What about the other guys???

Black and white issue for a HS or legion team, but much trickier for a showcase team.
If a showcase team has such a big roster that only certain players are invited to a tournament, maybe the most unselfish thing a committed player could do would be to decline the invite and open the door for someone else who has not committed. It's also not uncommon for teams to upgrade with new players just for a big tournament, which in my mind clouds the concept of team loyalty.

 

Coach

I could not agree more---Kind of reminds me of a team that came home early from East Cobb this year. Maybe some diffrent reasons but kind of the same theory. Finish what you start and finish strong.

The TEAM theory will win you more games in the long run but little Johnny's mom and dad always want it to be because of their son.

 

I hope this goes along with this thread. First, let me say that Coach27 is on the mark. If one can not feel pride for the team and (teammates) then he is in the wrong sport...golfing may be better suited for his needs.

The 2nd point I would like to mention is "senioritis". The blighted "I got mine" attitude. Dbacks asked when did this start...I would suggest that early commitments is a good place to start. Now, I am certainly not pointing fingers at any particular player. There are many outstanding players that commit early and still is able to keep his competitive drive and passion. But I believe most will agree that you have seen the "senioritis" problem. I witnessed it on a potential great HS team that had 8 players committed to college. Unfortunately, I wished some of them had started college early, so they would not have affected the team's chemistry.

But I would like to note, nearly 100% of the players that I saw suffering from senioritis are no longer playing college ball....geez...I wonder why?

 

Good point. I just hope senioritis doesn't become junioritis. What would prevent an early commit from graduating early (like they do in football) and playing college ball during his "senior" season.

 

IMO, to answer your question, it starts at home. ^

Some parents /players are more concerned with "getting theirs" than with the team goals. Braves makes an excellent point.

 

I have just found this site recently and have found it to be interesting reading. This topic to me is one worthy of discussion.

I personally think team loyalty is important. I know much of this discussion has centered around 'showcase teams', but I find it more disturbing that so many are jumping ship from their local high schools to go play elsewhere. Most of those who 'transfer' find a 'legal' way to make the move, but the ethical question to me is the bigger one. What about those friends and teammates that I am leaving behind at my old school?, What about the new team that I am going to join?, That new team has players now that will not even make the team or will have limited playing time because someone found a 'loophole' to beat the system and those players that get the short end of the stick have been at that school and live in that district.
Another ethical issue...what about those coaches who coach showcase teams, summer teams, etc. that are not bound by NC high school regulations (they are not the head coach), but still have associations with high school programs. Are they building relationships with players and families that result in a 'legal' form of recruiting in order to build better high school programs and state championships?

We question why professional athletes have the egos that they do...I suspect much of it is because players have been told from very early on that they are great and that it's all about me and getting what's best for me without regard to how it effects anyone else.

I agree OnePutt..it begins at home. Unfortunately, those who teach their kids (like it appears you do), things like loyalty, team first, honesty, etc. are the ones who might get left behind on the athletic field, (at least temporarily), but fortunately...they will be the winners in the things that really matter...character, integrity, etc.

One last thought...just because it's legal, it doesn't make it right.

 

"Good point. I just hope senioritis doesn't become junioritis. What would prevent an early commit from graduating early (like they do in football) and playing college ball during his "senior" season."

Our HS has a girls soccer player right now that scored 79 goals her FROSH year. Our coach was counting his championships until UNC saw her at camp. Soph year she sat out with an injury even though she continued to play with her travel team. This year she is SITTING OUT, playig travel ball, and graduating early to enroll at UNC next year.

 

I think Showcase and travel baseball changed all that. Before anyone jumps me for being anti-travel ball, please know that my son played as much as anyone's. However, it wasn't many years ago that the only teams a player had a chance to play on were his rec league teams, HS team and his local legion team. Many of his teammates and coaches on all those teams were the same. So there was much more a sense of team and community. Travel ball and showcase obviously added many more opportunities to play with different players and coaches and, yes, in front of the all-important SCOUTS. The focus has changed from playing because its fun to playing for reward. I think thats obvious. Now whether its wrong or not I'll leave for others to discuss.

 

Bingo.
rec teams-tight geographical boundaries/small,stable roster
HS-larger boundaries/bigger, stable roster
Legion- larger boundaries/bigger,stable roster
travel-large boundaries/fluctuating roster
Showcase-usually regional or statewide boundaries/fluctuating roster
Nationally competitive showcase team-no boundaries/fluctuating roster

 

BaseballMan,

I too support "Showcase and Travel Ball" and I know showcase promotes individualism (hope that's a word) becuase you are competing for College and Pro Scouts.....but, I more concerned with the player before he gets to Showcase ball.

"Today's player" even at a very early age shows NO loyalty to his team and team mates. I know one player from age 11 -15 played for probably a dozen or more Travel teams...he changed 2 or 3 times through out the season.

As one other poster said.....maybe it starts at home with the parents. Are we that wrapped up in trying to get our kids to the next level that we are creating this problem by putting "Them" on a pedestal at such an early age that the "Team Concept" is completly abandoned and carries right over into High School?