Son played LL thru Seniors and then went on to HS ball a few years ago. Was always "in there" in terms of ability, never the standout and never the one who was picked last... Works hard, sees some results... always been very coachable.
Frosh, played F6 but sat about 2/3 of the time in favor of a clearly better player. Alternated in some, got some time and performed "well enough". Batted about .250 as I recall, no E's, stole a few - you get the idea... He wanted to play more of course, but did well when he did come in.
Soph yr, played JV and was the starting SS after frosh SS moved up to Varsity. Played about 80% of the time, had a few E's, hit around .275 and was well thought of.
After Soph yr, played varsity summer ball, coach asked him if he'd ever pitched. Said yeah, for my dad back in LL. Coach decided to make him into a pitcher and he actually did reasonably well. Learned some decent 2-seam movement, threw mid-high 70's and had great control. Rarely gave up a run, usually got batters to ground out, ocassionaly fly out and always kept the ball down. Pitched maybe 2-3 innings in games as a closer but wasn't leaned on real heavily - understandable since he was new at it. Fall season comes and coach put him back out there and he did better yet. Still allowing few hits, good control, etc...
Now, it's spring of Jr year, and he's on the varsity team. We're about 15 games into a 25 game season and he has pitched 3 pitches to exactly one batter all year. (Grounded out for what it matters) Coach absolutely will not put him in a game. He's been in the bullpen when current pitcher is struggling but coach will always put in someone else. Even put in 2 pitchers last game from the field while son was ready to go in the bullpen. Never lets him hit, never lets him pitch, never plays the field. Coach has a history of playing his Seniors, but to take cold pitchers in front of a warmed up one, and to never let him play, something is going on and it is not good.
We once asked coach about an outside pitching coach that I know well to help him develop and his very quick and firm response was "DON'T". Only want him working with our staff - too easy to learn bad habits...
So at this point, the boy is crazy frustrated, he's ready to quit ball entirely. I've told him to hang in there and see if he plays more this summer when the Seniors have moved on, but he is just ****ed.
Thinking about letting him play in a summer league outside of HS, but not sure what's around at the 17/18u level. Have not really looked yet...
Thoughts? Suggestions? He tried talking to the coach but gets diverted and brushed off and as parents, we're discouraged from approaching coaches of course...
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