Nor do I. HS coaches get a better product when their top guys play in quality showcase programs.
quote:Originally posted by NOVABBall13:
I just think that the Showcase circuit is such a powerful player in moving a kid to the next level that the top kids will not think twice. And do you really think that most HS coaches would drop that star player simply because he didn't play for him in the summer? It might affect the next tier down but not the top talent... Just my $.02
No, I definitely do not think that a HS coach will drop a star player because he plays on a Showcase team. The Studs will still go off and play on a Showcase team (and they should). And they will still play when they return to the HS team. On most teams, though, that will be one or two players, occasionally three. All of the rest of the players -- the vast majority of the team -- are the ones that will be affected. It's these players (and their parents) who will feel the need to play for their HS coach's team.
quote:Originally posted by berryberrygood: All of the rest of the players -- the vast majority of the team -- are the ones that will be affected. It's these players (and their parents) who will feel the need to play for their HS coach's team.
Agreed. I think the stark reality of it is that not all players are studs. AND, access to the starting lineup can be such a subjective thing already. What parent wouldn't want to do what they could to give their son the best possible chance?
quote:Originally posted by NOVABBall13:
All of the rest of the players -- the vast majority of the team -- are the ones that will be affected. It's these players (and their parents) who will feel the need to play for their HS coach's team.
Agreed, and I find it very sad as to the negative effect that it can have on a player's exposure and on his asperations to play college baseball, having seen it in a situation where the high school coach made it very clear that his players were not to play travel ball (even before the high school opened) but instead were to play with the "school's summer team." As a result, more than one decent player who "followed the coach's rule" may end up with very limited opportunities, if any, to play college ball.