Thanks for the input. I will think about it -- hard.
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IMHO--I would have him play were the coaches tell him and do his best and forget about all the drama. He is only a freshman, playing freshman ball will help him develop friendships with teamates he will have in 3 yrs. I think to many people get hung up on their sons playing up, its nice if it happens, but it depends on the talent level of the school they attend. Cream rises to the top-- Have fun-it is a decision for the coaches --do not quit! If you believe the caliber of competition will be weak you may be surprized (in our area there are some talented freshman teams), if not I am sure you will get plenty of competition in the summer. Enjoy every game--I wish I could play one more!
I agree .... ignore the drama and dominate. He will probably get to hit in the 3 hole and play all the games... now what sort of a problem is that????
Is the function of the JV and the V team in turmoil because of one 9th grader? What about the rest of the players that make up the the jv and v teams?
Wherever freshman play, they should just be happy they're that they're in the program and starting or playing. There are sophomores, juniors and seniors in a baseball program too.
There always seems to be this push with parents that their kids should play varsity baseball when they're not ready. More often than not, they're way overnmatched and should be playing freshman or jv ball.
From what I've seen with freshman or young players, they might have potential but they lack the savvy older ballplayers have.
If a freshman player can't win a starting job outright from an upperclassman or is the best option in a small school where they're lucky to field a team, he's got no business worrying about varsity until he hones his skills on the sub-varsity levels.
They need to knock off the drama and just play where they're told and in a year or two when it's their time, they're ready to compete on varsity.
Wherever freshman play, they should just be happy they're that they're in the program and starting or playing. There are sophomores, juniors and seniors in a baseball program too.
There always seems to be this push with parents that their kids should play varsity baseball when they're not ready. More often than not, they're way overnmatched and should be playing freshman or jv ball.
From what I've seen with freshman or young players, they might have potential but they lack the savvy older ballplayers have.
If a freshman player can't win a starting job outright from an upperclassman or is the best option in a small school where they're lucky to field a team, he's got no business worrying about varsity until he hones his skills on the sub-varsity levels.
They need to knock off the drama and just play where they're told and in a year or two when it's their time, they're ready to compete on varsity.
I do not necessarily blame the kids in these situations---somebody put this attitude in his head--someone like his DAD !!!
Policy;
On my International teams, no pitcher plays shortstop.
Arm injuries and weakness appears at SS.
As a coach, if I cannot develop a strong middle infield that will play consist and constant, then this team is in "trouble".
When the 2nd team plays SS, when the regular SS pitches, then the pitcher "pitch" count will increase each inning because of physical or mental errors.
Please open our web site <www.goodwillseries.org> and observe our "All Star" team from 26 years of International Baseball.
Bob
On my International teams, no pitcher plays shortstop.
Arm injuries and weakness appears at SS.
As a coach, if I cannot develop a strong middle infield that will play consist and constant, then this team is in "trouble".
When the 2nd team plays SS, when the regular SS pitches, then the pitcher "pitch" count will increase each inning because of physical or mental errors.
Please open our web site <www.goodwillseries.org> and observe our "All Star" team from 26 years of International Baseball.
Bob
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
I do not necessarily blame the kids in these situations---somebody put this attitude in his head--someone like his DAD !!!
I'm liking your yankee bluntness more and more, TR.
For crying out loud, the kid is in 9th grade! Let the coach coach and reply to him, "Yes,sir." What happens among the coaches is not for parents to try to figure out.
Maybe it would be better for everyone if the kid did pack it in and prepare for his summer team. There are no politics there.
I think you mean parent confusing player.
Being called up to varsity is not all its cracked up to be. My son started his sophomore year on varsity, I did not enjoy it and I don't think he did. He really did not know what his role was. I truly believe he would have been better off one more year on JV. Quality playing time is better, he will have three more years to develop on varsity.
quote:I do not necessarily blame the kids in these situations---somebody put this attitude in his head--someone like his DAD !!!
I don't think I agree with TR too often, but I do here!!!
quote:For crying out loud, the kid is in 9th grade! Let the coach coach and reply to him, "Yes,sir." What happens among the coaches is not for parents to try to figure out.
Ahh, but here's the thing: all coaches are wrong all the time, didn't you know that? Should have figured that out by now
quote:Maybe it would be better for everyone if the kid did pack it in and prepare for his summer team. There are no politics there.
None there whatsoever lol
I don't believe for a second the varsity coach told your freshman son he's the most varsity ready player and is better than most of the varsity. Coaches don't talk like this. I do believe it's what you believe.quote:Originally posted by wz8fvm:
Strange situation. My 9th grade son is a fairly decent player probably somewhere between JV and VAR level ability. He is the starting JV SS and probably their best pitcher. Before the first game, he was pulled up to the VAR and ended up starting the game at 2B. As luck would have it he played very well going 2/3 with a double off the fence and a single with 3 RBI's. Also showed very good range and soft hands. The next day he went with the 9th grade as a backup player (JV and VAR were off) and ended up starting at pitcher (55 pitches) against some low-level talent team. The next day the JV played what was probably the best JV team they will see all year. My son was supposed to be the starter but had a sore/tired arm and started at SS instead. After losing a close game, the JV coach was very upset with the 9th grade coach for using my son. Now is where it gets strange. My son has been told that he is the most varsity-ready JV player and has more ability than most of the var now. After all the smoke cleared (and a long heated discussion), the VAR coach decided my son now will only play on the 9th grade team and pitch only for the JV team. They told him that they want the 9th grade team to win and that the JV was stacked with too much talent. My son is confused and upset along with the JV coach. I can't help feeling that there is some agenda behind all this between the JV and VAR coaches who don't seem to get along. After all the work he put in, he is ready to call it a season and get ready for summer ball. I don't know what to tell him as I've never seen anything like this. I would appreciate any input from experience with sort of thing.
If your son is ready to call it a season, he probably should. It wouldn't be good for a cancer to be around a team at any level. Maybe he can come back next year with a better attitude. I also believe you're the one who wants him to quit. I'll bet you would have to drag him away screaming.
Last year as a freshman my son was the last cut from varsity. He was told to prepare to earn the starting shortstop job the following year. Mid season he was moved to center field. Then the kid moved to short was called up to varsity to start a game as an injury replacement. Were my son and I ticked? No. My son's response was, "No big deal. It's one game. I'll be up next year."
After being told he's the top candidate for shortstop the following year he didn't even get a shot at short. He's playing third. His response, "Who cares! I'm in the lineup."
Get out of your son's baseball experience and let it be his. Let him develop his own mental approach. There's a very good chance you're having a negative effect on his experience. Get a box of lollipops. When you get to the park don't stop $ucking on them the entire game. In the time it takes to pull one out of your mouth to say something outrageous, you will have had the time to stop yourself.
Isnt amazing how parents know every word that was spoken between coach and their son !!!!
And they were not in the conversation
And they were not in the conversation
quote:Isnt amazing how parents know every word that was spoken between coach and their son !!!!
And they were not in the conversation
...and, we all know teenage boys don't talk. It's hard to get grunts, "uh ha", yeahs out of them. My son's coach said at the start of the season "I won't talk to a parent about playing time, only a player. It's your problem trying to get the conversation out of your son."
The grunts, "uh ha", yeahs mean "don't bug me about it and don't ask".
Exactly...standard answer for 90% of parent questions to their teenage boys. They are not exactly a fountain of information.
Well... the Var coach is the boss so to speak so what he says goes - his goal should be to put the best team out there - the Fresh and JV teams are for player development and those coaches answer to the V coach. So, concentrate on the things your son can control - working on being the best player he can be, being positive, respectful, hussling...if he is playing and it sounds like he is -ENJOY IT - every game - every at bat - every pitch - every defensive play. Don't quit - Someone on here has a saying that when life gives you lemons - make lemonade - that is so true - his V time will come. It goes by so fast- trust me on that.
Nice reply, RJM. Calling a 15-year-old kid a liar and a cancer. You really add so much to this site.
Nice reply LHP. You lack the reading comnprehension skills to understand I called out a whining, meddlesome father, so you insulted me. You have added nothing to this thread except to be judge and jury I don't add value to the site based on your lack of reading skills. When did you become the high and mighty to make these judgements? Apologies accepted.quote:Originally posted by LHPMom2012:
Nice reply, RJM. Calling a 15-year-old kid a liar and a cancer. You really add so much to this site.
I'm the father of a pre high school baseball player. My son and I have a complete open line of communication. We discuss everything. My son won't be like you describe when he gets in high school.quote:Originally posted by Tx-Husker:
Exactly...standard answer for 90% of parent questions to their teenage boys. They are not exactly a fountain of information.
LHPMom2012,
I missed your contribution to wz8fvm's problem.
I read RJM's comment about the kid being a cancer and thought he was addressing the kid's attitude. I also happen to agree that if the kid is considering quitting over this confusion, he doesn't need to be on the team. Seems that his feelings might be getting hurt. We can't let that happen. Think of all the therapy that will be needed to straighten the poor guy out.
On the brighter side, he will now have something to blame for all the bad things that he will encounter in life. That evil coach!
I missed your contribution to wz8fvm's problem.
I read RJM's comment about the kid being a cancer and thought he was addressing the kid's attitude. I also happen to agree that if the kid is considering quitting over this confusion, he doesn't need to be on the team. Seems that his feelings might be getting hurt. We can't let that happen. Think of all the therapy that will be needed to straighten the poor guy out.
On the brighter side, he will now have something to blame for all the bad things that he will encounter in life. That evil coach!
An attitude cultivated by the father. I posted ... "I also believe you're the one who wants him to quit. I'll bet you would have to drag him away screaming."quote:thought he was addressing the kid's attitude.
We're on the same page, RJM. 
quote:quote:
Exactly...standard answer for 90% of parent questions to their teenage boys. They are not exactly a fountain of information.
I'm the father of a pre high school baseball player. My son and I have a complete open line of communication. We discuss everything. My son won't be like you describe when he gets in high school.
Why do we need all this PC pablum ???
Cannot a kid or a parent be told the truth or at least hear someones opinion--- some of us have more experience and depth of knowledge than others and perhaps have a lot to offer even if it insults the PC thinkers
The main problem we have here is that we come from different regions of the country and all the regiosn think differently--one thing about being in my region and talking with people in my region--we don't use sugar coated words --it is what it is
Cannot a kid or a parent be told the truth or at least hear someones opinion--- some of us have more experience and depth of knowledge than others and perhaps have a lot to offer even if it insults the PC thinkers
The main problem we have here is that we come from different regions of the country and all the regiosn think differently--one thing about being in my region and talking with people in my region--we don't use sugar coated words --it is what it is
Actually my son is a soph. I've become an oral surgeon. I have to extract information from him.quote:Originally posted by Tx-Husker:quote:quote:
Exactly...standard answer for 90% of parent questions to their teenage boys. They are not exactly a fountain of information.
I'm the father of a pre high school baseball player. My son and I have a complete open line of communication. We discuss everything. My son won't be like you describe when he gets in high school.
Your powers of comprehension must be amazing because you inferred so much that wasn't written. A father posted that his kid was confused over getting mixed messages from his coaches, and the situation was leading him to want to quit the team He sounded disillusioned and, yes, confused to me, but I guess with my inferior reading skills, I did not interpret the situation correctly. The truth of the matter was that this whole situation is the fault of his father, who must be telling him how great he is and encouraging him to quit the team.
Did you read what you wrote in response? It was incredibly ugly. If that boy had logged on to read responses -- my son sometimes does -- I can't imagine how awful he must have felt. Would you call a 15-year-old boy a cancer to his face?
You assumed the very worst about this man and his son based on... what? Because your son is apparently fine with being told different things? I could infer from that, that you must lie to him all the time since he's used to it from his coaches.
I didn't give advice to this man because others on this thread said I would have said -- although I might add to help your son develop a thicker skin and expect that other coaches, teachers, bosses, etc., will pull this kind of stuff, and you have to get used to it.
Not to mention when some strange man on the internet calls you a cancer.
LHPMom
Did you read what you wrote in response? It was incredibly ugly. If that boy had logged on to read responses -- my son sometimes does -- I can't imagine how awful he must have felt. Would you call a 15-year-old boy a cancer to his face?
You assumed the very worst about this man and his son based on... what? Because your son is apparently fine with being told different things? I could infer from that, that you must lie to him all the time since he's used to it from his coaches.
I didn't give advice to this man because others on this thread said I would have said -- although I might add to help your son develop a thicker skin and expect that other coaches, teachers, bosses, etc., will pull this kind of stuff, and you have to get used to it.
Not to mention when some strange man on the internet calls you a cancer.
LHPMom
First, I repeat, the response is aimed at the father. The father made the post. The kid did not make the post. This is a perfect example of when people who should be learning overreact to a post. I have thirty-eight seasons of experience coaching baseball, basketball and softball including travel athletes who have gone on to play college ball. What is your background on dealing with these kinds of situations? I would delve deeper into the situation. But there's no reason to since the dad apparently got it. He deleted his original post and stated he has some thinking to do. There's no reason to be critical of a person if he's starting to understand.quote:Originally posted by LHPMom2012:
Your powers of comprehension must be amazing because you inferred so much that wasn't written. A father posted that his kid was confused over getting mixed messages from his coaches, and the situation was leading him to want to quit the team He sounded disillusioned and, yes, confused to me, but I guess with my inferior reading skills, I did not interpret the situation correctly. The truth of the matter was that this whole situation is the fault of his father, who must be telling him how great he is and encouraging him to quit the team.
Did you read what you wrote in response? It was incredibly ugly. If that boy had logged on to read responses -- my son sometimes does -- I can't imagine how awful he must have felt. Would you call a 15-year-old boy a cancer to his face?
You assumed the very worst about this man and his son based on... what? Because your son is apparently fine with being told different things? I could infer from that, that you must lie to him all the time since he's used to it from his coaches.
I didn't give advice to this man because others on this thread said I would have said -- although I might add to help your son develop a thicker skin and expect that other coaches, teachers, bosses, etc., will pull this kind of stuff, and you have to get used to it.
Not to mention when some strange man on the internet calls you a cancer.
LHPMom
Let this cancer stuff go, folks. It's not as if he was wishing that on the kid. It appears that you aren't very familiar with how a bad attitude in the dugout can infect the whole team. You know, kinda like how a cancer can ruin a body. Ever heard of a metaphor?
Has anybody heard about how to debate and not get PC oversensitive ???
WOW this is getting weird!!!
WOW this is getting weird!!!
Here's my two cents.
I understood completely what RJM said and meant and basically agree with what he said. You can't develop thick skin by holding their hand. You have to develop it through being honest and telling things as you see them.
I have told kids they are cancers to a team just before I let them go. They were given ample opportunities to be a part of a team and change their ways to fit in. They failed to do it and therefore they were destroying the team. Best thing to do is let them go becuase I got an obligation to 20 some other kids who are trying to be a part of the team. What else would I tell him if I didn't call him a cancer? I could tell him he's a great kid and really going to miss him but I'm getting rid of him anyway. Maybe hearing he's a cancer with his bad attitude might be the wake up call he needs to change his ways.
I have several kids who I got rid of when they were younger only to have them come back after they changed their attitudes. I'm sure there were other factors involved but the common thing they all said was they were glad I sent them a message.
I understood completely what RJM said and meant and basically agree with what he said. You can't develop thick skin by holding their hand. You have to develop it through being honest and telling things as you see them.
I have told kids they are cancers to a team just before I let them go. They were given ample opportunities to be a part of a team and change their ways to fit in. They failed to do it and therefore they were destroying the team. Best thing to do is let them go becuase I got an obligation to 20 some other kids who are trying to be a part of the team. What else would I tell him if I didn't call him a cancer? I could tell him he's a great kid and really going to miss him but I'm getting rid of him anyway. Maybe hearing he's a cancer with his bad attitude might be the wake up call he needs to change his ways.
I have several kids who I got rid of when they were younger only to have them come back after they changed their attitudes. I'm sure there were other factors involved but the common thing they all said was they were glad I sent them a message.