Becoming a PO

I'd imagine there are OF already on that 17U team who want to be seen in their position as well. Most younger kids who are POs add value and depth to the rotation and it offers the them some exposure at that level. My son did it for a few years and the primary benefit to him was the experience playing with older kids/talent rather than the scouting/exposure advantage. 

Does he get to play other positions on other teams? I'd be worried about lack of at bats, or isn't that an issue?

I would say it really isn't an issue playing other positions as he will get that from his high school team. It's just a change in expectations in playing time, and getting used to serving in that role on a team. I'm imagining it should cut my travel costs quite a bit, but I'm sure he will want to be there some as a base runner etc to be a part of the team. More than anything it's probably just dad trying to understand how something new works!lol

You have to explain the expectation clearly, otherwise the kid may get really frustrated. One of my son's friend, a 6'3 200lb righty as a 15 yo, got to play with our 17U team last summer. Exactly like yours, he's been told that he'll be PO and will not field or bat if he plays with the 17U. He liked the idea of playing with older kids and the honor/bragging rights it brought. However, at the end of the season, I met his parents and they told me that he's not happy and will quite the team. He didn't expect that as a PO, he only get to play once a week, and will be sitting on the bench all other games. He asked the coach many times to bat, the coach just stared at him and said "no". Once he went to batting warm up with other players, and coach called him back and said "what are you doing here? let the batters warm up." One time he was so bored sitting in the dugout, he was chatting and laughing with another pitcher, the coach called him out and said "shut up and pay attention to the game!"

Anyway, he quit the team and joined another (probably lower tier) team when they promised him that he'll get some at-bat. I think he's just not ready to be a PO, although his body type and skill level says he should be a PO eventually.

Now that I think about it, my son was a PO for his varsity team last year. Didn't get to bat. But his coach worked with the freshman team so he got to play third and catch (which he prefers anyway) for freshmen, and bat. Games were at different times, and they told him every Monday when he would play where for the rest of the week so he never pitched/caught same day.

He had an open invite to be in the dugout for all varsity games, not just the one per week he pitched in. Never thought of it as being PO though because he still got a variety of experiences. He would have hated TRULY being a PO.

Sometimes we adults plan to much for kids futures and all they want to do is play.  Our son was primarily a closing pitcher is junior and senior year.  His Junior year he did go down and play and pitch some.  In one instance he was pitching for the jv team, the kid hit a foul ball almost to the third base dugout .  Our son ran it down, before the 3rd baseman could get there.  One of parents of a fellow jr. said " is he going to play every position."  I said "He would, if they would let him."

i think we understand what will be expected and how things will go. More than anything I am curious how the travel will coordinate and how easy it will be to show up as needed and still feel part of the team. He knows it will be different not being with his old crew, but he wound up getting limited non pitching time last season even tho he hit well when called on. He also has a sensation of pride playing up and knows that he will have more advanced players behind him on the older team so I think he's good with all that. I think he will get plenty of two way playing on his high school team so I think by summer he will be good be PO...just trying to learn how all that works!

That is a very good question to ask the organization because at that age, you will start to see some varying and very different philosophies.  With son's Scout team, PO's were scheduled well in advance.  They were welcome to show up only at games they were to pitch and were also free to come and go during that game.  With most summer college programs, PO's are expected to be in attendance at all games, same as position players, even when they were not scheduled to pitch and are certain not to throw that day.  Of course, HS PO's are expected to be part of the team and be there at all times.  With club/showcase teams of that age, I have seen it handled both ways and some variations in between.

I guess the way it's been explained to us, he will know when he will throw and we are free to come and go as we are needed. We've been told he's welcome to be there to pinch run and be on the bench as he wishes. I guess more than anything I'm asking to those who have done it, how their sons enjoyed it the first year when not playing every day if if there are any pitfalls to be aware of. He pitched 2 games with these kids last year and the catcher is awesome so he is excited about having the increased talent all around backing him up!

I think it really depends on the kid and the age.  Some kids like playing position more and could not even imagine being only a pitcher.  Some kids LOVE to pitch and don't really mind too much.  Many kids fall somewhere in between.  My son grew up as a SS and a pitcher.  When he got to around 15, it started to become apparent that pitching would be the way for him to go.  He was a great SS, but his bat was inconsistent.  He didn't like it a whole lot when he stopped playing SS when he wasn't pitching, but he understood.  Plus, if he had his choice between playing the field and pitching, pitching was what he wanted to do.  I asked him once around this time if he had to make a choice between playing every day  or pitching, what would he want to do.  His answer "Why would I not pitch?"  It's what he loves.  He still played SS occasionally on the travel team and still played SS on the HS team, but his destiny was pitching, so he took it well.

So, it really comes down to the individual kid as to how they will respond.

bballman posted:

I think it really depends on the kid and the age.  Some kids like playing position more and could not even imagine being only a pitcher.  Some kids LOVE to pitch and don't really mind too much.  Many kids fall somewhere in between.  My son grew up as a SS and a pitcher.  When he got to around 15, it started to become apparent that pitching would be the way for him to go.  He was a great SS, but his bat was inconsistent.  He didn't like it a whole lot when he stopped playing SS when he wasn't pitching, but he understood.  Plus, if he had his choice between playing the field and pitching, pitching was what he wanted to do.  I asked him once around this time if he had to make a choice between playing every day  or pitching, what would he want to do.  His answer "Why would I not pitch?"  It's what he loves.  He still played SS occasionally on the travel team and still played SS on the HS team, but his destiny was pitching, so he took it well.

So, it really comes down to the individual kid as to how they will respond.

Man, I can see this coming. 2019Son's attitude is very much like bballman's son in the bolded text, but OTOH he got called up to varsity as a PO for a weekend, didn't get to play, and the first thing he said to me in the car was "I could totally hit that kid!" (referring to the other team's pitcher), and after the weekend he told me "I don't think I could be a PO."  So he's not quite there yet, mentally. It appears that 2019Son's high school team likes him more as a pitcher -- or maybe they perceive the need more on that side -- and I can see it heading to where he is primarily a pitcher for them. For his travel team he has been available to pitch only once (due to pitching for his HS program), so he's been a position player for them. Going to be interesting to sit back and watch it play out.

And my son is right there too! He pitched up a couple games last season and dominated a couple pretty good teams, so he is excited to be stepping up even more this summer from the get go! He wants to pitch first and foremost because not only is it him vs the other team, but him vs the other pitcher.  He knows if he only gives up a run or two, the other guy has to do the same to give his team a chance and he wants to beat you head to head....favorite trait about my kid to this point in baseball!

You have to remember that the travel coach is trying to get as many seen as he can.  So most summer programs limit players to one position only as it should be. Mine became a pitcher only after his freshman year and that is how it was until his Senior season.

Son was expected to be at every game regardless of whether he pitched or not so make sure you get clarification.

Our experience was like TPM's.  Son was PO for most of the summers.  Led to some really great experiences for him. Played on a state all star team for a week.  Pitched for other teams in big events.   Solid POs are in high demand.  No drama when you get asked to pitch for a team unlike a position player where your presence means someone is on the bench  

Son really embraced it and had fun. The POs really set the tone for the team in the dugout so coaches at all levels want great team guys there. My son never missed a game or tournament even though he knew he was only going to pitch.  

He is fortunate to play a position or DH when not pitching for his HS team. He has the best of both worlds. 

Son's HS teammate was top power hitter on team and one of top hitters on summer team. Considered "Ace" on HS team and One of three Aces on his summer team. (was P/1B on HS and P/1b/OF on summer team). Turned down ACC 25% offer early as he would be a PO. He ended up at a top Academic D1 and will be a PO (#3 starter) for freshman year.

During recruiting process with college he thought he would be DH for other pitchers when he didn't pitch. Apparently no hitting or fielding for him this year, though team still has him taking batting practice so he won't "lose it."

My only personal relationship with PO's was my brother, he was a freshman starter in college, worked his way to the top of the rotation, pitched first game of play-offs and then first game of NCAA regional...then quit. He said PO's sucks, he would rather not play anymore. Transferred to lower school, played field and was a closer. The PO's on my sons squad just kind of come and go on the weekends depending when they are scheduled.

There is a place for Po in travel ball, at 15u kid playing 17u as PO wouldn't pass the smell test to me. If he has any talent at a minimum he should be playing on 2 teams, one where he is a player and doesn't pitch and the 2nd where he is a PO. I assume the boy is a freshman, let him be a kid, love the game. PO will be there in the future if that is his role.

Well my son did pretty well being a pitcher only. He wasn't happy at first with this but I do believe that concentrating on pitching paid for his college education. He also slow as a turtle in those awkward years. He also remained healthy. As a senior they let him loose and he played first and DH.

Not every situation is for everyone. 

2019Dad posted:

bballman posted:

I think it really depends on the kid and the age.  Some kids like playing position more and could not even imagine being only a pitcher.  Some kids LOVE to pitch and don't really mind too much.  Many kids fall somewhere in between.  My son grew up as a SS and a pitcher.  When he got to around 15, it started to become apparent that pitching would be the way for him to go.  He was a great SS, but his bat was inconsistent.  He didn't like it a whole lot when he stopped playing SS when he wasn't pitching, but he understood.  Plus, if he had his choice between playing the field and pitching, pitching was what he wanted to do.  I asked him once around this time if he had to make a choice between playing every day  or pitching, what would he want to do.  His answer "Why would I not pitch?"  It's what he loves.  He still played SS occasionally on the travel team and still played SS on the HS team, but his destiny was pitching, so he took it well.

So, it really comes down to the individual kid as to how they will respond.

Man, I can see this coming. 2019Son's attitude is very much like bballman's son in the bolded text, but OTOH he got called up to varsity as a PO for a weekend, didn't get to play, and the first thing he said to me in the car was "I could totally hit that kid!" (referring to the other team's pitcher), and after the weekend he told me "I don't think I could be a PO."  So he's not quite there yet, mentally. It appears that 2019Son's high school team likes him more as a pitcher -- or maybe they perceive the need more on that side -- and I can see it heading to where he is primarily a pitcher for them. For his travel team he has been available to pitch only once (due to pitching for his HS program), so he's been a position player for them. Going to be interesting to sit back and watch it play out.

Unfortunately one will play where they tell you to play or you go find another team.

It takes getting used to but the rewards will be worth it. 

Thanks that's how we view it. He is playing on a better team with older more advanced kids so we see where the trade off is. I have talked with his coach about it in detail, and I like that he is trying to get all the kids the most and best exposure and field time he can. I guess it's a part of growing up and leaving little league mentality behind. Son seems to be good with it and I watched him interact in dugout last year when he pitched with these kids and it was all good!