Son was told by coach that he preferred freshman take the summer between fresh and soph year off. Felt that after 9 months of workouts, school, regular season, the freshman needed to take a summer and work out, play a little ball and let bodies (and mind) recover some. Also, told them to enjoy it because after this it will be expected that they play during the summer. Sound reasonable?

Next, are they such leagues, teams for 19 year olds to play games, tournaments, etc. Son doesn't want to do anything to tick off the coach.

I don't neccessarily disagree with the coach for non-redshirts. Its probably very reasonable, especially since he runs the team. I think the the players should "go with the flow" at that level. It is a personal decision whether there is the desire to play or not.

For the better player, at least in the south as you know, there is the opportunity to basicly play year round. A good strike throwing pitcher can easily throw close to 100 innings in the spring, 40 or 50 in the summer and 30 in the fall, for a couple of years BEFORE they get to college. That on top of all the travel involved can take a toll after the intense fall season and spring freshman year. Even position players get banged up, knee scrapes, etc. that just plain need time to heal up.

With 5-6 hour practices in the fall and a 60 game spring schedule, the coach might have a point.

As far as 19U leagues, I think there are some adult type deals:

http://www.baseball-links.com/links/Amateur_&_Semi-Pro/Florida/

I heard that he can even play legion ball if he's 19. But thats still a pretty heavy schedule even though its not the greatest competition here in So. FL. The only college league in Florida is the one in Orlando anyway.

If his birthday is late enough, after 8/1 I think, he can play 18U for a Poker, X-Team, Lightning, Scorpion type team. I know a kid that red shirted at U of FL and played in that league the next summer. The FL College league has mostly central florida kids but some out of town players on each team. Those invites ussually, but not always, go through the college staff. They picked up some stray kids just looking for a place to play.

He turns 19 in Jan. A South Florida collegiate league - You think it would fly? This summer he was going to go off and play with some kids from school. After what the coach said now he was planning on taking a couple classes at the CC, making some cash, playing some ball and rekindling his relationship with his g/f. Not necessarily in that order.

There are at least as many college players in SoFL as the I-4 corridor, probably more, alot more. The Central FL league has good internal support to carry it until it pays its own way. In short, if they can do it in Orlando, why not Ft. Lauderdale or Miami.

I am sure there must be some sort of spot for him there this summer.

Canesfan,
If that is what the coaches prefer but your son wants to play, he should go ask if he can. But I can tell you from what my son tells me, many players who came back from summer ball are beat up, tired physically and mentally. Then they just have to start up all over again, practice, workouts, instruction.
We are having this discussion on another thread about burn out. I think it is reasonable.

Also might depend on the level of play at your sons school and game schedule, location, etc. Things can get mighty intense after a long season.

I was surprised to find out that son's pitching coach prefers for the pitchers NOT to pitch in the summer, but wouldn't deny anyone who wanted to go. Mine didn't play and I think it was a good decision.
This summer, due to extended season many position players and pitchers took the summer off. They worked camp and worked out, some took in classes. They also enjoyed sleeping in and going to the lake, catching up on missed movies. Just a few weeks of time off that they didn't have since beginning school in August.

quote:

son's pitching coach prefers for the pitchers NOT to pitch in the summer, but wouldn't deny anyone who wanted to go.

Same here, except they would strongly suggest skipping the summer, dependant on innings pitched and or arm/shoulder health or history.

quote:

Originally posted by Dad04:

quote:

son's pitching coach prefers for the pitchers NOT to pitch in the summer, but wouldn't deny anyone who wanted to go.

Same here, except they would strongly suggest skipping the summer, dependant on innings pitched and or arm/shoulder health or history.

Redshirted players went to play as did the ones who are going into draft year, with very limited innings. As you know Dave was encouraged not to pitch due to 70+ innings last spring.
Am learning now that many many coaches prefer that pitchers who have a large workload take the summer off.

TPM, I certainly hope that many who are reading the other thread find their way here and read your comments. Over there, some say let the player decide, or the ones who truly have the passion can keep pushing on while those who don't will take time away.

Over here, people get to read that college coaches have concerns about overload. Are they (the parents, not the college coaches) missing out on some wisdom?

I have never heard that before . My son's coach wants him to play for a team in the south that he puts his players on for the summer. My son's friends who play NCAA have similar plans for the summer. Most Freshmen don't get a ton of innings and I would think they would want you to stay tunned up.
The problem we have is that he cannot work off campus so he will have to come home. He will play for a senior Elite team full of college players. The oldest guy is 42 and still has his stuff.

I agree with Bobble,

I was a freshman though. In general freshman don't get alot of innings, or playing time, unless you're a standout. So taking a summer off could and probably would hurt more then it would help. Just my opinion though.

My Coach told me to get onto a team in the summer that I'd get a ton of work in. Along with hitting the weight room hard to come back bigger and stronger so that by the time the fall ball rolls along no one would be behind the rest of the team.

Now if you're a sophmore, junior or senior, then taking the summer off would probably benefit, because you obviously would of played more during the school season then a freshman. But again this is just my thoughts on the subject.

Bobble and Doc,
Lots depends on where you come from and what type of program you are in, the summer league, the coaches philososphy, nagging injuries and the player.

Yes, at most schools, freshman usually have less innings, so it does make sense to play in the summer. At other schools freshman are regulars or will be come sophomore year. It's also important to note, if you play at a school that is not visited regularly by scouts, good to go to summer leagues and get some exposure.
Despite taking time off later on, I think the most important summers to play is before your draft years, not between freshman and sophomore summer. JMO.

Doc,
Even though a player decides to take summer off, he still should be hitting the weight room and conditioning, batting practice, throwing. I don't think we meant sleeping in everyday and becoming a couch potatoe.

06,
Many coaches here are concerned with overload as well. It is not mandatory to play in the summer.

TPM

I know that you didn't imply to sleeping in everyday and becomming a couch potatoe. But alot of times when a guy is told to take the summer off from playing they stop doing everything all together including the weight room. I saw it happen this past summer with a handful of guys I know.

I also agree that alot depends as to what type of program you are in. Like obviously if you play at a JUCO you're going to get more time as a freshman then at say a big DI school.

I just wanted to share what has been done in the past in my program (small NAIA), that was all.

Pitchers may need some time off after a long spring, but position players learn alot from the added ABs, wood bats, and the daily grind.

I dont' agree with the coach...while you're taking the summer off your competition isn't.

You can never operate from a stance that you don't need to adhere to a regimen, both on and off seasons.

I recommend the illustrated book by Joe "Spanky" McFarland,
Coaching Pitchers",
ISBN: 0-88011-368-5.

This book is done in work manual format with outlines, charting forms and other deatails that a coach and knowledgeable pitchers need to develpo properly. It covers pitchers year around work-out schedules starting from 8 y/o to 18 y/o and above.

Pitchers need to throw to keep their arms strong...but it needs to be regulated and with a specific purpose for development of the correct technique for proper mechanics.

RR,
I do not disagree with you, however there are many factors that determine how a coach feels.

My son didn't pitch this summer, he put in a lot of time on the mound for an ACC freshman pitcher. He pitched while others didn't, that was what made the decision. If he went to the cape, he would not have been able to put in anymore than 30 innings. We thought it only fair for a freshman who didn';t pitch as much to get more time in.
After a few weeks of rest (he played up until mid-june), he hit the gym for conditioning, running and then began his long toss program in August and ready for bull pen Aug 24th. The only thing he didn't do was "pitch". If he had gone to the cape, he would have had to limit innings in fall practice, instuction and bull pens.

Everybody is making valid points here, but the fact remains that pitchers need to take time off from throwing occasionally. Whether it is the summer, fall, post-fall ball or whenever, they have to do so. Professional pitchers do it too!

quote:

Originally posted by grateful:
Everybody is making valid points here, but the fact remains that pitchers need to take time off from throwing occasionally. Whether it is the summer, fall, post-fall ball or whenever, they have to do so. Professional pitchers do it too!

Grateful,
Correct, and it is up to the player and coach to decide what is in his best interest.