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IL HR 3037 : Right to Play

Posted by Reject Tyranny! on March 13, 2025, 10:07 am

Here we go:

https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/right-to-play-bill-that-would-affect-high-school-athletes-advances-in-house/

More options for players and families.
Less protection for crappy athletic directors.

Love it.

Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play

Posted by Fluffington McGiggles on March 13, 2025, 10:49 pm, in reply to "IL HR 3037 : Right to Play "

This is indeed an interesting development. Some well intentioned thoughts for the learned gentry of Midwest Fastpitch...

1. We should disjoin ourselves from previous definitions of the high school athletics experience. This isn't easy, but look to college athletics for guidance. Even Rick Pitino, a Truman baby, has embraced the position that college sports are professional. (They are at least semi-pro.) And, as those dollars get closer to high school athletes, it is inevitable that economic opportunity will influence behavior and reality.

2. High school athletics can be wonderfully pro-social, but HS success, and even participation, are no longer a requirement for entry to the highest levels of this sport (B1G, SEC, ACC, B12). D1/P4 collegiate offers are made based on club performance, not high school performance - and grey shirts are becoming commonplace for the top prospects. I dare to suggest that in the upper quartile, clubs have far superior coaching to high schools (let alone training, facilities and competition).

3. Proliferation of the importance of clubs is a simultaneous expansion of the "have and have nots" dynamic. Many of us may conclude this to be anti-social... and they're likely correct. It's not good for social cohesion or upward mobility. But before you shake your fist at the wind, realize that it's our own insatiable appetite for live sports and our kid's success that fuels this dynamic.

For softball, some of the cures envisioned by this bill are inapplicable. There really aren't any showcases in the spring, as college coaches are busy with their own seasons.

But, this could certainly inspire clubs to create competing spring seasons, under the promise of superior competition, training, coaching, etc. In some cases, they'd be right. In others, they'd be wrong.

What this does long term is anyone's guess. Do crummy HS programs see an outflow of talent to spring club seasons? Do HS athletic directors see this as competition that they must "game up" to compete against? It's anyone's guess.

But, don't ever bet against the almighty dollar and parent/player hopes and dreams...

Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play

Posted by EagleEye on March 13, 2025, 8:05 pm, in reply to "IL HR 3037 : Right to Play "

As with any type of rules there is no blanket policy that will make everyone happy. Some will benefit. Some will be harmed. Others will abuse the rules for their own advancement.

The students need to be given some type of options when it comes to doing what is best for their future without the possibility of losing an entire season of HS eligibility. Having to ask permission from the IHSA is too burdensome and cumbersome a process for a student to have to navigate. There is a middle ground that can be found with this issue.

Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play

Posted by @Reject on March 13, 2025, 2:36 pm, in reply to "IL HR 3037 : Right to Play "

This is horrible, it just opens the door for self important travel coaches to demand that their players do not play HS and only play for their insignificant travel teams during a dead period for college coaches. Believe it or not, a lot of kids enjoy playing for their High Schools.

Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play

Posted by @@Reject on March 14, 2025, 7:23 am, in reply to "Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play "

Those are definitely some of the risks.

But what about the opportunities?

High school ball can be “enjoyable” for many kids. But not all enjoy it. And only some get any benefit from it when it comes to recruiting.

So, let kids and their parents make the decision. You’re talking about tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential scholarships - IHSA should get out of the way.

My school district doesn’t tell our kids they can’t have part-time jobs during the school year… that doesn’t risk their eligibility to be in the business club!

Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play

Posted by Well on March 14, 2025, 10:15 am, in reply to "Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play "

The recruiting in the spring will be very limited for high school and travel. The coaches are busy coaching their team, as they are in season.

Could they hire someone to do their scouting and player evaluations during the spring, sure. That costs $$$.

Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play

Posted by @Well on March 14, 2025, 7:19 pm, in reply to "Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play "

It’s not just about recruiting/exposure.

Better training. Better coaching. Time for conditioning. Getting stronger. Being in a better position to be your best come the essential summer recruiting season….

Lots of potential advantages, if the kid’s goal is next level play.

Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play

Posted by Well on March 15, 2025, 2:58 pm, in reply to "Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play "

Please tell me the percentage of travel teams who are developing their players for the next level. You greatly overvalue the "training" at the travel levels.

Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play

Posted by @well on March 15, 2025, 5:00 pm, in reply to "Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play "

If they are not preparing them to play at the next level
RUN
You may be with the wrong organization

Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play

Posted by Well on March 15, 2025, 9:37 pm, in reply to "Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play "

Then 95% of travel players need to RUN.

Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play

Posted by @Well on March 15, 2025, 4:26 pm, in reply to "Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play "

I don’t disagree - likely very few club programs are D1 developers.

But the point is… Give the kids the choice!

Families shouldn’t be held hostage by their own high school program if it sucks. Sure, they can move districts, but come on.

Anything that creates more options for the families is a positive in my book.

A viable spring club league in Illinois would give more options, and the way this bill is written, kids could do both.

How are options bad?

Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play

Posted by Disagree on March 14, 2025, 7:23 am, in reply to "Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play "

The heads of the largest most successful travel organizations in the area all encourage participation in high school ball and have stated so in this site Brian green with IMG, Conroy and GTQ. The Iowa premier program is a little different with Iowa playing in the summer and so many Missouri kids in their program that play in the fall. I don’t think this ruling will affect that at all.

Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play

Posted by @Disagree on March 14, 2025, 10:17 am, in reply to "Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play "

I can imagine these same coaches practicing their travel teams on Sundays if this is allowed.

Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play

Posted by Terrible idea on March 13, 2025, 8:03 pm, in reply to "Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play "

Would create lots of conflicts, stick our daughters in teh middle of them, contribute to injuries and overuse.

Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play

Posted by @Terrible Idea on March 14, 2025, 7:26 am, in reply to "Re: IL HR 3037 : Right to Play "

So then don’t do it.

Doesn’t mean we need to tell others they can’t.

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