Okay, so my son has played bb since he was 4 1/2. He was always small for his age, but very talented. He always pitched in little league or played infield. Was always a top player, including the year he was on a team with two boys who were sons of pro football players. Pitched a no-hitter that year. Very accurate but not super fast pitcher (not a lot of weight behind him). One coach called him "a phenomenally accurate pitcher". Was always a top batter. Is a very fast runner. Took him to an academy run by a former MLB player. MLB player said not to bring him there anymore because he was the best student they had, best pitcher they had in his age group, and don't waste your money.
Started in the modified JV team at school last year. Sat the bench most of the time but batted very well...got on base probably 80% of the time. He wanted to try out for JV this year, but I encourage him to stay on modified JV (which is 7th and 8th graders and a few 9th graders) so that he could get more playing time. So bb has started, and where is my son? Half the time on the bench, the other time in right field! Almost all of the infielders are 7th graders. They drop the ball constantly, overthrow or underthrow, and make stupid decisions, hold on to the ball, etc., etc. The kids in center- and left field can't even throw the ball all the way to the infield. The pitcher nailed a batter so hard in the back yesterday he had to be taken out of the game. What the heck???? My son has already paid his dues. He deserves to play.
Okay, so my son is small for his age...he's 5'2", about 95 lbs. BUT...so was my husband at his age. My husband is now 6'1/2". An endocrinologist estimated that my son will be 5'10". My husband didn't grow until he was 16. I'm so afraid this coach is grooming the bigger kids for JV (which he also coaches), and totally ignoring talent. My son will probably be awesome in JV and Varsity, provided he doesn't get frustrated and quit, which is what happened to my husband.
How can we stop this nightmare? After a similar nightmare in the travel bb one year, we switched leagues, and he had a much better year. Obviously, we can't switch schools, and he loves bb, but he's getting a bit discouraged. By the way, my brother has coached bb for 30 years, and he said my son is an excellent player.
I was thinking of having my husband talk to the coach. He can be very persuasive. Bad idea? Any advice?
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