How Valuable is Time Off?

While most High School baseball programs have finished their 2009 spring seasons, some have not skipped a beat and have already begun the 2009 summer season requiring commitments of two days a week and Saturdays. This begs the question, How valuable is time off? or What other direction could High School baseball take in developing their players? Let's look at what is done in higher levels.

By rule, Junior College, NAIA and NCAA Baseball are restricted in the amount of games they may play in the off-season, to the point where some may not play any games at all as an institution. So, what do they do? JC's can offer summer baseball classes (if funding allows) while NAIA or NCAA schools may have open field workouts (which are unstructured) designed for optional work. Additionally, most college coaches look for summer leagues, semi-pro leagues, instructional or scout leagues for their elite players as an option but certainly not as a requirement.

Once school starts in the fall, baseball classes may begin, if allowed by rule. These classes focus on strength, conditioning and individual skill development. They are offered during the regular instructional day so a college student will have time to study, work a part time job or take a night class. The governing bodies of collegiate baseball have cut back the number of games played in the fall by college teams, while allowing athletes the option to play individually if they desire but not year round as a team. Therefore, while college teams will have played 0-12 games in the summer, winter and fall combined, most high school teams could have played 25-35 games in the same time period.

Why then does high school baseball find it necessary to run such an extensive off season baseball program? The answer is, because they can. The CIF has no restriction on the number of games played in the summer, winter or fall: including no Saturday restrictions. They literally have legislated year round competition at the high school level with only a three week dead period required by rule in all sports.

The answer to the question, "How valuable is Time off?" is different at every level, for every individual and age group. With a fine line between passion and obsession, balance seems to be key, as too much of anything is not healthy and can lead to a myriad of problems over time. Taking time off can give one a fresh perspective, drive and hunger to work harder upon return.