Agreeing to zero PT

Does the game jersey say "bat boy?" Now that I'm past sarcasm, please explain more. What age is the player? What age group is the team? What is the perceived value of being part of this team and not playing?

Does everybody who tried out sign it? 

If so I'm guessing that it's an exercise in team-building and letting everybody know who's in charge.

 

Not crazy about the idea.  I have heard of coaches privately telling specific kids AFTER tryouts, hey we love having you on the team and hope you stick around but you should know that your PT is going to be minimal at best.

Sorry...just trying to become educated here.  When you say "PT" is that "playing time" or "Physical Therapy"?

 

 

I am not sure why anyone would sign that unless it was no "Guaranteed" PT. Unless PT stands for Physical Therapy.

Sounds like a misread to me.  Very typical to sign something which indicates playing time is earned and not guaranteed.  I have never seen anything saying no playing time, unless it is a pitcher only situation.  More details please.  

College??  High School? Club?

In any case heck no, don't sign that.

So I am going to go into a tryout, sign a paper that I will never receive any playing time before you as a coach ever see me tryout?

 

What else do you want me to sign up for?

 

Who all has to sign the form? Players and parents? If my son brought that piece of paper home to me before he was to try out for a team I don’t think he would be going back.

 

If it’s a competitive team, why would a coach want a player on his team if he didn’t have enough talent to ever get on the field, why would you waste reps in practice with such a player?  What is the player’s motivation to even show up to practice or games?

 

It’s like Ricky used to say to Lucy ” somebody gots some splainin to do around here”

I think Passion is a HS coach and is looking for input. 

 

Passion put this in the coaching forum and you probably won't confuse people. 

No you do not have a kids sign that.  This is being done for a few possible reasons

 

Scenario 1:  School has a background of letting all of the kids play.  If this is the case then you need to stand up in a room full of parents and tell them that it is your program and that will not happen.  You can put in your rules that there are no guaranteed playing time.

 

Scenario 2:  You have a nice kid that you want to keep.  If this is the case tell him man to man.  

 

P.S.  Keep in mind that it is not legal, I do know it is not a court, to have a minor sign an agreement without their parent signing with them.

When my son was in 8th he and I had so sign a document making the team did not guarantee playing time. The coach did this because he was accosted by four mothers the previous year. When they didn't get what they wanted they went to the principal and the school board. Go figure! The 8th grade team had four less players than the previous year's 7th grade team. Everyone played. They just weren't guaranteed equal time and playing every game.

High School varsity team

 

Kid has been in program entire high school years

 

Nice kid, works hard, but isn't good enough to start on the varsity level or even get a meaningful varsity at bat.

 

I am just going to tell the kid he isn't going to play but we still want him to be a part of the team if he wants.

As long as it is not a distraction or take away meaningful reps from other kids.  Also, he could be a great help to the team with "duties".  But you are setting a precedence for the future.  As long as you understand it.

 

I think you are doing the right thing it you let him know in advance, and it is his choice. 

I'll bet he already knows where he is at skill wise.  But I don't know if I would tell him he definitely won't play.  Sure his odds are .0000001% of playing.  So make that clear.  But you never know if you'll have a "Rudy" opportunity.  Good luck. 

Now that I have the context (high school): My son's high school coach would roster seniors on varsity who never gave up. However, before they made the team he sat down with each individually and explained the situation. They had earned a uniform for their dedication to the program. But they had to accept they would get little playing time and be expected not to complain (including parents).

 

One senior was such a good kid he was a leader even on the bench. He also decided he would be the best foul ball chaser. He had such a good sense of humor he told the team to call him "Spot" since he was a retriever. The team went nuts when he hit a triple off the fence in a non conference game. Everyone liked him.

 

It's difficult for a kid to accept this situation after they've spent all their time growing up playing baseball. When my son was a soph there were two extras on the team. A couple of kids turned down the uniform and got jobs.