Hadn't considered using HS as an excuse epicenter. Rather, here's the challenge for kids who want to play in college:

HS training/games: Feb-May
Club training/games: June-November*
Rest/recuperate: December-January

*You might get off a few weeks after Alliance/PGF nationals, but then roll right into fall club season.

So kids can recuperate and training in winter for a couple of months, but by the time they get to June, they are already taxed (especially pitchers and catchers).

In almost all cases, if a pitcher is coming out of HS season with 100+ innings on her arm, she is NOT going to be ready to peak in club season. That's not an excuse, and it's the case in every sport.

Summer is so important for college recruiting, and it's not helped by high school. Yes, HS has social/emotional benefits, but it's a waste from a recruiting perspective.

College takes the summer off, plays 10-15 games in the fall, trains all winter, and then is ready to play at peak performance for a four month season. Between HS and club, our kids are playing a five month season, followed by a two month fall season. It's nuts.

Or, maybe our kids are just not good enough and they need to suck it up and quite making "excuses"...