Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="manleyzoo, post: 2968209, member: 519"] My son started on the varsity high school baseball team as a freshman. Only one or two guys make it, the rest play freshman or JV. After all, asking a 15-year old to compete against an 18 yr old can be insurmountable. But he was an advanced level player for his age. We traveled around the country from March through November from age 11 - age 16 to play in tournaments. Some years he played year round. On the west coast, Arizona and Nevada, baseball is super competitive -- most of the elite level players travel as we did. At one point when he was 14 or 15, he played roughly 100 games that year. It was way too much but his team was ranked in the top five in that age group in the country so there was some pressure. All I did was get on the plane, or drive to wherever, help him manage his emotions after winning or losing, and pay up. We played catch on the weekends or after school (I had played at a high level, too) but that was about it. What I learned was the high school coaches give the kids summer lists of what to do, etc., but it means nothing. If you can play you'll get on the field, if not you won't. At the high school level there's a big difference between the ability of most kids. Stamina doesn't make up for talent when there's a talent gap. Now, my son played ball in college where most of the guys are of about equal ability. In that case, having a good motor from being in shape can get you on the field. You asked, so I'll answer -- knowing what I know now, I'd tell my kid to enjoy his summer and begin to get ready in December or January. The HS baseball season starts here the third week in February and ends in late May...that would have given him plenty of time to get ready. But the truth is I fell victim to the "if you want to make the team do this" crapola that high school coaches throw out there. [/QUOTE]

Verification: What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?