Batter up for both high school, travel will work
After IHSA decision, for high school baseball and travel to work, communication will be key
When the Illinois High School Association announcedMonday it was going to allow studentathletes in summer sports to simultaneously play for their travel or club teams, many suspicious eyebrowswere raised.
The summer sports include baseball, softball, track, girls soccer, boys volleyball, lacrosse and boys tennis.
Critics pounced, wondering howstudent-athleteswere going to juggle the demands of playing for both high school and travel.
Certainly, itwas presumed, scheduling conflictswould arise, leaving one team disappointed. Familieswould choose to play for their travel team, which provides the most exposure to college coaches.
Additionally, playing for both teamswould elevate injury possibilities.
I have to say the amount of negativity cast by the IHSA’s decisionwas somewhat stunning. What those critics failed to do was read the fine print.
The summer season is scheduled to run fromApril 19 to June 26.
The IHSA decision allows for student-athletes to double dip beginning on June 4 and not a day before.
Sowe’re talking a potential three-week overlap between high school and travel programs.
In theworld before the coronavirus pandemic, the overlap was approximately twoweeks, although playerswere prohibited fromtravel or club until the high school seasonwas over.
Maybe I’m naive, but considering howeverything else has been turned upside down, I’m confident the IHSA’s gesture is going towork out.
Of course, for that to happen, all parties must be up front and honest, maintain clear lines of communication, and most of all, put the interests of the kids first.
And in talking to a handful of high school baseball coaches, that’s clearly their intention.
“We’re planning on having a town hall with our families and see what is best for everyone,” Mount Carmel coach Brian
Hurry said. “There’s enough time for us to communicate with each other and with the travel teams.
“There has to be cooperation on both ends. We don’twant kids to have to make a choice.”
My suggestion is for travel and club programs to remain flexible and start their seasons at the end of June. Thatway, there’s not any conflict.
Through these eyes, there’s nothing in sports that provides more life lessons to a studentathlete than playing for your high school.
That experience should remain a top priority for families.
“The travel and high school coaches have towork together and remember what’s best for the kids,” Andrew coachDave DeHaan said. “I’m sure the travel coaches will be on board. I believe this is going towork.
“I knowtravel baseball gives the kids tremendous exposure to colleges. But there is something to be said for playing with your neighborhood buddies on your high school team.”
Absolutely.
St. Rita coach JohnNee is confident all parties willwork in harmony.
“We’ve had a great relationship with the travel programs, and I understand the kids get recognized by colleges with their travel team,” Nee said. “I’m going to be very open with our players and parents withmy thoughts and working together on this.
“Loyalty is with our program up until June 26. I’ll be flexible if needed. But it’s a privilege to play and coach in our program. If we’re playing up until June 26, it will be something youwant to be a part of.”
MaybeNee knows something I don’t, but the IHSA hasn’t committed to a postseason. It’s too far off to knowthe next chapter in the coronavirus pandemic.
But there’s no doubt the IHSA should begin the process of preparing for a state series for every summer sport. Remember, they didn’t have a season in 2020.
Those sports deserve a chance to experience the whole deal— winning a regional, sectional and supersectional and playing in the state finals.
“The IHSA has a lot on its plate,” DeHaan said. “Things change day by day, week byweek. But youwant a state series. The kids deserve that.”
Yes, they do.