I'm sure Spring Break was a major factor in their decision not to play. Last season spring football and baseball existed together better than it had before at HHS. This was directly said by both coaches recently. I commend the coaches for their thought and commitment to building a better program at HHS. It may suffer a year or two but eventually people will get over it. We go to Florida every Spring Break, but guess what? This year mom and daughter are going and I'll be home with my son who isn't even guanteed a spot, but wants to tryout because he likes to play baseball. Before you know it, HS is over and the days to play HS sports is over. Go Birds!

 

True dat...so when are you having your Spring Break Kegger in Ft. Thomas? :banana:

True dat...so when are you having your Spring Break Kegger in Ft. Thomas? :banana:

 

How about a Spring Break walk???? Guanteed to be very short!

If you are truly committed to a team and want to play, sacrifices must be made by families

 

I think you just hit the nail on the head big time (sacrifices must be made by families - ie Parents) I honestly believe that if it was up to most of these kids they would be trying out for and playing baseball during springbreak. But unfortunately I do believe there is a certain amount of "me, me, me" induced by the Parents. During Springbreak in Ft. Thomas it sorta kills the cliche "Its all about the kids" when it comes to doing whats right in this case. I know this baseball fan is over it already. GO Birds!!!!!

Sometimes the best places to coach are orphanages. One year we pulled the upset in a district tournament and was going to play for the championship in two days. We are celebrating on the field and after I tell them to start thinking about the championship game my guys are leaving the field. One of my players tell me he is going to miss the championship game to go to the beach. I was floored and told him to ask his parents if he could stay with a friend so he could be at the game. I have never in my life ever thought I would hear a human being say this - he was going with a buddy of his and his parents were not going.

 

After looking at him speechless for several moments I told him he had time to back out of the trip and make the right decision. He went to the beach and we won the district. On Sunday night before the Regional tournament is to start he calls me wondering why I am not letting him play in the regional tournament. I gave the whole commitment and making the right choice speech. His parents were furious at me and couldn't understand why I was upset. He transferred to another school and I was never more happier to see him go.

 

I know this sort of gets off subject but hearing the post about parents got me thinking about this. Sorry.

Great story, but unforturnately that story would be the exception in Ft. Thomas during spring break and not the rule. See our problem is opposite, the kids want to stay and play baseball, make a serious commitment to a program and help it regain its former success as a serious 9th region contender but Mom and Dad have other plans for junior whether he likes it or not. I do like the post by BirdHustle, but again definately the exception and not the rule. Too Bad.

I agree with the baseball or spring break philosophy. The baseball season is too short and spring break is often a week where teams can get in as many as 6 games. When you are talking about a 30 game season a player, or group of players on a team that miss that many games miss a significant part of the season. Spring Break and baseball in Ky are synonymous. Its too big of a part of Ky baseball and the spring sport season to really tell your kids yes, go on spring break we will play here and work hard without you.

Great story, but unforturnately that story would be the exception in Ft. Thomas during spring break and not the rule. See our problem is opposite, the kids want to stay and play baseball, make a serious commitment to a program and help it regain its former success as a serious 9th region contender but Mom and Dad have other plans for junior whether he likes it or not. I do like the post by BirdHustle, but again definately the exception and not the rule. Too Bad.

How many kids fall into this problem? I had two boy's come home from this baseball meeting telling me that they weren't playing baseball this year because of spring break conflict. It was their choice. I'd like to know how many parents force their kids to play baseball? I don't need names but #'s of kids this happens too.

How many good players are left walking the hall's because of this? Spring break seem to never be a problem before?

How many kids fall into this problem? I had two boy's come home from this baseball meeting telling me that they weren't playing baseball this year because of spring break conflict. It was their choice. I'd like to know how many parents force their kids to play baseball? I don't need names but #'s of kids this happens too.

How many good players are left walking the hall's because of this? Spring break seem to never be a problem before?

Although it may have never seemed a problem at Highlands, or other schools perhaps it didn't affect you personally. This may be some parents umpteen trip or for some, may be their first but student-athletes, only get to participate in High School athletics, a very short time in their life. Vacations or outings with families, can be scheduled accordingly.

 

All athletic programs have predetermined dates, in which participation can start and must be completed....To be competitive in these sports, specifically Baseball, participants must adhere to those dates, which include conditioning, practice and games.

 

For those considering taking vacations and including your Baseball playing son, ask yourself this question...."Am I more concerned with taking a vacation, than I am seeing a winning Highlands Baseball progam".....I know several have made sacrifices to help these young men excel and parents, need to support the Coaching Staff and the program.

Although it may have never seemed a problem at Highlands, or other schools perhaps it didn't affect you personally. This may be some parents umpteen trip or for some, may be their first but student-athletes, only get to participate in High School athletics, a very short time in their life. Vacations or outings with families, can be scheduled accordingly.

 

All athletic programs have predetermined dates, in which participation can start and must be completed....To be competitive in these sports, specifically Baseball, participants must adhere to those dates, which include conditioning, practice and games.

 

For those considering taking vacations and including your Baseball playing son, ask yourself this question...."Am I more concerned with taking a vacation, than I am seeing a winning Highlands Baseball progam".....I know several have made sacrifices to help these young men excel and parents, need to support the Coaching Staff and the program.

This did effect me personally when I played at Highlands in 79-80 season. I made the choice to go to Florida for spring break. Lost my position when I left. Several other players went also and when they returned ended up quitting the team because Coach Petty told them before they left that their position would be filled by someone else. He told us up front if we left your position was gone. By the way, we won the region that year even after 5 starter's had left the team. It just seems that something could be work out. I think that last year HHS had 7 games scheduled during the break and only played 1 because of the weather.

How many kids fall into this problem? I had two boy's come home from this baseball meeting telling me that they weren't playing baseball this year because of spring break conflict. It was their choice. I'd like to know how many parents force their kids to play baseball? I don't need names but #'s of kids this happens too.

How many good players are left walking the hall's because of this? Spring break seem to never be a problem before?

 

FT, I'm totally honest when I say, "it was our son's decision" to stay back and tryout for baseball. There was absolutely no arm twisting by me at all. He's played baseball since he was 5 and just isn't ready to give it up. I'm not judging anyone. I know this is a tough decision for some, but this is the way our family is handling things.

This did effect me personally when I played at Highlands in 79-80 season. I made the choice to go to Florida for spring break. Lost my position when I left. Several other players went also and when they returned ended up quitting the team because Coach Petty told them before they left that their position would be filled by someone else. He told us up front if we left your position was gone. By the way, we won the region that year even after 5 starter's had left the team. It just seems that something could be work out. I think that last year HHS had 7 games scheduled during the break and only played 1 because of the weather.

Then sounds like there is a precedent, already established at Highlands. Can't family vacations, be taken during the "dead period" or other times, like several of us do. Weather can certainly affect Spring Break games and vacations.

 

I don't see a compromise, to the players. Do you reward those kids, who stay with the team, practice, put in their time and give them the "team concept" speech....then turn around, give playing time to those who missed....I don't.

 

Far too often, student-athletes who let's say for discussion sake, have less "talent" than others, don't often get to start in Baseball....If they do stay with team, their extra practice, training and time, may be the difference in their improvement and thus, team improvement.

 

My philosophy has always been, I'm not punishing those that don't....but I'm going to reward, those that do.

This did effect me personally when I played at Highlands in 79-80 season. I made the choice to go to Florida for spring break. Lost my position when I left. Several other players went also and when they returned ended up quitting the team because Coach Petty told them before they left that their position would be filled by someone else. He told us up front if we left your position was gone. By the way, we won the region that year even after 5 starter's had left the team. It just seems that something could be work out. I think that last year HHS had 7 games scheduled during the break and only played 1 because of the weather.

Sounds to me That Highlands needs to start traveling to Florida like everyone eles does. Start playing games in Florida during spring break. Now, just find a location that everybody will be happy with. I know one kid that would play if Highlands played their games in Sarasota;)

Sounds to me That Highlands needs to start traveling to Florida like everyone eles does. Start playing games in Florida during spring break. Now, just find a location that everybody will be happy with. I know one kid that would play if Highlands played their games in Sarasota;)

 

That is still not a solution because the kid isn't worried about the team - they are still selfish. If you start doing that and one season you have one kid / group who wants to go to Sarasota; another kid / group wants to go to Orlando; another kid / group wants to go to St. Augustine and then the parents want to go Cocoa Beach - where do you go then? If you go to Florida it is because you are wanting to work on baseball; it is not a vacation. The parents can treat it as one but their kid is there to work. I think a coach needs to find time during the week to do some fun stuff but that is not the focus of the trip. People lose perspective of this.

That is still not a solution because the kid isn't worried about the team - they are still selfish. If you start doing that and one season you have one kid / group who wants to go to Sarasota; another kid / group wants to go to Orlando; another kid / group wants to go to St. Augustine and then the parents want to go Cocoa Beach - where do you go then? If you go to Florida it is because you are wanting to work on baseball; it is not a vacation. The parents can treat it as one but their kid is there to work. I think a coach needs to find time during the week to do some fun stuff but that is not the focus of the trip. People lose perspective of this.

You don't know Ft Thomas very well. If Highlands scheduled their games in the sarasota area there would be no Thread about Highlands Spring Break. Trust me, the Sarasota area would be the answer to everybody's problem. I could care less whether the kids play or not. Highlands Baseball will take second fiddle to Football as long as HHS has a football program unless it has a better commitment to the baseball program by all parties. When they get to be 30 years old, they will wonder if that one week of fun in the sun with the jones's was really worth it

My philosophy has always been, I'm not punishing those that don't....but I'm going to reward, those that do.

 

 

I agree 100%, if a player gives up his spring break on the baseball field practicing and playing games, then he should be rewarded for it. His spot should not be given back to someone who has been on vacation during that time. However, I can see where at schools with small enrollments this could be detrimental to the baseball program.