Just curious to how you feel about cutting returning letterman from last year's team. I would like to hear from players, coaches, and parents.
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Things change from year to year. Kids may transfer in or other things may change a situation. Do you keep a senior because he is a senior? Will he be a negative influence? Tough call. As far as cutting is concerned it is better to do the inevitable after soph year than keep as a junior and then make the decision in the senior year. there have been cases where a senior was kept and was a great asset to the team despite limited playing time but there have been times when it was not so pleasant. If you are going to make that decision the best thing is to be up front from day one.
It depends on the Lettermans attitude. Is he willing to except whatever role that he falls into? Or is he going to be a cancer because he feels that he should be starting or etc. If he can not be a team player then you cut him before he can infect other players with his negative attitude. If he is willing to except his role whatever that might be then he will probaly be a great asset to the team. I have talked individually with guys in this situation in the past and have asked them point blank. Some guys have decided to walk away and some have stayed on and helped the team anyway they can. Some have told me that they would do whatever they can to help the team and after a few games started to complain to other guys on the bench about playing time. Then you to deal with it during the season. Its a tough call but one that has to be made.
I'm a firm believer tha there are way too many varsity letters given to kids on a high school baseball team. There should be a minimum of innings played or pitched. Too often, a kid gets a letter because he is a "team" player. Never gets off the bench but he cheers well. I say give him a nice plaque for his wall, but don't give him a varsity letter.
If you gave him a letter last year, you should keep him until he graduates.
If he doesn't belong on your team as a senior and you gave him a letter as a junior, then you (in keeping him and giving hem a letter as a junior) made the mistake and you shouldn't take it out on the kid.
If you gave him a letter last year, you should keep him until he graduates.
If he doesn't belong on your team as a senior and you gave him a letter as a junior, then you (in keeping him and giving hem a letter as a junior) made the mistake and you shouldn't take it out on the kid.
"too many varsity letters given to kids on a baseball team"? I never understanded the varsity letter thing. If I have a team of 18 players at the beginning of the season I have a team of 18 at the end. I do not have a team of 12 varsity letter winners and 6 non letter winners. If a kid practices every day and does what he can to contibute he is a part. Learned a long time ago you treat the 18 th kid on the team with all the respect and enthusiasm you treat your starting 9 otherwise do not have him.
Lets discard the letterman term
I see no reason why a HS coach cannot carry a player or two extra if they are seniors and played the previous year and where contributors-- he needs to explain to them that they will be bench players and not starters because the talent is now better at their position--If they are in accord with his plans then he could carry as well as 18.
TRhit
I see no reason why a HS coach cannot carry a player or two extra if they are seniors and played the previous year and where contributors-- he needs to explain to them that they will be bench players and not starters because the talent is now better at their position--If they are in accord with his plans then he could carry as well as 18.
TRhit
Beenthere, I totally disagree. We had a player last year (senior) who only played a couple innings a got a couple at bats. This players knew going into the season that he would not see much playing time. We knew him and his family and we were sure they would not be a negative influence. He turned out to be one of the most positive influences on the team, leading and setting a great example to other players. Always busting his butt and hustling during practice and pre-game. He also volunteered to be my bullpen catcher and this was a great help to the coaching staff, as our back-up catchers played and started at other positions. His letter was well deserved!
will...I wouldn't want to play for you.
I get a letter just because I made the team.
Sounds like most of you coaches should give a letter to a player; and, a "letter" to a person who hustles and makes no contribution towards the success of the team on the field during a game.
Running to the bus with the equipment bag, in my view, does nothing for a team winning.
Maybe because I went to a high school where you had to EARN a varsity letter by ON FIELD performance.
I know so many of you are "feel good" and "politically correct" coaches. I think it does nothing for a team when a kid gets a letter for varsity baseball because he sold the most raffle tickets; is good at raking the mounds after a game; or, is fast on his feet chasing foul balls.
I get a letter just because I made the team.
Sounds like most of you coaches should give a letter to a player; and, a "letter" to a person who hustles and makes no contribution towards the success of the team on the field during a game.
Running to the bus with the equipment bag, in my view, does nothing for a team winning.
Maybe because I went to a high school where you had to EARN a varsity letter by ON FIELD performance.
I know so many of you are "feel good" and "politically correct" coaches. I think it does nothing for a team when a kid gets a letter for varsity baseball because he sold the most raffle tickets; is good at raking the mounds after a game; or, is fast on his feet chasing foul balls.
BEENTHERE
What has happened to your "sunny" disposition?
Have you lost it because your beloved Mississippi State has a problem with their football program? (seems to be a disease in the SEC lately)
C'mon get with it--your son is headed to a program at one of the top schools in a country--Don't worry-- Be Happy !!!!
TRhit
What has happened to your "sunny" disposition?
Have you lost it because your beloved Mississippi State has a problem with their football program? (seems to be a disease in the SEC lately)
C'mon get with it--your son is headed to a program at one of the top schools in a country--Don't worry-- Be Happy !!!!
TRhit
Dead weight should go, if you don't bring something to the team, you sould not be part of it. With that said "bringing something" can be different in every situation. Maybe thats a bullpen catcher, maybe it's the guy that carries equipment and always says "no problem coach". High School is such a short segment in a persons life, at a very impressionable time. If a kid's givin a progam 3 years of committed sweat, a coach better have a darn good reason to let him go.
High School baseball is not run like select ball. Fron year to year in select ball no position is guaranteed. In HS sports, seasons are short, the players usually know their roles, and for the most part, if all things are equal, the senority rules concept is in place. That is the way it's been for generations, and it won't change.
I've seen those HS kids that made the team, been committed, and know they don't have the tools. But, when those uniforms are put on, those kids show a lot of pride for that school and team, but, even more pride is in the face of mom and dad knowing their son has stuck with something, with a good attitude, and was part of a high school experience he will never forget.
Maybe because we make very few if any cuts in our area I feel this way. The cuts made are for those who do not bring something to the team table.
High School baseball is not run like select ball. Fron year to year in select ball no position is guaranteed. In HS sports, seasons are short, the players usually know their roles, and for the most part, if all things are equal, the senority rules concept is in place. That is the way it's been for generations, and it won't change.
I've seen those HS kids that made the team, been committed, and know they don't have the tools. But, when those uniforms are put on, those kids show a lot of pride for that school and team, but, even more pride is in the face of mom and dad knowing their son has stuck with something, with a good attitude, and was part of a high school experience he will never forget.
Maybe because we make very few if any cuts in our area I feel this way. The cuts made are for those who do not bring something to the team table.
Our program numbers are so dynamic, that frequently a player will have to struggle one year just to make the team, while the next year he might only have to show up to start. In a situation like this, there are some who let up too much. If that happens, and the player will not make the adjustment, it is in everyones best interest to let him go.
"Sports does not build character, it reveals it" is really appropriate in this situation. Some kids just need to struggle to perform. I like to reward the kid who works hard even when he doesn't have to.
I would always prefer to keep a returning lettermen, but sometimes players make the decision for the coach.
"Sports does not build character, it reveals it" is really appropriate in this situation. Some kids just need to struggle to perform. I like to reward the kid who works hard even when he doesn't have to.
I would always prefer to keep a returning lettermen, but sometimes players make the decision for the coach.
Beentheril
Who says you would make the team?
Who says you would make the team?
Will, I would want to play for you. I too don't know what I'm doing and so, I give out letters to everyone that survives the season on the varsity. I figure we have 4-5 hour practices. I know, some of you that know so much more than I are already thinking, heck, if he knew anything at all, he can practice and be done in 2 hours. If that kid can catch a bullpen for an hour then rotate on the field and then go hit and then practice at his normal position do his lifting or the plyometrics after practice and then work on the field, he is lettering. The star in our program is the TEAM. A concept that I have never understood is this elite attitude of lettering only "those that get to play." We had 11 pitchers throw last night for our varsity and soph teams. Each threw our "long workout." Are some posters serious when they say that the contributions of these infielders doing catching duty are less important that game contributions? How do the "stars" get good? Maybe we are different. We have the non-stars hit the fungoes at times or any other dirty work. I think they are extremely important. IT DOESN'T DIMINSH THE GRANDURE OF THAT LETTER BECAUSE JOE OVER THERE WHO DIDN'T PLAY AN INNING LETTERED. IT DOES ENFORCE TEAM OVER STAR IN EVERYONE'S EYES. Then again, maybe we should roll out the red carpet for those blue chippers and then take up a collection from all of the scrubs to pay for them to have the privilege of being able to stand next to these stars.
On the subject now, I just had to cut a letterwinner. I called him over and talked to him. He has gained about 25 lbs and it is not good weight gain. He is now slower and his bat is slower. He has been passed up by 2 younger players. I was honest with him and gave him the option of being on the team but he would not start this year unless he really improved a lot. He opted to be cut. I do think you owe a letterman to talk to them and not just post their name on some list. Other than that, I make sure that everyone knows that a letter is for that year's achievement. It doesn't guarantee anyone anything the next year. JMHO!
"There comes a time when you have to stop dreaming of the man you want to be and start being the man you have become." Bruce Springsteen
On the subject now, I just had to cut a letterwinner. I called him over and talked to him. He has gained about 25 lbs and it is not good weight gain. He is now slower and his bat is slower. He has been passed up by 2 younger players. I was honest with him and gave him the option of being on the team but he would not start this year unless he really improved a lot. He opted to be cut. I do think you owe a letterman to talk to them and not just post their name on some list. Other than that, I make sure that everyone knows that a letter is for that year's achievement. It doesn't guarantee anyone anything the next year. JMHO!
"There comes a time when you have to stop dreaming of the man you want to be and start being the man you have become." Bruce Springsteen
