Dominik85 posted:BobbyBaseball posted:Trust In Him posted:Bolts - what a journey. Moving him around like a game of chess, for the benefit of the team. Imagine in my son's case where in hs he was an infielder, D-1 puts him in the OF (last played OF as 12 year old), All-American all 3 years, now back in infield. It should have made your son more versatile and playable wherever his journey takes him. Trust in the process.....Sounds like he is well on his way, good luck
I agree with you about the process and versatility. However, I think coaches need to be more invested in those players like Bolt's son who have placed faith in that coach AND who are good at their primary position. Moving a player because he honestly thinks that would make him a better more appealing player is one thing. The biggest problem I have with Bolts' story goes back to the comment my son made to me (in my reply to Bolts). How good would that player be had he been cultivated as a 3rd basemen or SS (with other positions sprinkled in)? Bolts' story tells me that the coach neither prepared him nor promoted him for the recruiting process. I could be wrong, only he could tell us, but I'm going to bet that the HC had very little to do with the offers received (aside from answering questions when asked). I'd also bet that the travel ball coached and program had more to offer in this regard... Just my guesses...
HS baseball is neither a recruiting service nor a player development service, it is a competition sport. I mean bolt's son was shuffled around but still in the lineup every day. The coach probably felt he can shift him around because he can hit and handle the shuffling.
I don't see an issue with shiffling players around, this increasingly happens in mlb too since teams now don't want to waste bench spots on bats and rather have extra relievers and for that you need versatile players.
Also I don't think hs ball will die. Hs season is short anyway and everyone plays travel ball the rest of the season.
Imo most important for development is hitting, if you are an athlete and not afraid of the ball you can play defense.
I don't completely disagree with you... But I'll address your reply point by point:
1. "HS baseball is neither a recruiting service nor a player development service" - Not entirely true. Many coaches are ALWAYS talking about the next level. Everyone on this board knows that, although not a recruiting or development service, HS Ball is very integral in both (or has been in the past). AND when a HS coach is coordinating (I'd call it meddling) with club sports, as in Bolts story, then that HS coach is taking on the roll of development and recruitment coordination. Why? Because scouts come to see you play, if you say your a 3B, but they always see you in CF, then.... they either walk away or put an asterisk next to your name. If you adjust and say "I also play CF..." then maybe they come to see that... if they come to see you play and your at 1B... well....
2. "Competition sport [only]" - Then why are scouts calling HS coaches, MLB scouts attending games and why are their rules around outside instruction during the season in most states? This is also the crux of the downfall... Kids are looking to be recruited, developed and 'seen' in their primary positions. If HS Ball doesn't understand their roll in the process, then why bother playing HS Ball? Of course there's the school spirit, friends etc. etc... but that VERY serious athlete with an eye on a prize and a plan to get there... not worth it.... At least that's where I see it headed. HS Ball will ever die... your right. But it may be dead to the stars, it was dead to Bryce, and many other up and coming.
3. "Probably felt he can handle..... the shuffling" - Maybe so, and if it's strictly a competition sport and not anything else, then sure, why not.
4. MLB Shuffles - Nope. Not true. You may have utility players or mid infielders swapping. Perhaps a left fielder will play one of the other out fields but rampant swapping, no way. You can name a handful of players that have the versatility to move all over, but in general MLB players have their positions. Minor leagues are even structured so that certain players get x number of reps at certain positions...why? because it's important to learn THAT position and become proficient in the nuances that various situations present.
5. Most important thing is hitting. - Agreed... HOWEVER, any player unsettled in his baseball world, frustrated, angry, confused or losing confidence... well... there goes the hitting. So now you've really messed them up.
I'm not saying this isn't a manageable thing or that all players will fail when they get moved around.... It often comes down to HOW it's handled. If it's a MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY kind of coach who shows no interest in the players desires, recruitment, development etc. then meddles in their club team because he wants to win at the expense of his players future (yes future), then I'd recommend the really good player with a shot... stay away. Result: Rec league