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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| cobbBBdad |
Posted - 05/13/2012 : 22:38:43
As a parent of an advanced player who is getting to that age where we are considering full time travel type teams, I'm curious as to how families handle the Fall portion, of their schedule. My kid likes tons of sports, not just baseball. And I think that's a good thing. So in the fall, for instance, he plays football. (Basketball in Winter too.) For similar families, how in the past have you handled this aspect, since evidently all teams practice/play in fall? Are there any strategies out there to mitigate this, or is it "well in that case just know you're going to be at practices/games 7 days a week, year round -- or at 8 years old the kid has to dedicate to just one sport." (Obviously I'm not a fan, of the latter choice.) Just curious as to how others have managed this....aspect. |
| 17 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| AllStar |
Posted - 05/15/2012 : 13:11:53
quote:
Originally posted by nastycurve
I enjoy the multiple sport athletes that I have, but I just make sure that I have 11 on the roster who are baseball only. At younger ages, it isnt really a big deal but as they get older the only way you are going to have a really strong team is if you have the large majority of your team (a full defense at least) together continuously. We play year round, so I would consider us full time and I think the best teams are those that have players that dedicate to that sport.
Not sure what ages your talking about. I've seen 11U referred to as the "older ages". 
If they decided themselves they were baseball only, great. If a parent or coach told them they had to be baseball only, not so much.
I thought/think my son would love football, but whenever it comes time to sign up/go out he opts for Fall baseball. Some of the most fun teams have been kind of randomly assembled fall teams that got together just because they wanted to practice, play and get better.
He stopped playing basketball because a couple years ago he broke his wrist in practice and if he did that now it would cause him to miss high school tryouts. |
| nastycurve |
Posted - 05/15/2012 : 12:29:23
I enjoy the multiple sport athletes that I have, but I just make sure that I have 11 on the roster who are baseball only. At younger ages, it isnt really a big deal but as they get older the only way you are going to have a really strong team is if you have the large majority of your team (a full defense at least) together continuously. We play year round, so I would consider us full time and I think the best teams are those that have players that dedicate to that sport. |
| HITANDRUN |
Posted - 05/15/2012 : 10:00:46
Glad to hear that there are some still doing all 3. Recent article by Ray Tanner at USC said "he likes players who are involved in multiple sports.
"I know it's more difficult now than it used to be because when you're specialized you do it year-round," he says. "But that wasn't the case many, many years ago. Whenever I get a chance in the recruiting aspect, I like to get the multi-sport guy. I don't think it prohibits you from being outstanding in one particular sport down the road."
Experiencing different sports allows players to work different muscle groups and get into new kinds of "game shape." That empowers young athletes to take responsibility for their own training, though having a workout regimen in place also can serve as a helpful template.
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| ramman999 |
Posted - 05/15/2012 : 09:59:12
Maybe I'm mistaken, but don't fall teams typically take this into consideration?? Usually, unless it is a qualifier tournament like a SNIT, I was under the impression most associations utilize "open rosters" and are a little more relaxed due to the amount of multi-sport kids - at least it was that way in NC - might make me rethink our choices when we start looking for a team this fall... |
| cobbBBdad |
Posted - 05/14/2012 : 20:49:37
Thanks for the responses, everyone. I have no doubt that I should let him play other stuff in fall. Just wondered how full time coaches who put teams together, look at that |
| in_the_know |
Posted - 05/14/2012 : 15:11:48
quote:
Originally posted by HITANDRUN
anyone know of any high schoolers that play 3 sports?
Yep, and at all three coaches aren't happy with him at various parts of the year. Baseball coach hates it during basketball playoffs, basketball coach hates it during football playoffs and football coach hates it year round. |
| patent pending |
Posted - 05/14/2012 : 14:45:24
Yes, My son played Football,Basketball,and Baseball as a freshmen.We had a few at our school. This week 3 sport athletes will be honored with a luncheon.1a school GHSA |
| HITANDRUN |
Posted - 05/14/2012 : 14:11:22
anyone know of any high schoolers that play 3 sports? |
| excoach12 |
Posted - 05/14/2012 : 13:59:22
As a year round baseball coach for over 17 years I have always supported my kids playing other sports in the fall and having that sport take precedence.
Around mid-March, after all the basketball tournys are done, I would semi-jokingly announce that "you're mine now, no other sport goes before this team anymore". And they all got the message that it was more serious than joking. Never had an issue.
If you have a coach who is not supportive of other sports taking precedence in the fall, find another coach.
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| AllStar |
Posted - 05/14/2012 : 10:29:38
He doesn't have to "pick" a sport, but he should only play one at a time imnsho.
That doesn't mean he can't go to the cage or throw or take grounders during Fall and Winter. I just wouldn't (didn't) put him on teams in more than one sport in a given season. Not fair to the kid or either team.
I always hated as a coach when my players (or more likely their parents) put Spring football over baseball. Took that into account the next time I did a lineup. I'd be interested to see what the football coaches would do if a kid missed practice for a Fall baseball tournament.
Also, what about school? |
| nastycurve |
Posted - 05/14/2012 : 09:52:40
I think you have to go with whats right for your kid. Mine plays other sports with his friends but his focus is totally on baseball when it comes to doing something organized. He's 14, and I coach his travel team. Our rules regarding other sports are this, whatever is in season takes precedence. During baseball season, I expect you to be in attendance though I will make an exception if you have a championship/banquet to attend. During another sports season, I understand and would expect you to make that sport first.
With that said, I will say that especially with the younger kids playing in the fall is huge for them, especially if they can play up. Ive watched mine from 4u to 14u and when he started playing in the fall his development drastically increased. At 8 years old, play whatever your child wants, whatever he likes the most he will gravitate towards and want to do. |
| Bigwhitevan |
Posted - 05/14/2012 : 09:36:45
We had always done rec till 10. At that time we chose a travel team in fall to help get in shape. Football was actually not a big workout with his coaching staff. We helped on Sunday's and Saturday's that did of have a game. The next spring we were in full time travel and had successful season and asked son to choose. He chose baseball and that is what we did. Had fun but he missed football. This year told coach that we would be playing football and only be able to help on Sundays. There was no animosity. Fall for most travel teams should be about building the lesser talent into studs for spring. Good luck. |
| rippit |
Posted - 05/14/2012 : 09:30:13
The only thing I can add is to be 100% up front about limitations/conflicts. Some parents are afraid they'll be turned down unless they over exaggerate their availability and that goes for spring too. If you know you have church, band, swim meets, older/younger siblings etc. demanding time that will eventually lead to player unavailability, say so up front! If roster numbers (especially in spring) are kept low and then 1-2 decide they can't make something and this is a recurring theme, it hurts EVERYBODY. |
| DecaturDad |
Posted - 05/14/2012 : 08:00:10
We are in a similar situation with a 12U son. He plays baseball every spring/summer. But also plays other sports in the fall and winter. As long as you are up front with the coaches when you join a team, and let them know about other commitments, you should be able to balance. For example, our baseball coach knows that we are playing other sports in the fall. If there is a conflict, he misses baseball. (We try to make one practice a week, and games when he is available.) At the same time, in the spring, baseball comes first. He misses other events to play.
Playing multiple sports does make scheduling much more difficult. But for us, it is well worth it. We are told every year that is it time to pick one and specialize. (This is ussually by a parent of someone who only plays one sport. Not a coach of one of his current teams.) We politely disagree and continue to let HIM decide what he wants to play. What happens when you decide to focus just on baseball, and he decides he likes basketball better?
Good luck, and remember. If he is not having fun, something is not right.
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| Hiredgun |
Posted - 05/14/2012 : 07:29:46
My son is 15 yrs. old and has been playing travel ball since he was 7. Let me say this.....we have never played a dedicated fall schedule becasue our team was full of players that played other sports in the fall.
My son tried mixing in baseball during football season but to be honest, it wasn't successful as the fatigue factor seemed to always kick in. Basketball was the same way.
My suggestion is to let your son decide on what he wants to do. Let him enjoy all of the sports as there will come a day when he will decide which sport he wants to concentrate and spend all of his effort towards.
If you son has the talent on the baseball field he should not have any problems landing a on a good travel team. Those coaches have a way of finding the talent.
Sit back and enjoy the time you have watching your son play the various sports. He will thank you at the end of the day.
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| HITANDRUN |
Posted - 05/14/2012 : 07:15:17
Just me but whatever sport is in season is the one that should come before the others. During fall it is football season. I wouldn't try and do a football game then go play baseball though. Tell the coach up front your son plays other sports but during spring he is committed to baseball. If a coach has an issue with other sports then that is probably not the right coach or team for your son. Concentrating too early on one sport is a waste of time if you ask me. You will get to 14 year old baseball and he may not be very good or may hate it by then and then what sports does he have to play now? Let him play as many as he can and try as many as he wants. Even if some are sports you despise. |
| SSBuckeye |
Posted - 05/13/2012 : 23:48:03
Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you have to pick one sport before HS. Play AS MANY sports as you can. Most elite travel players play football and/or basketball. Makes them a better athlete. Most teams who play in the fall have to pick up players from other teams to field a fall team. Nothing wrong with kids who want to play baseball in the fall, but most coaches understand and accept this reality. If not, find a different team. There are plenty of them out there. |
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