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21 replies

Too much baseball???

ND Novice Dad100+ posts
I shutter to say those words...but looking at high school, summer, Fall, camps, showcases it truly is 12 months a year.

I just wonder what others opinions (in general) are in regards to this. I look at Perfect Game showcases in late Dec/ early Jan. (***Let me state that this is not a knock on PG but using them as an example since most people are well aware of them...I could use Teamone or others as well***).

I understand camps in the winter to work on mechanics, conditioning etc., but find it hard to understand the continuous showcases.

Here is how a typical HS player might be schedule

Mid to late Feb tryouts
Season March thru May possibly early June (regional differences based on state and weather)
Summer Ball 1st week of June through early August
Fall Ball Late August through October.
Shut down on field from Nov thru Dec (camps)
Jan start-up for Feb tryouts and/or season

At what point do you give the body a break and their arms (especially pitchers). Seems to me that Nov -Dec is logical. Thats why I question the Dec/Jan showcases. The players IMO are far from in top playing shape. Is it just a convienent time with winter breaks, and cash flow for showcase companies? I understand that yes major league scouts may attend and non D-1 may and some D-1's might find out about performances in Jan butis it really worth it. IMO summer showcases, tournaments are when players may be at their peak (purely speaking based on what I've seen). Obviously there are exceptions, and some top performers may excel in Dec and Jan but I would think that would be the exception.

My son has particapated in Jan showcase in past (for me it was learning curve...no reason to be out there that time of year IMO), even though the experience was great and a nice winter vacation for a few days.

I'll be interested to see what others think.
Last edited {1}
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F FloridaHokie100+ posts
High school season begins here on Monday with tryouts. Ah, baseball in paradise.

The body has to have a break. You have to set a strategy for exposure and development (though not necessarily in that order), and be sure to build in down-time. Especially pitchers. It's scary how many innings some of these young men are throwing these days. I would encourage playing multiple sports in high school, at least through the junior year. Allows an athlete to stay in training, exercies his competitive nature, and work different parts of the body.

Living in Florida, I can tell you there is an event of one kind or another almost every weekend of the year, and you can get sucked into an unhealthy regimen of too much play. Pitchers and catchers especially must rest arms and legs and take the time for core training. And every position player is susceptible to the niggling injury (i.e. turf toe, shin splints, etc.) that simply must be allowed to heal.
C cong1,000+ posts
quote:
At what point do you give the body a break and their arms (especially pitchers). Seems to me that Nov -Dec is logical. Thats why I question the Dec/Jan showcases. The players IMO are far from in top playing shape. Is it just a convienent time with winter breaks, and cash flow for showcase companies?


Good question and answer. I agree, Nov & Dec, total shutdown. Now in Southern states, they start their season much earlier and that makes those 2 particular months questionable.

Since it's quiet time for college coaches, IMO it does not make sense to go to a showcase so early. I am sure someone could shed light on to their value at that time.
Dad04Dad045,000+ posts
Wait till he gets to college. Jr went back to school 3 days after Christmas, 3 weeks before classes start to get ready for practices that start 1/20/06, almost a month before the 60 game schedule begins. This is after a full fall season of scrimmages and a 40 game (short by comparison) summer schedule.
FungoFungoHighly Regarded and Beloved Old Timer
Now we’re getting into the “game of baseball” and away from the baseball game but that’s OK because most will agree it is needed to move to the next level. I personally think there are particular years of a baseball player that he should shut down during the off season and there are years that he should stay pretty close to game ready. His primary position also will influence his need to shut down and what constitutes game readiness. (pitchers vs position players). I suggest a parent of an incoming high school freshman to take a calendar and plan the next four years in advance. Determine the most important periods of his career and what needs to be done to maximize those periods. For instance the winters of his freshman and sophomore year might be a good period to shut down to allow the body to recover while the winter of his junior year may loom as the most important part of his recruitment. The summer after his senior year (if he’s already signed) may be a great time for a pitcher’s arm to recover prior to his start of college fall ball. One pitcher on my son’s 18u summer team had signed a NLI and was prohibited from pitching during the summer after his senior year. Many felt it was an effort to isolate him from the pro scouts. Hitters in my opinion should never completely shut down just to keep the eye hand coordination sharp. It’s not uncommon for college pitchers with lots of innings to be shut down during the summer months and not be allowed to participate in college summer leagues while those with minimal innings are encouraged to participate in summer leagues to gain experience. In my opinion the saying of "play in the summer and shut down in the winter" does not always apply...but it could.
Fungo
observer44observer441,000+ posts
.

Dad04...

I believe in a serious off season....My two have always played hoop as a way to keep fit, compete and have time off, and I always felt it made them better baseball players...

And Yes, the season starts early and yes, once they get going it is hot and heavy for a long, long time....

But it seems to me watching my older at DI now that the NCAA regulations really cut down the fall activity level compared to what I have seen lots of players go though in youth travel ball or at JC...

Perhaps I am getting poor information from a state away but...

While the DI cross training and workout schedules are very heavy....as far as baseball goes, the fall individual workouts with coaches were limited to 2 hours per player per week, then a short month of fall practice.

Nothing like what I am know and am hearing about the levels of baseball work in youth, travel and JC ball...

Am I wrong?

.
Last edited by observer44
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
The NCAA rule applies to actual organized practice, instruction with coach. Dos not include, batting practice,fielding practice, bullpens, throwing and conditioning on the field, in the gym. Coaches are very smart in how they manage their time with the team. Lots of teams spend mnny hours in unorganzed practice led by team captains, older players. My son actually looked forward to Thanksgiving.
Last edited by TPM
L Linear500+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Novice Dad:
I shutter to say those words...but looking at high school, summer, Fall, camps, showcases it truly is 12 months a year.

I just wonder what others opinions (in general) are in regards to this. I look at Perfect Game showcases in late Dec/ early Jan. (***Let me state that this is not a knock on PG but using them as an example since most people are well aware of them...I could use Teamone or others as well***).

I understand camps in the winter to work on mechanics, conditioning etc., but find it hard to understand the continuous showcases.

Here is how a typical HS player might be schedule

Mid to late Feb tryouts
Season March thru May possibly early June (regional differences based on state and weather)
Summer Ball 1st week of June through early August
Fall Ball Late August through October.
Shut down on field from Nov thru Dec (camps)
Jan start-up for Feb tryouts and/or season

At what point do you give the body a break and their arms (especially pitchers). Seems to me that Nov -Dec is logical. Thats why I question the Dec/Jan showcases. The players IMO are far from in top playing shape. Is it just a convienent time with winter breaks, and cash flow for showcase companies? I understand that yes major league scouts may attend and non D-1 may and some D-1's might find out about performances in Jan butis it really worth it. IMO summer showcases, tournaments are when players may be at their peak (purely speaking based on what I've seen). Obviously there are exceptions, and some top performers may excel in Dec and Jan but I would think that would be the exception.

My son has particapated in Jan showcase in past (for me it was learning curve...no reason to be out there that time of year IMO), even though the experience was great and a nice winter vacation for a few days.

I'll be interested to see what others think.


Are you broke?

Why let others govern you. Do it your way.

Pay your own way. Go where you want. Walk on. Win a position.

For kids who are going to college, I can't imagine a bigger waste of time than going to showcase after showcase to get a partial scholly.

I'd spend my time and money working out.
Last edited by Linear
itsinthegameitsinthegame5,000+ posts
NoviceDad,

IMO - I think Fungo's approach is very specific and well thought out.

One thing is for sure - if your son is not in top playing condition - do not send him to a showcase.

If that means he hasnt played in 2 months (Nov and Dec) - I would strongly advise against sending him to a showcase in January.

You can wind up doing more harm than good.
IMO.
C crollss100+ posts
quote:
I understand camps in the winter to work on mechanics, conditioning etc., but find it hard to understand the continuous showcases

quote:
I understand that yes major league scouts may attend and non D-1 may and some D-1's might find out about performances in Jan but is it really worth it.


Novice Dad- IMO for the late bloomer or unsigned senior it is definitely worth it. My son being one I think the continuous availability of quality showcases is a great thing. Recently I shared this on another thread...my son was a MIF that was told he should pitch. I asked around here and was given the advice to get him to someone who will honestly evaluate his talent. He attended a PG event in January of his senior year and well....I'll just sum it up by saying it was a really exciting winter & spring!


quote:
Nothing like what I am know and am hearing about the levels of baseball work in youth, travel and JC ball...


Observer44-My son attends a JC and he said he has never worked so hard in his life. He is talking about strength and conditioning mostly. While they played roughly 16 games in the fall, his coach shut down his arm immediately as he had not had a significant break in over a year. As a matter of fact the pitchers only threw 3-4 innings a week and worked mainly on mechanics.


quote:
I suggest a parent of an incoming high school freshman to take a calendar and plan the next four years in advance.


Fungo-as always, a priceless piece of advice! May I say sir, you are a very wise man. I don’t post a lot but I've been lurking, daily, for about 18 months now...mostly because of websters like you!
wisbballmomwisbballmom10+ posts
My son is a 3 sport athlete in HS - so he works out continuously with baseball as a second workout other than taking about 6 weeks off in the dead of winter. But - he does band workouts for his shoulder all year. Summers were absolutely crazy, with all the sports demanding time. He had to set priorities and often say no to the football coach, but...

I read talk about the 5 tools - and I really do think that playing in other sports has helped him develop as an overall athlete. We found that some of the recruiters really liked his general athleticism.

I do agree with Fungo - and it especially applies to multi-sport athlete. Plan ahead - and grab the opportunities that work in your timetable.
Dad04Dad045,000+ posts
Fungo's advice for early planning of the high school career is wise. Staying ready for opportunities is very important. There are some though that feel a pitcher can benefit from innings pitched the summer before freshman year.

With the idea of preparing for the fall scrimmage season, some game innings over the summer can keep command sharp, mechanics smooth and build confidence when its needed most, when he is trying to earn spring innings that freshman fall. There is no right or wrong answer and the player probably knows best what works for him. Just be prepared.
Last edited by Dad04
F futurecatcher271,000+ posts
You do get breaks.

We had freshman tryout right when school started so that way us freshman could get used to playing with each other.

Did regular practices all of September,October

Mid November and all of december we would be outside,weather permitting.Things like longtoss and grounders.Weight lifting every other day

January until the season we are slowly making our way outside
Coach KnightCoach Knight500+ posts
EVERYONE needs a break. Last thing in the world that you want is burnout...or the fire within being a little lukewarm. NO player needs to play year around...none of us back in the day used to do it and it isn't necessary now.
Down time is an important part of any sport. It helps kids get fired up to play and provides the body a chance to rest. Good move.
TRhitTRhit10,000+ posts
One thing we see regularly here in the Northeast is kids looking to showcase in December, January and February when they havent thrown a ball or swung a bat since October , at best. If they are throwing and swinging regularly it is cool but most kids don't.

Not only do they run the risk of hurting themselves physically but if they are not in tip top shape they hurt themselves recruiting wise as well with a poor showing.

It is not really a matter of "shutting down" in the off season, we think kids should throw regualrly and visit a cage at least once a week, it is a matter of being in "baseball" shape to do the things that a player wants.

Also by working out regularly it is much easier to get into the opening of practice -- being in shape will have the player a step or two ahead of those who come in out of "baseball" shape.

You can take time off , as it were, without keeping in shape.

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