There have been many powehouse programs in Missouri, one of the most consistent year in and year out is Francis Howell; led by Tony Perkins. Perkins has been at the helm of the Francis Howell Vikings program for seventeen years, and has seen he share of success during his tenure. Perkins led the Vikings to the Class Four sate championship in 2003 and 2011, and has over ninty players move on to college baseball under his tutalge.

A former president of the MSHBCA and MSHBCA Hall of Fame member, Perkins shares some of his toughts on the state of high school baseball in Missouri.

What are your thoughts on how the new five class system will effect schools that will be moving to a different class? Those who will remain in the same class?

Perkins: The big schools will not be affected much.  They will play mostly the big schools that they can.  Where it’s a big change is the schools that have been the smallest ones in their classes no will become one of the bigger schools in a smaller classes.  Big schools didn’t have much of an opinion on this but all the other ones did and I think it is good.  More teams that can get recognized for post season achievements the better.

 

Do you think it will increase competitiveness or hurt some schools? 

Perkins: I think all schools come to compete every year.  Coaches and players look to see who is in their district every year and set their goals of beating them and getting out into the post season to make a run for a state championship.

 

What trends in ability have you noticed the past few years? 

Perkins: I think players are getting better.  For some reason they are physically getting bigger.  Some players are specializing and doing baseball things year round which helps them.  I am not a guy that encourages year round for one sport as I would like to see High School Kids enjoy as many activities as they can while they are there.

 

Do you think the new BBCOR bats have anything to do with the trends?  

Perkins: Your better players will still get their hits.  It’s the players who are at the bottom of the line up who are not as strong, maybe, that it has the most impact on.  The hard ground balls and line drives are now less likely to get through for a hit.

 

Looking into  crystal ball, what do you think the future of Missouri baseball holds? Does it seem like the talent pool is increasing, decreasing, staying the same? Why do you think this way (private training, better coaching, etc?)

Perkins: I think Missouri is getting recruited nationally.  The success of Midwest guys has greatly improved with people like Buerhle, Scherzer, Detwiler, and Layne all pitching in the big leagues this year.  I think kids are seeing that Missouri kids can make it and do a better job of taking care of their bodies and keeping themselves in shape.  The training and coaching aspect is probably better than it was 20 years ago.