Help me keep perspective

With the minimal amount of detail you've given here, I'm not seeing anything here out of line from the coach. Your kid started as a sophomore, and the rest, unless you come with more details, are all legitimate coaching decisions from what I can tell.

With all due respect but 77 MPH is not anything to get excited over.  What are the velocities of the rest of the pitchers?  Let me get this next part straight - your son is starting (as a sophomore) somewhere in the field (my guess is OF if he's that fast) - yet you're not happy because he's not pitching more with a 77 MPH fastball.  When I was a head coach all of my varsity pitchers threw harder than this.  It's extremely hard to get time on the mound with 77 MPH unless that's the best velocity.

As for the missing the first round does your coach have a rule if you miss a game you sit out the next one?  It stinks that the game had to be moved but those are the problems you face for outside sports in the spring.  No idea what's going on with the other kid missing the front end and playing second end.  Unless you for sure know the reason it's best not to worry about it.

What's the JUCO coach telling your son?  How old are the players on this AAA team?  Why is a college coach coaching HS kids in the summer instead of out recruiting?  How much do you pay to be on this team?

I don't understand how politics in your community can actually go from LL all the way to the local university.  What in the world is that college coach doing to show he's playing politics?  

If your son does indeed play at the next level like your last line or two says it won't be as a pitcher.  So why focus on that right now?  

Not trying to be mean or insulting.

I found it unusaul for a coach to ask any player to switch to the other side of the plate for no proclaimed reason.  We have six pitchers two with 35 and 49 inning respectively each with 1 win one 10 innings 1 with 6 innings (he has an arm injury that moved him from ss to 2b and my son with six and 1 other who is not really a pitcher who has three.  so also at one point in history the coaches wife had one of my twin boys in her kindergarten class  .  She called me in and had diagnosed him with a.d.d. I was not happy and stuck up for my 5yo  He does not have a.d.d and does well in school. She possibly did not take this well and I believe that this may have some bearing on our situation .  

Please take this with all the love that it is intended... What is the problem? Your son plays and your coach seems to be putting him in the position to succeed.  My son's high school coach would not allow someone to miss a playoff game for a showcase.  My son who is team captain; would also not allow it. That is a sign of disrespect to the team and coaches.  If you skipped for that; you would be off team for rest of season.
There are many things we can say a coach is doing that is not right; but I have a hard time believing that a coach will take a kid who is succesful in the batters box and tell him to hit from the other batters box.  If they are succesful; they will tweak and adjust but not switch batters boxes.

As far as pitching; if your son is throwing 77; I would think 6 innings is a fair amount.  I don't know of any varsity pitchers in the area who are throwing 77. If they are it is in early season when the team has to play 5 games in 3 days and all hands are on deck.

Just my opinion...

A. Unless your kid is smoking the ball from both sides, it's very common to be told to pick one.

B. Given that we're only hearing your side, I'm thinking that the exchange with his wife was probably a bit different. I'm guessing she suggested the possibility--not diagnosed. Unless you also have a background in elementary ed or psychology, it would have been wise to listen to what she had to say. That's irrelevant, though, because I find it very difficult to believe that a coach would sacrifice winning (and potentially his job) over some exchange that there's better than even odds he never even knew about.

What's your team's record?  I'm having a hard time trying to understand how your pitching staff is doing.  I understand there's six pitchers but no idea who is doing what.  BTW I asked about velocities not records / innings.

As for the switching to hitting only from one side - I have no clue.  There is only one person who can answer that question.  Your son (not you) needs to have that conversation with the coach to understand why.  If after this conversation the coach still wants your son to primarily hit from one side then he better get to work making that better or he won't be playing.  There's not a thing in the world you or your son will do to change his mind so don't use it as an excuse.

As for the teacher - this is a woman who was trying to figure out a way to help your son yet you were unhappy with her.  First if she's a kindergarten teacher she's not the one making the diagnosis.  That's not her job and she's not trained to do it.  Only thing she can do is express her observations to the Special Needs department.  Then they get in touch with you and go from there in terms of testing.  I truly believe ADD is over diagnosed but it does exist and it is a problem.  I don't see how this is anything to get upset about.  I also think it's highly unlikely this teacher is going to tell her husband to hold it against your son for something that happened ten years before.

There's a lot here that's not making sense to me but I'm also not very smart either.

Wow, it seems like a lot of issues going on here. Some may be real and others just perceived. Your best bet is to make sure your son works to improve his pitching ability and velo if his desire is to pitch in HS.

You may want to take him to some events like PG offers to get him evaluated from other sources. It could be that if he has a chance to play at the next level, he must give up being a two way player, and just focus on being a pitcher or position player.

For example, my son played several positions and pitched. He was a decent hitter, & good defensive player at the two positions he played. One day after my son had hit a homerun to help win the game, the travel coach called me into his office. He told me that while my son was a good hitter at this level, his future was not with him playing a position.

Instead he said my son should dedicate all his focus on becoming the best pitcher, since he had the potential to pitch beyond HS, but he would not make it otherwise. This coach was a former D1 guy at a top 10 school, so when he gave advice, people listened. It was tough because my son wanted to continue to be a two way player, but we heeded the coaches advice. Sure enough he was correct because other coaches and organizations felt my son had potential as a pitcher, but not as a hitter. Today it is as clear as day because looking at the position he would have eventually had to play (based on his skill set & size), he would not have been playing college ball.

What I hope you take from my personal experience is to get several views from knowledgeable people to see if he should focus on what he has the greatest potential in.

Good luck, don't sweat the small stuff, and enjoy the ride.

A kid throwing 77 not getting enough innings (in dad's view)

A kid told to hit from one side of the plate (and dad doesn't like it)

A kid is going to miss a playoff game for a showcase.

What are the issues here? My son's high school coach would have told someone SKIPPING OUT on the team for a showcase, " good luck but make sure you turn in your uniform before you leave."

I'm under the impression your son starts in the field. Is this true?

For a little added drama there's an issue with a teacher who is the coach's wife. This is a baseball board, not As The World Turns. I see nothing but drama and blaming the coach. Your son is going to the next level and beyond? Good luck!

My son threw harder than everyone on his high school team. The coach wanted him in the field and only used him as a closer. He pitched 8-10 innings per year. Did I miss out not getting ticked he wasn't a starter?

Just enjoy the moments that your son gets to play and let him enjoy those moments as well. Baseball becomes as business soon enough, so believe me when I say it is business and nothing personal at that time, so enjoy this time. Every player, whether he throws 77 or 97 has to have a work ethic that is beyond reproach, and that is what you need to be instilling in him right now. It can be frustrating but trying to figure it out instead of having him work through it will put him at a true disadvantage. If he truly loves this game, has a true talent for it and wants to continue to reach the higher levels there are three things he needs to do. Work, work and work.

The only issue I see is making him stop switch hitting.  Was he struggling getting enough BP from both sides and working with the pitchers.  Secondly why would you miss a game for a showcase ever?  For me I would focus on outfield and pitch if needed.  My sons team velo's this season.  #1. RHP 93 #2 LHP 86 #3 RHP 90 #4 RHP 85.  We have 5 more guys around 78-82.  Not saying he won't develop as a pitcher but at his size outfield seems the better fit.  My son was a two way guy and gave up some infield and BP to get his throwing program work done.  

The title of this thread is a very appropriate one...."Help me keep perspective".  

After reading your thread I think you need to really think about what you are asking.   Frankly, nothing in your post makes me think anybody is doing anything wrong to your son.  He has an opportunity to play baseball and get better at it.  What he does with it is up to him not anyone else.  You've painted him as a hard worker.  Great.  Encourage him to continue to work hard and improve in the areas that college coaches put value on.  The best thing you can do is to think like a college coach, and identify where your son is strong and areas that he needs to improve.  College coaches worth their salt only care about winning and developing their players on the field and in the classroom.  Everything else is not important.  So, don't concern yourself with those things that are not important.  It will only weigh you down and keep your son from focusing on the things he needs to focus on.   JMO.

My guess is that your excuse-making and enabling attitude are bigger problem than your coach, who obviously sucks since he didn't play college ball.

Your kid throws 77?  My guess is he's below average from at least one side of the plate. (switch-hitting is very overrated in HS IMHO). AND he skipped a game to go to a showcase. I don't care if the game was rescheduled or not. That shows complete selfishness.

Tell your kid to work hard and get better. 

**edited to sound nicer

Sorry to hijack the thread, though not really, because in this case that's probably a good thing, but do people think the switch-hitter and righty-lefty thing has much relevance in HS ball? 

In my limited, totally anecdotal experience, batters tend to have trouble with good lefties, regardless of what side of the plate they view them from.  They just don't see enough good ones, I suppose.  And when they make a pitching change, coaches seem to use the best pitcher they have, regardless of which hand he throws with, and what side of the plate the opposing batters use.

In that environment, switch-hitting seems more like an affectation than an effective strategy.

Over rated from my experience. Not that kids shouldn't do it if they are good at it and can develop it. I have had kids that wanted to be switch hitters. But like I told one guy, show me you can hit from the right side first and then I will let you show me you can hit from the left side.

As far as this post we simply have a person that doesn't understand the game. The next level and beyond? Look your son is in the line up. Be happy he is in the line up. He throws 77. Be thrilled he has even got a shot to pitch so far. Sit back and enjoy watching him play. Because if he played for me and missed a game to go to a showcase he wouldn't be playing anymore.

You will not enjoy your sons hs career if you don't let this stuff go and simply enjoy watching him play. And enjoy watching his team mates play. Forget about the coach he shouldn't be your focus. Watch the young men doing what they love to do and enjoy the experience. It will over before you know it and you will be wishing you had took this advice.

The OP asked for input and opinion... Yes, he is probably focusing on some of the wrong things... Yes, 5'10" @ 77 is below the level that would generally indicate more IP... Yes, coach has a right to limit switch hitting if he feels that is best.  The player signed up for a showcase and got coach's approval... And then presumably laid out the money for the showcase.  Yes, this was a bad idea during spring season... Inevitably rescheduled games or a last minute practice will bite you, as it now has. So all valid responses and good take aways from this thread. But you really feel the need to challenge the OP's manhood, parenting skills, and participation on the board just to punctuate your me too points!? The OP came to the board to get needed advice, really no need for personal attack.

Fair enough.

I can think of several times over the years I wished someone was less nice to me and gave it to me straight up. It might have hurt a little at the time but a lot less later. I hope the OP sticks around and understands that. But Soylent I have no beef with your post.

 First off welcome to the site.

My advice would be to be very careful in posting too much information on a public message board.  If your HS coach, or another player's family or even a prospective coach read this, it would not be too hard to identify the player and it may give them pause and place your son in a tough position.

Fenway provided great advice focus on what is important, we all look at our sons through our own lens and sometimes need to take emotion out of it rather than contribute to it.

The showcase issue is a tough one given the money already spent,  if he goes he needs to take his medicine and not complain.

As usual Coach May, agree with you 100%.  We all need to hear the straight dope on our  players from unbiased sources because we all see our kids as parents first. I just felt like Ironhorse went a little personal in his post and hate to see that, especially considering the OP hasn't participated much yet on the board.  Appreciated and respected Ironhorse acknowledging my comment non-defensively... We all need to be reminded on occasion that our tone can get a little heavy handed... Myself absolutely included.  All good!

I'm not going to rip you for what you feel. However, now that I'm living in a small community myself, I'm going to add a few things. Your kid is a soph. He has two more years in this high school. While I understand you've probably already spent the money for the showcase and ran it by the coach, I would just eat the loss and not showcase.

I know how these communities are. If they are like mine, high school baseball success is a big deal community-wide. It's an entirely different animal than playing in a large metro area. Missing a game for a showcase will be frowned upon by everyone. They won't understand what it is you are doing.

I also, coming from the same situation, know that at certain smaller schools 77mph can be pretty good velocity for the level of competition. However, that 77mph fastball at a showcase is a waste of time and money. He simply isn't ready for that. You will alienate the coach, the community, and his teammates for a showcase that will not garner him any attention. Go back next summer when he's hitting 85+.

I agree with both. Soylent you were probably right. I was a little more than direct so I changed the wording of a few things. My opinion doesn't change, but it wasn't the best way to deliver a message. I get a little bitter once our baseball season ends down here. 

Discussion adjourned!

Ya know, for a group of folks who have the experience this group does, sometimes I find it unbelievable that anyone finds it so amazing that a HS pitcher only throws the ball at less than 80mph. Good grief! There are upwards of 15,000 HS baseball teams in this country, with at least 3 pitchers on every team with 5 being more likely. That’s 45,000-75,000 pitchers, and it seems a bit silly to believe a significant number of them doesn’t cruise at less than 80, especially given the population pool that the school in the OP has. I suspect dadcooks only mentioned the velocity because it wasn’t at all abnormal at his school.

I truly wish people would not equate pitching velocity with pitching success because its nothing at all like a 1:1 ratio of hard throwers to successful pitchers, especially in HS. Unfortunately though, mph is the measuring stick now-a-days. So whether or not velocity is the most important factor for HS pitching success, people are gonna use it as the measuring stick because they more often than not don’t have accurate numbers with which to quantify pitchers.

77 at a showcase is a waste of time and money. Regarding high school ball we don't know what kind of command the kid has. The dad may think his son is wonderful. But it could be 77 down Main Street. Then throwing strikes is irrelevant.

Dadcooks,

I noticed you mentioned not starting because you will miss time by attending a PG Showcase.  We actually have players miss the National Showcase because their HS season isn't over at that time.  Never would we suggest a player miss a high school game to attend any showcase, even ours.  

The simple solution to that issue is to attend a different showcase at a later date after your HS season is over.  No problem getting a credit to another showcase.  Tell the coach you will not miss any games or practices and you plan to reschedule the other stuff for later.  IMO that is the right way to go about it.

Stats - I agree, there are likely too many that utilize velo as the sole measuring stick, as it relates to pitchers.  While certainly an 80+MPH pitcher is not uncommon to see, there are plenty at all levels that cruise in the mid to upper 70's.  Velocity is a relative figure when talking "pitching" versus just throwing a baseball.  Give me a guy that can throw 75, and with the EXACT same arm speed / slot throw his secondary pitch 5-8 MPH less, and I will show you a successful pitcher.  Hitting a FB at any velocity is simply just a matter of timing for any above average hitter, so throwing 85+ is really no big deal to hit, if they don't have a real / believable secondary pitch.

Another issue I find amusing, is way too many parents, and coaches for that matter spout out velocity #'s, and they are just using what they believe is trained eyes to measure it.  I have had 20 year HC with multiple state titles, rattle off velocities for his own pitchers, and with my radar gun was not even close in games.  A guy he said was upper 80's to low 90's sat 82-83 in a game.  If you are not using a radar in a game, you really are just guessing.  Sure there are plenty of pitchers that throw hard in games, but far less than many would lead us to believe.  I have been working with pitchers for many years, and now have the ability to sit behind home plate, and guess velocity with relative accuracy.  Recently we were playing in a play off game, and one of the parents was impressed with the velocity of the opposing pitcher.  He called over to me to ask me what I thought he was throwing.  I told him maybe 82-83, and he shook his head, and said no way, much harder.  I walked back to my car, pulled out my Stalker, and recorded the next inning.  He was right, I was wrong, he was sitting 80-81.    Some times, a ball jumps out of a pitchers hand, or he can hide it better, which gives you visual velocity.....same effect as actual velocity...again velo is important, but alone does not make a pitcher...especially the higher up the food chain you go!

This is not all together true.  I could list several reason why but I will list one.  If this player has worked at his game, put everything he has into it and he cruises at 77, in my mind he still has earned the right to go and be evaluated. Nothing worse than sitting at the end a bar in 10 years wishing you did.  He earned the right to go and  see how he or if he could compete with top players.  Answers to many of his questions could be found with an independent evaluation.  That is worth the time and money in my mind. 

Absolutely true. However, in this case, the kid is still 16. This isn't going to get him anywhere and he isn't where he'd be in a year (heck, even in 6 months). Not worth missing a high school game over. he still has time. No rush is necessary. Personally, I'd want to find some help and see if I couldn't at least get to 80+ over the next month or two before getting my first eval.

This is all true. Many here have experiences limited to large high schools and don't know that, at lower levels, there will be many programs that are quite succesful with no 80+ guys. Where I live, the 3A school just reached the semifinals of state (blowing a 9-7 lead in the top of the seventh, but that's another story) and their top pitchers probably struggle to reach 80, yet still dominate.

True in the fact of not missing a HS game for the showcase.  I was speaking in general terms of it not being a waste of time.  The age thing could be confusing though.  Some HS Junior players are 16 years old which would put him at a school age level of getting evaluated if he will be a 17 year old senior this fall.

Looking back, he is a junior. Yeah, better to know than to always wonder. besides, it might be motivational to see what you're up against.

I really enjoy watching a good pitcher work.  Sometimes it is a 90 mph guy, sometimes it can be an 80 mph guy.  There is definitely an art to pitching successfully.

That said, in all honesty, a pitcher topping out at 77 mph simply will not get a lot of attention throwing in a PG Showcase.  Not because we won't see his ability, but because not many colleges are looking for 77 mph guys.  And for sure, no matter how skilled the pitcher might be, pro scouts are going to NP a 77 mph pitcher.

IMO, the best thing a low velocity pitcher can do to attract some attention is to pitch successfully against top competition for a whole game.  So getting on the best possible team that plays against top competition might be the best way to go.  Even then low velocity is still low velocity.  

Yes, there are excellent HS pitchers that can't touch 80 mph.  For most of them, HS is the ceiling and there is nothing wrong with that.  You really have to be a master at everything to excel at that velocity as you move up the ladder.  Very few masters of everything when it comes to pitching.  It's simple, the higher the velocity the less exact you need to be.

As far as showcase goes, I would expect a pitcher throwing in the 70s to be a position player.  And at a position that didn't require a good arm.  Sorry if that offends anyone, just trying to keep it real. Truth is... Showcases are not always good for everyone. Personally I would rather someone not go than to hear it was a waste of time and money.  There are plenty of very talented players out there in order to keep us busy.

PG,

No doubt for a showcase, 77mph won't get any looks, but part of the OP was related to son not getting mound time on HS team.  The points made related to 77 not being a horrible velo, was directed by those who commented about your average HS kiddo....I've seen crafty HS pitchers succeeding at the HS level throwing upper 70's, but certainly not at showcases.  I wasn't clear whether the OP was contemplating missing a HS game to go to a showcase as a pitcher or position player....although arm strength would likely need to be higher even for a fielder .

I would also advise not toeing the rubber in a paid showcase with a top velo of 77.  

Just thought I'd chime in that I had to make this call today.  2016's team has qualified for states and we were registered for a Perfect Game showcase this weekend.  I emailed Perfect Game and quickly received a call back.  We are now registered for a showcase later this summer. The staff member could not have been more responsive and pleasant.