KEWASKUM - The debate about spring vs. summer high school baseball will be eternal in this state, but one thing cannot be argued, according to Andy Hoenecke of Kewaskum -- late summer and fall are the best times to play baseball in Wisconsin. 

“This is not only from a weather standpoint,” said Hoenecke who feels the WIAA ought to consider offering a fall baseball season. “It would be like Illinois; our season with championships would run from August 1st to October 15th to any school or conference wishing to participate.” 

Average temperatures in the late summer months August through October are about 70 degrees in Wisconsin; 15 degrees warmer than the late spring months of March through May.  Baseball diamonds have dried out by August and are in good shape.  Hoenecke suggested the season “could even end indoors at Miller Park, making weather even less of an issue.”

THE FOOTBALL FACTOR….

Although fall baseball may seem attractive from a weather standpoint, there are stones in the mix when it comes to other sports.

Smaller schools and conferences would have a tough time putting a baseball roster together because of competition with football. However, Hoenecke said, larger Division I and II schools and conferences could easily field teams, and may even have better numbers.

“There is no doubt you would lose student athletes to sports like football, soccer, and cross country because those seasons would compete with the new fall baseball season, but you would also pick up athletes from track, tennis, and golf, who currently are not able to participate in spring baseball,” said Hoenecke.

“Last time I checked, baseball needs guys who can run a little and who know how to hit things with a stick. Not a bad fit. Come to think of it, the varsity baseball team at West Bend West last year had only one kid who played football. The Spartan's record was 28-2,” said Hoenecke confidently ensuring “the numbers will be there, and so will the talent.”

While the WIAA has not officially chimed in on fall baseball, they have been on record about the challenges of summer sports, particularly having sports take place while school is not in session which presents a number of challenges from a participation and administrative standpoint. 

Student athletes would rather spend their summers doing other things, and coaches and administrators are not always easy to come by during the summer.  “The WIAA would get its wish by having an actual baseball season during a regular “fall” season,” said Hoenecke.

“What is also very important is the development and promotion of baseball players.  It is difficult to practice and play and reach your full potential during the spring, and the best months for playing the sport are currently going to waste. 

“Plus, summer offers the perfect opportunity for kids to play local American Legion Ball and summer travel teams.  Baseball has become like many other high school sports, where you need to be seen against quality competition if you want to play and get recruited at the highest level possible,” said Hoenecke. 

“If baseball was offered as a championship season during fall, I believe you would have enough larger schools and conferences to get it off the ground, and also believe it would grow exponentially after a year or two, and could easily see 100-150 schools, maybe more, that are large enough to support fall baseball. 

“Again, those smaller schools and conference who don’t think they could field teams due to a numbers issue could simply choose to remain in spring baseball – no harm, no foul.  Of course, this would mean doing away with summer baseball, and I certainly have enjoyed watching my son play during that season, but those programs will no worse for the wear playing the majority of their regular seasons in August and September.

“It’s time for the WIAA and the state of Wisconsin to do what is in the best interest of baseball, and those kids and families who love it.  It shouldn’t have to take a back seat to any sport in this state, and baseball fans should stop accepting status quo because of tradition. 

“I’m sure the biggest opposition to the fall season would come from those who participate in both football and baseball, and there is no perfect answer when kids have to make choices, but it really is time to do what is in the best interest of the kids and the sport,” said Hoenecke.

REACTION TO FALL BASEBALL DISCUSSION….

Cumberland H.S. assistant baseball coach Joe Waite – “At Cumberland, we would never offer fall baseball because we have many athletes participate in two or three sports.  This would put too much pressure on football, in this particular case. 

“There already is too much specialization, and we are losing kids to play sports like spring soccer, for example.  Some kids want to play hockey now in the spring time. 

“It would be hypocritical for us to want more baseball when we are crying out against kids specializing and promoting our kids to participate in as many different sports as they can during their high school years.

Side note: I ran a poll in 2007 asking coaches if they think:

a) Should kids specialize in baseball or b) should they play different sports.

8% said specialize while 84% said diversify.  8% were undecided.  So I'm not sure that even the baseball coaches would be for it.

Kewaskum High School head baseball coach Doug Gonring – “I think that we are in age of change I would think baseball could do some remodeling especially when it comes to starts of seasons.

“I have recommended that D3 baseball start in July and finish in October with the top 10 teams left in the tourney travel to California, Arizona, Texas, or Florida to play the World Series. The idea was not well accepted.

“If cuts aren't made soon and some common sense isn't used I could see administrators making some very tough decisions on the future of baseball.

“In high school, football coaches will have heart failure if this proposal would be passed. I couldn't possibly see this at all being allowed due to the fact many very talented student athletes would have to choose between the two sports.

“I wouldn't mind it, being the baseball coach, but I do believe high school kids should have the opportunity to enjoy as many activities as they can handle without failure in the classroom. Maybe the football coaches for a change will have to allow the student athletes participate in more than one sport. Just like the girls who play softball and soccer at this time. Might be worth a try.

It would really put a lot of pressure on the kid to choose between the two sports and the coaches.”