coachjwb
Well-Known Member
Always a favorite topic of discussion on here ... I won't address all of the benefits of playing high school ball here (and I think there's a ton), but just a few of the points ...
1) As mentioned above, high schools are allowed to play 27 games a year plus the state tournament. An average team gets in about 25 games and regular players get in about 80-90 plate appearances
2) Technically, there are only about 4 weeks of practice involved before the season starts ... keep in mind that this is in late February and March when the weather stinks, so many teams may not even get in one outdoor practice before games start. Additionally, they are often competing for gym time with basketball, baseball, lacrosse, etc. AND also keep in mind that practices may include JV and freshmen teams as well, so a coach often has to come up with a good practice for 20-40 girls. You just can't do much.
3) I think the most intelligent approach by a high school coach is to let the girls who play serious travel ball and/or who have pitching or hitting instructors to do what they do and pretty much leave them alone, and to focus on the "bottom half" of the roster and the players who aren't getting this outside instruction. Does that mean all coaches take this approach ... no, and therein lies a problem.
1) As mentioned above, high schools are allowed to play 27 games a year plus the state tournament. An average team gets in about 25 games and regular players get in about 80-90 plate appearances
2) Technically, there are only about 4 weeks of practice involved before the season starts ... keep in mind that this is in late February and March when the weather stinks, so many teams may not even get in one outdoor practice before games start. Additionally, they are often competing for gym time with basketball, baseball, lacrosse, etc. AND also keep in mind that practices may include JV and freshmen teams as well, so a coach often has to come up with a good practice for 20-40 girls. You just can't do much.
3) I think the most intelligent approach by a high school coach is to let the girls who play serious travel ball and/or who have pitching or hitting instructors to do what they do and pretty much leave them alone, and to focus on the "bottom half" of the roster and the players who aren't getting this outside instruction. Does that mean all coaches take this approach ... no, and therein lies a problem.