You wouldn't have to know a dad gum thing about baseball, college, etc and you could read FO's post and immediately know the guy knows what he is talking about. Thats real. Thats not some sugar coated fantasy land post. Thats reality. Great post FO.
Tomorrow I will be picking up my freshman for his winter break. He's been competing for a spot as well. One of the guys he's competing with is probably his best friend on the team, a soph, and a great kid. What I do like is how the competition makes him work harder than he ever has and improved his game in the process. Whatever happens with the playing time thing this season I know he will be a great teammate and I hope I'll handle things with the grace that some have posted here (remember recovery is one day at a time).
I like these stories, here's another one.
Sometimes things are easier to understand when your son is not one of the best.
Our youngest son was one of the less fortunate young players on a very good team when he was younger. Actually he was probably the worst player on that team.
The team went to a big tournament (week long) in Colorado. I couldn't attend and the team traveled by bus.
They played something like 10 games there. When I pioked him up from the bus when they returned I asked him how things went. He said "great dad, I had a blast" Then I asked how he did in the tournament. He said he didn't play much, got something like one AB, pinch ran a couple times and pitched an inning. He also talked about how great the team did and bragged up a couple of his buddies.
At first the playing time thing made me mad and then a sense of pride sat in. What a winner I had for a son.
BTW, at age 22 he was playing in front of 50,000 fans in his first Major League game. I was there for that one! Two years later he was on the mound for the New York Yankees.
I apologize to those who have heard the story before.
Most players and parents who get the most out of baseball don't waste their time with things like jealousy or comparisons. I've seen things like that ruin some very talented players. Let the coaches coach because if your good enough you are going to have lots of different coaches. The other way just doesn't work for most of us.
Sometimes things are easier to understand when your son is not one of the best.
Our youngest son was one of the less fortunate young players on a very good team when he was younger. Actually he was probably the worst player on that team.
The team went to a big tournament (week long) in Colorado. I couldn't attend and the team traveled by bus.
They played something like 10 games there. When I pioked him up from the bus when they returned I asked him how things went. He said "great dad, I had a blast" Then I asked how he did in the tournament. He said he didn't play much, got something like one AB, pinch ran a couple times and pitched an inning. He also talked about how great the team did and bragged up a couple of his buddies.
At first the playing time thing made me mad and then a sense of pride sat in. What a winner I had for a son.
BTW, at age 22 he was playing in front of 50,000 fans in his first Major League game. I was there for that one! Two years later he was on the mound for the New York Yankees.
I apologize to those who have heard the story before.
Most players and parents who get the most out of baseball don't waste their time with things like jealousy or comparisons. I've seen things like that ruin some very talented players. Let the coaches coach because if your good enough you are going to have lots of different coaches. The other way just doesn't work for most of us.
quote:Originally posted by CaBB:
Be the classy parents that are supportive of all the players on the team, what ever age your kid is.
That single piece of advice will take you a long way in the baseball world.
quote:Originally posted by PGStaff:
At first the playing time thing made me mad and then a sense of pride sat in. What a winner I had for a son.
What a great thought!
I used to get ticked off whenever a coach would move his son to shortstop and bump mine to second or third. First, I realize now how petty my feelings were. What really happened was a blessing in disguise - especially for future college players - he learned to play multiple positions. By playing ss, 2b, and third, he was able to triple his chances for playing time in college. I would encourage all youngsters to play as many positions as possible and for parents to teach them (while controlling their own actions) how to be gracious.
I also agree about Karma that Coach May describes.
Cleveland dad- your post made me smile as I recalled the following story about the coaches sons being the shortstop!
Back when son was about 9 and i coached his travel team, he kept bugging me to play shortstop. Maybe cause I was the coach he felt it was his birthright!
. Anyway, as he was a lefty, I went another direction. He kept telling me he could handle it as a lefty!
Then one cold day in Fall ball, I was stuck with few players, and he was the best option! His eyes went wide with visions of turning Double plays, smooth handling of ground balls, being a lefty Derek Jeter etc. He was thinking 6 full innings of defensive gems!!!
unfortunately for my son, my best option for a pitcher that day(now a D1 pitcher) struck out about 15 of the 18 batters. Son never got a ball hit to him! I laughed! So did my son!
We still laugh about that once in a lifetime lefty shortstop outing! I remind him that he never made an error in his shortstop career!
Back when son was about 9 and i coached his travel team, he kept bugging me to play shortstop. Maybe cause I was the coach he felt it was his birthright!
. Anyway, as he was a lefty, I went another direction. He kept telling me he could handle it as a lefty! Then one cold day in Fall ball, I was stuck with few players, and he was the best option! His eyes went wide with visions of turning Double plays, smooth handling of ground balls, being a lefty Derek Jeter etc. He was thinking 6 full innings of defensive gems!!!
unfortunately for my son, my best option for a pitcher that day(now a D1 pitcher) struck out about 15 of the 18 batters. Son never got a ball hit to him! I laughed!
So did my son!We still laugh about that once in a lifetime lefty shortstop outing! I remind him that he never made an error in his shortstop career!
Gosh, I really love this website!
Perfect Game- you can never tell that story too much! Great, great story. There are always new posters here that need to hear these stories for their own journey.
As follow to PG's story..
2012 son is counted on as leader on hs baseball team, varsity starter frosh and soph year. He also plays hs basketball but is small and plays more for fun and conditioning (although he still has very competitive mentality). As a jr, he just moved to varsity this year. The team played the first four games with several players missing - still in football playoffs, so son played a ton. Last night was first game with football players back. Son was anxious to get them back for much needed help. What he did not expect was for his playing time to drop to a total of only about 2 minutes. I wondered what the mood and response would be when he came home. I couldn't believe how upbeat he was and how many positive comments he made about the team's potential. Times like that, I'm more proud than any of his on-field/court accomplishments.
2012 son is counted on as leader on hs baseball team, varsity starter frosh and soph year. He also plays hs basketball but is small and plays more for fun and conditioning (although he still has very competitive mentality). As a jr, he just moved to varsity this year. The team played the first four games with several players missing - still in football playoffs, so son played a ton. Last night was first game with football players back. Son was anxious to get them back for much needed help. What he did not expect was for his playing time to drop to a total of only about 2 minutes. I wondered what the mood and response would be when he came home. I couldn't believe how upbeat he was and how many positive comments he made about the team's potential. Times like that, I'm more proud than any of his on-field/court accomplishments.
quote:Originally posted by playfair:quote:obstacles to stay in the lineup.
Here's a few.
Staying eligible.
Staying sober.
Girlfriend.
Fatherhood.
Peeing into the cup.
Staying out of fights.
Curfew.
So, a freshman with the high BA, who is a clutch hitter, keeps his grades up, stays sober, minimizes female contact, pees into the cup when asked, wins any fights he is involved, and has an adequate cover for curfew violations, has a chance to make the lineup in the spring on a game to game basis, if one of the starters does not stay eligible, gets drunk, knocks his GF up, can not pee into a cup, loses a fight, or has a curfew alibi failure.
Read that last sentence very slowly.
Fun, ain't it?
FO, That is amazing! I love it!
FO doesn't miss much, ever.
To add to his list:
online gambling;
video games...
both to the exclusion of sleep and academics.
Boy, both of those have taken a toll on some very, very talented kids.
Coming clean, all 3 (make it all 10) players I believe can hit better than returning scheduled starters for 2011 and help this perpetual losing team improve offensively, they are all my sons!
The 3 OF's are Mike, Robbie and Chip (for those old enough to remember My Three Sons TV Show)
So with 10 sons vying for starting positions I am OOTD X10!
Some levity needed and aside, I got what I asked for some great advice to sift through and use what I feel is helpful and leave the rest for others to discuss. I can also take what others chose to dish out having read enough on here to know it comes with the territory.
Not surprising those laying claim to having coached or who come across as former college coaches as usual are so quick to defend coaches as if they always know what they are doing and nobody (least wise those labeled OOTD) should ever question their decisions. This is and has been for years under same leaderhsip a losing program.
Why this HC remains given his poor finishes is as questionable as his decision to start a .210 player over MANY others he recruited who have shown they CAN'T perform any worse (better than saying they will hit higher than 210) offensively.
For the record, not once did I publicly name any coach, player or college so those of you (ahem...former coaches) suggesting this are just plain wrong and used it to deviate away from the topic.
The 3 OF's are Mike, Robbie and Chip (for those old enough to remember My Three Sons TV Show)
So with 10 sons vying for starting positions I am OOTD X10!
Some levity needed and aside, I got what I asked for some great advice to sift through and use what I feel is helpful and leave the rest for others to discuss. I can also take what others chose to dish out having read enough on here to know it comes with the territory.
Not surprising those laying claim to having coached or who come across as former college coaches as usual are so quick to defend coaches as if they always know what they are doing and nobody (least wise those labeled OOTD) should ever question their decisions. This is and has been for years under same leaderhsip a losing program.
Why this HC remains given his poor finishes is as questionable as his decision to start a .210 player over MANY others he recruited who have shown they CAN'T perform any worse (better than saying they will hit higher than 210) offensively.
For the record, not once did I publicly name any coach, player or college so those of you (ahem...former coaches) suggesting this are just plain wrong and used it to deviate away from the topic.
quote:Why this HC remains given his poor finishes is as questionable as his decision to start a .210 player over MANY others he recruited who have shown they CAN'T perform any worse (better than saying they will hit higher than 210) offensively.
If it is so obvious this Coach plays inferior players, does not or cannot develop the players he has, and exercises questionable judgment over many years, why is he able to recruit and sign the better players who sit?
So, your coach puts 10 of your sons on his team, and then, you question his coaching ability?
And, it's gonna continue for at least four more years.
quote:This is and has been for years under same leaderhsip a losing program.
And, it's gonna continue for at least four more years.
Man, with 10 sons on the roster I bet you wish you had reviewed the losing programs stats and the coach's track record a little closer BEFORE you let your sons sign their NLI's.
Perhaps it is due a different thread but how come nobody really addressed the whole "you can hit you play" axiom regardless of year in college.
Nobody in returning starters defense made a single argument over 100 AB's @.210 = "he is a hitter who should be playing."
Many suggestions were made about his defense though per same team stats it was and is not levels above many others. It is on par with other sitting returners. As to his character, like-ability as teammate, he fits the bill well. As do MANY others who have and will be sitting.
None of this is ever tied in with "you can hit you will play" and I could zip off any number of poor examples for teammates and those with poor character values making big $$$ in MLB "who can hit and are playing."
Nobody in returning starters defense made a single argument over 100 AB's @.210 = "he is a hitter who should be playing."
Many suggestions were made about his defense though per same team stats it was and is not levels above many others. It is on par with other sitting returners. As to his character, like-ability as teammate, he fits the bill well. As do MANY others who have and will be sitting.
None of this is ever tied in with "you can hit you will play" and I could zip off any number of poor examples for teammates and those with poor character values making big $$$ in MLB "who can hit and are playing."
quote:Originally posted by cheapseats:
Man, with 10 sons on the roster I bet you wish you had reviewed the losing programs stats and the coach's track record a little closer BEFORE you let your sons sign their NLI's.
Great point! Just assumed as OOTD when a D1 coach recruited my 10 hitter sons telling them "he needed to immediately improve his offense" that he meant what he said
My bad 
I'll address it for jiminy.
My son could hit as a freshman and he played.
My son could hit as a freshman and he played.
quote:Originally posted by jiminy:
Nobody in returning starters defense made a single argument over 100 AB's @.210 = "he is a hitter who should be playing."
As other posters have mentioned, we don't have enough information to defend or condemn this player. Unless you are with the team day in and day out, on the field and in the clubhouse, you/we have no way of knowing what the coach is thinking or what the coach might see that we have no way of seeing/knowing.
quote:Originally posted by FormerObserver:
I'll address it for jiminy.
My son could hit as a freshman and he played.
And how would you have felt if he was sitting behind a .210 player? Never mind you would have waited it out and all the other scenarios, please answer how you would have felt if he was sitting or told will see limited AB's?
quote:Originally posted by cheapseats:quote:Originally posted by jiminy:
Nobody in returning starters defense made a single argument over 100 AB's @.210 = "he is a hitter who should be playing."
As other posters have mentioned, we don't have enough information to defend or condemn this player. Unless you are with the team day in and day out, on the field and in the clubhouse, you/we have no way of knowing what the coach is thinking or what the coach might see that we have no way of seeing/knowing.
Players are recruited, drafted and PRO's given lucrative contracts based on stats. Throw out HS stats I agree. This coach has fall ball stats he posted showing MANY better hitters will sit or get limited AB's.
You want to know more about what the coach is thinking instead of answering is .210 (prev season .218) a hitter? Though I agree, what is this coach thinking?
jiminy,
My son hit .321 as a freshman and played behind a senior catcher that hit .268.
I felt great about it.
Good luck to you and all your sons.
My son hit .321 as a freshman and played behind a senior catcher that hit .268.
I felt great about it.
Good luck to you and all your sons.
quote:Originally posted by FormerObserver:
So, your coach puts 10 of your sons on his team, and then, you question his coaching ability?quote:This is and has been for years under same leaderhsip a losing program.
And, it's gonna continue for at least four more years.
See below, I questioned him recruiting my 10 sons because he told them he wanted to immediately improve his offense. Sent them there for best opportunities to start and HIT to help team so perpetual losing pattern gets broken.
Seems with some of you nobody (least wise OOTD)is allowed to ever question the coach on what we were told and when 10 sons were as advertised he stuck to his old ways.
Face it, jiminy, you were screwed.
I would transfer all 10 of my sons to another school.
I would transfer all 10 of my sons to another school.
quote:Originally posted by FormerObserver:
jiminy,
My son hit .321 as a freshman and played behind a senior catcher that hit .268.
I felt great about it.
Good luck to you and all your sons.
As usual, did not answer question posed, asked how you would have felt if he sat. Inability to answer speaks volumes however and glad we agree.
quote:Originally posted by FormerObserver:
Face it, jiminy, your were screwed.
Dude, like 10X over
jiminy - okay, let's say you are 100% correct and this coach is a total loser. Now that we have established that fact, what can an OOTD's do about it? ........ How do your sons want to approach this issue?
Players are NOT recruited and drafted based on stats but rather TOOLS. There are far more credible people on this site than myself who can give you far better examples of this fact than I ever could but your basic premise is 100% off base and probably a cause for your obsession with irrelevant fall stats.
Good luck to your sons- all of them.
Good luck to your sons- all of them.
As the dad of a freshman college player, I've enjoyed this thread. PG's story reminded me of one of my favorite memories of my son's high school playing days on the only team he ever played on where he wasn't a starter.
Fall of his freshman year he tried out to play on a team made up exclusively of varsity and JV guys from his high school. The odds were not good as traditionally this team only chose one freshman. When he made the team he was happier than I had ever seen him. He knew he wouldn't play much, but he didn't care. He loved being around the older guys and soaking up what they did and said.
His first AB came as a pinch hitter late in a game. The kid pitching was throwing gas, easily the hardest thrower my son had ever seen. He struck out on three pitches and kind of stumbled back toward the dugout. As he got near the dugout, his whole team started laughing at the confused look on his face. They all slapped him on the back and the coach said, "They throw a little harder at this level, son." He laughed and still smiles when I remind him of that story.
He got one hit that entire Fall season. Even so, it was one of the most enjoyable experiences he has had in baseball and it prepared him for the realities of what was to come in future years.
Fall of his freshman year he tried out to play on a team made up exclusively of varsity and JV guys from his high school. The odds were not good as traditionally this team only chose one freshman. When he made the team he was happier than I had ever seen him. He knew he wouldn't play much, but he didn't care. He loved being around the older guys and soaking up what they did and said.
His first AB came as a pinch hitter late in a game. The kid pitching was throwing gas, easily the hardest thrower my son had ever seen. He struck out on three pitches and kind of stumbled back toward the dugout. As he got near the dugout, his whole team started laughing at the confused look on his face. They all slapped him on the back and the coach said, "They throw a little harder at this level, son." He laughed and still smiles when I remind him of that story.
He got one hit that entire Fall season. Even so, it was one of the most enjoyable experiences he has had in baseball and it prepared him for the realities of what was to come in future years.
quote:Originally posted by jiminy:quote:Originally posted by FormerObserver:
jiminy,
My son hit .321 as a freshman and played behind a senior catcher that hit .268.
I felt great about it.
Good luck to you and all your sons.
As usual, did not answer question posed, asked how you would have felt if he sat. Inability to answer speaks volumes however and glad we agree.
I don't want to speak for FO but it looks like to me he answered your question....
He said his son hit well as a freshman but still played behind a senior catcher.....AND.....he felt great about it.
I didn't read into it that he was disappointed, sounds like to me he was proud of his son but displayed class by supporting the team.
Hot Corner,
Nice story but while enjoying your son's baseball experience you completely missed the purpose of this thread- what were his fall stats?
Nice story but while enjoying your son's baseball experience you completely missed the purpose of this thread- what were his fall stats?
A friend of mine is going through a similar experience with his son's lower level D1 team. His son is heading into his sophomore year and he played less as a freshman than some of the upperclassmen that he was statistically outhitting. It seems to my friend that his son's coach is especially loyal to his upperclassmen because he might be fearful of losing his team if he sits a disproportinate number of seniors.
Let's say that this is the case and your son works hard and stays on his coach's good side. Wouldn't it be nice to know that your son may be the beneficiary of this same loyalty if he goes into an extended slump when he is an upperclassman.
Let's say that this is the case and your son works hard and stays on his coach's good side. Wouldn't it be nice to know that your son may be the beneficiary of this same loyalty if he goes into an extended slump when he is an upperclassman.
Geez igball give it a rest.
quote:Originally posted by 2bagger:
Geez igball give it a rest.
igball, fall stats are referenced because so many posters suggested, even argued, an incoming freshman (say even 10 of them) have not yet proven they can hit at D1 level. These 10 (to keep drilling home point there are many) proved they could and were as advertised and recruited "hitters."
You making light of what they did statistically in the Fall against D1 pitching (which HC posted) only shines the "you are a member of NO coach is ever wrong frat." Your arrogance says as much and your continued jabs at me mean you have never meant you have not set out to be rude to me either. So spare me your insincere apologies going forward.
I speak as the collective conscience (thus Jiminy) for the OOTD fraternity members who are fed up with their MANY young men being lied to by recruiting and Head coaches who at least on here, seemingly never have to answer to anybody for how they lure players and $$$ to their colleges and programs.
Says a lot about the cred of some (not all) when a poster has to weed through former and current coaches telling us we don't know what we are talking about and that .218/.210 respective seasons with over 100 AB's deserves to start over ANY and MANY proven better hitters. Where "those that can hit will sit" is acceptable.
quote:Originally posted by jiminy:quote:Originally posted by FormerObserver:
jiminy,
My son hit .321 as a freshman and played behind a senior catcher that hit .268.
I felt great about it.
As usual, did not answer question posed, asked how you would have felt if he sat. Inability to answer speaks volumes however and glad we agree.
I guess I'm living in an alternate universe - he did answer your question, you just aren't listening. As a matter of fact, the SR his son played behind was 1 of only 2 returning starters in the infield from a team that won 40 BIG XII games the year before. Not only did he play behind him, as a freshman (and was better), he went on to be completely irreplaceable. And, he was the only one of the two to be drafted. All after he sat behind a guy hitting two bucks and some change. It's baseball, it is what it is and usually it works itself out.
Just sayin' GED10DaD
jiminy - I sincerely hope you find some peace before the season starts. If you go to each game analyzing each at-bat for each upperclassman you are going to drive yourself crazy. Step back, take a deep breath and enjoy the ride.....the season goes by way to fast to make yourself miserable analyzing each move the coach makes.
quote:Says a lot about the cred of some (not all) when a poster has to weed through former and current coaches telling us we don't know what we are talking about and that .218/.210 respective seasons with over 100 AB's deserves to start over ANY and MANY proven better hitters. Where "those that can hit will sit" is acceptable.
jim - the recruited guys have not proven anything as the season has not started yet. The coach has made his fall evaluations apparently and in his evaluation thus far, the 210/218 guys are better.
Be patient. If you can hit, they will find a place for you in the lineup.
It's been my experience, when OOTDs says their son is not getting a fair shot, it usually means they feel like they are missing opprotunities. Not that the other kids are unworthy, just that their kid is missin' out.
Follow with me, sorry....
In this case, let's just pretend Frosh gets the spring start, after a great fall season. After 25-35 tourney ABs, FROSH is struggling. Because, as we typically see in college baseball, they struggle. Frosh drops in the line-up. After 25-30 more ABs, Frosh becomes frustrated and fails even more. He continues to decline, (as they typically do) and he drops completely from the starting line-up.
After repeated attempts to break back into the line-up, Frosh becomes disgruntled and once again feels like he's missin' out. Unfortunately, now the coach fells Frosh had his chance and he goes from a highly recruited hitter to a role player. As a Soph, remains a role player and may not get another shot. Eventually the player leaves campus. Now, OOTDs feels like his kid was treated unfairly because he was put into a situation too early, when he was not ready....
So, in reality is he really missing out? FOR SURE, in my scenario he misses out, completely.
GED10DaD
Follow with me, sorry....
In this case, let's just pretend Frosh gets the spring start, after a great fall season. After 25-35 tourney ABs, FROSH is struggling. Because, as we typically see in college baseball, they struggle. Frosh drops in the line-up. After 25-30 more ABs, Frosh becomes frustrated and fails even more. He continues to decline, (as they typically do) and he drops completely from the starting line-up.
After repeated attempts to break back into the line-up, Frosh becomes disgruntled and once again feels like he's missin' out. Unfortunately, now the coach fells Frosh had his chance and he goes from a highly recruited hitter to a role player. As a Soph, remains a role player and may not get another shot. Eventually the player leaves campus. Now, OOTDs feels like his kid was treated unfairly because he was put into a situation too early, when he was not ready....
So, in reality is he really missing out? FOR SURE, in my scenario he misses out, completely.
GED10DaD
Thanks, GED10Dad.
That SR catcher had a huge influence on my son's transition to college baseball, his college career, and that university's baseball program.
And, thank you, too, cheaplady.
Awesome memories for me, now..........
I'll enjoy observing your journeys.
That SR catcher had a huge influence on my son's transition to college baseball, his college career, and that university's baseball program.
And, thank you, too, cheaplady.
Awesome memories for me, now..........
I'll enjoy observing your journeys.
Rare is the time when I can recall reiterating a point I (or someone else) have made earlier; but, somehow, I feel compelled to here.
At the end of the day, the vast majority of college head baseball coaches are paid to win. Different AD's and the colleges they represent will vary some as to the amount of losing they will tolerate; but, in all but the rarest cases, the head coach ultimately is paid to win.
If that's true, then coaches who consistently sub-optimize their rosters by playing undeserving players will lose their jobs. Why? Because college baseball is too competitive at all levels to tolerate less than one's best on a systematic basis.
Because of this, the carping that goes on among parents is usually generated by the parents of the upperclassman who has lost his position to a better-performing underclassman. Sure, many head coaches will try to put experience on the field first; but, if there's demonstrable difference, the better underclassman usually wins out.
If a player has chosen the rare program where none of this applies, he needs to recognize his mistake and move on to a more normal one. No amount of cajoling by some irritated parent is going to motivate the under-performing coach from changing his ways. All it's pretty certain to accomplish is to create ill will between the coach and the cajoling parent; ill will that often is directed at the parent's son, unfortunately.
Finally, I'll add this: Even the best-intentioned, best-skilled head coaches are imperfect. The decisions from a fall baseball season do not necessarily stand throughout the regular season. As a parent, when you're tempted to criticize a perceived imperfection, ask yourself how some of the individual decisions you make from day-to-day might stand up to another's cold, hard scrutiny. We're all human.
At the end of the day, the vast majority of college head baseball coaches are paid to win. Different AD's and the colleges they represent will vary some as to the amount of losing they will tolerate; but, in all but the rarest cases, the head coach ultimately is paid to win.
If that's true, then coaches who consistently sub-optimize their rosters by playing undeserving players will lose their jobs. Why? Because college baseball is too competitive at all levels to tolerate less than one's best on a systematic basis.
Because of this, the carping that goes on among parents is usually generated by the parents of the upperclassman who has lost his position to a better-performing underclassman. Sure, many head coaches will try to put experience on the field first; but, if there's demonstrable difference, the better underclassman usually wins out.
If a player has chosen the rare program where none of this applies, he needs to recognize his mistake and move on to a more normal one. No amount of cajoling by some irritated parent is going to motivate the under-performing coach from changing his ways. All it's pretty certain to accomplish is to create ill will between the coach and the cajoling parent; ill will that often is directed at the parent's son, unfortunately.
Finally, I'll add this: Even the best-intentioned, best-skilled head coaches are imperfect. The decisions from a fall baseball season do not necessarily stand throughout the regular season. As a parent, when you're tempted to criticize a perceived imperfection, ask yourself how some of the individual decisions you make from day-to-day might stand up to another's cold, hard scrutiny. We're all human.
quote:Originally posted by GunEmDown10:
It's been my experience, when OOTDs says their son is not getting a fair shot, it usually means they feel like they are missing opprotunities. Not that the other kids are unworthy, just that their kid is missin' out.
Follow with me, sorry....
In this case, let's just pretend Frosh gets the spring start, after a great fall season. After 25-35 tourney ABs, FROSH is struggling. Because, as we typically see in college baseball, they struggle. Frosh drops in the line-up. After 25-30 more ABs, Frosh becomes frustrated and fails even more. He continues to decline, (as they typically do) and he drops completely from the starting line-up.
After repeated attempts to break back into the line-up, Frosh becomes disgruntled and once again feels like he's missin' out. Unfortunately, now the coach fells Frosh had his chance and he goes from a highly recruited hitter to a role player. As a Soph, remains a role player and may not get another shot. Eventually the player leaves campus. Now, OOTDs feels like his kid was treated unfairly because he was put into a situation too early, when he was not ready....
So, in reality is he really missing out? FOR SURE, in my scenario he misses out, completely.
GED10DaD
Totally agree with that and I don't believe that scenario is uncommon. That is why most coaches do not start even the most talented freshmen the first few games. They bring them in in low-pressure situations and let them club themselves (or pitch themselves) into the lineup. Confidence is the most valuable commodity in the sport. Sometimes it has to be built gradually and the worst thing a coach can do is destroy it.
Prepster and FO - you guys are great writers and thinkers. Your contributions here are invaluable.