My son is a 16 yo sophmore catcher, starting varsity all season, even though it was his first year at this school. The school itself is tremendous and we've never seen a more experienced baseball coaching staff. He clicked with his coaches and teammates and has felt no bitterness or jealousy on the team. No situation is perfect, but unlike many parents, we know how good he has it here.

So here's the problem. The coaches decided this year that the players must play with the summer team if they are playing. They will play four weekends in local tournaments throughout June. The travel team he played with in the fall was aware of the decision and found other catchers. They also made it clear they do not want to step on the coaches toes, so he lost his spot. My son says that most of the school players have other plans (non-baseball), and the team will be primarily rising Freshmen. So now he is left with local play on a very young team, for one month his 16 yo summer. He has watched his older brother play at a high level of travel ball, spent his summers at East Cobb and ballparks all over the Southeast, and could not wait for the chance to play this year. It's an understatement to say he is disappointed.

Any suggestions on what he can do after June?

I had the same experiance with the school my son attened. Once the "star" players went off to play at East Cobb, the rules suddenly changed. I think that after last year they've disbanded the summer program all together.

Someone will pick him up to play. There are always teams with either injuries or other things where they end up looking to add a player or two. Keep asking around and you should be able to find him a spot to play.

FYI, the HS coaches can not force you to play summer ball. They can recomend it but can not require it.

quote:

Originally posted by WA Dad:
FYI, the HS coaches can not force you to play summer ball. They can recomend it but can not require it.

I totally agree w/ the above statement. I would suggest doing what's in the best interest for your kid and find him the best team you can for him to play on against the best competition possible.
There are a ton of programs out there that are always looking for good players. Don't fall in to the trap of feeling required to play for your high school team over the summer. I'm not familiar with your out of season restrictions for your high school coaches down in GA but in Virginia it's not tolerated nor an accepted practice. Best of luck.

It's not a "requirement" per se to play on the HS summer team...but usually advisable. Alot of the top kids play on travel teams and the HS team at the same time around here.

The past 2 years my son thought it necessary to come play some games with his high school team during the week so as not to alienate himself from his teammates. He learned this from some older boys who had also played some EC ball from his school.

Coaches absolutely cannot require a kid to play on their high school team. They can be terminated or disciplined severely for practicing this. However, if they are stubborn about it (which doesn't make sense) they can...CAN...make it miserable for the boy next spring. But I think those kind of coaches are far and few between. Most want to win and will put the best players on the field.

I will add... Our old school, used summer ball to raise money as much as anything. Everyone who came out made the team, $100 a pop, not a bad price to play a dozen or so games. Many of the top players paid their money, and showed up when it didn't conflict with their travel team.

Thanks for all of the responses.

Although the coach did not state that it is required, he STRONGLY suggested that all players that will be playing in the summer, should play for the school team rather than a travel team. That was also the understanding the travel coach has which led him to decide to replace all players from that school, under the assumption that they could not play without retaliation in the spring.

I understand the intent, which is to build team chemistry and develop the players in the manner they see best. However, our experience with our older son has been that he has developed exponentially from the various coaches and team experiences from summer ball. Each summer was a different experience and all together made him a well rounded ball player. Not to mention the fact that he stepped up his game each year facing better competition.

My son has decided to take the time to work on conditioning and hitting, hoping something comes up in July, but if not, he'll be ready for fall.

Just a word to the coaches who follow this philosophy, please consider the kids when you make these decisions. Not all players are content to play locally, wish to avoid travel, dislike "giving up their summer to play", have alumni connections to the college of their choice, or any of the other reasons travel ball seems unappealing or unnecessary to others. Just like in high school, there are great coaches in travel ball, and some not so great. Don't assume that these "part time coaches" are not as qualified to teach your players. And especially don't assume that the families would prefer local play. Travel ball has been an integral part of our family life for a decade. We have spent quality family time on the road and in ball parks, making wonderful life long friends from all over. Be mindful that you are taking this choice away when you STRONGLY suggest to the players to choose school ball instead.

Sorry about the soap box! As you can see, I'm disappointed that for the first time in years, we will have time on our hands this summer. I'm not sure if I remember what a beach looks like! Do they have covered stands

go to the player's wanted section, there was a team looking for players and the person posted was from the Georgia area.....you may have a summer home yet. I'm sorry to hear that your son has decided to make his decision not to play this summer and hope that his decision was solely based on what he wanted to do this summer vs. fear of retaliation. This is exactly why in Virginia this is not allowed. Best of Luck.

Do what ever you can to do both, School summer ball only lasts the month of June. Unless it's been changed. When my son played they had to disband by July 4th.

There are several DeKalb county high schools that insist kids play summer HS ball-- or else. Particularly with upcoming players who decide not to play the JV summer season. So stupid.

I could never undertsand why HS coaches want this situation---you would think they would want their players to play at a higher level and thus they get a better skilled played when he returns for the next HS season. It is not like the travel team coach is going to steal the player from the HS team

Thankfully in our region most of the states do not permit HS coaches to be involved with their players out of season. It solves this problem of conflict

Oddly enough the biggest most highly scouted tournaments in the entire United States are played in July and in Georgia and at East Cobb.

My son will be going into HS next year. I know for a fact that the coach there encourages players to play on quality summer teams. The school has a summer team, but the coach says if you can play on a good summer team, go for it. Nice to know he encourages that.

quote:

Oddly enough the biggest most highly scouted tournaments in the entire United States are played in July and in Georgia and at East Cobb.

EXACTLY! It is impossible to describe the Perfect Game events at East Cobb to those who have not attended. There is nothing like it!

We have been the odd parents who drove 2 - 3 hours for years to allow our oldest son to play in Atlanta. Initially we also thought it was crazy, but decided to follow the philosophy that as long as he had the drive and determination, we would do our part to allow him to play at the highest level of his ability. Our rule has always been that if he can make the team and be a significant contributor, we will go along. If he just wants to have fun and play a little baseball, that's OK too, but he could do that at home. We have lived by the simple philosophy that you don't know what you can be if you don't try, and if you try, then you will never look back and say I wonder if I could have.

I truly believe that those teams and tournaments made our son the player he is and gave him opportunities he would not have otherwise. The school coaches see it, we just cannot get them to see the truth about how it came to be! The truth is he just showed up at their door and they were thrilled to have him, but if he had not been allowed to play travel ball, like his younger brother is now facing, he would not be that player.

Sorry for the long rant. I know this is a conversation we should have with the coaches, but honestly they are very old school. I've decided it's my duty to get them to East Cobb this July to see first hand what's really go on in baseball now. (BTW, we just got beat out of the state tournament by a group of kids we see every summer at East Cobb. My son pointed that out to the coaches at the end of the series.)

As for my 16 year old. He will be working out hard in June and playing with the school, but I will remind him to post close to July that he is available for the EC PG tournaments. There are no geographical limits come July, everyone is here in GA!

PG - also thanks for the PM on our pitcher. He has decided it would be wise to take off 6 weeks to rest his arm, then follow your advice and pick up some games in July. He starts conditioning for college next week! Can't wait for this next phase.