Spring Break Games-I am NOT playing

Understood expectations and a little prior information/communication go a long way.

In our program, it is "understood" that we will play (JV and varsity) over spring break. It has been that way since well before my eight years. Players will typically get Sat, Sun, Mon and the day of Tues (we practice that day at 5:00 or so) at the beginning of the week "off". We practice Tues evening and Wed day, then play Thur, Fri, Sat. (JV sometimes flips and plays early in week, then they get Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun at end of week off.)

Possibly most importantly, the season's schedule is given out EARLY, as we begin fall meetings/workouts, to anyone attending, including "newbies" but especially to "returners".

When I have had kids miss during break, it has only been JV. They didn't miss again in later years, or they ended up not continuing in the program. Now that does NOT mean they were later cut for the past decision. Those kids just ended up not staying around: transfer, quit baseball at our level (continued LL, etc.) or didn't improve enough to make the team the next year. As for their "punishment" at the time of missing, they had to sit when they returned, but were allowed to return to their position if/when the replacement didn't hold onto it by producing - the games they missed plus 2-3 after return, I think.

By the way - all this has seemingly been focused on players who actually play and miss. It seems that many are saying," throw him off!" What about the kid who sits all the time and then "takes off". Same venom for that kid?

 

Couldn't agree more, coach.

 

I know it may seem that way, but I don't think it's venomous...just more at stake for the starter.

The consequences are the same; You would hope that the player sitting is working as hard if not harder to be ready if his number is called. For a player that has the opportunity to start decides (or parent's decision) to go on vacation...kinda hard for the kid sitting, yet busting his butt, to understand why is teammate would do that.

But I don't have a problem with whatever a coach's rule is. I understand they may be different from one school to the next. As long as they are communicated before the season starts (I know many do it with a parent's meeting in the fall), it shouldn't matter how one coach handles it from another.

But with this topic, the bottom line is there should be consequences, and based on the fact that Stretchy posted it, leads me to believe there are some that are suffering no consequences.

 

TESTS?

still would like to hear about conflict with college entrance tests.

 

There are plenty of opportunities to take the SAT/ACT during the fall and winter for high school baseball players. If it is scheduled during baseball season, it is highly unlikely that a game or mandatory practice is scheduled on a Saturday morning -- Saturday afternoon or evening possibly but usually not Saturday morning. My son didn't want to take the test during the season for just that reason -- he did not want the possibility of a conflict. IMO, if you play high school baseball, take it in the fall or winter!!

 

I firmly believe that as a player you can not expect to miss games for a "vacation". However, if I told my Coach at the beginning of the season that every year my family goes out of town during Spring Break then my coach should have respect for my family's tradition. Communication is the key with all players and coaches, a mutual respect should be held for the team and family.