A pitching coach once recommended to my son The Mental Game of Baseball, by H. A. Dorfman. The book is ultimately about playing from within and setting realistic goals.

 

Dorfman's book is a must read for any baseball player, especially pitchers...

The key for this program to continue growing is for those younger kids to continue playing the game of baseball. Jeremy has done a very good job to date getting the young kids involved in the program, now he just needs for them to stick around up to and through their senior years. The 8th grade class has some good baseball talent that can be more than supported by the 7th grade class. Only time will tell how things ultimately turn out, but things are definitely heading in the right direction.

The key for this program to continue growing is for those younger kids to continue playing the game of baseball. Jeremy has done a very good job to date getting the young kids involved in the program, now he just needs for them to stick around up to and through their senior years. The 8th grade class has some good baseball talent that can be more than supported by the 7th grade class. Only time will tell how things ultimately turn out, but things are definitely heading in the right direction.

 

Totally agree JOAT. If the young kids stick with baseball, the future is very bright. I love Jeremy's enthusiasm.

The program will be and is fine. Tough season in terms of wins and losses, but a foundation is being laid. Look at the grade level of the big time contributers on this team. They are very young. The enthusiasm around the program is great with the kids, coaches and parents. It is easy to throw grenades anonymously on this site. Bluebird baseball is well coached. Stay steady.

I had an oppotunity to talk baseball with JB for a good hour and half this past week. Stay the course stay in the program and give the young talent time and JB will right the ship. I might add that JOAT and I have kids that to date have opted football and basketball but I too concur that baseball is trending upwards.

BB and JOAT hopefully your kids will opt back for baseball especially the type of athletes they are. As long as JB gets the time to build he will attrract baseball players (not just kids playing multi sports) especially younger ones who have not made a decision on the high school they want to attend. Good stuff going on will attract good players.

Did Ross Neltner play for HHS?

I had an opportunity to talk baseball with JB for a good hour and half this past week. Stay the course stay in the program and give the young talent time and JB will right the ship. I might add that JOAT and I have kids that to date have opted football and basketball but I too concur that baseball is trending upwards.

 

Really. That is very surprising. Can I ask why?

Really. That is very surprising. Can I ask why?

 

My son had to be talked into playing baseball this spring and summer, but to be honest has really flourished this season both at the plate and in the field. Key may be him not playing baseball in the fall and hope that the itch comes back as the winter months go by playing basketball. To answer your question, I have been told numerous times that there is no such thing as a three sport player in high school and at some point he is going to have to make a decision as to where he wants to focus his time. Still seems to enjoy whatever sport is in season, so there is no need to push a decision on him. He will make the decision on what sport/sports he wants to continue playing.

As an aside I am always disappointed when a coach is taken to task because of a kid getting cut. If I had to guess........

My son had to be talked into playing baseball this spring and summer, but to be honest has really flourished this season both at the plate and in the field. Key may be him not playing baseball in the fall and hope that the itch comes back as the winter months go by playing basketball. To answer your question, I have been told numerous times that there is no such thing as a three sport player in high school and at some point he is going to have to make a decision as to where he wants to focus his time. Still seems to enjoy whatever sport is in season, so there is no need to push a decision on him. He will make the decision on what sport/sports he wants to continue playing.

 

:thumb:I knew there was a perfectly good explanation. I'm with ya. Play the sport that is in season and go with it.

It stated in another thread that Highlands lost today 19-4 to NCC in the district tournament. Coach Baioni seems like a great guy and I sincerely hope he is able to turn things around at HHS. That being said, the overall state of baseball in the 36th district is just unbelievably weak this season. Certainly going to be a huge benefit for whichever #1 team from another district draws the #2 seed from the 36th.

I love JB's commitment to the program and the younger kids coming out. Jpa pretty much summed it up in his post.

 

I certainly won't disagree with statements that football is the primary sport at Highlands and has made some kids decide to forgoe baseball. It is what it is and will never change. I just am amazed at how well JB has sparked the interest at a younger age and has washed his hands with the Spring Breakers. That my friends shows he is committed to building a program over time and not trying to have a great win/loss record yearly.

My son is happy with his decisiion not to play baseball. He is athletic (thanks to Mom) but he never could get past the ok to strikeout baseball hurdle. He picks up a basketball or football and he is instantly happy; baseball was always work and a struggle for him. I will say he respects the kids that play and he loves JB as he was his youth coach. Is he athletic yes but baseball talented probably not. Many of his friends are interested and he roots them on. I would have liked him to play but it was his choice. Just a little note about their mindset, he gets mad because the football season is so short. That is going to change soon lol

My son is happy with his decisiion not to play baseball. He is athletic (thanks to Mom) but he never could get past the ok to strikeout baseball hurdle. He picks up a basketball or football and he is instantly happy; baseball was always work and a struggle for him. I will say he respects the kids that play and he loves JB as he was his youth coach. Is he athletic yes but baseball talented probably not. Many of his friends are interested and he roots them on. I would have liked him to play but it was his choice. Just a little note about their mindset, he gets mad because the football season is so short. That is going to change soon lol

 

The "is he athletic" comment is interesting. As you probably know (maybe from your son) being athletic is not a requirement for baseball. It certainly helps but overall it comes in behind baseball skill.