Personal Appearance of College & HS players

Define overweight.

I coached a kid years ago who was a "chub" in the 9th grade. Everbody called him "Snack" because he loved to hit the Snickers between innings and would never have shed his shirt at the pool. He sat the whole season. However, he was a lefty swinger with two older brothers having come through the program, both later playing college ball and both later signing and playing in the minors.

Anyway, the "fat kid" got taller, put down the Snickers, ran a lot, developed an absolute cannon, polished his swing, played two years JUCO, and then signed with the Giants. No more "Snack".

Further, we played against a team this season (no names) that had a BIG football player in a baseball uni. (Later told he was a soph/young junior but is getting tons of interest from D-1 football.) The kid could not tuck the jersey in all the way. He did look, well, sloppy. However, he got a line single off us, ran great for his size, and even pitched a couple innings against another team I saw later. Obviously an athlete - just in a 3X package.

Finally, Cecil Fielder could swing for me once a game any time...

 

That's ridiculous. Some kids work their tails off to shed weight, and just can't do it. Just like some skinny kids eat like crazy to gain weight, and just can't do it. So, you will keep a normal sized kid who is a average to below average ballplayer over a kid that may be overweight, but can mash a baseball and works his butt off to stay in the best shape possible...

 

Wow.

I guess that 1st baseman down at Greenville Rose that is going to ECU could not play for you. I think his name is Chase McDonald.

Maybe you should clarify. I'm sure you don't mean this as cut and dried as you have implied.

 

Chase is DEFINITELY not overweight...that kid is built like a house...

 

Doesn't sound like the reply of a parent because we all know none of our kids are perfect - but we accept them the way they are. We definitely do our best to make them better - but there are some things they have a little more control over than others. I say they can always control the appearance of their hair. No excuses for the sloppy look. "Look like a ballplayer."

However sad, but true.... today's culture has us brainwashed into thinking that a particular "mold" makes a better player. The smaller player is often not given the same opportunity as the well built young man who seemed to have matured a few years earlier. Nothing that either kid can do about it, it's just what it is. But as the NCAA says "Most all will go Pro at something other than sports". Doesn't make them any lesser of a person.

 

well said, FALCON,

and perhaps i did say it in a politically incorrect way.
regards,

 

I saw quite a few overweight players this past high school season, & for the most part, they were really good: either pitching or hitting. Might need a pinch-runner when they got on base, but really good hitters.

 

I still require short hair but allow a mustache neatly trimmed. This is because the majority of college programs have such a rule and we emulate the next level, which some of our players aspire to reach. Never seen a college coach mention short hair and neat facial hair as a negative, but have seen the opposite. If a college coach is more flexible, fine, but I never want to have a kid perceived in a negative light because I don't have a rule about this. And I agree about hats being worn correctly on the field, too. I have never had anyone fight this, but as was mentioned, I can see it coming and wonder if the administration will back me.