2nd Position?

It's always good to be more useful!

My son is exactly in the same boat as yours: 16 years old, 4 catchers on his summer team, became the starting catcher for his varsity team midway through freshman year at a small private HS. His primary for 4 years has been catcher, but he is also competent in the outfield.

He gets some time behind the dish, but on a rotating basis with the others who are also competent catchers. He probably gets far more time as an outfielder, averaging an extra 2 games during the catching rotation. Another factor in his being put in the game more often is because he is batting well at the moment (roughly 435 average/ 590 OBA) and is one of the faster base runners on the team. Even when he is sitting out a game, he is usually put in as a runner for the catcher or pitcher.

Bottom line: I think you do get to play more when you are hitting the ball and play another position, because the coach has more options for you and looks for ways to keep you in the lineup. At 16, unless you are a pitcher, it's probably in your boy's best interest to know more than one position. JMO.

The hard part might be convincing him his mom knows best!

16 isn't too old to learn another position. I've been afraid my 15yoa would be pigeon-holed as only a catcher. He does catch more than half the innings on his summer team but has spent some good time at SS, 1B and a little outfield. The high school coach, who knows he catches, came to a game the other day to watch the incoming boys play and because I keep score he came to me to gets the players names. Son was playing 1B at the time and the coach had posituve things to say about him playing there as well.

I do think the added position(s) add options to the player especially at their current level. BUT it comes at a cost and you touched on it when you suggested you son might want to remain focused on catching because he knows what he wants. I think the chances are slim but it could be that by moving from one position to another (say in high school) that your son won’t fully develop his skills at his “best” position and could hurt him being recruited as a college catcher. Again I think it's remote but could be akin to being a jack of all trades ---- master of none. A few of these players that don’t "stand out" in one position end up being utility players. I think being a utility player can definitely hurts their chances beyond high school unless they can really stroke a baseball or have a gifted arm. My son has played a number of positions C/P/3rd/1st/DH at many different levels from pre-high school to the pros. I think it helped provide him with more opportunities up into his college years but ultimately hurt him in the pros.

I suggest you encourage your son to play another position (3rd seems to be the most common “alternate” position for catchers) but always focus on catching which is his primary position. I personally liked it when my son played “other” positions because it allowed me to take more pictures from different angles.
Fungo

Thanks so much for the input, guys - (and sorry for my delayed response - on the road with baseball tournments!). Coincidentally, my son got a letter from his high school coach last week.It was a letter sent to all the players, just letting them know about plans for next year, checking to see how their summers are going (I'm telling you, this guy is GREAT!) Anyway, on the bottom of this letter, he wrote "Pick up an in-fielder's glove & come by & let's start working out at 3rd base - I want you to have a 2nd position." So....Mom was right! And I didn't even have to say it! Whoo-hoo!

My son was a pure catcher for his entire baseball career. As a sophomore he was given an opportunity to move up to the varsity team. Our starting catcher was a senior, but my son swings a pretty mighty bat, so the coach encouraged him to try out the corners. He started every game at either 1st or 3rd and played a little at catcher as well. He ended up making all district as a utility infielder and all the college coaches we've talked to at summer showcases and tournaments have said that it is a huge plus for him to be able to play other positions. I'm glad to see him back behind the plate this summer, but can't deny that being versatile on defense opens a lot of doors.

vabaseballmom -

Welcome to the HSBBW! Sounds as if you will need what this site offers - the very very best place to make yourself as a parent as smart as possible about the recruiting process.

I'm the dad of a catcher who will be a senior this fall. I can guarantee you that you will find this place an incredible resource. All you have to do is ask and your questions will be answered.

Glad you are here.

Excellent advice in this thread!

vabaseballmom and BostonBound - welcome to the hsbbweb!

I second the notion that versatility is a big plus. It increases ones odds immensely of finding a way into the lineup at the collegiate level. For non-pitchers, the ability to hit is paramount. I have been told by more than one college coach that if you can hit, they will find a place in the lineup for you. If you are a catcher and find yourself behind a veteren catcher, it is almost impossible to get into the lineup in that circumstance other than perhaps on the backend of a double header. The DH position is one of the most crowded positions on the team along with first base and freshman don't often have the power coaches like to see in those positions. Since there will always be hitting slumps on the team, versatility at more than one position could easily provide a young man with the opportunity he needs.

My son is a shortstop and I used to get upset when youth coaches would move him to second base, third base, or even the outfield. As it turned out, he developed versatility and this is how he was able to break in at the collegiate level. They would often pintch hit for one of their infielders (2nd, 3rd, or ss) and he got his feet wet as a late inning defensive replacement. About half way through his freshman season, they started to give him at bats as well and he has been a starter ever since. There is luck involved in the process no doubt but versatility can increase your luck.

Thanks guys for the warm welcome! I've actually been reading posts for a while, but have just now joined in. Sent my son off to East Cobb this morning for his first WWBA tournament. We'll be joining him later this week. He's really enjoyed picking up a new position and has found that he hits a little better (bats LH throws RH) in the games he's not catching. Less to worry about, just concentrates on what he's doing instead of taking care of his pitchers! Hopefully, y'all will be around to help us with some college info this spring.