Root, yes these kids are HS age. Unfortunately they have become so enamored with the rah-rah smoke of this coach, that it they can't see the forest through the trees. The number one pitcher, a SR(in the coaches eyes for the upcoming spring season) may hit the mid 70's on a good day, but he throws strikes. His dad is the president of the summer club and absolutely convinced he will play at the next level. So, the parents are just as bad. It is the typical set up with two teams. The younger team pays the same, plays fewer games and tournaments(and those are much less quality) and gets basically no attention. I have tried to explain to a few parents, that are my friends, is that they are just funding the older team, but it falls on deaf ears.
I have resided to sitting quietly in the shadows and simply work on developing righthook to be the best he can be. It just befuddles (my big word for the week) me, how so many people suffer from perceptional blindness.