meads posted:JCG posted:+1.
Parents do not talk to coaches about playing time. Ever.
I agree with you here, except at the parent meeting the head coach did say that they have a 24 hour rule regarding games and questions and they were fine with questions and I get the playing time ( I don't have an issue with that at all), I don't understand the no at bats.
I will get my son to talk with the coaches first. I really don't want to get involved but it is eating at me.
You have said in the past that your son's HS coach is well qualified. You have said that, just last year, a good friend's honest assessment was that your son just wasn't ready for HS ball yet (when he tried out as an 8th grader). You have said several times that your son has to prove himself every day (very true). Why on earth would you want to arrange for a meeting with the coach to question his playing time, now, as a freshman in freshman ball?
Generally, when a coach says there is a 24 hr rule for talking to parents, it means one of two things... he will address questions for anything except playing time at that time and/or he assumes the parent will have that time to calm down and think better than to ask about playing time for their son. Most HS's have a strict policy that parents can absolutely bring up any concerns but can absolutely not question playing time with coach, AD or principal. That rule is there for good reason. Parents will naturally see the best in their kids. Coaches must objectively see the best, worst and all in between and make the difficult decisions accordingly. There are always more than nine players on a roster and there will always be disappointed players (and parents). The coaches are with all the players every day for hours each day at practice. They have assistant coaches that are also with the players every day, giving their feedback. Relax. Let the rope out a bit more. Your son is in HS now. You are giving him the good support he needs behind the scenes. It's time to let him earn his own way back onto the field. If your son continues to work hard and is able to achieve his goals to play beyond HS, he will face this situation again and again and again. It absolutely IS NOT the place of the parent to stand and speak for him when it comes to playing time.
I can assure you that, in the not-too-distant future, you will look back and laugh that you actually considered doing this.
PS - also keep in mind that timing won't necessarily happen on your clock. Even when your son earns a shot back into the lineup, the kid that replaced him has to earn his way back OUT of the lineup.