Time to play ball between high school, travel teams

For years, the wonderfully competitive worlds of high school and travel baseball have mostly lived in harmony.

The high school season generally ended by the secondweek of June, leaving travel programs to begin scheduling tournaments the following weekend.

Of course, thiswas before the coronavirus pandemic hit and caused the Illinois High School Association to alter its 2020-21 schedule.

The baseball season will now begin April 19 and end on June 26, presenting a potential two-week overlap with travel.

And there have been discussions of the IHSA having an abbreviated postseason thatwould stretch into July, further disrupting the travel season.

No big deal, you say?

Well, the IHSA has never allowed student-athletes to simultaneously compete in a high school season while playing travel or club. Be it baseball, volleyball, soccer or any other sport.

That could change.

The IHSA announced earlier in theweek that it’s leaving open the possibility of allowing studentathletes to do both.

When it comes to baseball, that’s a tough deal.

The travel season is primarily about one thing— college recruitment. If a kid is a potential Division I player, travel provides the exposure.

That’s indisputable and important. High school baseball, however, has its place in the sun. Developing skills, working with classmates to attain the same goal, the pressure of playing for your community and in front of large crowds. And, of course, winning a state championship.

But the idea kids can safely shuttle between their high school and travel baseball teams without sustaining a serious injury or disappointing someone is highly unlikely.

Marist coach Kevin Sefcik, whowas the director of baseball operations for the prestigious Illinois Sparks travel program for five seasons, doesn’t think it’s feasible.

“The main reason it couldn’t work is because of the pitching,” he said. “High schools have a pitch count. Travel programs don’t. Who decides when the kid is going to pitch for his travel or high school team?

“That’s why the high school summer season is almost gone— pitching.”

Providence coach Mark Smith, however, isn’t so fast to dismiss the idea.

“I think it can work,” he said. “But it depends on the high school coach and the travel program working together. If the two can work out the pitching situation, it can happen.

“I keep 16 or 17 pitchers onmy roster just in case we get backlogged with games. If my No . 1 decides hewants to pitch for his travel team on a certain day, I have no problem letting him. It gives other kids an opportunity. And we’re in this for the kids.”

I applaud Smith, who guided Providence to three straight Class 4A state championships, for keeping things in perspective.

One must understand, however, the vast majority of high school programs are struggling to build 17-player rosters, much less 17-player pitching staffs.

Many high school programs can’t recover from the loss of a top pitcher or player.

So here’s my suggestion.

We’re in unprecedented times. Hopefully, this is only a one-year adjustment.

Howabout travel programs moving the start of their season to July 1?

We’re only talking two weeks. That avoids any crossover scheduling. Most importantly, it allows high school players and families to enjoy the best of both worlds.

They deserve it after having their 2020 season canceled.

I have one other suggestion.

It’swonderful the IHSA has lifted the limit of only two games aweek, thus allowing teams to try and maintain a 35-game schedule, with an end date of June 26.

But howabout ending the regular season earlier and putting together a postseason thatwould culminate with a state champion on theweekend of June 26?

Craig Anderson, the executive director of the IHSA, liked the idea.

“I think that’s something wewould consider,” he said. “We don’t knowwhat’s going to happen in the spring or summer, but instituting a complete state series and crowning a state champion on June 26 is not out of the question.”

That should put a smile on the faces of fans, players and parents.

Count Sandburg coach JimMorsovillo among those whowould be willing to give back regular-season games for a chance to win a state title.

“I think the IHSA needs to crown a state champion after not being able to last year,” he said. “Just playing a season is great, but our kids would love to be crowned a state champion.”

It’s a must. It has to be done.