CABBallFan - good post and excellent points.
Things happen and things pop up you can't control. The coach makes the rules and enforces the punishments but ultimately the player has to answer to his buddies on the team. That is the final judgement to be passed. When a kid who misses for something and comes back how will he be accepted by the rest of the team?
A death in the family or something similar will mean his buddies will accept him coming back. They will understand the reason for the absence and not hold it against him.
Going on vacation while they have to work their rearends off will mean that kid won't be real popular when he comes back.
Our school, and the majority of others in our area compete in tournaments over the spring. Most stay close to home and play in local tournaments throughout So Cal, while others will travel out of state (usually Arizona and Nevada).
We've gone to Nevada and played tournaments in the past, but the last couple of years my son's coach has kept them close to home. The tournament this spring is only an hour away, but our program chose to put the kids up in a hotel for three days, they'll play some good ball, and attend a couple local college games together...great for team chemistry building IMO. Last year they won the spring tournament in their division, this time around it will be more difficult.
As for 2013dad's dilemma. I'm with BOF and Coach on this one...playing HS baseball is an honor, not a right. I'd have to assume that if the parents choose to go on vacation, Junior would have a place to stay? Most families/teammates would be more than happy to help out for a week. If mom and dad aren't comfortable with that, perhaps they need to change their plans? High school sports is a commitment...All for One, One for All...not only for the kids, but for the entire families, that's how good programs are built and maintained. It shouldn't matter if it's one of the studs on the team or the last kid on the roster...JMO.
We've gone to Nevada and played tournaments in the past, but the last couple of years my son's coach has kept them close to home. The tournament this spring is only an hour away, but our program chose to put the kids up in a hotel for three days, they'll play some good ball, and attend a couple local college games together...great for team chemistry building IMO. Last year they won the spring tournament in their division, this time around it will be more difficult.
As for 2013dad's dilemma. I'm with BOF and Coach on this one...playing HS baseball is an honor, not a right. I'd have to assume that if the parents choose to go on vacation, Junior would have a place to stay? Most families/teammates would be more than happy to help out for a week. If mom and dad aren't comfortable with that, perhaps they need to change their plans? High school sports is a commitment...All for One, One for All...not only for the kids, but for the entire families, that's how good programs are built and maintained. It shouldn't matter if it's one of the studs on the team or the last kid on the roster...JMO.
CABBallFan,
You make some very good points. I'm in my office stuck answering the phone (actually working), trying to post, and at the same time watching the Clemson/West Virginia game on CBS...Serious Multi Tasking going on right now!
You make some very good points. I'm in my office stuck answering the phone (actually working), trying to post, and at the same time watching the Clemson/West Virginia game on CBS...Serious Multi Tasking going on right now!
Like others have said, if he started making exceptions then he is now on a slippery of having to explain them and arguing why this excuse was OK and that one was not. Everyone knows the rules and understands them; it is part of your commitment to the team. We have had kids with family deaths and they have gone off to funerals and know that they won’t be starting the next game. When the player got back he was spending time in the dugout talking to his buddies about his Grandfather and sharing stories. The next game he was in the line up. It just comes with the territory. Like a lot of these things it is a bigger deal for the parents than it is the kids, they get it and sometimes the parents don’t. Like bsbl247 said this away trip is always the highlight of their season, it is 3-4 days of nonstop baseball and friends.
At our school, coach said to the parents at the preseason meeting that baseball is a Spring Sport and even though Spring Break falls during the season, it remains baseball season and we have work to do and games to play. If you must take a vacation during our season, you are better off not coming out for baseball.
I wholeheartedly agree with the coach. Vacations can be taken most anytime of the year and high school baseball has it's season. If you want to play, you'll be there.
Parents who schedule vacations during the time of the sport of their child's choice is in season are not putting the team first (not to mention using their brain) and I wouldn't want them as a part of the team. Junior can play baseball in his rec league or on his summer team and not be a burden to the high school team.
I wholeheartedly agree with the coach. Vacations can be taken most anytime of the year and high school baseball has it's season. If you want to play, you'll be there.
Parents who schedule vacations during the time of the sport of their child's choice is in season are not putting the team first (not to mention using their brain) and I wouldn't want them as a part of the team. Junior can play baseball in his rec league or on his summer team and not be a burden to the high school team.
2013 Dad, we have to go to New Orleans every spring break. That's right. Our team leaves sunny Florida and drives 8 hours to New Orleans. They do it out of respect for a longtime coach who is still peripherally involved with the HS team, has contacts in NOLA and thinks this trip is the greatest thing.
It's a great city. 2Bdad and I went with the team last year, and got a deal on Priceline so that we stayed in a hotel on Canal street for less than the hotel in Metarie that the boys stayed in. We really enjoyed it. 2B and I stayed an extra day and went to Emeril's, and that was fantastic.
But without exception all of the players who have already been on this trip 2-3-4 times just hate it. Mostly because they do the exact same things every year and every single move is scripted for them. 2Bdad and I won't be going this year - can't afford it. All the money spent to go to NOLA for four days to play 2 (two) games, when we could play great competition right here in town, or in a tournament somewhere else in FL.
But it is the way it is. So they go. And the coach does explain this at the first meeting of the season, so everyone knows it's coming. Parents who decide to vacation elsewhere are disrespecting the team. I feel sorry for the player.
It's a great city. 2Bdad and I went with the team last year, and got a deal on Priceline so that we stayed in a hotel on Canal street for less than the hotel in Metarie that the boys stayed in. We really enjoyed it. 2B and I stayed an extra day and went to Emeril's, and that was fantastic.
But without exception all of the players who have already been on this trip 2-3-4 times just hate it. Mostly because they do the exact same things every year and every single move is scripted for them. 2Bdad and I won't be going this year - can't afford it. All the money spent to go to NOLA for four days to play 2 (two) games, when we could play great competition right here in town, or in a tournament somewhere else in FL.
But it is the way it is. So they go. And the coach does explain this at the first meeting of the season, so everyone knows it's coming. Parents who decide to vacation elsewhere are disrespecting the team. I feel sorry for the player.
quote:Originally posted by 2Bmom:
we have to go to New Orleans every spring break. That's right.
Was that you on COPS- Mardi Gras?
With all the beads? Of course!
I knew it!!
One of the things the team does is take a walk down Burbon Street after dark. A PERFECT outing for high school baseball players!
And their dads. 
quote:Originally posted by 2Bmom:One of the things the team does is take a walk down Burbon Street after dark. A PERFECT outing for high school baseball players!
High School boys + Bourbon St(after hours) = priceless.
PS: Post pictures when you get back please.
It was so funny last year. 2Bdad and I went to a restaurant that had a balcony on the second floor, so we could see them coming. They walked in a big clump, coaches in the lead, moms (one with a stroller!) in the back, frightened JV players (ours can be 7th or 8th graders) seeking shelter among the larger of our varsity players from the...uh..."vendors"... on either side of the street.