Should high school baseball be worried?
Riverside Press reporter Michael Becker wrote this story about a club baseball league that could compete against high school baseball by pulling away its best players. Is this something for baseball fans to be concerned with?
By MICHAEL BECKER
The Press-Enterprise
An Inland man with hefty influence in amateur baseball has formed a club league that could, if successful, compete directly with high school baseball by poaching its most promising athletes. The league -- said to be the first of its kind -- will take place in the spring and provide an alternative opportunity for players dissatisfied with the high school baseball experience, said Mike Spiers, the league's founder. But he is facing stark opposition from high school coaches and administrators who question his motives and worry that such action might someday cripple the high school game.
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Club baseball has flourished in the past decade as parents and athletes demanded year-round competition and instruction. For up to $100 a month, plus transportation fees, the best amateur baseball players in the country have competed for the equivalent of barnstorming all-star teams and vied for personal recognition in weekend showcases.
Beginning this year, Mike Spiers is bringing his club-team setup to directly compete against the high school baseball season.
Then, from February to May, the club leagues dispersed in order to allow these players to represent their local high schools and contend for team championships.
The two entities acknowledged each other somewhat begrudgingly: While some high school coaches harbored a long-simmering distrust of any club ball coach who might undermine their authority, some club coaches viewed high school competition as an inferior yet unavoidable piece of the baseball experience.
The game's elite have navigated cautiously. It is through club leagues and showcases that a player attracts the attention of scouts, and during the high school season that he proves his talent in a competitive game environment.
These worlds traveled parallel paths -- until now.
"In the perfect world, a high school coach would acknowledge club's place, and a club coach would acknowledge high school's place," said Jon Paino, the former varsity baseball head coach at Temecula Valley who is working with Spiers to establish the club league.
"And it would be a perfect relationship. But in some areas of Southern California, that's not the case," Paino said.
At the center of the controversy is Spiers, a Redlands resident with a lifetime of baseball experience and a Rolodex of connections. Since 1992, Spiers has helped run the ABD Academy, a club baseball program based out of San Bernardino that counts some of Southern California's best amateur ballplayers as clients.
Through ABD, Spiers has helped launch the major league careers of Greg Dobbs (Philadelphia Phillies), Reed Johnson (Chicago Cubs), James Parr (Atlanta Braves) and Tommy Hanson, who played at Redlands East Valley and Riverside Community College, and is considered one of the top prospects in minor league baseball.
Spiers, a stocky man with wispy black hair, had been comfortable operating at status quo, thanks to a California high school regulation known as the Association Rule. The rule placed limits on the amount of instruction a high school coach could provide out of season, which encouraged players to seek club programs in the winter.
But in April, the California Interscholastic Federation -- the state's governing body for high school athletics -- did away with the Association Rule. As a result, Spiers said, some high school coaches flexed control by discouraging their players from playing elsewhere in the offseason.
Coaches issued ultimatums, Spiers said, and some athletes who participated in offseason activities were cut from their high school teams in the ensuing power struggle.
"We're going to be unpopular with most high school coaches," Spiers said of the decision to go head-to-head. "The thing is, we're already unpopular. That's why they're making the demands. We're just going to create another option."
The league, set to begin March 1, will draw between six and eight teams from across Southern California. They will play 32 to 36 games at junior college and high school venues. ABD will field two teams, for which participants will pay about $600.
Spiers, who doubles as a scout for the Atlanta Braves, said he has received nearly 70 player commitments. His early plan is to build the league with a mix of underclassmen and varsity players who were cut from high school teams.
Mike Spiers' spring league could force players to decide between being on a club teams vs. playing high school ball.
By catering -- at least at first -- to underclassmen and those who have soured on the high school system, Spiers hopes to build the foundation for a league that will someday attract the elite players: players like Brooks Pounders, a senior at Temecula Valley High School who has a baseball scholarship to USC.
Pounders, who said he owed his rapid baseball progression to club baseball coaches like Spiers and Steve Trombly, considered joining the club league if only for the status as a trendsetter. But after deliberating with his family, he chose to remain with his high school.
"It's not well established, but it will be soon if you get some of the top guys to go play in it," said Pounders, a pitcher and third baseman. "It's going to be pretty big in a couple of years. I have a feeling some guys are going to start leaving high school ball."
After being cut from the junior varsity team at Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga, 16-year-old Kyle Butcher thought his baseball career had come to an end.
"My life was over," said Butcher, now a junior. But then Butcher, who has played with ABD since January 2008, heard about the spring baseball league through Spiers.
"I had nowhere else to go," he said. "I know this was the place I wanted to be. I thought it was great because I've had a good experience (with ABD). It can only get better."
When it became clear to Kristi Hanousek that her son Chad would not make the varsity team at Palm Desert High School, she enrolled him in the spring league with Spiers. Club ball, Kristi Hanousek said, allowed her son to compete for a starting position based on his own merits, as opposed to the tryout system at Palm Desert she claimed had become largely political.
"I'm used to that charge," said Palm Desert baseball coach Darol Salazar, a 24-year veteran of the high school. "That's OK with me, I don't have an ego. I don't care why they rationalize why their kid's not making the varsity."
Said Kristi Hanousek: "This is the first year of a new thing, so we don't know how it's going to turn out. I'm sure there will be some blips along the way. But the things we know for a fact is he will get quality playing time, quality instruction and an opportunity to be seen."
But high school baseball coaches and administrators worry that may create a pay-for-play mentality. And the high school experience offers more than a chance to compete for scholarships, coaches said.
Camaraderie
The CIF will hold its baseball championships at Angel Stadium this year and offer players the opportunity to compete for championship rings. The camaraderie and personal growth is enough reward for some, coaches said.
"If kids want to walk away from that experience, good luck," said Fontana Kaiser baseball coach Mike Spinuzzi. "Because they're going to lose a lot from that."
Although the CIF would have no jurisdiction over any club leagues, the organization is monitoring its progress closely.
"I think the high school programs are about the total student-athlete, and club programs are focused on the athlete as a baseball player," said CIF assistant commissioner Rob Wigod, who coached high school baseball for 17 years.
"I'm not trying to begrudge or be critical of club coaches or private instructors," Wigod said. "I just know -- to me -- the high baseball experience was a great one, as a player, as a coach, and as a CIF administrator.
"I'd love to see it continue because it's worth it."
Reach Michael Becker at mbecker@PE.com
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Good morning. The most important thing she'd learned over the years was that there was no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.
I am from Dominican and too bad know English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "We will beat any online data base airfare that your search."
THX 8-), Ana.
Scott Boras just sent me an email and Manny Ramirez is still looking for a place to play. He is keeping the ABD League open as an option. Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu decided at the last minute not to make the move. I will keep you posted if I hear more.
Just got another email today from an a very interesting person from the baseball community. He has confirmed 2 players from Diamond Bar have committed to play in the league, but have not desided to announce it yet, along with 2 others from OC that are major talents this year. I will keep you posted if I hear more. I hear the IE team is gonna be loaded!
If you want to know who the Covina/Pomona team is check with the Bombers. they may have an idea who the team is...
No Name,
Information: F, still just stories.
Profile of me: C-, One for four, not so red hot.
Keep working at it, you look great in that Vipers hat.
I just recieved a call that two boys from Diamond Bar High School are playing for ABD. One of the names they said, Is hard to believe I want to wait until it's confirmed. It's going to be interesting to watch this league!
According to the Baseball Resource website, ABD has confirmed a team from the Pomona/Covina area. I am curious to see who is on that roster.
You know after hearing these sea stories about kids who abandoned the High School team for a travel squad only to go on and play in college or the bigs; stories about amazingly gifted coaches in kiddie ball and lots and lots of stories about kids with mad skills cheated by the local HS Coach because of “politics” I have found the common thread.
No names.
Now this isn't like calling out some 15 year old for changing schools, (not that THAT slows many down here), we're talking success stories right? You guys who know all of these swell coaches or MLB or college players who bypassed the High School team, sing out. Heck, at this stage, I'd take a kid who started at Sac or Rio who didn't play HS ball. HaHaHaHaHa
You guys all know the difference between a sea story and a fairy tale, right? Fairy Tales begin “once upon a time”. Sea stories start with “no s&*$, I'm telling you the truth. Well these yarns all have pretty much the same amount of credibility as a fairy tale.
I was curious as to who are te 4 ex pro players Coaching at Baldwin Park.
Real Coach
If you don't know it, you can't teach it..
Knowledge is POWER!!
Real coach, first of all, the term is 'let me enlighten you' not 'in light you' so get a clue. second, i saw those kids play last year and they are so much better this year so I'm thinking it might have something to do with coaching. You probably sent your kid to the wrong school so heres your way to justify your poor choice. Another thing, how can you judge when you have probably never seen an ex pro ball coach. theres some lucky kids at BP right now. its funny how easy it is to talk when you have no idea what your talking about.
I have never experienced any of the situations described by some of you. It is a tough call. The only question I have is : What about umpires?. How good would they be? It's going to cost something, Is it worth the drive? Let's be honest, Is this a league for ABD to recruit from?
When it comes to baseball, what? 16-18 player rosters maybe the low 20's which is alot of players sitting. Well not all get picked but it does not take away the gifts some coaches give players that are less talented then others due to favors or friendships with who the coach knows, family, ex classmates parents etc. This is where ABD comes in and fills that void. Baseball has to be the most popular sport HS kids go out for, most have played since childhood so baseball is a sports most have played unlike football and Basketball not to mention other sports. If you have the passion and are a good baseball player and your HS coach screws you over, places like ABD open up a new avenue to continue with the sports most love to play, Baseball. Keep playing youngsters and never let a cut, or a corrupt coach stop you from playing the game of baseball.
bp alumn,
What is it about a coach that is an ex pro? Let me in light you, that means they played pro ball. Does it mean that they can coach no? I have found that most ex pro ball players are very poor coaches. A good example, most pro pitchers do not have proper technique, now you are asking them to teach your child how to pitch. I will take a real pitching coach with no pro experience over an ex pro coach any day.
Mission...
I have been acquainted with some 12 year old "mercenaries"- it's pretty sad that the parent(s) instill this behavior because they sure aren't driving themselves to the park!
If you want to see good coaching check out Baldwin Park. They have 4 ex pro baseball players coaching their kids.
"We know that there are other players out that need a place to play in the Spring due to circumstances that they can not control. Whether is because they have been cut or due to grades."
They can control their grades. What life lessons are they learning? These guys are all about the money and fame. They don't care about the well-being of the player. In high school they are a student athlete. In travel ball they are a mercenary. What do you think about this statement Fred?
I just talked with one of my buddies and here is what he told me in a response. Very interesting as I have had about 7 people reply back to me that I know and have dealt with in this Valley.
Quote -
"The new Spring League is coming along fairly well. Currently we will have 2 different levels of Club Teams. There will be one for Sophomores and younger that will have teams from the following areas.
*Long Beach
*OC 1
*OC 2
*San Diego/Temecula
*Inland Empire
*Pomona
Games will be played in Long Beach, Inland Empire and we have a couple of potential sites in OC.
The second level will be made of players that are Juniors up to Freshman in college. There has been several JC players that are currently redshirting that are looking to play during the Spring. We have talked with a couple of JC coaches that are looking to have their red shirt players play. If there are any JC players that are looking to play that are redshirting, you can send an email to XXXXXX
We have also had a good response with JR's & SR's, with some of them showing that they can play at the collegiate level. One player who is a JR is a DI commit also.
We know that there are other players out that need a place to play in the Spring due to circumstances that they can not control. Whether is because they have been cut or due to grades. We are looking for the first games to begin on March 1st. Also 2 very big prospect players in High School have already committed to play this year but there parents have asked us not to release there name. I will keep you posted bud. When are you gonna come back and coach Varsity or take another 18u team, we miss u. talk with you later"
Pro-Travel,
They tell me it's more about the sizes of the fish and the pond/ glad it has worked out, but choices were/are available
I am in favor of club ball taking over and offering a chance to play baseball year round. High School has so many kids come out for their teams and some talent gets lost to Politics. Politics are big in HS, especially baseball. Flashback to the 2004 Amat freshman baseball tryouts. Amat let some talent get bypassed because of committment to Dukes players by a parent who had the connection (of course one of those kids were his son). Amat should have had two Freshman teams that year and went from there. Kids that year transferred and played HS baseball elsewhere, Kids quit altogether and joined other sports at Amat, Wrestling, Track, Football, Voleyball. Athletes attend Amat because it is a athletic school. This ABD is a great idea for the kid that wants to play baseball and did not get picked weather due to too much of a turnout, a coaches oversight, a promise to another players parents/family connections (this happens allot). It is a shame the way HS coaches have manipulated the system for their own agendas, but what are you going to do. My kid stayed at the school, played other sports and left baseball behind in HS, only to play travel on the side. Weekend showcase Tournaments. Guess what he plays College Baseball right now. If your kid gets left off the HS team weather at Amat or anywhere else and he loves the game, keep him in travel and do like we did win a spot as a walk on in college. Very Doeable. I have to tell Amat missed out a very special player due to their politics. Take it to the Principal or the AD.??? Heck at Amat the answer you will get is "How Much Money do want to donate first". I agree travel coaches are better suited to teach your kid the game of baseball then some english teacher that never played the game.
“Posted by: LA Parent | February 10, 2009 9:58 AM
Don you and LA Conq are out of touch with reality. The high-end youth baseball and football coaches would run circles around our local high school coaches.“
Could you provide me an example of two or three high-end baseball coaches please. I'm always trying to improve my general fund of knowledge and edge ever closer to reality.
“Posted by: eagleball | February 10, 2009 10:03 AM
This should provide incentive for all HS programs to take a more vested interest in community youth leagues (rec/travel/etc) from which players matriculate.”
I agree 110%.
This should provide incentive for all HS programs to take a more vested interest in community youth leagues (rec/travel/etc) from which players matriculate. There are a few established clubs that can get their player's looks from scouts/D1, etal., but I can count these programs on one hand in SoCal. There is still a great opportunity for HS programs to thrive, but these will continue to need local booster efforts to assist with budget hacks/ support your local HS teams!
A few questions. Will this new league have unlimited rosters? Is it free? Are these guys looking to help out the kids or are they profitting off of a market of disenfranchised players and parents? Isn't this a glorified little league? Just because these guys know how to use the internet doesn't make their magic potion more potent? Let's be honest about the real objective!
Conq,
I agree club organizations have outperformed HS teams at a lot of schools especially in the girls sports but I don't see it happening to the “big” sports like Baseball and Football for one big reason, (and a few small ones).
That reason, as I see it, is coaching resources or, more precisely, the lack of them. You can't run a Baseball program, much less a Football Team with one person like you can a Basketball or Volleyball Team, you need a staff. Sad as it is, there just aren't enough qualified and willing people to coach the teams that we have now, much less another tier.
What makes that issue worse is that the tier these guys are talking about adding is one that requires work, a lot of work, by people who know how to teach the game. Most of the best “Travel Team” operators are terrific assemblers of talent but lack the resources needed to take a group of kids from point A to point B.
I encourage all of you who feel your son was cheated by his High School Coach because he ran unfair tryouts full of politics to place him in this ABD program as soon as possible. This of course will accomplish two things: 1) send a message to the school that you and your family will not be bullied by a coach you obviously cannot get along with and 2)provide notice that your kid is no longer interested in participating in sports at his school.
If your child does anticipate going out and actually PLAYING a sport at his school, you might first consider:
1)Have junior approach the Coach and ask what he needs to improve to make the team
2)If that provides no joy, make an appointment to meet the Coach yourself, well AFTER or BEFORE practice. (Do not show up when he is on the field and expect a hearing, this is very poor form.)
3)Still not happy? Contact the schools AD for an appointment.
4)If the AD doesn't, won't, or can't help, you still can go to the Principal, but frankly anything beyond the kid bracing the Coach is gonna be hopeless unless you have some pretty compelling tale to tell. “Junior had a hernia at the tryouts, but he is better now”, or something along those lines
Sadly, most parents skip step one and go directly to step two, often with less than appropriate timing. Usually, this doesn't work out so swell and ends up with a dad or mom telling the Coach that they are taking junior over to, (insert name of local High School baseball powerhouse here), where the Coach is just waiting to place his name on a lineup card. This is where your Coach says, “OK, bye”.
Moving the kid is sometimes an option and if he has talent can work, frankly few kids have this type talent. Bear in mind though, once mom and dad get a PITA handle, it tends to follow them from school to school.
Fred,
This is a major issue that needs to be discussed at length in many sports, not just baseball. Club coaches are undermining high school teams in sports like volleyball, softball, soccer, waterpolo, basketball and baseball. Even JAA fooball coaches try to pull freshmen away from their teams.
If we're not careful we could see HS athletics become a thing of the past. We could end up with a European system where school sports teams don't exist! It's all club.
I can give you a few examples at LA why this is needed. I am aware of a player that got cut off the freshmen team at LA a few years back. He went back and talked his way back onto the team. The next four years this kid was the most valuable player on his team. Last years freshmen team, the player with the best batting average was cut from the JV team this year. He was told it was a numbers game. There are multi kids on the current varsity team that are very unhappy, but they are seniors and have the choice play or sit out your senior year.
Well now these kids have a choice. This is going to force the high school programs to do a better job. I personally think it is great for the kids, and that is what it is really all about the kids.
high school should be worried because high school has too many politics in it. Like Glendora High School for example, Tyler Garco tried out for the Tartans and didnt make the team, he then transfered to Charter Oak High and made the team AND pitched the winning CIF game for them. Now tell me thats not BS. There is just too many politics that its killing the sport.
Posted by: guru | February 9, 2009 11:48 PM
Great point GURU a kid that CAN'T make a team in the Sierra league (Glendora) can be a STAR pitcher at Charter Oak just show's you the BIG difference in pitching quality! You can't get away with some of the crappy pitching I witnessed last year in the SGV when you play in the Sierra League. It's true and you all know it! Great point Guru!
I know of 2 kids that play for this guy and he is connected. But he is on the phone at every game and does not do any coaching and yes he does get big dogs only. So I don't see that changing he would be able to recruit any one from any ware an does that already. No one will be able to ask him any questions.I think CIF should step right in and try to do something about this. This is not good for hs baseball.
If I were High School I would be worried, and I would be really worried. Just as the last posted posted about the Garko kid, it happens in every school and w every coach one way or another. But what people are forgetting is that "BASEBALL IS A NONREVENUE SPORT" is High School, therefore schools have turned a blind eye for years when it comes to grades, policies etc.
I have been in thid Valley for over 25 years and I am surprised it has taken this long. Travel Ball has taken over w year round games, tourny's, practice, etc. I have seen fads come and go in terms of baseball, but this one is different and I will tell you why. Spiers is well versed and liked in baseball circles. Not to mention he has Trombly's backing. Trombly runs a large ORganization, I can see him moving his older teams to play in Spiers league etc.
To some of the other posters, High School sports has its fair share of favortism and we all know it, but if you have not ran a Large Travel Ball Organization or been involved in one, you soon will find out that there is just as much or not more favortism. See the difference is there are Dollars and benefits available to certain coach's who play or keep certain players.
Teams like Amat have been feeding of Travel Ball for years, anyone who has been around knows that in the past if you shunned the Dukes, you never sniffed the field on Varsity. Before anyone starts busting and yelling, this is just the facts and im just stating them. A certain Red Faced coach @ SH stayed an extra year longer then he wanted in exchange for new cement bleachers, another fact but I will just stop right there. All it will take is for a couple high profile players to leave and many will follow. The problem I see with this is "Stud or Great Player with a tude" now has the upper hand as do his parents. Schools with tons of talent will deal w it, but the schools that get one or two players every couple of years are the ones that will bend and start letting that player slide.
You will see schools like Amat,Los Osos, Rancho, Alta Loma,Glendora,SH and a few others that I did not mention that have 50 kids try out will be fielding these squads. The sad part here is that there are maybe 6 spots returning etc, and many kids that are cut in High School because of other commitents or Football or Basketball etc. Kinda sad IMO.
I guess we will just wait and see how it go's. I can tell you this much, Some of the High School coach's on Varsity that I have known for years have been sweating bullets as they know they will be losing players sooner then later. Most of the coach's know its gonna happen. Most kids that are on the Travel Ball circuit would rather play with there Travel Ball team anyway and have been playing with them for years already. Its kinda like having your team already picked out. Teams will be popping up and cherry picking very soon. Its kinda a shame but schools and there cutbacks and the lack of supplies etc should of known this might happen. I am not affiliated with any of the teams I just happen to know the "Adult Players" in this league know the ropes. I hope High School kids realize that High School only comes once!!
Thanks
Old Timer
this is the same guy who coached at arrowhead christian academy in redlands about 7 or 8 years ago, he lasted 1 season, just has to have everything his way, can't work with an administration or any authority, another napoleon complex, so, in a sense this is the perfect venue for him, as long as he is the total and only authority, how long does anyone think this will last? he's not gonna run this as a non=profit so mommy keep writing those checks out and where do the disgruntled go from here? I get a BIG LAUGH FROM THE POSTERS HERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE POLITICS INVOLVED IN hs BASEBALL, AND THEY USE A ONE TIME BLOGGERS NAME, LOL USE YOUR NAME IF YOU'VE GOT A PAIR OR HALF A PAIR, ACTUALLY LIFE AIN'T FAIR AND THERE IS POLITICS INVOLVED IN VIRTUALLY EVERY ASPECT, WHAT BETTER TRAINING FOR POST HS,JUST ONE MORE QUESTION OR TWO, WHY DON'T THESE KIDS WHO ARE UNFAIRLY TREATED IN THEIR HS, PLAY TRAVEL BALL THE OTHER 8 MONTHS OF THE YEAR? ARE THEY STARS THERE, DOES MOMMY LIKE WRITING THAT CHECK OUT? OF COURSE THERE ARE HS COACHES WHO PLAY FAVORITES, IS ANYONE SO NAIVE TO THINK THIS GUY WON'T EITHER OR IS HE some kind of benevolent baseball guru, here to rekindle all the porr,neglected, marginally talented,checkbook willing kids? by the way I have seen this guy operate up close at both the club level and HS, there is a ton of reasons why he is where he is now and they ain't all pretty, caveat emptor!
high school should be worried because high school has too many politics in it. Like Glendora High School for example, Tyler Garco tried out for the Tartans and didnt make the team, he then transfered to Charter Oak High and made the team AND pitched the winning CIF game for them. Now tell me thats not BS. There is just too many politics that its killing the sport.
The issues of HS and Club baseball are no different.
Politics on both ends...
If the ABD Academy is just helping the kid that does get cut or kids where schools have way too many kids, then its a good thing. For example Upland has about 60 to 100 kids that try out in a city with one HS school. Not everyone has a legit chance because the number of kids is just too many. So if ABD can fill a need, okay. But I would bet it just not the "out" kids they want to draw.
Way to big of egos for that..
C'mon whitey, not every kid lacks talent or has a bad attitude. And I'm sure fields and league structure have already been secured and hashed out long before any story about this league hit this blog. You are not that naive. And instead of always throwing the blame on players, at least try to acknowledge that there are coaches out there who really don't have the student athletes best intrest in mind. There are huge egos trapped in tiny bodies out there. Places where the dollar prevails and kind words get you a longer look than the silence from a parent who is not known. I read you're comments on here often and I refuse to think that you are that narrow minded. Who cares if a kid can continue to play as long as his parents pay the FEES...AT LEAST IT'S OUT IN THE OPEN! UNLIKE THE HIDDEN AGENDAS THAT GET PUSHED THROUGH BY CHECKS WRITTEN IN THE DARK.
JUST AFEW OF THE MANY PROBLEMS HERE, #1 what HS is gonna let them use their field? #2 if you can't make a HS team, you have a bad attitude or lack talent or a combo of the two #3 everbody has potential when mommy is writing out a check every month #4 who polices this? there are no rules, no board,no authority to appeal to #5 Spiers own protege is going to play with his HS team this year, what does that say? in you play HS ball in SoCal the colleges and scouts will find you, just ask the guru(lmfao) coach h2o knows all
This is great news for kids that get HOSED by their HS coaches. Like kids that play at their HS for years and then get cut during their Junior year. Kids who don't even get a chance to play on their perspective JV teams after being apart of their programs for two or more years. Kids that can no longer transfer to play elsewhere. If it's successful, you can bet your Arse that better players will be taking a second look at this option in the near future.
Does not suprise me. Alot of kids get hosed by baseball coaches in HS and quit playing altogether, and it is not due to the student athlete not being talented but it pertains to coaches whom play favorites and cut qualified kids. This travel coach may be onto something knowing that certain coaches play the favorites card and he could be right there to pick up these overlooked players and offer them a chance to pursue baseball at that age. There are really no fair try outs like before when it comes to HS baseball. It is all based on what travel team you played for how much money your parents have how much a-- kissing your parents do etc. Some parents and players refused to accomadate coaches in this area, hence they are not chosen to play baseball. This is in some cases at certain HS, not all.
Fred,
We're ahead of the curve. He probably got some of his info right here
This was the talk of the blog a week ago and some of our SGV bloggers had some good comments on the topic by some who are "in the know"
http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/2009/01/hoops_thread_no.html#comments