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Don't Panic

shortnquickshortnquick500+ posts
In the midwest most HS baseball teams are just ending their HS tryouts. Most panic comes from freshman parents experiencing high school baseball for the first time. Here are some things that freshman parents generally panic about that they really need to take a deep breath before acting apon. Most of these probably have had separate threads in the past.

1.Got cut, didn't make the team. Probably the most concerning but its not over.

2.Not in starting lineup. Don't worry they will get their chance

3.Not playing a position where you think he should be playing. Let them learn another position. Team needs determine where they play.

4.Not pitching and they pitch for summer team. Give them bull pens and they will be strong for the summer. If they could pitch at the HS level they will get their chance.

5.Coach adjusting their swing. Player should find out why and do their best to implement the change and learn if it does help.

These are just 5 that I thought of that happen alot. Freshman parents that might be panicking from any of these keep in mind one thing.....

Every player who has ever played has had to deal with some or all of these. It is a part of a players growth to learn how to deal with these situations. Guide them through the situations but let them deal with them.

Anything need to be added to the list?
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RB Rockford Baseball Mom100+ posts
Great thoughts! If you don't mind, I'll add our #6 from experience:

Freshman didn't make the JV team, although it was a close decision. The player will likely get tons of playing time, develop great relationships with his teammates/graduating class, and be competing at a level where he is likely very comfortable (or even a beast).

One important thing I have learned from these boards is that it really doesn't matter to college coaches how early you played JV/Varsity, etc., because there are just way too many factors to consider, such as the strength of the classes ahead of you. Another is that it's all about at-bats. We tend to get hung up on my kid is "playing up" when maybe he's getting one AB per game.

Great advice!
G gotwood4sale10,000+ posts
.

Don't panic? How's that possible when it's Monday morning, 5:05, junior needs to be at the fieldhouse for indoor practice at 5:30. More like 5:20 really. His very first high school practice! Your very first high school practice! You're so excited! Pinch me!

You know his day starts with a good breakfast and you know, through many, many ugly episodes, that he absolutely cannot function at all in the morning without his favorite floaters served just so in his beloved SpongeBob oversized cereal bowl. And those floaters being Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats®, swimming in fresh, wholesome, cold, homogenized, pastuerized, 2% milk.

After mounding up about a buck and a half of sweet wheat on top of Squarepant's goofy grin and with only precious moments to spare you open the fridge to discover this...



It says right there in semi-plain, ink-jet, refrigerated English..."Sell by10-24-10". The only thing quicker than your calculation is your heart rate! That's well over four months past it's 'sell by date'. All you can picture in your sleep-deprived mind is Survivorman© with a grimace on his face and his nose turned up.

LIFO? FIFO? Tweedle Dee? Tweedle Dum? Darned if you do and darned if you don't. And then you notice that the gallon hasn't been opened yet. You ask yourself: "Does that make a difference?" No "Breakfast Consumer Hotline" or "Dairy Council" whiz kids to quiz at this hour. Nope. You're on your own. If only Looey Pasteur was your neighbor!

What do you do? Pour it, chunks and all, on those pint-sized, crispy, sugary life rafts and hope for the best? Or do you throw a couple of year old Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pop Tarts© into the toaster and hope that junior isn't awake enough to notice the difference?

You know his entire high school baseball career is surely riding SpongeBob squarely on your decision. Whatever you decide, always remember this: "There is no 'I' in team, but there sure as heck is one in panic!"


Wink

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Last edited by gotwood4sale
meachrmmeachrm100+ posts
All good advice!

To add, here are three things we include in a letter for parents after tryouts:

1. We will gladly speak to parents but only after speaking to the player. Although it may be difficult for players to speak to a coach after tryouts, we realize that this is a life skill that should be practiced. If parents jump in beforehand, the player loses this opportunity to learn this skill. Please encourage the player to come speak to a coach.

2. Stay positive and focus on the big picture. Being openly negative about coaches, other players, and the baseball program does not help players move on in a positive way. It shifts attention away from areas that the player needs to improve in and places the focus on external factors.

3. Encourage the player to continue with baseball. Nowadays, there are many teams to play for outside of school. Understand that growth rates and skill development are different for every player. Some continue to improve and some peak early in their careers. Umpiring, coaching Little League, being a team manager, statistician, or assistant are all ways to continue their love for the game outside of playing.

BaseballByTheYard.com

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