It's a 2 game prospect showcase. Significant travel and time commitment. 400 miles away and three day stay.
You have 3 catchers on your roster and the schedule has two nine inning games in front of the scouts.
What's the best way to handle playing time with your catchers and what would be your expectation on playing time?
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Just by math, it's 18 divided by 3. So, I would say that you would hope that each catcher catches 6 innings each over the 2 games.
But, how you do it is the question. You really can't have each one catch 3 innings in each game because then they're probably only getting 2 or 3 at bats in the entire showcase.
But, if you have one catch 6 innings in one game and the other 6 innings in the other - and then use the 3rd to catch the last 3 innings in both games, then one kid still gets the short straw.
Of course, DHing could help with the ABs but there's 9 other position players on the roster that need ABs over the two games as well. So, there's 2 non-catchers every inning also grabbing pine.
In a week, I will have the answer but curious on what you would do to be fair. Or, maybe fair isn't in play here?
ChatGPT has the answer for you Francis;
For the two-game prospect showcase, with three catchers and two nine-inning games, here's an approach:
Goal: Fair opportunity for each catcher while considering well-being. Communicate and agree on playing time expectations with catchers beforehand.
Funny @Gunner Mack Jr.!
Francis;
Are you the Coach? Are there pro scouts or College Coaches? 400 miles is a 10 hour drive in the NE USA. 3 nights Hotel $$$. What is the showcase fee $$$?
All for 6 innings? You could video tape each catcher and mail to the Coach/scout.
Bob
Catcher 1: first 6 innings of Game One
Catcher 2: Last 3 Innings of Game 1, and First 3 Innings of Game 2
Catcher 3: Last 6 Innings of Game 2
Thats how I’d do it. Of course, then you gotta hope that nobody gets run ruled!
The only correct answer (channeling my inner War Games memory) is to ask @Francis7 before making a decision.
That way the topic will not show up on the HSBASEBALLWEB message board for 3-4 weeks.
This is why you don't carry 3 catchers on a showcase team, unless catching is a secondary position for one of them.
At least hit them near the top of the lineup.
In a week, I will have the answer but curious on what you would do to be fair. Or, maybe fair isn't in play here?
If you will be informed in a week why are you concerning yourself with what you can’t control. None of the responses here are going to alter the decision.
What's the background? College team, summer league team, random throw together team for a specific event?
@PABaseball posted:What's the background? College team, summer league team, random throw together team for a specific event?
College Summer League showcase.
@Francis7 posted:College Summer League showcase.
By this I take it you mean College players who are mostly JUCO guys?
If so, I think you probably should have 3 catchers on the roster, just in case one of them gets hurt. Sure it’s just 2 games but Catcher is a position you can’t really throw anybody into
@3and2Fastball posted:By this I take it you mean College players who are mostly JUCO guys?
If so, I think you probably should have 3 catchers on the roster, just in case one of them gets hurt. Sure it’s just 2 games but Catcher is a position you can’t really throw anybody into
Nope. It's very few Jucos. Mostly 4 year kids and a few Jucos. I can DM you more info.
@Francis7 posted:Nope. It's very few Jucos. Mostly 4 year kids and a few Jucos. I can DM you more info.
Thanks. Either way with College players it’s good not to be in a position where there is any chance you are stuck with just one catcher because of injury
@Francis7 posted:College Summer League showcase.
I wouldn't go unless it's free
@Francis7 posted:Nope. It's very few Jucos. Mostly 4 year kids and a few Jucos. I can DM you more info.
So what do you mean by showcase team then? Are kids playing on this team to be recruited? Is this the event that's down at Liberty University tomorrow and Tuesday?
@PABaseball posted:I wouldn't go unless it's free
It is free for the player. No fee. Hotel and transportation provided. Daily meal money. Parents have to pay their own if they want to go.
Francis;
Please send a detailed report after the camp is completed. Is your son's Summer
League season now completed?
Bob
I would remove the words "fair" and "playing time" from your vocabulary when it comes to college baseball. You are at the mercy of the coaching staff and if you do not like it you either leave or fall in line. That is college baseball in 2023.
I know it's a showcase and theoretically it should happen one way but if it doesn't he either decides it's not worth his time or he deals with it.
If he were to go down there and catch 3 innings or whatever the case may be I'd probably be looking for other summer teams with thin rosters.
The reality is if you're a college player right now that is being scouted you're probably in the Cape, or similar or at the MLB devops event.
Game 1 in the books.
Catcher A started and caught the first 4 innings at batted 2 times. Catcher B replaced him and caught the next 3 innings and batted one time. He has replaced by Catcher C who caught the last 2 innings. If he batted, it was just once - I didn't notice.
Game 2 report to follow some time Thursday.
@Francis7 posted:Game 1 in the books.
Catcher A started and caught the first 4 innings at batted 2 times. Catcher B replaced him and caught the next 3 innings and batted one time. He has replaced by Catcher C who caught the last 2 innings. If he batted, it was just once - I didn't notice.
Game 2 report to follow some time Thursday.
Game 2:
Catcher A started the game, caught 5 innings and got 2 AB. Catcher C caught the 6th, 7th and 8th and got one AB. Catcher B caught the 9th and got one AB.
Overall totals:
Catcher A started both games and caught 9 of 18 innings and got 4 AB.
Catcher B caught 4 innings and got 2 AB.
Catcher C caught 5 innings and got 2 ABs.
Before you ask, my kid was Catcher A. Happy for him to get an opportunity. But, I am also sympathetic to the other two. Can't blame them if they are annoyed by the splits.
