Here is the latest update for those that are following along:
John’s team sits at 14-3 on the season and is currently ranked. So far John has just made one appearance and thrown 5 total pitches. Which means he has used up his first year of eligibility. He doesn’t understand why he isn’t getting more opportunities and his confidence is taking a beating. It’s very questionable (in my mind) if he is mature enough to endure a freshman year like this w/o it having a lasting impact on his mental well being. And that’s something that most players/parents don’t think about until it’s happening to them. John’s current situation was predictable - and therefore could have been avoided. This particular school has a well known history of burying freshman pitchers. But John and his parents were caught up in grabbing the biggest, shiniest brass ring they could reach and didn’t consider the downside if things didn’t go well. Now the team is heading into conference play and future opportunities for John (and others) will be limited to their remaining mid-week games. Things could change but I can read the writing on the wall.