Trends in Missouri High School Baseball-Part 3, Jeff Graviett from Notre Dame HS

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?

Graviett: It will affect many different teams in many different ways - some teams we go from the smallest in their class to the largest and some will go from of the largest to one of the smallest.  Us personally we go from one of the large in class 3 to a small class 4 (I'm thinking).  It make our district one of the toughest throughout the state (with losing Scott City - small school and adding Sikeston - large school)  this will happen throughout the state in a lot of districts - going to be very interesting

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

Graviett: It won't affect large school on being competitive as much as it will probably help the smaller schools.  In my opinion the class that it will help the most will be the new class 3.  Some of those schools will go from having to compete against schools with 1000 students to schools with around 600 - that will put those schools on more even playing field.  Still really matters whether you are a large school or small school in your class.


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

Graviett: I have noticed that kids individual fundamentals such as pitching and hitting are much better than in years past but I have seen a decline their ability to play the game.  I think this comes from the high increase in private lessons and club teams.  The lessons have made the kids individual skills better but the lack of competitiveness of the club teams and their focus on individual performance not team centered is taking away from kids ability to "play the game"

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

Graviett: No, I think there was little change because of the new bats - I think it was a smooth transition

 
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?)

Graviett: I think Missouri does and will continue to do a "good" in developing baseball talent.  We will always be behind some of the warm weather states but for the most part I think we do a decent job developing players.  I think more high school coaches need to get more involved with these club teams and lessons on a personally level to make sure their kids are getting the whole package - big part of the game is mental and needs to be learned as well.  I am personally like my kids having the opportunity to learn from other coaches - Overall I think Missouri will stay somewhere in the middle with there talent pool