Brandon Hall
Director of Scouting, PBR NC

Follow us on Twitter: @PrepBaseballNC

 In the upcoming weeks, as part of the spring preview, Prep Baseball Report of NC, will look into rules, policies, and possible advancements for High School baseball across North Carolina.  As part of this process, PBR would love to hear feedback, thoughts, and plans from players, parents, coaches, and fans. 

 

Baseball is a game of attrition.  The game resets at its conclusion and the result of one game does not have any effect on the next game.  Most sports and competitions believe this to be true, but baseball presents a unique issue as the best player on the team may not be available but once a week… think Madison Bumgarner.

The High School season is a tricky one to plan.  The powers that be, in working to set schedules for all sports across North Carolina have unique challenges.  Many players are multi-sport athletes.  Basketball coaches would love to keep their players focused on their team throughout the playoffs.  At the same time, baseball coaches are working to build pitch counts and begin to setup their season for a deep run.  Some baseball players may cross over and run track during the spring as well, creating training issues for the participant and coaches.  The biggest issues, however, come in the readiness of players at the beginning of the baseball season.

 

NCHSAA Schedule

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) places limits on coaches and teams throughout the year.  There are “dead periods” in which coaches are not allowed contact with their team for skill development.  During periods the coaches can work with their players, there are limitations on hours per day.  Most of these restrictions are good ideas.  There are times that players need to get away from the field, such as exams.  The ability to limit the players’ time restraints also allows time to be normal students, and concentrate on their studies and social lives. 

The NCHSAA and the North Carolina Baseball Coaches Association have continued to work together to make the schedules work for both the students’ needs and the students’ development.  This past year, the NCHSAA did away with the antiquated 8-man rule – stating that coaches could only work with eight players at a time.  This rule limited the number of players that could receive development throughout the year.  It also limited the ability to build the “Team” concept.  In its place, the NCHSAA placed a 1.5-hour rule for players on the field each day.  Coaches can still work with smaller groups, but each player is only allowed 1.5 hours per day.

When you compare the new rule with the NCAA’s Division I rule, it is now similar to what the athletes will see in college.  At the Division I level, athletes are allowed 2 hours per week of skill instruction and 8 total hours for skill instruction, strength, and conditioning, outside of the playing season.  Coaches at the Division I level are not restricted to any number during their individual skill instruction, meaning teams can work on team concepts or limit the numbers for direct individual skill improvement.

Below are the dates the NCHSAA has in place for the 2016-2017 Baseball calendar:

Skill Development Dead Periods:

Fall:  August 1 – September 15

Winter: October 31 – December 15

*There are limitations around exams as well

Baseball Dates for NCHSAA Schools:

1^st Practice:  February 13, 2017

1^st Contest:  February 27, 2017

State Playoffs Round 1:  May 10, 2017

State Playoffs Round 2:  May 13, 2017

State Playoffs Round 3:  May 16, 2017

State Playoffs Round 4:  May 19, 2017

Regional Championships (Best of 3):  May 23 – 27, 2017

State Championships (Best of 3):  June 2 – 3, 2017

 

Challenges Coaches Still Face

The biggest issue that coaches still face is a very quick turnaround to get their team, and especially their pitchers ready to roll.  The high school coaches across North Carolina recognize this challenge and plan for it with a throwing program for their arms.  However, as Dead Periods creep up around exams, and with the winter break, there are holes where the players have to be trusted to do the work to prepare for the season.  A typical throwing program, to prepare a pitcher to be ready for a four-month season, can take two months.  Pitchers that are on a mound too soon, prior to working their arm into an aggressive state, are increasing their risk of injury.  Pitchers that are not ready, and take longer than planned to be able to extend their pitch counts, can increase the dependence on another pitcher on that roster – someone has to throw the innings.  Again, most high school coaches are aware of the time line and do a great job of preparing their guys… But the short time frame can be an issue.

The NC Baseball Coaches must also face a quick turnaround from their tryout date to their first game.  The off-season skill sessions assist with this task, but preparing Varsity and Junior Varsity squads for their first game in a two-week time frame is a challenge.  By the end of week one of practice, many teams across the state will be playing scrimmage games.  In coming years, state playoff berths will be decided based on the number of wins and possibly the strength of schedule.  We will see the first game of a season determine whether a team gets a post-season berth or not, and two-weeks of prep can make that task daunting.

For teams that are fortunate enough to make a deep run into the state playoffs, their players may face the task of playing during exams.  With the way most schools have exams structured, this does not present too big of an issue, but it is something the coaches should prepare their players for, prior to the playoffs starting.  A seven inning, winner take all, format comes with some stress, especially when some of the players may be playing their final baseball game.  Add in concerns with exam week, and the stress level of the field can leak into the classroom, and vice-versa.  Players that are aware of the exam schedule and playoff schedule, can prepare prior to the situation occurring and help reduce some of the stress levels.  Players fortunate enough to play in college will see the same issue, each of their four years.  Being a student-athlete is a privilege that comes with some sacrifice… This prep time is part of that trade-off.

 

Working Together

By all accounts, the NCBCA has created a good working relationship with the NCHSAA.  The NCBCA has a voice on the rules that are created and how they are implemented for High School Baseball in North Carolina.  In speaking with coaches across NC, the hope, and expectation, is that the rules established can be re-visited and adjusted.  The playing and practice schedule has not changed a lot in the past twenty years, but there have been subtle adjustments that should lead to better baseball development and play at the high school level.  The ability for the NCBCA to get their message through to the NCHSAA could result in fewer injuries and allow the best players a chance to determine their fate... think Madison Bumgarner.

 

 

If you have any thoughts on this article or on the High School Baseball Calendar and its effect on High School Baseball in North Carolina, you can leave a comment HERE…  The staff at PBR will look through the comments and add selected comments to this article.  You can also tag PBR on Twitter , @PrepBaseballNC.  PBR welcomes feedback on making the game of baseball better across the state of North Carolina.

Next week, NC Insider will look at the NCHSAA State Tournament Format.  If you have any thoughts on areas we should dig into you can email us or hit us up on Twitter at @PrepBaseballNC.