Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
That would be it. I don't see why he wouldn't play this summer.Originally posted by MVCR:
Broken thumb
New spin of thread. When will the state move to spring baseball?Originally posted by eyecy:
That would be it. I don't see why he wouldn't play this summer.Originally posted by MVCR:
Broken thumb
It would be different if he was drafted in the MLB draft and wanted to play on the Rookie League or Class A team he was assigned to. That's why the IHSAA really needs to change to an earlier season that would allow players who are drafted not to miss their important senior seasons because they overlap the minor league schedules.
Yes, but how would you feel if you played for Hoover or were a big Hoover fan and you've anticipated Jeremy Hellickson's senior season for 4 or 5 years and then all of sudden he gets drafted early in the MLB draft and decides to report to his assigned minor-league team and skips his senior season. If that happens with 3 or 4 of the top Iowa high school players a year then it is 3 or 4 times a year too many.Originally posted by mtdew_fever:
..............................
How about all of those Iowa kids that would get drafted in the MLB draft? Yeah all 3-4 of them that don't go to college over a 5 year period.
The arguement against this is why is Iowa one of two (not sure on that one?) states that don't have baseball in the spring? Doesn't Wisconsin and Minnesota have spring baseball? Do the rules and seasons just need to be backwards in everything?Originally posted by mtdew_fever:
It might hurt 2-3 kids each year that would miss out on an opportunity to place baseball at the D-I college level....which at best they would get a partial scholarship. Is that really enough to move the whole season up to Spring?
Here's a question that always trumps that argument: how/why does every other state (including states very much like Iowa) do it successfully?Originally posted by mtdew_fever:
Not going to happen. The IAHSAA already sponsors track, soccer, tennis and golf. Where are the 1A and 2A schools going to get the kids to also play baseball?
It might hurt 2-3 kids each year that would miss out on an opportunity to place baseball at the D-I college level....which at best they would get a partial scholarship. Is that really enough to move the whole season up to Spring?
How about all of those Iowa kids that would get drafted in the MLB draft? Yeah all 3-4 of them that don't to college over a 5 year period.
Originally posted by mitchamee:
"I am not sure how this turned into a debate on the Iowa high school season but first of all let me say congrats and good luck AJ I have enjoyed watching you through the years from the CR Reds to The Iowa Bandits to perfect game. 2nd AJ has not played much with Wash because he has been playing league ball for years to develop his skills including leaving his high school team to play out of state summer leagues. Does that mean we should change the Iowa high school baseball season to spring, not necessarily. With Iowa's unpredictable spring weather the only way to have enough time to truly develop talent is to either invest money we don't have into indoor facilities (won't happen) or also develop strong summer programs. The problem with baseball in this state probably starts much younger with a broken little league system, lack of parental involvement and sadly lack of excitement about the sport. Don't get me wrong there are areas where strong tradition still drives successful high school programs thus generating participation in little league which in turn feeds the high school programs. Examples Martensdale St Marys and Decorah. Pro baseball on TV lacks the excitement and the ambiance of the stadiums and taking kids to a pro game requires a drive and a hefty financial investment these days. The lack of an exciting college program in the area and cold season games further drive a lack of interest. The sad truth is most of the kids recruited out of Iowa to play baseball have parents who have helped them find programs and coaches to help develop their child's natural skills and love of the game and yes many of these programs have try outs. Case in point the roster for the under 13 usssa team mentioned above the Iowa Bandits reads like a CR area 21012-2013 recruitment list: Austin Stroschein committed to DMACC, Mitch Stickney-Southeastern CC, Tyler Butz-Kirkwood CC, Brennan Hammer Heartland CC, Tyler Mougin ?, Jake Stenberg-Upper Iowa, Mitch Moser-Upper Iowa, Josh Crosby-Minnesota St, and AJ Puk-Florida. Maybe it just says something about the coach's ability to teach fundamentals but until we have more coaches teaching fundamentals at a much lower age, the state of baseball in this state is not likely to change! and the majority of the exciting players to come out of the state are likely also have parents who have invested heavily in their child's potential. Thus if the player elects not to finish his senior season and play minor league ball Good for Them! It is not about the fan that might miss watching them play a few more games because if they are a true fan they will keep cheering whether it is Washington High, Florida Gators or God help me the Chicago Cubs. It is about the sacrifices the player and his family have made for years to get him to that point."
This exactly! As for baseball at the smaller schools it has become painfully unwatchable. Especially schools that are not traditional powers. It is, as mentioned, a broken Little League system and also a numbers problem. Most smaller schools are forced to play 8th graders and underclassmen that are just not ready to play. I have been to numerous small school games where it takes 4 hours to watch a seven inning varsity game and a 3 or 4 inning "JV" game. Four hours for 10 or 11 innings! The kids don't even like it. I don't know what the answer is. I don't think changing seasons would help. Summer basketball has had a huge impact on reducing numbers in baseball in smaller schools, but most coaches will work around that. It is sad to see a game I loved as a kid become so hard to watch because of the pace, and quality of play. Hopefully something changes to save the game at the smaller school level.