For the high school coaches or those in the know

I asked the H.S. coach the same thing a couple of years ago knowing he was slated to go to school at one of the better programs in the Orlando area.

Hitting to the opposite field was one the coach was keen on. Hitting in general and making the most of each pitch. He also said "speed kills". He said these things knowing my kid is a big, slow, power hitter.

The thing my son was most suprised with is how much conditioning/running they do. He says it's worse than football.

The thing I am most suprised with is how much better each player has gotten from the first day of tryouts to opening day. There is a lot of coaching going on.

From this site

Just work to be the best possible player every year. Don't worry about team style of play. The coach will find a place for the best players. Only marginal players have to focus on being a fit at the high school level.

quote:

He also said "speed kills". He said these things knowing my kid is a big, slow, power hitter.

If a kid is a 13U, slow afoot, power hitter he better be driving the ball in high school. The coach won't be thrilled with long singles and clogging up the bases. Where does your son fit in now?

"The thing I am most suprised with is how much better each player has gotten from the first day of tryouts to opening day. There is a lot of coaching going on."

While I agree with this in well coached programs, a player can be more noticeable by showing up improved as a result of off season work. My son's coach tells everyone in November, games are won with work from now (Nov) until the time the season starts.

quote:

Originally posted by 80PATRIOT:
The thing my son was most suprised with is how much conditioning/running they do. He says it's worse than football.

My son said when he played, he liked practice but hated the running but it ran him into good shape and developed into one of the fastest players on the varsity.

RJM,

It's funny because at 13, one of his coaches commented that my son "just hit the longest single he had ever seen". After the advice given he started working on his speed and agility. It's the main reason he played football. He is 6'0" and 225 lbs. He went from being the slowest to mid-pack and did a lot of work on his base running skills. You know he is coming but during pre-season he was 3 for 3 in stolen bases.

He made starting 1b, some 3b and closer. He batted 4th or 5th in the line-up. Things were going great and then.....he got his report card. He had gone 1 and a half years with good grades and then the bottom fell out.

It's been a tough few weeks since then but I think a blessing in disguise.

I spoke to the High School coaches and here is what they said:

1. Show up to tryouts in shape. If team has an offseason conditioning program, I suggest that the player participate (this year very few of the incoming freshmen participated and it shows).

2. Too many players had sore arms. Have the player utilize a throwing program before tryouts (I will have my step-son throw 3-4 times a week next January to be ready for tryouts in February).

3. Hustle on every play. Hustle on to the field and hustle off.

Of course in my post on MS baseball, I stated that the HS coach gave us his playbook for the 14u Feeder team. Knowing these plays will be helpful. The JV coach told me "If the players know the plays and hustle on every play, it will make our job harder when it comes to cutting players." They also suggested that players watch a few HS games.