[mandan]

It does have potential, but I think "he" will run into a road block with football and basketball. To succeed anymore you have to be in a program that goes year around, and with football and basketball, and so many playing all three, it will be hard. I think that is why LC did so good this year is because I think only of their players played basketball. They had a few that played football I think, but they still lifted and conditioned with them I am sure. However, that seems to be the biggest problem anymore. There are so many schools that will not work around other sports in the summer that it makes it hard to play everything, and so many are quitting baseball because of it, or they are not getting the time in that they need.

Unfortunately, this goes on way too much in a lot of schools. Most schools have to "share" athletes in all sports. It's up to the school administration (Supt., AD, BOE) to curtail the pressure or intimidation by coaches on athletes. Ultimately, parents should intervene. I don't know too many coaches who would set out their best players in a game because they didn't show up for an open gym or weightlifting session in the off-season.