This is a great thread. It is nice to hear so much advice and know your son is not the only one not playing as a freshman. Our son is currently on a D-I team and not playing. The decision has not been made whether he will redshirt or not yet. It has been tough on him not playing, but we have been encouraging to keep at it. Work extra hard, take extra BP and above all keep mentally focused. I do beleive it is in god's hands. He is at least traveling with team and loving it. He could have probably played had he chosen a D-III school, but he is at the school he loves. Hopefully it will all work out for the best. We just try to be really supportive. I know parents who begin bad mouthing coaches when their son doesn't play but I think that just messes them up mentally.
Attitude is everything.