Hardest Cut of All
This was in today's Charlotte Observer. I thought it was very interesting and gave a good point of view from the coach.
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Thanks for sharing. Cuts are never easy.
Thanks for posting that.
Of course every program is different, but I found myself with a few general reactions (which may or not apply to the particular school discussed in the article, or other schools in particular):
(1) Why not start a JVC team? The descriptions of the manicured field, etc., lead me to believe that money would not be the issue. Perhaps it is field availability...but if there is ANY field within a few miles that could be used for a JVC team, it might help keep some of the 80% of kids the coach thinks could play at another HS either at his HS and in his program, or maybe just keep them from quitting. In my (limited) experience with JVC programs, they don't produce a lot of eventual varsity contributors, but SOME do emerge, and the rest get to feel part of the program. If run right, I think that is worthwhile.
(2) This may seem counter to my first point, but there does come a time when some cuts become necessary. For instance, if you had a freshman class of 20 in 2010, and by 2011 2/3 of those kids were still playing JVC or bottom half of JV, you've got some difficult decisions to make. You can keep 90% of those kids at JV, but many of them will never really be V contributors in 2012 or 2013, and in the meantime you are blocking at least some 2014s or 2015s you are going to need - some in 2013, and for sure a lot more in 2014. Sometimes situations like this make for a cut being the best team decision.
To me, the "year of reckoning" is that Junior year. A kid who doesn't project to start or get significant playing time on JV as a Junior is probably not going to ever be a productive member of the Varsity the following year, and isn't likely to play much that year (and when he does, it will come at the expense of PT for somebody who still has a chance to develop into that Varsity player). It is impractical and impolitic to send a Junior to JVC. Absent other reasons to keep him (and there are many - probably too many to list - and I mention this simply so people won't think I am ignoring those factors), sometimes the best and most compassionate decision for the whole is to make the tough choices that are described in this article.
Not that any of this makes it any easier on a coach. Just my thoughts and the $0.02 they may be worth.
Of course every program is different, but I found myself with a few general reactions (which may or not apply to the particular school discussed in the article, or other schools in particular):
(1) Why not start a JVC team? The descriptions of the manicured field, etc., lead me to believe that money would not be the issue. Perhaps it is field availability...but if there is ANY field within a few miles that could be used for a JVC team, it might help keep some of the 80% of kids the coach thinks could play at another HS either at his HS and in his program, or maybe just keep them from quitting. In my (limited) experience with JVC programs, they don't produce a lot of eventual varsity contributors, but SOME do emerge, and the rest get to feel part of the program. If run right, I think that is worthwhile.
(2) This may seem counter to my first point, but there does come a time when some cuts become necessary. For instance, if you had a freshman class of 20 in 2010, and by 2011 2/3 of those kids were still playing JVC or bottom half of JV, you've got some difficult decisions to make. You can keep 90% of those kids at JV, but many of them will never really be V contributors in 2012 or 2013, and in the meantime you are blocking at least some 2014s or 2015s you are going to need - some in 2013, and for sure a lot more in 2014. Sometimes situations like this make for a cut being the best team decision.
To me, the "year of reckoning" is that Junior year. A kid who doesn't project to start or get significant playing time on JV as a Junior is probably not going to ever be a productive member of the Varsity the following year, and isn't likely to play much that year (and when he does, it will come at the expense of PT for somebody who still has a chance to develop into that Varsity player). It is impractical and impolitic to send a Junior to JVC. Absent other reasons to keep him (and there are many - probably too many to list - and I mention this simply so people won't think I am ignoring those factors), sometimes the best and most compassionate decision for the whole is to make the tough choices that are described in this article.
Not that any of this makes it any easier on a coach. Just my thoughts and the $0.02 they may be worth.
edgar----that sounds like LL mentality---at the hs level separation of the fittest begins to take place
It's tough from both sides.
The boys that are cut will get stronger and grow from it. Away from baseball, cuts are a part of life. Eventually, everyone gets cut from playing the game at their highest level. Until then, they'll keep working hard and competing at the highest level they can.
The boys that are cut will get stronger and grow from it. Away from baseball, cuts are a part of life. Eventually, everyone gets cut from playing the game at their highest level. Until then, they'll keep working hard and competing at the highest level they can.
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
"edgar----that sounds like LL mentality---at the hs level separation of the fittest begins to take place."
Can you explain which part of what I wrote "sounds like LL mentality"? My second point was all about separating the fittest and jettisoning those who can't help you for the betterment of the program as a whole. As for the first - well, in my area, JVC programs are quite common, and I think beneficial. If you disagree with me on that, to each his own, we can agree to disagree.
And just to clarify - I was never suggesting in the second part of my first post that a coach should keep a freshman or sophomore over a Junior when the Junior is the better player. I suggested that a younger player with better upside and roughly equivalent talent, in a very specific circumstance, should get the nod.
EdgarFan,
I am not familiar with JVC. Is that different than JV? Maybe we don't have it in this area.
Thanks
I am not familiar with JVC. Is that different than JV? Maybe we don't have it in this area.
Thanks
JVC might be know as freshman ball in your area. It's called JVC at the school I coach at, mostly because it isn't JUST freshmen who play at that level.
The biggest threat to this level of HS baseball is budget cuts. That didn't seem to be the issue for the program described in the article, but I could be wrong. Field availability is also an issue, as is whether enough other regional programs field a JVC/frosh team so that you can play a meaningful schedule.
The biggest threat to this level of HS baseball is budget cuts. That didn't seem to be the issue for the program described in the article, but I could be wrong. Field availability is also an issue, as is whether enough other regional programs field a JVC/frosh team so that you can play a meaningful schedule.
I'm reading JVC as the "C" team. Varsity- A, JV- B...
EDGAR
the way I READ YOUR POST ALL KIDS PLAY
the way I READ YOUR POST ALL KIDS PLAY
Yeah, he's a lot like you- If they want to keep playing, he finds a way for them. 
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
EDGAR
the way I READ YOUR POST ALL KIDS PLAY
No...not what I intended to communicate, at least. I thought I made that clear with point (2), but apparently not. Sorry about that.
The goal of a C team is to keep MOST (not all) kids playing, but even then, nobody is guaranteed playing time or anything like that. At any level, PT has to be earned, as does a promotion to the next level.
What it does is keep interest and participation in your program up, and allow some of the later bloomers and hard workers a longer chance to develop and move up. The point I was trying to make with (2) is that even if you structure a program this way, and with that kind of philosophy, you still reach a point where difficult cuts are inevitable and necessary - but you may be a lot more sure that you are cutting a kid who can't help you win.
I was never cut. My daughter was never cut. My son was cut from making varsity basketball not for talent but for lack of commitment to the offseason program. He got over it quickly. He sold himself on having winters to focus on training for baseball. I bought in to his attitude.
What I have had to deal with, which is very difficult it cutting kids of my friends from baseball, softball and basketball travel teams. Because it's friend's kids theres no way around the discussion with the parents. Most accept the rational for the decision and suggestions for improvement. I lost one friend.
What I have had to deal with, which is very difficult it cutting kids of my friends from baseball, softball and basketball travel teams. Because it's friend's kids theres no way around the discussion with the parents. Most accept the rational for the decision and suggestions for improvement. I lost one friend.
I don't believe that many (if any) schools in NC have freshman teams. I know the 3A conference that my sons played in didn't have them and I haven't heard of any of the area 4A teams having them either. They may be more prevalent in other parts of the state though. I am definitely not very knowledgeable about all of the programs in the state.
It's a tough time for any coach. But, done properly it leaves no lasting scars and life will go on.
I liked the way he handled it!
I liked the way he handled it!
I liked the way he handled it too.
One more thing about JVC programs.... I tried to express the caveat that it is different for different programs, and one thing I think may be true is that these kinds of programs benefit the program that is rebuilding, or the one at the very top, more than the ones in the middle. The rebuilding program can't afford to miss on a player evaluation, and can benefit from extra interest and participation. The top program can keep kids who are good enough to make other programs (but might get cut there, otherwise) around long enough to make sure the proper decision has been made, and to allow hard workers and late bloomers to evolve into useful players.
Not sure yet about the program in the middle. As that's where our program is (having come from the bottom, three years ago), I think I will have more of an opinion on this AFTER the next couple of seasons.
One more thing about JVC programs.... I tried to express the caveat that it is different for different programs, and one thing I think may be true is that these kinds of programs benefit the program that is rebuilding, or the one at the very top, more than the ones in the middle. The rebuilding program can't afford to miss on a player evaluation, and can benefit from extra interest and participation. The top program can keep kids who are good enough to make other programs (but might get cut there, otherwise) around long enough to make sure the proper decision has been made, and to allow hard workers and late bloomers to evolve into useful players.
Not sure yet about the program in the middle. As that's where our program is (having come from the bottom, three years ago), I think I will have more of an opinion on this AFTER the next couple of seasons.
quote:I lost one friend.
That's one too many for youth ball IMO. Unless the kid was incorrigible.
Most people hate having to cut a player. We used to allow players the opportunity to stay with the team, practice, and attend meetings, etc. We would also have them responsible for different things like timing pitchers to the plate, getting H-1 times, running the pitch charts, and helping the coaching staff. They just couldn't be on the official roster. This did cause practices to last a bit longer, but no one ever complained about that.
Once we named the official roster, we told kids they could stick around if they really wanted to. Most didn't do that, those that wanted it the most did. One of those players that stuck around ended up playing DI baseball before being drafted in the late rounds.
There are high schools that have a no cut policy for all sports. Of course, they probably don't have hundreds of kids involved. Whenever it is possible to keep kids involved (IMO) it's the right thing to do.
Once we named the official roster, we told kids they could stick around if they really wanted to. Most didn't do that, those that wanted it the most did. One of those players that stuck around ended up playing DI baseball before being drafted in the late rounds.
There are high schools that have a no cut policy for all sports. Of course, they probably don't have hundreds of kids involved. Whenever it is possible to keep kids involved (IMO) it's the right thing to do.
My sons basketball coach sat all the kids down in the middle of the gym frosh through senior. He read off the freshman team and sent them to one corner with the coach. He read off the JV and sent them to another corner with their coach. He read off the varsity and walked with them to another corner leaving the cut kids in the middle of the gym floor alone until they finally got up and walked out. My son felt so bad for them, it made a lasting inpression. It is always a tough job, some have better methods of handling it than others.
quote:Originally posted by seattlestars16:
My son felt so bad for them, it made a lasting impression.
I know a kid
who was so upset with a cut he approached the coach and convinced him to bring the player back.
Our high school has a freshman team. Past few years there has been a couple of freshman that played JV....if a Freshman made JV they started...otherwise it would be better for them to stay on the Freshman team.
I am glad for the program that they can still do this. I can think of several kids that if not for the freshman team may have been cut off a JV team, that ended up making contributions to the varsity team their senior year. The coach is able to keep 5-60 players in his program...some kids develop a little later or slower and a freshman team allows them to stay in the program for at least one more year.
I agree High school is the beginning of the "seperation" but a 14-15 year old may still be need a little time....
I am glad for the program that they can still do this. I can think of several kids that if not for the freshman team may have been cut off a JV team, that ended up making contributions to the varsity team their senior year. The coach is able to keep 5-60 players in his program...some kids develop a little later or slower and a freshman team allows them to stay in the program for at least one more year.
I agree High school is the beginning of the "seperation" but a 14-15 year old may still be need a little time....
We have a C team too. It is a good thing for a lot of potentially good players.
It is primarily made up of Freshman and occasionally Sophmore players that have potential for play at the JV/Varsity level but don't have the skillset or physical maturity to play at a higher competitive level. A lot of these kids are the ones that are athletic but need extra training or are skilled kids that haven't hit that growth spurt.
I am suprised that they don't have a developmental team at that school. If the coach is honest and said that many of these kids he is cutting would be playing at other teams then I think he is losing out on a potential pool of players in the future. If a Freshman is cut he may buck up and try out the next year. Or he might just give up entirely and never play again. Everyone handle's that kind of rejection differently.
It is primarily made up of Freshman and occasionally Sophmore players that have potential for play at the JV/Varsity level but don't have the skillset or physical maturity to play at a higher competitive level. A lot of these kids are the ones that are athletic but need extra training or are skilled kids that haven't hit that growth spurt.
I am suprised that they don't have a developmental team at that school. If the coach is honest and said that many of these kids he is cutting would be playing at other teams then I think he is losing out on a potential pool of players in the future. If a Freshman is cut he may buck up and try out the next year. Or he might just give up entirely and never play again. Everyone handle's that kind of rejection differently.
Coach Bagwell is one of the most respected HS coaches in NC. A true class act and runs and outstanding program. Money is definitely an issue with the entire school system in NC. I am only aware of one program in the state of NC with a Freshman team and that is Greenville Rose which is coached by the all time win's leader in NC history, Ronald Vincent. They get a ton of money from their booster club and past alumni. You can bet if there was any way Coach Bags could run a Freshman team he would find a way.
Having to cut players stinks. But its just something that must be done. I have never met a coach that enjoyed it thats for sure. When I played in HS back in the late 70's no one had a JV team much less a Freshman team. You either made the team or you got cut. At least now almost everyone has a JV program. The program that Coach Bagwell coaches at is loaded with outstanding talent every year. I am sure he has players cut that could play for other programs. But I have had kids riding the pine that could have started for many of the teams we have played. Life is tough and is not fair. Neither is baseball.
Having to cut players stinks. But its just something that must be done. I have never met a coach that enjoyed it thats for sure. When I played in HS back in the late 70's no one had a JV team much less a Freshman team. You either made the team or you got cut. At least now almost everyone has a JV program. The program that Coach Bagwell coaches at is loaded with outstanding talent every year. I am sure he has players cut that could play for other programs. But I have had kids riding the pine that could have started for many of the teams we have played. Life is tough and is not fair. Neither is baseball.
quote:Originally posted by seattlestars16:
My sons basketball coach sat all the kids down in the middle of the gym frosh through senior. He read off the freshman team and sent them to one corner with the coach. He read off the JV and sent them to another corner with their coach. He read off the varsity and walked with them to another corner leaving the cut kids in the middle of the gym floor alone until they finally got up and walked out. My son felt so bad for them, it made a lasting inpression. It is always a tough job, some have better methods of handling it than others.
WOW! - That's a ****** way to do it - Maybe he (the coach) should read the article from the OP.
he was fired earlier this week after the season ended. ten and sixty record over the past three seasons and a career losing record the seasons previous to that. three returning varsity players refused to come out this year and the point guard managed a hardship transfer to another school. a number of underclassmen stopped playing as well. it took a parent coup to force administrations hand in the matter. man was abusive verbally as well. another very recent thread suggests adversity makes the kids stronger, prepares them for life. YES but kids should not suffer outright abusive behavior or degradation. 99% of coaches are good people doing their best and care about the kids. a large percentage of them are even good coaches. the rare bad apple has to go.
SeattleStars, I agree with you - a coach like the one you describe has to go. Your description of his cut process is outrageous, and if he was verbally abusive (on top of being unsuccessful) too there is no reason for the adults in charge to look the other way, much less advocate sticking it out with the guy as some kind of life lesson on adversity.
With that said, other than the issue of (extreme) Daddy-Ball described by the OP in the other thread you refer to (and I've already said I am sympathetic to Daddy-Ball problems), the OP's situation doesn't seem as extreme. It is essentially a complaint about a freshman making JV instead of V amid a parent's impression that kids who made V over his kid were less qualified. Other than the Daddy-Ball stuff -which only the OP really has enough information to assess - I think the OP has gotten sound advice to stick it out at least through this year rather than immediately start looking for greener pastures. If the situation doesn't improve, I don't think it is unreasonable to look for options, as long as it is about the whole picture and not just baseball, but that seems premature now.
With that said, other than the issue of (extreme) Daddy-Ball described by the OP in the other thread you refer to (and I've already said I am sympathetic to Daddy-Ball problems), the OP's situation doesn't seem as extreme. It is essentially a complaint about a freshman making JV instead of V amid a parent's impression that kids who made V over his kid were less qualified. Other than the Daddy-Ball stuff -which only the OP really has enough information to assess - I think the OP has gotten sound advice to stick it out at least through this year rather than immediately start looking for greener pastures. If the situation doesn't improve, I don't think it is unreasonable to look for options, as long as it is about the whole picture and not just baseball, but that seems premature now.
I remember Legion and all-star tryouts in LL and Babe Ruth being about sitting on the bench while the coach read off who made the team. Those who didn't make it had nothing to do but pick up their bag and walk off when they didn't hear their name. It's just the way it was done then.
RJM,
That was the way it was done where you were at.
I actually got talked into coaching Legion years ago. We would have about 35 kids try out for the 18 roster spots. Maybe it was 20 I don't remember for sure.
When we settled on the actual roster, we talked individually with each kid. We allowed any of them to continue practicing with us if they wanted and if possible we would find them some playing time.
We found another Legion Post close to us and asked them if they would like to do the same thing. They did it and our extra guys played several games against their extra guys during the summer. Both posts had old uniforms and held fund raisers for money. There were some talented kids playing in those extra games. One of those extra kids is now close to 50 years old and still playing in the senior league. He also played 4 good years of college baseball and he was an assistant coach at a DI college for a few years. Maybe that all would have happened anyway, I don't know.
I've never cared for that's the way it is and life is not fair. We all know life is not fair, but we can sometimes try to make things a little fairer, a little better.
I know that sometimes things are beyond anyone's control. But to just leave a kid who loves baseball standing there, not knowing what he is feeling or how much it hurts him and not caring about it... That is just wrong IMO.
It seems like coach Bagwell is one of those who cares. Sounds like the basketball coach mentioned here, doesn't care.
95% of the players will not play beyond high school. How do we know whether the kid we cut might have had a career as an executive or something else in baseball had we kept his interest in the game. It's not just the most talented players that make a living in baseball.
That was the way it was done where you were at.
I actually got talked into coaching Legion years ago. We would have about 35 kids try out for the 18 roster spots. Maybe it was 20 I don't remember for sure.
When we settled on the actual roster, we talked individually with each kid. We allowed any of them to continue practicing with us if they wanted and if possible we would find them some playing time.
We found another Legion Post close to us and asked them if they would like to do the same thing. They did it and our extra guys played several games against their extra guys during the summer. Both posts had old uniforms and held fund raisers for money. There were some talented kids playing in those extra games. One of those extra kids is now close to 50 years old and still playing in the senior league. He also played 4 good years of college baseball and he was an assistant coach at a DI college for a few years. Maybe that all would have happened anyway, I don't know.
I've never cared for that's the way it is and life is not fair. We all know life is not fair, but we can sometimes try to make things a little fairer, a little better.
I know that sometimes things are beyond anyone's control. But to just leave a kid who loves baseball standing there, not knowing what he is feeling or how much it hurts him and not caring about it... That is just wrong IMO.
It seems like coach Bagwell is one of those who cares. Sounds like the basketball coach mentioned here, doesn't care.
95% of the players will not play beyond high school. How do we know whether the kid we cut might have had a career as an executive or something else in baseball had we kept his interest in the game. It's not just the most talented players that make a living in baseball.
I wasn't saying the way it was is right. It's just the way it was in the 60's and 70's. Any kids I've cut was done in person and confidentially. I told the kid what they had to do to improve.
Given some of these teams were preteen I told kids if they hang in there a lot might change physically impacting their play. With the second set (five years younger) I used my daughter as an example. She went from 4'8" of basketball mediocrity to 5'10" of in your face varsity player in three years. I told the kids to play rec ball and don't give up.
Given some of these teams were preteen I told kids if they hang in there a lot might change physically impacting their play. With the second set (five years younger) I used my daughter as an example. She went from 4'8" of basketball mediocrity to 5'10" of in your face varsity player in three years. I told the kids to play rec ball and don't give up.
quote:I wasn't saying the way it was is right. It's just the way it was in the 60's and 70's.
and those kids probably were not exposed to the everybody gets a trophy mentality either.
It seems like there are a lot of coaches, like Coach Bagwell, who do cuts with some class. While others....
Our new coach justs posts a list on the wall and does not talk to any kid that was cut.
Our new coach justs posts a list on the wall and does not talk to any kid that was cut.
I say if they show up like a man and put their all out there cut them like a man face to face. Show some courage and respect. I suppose you break up with a girl by text and that would get the job done but pretty chicken ****.
"I've never cared for that's the way it is and life is not fair. We all know life is not fair, but we can sometimes try to make things a little fairer, a little better".
PGStaff, that was a great piece of wisdom you gave to this discussion !
I forwarded the article to my dad,and he reminded me how devastated I was when I was cut from the varsity team 30+ years ago.Probably the lowest point in my then 16 year old life. I never picked up a ball again until my son asked me about playing Little League when he was nine.He's now 15 and I've been throwing BP,long toss,hitting grounders and fly balls to him for the last 6 years.I even bought a new Akadema glove for myself.In a sense, my son has rejuvenated my love for the game of baseball
Tuesday will be a tough day for a bunch of boys.My son's high school baseball teams(Frosh,JV,Varsity)will post their final rosters.The coaches have a policy of no juniors on the JV team.There are about 12-13 junior boys who are battling for about 4 varsity roster spots.They are all pretty good players, but this particular high school is uber competitive in academics and athletics.The boys that will be cut would definitely make many of the public high school teams here in San Diego County.
I hope that the boys that are cut will continue to play baseball and not shut down like I did.I've been reading HSBBW for a couple of years now,and one thing that I have learned from all of you is that it's not the end of the world if a player gets cut.Especially if that player has excellent grades and has the determination to play at the next level.
PGStaff, that was a great piece of wisdom you gave to this discussion !
I forwarded the article to my dad,and he reminded me how devastated I was when I was cut from the varsity team 30+ years ago.Probably the lowest point in my then 16 year old life. I never picked up a ball again until my son asked me about playing Little League when he was nine.He's now 15 and I've been throwing BP,long toss,hitting grounders and fly balls to him for the last 6 years.I even bought a new Akadema glove for myself.In a sense, my son has rejuvenated my love for the game of baseball
Tuesday will be a tough day for a bunch of boys.My son's high school baseball teams(Frosh,JV,Varsity)will post their final rosters.The coaches have a policy of no juniors on the JV team.There are about 12-13 junior boys who are battling for about 4 varsity roster spots.They are all pretty good players, but this particular high school is uber competitive in academics and athletics.The boys that will be cut would definitely make many of the public high school teams here in San Diego County.
I hope that the boys that are cut will continue to play baseball and not shut down like I did.I've been reading HSBBW for a couple of years now,and one thing that I have learned from all of you is that it's not the end of the world if a player gets cut.Especially if that player has excellent grades and has the determination to play at the next level.
quote:Originally posted by Will:quote:I wasn't saying the way it was is right. It's just the way it was in the 60's and 70's.
and those kids probably were not exposed to the everybody gets a trophy mentality either.
You are right. The only trophies I ever got for baseball were when my teams won a league championship or division title. We were tougher than today's kids. We used to bicycle to our games and the only time we saw moms and dads were if they weren't working or able to get out of the house.
Heck, we used to laugh at all the kids on the school bus going to school in the summer because we knew those were the dummies who flunked during the regular year. If this happened to today's kids, psychiatrists would put a label on them and drug them up on Riddlein and the kids who got promoted and were able to enjoy their summer who poked a little fun at the flunkies would be in court charged as bullies. Things were far different when we grew up.
These participation trophies were new when my son played because after a couple of seasons in little league, he got one of those little dinky participation trophies. He turned to me and asked me as a 9 year old and said "what's this for? we didn't win anything" He then threw the trophy in the garbage because he even knew at that age there were winners and losers.
sooner or later these kids are going to face reality.the problem is that it is getting later and later. People of my generation were better prepared to handle adversity. The excuse machine was not in motion. Way back I got cut as a freshman after not seeing my name on a list. yes I was upset. I told my father he said "You just have to work harder" No phone calls to the coach or principal or AD. Nothing about my self esteem .I did work harder and started on the varsity for 3 years and played in college. I look back and looking on that list and not seeing my name was the best thing that ever happened. If I was brought up with everybody gets a trophy mentality dont know what would have happened.
WILL
that work harder phrase was key back in the day---my dad never heard from me regarding practices---in fact I do not think he even knew the name of my hs coachall the siblings in my family were brought up to fight our own battles--- qand my kids were brought up the sam way
that work harder phrase was key back in the day---my dad never heard from me regarding practices---in fact I do not think he even knew the name of my hs coachall the siblings in my family were brought up to fight our own battles--- qand my kids were brought up the sam way
quote:Originally posted by zombywoof:
Heck, we used to laugh at all the kids on the school bus going to school in the summer because we knew those were the dummies who flunked during the regular year.
"He then threw the trophy in the garbage because he even knew at that age there were winners and losers."
But I'm sure he still loves you.
quote:Originally posted by PGStaff:That was the way it was done where you were at. …
That’s the nub of the matter.
I remember watching my neighbor try out for the HS team in 1959. There was only a V team, and as you might guess, there were a lot of cuts. The last day wasn’t a practice at all, but rather, every boy got called alphabetically into the coach’s office for a “discussion”. When they came out, it was their choice whether or not to say anything, but that’s as far as the “drama” went.
When I went out for the team a couple years later, it was the same coach and things went the same way. We all got the “talk”, and the next day the team practiced, with any player who went out being allowed to practice with the team, whether or not they were issued a uniform. Of course it was a school in a city of less than 10,000, where everyone seemed to know everyone else, so the atmosphere was much different than what goes on in some other places
So, the main point I picked up from this discussion is that the younger generation is weak, cant handle adversity, soft, and will not be able to function in the real world because they are coddled.
But not the children of the people that post on here, only the other kids. So, if "all our our children" are in good shape, maybe the younger generation will be fine, afterall.
But not the children of the people that post on here, only the other kids. So, if "all our our children" are in good shape, maybe the younger generation will be fine, afterall.