Type of high school for exposure/opportunity

quote:

Originally posted by cam2357:
How much is there to the type of high school a talented baseball player attends? Is there alot of affect as far as how well the team typically does in standings, private vs public, etc.? My son currently attends a public high school, whose baseball team doesn't do that great, and all I'm hearing is how much better off he would be at a private high school. We are seriously considering switching - anyone have any thoughts/suggestions regarding this? Thanks!!!

IMHO HS sports is almost totally irrelevant if the goal here is to play at the next level.. with one caveat: that being if the HS coach is well connected.

Find a good showcase program first.. worry about HS only if warranted.

I can't speak to your situation; the education opportunities public vs. private are unique to you area. I can speak to what we learned.

My son went to the local catholic HS which competed in a very competitive athletic league. The kids that played in the league were definitly a cut above the local public schools. The coaching, facilities and everything about it was superior to what he would have had at the local public school.

However, he went to the school primarily for the discipline and quality of education that he received. The athletic program was a great source of pride and personal growth; but ultimaly what he got from the experience was the level of discipline and focus from the school.

Baseball is only a part of what kids get from their HS years. In my opinion it needs to be balance with what will guide him through his adult life.

I think the answer is very regional.

Our younger son plays in the same HS league that ILVBB's son played. Its a huge built-in advantage both with college and pro scouts. As many as 30+ scouts at some games...at least a handful of scouts at nearly every game. The area college and pro scouts know they'll find potential prospects at nearly every game.

Our older son played at a mid-level public HS in a weak league. Not many scouts there until he was 'found' through the showcase circuit and summer ball.

But thats Northern California. No way for me to translate to your region with any certainty.

Cam,

What year is your son? Some private school leagues have rules about that -- the one where we live makes you play JV for a year if you tranfer after your sophomore year.

IMHO, a really strong showcase team will more than make up for a struggling public school team.

quote:

Originally posted by justbaseball:
I think the answer is very regional.

Couldn't agree more.

In our region it becomes almost a second job to make sure a kid gets the deserved attention regardless of the HS. Yes, premier summer select programs and a well connected HS coach are nice but many times it is an individual players responsibility to promote themselves in showcases when coaches do not have the "connection" experience or that select team is not a geographical fit.

In WI there is a very strong D3 conference due to the fact State HS players many times are not promoted to colleges outside the State. Some may say it is a "kiss of death" for State HS players, I would rather look at it as resulting in keeping State players home, providing good educational institutions, and building HS baseball from the inside out in a non-baseball State using in-State resources with a "giving-back" mentality from the player pool. Less than 1% will draw an MLB paycheck, the rest will make their marks within the communities for years to come.