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mwk2814
19 Posts |
 Posted - 05/08/2009 : 12:17:25
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| This may be an off the wall question, but could this have an impact on a kid's elligibility for college ball?? Particularly if it's at an older age..... |
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rmang
8 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2009 : 22:13:09
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It would ABSOLUTLEY jeopardize a kid's eligibility if it could be proven that this player recieved any aid/scholarship outside of NCAA/Amateur status guidelines.
I'm really not trying to sound stupid or sound naive, but why is it SO important to have the best team or win a tournament at the age of 6-14?
I'm not going to write a paragraph about my credntials but I will say this - that anyone that is putting together a travel baseball team and is crossing amateur/NCAA/ethical/moral lines to do it -probably never played the game at a higher level. The "games/championships" I remember the most are the ones I shared with my childhood buddies. Playing with a bunch of guys that get "brought in" to play and win games is called college. And we lived together, went to school together, drank together, went through family tragedies together, PRACTICED together, won together and lost together.
Celebrating a win with Bobby from "East Who the Heck Cares" who never has never practiced one minute with the team (or is it only a team when the umps yells "play ball"?) is not what is important to a 11 year old kid!
The adults who do this are the same ones that say "we" scored when the Georgia Bulldogs score a touchdown - they really think "they" score too!
I get playing with/against better or the best competition is important part of developing both skills and the metal side of the game (that goes for the school too) but try and find a team your son knows some of the other players and might even be friends.
I know some parents think that getting their son on a team that is "ranked" will give them a better shot at becoming a college or pro prospect because of all the "scouts". WHATEVER...
IF YOUR SON IS GOOD - REALLY GOOD (not just 12 going on 17) - THE SCOUTS WILL FIND HIM!! BUT THEY ARE NOT LOOKING FOR HIM AT 12!! When is is 16-17 and evey child has hit a reasonable growth/maturity level and he understands and wants "IT" as much as you want "IT" for him - THEN - get him on a good team with good players WITH A GOOD COACH WHO IS A GOOD PERSON. |
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tater77bug
133 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2009 : 09:23:47
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| Good stuff....I checked with a friend of mine that is a college coach...100% these folks could be in violation of amatuer status....it is similar to the problems that travel basketball has had in the past/present....especially if they have ties to any school as a booster....and just because everyone does it doesn't make it okay...rmang you said what has been ringing in my ears for a week...also heard of a 11U coach telling a parent and child if their son comes to play for his team he will help him get drafted....because he is "connected"...PLEASE.... |
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elitebaseball
26 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2009 : 09:37:15
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Ladies & Gents.... Great discussion.
I don't agree with the paying of kids but it is what it is.
Truth be told, Baseball has been and will always be about MONEY!!!
Take the BIG 3... Football, Basketball, & Baseball.
1-Which one doesn't require college before turning pro?
2-How many elite Football & Basketball players ONLY play AAU or travel and still receive NCAA scholarships?
3-Has MLB ever had another competitive Professional League in the US within the last 50yrs? (ex. ABA, USFL, XFL)
4-How much $ is spent abroad developing the international talent compared to what is spent in the US?
We all have our own set of standards, values, morals, goals, etc.
Statistics say that 95% of these kids won't see a day in the Big Leagues and will have only these LL Trophies and Titles to show for it.
Don't forget about the NCAA education that can be afforded them and how this can be stripped away by financial improprieties!!! |
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baseballpapa
1520 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2009 : 14:18:04
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| Does it always have to be about high school, college, or even the pro's. Why can't it just be what it was meant to be, a place to make memories that can be cherished for a long time. Every one knows that only a few make it big and I am one of the ones who didn't make it but I have never lost my love for the game. But I was able to make many new friends that I see on a regular basis and that helped make my baseball memories. They are not memories of getting paid to play but of playing baseball on a beautiful day filled with sunshine. I remember many great diving catches, hard hit line drives, some goodbye Mr. Spaldings, and always giving our best every game. One of the great things about the game of baseball is that you don't have to be the best player on the team to enjoy the game. If these children play every game as hard as they can play then they will have succeeded in my book. |
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highcheese
71 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2009 : 14:36:25
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A lot of crap going around in little kids baseball. Who is such an idiot to tell a littel kid or their parents, come to my team, i will get you drafted, i am connected. Incredible! Make sure at this age you put your kid with a qualified coach if you can that can communicate, teach your child the fundamentals of the game and fuel his passion for all that baseball has to offer.
After about 14, when your son has a couple of armpit hairs, then start looking for a path if he has the passion left. If your son can play high school ball, he will get noticed, scouted, etc.. If he is better than average then he can worry about getting drafted. The high school coaches are CONNECTED, the scouts come to these games, the colleges come to these games. I know several high school coaches well, you would not believe the connections and the information they have on every player in the region, and if they do not have the information, they seek it out. They usually do not ask 11u coaches for this information. Remember at 11 I was going to be race car driver, a fighter pilot, a fireman, a doctor, a baseball player, a football player and a basketball player, and that was just in one week!
Keep it real - try this - play catch with your son and ask him what is really on his mind. You will be blown away. |
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elitebaseball
26 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2009 : 21:02:58
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Baseballpapa...
I agree about the memories but if kids are being brought in just to win, then its more about memories. Memories are made by just playing the game just like the wonderful comment you made about the way your Bandits play for each other.
Highcheese...
Your right on point.... Only and IDIOT would pay for kids to play and cover parent expenses UNLESS you have a financial issue in the household and you CARE about this kid on and off the field.
No matter what, its FUN to see these kids enjoying playing the game & hopefully some of them will funnel into the same high school or college and have a good laugh about how got overly involved in their youth sports.
Lets Keep It Real |
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tater77bug
133 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2009 : 09:00:03
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Good stuff cheese.....quote:
Originally posted by highcheese
A lot of crap going around in little kids baseball. Who is such an idiot to tell a littel kid or their parents, come to my team, i will get you drafted, i am connected. Incredible! Make sure at this age you put your kid with a qualified coach if you can that can communicate, teach your child the fundamentals of the game and fuel his passion for all that baseball has to offer.
After about 14, when your son has a couple of armpit hairs, then start looking for a path if he has the passion left. If your son can play high school ball, he will get noticed, scouted, etc.. If he is better than average then he can worry about getting drafted. The high school coaches are CONNECTED, the scouts come to these games, the colleges come to these games. I know several high school coaches well, you would not believe the connections and the information they have on every player in the region, and if they do not have the information, they seek it out. They usually do not ask 11u coaches for this information. Remember at 11 I was going to be race car driver, a fighter pilot, a fireman, a doctor, a baseball player, a football player and a basketball player, and that was just in one week!
Keep it real - try this - play catch with your son and ask him what is really on his mind. You will be blown away.
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gasbag
281 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2009 : 09:01:36
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I totally agree with the sentiments of this group on this topic. On many occasions, I have talked with my son on "what makes HIM happy about playing baseball" ? In no particular order, he indicated that 1 - Having fun 2 - Playing on a team with some of his friends 3 - Being on a competitive team 4 - Having the players on the team work as hard as he does to get better ( practice, practice, practice...he loves to practice and never tires of round after round...rep after rep ) 5 - Having an ice cream or smoothie after the game 6 - Goofing in the dugout
Funny, he never mentioned what his team was ranked in the country...whom was better than whom on the team...that he wanted the latest prodigy from Georgia, California, Florida or Texas ( etc etc etc ) to be on his team so that they could beat every team at every tournament. I'd venture to guess that if I asked him if he could have the best "kid in the country" on his team vs. one of his mates, he'd pick one of his mate's 100% of the time !
So who and what is creating this environment to " be the best in the country at any expense" ? It's us the parents & coaches !!!!! I'm not a psychologist, but I suspect it's because we now pay huge amounts of monies on hitting lessons, pitching lessons, personal trainers and sports psychologists in the hopes ( and dreams ) of making our kids the next cover of "Sports Illustrated". Why isn't it good enough to let the boys ( and girls ) PLAY BALL ?
I think we as parents take our kids participation in baseball ( as well as other sports ) way too seriously. The kids haven't created these problems...we adults have. We've had "our bite at the old sport apple" and now it's THEIR time and opportunity. We should let them have their chance at making THEIR memories. I'm thinking out loud here ( which is very dangerous ! )but, what is a greater legacy for me as a parent to leave behind...that my child was first at little league in some tournament that none of us can remember or that he's teaching my grandson / grandaughter the meaning of being a good team mate, having fun, moms/dads sharing time with their kids, pride in any endeavor THEY choose, working hard to get better etc . I can't speak for everyone, but I'm pretty sure what the answer would be for 95% of the folks that I know.
PLAY BALL ! |
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moss21
54 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2009 : 16:59:18
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| Once a team pays a player money and someone has proof of it, the kid is concidered a professional,and he should not be able to play any college baseball for the rest of his life. |
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elitebaseball
26 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2009 : 11:24:20
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VERY WELL PUT!!!!
quote:
Originally posted by gasbag
I totally agree with the sentiments of this group on this topic. On many occasions, I have talked with my son on "what makes HIM happy about playing baseball" ? In no particular order, he indicated that 1 - Having fun 2 - Playing on a team with some of his friends 3 - Being on a competitive team 4 - Having the players on the team work as hard as he does to get better ( practice, practice, practice...he loves to practice and never tires of round after round...rep after rep ) 5 - Having an ice cream or smoothie after the game 6 - Goofing in the dugout
Funny, he never mentioned what his team was ranked in the country...whom was better than whom on the team...that he wanted the latest prodigy from Georgia, California, Florida or Texas ( etc etc etc ) to be on his team so that they could beat every team at every tournament. I'd venture to guess that if I asked him if he could have the best "kid in the country" on his team vs. one of his mates, he'd pick one of his mate's 100% of the time !
So who and what is creating this environment to " be the best in the country at any expense" ? It's us the parents & coaches !!!!! I'm not a psychologist, but I suspect it's because we now pay huge amounts of monies on hitting lessons, pitching lessons, personal trainers and sports psychologists in the hopes ( and dreams ) of making our kids the next cover of "Sports Illustrated". Why isn't it good enough to let the boys ( and girls ) PLAY BALL ?
I think we as parents take our kids participation in baseball ( as well as other sports ) way too seriously. The kids haven't created these problems...we adults have. We've had "our bite at the old sport apple" and now it's THEIR time and opportunity. We should let them have their chance at making THEIR memories. I'm thinking out loud here ( which is very dangerous ! )but, what is a greater legacy for me as a parent to leave behind...that my child was first at little league in some tournament that none of us can remember or that he's teaching my grandson / grandaughter the meaning of being a good team mate, having fun, moms/dads sharing time with their kids, pride in any endeavor THEY choose, working hard to get better etc . I can't speak for everyone, but I'm pretty sure what the answer would be for 95% of the folks that I know.
PLAY BALL !
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GROWING TREND-PAYING PLAYERS/PARENTS??
