Coaches at the high school and travel ball level also have a lot to gain from the high school season being in the spring. Let’s be honest, to this point there has been a great deal of aggravation for both groups, much of which is directed at each other. Why? Too much overlap to the seasons!
For The High School Coach
1. No more giving up the majority of your summer to prepare your team for the upcoming fall season. You might still have a small window of summer training, but the pressure to prepare all summer for the season that starts even before school starts is gone!
2. You have a chance to get to know your kids. Having the fall semester to get to know the new kids in your program would allow for a better opportunity to build a cohesive team.
3. No more practices in the hottest part of the summer! I know you trade the hot of summer for cooler weather in the spring, but no one can convince me that practicing with a heat index over 100 is a good thing.
4. You no longer have to have players missing the start of your season because they are playing at the nationals with their travel ball team.
5. You can encourage players to be more well rounded athletes and, gas,. think about playing another sport!
For The Travel Ball Coach
1. Players get to focus their energies on your season. No more tug of war where your players have to find a balance between preparing for the high school season while also playing in the prime time of your season.
2. Players come into your season coming off a spring season where they are practicing regularly. This should have your players coming into the summer playing at a high level.
3. Less emphasis on friendlies and other events to fill out a spring schedule. With almost everyone else playing in the spring our Georgia kids must get pretty tired of playing so many meaningless games against the same teams.
4. Less expense for players and teams. Not playing a year-round schedule would allow teams to spend less.
Who gains the most? I believe the players are the biggest winners.
About the Author: Tory Acheson brings a wealth of knowledge to the Fastpitch Prep staff. He has coached at all levels of the game, including the last 25 years at the college level at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside, Tennessee Tech and Kennesaw State. He began his coaching career at the high school level spending 9 years Whitnall High School in Greenfield, Wis. and is now working as a professional softball instructor.
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