by joanna

I overheard a football mother say on Monday morning that her son was exhausted and burned out from football. Reminder: Monday was the first day of practices.

But not really. While it was the first official day of practices heading into the season opener, which is a little less than three weeks away, athletes are spending more and more time playing/practicing/conditioning/lifting weights than ever in the summer.

So is that a good thing?

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by joanna

The Wichita Bulls won the MAYB Nationals with a lot of City League talent.

The team included Conner Frankamp, North; Spenser Gales, NW; Craig Nicholson, NW; Jalen Love, East; Larry Dennis, East; Jackson Perez, Emporia; Aaron Nicholson, NW; E.J. Garnes, Southeast.

They were 9-0, and only trailed a couple times during the tournament before winning the championship game by 12 over Kansas Elite.

Congrats!

by joanna

Derby football is hosting it’s 7-on-7 tournament and the Battle of the Big Uglies on Saturday. If you’re dying to check out football, you need to see this. Games start at 9 a.m.

I’ve attached some of the rules from the competition. It’s a well-planned event.

This is a free event and Derby coach Brandon Clark said more than 700 athletes (23 teams in the 7-on-7, around 40 for the Battle of the Big Uglies) and 70 volunteers will participate.

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by joanna

I had a rare night on Tuesday — no kids (they are gone for two weeks to my parents’ house) and hubby was working. Oh, the options were grand, but I chose to go watch four hours of basketball.

And it was an excellent time.

Is your team in a league? It’s only summer time, but which teams look good right now?

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by joanna

When I think of 7-on-7 football leagues, I’m thinking of what happens out at Rose Hill or Andover or high schools like there. Where high school teams get together and work on their passing games against another team’s defense. It’s a great way for offenses to see a sort of live action during the offseason.

But it seems there’s more to 7-on-7 than I previously thought. It’s become such an issue when it comes to college recruiting, that the SEC banned having non-scholastic 7-on-7 leagues on college campuses.

ESPN had an Outside the Lines episode and here’s the story.

I’m convinced that no matter what initially seems innocent, will be corrupted by someone when it comes to sports. That’s too bad.

by joanna

Summer sports are in full swing, and that also means plenty of football going on. Teams are holding their own camps, coaches have set up weight and individual/group workouts and teams are heading to team camps.

Where is your team having its camp or has it already? Anyone heading to Tulsa this week? Any other camps to watch for?

by joanna

I didn’t really have a better idea on a headline for this. So I went for the basics.

Here’s what I want to know: Do you think it’s necessary to enforce a break for high school athletes (or, frankly, even younger athletes, still)?

A parent of an athlete who has made an oral commitment for a Division I scholarship said that he insists that his child take a break — and it’s a fairly lengthy break — to guard against burnout. I was fascinated. I have wondered if such parents existed anymore. I see parents of kids the same age as mine who have their kids in two sports at the same time all year long. I think it’s crazy.

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I caught up with Heights coach Rick Wheeler Wednesday night at Andover Stadium. He and his team played three 7-on-7 games against East, Kapaun and Andover Central in preparation for the upcoming season. Check out the video.

by joanna

Now this is fascinating.

Candace Buckner has a story in the Kansas City Star about how the KC school district started an offseason training program.

That’s pretty cool. Would that work in Wichita?

by joanna

Summer is a crazy time for parents and athletes. There’s so many games, sometimes multiple sports, and often multiple kids. So how does everyone survive it?

It’s not so bad for us right now. We’ve got two in baseball, but they’re pretty young, so practices are limited and the games are always at the same place. We survive by having the car pre-loaded with chairs, treats and the baseball bag. I’ve got a bag packed with toys for the littlest one, more treats, sunscreen and bug spray.

This is minor for what some of you deal with, so fill us in. Do you know where the best places are to eat when you travel? Are your vacations planned around games? Do you have friends who help out with car pooling?