BASESWIMPARENT
Well-known member
Anyone that has read some of my posts about baseball know that I think high school coaches bunt too much and I wish more high school coaches in SWO were involved with summer baseball. But another issue that I have developed some passion and philosophy about is travel or club baseball. And now that tryouts are being posted and players are looking for new teams or clubs to join, I have some thoughts. These ideas are based ln 10 years of being a club baseball player dad and for a number of years an assistant coach. It is based on my son's experience and as his non-collegiate experience is winding down, I think I can give some general advice that would be helpful for players and parents.
First and by far most important (and this advice goes all the way up to 17U) find a team that you know your kid is going to play a lot on. Meaning, be realistic and know the situation before accepting a position on a team. If your kid is a Gold level player, do not play on team that is over gold level. Heck, consider silver or even bronze. The most important thing is that the boy plays all the time. More kids quit baseball because they sit for a season than for any other reason. Don't let this happen to your son. Of course I am assuming your player is going to work on his game on his own, but during the season, he must play because he will not get better sitting and not a getting significant number of at bats.
Second, try to find a team that has coaches that can teach your boy how to play the game and help him with his individual development. Too many times, a team does a great job scheduling practice and games, ordering unis and going to tourneys. That is great. But for your boy to get the most out of his club experience, the team must be able to help develop his skills. Going to a team that will teach the player how to play the game is equally as important.
Three, and this is for high school age kids, 15U and above must have no parents involved with the team, outside a team administrator. Just the appearance of parental involvement causes trouble and must be avoided at all costs.
Four, if your son is decent and wants to play baseball in college or even pro, then what tournaments the club goes to is important. And quite frankly, and no offense to any of the wonderful Cincy, CBUS and Cleveland tournaments, all the biggies are down south in Nashville, Atlanta and Florida.
Finally, until your son plays at the 18u point, try to stay away from becoming a PO. I have yet to see any high school or club program really have a program for PO's that keeps the PO engaged both in the off-season and in-season. Plus, once your son gets pegged as PO, it is a label that is very hard to shake no matter how good a defensive or offensive player, your son might be.
I hope some of this helpful and good luck with your search and your son's tryouts.
First and by far most important (and this advice goes all the way up to 17U) find a team that you know your kid is going to play a lot on. Meaning, be realistic and know the situation before accepting a position on a team. If your kid is a Gold level player, do not play on team that is over gold level. Heck, consider silver or even bronze. The most important thing is that the boy plays all the time. More kids quit baseball because they sit for a season than for any other reason. Don't let this happen to your son. Of course I am assuming your player is going to work on his game on his own, but during the season, he must play because he will not get better sitting and not a getting significant number of at bats.
Second, try to find a team that has coaches that can teach your boy how to play the game and help him with his individual development. Too many times, a team does a great job scheduling practice and games, ordering unis and going to tourneys. That is great. But for your boy to get the most out of his club experience, the team must be able to help develop his skills. Going to a team that will teach the player how to play the game is equally as important.
Three, and this is for high school age kids, 15U and above must have no parents involved with the team, outside a team administrator. Just the appearance of parental involvement causes trouble and must be avoided at all costs.
Four, if your son is decent and wants to play baseball in college or even pro, then what tournaments the club goes to is important. And quite frankly, and no offense to any of the wonderful Cincy, CBUS and Cleveland tournaments, all the biggies are down south in Nashville, Atlanta and Florida.
Finally, until your son plays at the 18u point, try to stay away from becoming a PO. I have yet to see any high school or club program really have a program for PO's that keeps the PO engaged both in the off-season and in-season. Plus, once your son gets pegged as PO, it is a label that is very hard to shake no matter how good a defensive or offensive player, your son might be.
I hope some of this helpful and good luck with your search and your son's tryouts.