SportsForce’s college baseball advisor, Chris Emanuel, gives high school baseball players tips for their off-season:
With 2015 in the rear view mirror and temperatures dropping, I thought this was the perfect time to take a look recruiting events for college baseball and where they fit in our calendars.
In the last decade or so, a number of camps/showcases/tournaments/club teams has grown exponentially. Year round baseball has become the norm, even in colder weather states. This goes for high school and club teams. The number of players getting injured or burning out at a young age are increasing along with this trend. The volume and accessibility of events/teams/programs aimed to aid with development and exposure to college coaches have become a blessing and a curse.
More players are getting opportunities to be recruited by schools they would never have, even 10 years ago. Players are able to be recruited on a national level much easier than in the past, which gives them a chance to find their best-fit college program. Players are getting more informed about and exposed to different levels and divisions of college baseball. In general, it is easier to find a good athletic/academic/financial match than in previous years.
The biggest issue and challenge that we all face as players and coaches have to do with timing/schedule. The LEAST convenient and LEAST realistic time for colleges to see you play is during your high school season. Coaches occasionally make it to a local game or to a game while on a road trip. But they are consumed with their own seasons and competing, which puts a live evaluation on the back burner. So naturally, coaches are most actively recruiting and evaluating from late May-January. And naturally, the bulk of quality recruiting showcases and tournaments are scheduled during that period as well.
The most elite baseball players/athletes in the world compete from April-Sept/Oct. They rest from Oct-Dec, and typically begin SLOWLY building themselves back up physically and preparing for the grind of the next season around Dec-Jan. And then they have a full month or more to work back into game shape/condition during spring training or pre-season.
SO WHY ON EARTH DO SO MANY HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS THINK IT’S OK TO HAVE A LONGER SEASON & LESS REST THAN PROFESSIONALS???!!!
They are not done growing/developing. They have likely not prepared themselves physically to handle the strain they are putting on arms/bodies. They haven’t given their arms/bodies any sufficient, extended period of time to heal/rest/recover/grow.
The biggest mistake for families is to just say “Yes” to nearly everything and not make time for rest/recovery. It may be private lessons, camps, showcases, tournaments, club teams, training programs or other specialty events. Families are dedicating (and wasting) more and more dollars & time every year hoping to find that golden ticket that gives their kid a baseball scholarship. It is not uncommon to see HS players who never take a break from playing games or high-intensity camps/showcases for longer than a few weeks.
Coaches, scouts, and instructors are all guilty of helping facilitate this as well. We want to see players when it is convenient, and we want to keep our calendar full with more recruiting/scouting opportunities. And let’s face it, coaching/scouting doesn’t pay much. So these events often supplement the incomes of their families. It’s hard to fault or blame them for that. But things would be much better with more planning, education, and communication.
What is the solution??? The events/teams are not going away anytime soon, and likely they will only continue to increase in number & frequency. So the burden of this really lies on players and their families to make smart, responsible decisions. Each player’s calendar will likely be unique to his situation. Here are some tips to help set you up for success and health…
– Plan your calendar in advance for the entire year. Start with the active playing season(s) (high school/club), and carefully select additional events and training as they fit in your schedule.
– Do not enter an event where you are expected to perform at max speed/intensity without preparing physically. Proper preparation takes consistent weeks/months of throwing/arm care.
– Plan multiple periods of multiple weeks/months rest at a time throughout the year. http://m.mlb.com/pitchsmart/ is a great resource and guide, especially for pitchers.
– Rest your arm sufficiently. That doesn’t only mean stop pitching! True rest is when you LITERALLY do not pickup and throw a ball whatsoever.
– Use your down time for strength/conditioning training, arm care, and light baseball activity. Get back to fundamentals and lower intensity drills aimed to maintain and develop skills/mechanics.
– JUST SAY NO!!! It is flattering to be invited or chosen to play or participate in many events. However, it is not necessary. Plan in advance and avoid spur of the moment decisions on events you are not ready for physically/financially.
– PLAY MULTIPLE SPORTS! It creates a natural off-season. Even if it is recreational or your kid will never play in college, it gives their mind/body a break. In most cases, the skills and coordination learned in other sports translates to you being a better athlete and ball player.
