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To answer the original question with some possibilities:

Because the player is a defensive star (or the alternive players kick the ball around)
Because he has a great OBP (and speed)
Because the coach is crazy or stupid
Because the coach sees something I can't see
Because there are plenty of other bats in the line up
Because the player is a tremendous leader
Because the player looks amazing in practice

My sense is coaches don't just put players on the field, they put a TEAM on the field, with various individual strengths and weaknesses, so that the best TEAM is on the field. If you have a pitcher on the mound who is a ground ball pitcher, maybe you have a different LF than you do if he's a fly ball pitcher.

Just theories.
Will try and close this issue for me by putting the OOTD spins on what no coaches on here dared to say about one of their own.

That the handful of better hitters who were all recruited by this HC who told them he wanted hitters who could make an "immediate impact",only to then tell them they will be lucky to see many (if any) AB's, that these players clearly got stuck with one of those coaches (OOTC) that speaks out both sides of his mouth.
To former observer, great advice that I will now watch for especially the online games and stuff.

My son is freshman at a D1, not SEC, BIG 12, PAC 10, but other D1. He is the "recruited guy, nice scholly, drafted in June".

It seems in my limited time exposed to the process with fall ball and first semester, it is all about the other factors, and not just that my son had more hits than the junior catcher and might be better on defense. He needs to grow up and become a man and deal with what cards the coach is dealing. He has to earn the respect of the coaches and players. Many times teammate respect is earned in how they deal with sitting. Or how the player deals with classes that did not start off to well and the coach is on him about that. Or how the player turns down the evil temptations from the other "upperclassmen". Or how they deal with trying to "fit in". Or how they deal with the threat in fall of non renewal of his scholarship next year (and the kid is a freshman). Or the statement you need to look at the JC route.

A coach is placing stressful obstacles in the way of a player to see how they respond every step of the way. They want to know if they can go to war with that player. They want to know how committed they are.

Also, I get the feeling that although winning keeps jobs, so does higher gpa's, and players that are well respected in the classroom by the professors. It seems that the AD and coach at least in baseball do not want their program to have a reputation of being knuckleheads on campus (like football and basketball where they get leeway, baseball does not).

The above said, back to op, its tough but if you want play time then maybe need another program. But remember this, what they say before you get there is different than what happens after you are there.

Finally to the poster that said "you needed to figure this out before the LOI". Things happen way after the LOI which locks the player in to that school. Think about it, player signs in Nov, then the spring hits and the team with 2 juniors in your sons position ready to go pro redshirt. Now what??
The problem is one does not know until May or even June and by then its to late to react. Or the next Derek Jeter is waiting to sign the following November who loves this school.


"If you are on time you are late"
jiminy,

I will tell you that you have finally made me realize just how bad you have really been screwed over.

Sometimes, that happens.

I wish you the best of luck in working out of a really bad situation and, maybe, the coach, that really screwed you over, will leave, or get fired.

Maybe the next coach that comes in will see the tremendous potential that all ten of your sons have to make an immediate impact on the program, and won't screw you over the way this guy has.

You could be the first father to field an entire collegiate team.

And, maybe, even be the first father to have all 10 of his sons drafted in MLB.

Maybe MLB could even start an expansion team in Connecticut and let you coach it. Your team wouldn't have to worry about a coach that talks out of both sides of his mouth, the way the current coach that has screwed you over, does.

Just think of all the things you could do with those millions and millions of dollars that the current MLB low-life players that can't hit get.

With you as the coach of the CT expansion team, (and, Heaven knows that CT needs some quality baseball), you might even be the first to coach an all in the family world series championship team.

That is probably something that your current coach that has screwed you over will never get the chance to do.

Think about it.
Last edited by FormerObserver
Sandlot dad,

Nice first post. Your post tells me that your son will likely do very well.

There ain't no guarantees.

But, it is fun, ain't it?

quote:
"If you are on time you are late"


Me, and infielddad, forgot that one.

Heard about a young minor leaguer that missed the bus by about two minutes and had to drive his car from Stockton to Bakersfield.

Seems like he might have been the SP that night.

Not good.

I'm thinking he felt pretty screwed over as he watched the bus drive out of the parking lot.

Honestly, though, I didn't have to watch for all that 'stuff'.

I've been lucky enough to have good boys.

I expected them to do what's right, and, they did, and, will.
Last edited by FormerObserver
quote:
Originally posted by sandlot dad:

Finally to the poster that said "you needed to figure this out before the LOI". Things happen way after the LOI which locks the player in to that school. Think about it, player signs in Nov, then the spring hits and the team with 2 juniors in your sons position ready to go pro redshirt. Now what??



Sandlot dad - Welcome to the site, glad you jumped in the discussion, you had some very good points and insight into fall ball in your post. However, I think you may have taken my post that you quoted above as the gospel and it was actually said in jest/sarcasm (see smily wink icon with my original post) after reading several comments from the OP about this coach losing year after year. Sometimes our written word doesn't translate as intended so I apologize if this was misleading.

As far as things changing after the NLI is signed, I have been down that road, son was in a situation where things changed drastically from NLI signing to arriving to campus, I won't get in to details but I will just say trust me on that one, I am fully aware that things can and do change.

Glad you contributed, you made some very good points.
Last edited by cheapseats
quote:
Originally posted by jiminy:

That the handful of better hitters who were all recruited by this HC who told them he wanted hitters who could make an "immediate impact",only to then tell them they will be lucky to see many (if any) AB's, that these players clearly got stuck with one of those coaches (OOTC) that speaks out both sides of his mouth.


Jiminy, I'm not picking on you, but there must be some universal phonetic or semantic anomoly such that whenever a coach says, "could make an immediate impact," parents always hear, "will start as a freshman." In fact, "could make an immediate impact" is nothing more than a promise of the opportunity to compete for playing time.
quote:
Also, I get the feeling that although winning keeps jobs, so does higher gpa's, and players that are well respected in the classroom by the professors. It seems that the AD and coach at least in baseball do not want their program to have a reputation of being knuckleheads on campus (like football and basketball where they get leeway, baseball does not).


I add my "welcome," sandlot dad!

You're absolutely right. There's no question that there are important performance dimensions in addition to winning that most college coaches are expected to deliver; and respectability in the classroom and off the field would tend to be very high on the list. Most, I think, might sum it up by referring to it as "winning the right way."
I have tried to stay away as I have always enjoyed this site but come on.

this started with a parent that had aquestion about his freshman son's team and why someone might be playing in front of his son or another player. No names, no school name just a question.

there was some advice both ways and certainly some nastiness and name calling.

I just don't get it and no I am not a parent that even talks with his son's coach nor do I bad mouth kids in fact cheer and support all the players on both teams.

Now we have people giving advice on drugs, not getting someone pregnant ect. Don't you think by this time as parents we have apretty good grasp on such matters?

It has even gone so far that one poster can tell another posters son should do well because of how the father posted?

this has turned into what was being informative into one of the worst I have seen.

Okay Fo start ripping.
You might be right bobble I just over the years have learned a lot on this site and with new people everyday I would hope that they could benefit from the experience.

Just the way the material is presented does not seem right.

Yes Cheapseats agree with those scenarios take place in this day and age I guess the thread did a little drift at that point.

This site can be a great place for advice would just like to see it stay that way.
Last edited by 2bagger
JIMiny, et al

I for one, am not smart enough to keep up the mental energy to flame anyone. I just try to tell it like it is, and I hope and pray some of it is useful. And, I am as hard on a coach, when its time to be, as most/if not all of the hardcore posters here. Just not in this case, as described. I hate to keep jumping in with both feet in my mouth, but....

Immediate impact could mean ABSOLUTELY anything, or nothing. Sometimes, it means Frosh will play all the time, hit in the 3 hole, and carry the team. Sometimes it means bullpen catcher who can control a needy (1st round) LHP, or a fourth OF who can shore up the defense - late in the game. Sometimes it means FROSH will be a PR that can completely alter the running game, at key times. Or, it's a bad bill-of-goods. In any scenario, as a recruited athlete's parent, I would do my due diligence to learn all I could about the program my son was signing with, including how the HC follows thru with his recruting plan for Jr.

And lastly, if things are as described, and FROSH is truly unhappy, I'd support him as best as I could. Even if it meant helping him get thru this difficult situation or worse - move on to another campus.

YOU really are in charge, it really just depends on what you are willing to do or give up to make it work.

Good Luck, I wish the best for you both. GED10DaD
Last edited by GunEmDown10
quote:
Originally posted by Swampboy:
Jiminy, I'm not picking on you, but there must be some universal phonetic or semantic anomoly such that whenever a coach says, "could make an immediate impact," parents always hear, "will start as a freshman." In fact, "could make an immediate impact" is nothing more than a promise of the opportunity to compete for playing time.




Sandlot dad great post, welcome!

FO, right on!

Everyone else out there, please understand the college baseball experience is more (a lot) than batting averages and earned run averages.

2bagger,
I understand your concern, but I found some points made by jiminy a bit upsetting, my son never had a stellar ERA (some had better), so according to what he is saying, he should have been sitting the bench while the other guys should have been starting, just because their ERA's were better?

So I do understand why some of the comments were made to him. Usually the real purpose for most topics (in this case, coaches promises before he came) surfaces sooner or later.

And how does jiminy know what the starting line up will be in 3 months from now?

And not sure I understand what advice he was looking for to begin with. Do you?
Last edited by TPM
Taking this issue from the dead end street it's on to a larger one, let's agree j-man is right on the money, what do you do if a coach is not what you thought? I know a coach who plays his kid despite the most errors in the conference at his position. This year he recruited his other kid. Good luck there. Realistically IMO it's your kids issue and they have to overcome it or they have to make some other move. Our job is to listen, counsel and advise when asked. Becoming an advocate solves nothing except the movement itself gives us a false sense of control.
Despite my harsh words, I can buy into the argument of a bad coach, but think kids of this age are now adults and must work it out for themselves.
quote:
Taking this issue from the dead end street it's on to a larger one, let's agree j-man is right on the money, what do you do if a coach is not what you thought?


You......

Accept it and sit the bench

Work your rear end off and prove beyond a doubt you deserve it (and still might never leave the bench)

Quit - why waste your time when you could do other things and be treated more "fair" in other areas

Transfer - find a team that can truly appreciate all you bring to the table.

Getting on a message board and explain your knowledge of averages of players you're not related to - not the best approach.
quote:
Originally posted by TPM:
[QUOTE]And how does jiminy know what the starting line up will be in 3 months from now?

And not sure I understand what advice he was looking for to begin with. Do you?


Amen to this! While I was originally in J's corner on this, his persistence on relying on the "if you can hit you will play" scenario being solely based on fall ball finally became too much.

J-Man. If you just wanted everyone to agree with you that this coach is just a numbskull Dbag then why didn't you just phrase it that way? And if it is a perennial losing program why did jiminy jr. commit??

****! Come back and give us an update in April !
Jiminy,
I was wondering if you knew that Pena was just picked up for 10M by the Cubs (one year I think).

I was also wondering if you knew what his batting average was?

I am not saying this is a good of bad decision, but would you agree that his BA may not be as important as his experience and his defense?

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