years that included Blake, Lowery, Jimmy Cody, Owens, Tandy, Carter and a few kids over in the Beach mostly at FC now. People like Lee Butler, Soup Campbell, Jerry Eason, David Grady, Mike Carter, Tim Best and too many others to name who took the time to start teams and coach them for 4-5 years deserve a lot of credit. They should be recognized for their contributions to the quality of baseball in the SED.

No middle school baseball?

I will now open mouth and insert foot.

Rich
www.playinschool.com
@PlayInSchool - on Twitter

As a parent of one of those freshmen next year, I'd like to see son first: (1) figure out his bus schedule; (2) find his locker; (3) immediately tackle his classes and homework; (4) start building friendships; and, (5) generally begin to rationally deal with this new world called HS. After that, he can then start to deal with this whole HS baseball thing.

Plenty of time people, plenty of time. Let them grow and get comfortable. Too young, too many things can happen.

joemtg - I hear you but if he wants to play baseball in HS he'd better be REAL good if he's not showing up in 8th grade. At the competitive schools there might be 70+ kids trying out for 6-8 spots. In recent years the only kids that made the team after the initial 8th Grade tryout were transfers that are D1 caliber who became 3 year starters. If baseball is a 2nd tier sport at the school then that might work.

quote:

Originally posted by joemktg:
(3) immediately tackle his classes and homework;

Knowing what I know now, this should be #1 first and foremost. More likely to get scholarships (academic) this way than with any sport. Exceptional athletes good enough to be considered for D1/D2 scholarships are the exception and not the rule.

Yes, by all means participate in the sport of your choice for your school, but just realize the chances of earning an athletic scholarship are not that great. A 4.0 GPA will go alot farther.

Again - just my observation.

quote:

Originally posted by luv baseball:
joemtg - I hear you but if he wants to play baseball in HS he'd better be REAL good if he's not showing up in 8th grade.

FYI: no MS or HS ball in FFX County for 8th graders. His teammates parents, all of whom reside outside of FFX, did not know this.

Fox -

Great advice. If parents of older parents could sit down with parents of younger parents and explain this it would be awesome!

Rich
www.playinschool.com
@PlayInSchool

quote:

Knowing what I know now, this should be #1 first and foremost.

Agreed. Prerequisite is knowing the bus schedule and locker location.

quote:

Originally posted by joemktg:

quote:

Originally posted by luv baseball:
joemtg - I hear you but if he wants to play baseball in HS he'd better be REAL good if he's not showing up in 8th grade.

FYI: no MS or HS ball in FFX County for 8th graders. His teammates parents, all of whom reside outside of FFX, did not know this.

Interesting. Having 8th graders mixing with Sophomores that were held back a year exposes them to stuff pretty early. There can also be some hazing as well. All in all not having 14 year old 8th graders mixed in with 16-17 year old sophomores is probably a better idea.

Based on my past experiences, Middle school baseball is almost not worth the trouble IF your kid is already on a good travel team. The coaching and competition are far better on the travel team than any 8 game Middle school schedule can offer.

Driller,
I couldn't agree with you more as far as the "competition" factor. This probably holds true with most middle school activities. However, don't minimize the value of extra-curricular activities in a school. There are many hidden advantages to having your child involved in the activities.

Your opinion of middle school sports is not conveyed by all. Don't WE all know some parents who transfer their children in the middle of a school year just to play Middle School Baseball at another school...just sayin!

Drink lots of water before the game tonight...it is going to be humid! I will bring some extra dollars just in case you get thirsty!