Things I don't understand:

Not answering for JH, however my belief is that unless you are training for long distance running, such as cross country track, marathons, etc., there are far much better training techniques available today to incorporate elevated heart rate (cardiovascular), etc., while also  incorporating some strength, flexibility training at the same time.  With long distance running, you ONLY get the cardio.  I think as it relates to baseball, a lot of long distance running, is simply done "just because we have always done so". 

Our HS coach incorporates a modified version of "Insanity" and PX90 for off-season, and a lighter version during in-season to maintain.

I utilize a lot of Insanity and P90X in our conditioning. I personally went through both of those programs and basically took what I felt was the best from both worlds. Bottom line, you will be a beast in about 60-90 days after going through such workouts. I saw a major difference in how my body changed, and positive change for our baseball players. 

As far as running, I used to be in the old school mindset of running foul poles or "W's" after practices. A few seasons ago, I completely changed that and started having them run short burst at 100% speed. Started 10 yards, then 20, then 30 (the whole 90 feet base to base thing.) During practices, we would run a run down simulation. Kids didn't realize we were also conditioning in the "practice" process. I started going to the whole "condition the way they would be able to use it during a game". I am now in the school of "Condition them when they don't even know they are being conditioned." Much like the run downs, we also routinely work on stealing bases and 1st to 3rd or 2nd to Home running. KEEP IT GAME-LIKE! DEVELOP WINNERS!

I imagine that if CoachB and I could talk about this one, we'd find that we're more together than apart. In any case, my opinion about this is that college coaches need to plan on talking with parents when exceptional situations arise (i.e. serious injuries and infractions); but, that it's perfectly justified for them to expect to have the overwhelming majority of communications take place directly with their players. ...and that it's further justified for them to expect their players to communicate with their parents.

An example from my own situation: Every Freshman player at my son's former college program receives a multi-page letter addressed to him from the Head Coach just before the beginning of the Fall semester. That letter touches on quite a few things; not the least of which is the code of conduct that the coach expects on and off the field as long as the player plays there. In the conduct section he is extremely specific about what he expects in terms of both desired and undesired behaviors.

All my son had to do after he read it was hand it to my wife and me; which he did. As soon as we'd read it, we all had a very clear understanding of what the coach expected.

In my opinion, his Head Coach handled that communication exactly the way he should have; and, as part of that, was entirely justified in expecting that my son would pass the letter on to my wife and me. If my son hadn't done that, the error would have been on him; not the coach.

My son and his coach had quite a few substantive conversations over the course of his playing time there. My wife and I were never involved in any of them; but, we were aware of the ongoing substance of those communications through my son's conversations with us. In my opinion, that's just as it should have been.

"I think as it relates to baseball, a lot of long distance running, is simply done "just because we have always done so". "

Another reason coaches like it is that it gives the them some time off to BS with their assistants--similar to some teachers giving out 'busy work'.

Prepster, when you post that you and I are more alike than not, that is a nice compliment.  Thanks!  I would suspect you are right.  An example aligned with what you posted would be the various handouts we receive from my daughter's coach such as the Hotel information.  He wants his players distributing it along with guidelines and not the parents contacting him.  Still, it is a part of his communication plan.  The wife and I expect that to be the way he communicates with us.  As I stated when my daughter was hurt, he made a point to come to us and talk to us about her injury.  I know we are in a good situation because that isn't was most do. 

To be honest, Coach, I don't understand why anyone would train during the offseason to do something they aren't going to do during the season. If a player isn't going to run miles during a game, why run miles at any point during training? Distance running does not provide any benefit for baseball, and high intensity interval training does. Why waste the time doing the thing with less benefit?

Very good answer - thank you 

My idea of distance running is stretching a double into a triple.

Base running drills is another good way to incorporate conditioning into practice. 

I always ran the following drill with a catcher, 3B, 1B, R1 and R3:

Ground ball to 3B, R1 off on the crack of the bat headed 1 to 3, R3 heads home on 3B throw to 1B. 1B to home to try to catch R3 coming, C to 3B to try and catch R1. Rotate around and everybody gets a heck of a workout without knowing they're running sprints.

How often did they successfully complete the triple play?