Need some advice

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From someone that has been on both sides. High School rules, Period. We get this ever year at this time that someone wants to do travel ball . This was never a problem years ago till travel ball coaches wanted kids 12 months a year. You need to let them enjoy high school ball while they can play it. Almost anyone that has gone to college will tell you they call the high school coach and want to know how you get along with the other kids. Yes travel ball may get you to the next level, but the ? was this kid doesn't want to play in college. We have open gym three days a week. My SR goes to them all and she has already signed. She evens goes to weight lifting / cross training that the sokker team does this time of the year and she will never play again. It is all about training and willing to go the next level. I see this ever year. Those that play multi sports its not an issue, those that only play softball are so far out of shape, when they show up its not even funny. Why they are doing open gym is to get those kids off their but and working out.

 

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My DD only plays school ball, has for 2 seasons now and I love that she is still in the game. Looks forward to playing HS ball (8th grade now) and has no intentions of collegiate ball. I'm ok with it because she loves that level of ball and doesn't want to play year round. Many are in this same situation.

Have to agree, HS ball will trump our travel desires whether it matches what I do or not.

 

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They would of never got hold of our coach. Never involved,I had to talk him intobuyinga team bat since I got sick of hearing ping sounds.

 

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Then they will call the AD, but they will call. Grades and high school activites will be viewed. Plus any social sites like face book will be looked at. You are only kidding yourself if you think they are making a big investment without checking out all sources.

 

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Sounds like the Coach may be "Riding the fence".

2012-13 OHSAA General Sports Regulations​

9.3.6) A coach, paid or volunteer, violates the provision of these regulations when thecoach requires, suggests or in any way implies that a student’s chance to be selectedfor an interscholastic squad is contingent upon participation at an open gymnasium​

or facilities program.

 

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Wow was I grumpy yesterday.

And good points about being recruited. That is a no win situation unless she explains this to her HS and he/she (assuming he.....why is that?) gets it and gives the blessing to miss the Wednesday workouts. I would be ****ed if the HS coach stood in the way of my DD getting a scholly because of some off-season workouts.

 

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First thing coach told my daughter was to change privacy setting on her Facebook (for all incoming freshman). DD's coach did not contact our AD or High school coach. We may be an exception and I can only speak for myself, so I am not kidding myself.

 

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My question is this: If your dd is a leader on the team and one of the standout players, did the coach consult with her (and the rest of the leaders for that matter) to see what day works best? As seniors, girls have many obligations and any seasoned coach would be aware of that. You would think they would make the time that fits the best for the team (I know that is not always possible).

If this is an open gym (wink, wink), is the quality of instruction worth missing a team hitting practice? How much of the team is really going to be there and is this more of a social gathering at this point?

It is not so cut and dry in my opinion and this garbage that the younger girls need to see the seniors there is BS IMHO. They need to know that the seniors aren't just out screwing around, but they all know who the big dogs are and they all want to be them. If they know that the best hitter, fielder, etc. is out getting private lessons or conditioning then that alone sends a good message for this time of year.

Just my $.02

 

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This is an age old debate in Ohio. And there are no definative answers. Each situation is different - but what is rarely questioned is whether HS or Travel affords the player the best training and access to competition. Why would a HS coach not want the player to get expert training? There are assumptions being made here that College Coaches always contact HS coaches. I would offer that that happens very seldom - especially compared to the contacts these coaches make with the players summer/fall coach. We have 5 players that committed this fall and not one of their HS coaches were contacted. Many players that I have been exposed to consider HS ball as community service. They play HS because of the community, social and school spirit aspects of the sport. Very few HS teams play at a high level. Remember the travel coach is responsible for the players development, and in the older ages their recruiting options for the better part of the year. Just like Travel coaches, HS coaches need to understand the changes in the sport and grow with it. When these stupid rules were enacted the sport was different.

 

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My question is this: If your dd is a leader on the team and one of the standout players, did the coach consult with her (and the rest of the leaders for that matter) to see what day works best? As seniors, girls have many obligations and any seasoned coach would be aware of that. You would think they would make the time that fits the best for the team (I know that is not always possible).

If this is an open gym (wink, wink), is the quality of instruction worth missing a team hitting practice? How much of the team is really going to be there and is this more of a social gathering at this point?

It is not so cut and dry in my opinion and this garbage that the younger girls need to see the seniors there is BS IMHO. They need to know that the seniors aren't just out screwing around, but they all know who the big dogs are and they all want to be them. If they know that the best hitter, fielder, etc. is out getting private lessons or conditioning then that alone sends a good message for this time of year.

Just my $.02

My dd told me he did ask the seniors which days would be best. She told him which ones wouldn't conflict. Another senior told him that day was bad as well. There are 5 seniors on the squad. 2 play basketball and can't be there, 2 told him that Wednesdays was not a good night. Not sure what he expected!

 

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I do have to say that of all the coaches my dd is talking to, none talked to the hs coach, and 2 maybe 3 talked to her travel coach. I honestly don't know the norm.

 

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As for asking seniors/leaders what day works for them, at our old high school we have one gym, with freshman/JV/varsity boys and girls basketball going on, wrestling, cheerleading, baseball conditioning, etc. Softball doesn't get to pick which nights we condition.

 

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As for asking seniors/leaders what day works for them, at our old high school we have one gym, with freshman/JV/varsity boys and girls basketball going on, wrestling, cheerleading, baseball conditioning, etc. Softball doesn't get to pick which nights we condition.

We had issues with our old coach telling us we didn't have choice of when to condition and I thought the same with limited space.
Our new coach has the girls conditioning in the hall lol. He has shown our team if there is a will there is a way.
He is changing the attitude of girls softball. :yahoo: Hopefully girls will take pride in playing varsity ball.

 

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Blue Ice ... I know your new coach ... he's a good one! (I coach travel ball with him.) Yeah, we used to condition in the halls and cafeteria as well ... the problem was sometimes we had to cancel conditioning because there was something else going on in the cafeteria or halls!

 

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2 play basketball and can't be there

Why not? What makes their situation so much different? How come he doesn't yell at them and ask them to quit basketball? At least your dd can be there some of the time and is doing something that directly benefits the sport when she can't. So the fact that those two are doing something school-related exempts them from the guilt he is laying on your dd. The policy should be the same, whether your dd plays basketball for the school or takes violin lessons at the rec center.

Open gyms and conditionings are supposed to be voluntary attendance. And if I recall correctly, nobody can be turned down from attending. So ten kids who never played softball a day in their lives are also supposed to be allowed the opportunity to participate.

Tryout weeks and the weeks leading up to the season are plenty of time for the team to bond and for a leader to take charge imho.

All that said, my advice would be to allow your dd to decide what she wants to do and respect and support her decision. If a senior, she is either or is almost 18 and this provides her an opportunity to handle a difficult situation that, in the grand scheme, probably won't be life-altering whatever she decides. Good practice at being an adult and dealing with adults in my mind.

 

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Unfortunately, the core problem in this thread seldom has a win win answer. ...

Definitely an example of ?You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can?t please all of the people all of the time?. DD needs to discuss it with both coaches and handle it.

HS-age players should be the ones talking to their coaches - both HS and travel. Parents can coach them on how to do it and help them make an informed decision on how to handle it. They're great life lessons.

 

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Why is it that high school programs are always bashed as being sub-standard to travel organizations? Wonderful generalization. Just because your school off-season conditioning program consists of running in the halls only, doesnt mean they all do. We do BFS four days a week, led by a certified personal trainer. This program consists of a complete stretching program, plyometrics, and speed and strength work. Our voluntary hitting program is led by a former alumni who played D1 softball (4 year starter) who also coached at the collegiate level. Have not seen every travel organizations off season workouts, but I would put ours up against them all. This goes for the hitting as well. The only advantage a GOOD travel organization would have would be the ability to actually give instruction at practice as well as being able to scrimmage/play. Instead of bashing all high school programs, why not talk to your coach/AD and find out why they are not doing more?

 

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why not talk to your coach/AD and find out why they are not doing more?

Ah, Money and resource.. We can only dream to have what you have. We're just glad we finally have a knowledgeable coach who cares. Must be nice...

 

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Most High School programs are substandard. Faculty are offered coaching jobs before the school ever looks anywhere else, with or without experience. If your school program has the funds to bring in top notch coaching and training, hats off to you and your tax base.

 

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Why is it that high school programs are always bashed as being sub-standard to travel organizations? Wonderful generalization. Just because your school off-season conditioning program consists of running in the halls only, doesnt mean they all do. We do BFS four days a week, led by a certified personal trainer. This program consists of a complete stretching program, plyometrics, and speed and strength work. Our voluntary hitting program is led by a former alumni who played D1 softball (4 year starter) who also coached at the collegiate level. Have not seen every travel organizations off season workouts, but I would put ours up against them all. This goes for the hitting as well. The only advantage a GOOD travel organization would have would be the ability to actually give instruction at practice as well as being able to scrimmage/play. Instead of bashing all high school programs, why not talk to your coach/AD and find out why they are not doing more?

I wish I could say that about our HS program, but frankly, I can't! I'm sure it would come down to money as well. Personal trainers are something our small school can not afford.