Play Ball

While most colleges and JC's have already begun their 2011 Baseball seasons, this weekend marks the beginning of High School Baseball with the traditional scrimmage.

The CIF Blue Book defines a scrimmage as follows. "An interscholastic scrimmage in baseball is a training session between a minimum of two and a maximum of three schools where no score is kept, free substitution and time-outs are permitted, spectators are not urged to attend, and officials are not paid."

This is what makes a scrimmage unique and the reason why it is not counted as a contest. This format permits coaches to set up situations, get game experience in the execution of certain skills in a more controlled, relaxed format. The scrimmage also allows the coaches to freely substitute players in and out giving a great deal of flexibility not normally afforded in the game.

While many High School Baseball Coaches still run a scrimmage as it was intended to be, a training session with teachable moments and free substitution, some have gone far beyond this definition and treat it as a regular contest. Even to the point of sending a message or setting the tone for the season and playing to win.

This attitude goes far beyond the intent of the rule and reflects a selfish will to win when no score is to be kept.

As a Athletic director and a traditionalist, I appreciate the intent of the scrimmage rule and would hope all coaches would see the value in it as well. Remember, you will never find that surprise on your ball club, if you don't look for it.