Tagged With "Varsity"
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Playing for HS and Showcase at same time?
I am a newbie, so please accept my apologies up front if I have posted to the wrong area. We have a situation where we have a player on the JV team at his school in Texas but he is also playing on a tournament team. Glancing through the...
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High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Four weeks into son's Freshman year and must admit, it has been interesting. The kid is doing well on the JV team, starter - leading pitcher - plays infield & catcher - hitting .350. Things were going great until the coach moved him to varsity for two weeks due to injuries. The kid got playing time the first game and went 1 for 2 but afterwards, he has done nothing but warm up pitchers in the bull pen. The varsity players were nice to him and he enjoyed the practices at a much higher...
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HS Tryout Question
Hi, I am a junior in high school and tryouts are coming up soon. I am a solid pitcher but I also play 3B and outfield for my summer team. I really enjoy hitting and cannot see myself becoming a PO just yet. My school is pretty big, so I probably have a better chance of making it onto the Varsity A team as a pitcher but I know I would not be getting much playing time and won't enjoy being just a pitcher. So I'm debating on whether to try out as both an outfielder and pitcher so I 'd be able...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Don't worry about it, it will play itself out. Unfortunately it sounds as though the culture at your son's school isn't fantastic, although hopefully he can use this as a learning experience, and when he is an upperclassman he will be very welcoming and helpful to the younger players & encourage his teammates to do the same. Can't do much about the parents. And the Coach is going to do what he wants to do... It doesn't really matter what you think in terms of JV/V or what others are...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
I've never understood the be on Varsity, but sit the bench. But, it happens everywhere. Same with the snarky parents...they suck! I agree with 3and2, just go with it. Don't get involved or have your son ask the coach to go back down. Both send the wrong message. He should gain more confidence, just repping with V and will help him be that leader and change the culture a couple years down the road. Doesn't seem like it, but it's a good problem to have.
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Thanks for the reply. I would never approach the coaches (They seem a bit arrogant and stated in the one and only parent meeting they do not intend to ever speak with a parent). We live in Florida in an area where prep baseball is extremely competitive. I was just wondering if this was common everywhere.
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Welcome to the site, you've found a great resource. You will get direct responses and you can also search tons of threads on this very topic. It is one of the most common discussions here. There are numerous advantages (and drawbacks) to both staying with V and going back to JV but it is most often a coach/program decision, not a player or parent decision. So he (and the parents) should embrace the role, whatever that may be. A V team will always need competent depth readily available to be...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Standard pretty much. Coaches tend be pretty sure that anyone who isn't a coach is not capable of grasping the concepts of organization management...and then they hang out together and reaffirm the belief that everyone is an idiot except the group that has chosen to be coaches. In fairness to them many parents are idiots who don't grasp it at all...you are better to just leave it alone. My sons coaches refer to parents who get it and they will talk to as the 2%'ers...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
varsity at his high school is about the players who have paid their dues ??? .........what is paying your dues? Been out awhile but you play the best players. Say a kid tries out for the team senior year and he is a real good player better than some who have paid their "dues" As a coach you do not play him? Many years ago brought up some JV players because some players who "paid their dues" were playing like crap. loss after loss. News flash you have to earn playing time . Just because you...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
I am very much in favor of playing time at a lower level vs. bench time at the upper. What sometimes happens around here is that a fast SO gets moved up to V, and is usually only used as a pinch runner. I've seen talented kids quit baseball after having a year like that...they usually have another HS sport they are good at, and choose to play one where they...play! Still don't understand how a Freshman can be playing Varsity at a "extremely competitive" level, unless he was held back a...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
It's possible my freshman son may get pulled up to V from JV (we don't have a freshman team) just to pitch. Issue is once you bring a kid up, you have to keep him up. In JV he is a P and SS (he's not really a SS, he's a 3B on summer team). V has D1 or D2 commits at 3B,SS and 2B, so will be hard for him to get ABs or see the field. Would rather he stay in JV. We'll see. Would rather he stay in JV and get ABs
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Our school doesn't have rules about keeping a kid up once he's pulled up. Mine pitched on varsity as a freshman, played third with the freshman team when he wasn't needed for varsity. It was a wonderful balance, except for the day he played third in an afternoon game and pitched that night in a playoff game — which we lost.
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Playing V as a freshman isn't all it is cracked up to be. It has not been a great experience for my son. In fact, he probably will skip HS season altogether his next three years and play in a HS alternative program because the coach has so soured him on this team. He is a catcher also and gets some playing time--an inning here or there, but he mostly catches bullpens during practice and at games. He's not getting quality reps in practice, as far as I can tell (I'm not there, but that is what...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Not playing as a freshman isn’t that big of a deal, but if the coach is that big of an issue, that’s unfortunate. My only consult, if you were to go another route next year, is don’t underestimate the value of playing for your high school with your friends. He’s got 3 important years of high school left, making friends and the related social interaction. Playing outside of HS may, not only rob him of some friendships/team bonding, but create some animosity. Playing on a non-HS or travel team...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
My '22 just made varsity. I'm a bit nervous about hazing and also other parents' focusing on him. Also, I don't want to rush things as I know a big part of high school is building strong friendships. He has a great group of freshman friends but they will all be on JV and game days are same day as varsity but in opposite locations. On the other hand, he is likely to improve his skills this way. He is used to playing up and has been exposed to a lot from older kids already (ugh) so we'll see...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
My son played Varsity his freshman year, there were two other freshmen also on the team (it's not that big a program). The first few weeks of the season, he rarely played at all, maybe an inning here or there. We didn't know what to make of it (had not found HSBBW yet), it didn't seem like a good idea because he wasn't getting reps, but on the other hand, he was practicing with varsity. Son had no idea what it meant, or why he was there. We asked him if he should ask to go to JV and play...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
My son played Varsity as a freshman as well, as the starting 1B. (He's a catcher, but the starting catcher was a D1 commit senior.) Because of the senior catcher, we told him enjoy JV, but to our surprise, they really needed 1B and the coach liked using a catcher as a 1B (plus he was 6'2). He started every game at 1B for Varsity, but had a few times when he was pinch hit for. (It's also a small program.) There was some minor hazing, but he was so proud to earn his pink backpack. What we...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
If you son wants play time, I would tell him to ask the coach to be on JV. My son was brought up to varsity as a PO, but would have played a position as freshman/sophomore. He is now a PO as a junior and it feels like he didn't get to play high school ball. Last year, he asked coach, if he wasn't pitching, if he could play JV. He let him do that and those were his favorite games of the season. Got to play with his friends and play position or pitch. I don't think rotting on a bench helps...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Since I started this thread, it is appropriate to make an addition. The kid was suppose to start on the mound last night with the JV and was happy. Late in the afternoon, he was told the starting 3rd baseman on varsity was injured and he would start the varsity game last night. It was awesome. He made some great defensive plays and actually got on a short news clip on the local TV news. He went 0 for 2 but heck, he made contact and and was thrilled to have his name called out on the PA...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Sorry to hear that. As a former C, I am very appreciative of the grind they have to face even in a good situation. Your son not playing in the next three years will send a message to your school, I'm guessing. Best way to handle that is not to talk about it...his actions will speak loudly enough. The coaching staff is not perfect at our HS, and has it's quirks, but in general they have a pretty supportive atmosphere. When my son was called up, they made some jokes about hazing him, and had...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
The fact that the high school coaches choose, or have a policy, not to speak to parents will benefit you, your son, and the program in the long run. Ride it out, be proud that your son is on varsity practicing with older players (will only make him better) and take it as a strong training opportunity for upcoming summer travel ball. I'm in So Cal, which is also competitive in the high school ranks....there are quality juniors and seniors on my son's varsity team that don't get the playing...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
one and only parent meeting ........ why do you have to meet with the parents. Kid is on the team the coach is the coach. I know that today sounds awful to the parents but believe it or not there was a time when that was the case. I think these meetings are necessitated because of what has developed over the years.
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Awesome story! Good for your kid for hanging in there and being ready when the opportunity presented itself. It seems there are a lot of different scenarios that can play out for a Freshman. I feel badly for those of you whose kids are struggling with their experiences, and very fortunate that my Freshman is having a good experience. He was put on the JV team - not a particularly good team, and 6 games into the season he is (or was - now I would say hes 1a or 1b) probably the top pitcher. He...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
2022Wildcat posted: "I'm evaluating my son and this other kid as objectively as possible..." That's the thing though: it is not possible for 99.9% of parents to evaluate their kid objectively.
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
"Your son not playing in the next three years will send a message to your school" I think many parents, through transfers, re-classing or playing in some alternative league, believe this is true. I believe it's quite the opposite. Out of site, out of mind...no meaningful message will be sent. Next man up! I know many who went this route and it didn't turn out how they hoped...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Any team that has a Freshman playing Varsity has to be desperate for talent, tiny, or immensely screwed up. A talented player leaving will leave a hole. Hell, it would leave a hole at our HS(we've had numerous kids quit for other reasons), and we have 5 teams!
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
I would strongly disagree. There are freshmen that are able to play at any high school. I will agree they are few and far between but they could play at almost any high school in the US no matter the size. Lefty throwing 83-85 topping 87 with three pitches can throw at any school. And hitting .400 with 6 home runs. Unless there is a coach who doesn't play freshmen no matter how good they are.
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Up here in Wisconsin, a lot of the top players take part in the Hitter's Spring League (with the ability to play games indoors during bad weather). That league also sends teams to play in the Perfect Game Spring League in Iowa (Iowa high school Baseball is in the summer). For years, Wisconsin had some high school teams play in the spring & some in the summer. Now that they switched to all Spring (can't figure out why, they probably think they are competing with travel ball, or they are...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
I'd beg to differ. Freshman on the #2 5A team in Texas. #2 pitcher w/ record of 5-0-1, ERA under 2.00 with WHIP of less than 0.90. Hitting .350, second on the team in RBI, Runs, and SB and playing CF.
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
You keep bringing this up, but there are now freshman that throw 87 and commit to top schools before ever setting foot on campus. I know of two state champion/nationally ranked schools, both will be starting freshman again this year. I don't think they're desperate for talent.
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
I think that making a blanket statement about schools that have freshmen starting as being desperate for talent, tiny, or immensely screwed up is rather shortsighted. I’m not saying that travel ball is the be all to end all, but with the high level of baseball that some of these guys are playing in the summer, many freshmen come in ready and able to play varsity and hold their own if not excel.
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
I just think somebody/bodies need to get out and see the level of play that is out there. There are a lot of freshmen who play up or the highest level that can compete on any team. I will agree they are few but still 100's across the US. They may be as some have said the elite but the elite is still a lot of players.
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
We are ranked 2 in the nation and we have had a freshman start a few games. We aren't weak and we are 6A, so not small.
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Valid point. But not why I posted. This is just the situation I have to use as an example for what I'm trying to say. Let me leave my kid out of it. Any player who is on the bubble between JV and V will be a strong contributor on JV or a much less featured player (or maybe a total benchrider) on V. Ideally the player should be able to recognize and benefit from the positives in either scenario, but I think most players, especially Freshmen, would prefer to play more baseball on the JV squad.
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
To expect a 15yo to hold his own against a 18-19yo is asking a lot. If you don't understand that, i don't know what to tell you. It is very rare for a 15yo to be good enough to play against top flight 18 yo's, just like it is really hard for a 18 yo to hold his own against 22-4 yo's in college.
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
A couple of things. First, I've coached some of the top HS teams in America. During that time, we have started several freshmen on the varsity. The vast majority of them went on to play professionally after attending serious collegiate baseball programs. Secondly, I forget who made the comment about a player not playing after his freshman year and how the school will react. Let me state that in no uncertain terms, not one minute will be spent worry about or wanting that player. People make...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Nobody denies that it is a tall task, but there are plenty up for it. There are also plenty of people letting you know it is not desperate or immensely screwed up. You're also forgetting that most high school teams are not made up of top flight 18 year olds. Most are average run of the mill high schoolers who will never get another AB after the season ends. Once you get to the college level you are expected to hold your own as a freshman or you're gone the majority of the time. Most freshman...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
As a parent of a freshman who made varsity, I can share this one item. What was amazing to me was how much everyone else has eyes on my kid. Every time I run into someone, they make some comment about him being on varsity, or on something he did in a game, his condition, playing status, etc. The microscope is real and it is always on. I get it. The parents of freshmen and JV are annoyed because he bypassed those levels. The parents of juniors and seniors are ruffled because their kids had to...
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
I don't believe the HS baseball world is quite as hostile and perilous as you make it out to be. Some parents comment on younger players because they enjoy having them on the team and seeing them play, and these remarks to the players' parents are intended to be kind.
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Maybe your school is nicer... I walked into the press box area last year just as my son and his friend (the only sophomores on the team) were put in to play and heard them all saying “Why are they playing the sophomores? Are you kidding?” It made it sweeter when the first hit a double and the second knocked him in to put us in the lead.
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Why are they playing the sophomores? Are you kidding? ......Maybe they are better..Just a thought!!! As a coach why would you not play the better players? If they are sophs so be it.
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Re: High School Baseball - JV vs. Varsity for Freshmen
Don’t you think you’re being a bit dramatic? It’s hard to imagine it’s this intense in a program that’s historically mediocre (you’re definition). Yes, there are cliques of parents. They prefer to see another parent of the clique’s kid play over yours. They’ve been hanging together at games since kiddie ball. Yes, the other parents of kids in the same class wish their kid was on varsity. But they could see last season who was starting to fast track. The scrutiny ultimately comes down to can...
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Re: Playing for HS and Showcase at same time?
I doubt if there are any rules to prevent this, but HS coach would likely not like this at all. There are unwritten rules that Select team ball starts after HS, as there is always a concern for injury and overuse, (especially with pitchers). If your son gets hurt playing on the weekend the HS coach will get very angry and make it harder for him and others to play on team in the Summer. That is why there is an unwritten truce.
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Re: Playing for HS and Showcase at same time?
Originally Posted by Aleebaba: I doubt if there are any rules to prevent this, but HS coach would likely not like this at all. There are unwritten rules that Select team ball starts after HS, as there is always a concern for injury and overuse, (especially with pitchers). If your son gets hurt playing on the weekend the HS coach will get very angry and make it harder for him to play on team in the Summer. That us why there is an unwritten truce. Thank you!
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Re: Playing for HS and Showcase at same time?
In many states, it is not allowed. I know in Illinois that applies at any level. Have seen freshmen teams have to forfeit games because of it..
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Re: Playing for HS and Showcase at same time?
Your best bet is to contact UIL directly. Darryl Beasley, asst. ath. dir., 512-471-5883, dbeasley@uiltexas.org . You may want to consider the coaches position, if the JV player would be considered for a move to Varsity come playoff time. I'm in Dallas, & unless it is a reversal or a very recent change, I don't believe UIL would allow it. I know Varsity players could not. Son did attend a couple tournaments/showcases in the fall, missing a day of school each time due to travel, no...
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Re: Playing for HS and Showcase at same time?
UIL does not govern activities outside of school; May students participate in non-school activities? Answer: Students may participate in non-school activities at anytime. This means that a student may play, practice or praticipate in a try-out for non-school teams The statement above was copied directly from the baseball manual in the Q&A section. The manual can be viewed on http://www.uiltexas.org/baseball .
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Re: Playing for HS and Showcase at same time?
Yep, familiar with the above. OP didn't specify whether these were weekend tourneys, or otherwise conflicted with HS season schedule. That is the unknown factor. Times have changed.
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Re: Playing for HS and Showcase at same time?
Had this come up for the first time last year and there were no real problems. Kid was a catcher. He did not miss his HS games. Only time it affected him was he had a weekend tourn and did not get in until 2-3 a.m. Monday morning and we had a district game Monday afternoon. He was dragging after 4 tourn games and getting in lat and then playing that Monday
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Re: Playing for HS and Showcase at same time?
I would think that any HS kid that skipped a school practice or game, would very quickly find himself playing for the showcase team only, so there would be no further conflicts. Time spent at HS practice or games would not be "outside of school". School activities come first. I haven't seen much of this problem beyond freshman ball. Once you get to the older, the tounaments don't typically start till June, do they? My son's team will start practices in early May, but always on Saturday or...