When Knott had the 7th graders on the field, none of the players complained. They welcomed them and even gave them a few pointers.

 

I really don't see a problem with it. If the program is struggling to find players and the coach can move up a 7th or 8th grade player, so be it.

 

Parents would have to give the OK as well.

When Knott had the 7th graders on the field, none of the players complained. They welcomed them and even gave them a few pointers.

 

I really don't see a problem with it. If the program is struggling to find players and the coach can move up a 7th or 8th grade player, so be it.

 

Parents would have to give the OK as well.

 

 

This is the key! Obviously, these kids that are moved up can play and compete athletically but I would like to see a study done on what does it do to them mentally, emotionally and physically. When younger kids are playing V they all have the athletic ability to perform but they are not close in the three before mentioned catagories, IMO!

I played varsity baseball when I was in the 7th grade.

Was it because the varsity didn't have enough high schoolers sign up to field a team or were you the next 'Natural'?

Was it because the varsity didn't have enough high schoolers sign up to field a team or were you the next 'Natural'?

Natural?? No I'm not Josh Hamilton. Yes they had enough. Came off the bench as a 7th grader. Started the next 5 years in the middle infield.

If 7th or 8th grader can play above upperclassmen then older kids aren't good enough to be starters. Many sports younger kids have played at much higher level summer ball than older kids and against much tougher competion.

7th graders its tougher because generally this is 1st year on bigger field but High School sports are about competing at the highest level and the best should play. Toughest part on younger guys is fitting in, older kids will make it hard for the younger player regardless of age if they play above them.

This is the key! Obviously, these kids that are moved up can play and compete athletically but I would like to see a study done on what does it do to them mentally, emotionally and physically. When younger kids are playing V they all have the athletic ability to perform but they are not close in the three before mentioned catagories, IMO!

 

I can give you a few cases. With the first one that I know of(senior), he's still playing and enjoys the game. He did take the Summer off from playing any ball last year. And he did play one season with the JV football team. He's gotten some looks from a D1 college, and a few NAIA colleges. Hasn't decided on a collge yet.

 

The other played one season and quit after 5 games. His reason was he didn't have time to talk with his girlfriend. Could have been more, but he didn't state it to anyone.

 

There is a couple of 8th graders that started playing last season on JV. As a freshman, they start sometimes, when needed and still play JV. Both of these boys are straight A students. The senior carries a 3.00+. The former player was a straight A student as well.

If 7th or 8th grader can play above upperclassmen then older kids aren't good enough to be starters. Many sports younger kids have played at much higher level summer ball than older kids and against much tougher competion.

7th graders its tougher because generally this is 1st year on bigger field but High School sports are about competing at the highest level and the best should play. Toughest part on younger guys is fitting in, older kids will make it hard for the younger player regardless of age if they play above them.

 

What kind of sports?

 

So high school students should be cut or sit why kids not in their high school play?

Doesn't Little League and AABC allow younger players to "play up"? I know this is like comparing apples to oranges, but the same thing could be said about middle school players that have the talent to move up to varsity. I'm sure coaches will try them out on JV and then varsity against a weaker opponent. If the kid can show he deserves to play, then he deserves it.

 

I'll give one more example. The senior on Knott's team, when he was in 7th, was placed in a game. During pre game warm-ups two juniors were goofing off and coach noticed. While coach was warming up the team hitting balls to them, these same two dropped every ball or let it by them. Coach took them out and replaced them with a freshman and the 7th grader. The 7th grader was playing second with one on. Ball was hit to SS and SS threw to 2nd. The runner broke up the double play by knocking the kid down face first. He gets up, shakes it off and continues to play a good game. He was DH'd that game, but on the field it was like he was a veteran. He went on to play most of the season at short and 2nd.

Doesn't Little League and AABC allow younger players to "play up"? I know this is like comparing apples to oranges, but the same thing could be said about middle school players that have the talent to move up to varsity. I'm sure coaches will try them out on JV and then varsity against a weaker opponent. If the kid can show he deserves to play, then he deserves it.

 

I'll give one more example. The senior on Knott's team, when he was in 7th, was placed in a game. During pre game warm-ups two juniors were goofing off and coach noticed. While coach was warming up the team hitting balls to them, these same two dropped every ball or let it by them. Coach took them out and replaced them with a freshman and the 7th grader. The 7th grader was playing second with one on. Ball was hit to SS and SS threw to 2nd. The runner broke up the double play by knocking the kid down face first. He gets up, shakes it off and continues to play a good game. He was DH'd that game, but on the field it was like he was a veteran. He went on to play most of the season at short and 2nd.

 

Little League and AABC have nothing to do with the argument that high school sports should be for those enrolled in high school IMO. (And again I don't like, but can live with using middle school students if there are insufficent numbers to field a team otherwise).

 

Obviously there are some players in some sports (maybe even football) that could play at the Varsity level even though they are in 7th and 8th grade. I do not feel they should take the place of high school students that attend that school. And its a whole other ball of wax in a private high school where a student paying tuition to that high school would be excluded for one that isn't.

If you are good enough to play it should not matter what grade the other player is. High school players worried about junior high kids aren't ready to play themselves and most likely won't help team much. Just because you are older doesn't give you the right of playing time. Coaches should play the best the other players on the team deserve to have the chance to put the best team on the field.

If you are good enough to play it should not matter what grade the other player is. High school players worried about junior high kids aren't ready to play themselves and most likely won't help team much. Just because you are older doesn't give you the right of playing time. Coaches should play the best the other players on the team deserve to have the chance to put the best team on the field.

 

Why? Should class student government reps not be from the actual class?

Should the prom king be from the actual school? Should the high school yearbook have pictures of all the middle school students and their activities? What makes the sports teams different in that they should not be for high school students only?

Why? Should class student government reps not be from the actual class?

Should the prom king be from the actual school? Should the high school yearbook have pictures of all the middle school students and their activities? What makes the sports teams different in that they should not be for high school students only?

KHSAA and KRS statues, allow those grades, to participate in Baseball.

 

Your Prom example, usually has Jr's and Sr's present and not many 7th/8th graders, if any ever attend. Class Reps, are just that....Class Reps.

 

Competition in Baseball, does not invole size, like in Football and Basketball, but allows a 4'-6" 2nd Basemen, to swing a bat and possibly make contact.

KHSAA and KRS statues, allow those grades, to participate in Baseball.

 

Your Prom example, usually has Jr's and Sr's present and not many 7th/8th graders, if any ever attend. Class Reps, are just that....Class Reps.

 

Competition in Baseball, does not invole size, like in Football and Basketball, but allows a 4'-6" 2nd Basemen, to swing a bat and possibly make contact.

 

"Class Reps, are just that......Class Reps"

 

And the Bayside High School team is just what???? Valley middle school players?????

 

Just because they are allowed by KHSAA and KRS does not make it "right".

How does Ohio survive allowing no participation by anyone not in high school? And Ohio has just as many "small" enrollment high schools as KY.

nothing classifies baseball players or athletes for that matter. the prom king is always senior, class presidents obviously are from their class. So you are saying OJ Mayo shouldn't have played high school sports as 8th grader? He was All State. His teamates gained by playing with him along with coach. Older kids that haven't paid the price or don't have the talent always complain. 8th grader started in Lexington and made all city that year hitting .410 the better players all accepted him and realized he would help them win . Team that no one took seriously made 11th region finals that year and the next and won State championship the following year. High school sports are not extra curricular activity they are competitive.The work and dedication it takes to be good athlete not understood by many(spring breaks missed,summer trips planned around baseball,etc)but these older athletes that most the time wouldn't have played any way complain about playing time but don't take the time to work on skills. Compete don't complain.

"Class Reps, are just that......Class Reps"

 

And the Bayside High School team is just what???? Valley middle school players?????

 

Just because they are allowed by KHSAA and KRS does not make it "right".

How does Ohio survive allowing no participation by anyone not in high school? And Ohio has just as many "small" enrollment high schools as KY.

The same way they limit games in Basketball, to 20....The same way they limit quarters played, to 80....The same way, they put less emphasis on Baseball, that other states do, by minimizing game totals.

 

I've watched 8th graders, win Varsity games against good teams. I've seen courtesy runners, get into the game as 7th graders. If a student-athlete can play in Kentucky, he's available for Baseball.