A question about summer collegiate teams

Well, the thing with the Cape Cod league is that all of these guys are so good, someone is bound to get left out of pt just based on sheer talent. (You are First team All Sec, they got a first team all american etc.)

My fall ball coach does a summer college league in the Tri State Area. Gets some good players from Rutgers, NJIT, Rider etc. Obviously he has his opening day lineup, and the 4-5 guys that start every game because they are that good. But he also shifts around to get every player some starts. For example, he may have his stud third baseman play first or DH in a game, and give a younger guy a start, while keeping the stud's bat in the lineup. Real standup guy. Great coach.

I think it varies on a league level likely. Also, I am new to the site, so I don't know your/your son's history, but is there something that maybe the coach sees in other player than he does in your son? Maybe something generally unnoticed like speed, or aggressiveness? Don't take it the wrong way, I do believe there are some coaches would show clear preference to certain players, but was just wondering if there is another side to it. 

How are the other 3 outfielders playing time on their college programs as opposed to your sons?

I appreciate your post, but I'd really rather not have this drug into a "sour grapes" thread. Let's say the left fielder is really good and deserves all the playing time he gets. The center fielder isn't really good, and has done nothing to show he has earned the playing time he's received and leave it at that. 

SomeBaseballDad posted:

I appreciate your post, but I'd really rather not have this drug into a "sour grapes" thread. Let's say the left fielder is really good and deserves all the playing time he gets. The center fielder isn't really good, and has done nothing to show he has earned the playing time he's received and leave it at that. 

I think that in most cases, its supposed to be done fairly.  Since you play almost everyday, players should rotate,  maybe a starter one day then depending on the pitcher, they sub. As an example, son was a starter so he was a reliever at the cape. If your son needs work, his coach should indicate as such. If he needs a lighter schedule, that's indicated as well.

If he feels he isn't playing as much as needed, let him call his coach for advice.

JMO

It is pretty early in the season.  Be patient, unless the roster is too deep things will probably balance out.  Coaches will adjust once they see various players perform.  They are balancing player development and winning which is a tough thing to do, especially early in the season. 

If the coach was there last year look at the players playing time.  Did he seem to give a fair amount of time to all the players?

Most coaches will develop a playing time pattern that is somewhat predictable.   I'd encourage your son to just keep working and improving his skills.  Make the most of the batting practice and fielding repetitions.  Ultimately, there is little he can do but battle for playing time.  This is a mental challenge of trying not to do to much when opportunities are provided.  Just stay relaxed and play to his strengths.  Enjoy the experience and develop his skills.

I know this is nothing you probably haven't told him already.  It is a journey that he should enjoy while working hard to improve.  Best of luck.

SomeBaseballDad posted:

I appreciate your post, but I'd really rather not have this drug into a "sour grapes" thread. Let's say the left fielder is really good and deserves all the playing time he gets. The center fielder isn't really good, and has done nothing to show he has earned the playing time he's received and leave it at that. 

I didn't mean it like that. The best advice I can give is to make sure your son doesn't lose his confidence. Keep telling himself he is an accomplished ball player. I do this myself. I play with some guys that are better than me, but when I am on the field, I will never admit it. Mark your territory.

Funny you posted this question.  One of my sons is in his first year as HC in a prominent summer league.  Through him, I am getting some interesting insight into the dynamics and workings of those teams and leagues.  I was actually going to get a thread started to see what different players are experiencing in various places and with different summer teams around the country.

With summer college ball, perhaps more so than any other level, there are some seriously contrasting perspectives.  The college coaches are sending their players to play and get better, so they all expect their players to play when agreeing to send them.  The owners are trying to put a winning product on the field to sell tickets and sponsorship, so they want the coaches to put the best players on the field all the time and they want the players to give their all out best to win.  The better players (typically those who played the most during the college season) are worn out physically and mentally and many need a break, at least to the extent that they don't want to play in a game every night for several consecutive nights.  Parents often travel a good distance just for a few days in hopes of seeing their kid play.  The summer coaches are often largely caught in the middle of all this.  Some were involved in bringing players on board and some were not.  Some were partially involved and know what playing time discussions took place and some were not.  They have to try to make everyone happy (impossible with the conflicting agendas) and keep players motivated to play well all the way through the summer season.  They have to try to motivate them to want to earn a playoff berth for the right to spend yet more time away from home without  rest and without seeing family with what little time they have left of their summer before they have to head back to school and start the grind all over again.  Most of the summer college coaches are also regular college coaches/asst coaches and have those relationships and reputation to protect.

Further complicating the whole equation are things like formal contracts, injuries, home sickness, work requirements, summer school, host family experiences, pitcher inning limitations, etc., etc.  Also, college coaches will often leverage sending a good player with the agreement that the summer organization will also take a few "other" players.  It can become quite the tangled web.

So, bringing this back to your particular scenario, somebaseballdad, I think a key is first knowing how your son came about being part of this particular team/league.  Did his college coach refer him or did he make his own arrangements?  The answer will factor in to determining the best course of action.

SBD, my son was on the other side of this equation last summer. The coach was playing him quite a bit and he wasn't producing at the beginning of the season. I'm pretty sure it was because he put up very good numbers during his spring season. The coach knew he could hit, he just needed some time.
I've always preach that BA doesn't mean anything over 5 or 10 games (more and more I'm convinced that it doesn't mean a whole lot period). I think he was worn out from a long springs season. The hits eventually came.

Somebaseballdad.....my son is in the GLSCL for his third year now.  The league is very competitive....and teams play to win.  Yes, the goal is to get kids playing time in the summer, but from what I've seen it's not like Little League where everyone has to get the same amount of playing time.   I guess like any other team, the coach sees certain things to make him play one kid over another.....and maybe the "local" kid being "local" has something to do with it.  These teams cost a lot of money to run and they all have some local kids that bring fans and $$$ to the field.  I'm gonna guess that at away games he may not play as often.   As someone else mentioned, it's early in the season (son's team has played 5 games).  With only 2 or 3 practices before the season started, and not everyone there right away (Regionals, Supers) it takes a couple weeks for things to shake out.  I wouldn't be too concerned.  42 games in 45 days is a lot of baseball.  I'm sure your son will get plenty of playing time.   

Feel free to PM me.....I'm sure we'll run into each other this summer.....would be fun to say hello to a fellow HSBaseballweb'er

Cabbage  thanks for the reply  His college coaches placed him, and given the talk he had with the HC I'd assume they thought there was a understanding as to position etc.  

I guess I assumed playing time would be more evenly distributed to start then becoming more merit based. As to the "hang in there" and BA doesn't matter. Like I said, I didn't want this to become a "it's not fair" thing.  Just surprised at the obvious favoritism being displayed. And for context, with a good number of AB's now the kid sits at .500 with a .750 OBP. The center fielder is  .186 and  .320 and the kid he shares time with at right is  .000 and .111.

SomeBaseballDad posted:

Cabbage  thanks for the reply  His college coaches placed him, and given the talk he had with the HC I'd assume they thought there was a understanding as to position etc.  

I guess I assumed playing time would be more evenly distributed to start then becoming more merit based. As to the "hang in there" and BA doesn't matter. Like I said, I didn't want this to become a "it's not fair" thing.  Just surprised at the obvious favoritism being displayed. And for context, with a good number of AB's now the kid sits at .500 with a .750 OBP. The center fielder is  .186 and  .320 and the kid he shares time with at right is  .000 and .111.

 

OK, good.  The fact that his college coach placed him should provide additional leverage to keep in his back pocket for now.  He may want to just start by asking the summer HC what the plan is going forward in regards to playing time.  This isn't straight up college ball where you completely have to earn any opportunity to play.  Like I said, there is usually some reasonable expectation of playing time distributed when the college coach refers a player.  Now, that said, it certainly may not be an expectation of even distribution.  Son's team has seven OF's on the roster and a few are really good and owners would flip if they were on an even distribution.  A tough balance.  

Hopefully, a mention/inquiry will either get him on the radar more frequently or let him know exactly where he stands, good or bad.  Then, if outlook is bad, he can look into other options if necessary that can include checking with the college HC to see what his thoughts are (at which point, he may be making a check-in call on your son's behalf) or asking for release so that he can find a setting that may be a better, more productive fit.  There is a lot of movement with these things sometimes.  There may be another team nearby in the same league that is losing an OF or two and he can be plugged right in.

Son has already had a couple of these conversations with players, explaining what he inherited and what he can and cannot do for them as well as his willingness and desire to put them in the best possible spot, including the possible option of release (in one instance) and talking to other summer coaches.  

Also, as i understand, attrition often happens during second half of the season.  Additional PT can certainly come about that way, although I know you don't want to hang your hat on a maybe.  From what you describe, my best guess would be that more platooning is likely as the season plays out.  Again, most of these guys don't want to play every day after finishing the grueling college season.  Hope you can find something helpful here.

Thanks. I don't believe it's worth it to ask for a release. Maybe it will come to that point but not now. We'll just advise him to let his college coaches know and if they want to they can deal with it. Mostly use it as a lesson learned and maybe be a little more proactive in finding a team next year. 

We did go see him last night. Sat with his host family. Just salt of the earth people. They are big supporters of the team. Had dinner with the general manager the evening before. So during the game he stated he noticed a core group of the kids were getting a lot of playing time. I took it as a sign from god. As of now that man knows exactly how I feel. What he decides to do with that knowledge is up to him but I'd assume it will make its way to the GM. 

Dad;

Playing in the Basin League in South Dakota, I recall the team roster constantly changing, players injured, released and "home sick".

Take extra BP, if you are a "hitter". Find a local player to throw BP at the HS Field. If you are a pitcher, study all hitters [opposing and your own], take notes. Run, don't walk. Keep the arm "loose". Hit fungo to your teammates.

Be ready for the "opportunity"!!! Be prepared. Do you have the 6th tool.

Bob

PS: my son played the Virginia Valley League and struck out 4 times in his 1st game and I expected him to be release, but he played 2 years.

Cabbagedad has a great read on the leagues!   Many factors involved unfortunately.  Also what may happen is that a coach inherited player as part of a package and knows nothing about them.  The player turns out to be a very good and now wants to keep rather than temp or play them more often.

Do we know that the center fielder will be there all summer? Perhaps he has an internship or other commitment, and can only play first part/half of the summer.

Hopefully it works out.

Also, the CF may be a returning player and played for the coach previously...we have a similar situation on our summer team where a kid is inexplicably in the line up (like halfway to the mendoza line) but last summer hit .400.  Its only been 10 games but I think he won't last much longer if he does not break out of the slump soon.

Summer collegiate league can be an eye opener. My son opened the season by hitting a batter, giving up a triple, then a single, K'd a guy, walked a guy and got pulled. That was June 6. He hasn't seen the mound since. Not sure why and no coach has even talked to him about it. He is the youngest player in the league, though and they carry 20 pitchers, so...

I am currently a hitting coach in the GSCL and I'm not sure what team you're talking about, hell maybe my team haha. I don't think I would put much stock into thinking the local kids get to play just because of them being local. However, I understand your frustration. I dealt with playing time issues all throughout my collegiate and professional career and it isn't fun. On my team we're having enough trouble trying to get guys playing time. We're playing to win but still honoring some contracts. Some very good players. I think the other thing to remember is what schools these kids go to. If its a big name school the coaches and gm will want to keep that school happy so they keep sending players back. 

<<...moved to podcast thread>>

somebaseballdad......my son's team plays your son's team tonight and tomorrow if the rain holds off.  Looks good as of now