The future of high school sports

http://hsbaseballweb.com/eve/f...7055616?r=3607065616

Not surprised, but very bad thing IMO.

Basketball has had the AAU circuit for 30-40 years. The shoe companies run the sport. The private schools such as Don Bosco and Oak Hill are really club teams playing 35-40 games a year all over the country. ESPN's money will continue to drive this. I don't think it's too far fetched to think that a HS March Madneess tournament to crown a HS National Champion is that far off. 16 teams over 5 days wrapped around the Final 4. The teams that compete for it will be HS teams in name only.

When ESPN gets to the point that the Ocho is a reallity it will probably be a HS Sports network. It will either keep star players in school or lead to the development of club teams all aiming to get on TV.

I can see the argument for this not based just on development but also academics. Kids who play on Team USA teams that are year round miss a lot of school. In the big picture it affects less than 1% of all players.

We had a girl (Katie, if anyone local is familar) at our high school who was on an 18U Team USA all through high school. She played two high school sports in addition to Team USA. It affected her grades. In her primary sport she was constantly triple teamed. Nothing she faced at the high school level came close to anything she would see at the international level. She still led the league in scoring and was an awesome passer. She was a four time All-American. She'll be in the Olympics this summer. One of my son's friend's sister said her biggest high school thrill was holding this girl scoreless as part of a triple team.

In baseball, you can't triple team a pitcher or hitter. There's nothing in baseball that compares to s0ccer and field hockey. I don't believe Team USA baseball plays all school year constantly traveling the world. Some other sports require it due to the need to maintain timing between teammates.

We know a boy that plays on one of the US National S****r teams - he can't play for his HS because he lives 3000 miles away at the academy (not missing any school as he goes with his teammates).

In the Seattle and surrounding areas, (most) club sports have better competition, better coaching, and a longer season than the HS sports. Wearing your school uniform means quite a bit for the high profile sports of football and boys basketball, but, generally, not for any of the other sports.

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Wearing your school uniform means quite a bit for the high profile sports of football and boys basketball, but, generally, not for any of the other sports.

Let's not have a redeux of the high school baseball stinks versus playing for your high school debate again. I believe most players and their parents enjoyed the experience regardless of the level of competition.

I believe most players and their parents enjoyed the experience regardless of the level of competition.

The death knell of high school sports will be when there some type of mandatory playing time rules for all on a team. If you're on a team you will be guaranteed X amount of playing time.

Sadly it's closer than you think now that there are some schools who don't allow teams to cut players.

Actually I think it will come down to dollars. Schools are struggling financially and athletics only benefits a few kids. Thus they will be cut. So will band etc. The existence of club sports will provide the out for school districts. You want sports join a club.

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Club sports? I can imagine...





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Been thinking about this a lot lately as my son is just over a year away from 9th grade baseball. Wondering if my logic is correct.

My thoughts...HS coaches, usually teachers primarily that played maybe college ball. Might have families and responsibilities other than giving 100% to teaching and making players better during HS years.

Club team coaches...year round BUSINESSES by guys that have made IMO a sacrifice or decision to make their living teaching baseball. No other responsibilities, or at least primary ones, of being a teacher (bigger financial obligation).

My thought at this point my son will tryout for HS but if he doesn't make it or the coaching is sub-par I will not hesitate to have him focus on his club/travel team to get better coaching and skill development, attending showcases, etc. to work toward college ball.

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe the HS coaches where he will go are the greatest, but I feel it's important to be aware of the possibility and have options.

Bob, I can follow your logic and respect your perceptions and admire your duty as a parent but,

In my opinion it is way more about your son than it is about his high school coach. He will determine his outcome.
It is way more about yOur son than his club coaches, no matter how good they are.
And it is way more about your son and the things HE does in a baseball uniform than it is about his parents and the places they take him coaches he sees and showca$e$ he attends.

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Originally posted by trojan-skipper:
Bob, I can follow your logic and respect your perceptions and admire your duty as a parent but,

In my opinion it is way more about your son than it is about his high school coach. He will determine his outcome.
It is way more about yOur son than his club coaches, no matter how good they are.
And it is way more about your son and the things HE does in a baseball uniform than it is about his parents and the places they take him coaches he sees and showca$e$ he attends.

Thanks for the comment and I agree 100%.

I think the biggest problem in high school sports, particularly baseball right now is the high school coach who is a full time teacher and then decides he wants in on the summer action of club baseball too so he starts a team.

We have battled this for four years not playing for the high school team due to alliance and a significantly better experience with both competition and coaching for our son. He will be playing D1 ball next year and leaving high school behind. We can't wait for the season to end. He isn't learning anything about baseball or anything else besides the life long lesson don't expect life to be fair while he rides the bench with two other D1 guys and the guys that will never play again but line the coaches pocket with money for his summer team are the starters.

If anything is to save high school baseball, then rules need to be made to stop this. It effects a ton of people and will only become more prevalent. The better players will get fed up and stop playing high school ball. I wish my son hadn't played this year and just focused on himself....which is exactly what the coach is doing, focusing on himself rather than rewarding people for talent. You really can't dispute the fact that it's not likely 3 D1 guys who just happen to not play for a school summer team aren't good enough to start on a high school team! Now, there are two D1's who do start but they play in positions with no depth and no one on the summer team competing. The coach routinely calls these kids selfish for playing for long established teams and not for him in the summer. Who is the selfish one looking to make money by selling positions and play time to those who fall in line? Egregious behavior and the schools just turn a bling eye.

My son's high school coach had plusses and minuses. How I felt depended on what day it was. Overall, I have to call it a plus since my son mostly enjoyed the experience. The coach wants his players to aspire playing college ball as he did. He asked what he could do to help. That said, my son still played travel ball. But every angle helps.

The high school coach didn't do anything in the summer except drop in on player's games. He coached a school fall ball team. It was up to the individual to choose to play. My son played for him the fall he felt he could win a starting varsity position. Otherwise he played travel in the fall.

quote:

Originally posted by RJM:

quote:

Wearing your school uniform means quite a bit for the high profile sports of football and boys basketball, but, generally, not for any of the other sports.

Let's not have a redeux of the high school baseball stinks versus playing for your high school debate again. I believe most players and their parents enjoyed the experience regardless of the level of competition.

I think, regardless of level of play, there are things to be learned and experiences to love on the HS team.

Yes, the level of play is much more competitive in travel bball, but there is nothing like being on the HS team, representing your school, dressing up on game day, cheering on your guys (even if they aren't as good as your summer teammates), seeing teachers in the stands, your AD on the sidelines, girls from school in the bleachers!

Parents are for the most part having fun (even in last night's 38 degree game!!) and those who aren't having fun are just sourpusses!

I would say that wearing the HS uniform of any sport --- not just football and basketball -- makes our kids proud at our large public HS.

Let's hope HS sports doesn't die

Cali... I have heard of this also.. Dang I can't believe the guy sits d1 guys based on their summer team!
I wish the coaches I play against would keep their better kids on the bench for any reason at all.
Most of us just want our guys to play.
I tell my guys to get on any summer team they can and if the decision comes down to a couple teams choose the one you will face good pitching but also weigh if you would hit 3hole or 8hole....

I do feel bad for folks who have a sour experience, especially if they love baseball..

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Originally posted by Coach Bob:
Club team coaches...year round BUSINESSES by guys that have made IMO a sacrifice or decision to make their living teaching baseball. No other responsibilities, or at least primary ones, of being a teacher (bigger financial obligation).

Independent professional coaches are there to do one thing--make money. If you can quantify their successes, great; they may be worth their salt.

I couldn't care less about what happens in kickball, but I'd feel bad for players that had to choose between their school or the Star Fleet Academy.

Yesterday, my town hosted the premiere scholastic lacrosse event on the East Coast. It was a day of 50 teams, boys and girls, and 25 games featuring some of the best high school teams in the country. The format is Private vs. Public, all day long. Not a tournament, just carefully picked match-ups. It's a huge honor to be invited, a bigger deal to win your game. And, it's all done in the name of your school- the name on the front, not the back. Check out the schools that show up.

Katie Samson Lacrosse Festival

I'd like to see high school baseball and softball in this area do the same thing. Too bad- if kickball did it, the best players would be in the stands (or at practice).

quote:

Originally posted by Coach Bob:
Been thinking about this a lot lately as my son is just over a year away from 9th grade baseball. Wondering if my logic is correct.

My thoughts...HS coaches, usually teachers primarily that played maybe college ball. Might have families and responsibilities other than giving 100% to teaching and making players better during HS years.

Club team coaches...year round BUSINESSES by guys that have made IMO a sacrifice or decision to make their living teaching baseball. No other responsibilities, or at least primary ones, of being a teacher (bigger financial obligation).

My thought at this point my son will tryout for HS but if he doesn't make it or the coaching is sub-par I will not hesitate to have him focus on his club/travel team to get better coaching and skill development, attending showcases, etc. to work toward college ball.

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe the HS coaches where he will go are the greatest, but I feel it's important to be aware of the possibility and have options.

My son entered high school ball having played select ball since he was 7, and I understand your thoughts. However, as your travel team plays tougher more national competition it is hard for teams to get together for practice on a regular basis, (and you will find at high school level there are few practices). At least in high school they practice every day. I look at high school ball as son getting some work in for the Summer and trying to have some fun. If you get some good games in or make playoffs its just a bonus.

I try not to focus too much on high school coaches' decisions or competence, or how good team or competition is that day, because it usually leads to not having as much fun at the game.