Bravescoach, I appreciate your response, your son is obviously talented and I wish him well, I too had a freshman SS who is talented and traveling to florida and to california as part of u16 travel experience. Certainly, he will benefit from those experiences and I know that in the end our program will benefit from it also. However, I do also have many athletes who are talented enough to play just don't have the mental emotional maturity to do so. That is primarily why I would reccomend that they not partake in the travel experience. This is not an attitude of arrogance but rather a reality and true assessment of where that athlete is. I believe that if he can't meet my expectations then he can't compete at a higher level in the summer. In essence it is not in his best interest. I am sure that you can agree that there is nothing more frustrating to a coach that a player with tools and a emotional maturity of an elementary student. Which respectfully makes up a relative portion of travel baseball. Lots of tools, no make-up.
Sull-
1) It STRINGER not SPRINGER, I host baseball camps not talk shows.
2) If you think HS players (not your top 5%, think bell curve) know how to condition their bodies then you are watching from the stands with blinders on and kool-aid in hand. If there is one thing I think is MOST lacking in HS players it is proper conditioning.
3) Said by u-
"Im guessing that most of the travel guys will tell you they have a heck of a lot more fun during summer than the spring"
This statement saddens me to no end because I know that how some feel. Let me ask you a couple questions,
"Why do they have more fun playing summer vs. spring?"
"Why not just train in the spring for summer ball and skip meaningless boring HS games?"
Keep working hard,
Justin Stringer
Do It Right Baseball
Lane Tech Baseball
www.doitrightbaseball.com
HSBASEBALLWEB SPONSOR
1) It STRINGER not SPRINGER, I host baseball camps not talk shows.
2) If you think HS players (not your top 5%, think bell curve) know how to condition their bodies then you are watching from the stands with blinders on and kool-aid in hand. If there is one thing I think is MOST lacking in HS players it is proper conditioning.
3) Said by u-
"Im guessing that most of the travel guys will tell you they have a heck of a lot more fun during summer than the spring"
This statement saddens me to no end because I know that how some feel. Let me ask you a couple questions,
"Why do they have more fun playing summer vs. spring?"
"Why not just train in the spring for summer ball and skip meaningless boring HS games?"
Keep working hard,
Justin Stringer
Do It Right Baseball
Lane Tech Baseball
www.doitrightbaseball.com
HSBASEBALLWEB SPONSOR
Mr. Stringer
now you are taking some of my comments out of context and you know it. Why not just go to the source if you want that question answered ? Take a poll on here and ask the players themselves. Im not pretending to speak for all the players out there ..mine was just a general observation from being around a lot of these players over the years. If its true ..like you said it is ..why not try to find out why instead of bemoaning the fact ? Are you saying you want to prevent these players from hitting the road to PLAY just in order to keep an eye on their training and conditioning ? gimme a break . Players do want to actually PLAY this game ..not just spend all their time in some sort of training routine . If your Lane Tech guys arent taking care of themselves ..then shame on them... the players im around every year all seem to be ahletes who take pride in themselves and their bodies. Thats one of the reasons they can continue to compete at a high level.
I never said all the hs summer league games were boring and meaningless. I used the word meaningless for lack of a better choice of words ..no disrespect intended to anyone ..coaches or players. Obviously the games are played for a reason . My point was this--why would a coach want to hold back a player who he knows is/and has been / playing for his travel team if there happened to be a conflict on lets say a thurs or a fri when player is due to leave town ....just to have him play the hs summer game when the hs coach has more than enough players to put on the field . What is the coach getting out of not having flexibility in regards to this ?
Since you also felt like injecting sarcasm in your response to me ..for no reason....i dont believe i had it coming ..
Let me know how many colleges/scouts show up to watch one of your lane tech summer games when you play northside prep or taft or mather or any of the teams on your schedule ..ill let you know how many show up when our team goes to cincy for the toc or to East Cobb ga for perfect game tourney or any of the others on our schedule.
now you are taking some of my comments out of context and you know it. Why not just go to the source if you want that question answered ? Take a poll on here and ask the players themselves. Im not pretending to speak for all the players out there ..mine was just a general observation from being around a lot of these players over the years. If its true ..like you said it is ..why not try to find out why instead of bemoaning the fact ? Are you saying you want to prevent these players from hitting the road to PLAY just in order to keep an eye on their training and conditioning ? gimme a break . Players do want to actually PLAY this game ..not just spend all their time in some sort of training routine . If your Lane Tech guys arent taking care of themselves ..then shame on them... the players im around every year all seem to be ahletes who take pride in themselves and their bodies. Thats one of the reasons they can continue to compete at a high level.
I never said all the hs summer league games were boring and meaningless. I used the word meaningless for lack of a better choice of words ..no disrespect intended to anyone ..coaches or players. Obviously the games are played for a reason . My point was this--why would a coach want to hold back a player who he knows is/and has been / playing for his travel team if there happened to be a conflict on lets say a thurs or a fri when player is due to leave town ....just to have him play the hs summer game when the hs coach has more than enough players to put on the field . What is the coach getting out of not having flexibility in regards to this ?
Since you also felt like injecting sarcasm in your response to me ..for no reason....i dont believe i had it coming ..
Let me know how many colleges/scouts show up to watch one of your lane tech summer games when you play northside prep or taft or mather or any of the teams on your schedule ..ill let you know how many show up when our team goes to cincy for the toc or to East Cobb ga for perfect game tourney or any of the others on our schedule.
Stringer-
There was a kid that did that exact thing last year from Crystal lake. He signed early and thought H.S wasn't good enough for him and thought the H.S was too weak of competition so he just played summer ball and skipped his senior year of H.S. He went to Eastern Kentucky. (i really hope this doesn't become a trend) If I was the college coach I would be concerned with that and probably advise the kid to play H.S ball because no matter how good the summer team is, H.S ball is very rewarding because you put alot of time into it, you play with kids you know for 4 years, and your representing your school which will become your alma matter for years and years and if you win state it's something you brag about for years. I love the travel ball circuit and think the competition over the summer is much better than the H.S summer season but I also think you should play both. Oak Park plays Prairie Ridge and you see a ton of kids that graduated coming back to cheer on their old high school, that just won't happen in summer ball.
As for conditioning, your right H.S kids are very weak and don't lift. I think it's a combination of not having the work ethic, H.S not taking it serious and putting a plan together for the kids. When I was in H.S our coach had us lifting all the time but that was in Feb-March, when we weren't allowed to practice. The summer is time to play, lift on your own and maintain strength. Especially in Illinois because the summer might be the only time you get in a ton of games, missing games just to lift in my opinion would be wrong. You have the winter to lift, game experience when it's hot is very important. I think there's room for both H.S and summer but as Sully pointed out a ton of H.S coaches don't like it for some reason and that's unfortunate.
There was a kid that did that exact thing last year from Crystal lake. He signed early and thought H.S wasn't good enough for him and thought the H.S was too weak of competition so he just played summer ball and skipped his senior year of H.S. He went to Eastern Kentucky. (i really hope this doesn't become a trend) If I was the college coach I would be concerned with that and probably advise the kid to play H.S ball because no matter how good the summer team is, H.S ball is very rewarding because you put alot of time into it, you play with kids you know for 4 years, and your representing your school which will become your alma matter for years and years and if you win state it's something you brag about for years. I love the travel ball circuit and think the competition over the summer is much better than the H.S summer season but I also think you should play both. Oak Park plays Prairie Ridge and you see a ton of kids that graduated coming back to cheer on their old high school, that just won't happen in summer ball.
As for conditioning, your right H.S kids are very weak and don't lift. I think it's a combination of not having the work ethic, H.S not taking it serious and putting a plan together for the kids. When I was in H.S our coach had us lifting all the time but that was in Feb-March, when we weren't allowed to practice. The summer is time to play, lift on your own and maintain strength. Especially in Illinois because the summer might be the only time you get in a ton of games, missing games just to lift in my opinion would be wrong. You have the winter to lift, game experience when it's hot is very important. I think there's room for both H.S and summer but as Sully pointed out a ton of H.S coaches don't like it for some reason and that's unfortunate.
quote:There was a kid that did that exact thing last year from Crystal lake. He signed early and thought H.S wasn't good enough for him and thought the H.S was too weak of competition
This is not accurate, the player felt that his skills would fail to develop in the system he was in. He spent the time working on his individual skills. He also become a showcase circuit player between his junior and senior year, did not commit to any team.
NAILS, I am not sure you have things correct about the player from crystal lake. I don't think I have ever seen that young man think anyone or competition is too weak or not good enough for him. I wish he had played his last year at high school but that was his choice or his parents. He also did start almost every game for his college and played his butt off for them as he has for everyone that I know that he has played for over the years. This kid works as hard as anyone I have seen.
As far as conditioning and saying high school players are weak and don't lift I have no idea what high school you are talking about but most high school players do lift, many now work hard at getting stronger and faster. They do this at their school or on their own but most I know lift hard.
The only problem I have with doing both high school and summer all year is that their is not enough practice time to work individual skill development. Many travel teams work all winter on things but when it is the summer season there is very little practice because of the game committment, pretty easy to get into a hitting funk by doing only games and not enough practice sessions. JMO
As far as conditioning and saying high school players are weak and don't lift I have no idea what high school you are talking about but most high school players do lift, many now work hard at getting stronger and faster. They do this at their school or on their own but most I know lift hard.
The only problem I have with doing both high school and summer all year is that their is not enough practice time to work individual skill development. Many travel teams work all winter on things but when it is the summer season there is very little practice because of the game committment, pretty easy to get into a hitting funk by doing only games and not enough practice sessions. JMO
What did I take out of context, that’s exactly what you said verbatim. I never said LT players weren’t in shape, I said HS players in general. I never said stay home, I said travel ball severly limits nutrition and training in most players. The bottom line is there needs to be open communication between HS coaches and players/parents/summer coaches about summer ball scheduling. I see your point but please look at this from a HS coaches’ point of view who’s looking out for what is best for the whole of his team, not parts
Like I said I’m not talking about your top 5%-10% of HS players here, bell curve, the middle. At what point does a coach decide which summer ball teams and tournaments qualify for "BIG TIME" travel ball?
Say you have 7-10 kids that want to travel out of town on Thur for a tournament of some kind. 2 are on a B T team, 1 is on a solid team, and 4-7 are on OK travel teams. Where do you draw the line? These 3 can go but you guys have to stay? What if your team needs players to play a HS game and has OF and P playing INF because the starting INF and 1-4 on the staff are in Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Not all teams carry 40 players for summer league. Is that fair to the other players on the HS team who might not be as talented, but deserve more? Who speaks for them?
I know.
It really comes down to this though, your HS coach makes the decisions about who plays each year, like it or not. That is the job he was entrusted to do by your school and he is the one who will be fired for poor production. So understand why they want to have a little bit of control over what happens with their program.
Keep working hard,
Justin Stringer
Do It Right Baseball
Lane Tech Baseball
www.doitrightbaseball.com
HSBASEBALLWEB SPONSOR
Like I said I’m not talking about your top 5%-10% of HS players here, bell curve, the middle. At what point does a coach decide which summer ball teams and tournaments qualify for "BIG TIME" travel ball?
Say you have 7-10 kids that want to travel out of town on Thur for a tournament of some kind. 2 are on a B T team, 1 is on a solid team, and 4-7 are on OK travel teams. Where do you draw the line? These 3 can go but you guys have to stay? What if your team needs players to play a HS game and has OF and P playing INF because the starting INF and 1-4 on the staff are in Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Not all teams carry 40 players for summer league. Is that fair to the other players on the HS team who might not be as talented, but deserve more? Who speaks for them?
I know.
It really comes down to this though, your HS coach makes the decisions about who plays each year, like it or not. That is the job he was entrusted to do by your school and he is the one who will be fired for poor production. So understand why they want to have a little bit of control over what happens with their program.
Keep working hard,
Justin Stringer
Do It Right Baseball
Lane Tech Baseball
www.doitrightbaseball.com
HSBASEBALLWEB SPONSOR
LTTB47, well said. Nothing was taken out of context, Sulltiger time to own your words.
what's showcase circuit player mean exactly? Pretty sure he was on the Sparks and I did not say the kid wasn't good, he obviously has a ton of talent going to a D1, and playing early on. Even though I back travel ball completely I don't think you should skip your H.S season. How wouldn't you develop properly by practicing everday as a team? No matter how bad your program is your still throwing everyday, taking fly balls, hitting off a tee, doing drills, playing in game situations all spring. No personal drills can compare to that. "Failing to develop in the system your in" is a fancy way to say you think your too good and you'd be better off on your own. Even though some H.S coaches might not be the best, as I pointed out just practicing everyday with a team helps you.
As for lifting, not sure what kids your talking about but like Stringer pointed out, except the top 5-10% not many of them have the work ethic. I see a ton of top players also that go to college and can't cut it because it's "too much" or they don't have the discipline to practice and lift everyday, alot of them decide to not play in college also because they don't want to take the responsibility that playing big time baseball requires. It's a fact, I sure most H.S coaches would agree that the work ethic of 95% of their kids just isn't there for one reason or another. I also think that's why alot of kids like summer ball more because there is no practice everyday, they just come and play and probably leave. They don't get yelled at, they aren't held responsible, winning or losing isn't a huge deal because after all the summer coach can't say too much because the kid paid to be on the team and paid to get plenty of playing time. I love travel ball but it has pro's and con's. More pro's of course but H.S to me is important as well.
As for lifting, not sure what kids your talking about but like Stringer pointed out, except the top 5-10% not many of them have the work ethic. I see a ton of top players also that go to college and can't cut it because it's "too much" or they don't have the discipline to practice and lift everyday, alot of them decide to not play in college also because they don't want to take the responsibility that playing big time baseball requires. It's a fact, I sure most H.S coaches would agree that the work ethic of 95% of their kids just isn't there for one reason or another. I also think that's why alot of kids like summer ball more because there is no practice everyday, they just come and play and probably leave. They don't get yelled at, they aren't held responsible, winning or losing isn't a huge deal because after all the summer coach can't say too much because the kid paid to be on the team and paid to get plenty of playing time. I love travel ball but it has pro's and con's. More pro's of course but H.S to me is important as well.
Both sides of this issue have brought out a lot of good points, and to the H.S. Coaches that put the player first I salute you. But for all the good coaches out there is still the bad. Here is an example of what happened to my son this past spring and I will let you judge if as a parent I do not have the right to be concerned with his H.S. future at his present school.
My son is a freshman, who was pulled up to play on the sophomore team this past spring. He pitched very well and only pitched against the stronger teams in our conference. About half way through the season and a weekend double header with our cross-town rival my son was put in the DH role, though he continued to pitch when it was his turn in the rotation he did not see the field as a position player for 7-8 games straight. He also plays first base, but for some reason they had him catching or at third and only made one error to this point of the season. It was very hard to keep his confidence up and he was starting to question his talent as a ballplayer. And just to let you know I never approached the coach about his lack of playing time.
Then after one of our games he pulled my son to the side after all the other players had left the field. As I watched from the parking lot I saw the coaches arms flapping and though I could not make out what he was saying I knew it was not good as I saw my sons head down. After 15 to 20 minutes my son came to the car and was fighting back the tears, I asked what was wrong and he could not look me in the face. As I tried to get it out of him the coach just walked by me with this look on his face that just got my blood really boiling, but again I did not say anything to him except hello. Then he told me what was said, and I just could not believe what I was hearing as my son explained the conversation to me. The coach told him that he is a selfish player, that he is not a good team player and then came the kiss of death, that he is “UNCOACHABLE”. He also went on to say that he did not care how much success he has had at the travel ball level because he thinks travel ball is ****. He then told him that he has informed the varsity coach of his opinion and that he will be left down this summer off the varsity roster.
Now, I am not that concerned that he will not be playing on the varsity this summer. What I am worried about is the fact he has to play for this same coach who made his freshman year a disaster. And know he has been told that he is allowed to only pitch one inning with his travel team each tournament, dose this sound like a coach you would let your son play for? The really sad part of it is I have been taking my son to the varsity games since he has been in 7th grade, and now he has asked my wife and I if he can transfer to another school. This whole situation just makes me sick, and then you ask why some parents don’t respect the H.S. coaches.
My son is a freshman, who was pulled up to play on the sophomore team this past spring. He pitched very well and only pitched against the stronger teams in our conference. About half way through the season and a weekend double header with our cross-town rival my son was put in the DH role, though he continued to pitch when it was his turn in the rotation he did not see the field as a position player for 7-8 games straight. He also plays first base, but for some reason they had him catching or at third and only made one error to this point of the season. It was very hard to keep his confidence up and he was starting to question his talent as a ballplayer. And just to let you know I never approached the coach about his lack of playing time.
Then after one of our games he pulled my son to the side after all the other players had left the field. As I watched from the parking lot I saw the coaches arms flapping and though I could not make out what he was saying I knew it was not good as I saw my sons head down. After 15 to 20 minutes my son came to the car and was fighting back the tears, I asked what was wrong and he could not look me in the face. As I tried to get it out of him the coach just walked by me with this look on his face that just got my blood really boiling, but again I did not say anything to him except hello. Then he told me what was said, and I just could not believe what I was hearing as my son explained the conversation to me. The coach told him that he is a selfish player, that he is not a good team player and then came the kiss of death, that he is “UNCOACHABLE”. He also went on to say that he did not care how much success he has had at the travel ball level because he thinks travel ball is ****. He then told him that he has informed the varsity coach of his opinion and that he will be left down this summer off the varsity roster.
Now, I am not that concerned that he will not be playing on the varsity this summer. What I am worried about is the fact he has to play for this same coach who made his freshman year a disaster. And know he has been told that he is allowed to only pitch one inning with his travel team each tournament, dose this sound like a coach you would let your son play for? The really sad part of it is I have been taking my son to the varsity games since he has been in 7th grade, and now he has asked my wife and I if he can transfer to another school. This whole situation just makes me sick, and then you ask why some parents don’t respect the H.S. coaches.
The player you are referring to did practice every day and yes he did get better!
Stringer said "why not skip the spring and train for summer ball" I think he was saying that in jest, who knows. But I pointed out a situation where a kid has done that and with travel ball, I think more and more kids are going to do it and it's not a positive trend. Are there bad H.S coaches, absolutely. Was your kid selfish, maybe, maybe not but I am sure the coach could make a case as to why he was and of course you'll make the case of why he wasn't. I just think there's something to be said about sticking it out and trying to overcome, trying to gain the good graces of the coach by working hard or maybe buying into his program. It's becoming too easy to just transfer or quit and go play somewhere else that isn't going to yell at you because you paid them money. Alot of kids as I mentioned play travel ball and have success there because there's no pressure on them, no pressure to win and no coach yelling at them, no other kid threating to beat them out, etc. So they coast all summer and play well, then in H.S when games matter and the pressure is a little higher they fold and aren't used to competing.
CSG, your situation sounds like it was with a lower level coach. Even though he is suggesting things to the Varsity coach I am sure your son has 2 years to prove to the Varsity coach that he's not the player the lower level guy said he was. I just wonder what made the coach yell at the kid, it had to be something.
CSG, your situation sounds like it was with a lower level coach. Even though he is suggesting things to the Varsity coach I am sure your son has 2 years to prove to the Varsity coach that he's not the player the lower level guy said he was. I just wonder what made the coach yell at the kid, it had to be something.
Anxious to here what a showcase circuit player is...
Most likley simalar to the HS circuit thats hit town this yr, or been building the past few. Team Illinois? Or do you mean Plainfield? Or possibly Stevenson? Wait, maybe the black and silver? Oh, the area code tryout, Is that the circuit you are talking about????? Oops , forgot the pitch and hit.. I can certainly see what the showcase circuit is. Or at least its getting clear. It is a lot thats true..
The young man from CL was one of the hardest workig kids I have ever been around. His "make-up" is the same you find in the Major Leagues. He was very successful playing as a Freshmen due to his work ethic and will to be better player.
There is always two sides to the story
For anyone to put out something so false about a kid is unbeleivable. Like it or not, he did not play for his HS his Sr year. It sure wasnt about them not developing him, it was simply a personal problem between he and his Coach. Why would people put such Bull **** on this board about a kid who is as good a kid as you will find. Committed to the game like nobody else and not playing his Sr yr was not a choice he wanted to make.
My tournament team ( travel circuit showcase team as you called it)(since he did play for me) is heading to the Metredome to mix it up with the East Cobb Braves, Orlando Scorpions, Wis Blazers and a couple other light weights in a couple days.
I'm playing there because we were invited, I thought it would be a great experience for the kids to play in the Dome, and its going to be the best competition they have ever faced. Its simple from my perspective.
My question is why do HS coaches (and not nearly all) wish to create the conflict between your seasons and the Summer. You can honestly tell me that your top guy cant benifit from playing against better kids? Along with his daily work , be that with his HS coach or whoever. Who the hell really cares as long as he gets his work in.
I think theres more to this story....
Is one of my Summer players being told per a telephone conversation that he is selfish when he decided to go to the PG National instead of the Stevenson Showcase a proper thing to tell a young man?.. Selfish because he was invited to the National???? Get real...
Is the Team Illinois concidered a selfish player because he chooses to play seperate of his other HS teammates? Right its different , you (IHSA)stamped it.
Dont get me wrong here, I beleive and my players completly understand that the foundation to their careers are their HS team. And the HS coaches whom I have very good relationships with know what my intentions are.
There is way more to this I know....There has to be.
Most likley simalar to the HS circuit thats hit town this yr, or been building the past few. Team Illinois? Or do you mean Plainfield? Or possibly Stevenson? Wait, maybe the black and silver? Oh, the area code tryout, Is that the circuit you are talking about????? Oops , forgot the pitch and hit.. I can certainly see what the showcase circuit is. Or at least its getting clear. It is a lot thats true..
The young man from CL was one of the hardest workig kids I have ever been around. His "make-up" is the same you find in the Major Leagues. He was very successful playing as a Freshmen due to his work ethic and will to be better player.
There is always two sides to the story
For anyone to put out something so false about a kid is unbeleivable. Like it or not, he did not play for his HS his Sr year. It sure wasnt about them not developing him, it was simply a personal problem between he and his Coach. Why would people put such Bull **** on this board about a kid who is as good a kid as you will find. Committed to the game like nobody else and not playing his Sr yr was not a choice he wanted to make.
My tournament team ( travel circuit showcase team as you called it)(since he did play for me) is heading to the Metredome to mix it up with the East Cobb Braves, Orlando Scorpions, Wis Blazers and a couple other light weights in a couple days.
I'm playing there because we were invited, I thought it would be a great experience for the kids to play in the Dome, and its going to be the best competition they have ever faced. Its simple from my perspective.
My question is why do HS coaches (and not nearly all) wish to create the conflict between your seasons and the Summer. You can honestly tell me that your top guy cant benifit from playing against better kids? Along with his daily work , be that with his HS coach or whoever. Who the hell really cares as long as he gets his work in.
I think theres more to this story....
Is one of my Summer players being told per a telephone conversation that he is selfish when he decided to go to the PG National instead of the Stevenson Showcase a proper thing to tell a young man?.. Selfish because he was invited to the National???? Get real...
Is the Team Illinois concidered a selfish player because he chooses to play seperate of his other HS teammates? Right its different , you (IHSA)stamped it.
Dont get me wrong here, I beleive and my players completly understand that the foundation to their careers are their HS team. And the HS coaches whom I have very good relationships with know what my intentions are.
There is way more to this I know....There has to be.
Nails, I did ask my son that question and he said that he did not do or say anything that would give the coach any reason to go off like that. I can say that one week earlier he did and said the same exact things to one of the sophomores, and that kid ended the season pitching for the varsity.
The CL kid did keep himself busy in the spring and summer which was good for him. I just hate to see the trend starting where more and more kids for reasons other than a personality conflict quit H.S and don't play at all in the spring. H.S baseball is a great experience. Using reasons like...their not playing the position they wanted, or they are in the bullpen instead of being a starter, etc. I see too many kids unwilling to change positions, only want to play within their comfort zone. They go to certain teams and insist they play 2b, if this doesn't happen they just go to another team the next year or send him to a team where they know the coach very well. Knowing the coach will treat the player with "kid gloves" and play him every inning at shortstop and pitch him in all the big games.
Those kids are the one's that are in for a rude awakening when college baseball starts up because the politics are pretty much over at that point and you will be moved if your not better than the shortstop in front of you. That's what I don't want to see happening, the 2b from Brother Rice is one of the most hard nosed kids you'll find. He plays 2b for his H.S team and in the summer I think they move him all over the place and even in the OF, the kid accepts it because he just wants to play the game and he knows it's getting him better. My point is I still think you try to stick out each situation and learn from it and not just quit. There's exceptions to every rule of course.
Those kids are the one's that are in for a rude awakening when college baseball starts up because the politics are pretty much over at that point and you will be moved if your not better than the shortstop in front of you. That's what I don't want to see happening, the 2b from Brother Rice is one of the most hard nosed kids you'll find. He plays 2b for his H.S team and in the summer I think they move him all over the place and even in the OF, the kid accepts it because he just wants to play the game and he knows it's getting him better. My point is I still think you try to stick out each situation and learn from it and not just quit. There's exceptions to every rule of course.
Mr.Copp just posed the question again in his post and so far no one --not even the two HS coaches who have taken pot shots at me in this thread --have any real desire to answer it ..just become defensive and skirt around it. Why do high school coaches insist on trying to compete with the summer travel guys ? Like i said ..i know the reasons a few of them do it ..and its definitely not because they are doing it in the best interest of their players. In some cases it has become personal and lets put the kids in the middle of the situation.
Mr.Copp is correct ..there certainly is more to the situation than meets the eye
Mr. Stringer
some coaches want too much control over the players --that is the issue
Playball
not going to get into a pssng contest with you.
Im not a high school coach ..so i couldnt possibly have any credibility on here.
Mr.Copp is correct ..there certainly is more to the situation than meets the eye
Mr. Stringer
some coaches want too much control over the players --that is the issue
Playball
not going to get into a pssng contest with you.
Im not a high school coach ..so i couldnt possibly have any credibility on here.
Just a thought... but I don't hear the "travel teams" telling kids play with us or else, but it appears that high schools are telling kids that. Maybe that is the point of the entire discussion.
And I don't think Sparky just does it to collect money from his players either. As for a "comfort zone"... how comfortable do you think my kid was playing in front of over 20 head scouting directors & versing a team that had 8 kids drafted in the top 3 rounds???? I wasn't.
Someone explain that one to me, please.
And I don't think Sparky just does it to collect money from his players either. As for a "comfort zone"... how comfortable do you think my kid was playing in front of over 20 head scouting directors & versing a team that had 8 kids drafted in the top 3 rounds???? I wasn't.
Someone explain that one to me, please.
Alot of kids want to be in their comfort zone, Sparks don't do that with kids as per my example of how he was moving Mike around. Anyway, i think it's great your kid was in front of all those scouts. I was thinking the exact same thing watching the Prairie Ridge game, when Martini was on the mound with the tying run on 2nd base, bottom of the 7th and the fans going crazy. I thought to myself, it's a good thing this kid was a top prospect and has been to a bunch of showcases or summer games with a ton of scouts in the stands with guns on him, watches, etc. He's used to this situation and it helped him keep his poise no doubt. Another H.S kid in that same situation and that's the first time he's seen a big stage like that more than likely would be very very nervous. I think these kids being involved with all that stuff whether it's Stevenson, Area Codes, PBR showcases, summer games in Jupiter, etc help prepare kids for the situation last night. All that only helps the HS kid.
quote:Just a thought... but I don't hear the "travel teams" telling kids play with us or else, but it appears that high schools are telling kids that. Maybe that is the point of the entire discussion.
nc42dad - Well said.
It’s all about the options these players have these days. We are not talking 20-30 years ago when all that was available was the H.S. summer ball and Legion ball. And to limit a player’s options to be a better ball player is just wrong. And any coach who stands in the way of this should not be allowed to coach. JMO
quote:Originally posted by nc42dad:
Just a thought... but I don't hear the "travel teams" telling kids play with us or else, but it appears that high schools are telling kids that. Maybe that is the point of the entire discussion.
Bingo...and because of that, those particular high school coaches will begin to lose more of their players with only themselves to blame. Trust me, there's a whole lot of kids and parents out there who are fed up with the intimidation and threats...probably enough to field a real competitive spring league outside of the IHSA.
And let's not forget, it's not the IHSA Summer League.
It is the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Summer League. Do I need to say more?
It is the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Summer League. Do I need to say more?
quote:For anyone to put out something so false about a kid is unbeleivable. Like it or not, he did not play for his HS his Sr year. It sure wasnt about them not developing him, it was simply a personal problem between he and his Coach.
Slow down their Sparky, nobody has ever questioned his work ethic or mental makeup etc, this young man chose not play for the reason I stated, I know this because he told me after we had a hitting lesson with his dad sitting outside of the cage urging me to get him to reconsider. Secondly, the circuit I referred to dealt with the individual and not the team. Infact that is where EKU spotted him initially, how do I know this, because that's what the head coach told me. I don't appreciate you insinuation of slanderous remarks. That will not do. I have tremendous respect for your organization because I believe you do it right. But I have and always will blog with integrity and there is no reason to ever question that. By the way the coach he had the personal issue with, one is no longer there and two took the player's equipment over spring break and told the team to take the week long vacation. It was about his development, period and until he tells me different I will not change my BS as you referred to it.
Do you need to say more? Why does the IHSBCA get less respect than travel coaches? I resent that as Im sure many others would. This thread seems to have run its course on constructive thoughts. Lets move on. Have a great summer!
Keep working hard,
Justin Stringer
Do It Right Baseball
Lane Tech Baseball
www.doitrightbaseball.com
HSBASEBALLWEB SPONSOR
Keep working hard,
Justin Stringer
Do It Right Baseball
Lane Tech Baseball
www.doitrightbaseball.com
HSBASEBALLWEB SPONSOR
Here is a good example of why a kid want to play for someone other than his HS Coach in the summer.
My brother's kid hit the living daylights out of the ball from the time he was 9 til the end of his Freshman year in HS. He is a big guy who could really hit...power, average, and situationally. What happened? Well, without ever having seen him hit, The Varsity Coach determined that he would pitch only. If he had to do it over again, this kid would have done it differently.....why let the HS Coach decide your future any more than you have to?
Going elsewhere in the summer gives you the chance to let someone else decide if he can play or not. Maybe the Coach was right, but then again I'm sure he was wrong.
My brother's kid hit the living daylights out of the ball from the time he was 9 til the end of his Freshman year in HS. He is a big guy who could really hit...power, average, and situationally. What happened? Well, without ever having seen him hit, The Varsity Coach determined that he would pitch only. If he had to do it over again, this kid would have done it differently.....why let the HS Coach decide your future any more than you have to?
Going elsewhere in the summer gives you the chance to let someone else decide if he can play or not. Maybe the Coach was right, but then again I'm sure he was wrong.
quote:Based on the level competition (without travel players), how can I make an assumption on their abilities as it translates to success for the upcoming spring when the travel kids are in the line ups.
Sulltiger your question has been answer long ago and Bravescoach no need for the idol threat go ahead and move on it but keep in mind that for the first time all of you will deal with what a HS coach deals with day in and day out. Good Luck
I heard it very different and the fact that the coach is gone may speak for itself..
You basically avoided my direct question,
why is my circuit any different then the one being created ??? Different why????? I am glad you know Elvis and John and the guys at EKU.. I never questioned your personal relationships with any coach. The name dropping doesnt really impress me.
I have sat back and listened and watched you attach the very thing I do for kids year in and year out.
You for some odd reason done nothing but say how selfish the players are,, here is another question,
you have openly said that the IHSA coaches board has sponsered the PBR, which is a showcase and ranking /recruiting business the last I knew. It is also a fact that the Top Teir guys and the PBR have a relationship. Nobody hiding anything there. This is a known and public fact that Coach Fines organazation and Coach Wabicks organazation have merged. I beleive there is a thread on here for it.
If you google the ABR, it appears there is another association of a sort. Its a kids magizine that showcases 12-15 yr olds. Its USSSA based and Coach Wabick is the State directer here in Illinois. So if thats the showcase circuit you speak of then I apologize. I am starting to see your point.
and again, the kid we speak of also played for me a Fall and a Summer. I would go to bat for him anytime, because I fell I have a pretty good feel for him also. I heard very very different. Not sure exactly why the comment was made.
I just know theres more to this story...
You basically avoided my direct question,
why is my circuit any different then the one being created ??? Different why????? I am glad you know Elvis and John and the guys at EKU.. I never questioned your personal relationships with any coach. The name dropping doesnt really impress me.
I have sat back and listened and watched you attach the very thing I do for kids year in and year out.
You for some odd reason done nothing but say how selfish the players are,, here is another question,
you have openly said that the IHSA coaches board has sponsered the PBR, which is a showcase and ranking /recruiting business the last I knew. It is also a fact that the Top Teir guys and the PBR have a relationship. Nobody hiding anything there. This is a known and public fact that Coach Fines organazation and Coach Wabicks organazation have merged. I beleive there is a thread on here for it.
If you google the ABR, it appears there is another association of a sort. Its a kids magizine that showcases 12-15 yr olds. Its USSSA based and Coach Wabick is the State directer here in Illinois. So if thats the showcase circuit you speak of then I apologize. I am starting to see your point.
and again, the kid we speak of also played for me a Fall and a Summer. I would go to bat for him anytime, because I fell I have a pretty good feel for him also. I heard very very different. Not sure exactly why the comment was made.
I just know theres more to this story...
In an earlier thread here you or someone made the comment on how the Travel kids have no make up.. WHy??? because they play on a summer team....I am saying he had make up .. He played travel. He had make up, so that statement doesnt cut it.
LTBB
Where did anyone say the travel guys get more respect, come on man, are you kidding me?
I see at the top of the Illinois forum your DO it right academy has a Showcase this week, good luck,
HS coach? showcase? and I have the circuit.. LOl.. Lol..
Where did anyone say the travel guys get more respect, come on man, are you kidding me?
I see at the top of the Illinois forum your DO it right academy has a Showcase this week, good luck,
HS coach? showcase? and I have the circuit.. LOl.. Lol..
quote:This is not an attitude of arrogance but rather a reality and true assessment of where that athlete is. I believe that if he can't meet my expectations then he can't compete at a higher level in the summer. In essence it is not in his best interest. I am sure that you can agree that there is nothing more frustrating to a coach that a player with tools and a emotional maturity of an elementary student. Which respectfully makes up a relative portion of travel baseball. Lots of tools, no make-up.
Sparky, is this what you are talking about? explain to me how this attacks what you do? These comments where not even in reference to the player you so defend. I did not name drop, those persons names where not listed, check again, but you did and you did question my integrity. You state that I have spoken about the selfishness of the travel team player, find the thread?
As far as your issue with top tier take it up with them. I am not sure why it matters to the sparks what top tier is doing. PBR is recognized as a publication supported by the IHSBCA and we purchase a full page advertisement in support of the publication.
Lastly, If you believe that a High School program is impacting your ability to be succesful with your program, than contact that coach and say so. You have that right.
Boys, wherever you're playing this summer, and for whomever you are playing respect the game, your opponents and don't forget about the sacrifices your parents are making for you.
Sparky-
Nobody had to say it, all you have to do is read the posts. Have you not read the past posts bashing HS coaches and mocking things like the IHSBCA?
Yes we have a showcase coming up for the remaining unsigned seniors still looking for places to play. The only showcase we do mind you. I think it serves a great need in our area for players that might be 2" too small or 20 lbs. too light for D1 schools but are good ballplayers looking for an opportunity to play college ball somewhere. Click on the top there and read into it, it will be a great event.
Best of Luck with your team.
Keep working hard,
Justin Stringer
Do It Right Baseball
Lane Tech Baseball
www.doitrightbaseball.com
HSBASEBALLWEB SPONSOR
Nobody had to say it, all you have to do is read the posts. Have you not read the past posts bashing HS coaches and mocking things like the IHSBCA?
Yes we have a showcase coming up for the remaining unsigned seniors still looking for places to play. The only showcase we do mind you. I think it serves a great need in our area for players that might be 2" too small or 20 lbs. too light for D1 schools but are good ballplayers looking for an opportunity to play college ball somewhere. Click on the top there and read into it, it will be a great event.
Best of Luck with your team.
Keep working hard,
Justin Stringer
Do It Right Baseball
Lane Tech Baseball
www.doitrightbaseball.com
HSBASEBALLWEB SPONSOR
quote:Lastly, If you believe that a High School program is impacting your ability to be succesful with your program, than contact that coach and say so. You have that right.
Coach, I am going to change one word in your statement, program with development.
“If you believe that a High School program is impacting your ability to be successful with your development, than contact that coach and say so. You have that right.”
Maybe not in your program or others within the state, but there are coaches that will not talk to parents or players if they are having a problem. If they do approach the coach they are again labeled as an “UNCOACHABLE” player or the parent is just a pain in the behind to put it in a nice way. The person the parent should be talking to is the schools AD or Principle.
that attacks the make up of the travel player as I read it. You have consistantly taken pot shots at the travel teams in this area.
Its easy to go back ad read you past posts and see one after another. Shot after shot.
No , you miss understood me, one of the IHSA guys called my player who was committed to a tournament and couldnt go to something run by you guys, could have been plainfeild or Stevenson, either way , the fact that he got a late invite to something after a committment to with us, he was told he was selfish and didnt respect the high schools and the conferences he is in.?? Are you kidding me? To put that kind of heat on a 17 year old kid is pretty ******. IMO....
Its easy to go back ad read you past posts and see one after another. Shot after shot.
No , you miss understood me, one of the IHSA guys called my player who was committed to a tournament and couldnt go to something run by you guys, could have been plainfeild or Stevenson, either way , the fact that he got a late invite to something after a committment to with us, he was told he was selfish and didnt respect the high schools and the conferences he is in.?? Are you kidding me? To put that kind of heat on a 17 year old kid is pretty ******. IMO....
quote:You have consistantly taken pot shots at the travel teams in this area.
Its easy to go back ad read you past posts and see one after another. Shot after shot.
Post them
quote:Do you need to say more? Why does the IHSBCA get less respect than travel coaches? I resent that as Im sure many others would. This thread seems to have run its course on constructive thoughts. Lets move on. Have a great summer!
Mr. Stringer, Let me change the wording of your post.
Why do the Travel coaches get less respect than High School coaches?
I guess if you are not a high school baseball coach , you are not allowed to question how they go about running their program with regards to how much control they would like to wield over the players . If you do ..you will be accused of not respecting them along with all the other **** thrown in for good measure . Good luck getting any straight answers to a direct question .
Heck..the high school guys should be thanking the programs like the Sparks for providing top level coaching , training , and the opportunity to play against top level competition . We havent even touched on the fact that programs like the sparks conduct full scale practices during the winter in the weeks leading up to the start of high school workouts. This can only make things better for the hs coach having some of his players better prepared and ready to go . Isnt this a good thing ? Isnt this the training and conditioning that Stringer was referring to ? Am i missing something here ? Isnt it all still BASEBALL ??
Heck..the high school guys should be thanking the programs like the Sparks for providing top level coaching , training , and the opportunity to play against top level competition . We havent even touched on the fact that programs like the sparks conduct full scale practices during the winter in the weeks leading up to the start of high school workouts. This can only make things better for the hs coach having some of his players better prepared and ready to go . Isnt this a good thing ? Isnt this the training and conditioning that Stringer was referring to ? Am i missing something here ? Isnt it all still BASEBALL ??
Why the need to be validated at all?
I am a bit surprised that not one of the H.S. coaches involved in this thread will not respond to the situation that m son is in. So I take it as you just want to disregard a bad coaching job from one of your fellow coaches, or you think that I am just one of those parents that like to complain. You would rather bash travel baseball. Very Interesting.
I dont beleive I stated that a HS program was impacting anything I am doing. And I am more concerned with the kids involved with this mess then any so called program as you call it.
Seems to me you are more then calling us(travel coaches) out, Know I'm out and more then willing to talk openly about many things.
Lets start with Lessons.....
Seems to me you are more then calling us(travel coaches) out, Know I'm out and more then willing to talk openly about many things.
Lets start with Lessons.....
Spark what are you talking about? Are you really reading what is written?