Fatbatboy

You both make very true statements. So let me clarify my terminology and thinking. 1. I’m not referring to all high school programs, as we do have some very good programs in this area. That being the ones that are playing in the regional tournament year in and year out. We also have programs that don’t make it there just based on the size of the school and talent level, But have good programs. But there has to be a balance of summer ball and spring Ball. The bulk of my statements was in regards to not getting practice time or playing time at the JV level. The point I was trying to make was if you’re not playing or practicing you have to find a place where you get this. And not counting on just getting bigger and stronger, as you still have to have skills to go with it. Sorry if it came across in a negative way. 2. “Good Summer Ball” I’m not referring to the ones that gather up all the talent and put them on one team and charge them 2000-3000 to play , and label Kids as SS and Pitchers only at the age of 9 years old, and do not teach them any other positions. Good summer ball to me is creating a team with the sole purpose of teaching kid how to play the GAME and getting them reps to making them better BASEBALL PLAYERS not better SS. You may not hear a lot about these teams because of the noise made by the teams with all the talent and 1000 wins. but they are out there. We still have coaches (Men and women) that believe every boy and your man should know the GAME OF BASEBALL for the mere fact that they are able to pass it too their boy, keeping the GAME alive for the next generation. Again sorry if anyone took my first post the wrong way as it was not clear, or poorly written. But let me make this point very clear and will not make any apologies for. Labeling Kids as SS and or a Pitchers only at the age of 9 years old, and not teaching them any other positions. Is no different than taking a 4th graders poor report card, and then preparing him for a life of poverty. HE IS 9 YEARS OLD.

IMO, The words Develop and Program are the two most over used words in high school baseball. Baseball players get develop during summer ball, not spring ball. Most good high school baseball “programs” are made up from kids who play or played good summer ball. As to JV it’s a Place holder for kids that are too old for freshman, Or not ready for varsity. It’s a mix of kid that you hope get better by playing good summer ball, with a good coach. And don’t count on practicing at any level after the High School season starts. there is not enough time or fields available. When the suns out they play, when it rains they take BP and go home. And if the rain comes steady and as often as it is this year! That causes even more JV issues. Now you have varsity guys coming down to JV to get time on the mound and other guys coming down to get swings, “and these guys are not real interested in JV because they are “Varsity guys” and are playing for their own self severing reasons” Now your better JV guys are setting “making for happy parents and players” and the guys that where only getting 2 or 3 inning of playing time or 2 or 3 AB a week are now getting 0. “they start thinking is this worth the time” and your better freshman that are playing JV are now getting even less reps. And god forbid you bring a freshman JV player back down to play freshman baseball, That would be cheating “Right” And not to mention. The head coach put him on the JV team, which might make him look as if he was wrong if he goes back down. The long and short of JV baseball is, if you are not starting or getting regular playing time and not playing good summer ball and your counting on just getting bigger and strong making you a better player, you will just end up being a big strong kid that’s setting the bench. The only way you are going to get better is by practicing and playing! Not one or the other, it has to be both! You have to put the time and work in. So if your kid is not playing and your team is not practicing. You need to look for a summer coach who is more concerned with teaching not winning. And for the kids starting at a high school level don’t think you don’t need summer ball anymore. As Most player get seen in the summer not the spring. Lot of kid end up finding this out the hard way.

Good point, and I agree. I would think you would want your whole freshman class playing at least a few game together in a tournament environment as to showcase them and bring some unity. I’m sure the JV team will take some of the freshman players after the tournament is over or if they get knocked out.

All is subject to change depending on what teams bring down freshman that played JV or in some cases played varsity all year. Not saying one way is right or wrong. But what’s the purpose of the tournament? Are we looking for the best “freshman Team” or the best “freshman Class”? Some teams bring their freshman class. Some just bring the guys that played freshmen all year. What’s the reasoning for bring them down to play? To give them the best chance to Win? What’s the reasoning for not bring them down to play? Not to upset parents/ players? Again, not saying one is right or wrong just questions for discussion.