Benched at the Wrong Position

Have you ever played catcher before?  Do you have any training/practice at catcher? 

I have caught 2 games before this in 7th grade travel ball because our usual 2 catchers needed a rest.

So I guess I really don't.

The good news is, your a Freshman. Everybody wants to play right now and only 9 get to. I think at some point you should tell the coach that your dying to get back on the field, and ask him what would be the quickest route to you getting on the dirt and helping your team win. More than likely he will appreciate the communication.

Well then, right now, catcher is not your spot.  I would think it was very difficult to be expected to have any competence at catcher without any experience or training. 

Not sure what your weight has to do with playing third base?  But ...

 

So I would echo Dr.'s approach -- "what is the quickest way on to the field?"  Leave it open ended and see if he'll give you any ideas.  Good luck. 

I would go to the coach and ask him what you need to do to get back on the field this year.  I would then ask him what position he see you playing next year and what you need to do to be the starter there.  I would also let him know you would like to move back to 3rd, but are willing to play where ever.

Thanks to everyone I appreciate the advice!

dstan35 let's be realistic for right now.  It sounds like you are lucky to be on the team.  While I don't understand the can't play third because of weight you said you were going to be cut from the team until you volunteered to be catcher.  Then when you played catcher you didn't do so well due to the fact that you've never really caught before.  Honestly, you're not going to see the field again this year.  While it's nice you've done everything the coach has asked from you and volunteered to warm up pitchers the question is - have you really gotten any better since beginning of the year?

 

Right now you need to focus on getting a head start for making the team next year.  Go have an honest / private conversation with the coach and tell him you don't expect to get on the field the rest of the year.  But ask him what are the chances of making the team next year, which position do you have the best chance at making the team, ask if someone will stay after practice to get extra work in at that position and what it will take to get on the team next year.

 

Hopefully I'm wrong and you're more solid on making the team than what I'm reading from your post.  But if I'm right then you need to work on improving skills for next year more than trying to get time this year when you're not ready.

The question you ask your coach is this. "What do I need to do to get better?" I was about your size as a freshman. In the off season I played legion ball and hit the weight room. I came back my sophomore year at 6' 215 lbs and started on varsity at catcher.

I'm going to be honest with you, if your heart isn't really into catching then don't do it. Get better at playing your corner infield positions and maybe try to learn some outfield.

Work on your agility, footwork,  and hitting. Hitting balls hard will give you more opportunities to be in the field.

If you want to catch then work on it. Work on your receiving,  blocking, and throwing. Go to an indoor batting cage and rent a tunnel to work on your receiving and blocking. Get out on a field and work on your footwork for throwing.

It always is and forever will be about hitting. Work on that and if you make great strides the coach will put you at Short Stop if he has no other place for you! If you can hit, you will play.

First, even though its hard to do at times…stay positive.  If you are determined, if you are willing to put in the hard work and you want to play baseball,  you will.  Tons of great players achieved their goals because of adversity.  Don’t shy away from adversity, it’s part of life.   It helps you figure out what needs to be fixed and what type of person you are.  But the work and instruction needs to be there to achieve your goal of continuing to play HS baseball.  Without the hard work it’s not a goal of yours it becomes just a simple wish.  The players who understand the difference succeed. 

dstan, what do you mean by "CA high school season?"

Keep working hard and get on Summer/Fall team too. I'm guessing  your speed is a problem too. You need speed to play OF so I wouldn't look there. What about first? If u can dig some bad throws u will get noticed there.

Work on hitting too. Your only a Freshman.  How much passion do u have for baseball and how bad do u want to play?  Only u can answer that. if you dont play/make team next yr would u be interested in being student trainer/manager to be around any way possible? Good luck

The size thing confuses me - my son is 5'9 180 lbs and he is solid without much body fat at all. Our starting JV 3rd baseman is about the same height, and maybe 5 lbs lighter. He's also a way above average fielder and hitter. (actually had a 350ft+ HR this past weekend)

 

I suspect there is more to it than just size. In an honest evaluation, do you think the other third basemen outplay you defensively? Are they better hitters? Figure out what they are doing better than you and work on getting better in those parts of the game.