High School Baseball Politics

Uh oh.....gonna run and get my hard hat for all the fall-out......LOL

DCBaseball - I'm going to cut to the chase.  If your son has an issue with his playing time, he needs to ask the coach about it.  If the coach didn't set that expectation at the beginning of the season with players and parents shame on him.  It is fair game for your son to respectfully ask the coach about his playing time, and improvement areas.  Your son may not like the answer, but it is a question worth asking.

You have got to be kidding me.  The team is good and has a winning record but your son is being cheated.  Instead of creating the victim mentality that everyone is against him how about you teach him to work hard and leave no doubt that he deserves to be on the field.

But if you don't want to do that because it's a little bit harder, then why not just become friends with the coach and have your son play on his summer team.  If that's how others crack the line up then why don't you? 

The only thing that would make this better is if he's a freshman and wore his rec league all star shirt to tryouts.

Maybe we need to send all high school coaches to Congress since we are the ones who know how to politic instead of the ones who get paid to.

My relative faces the same problem. I have told him to use high school ball as spring training for the real season.High school "baseball" is not worth fretting about.

What grade is your son in?

Nothing that happens in HS baseball has any effect on anything that happens at any level beyond HS.

What in the world does this have to do with "Recruiting?" For that matter, what does high school baseball have to do with recruiting?

Don't get me wrong, I'm a staunch supporter of high school baseball; but, if a player is playing on the highest level summer and fall teams available to him and and shows up at several showcases that make sense for him, the real recruiting in terms of direct college involvement is going to take place there.

As others have suggested here, DO NOT GET YOUR BRIEFS ALL UP IN A WAD IF YOUR HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SITUATION ISN'T CONSIDERED IDEAL...

...especially if it's the player's first year on the team.

Haha. Boohoo. Tell your kid to get better.

And PS - I'm guessing your kids summer team isn't made from the "absolute most talented players" either. Just the ones that weren't good enough to make top tier organizations and that agreed to pay the fee. 

Just because you pay doesn't mean you're talented.....

Let me guess. You are or were a high school coach.My relative plays for a nice guy but clueless baseball coach.He had 4 guys quit BEFORE the season.You cannot fool the players because they are with the coach each day. Why is it "boo hoo" when it comes to defending coaches. There are good ones and bad ones and quite a few do it for the extra money.The best applicant did not get the job and the fact that he does not teach in the district hurt him.That is political right from the start. Anyone who says that some parents are not influential is fooling himself.

Unless your son is a pitcher throwing in the mi-90's, the pro scouts don't come to HS games.  And even if he is, it will take some phone calls to make it happen.

Best to line up summer games, showcases where the scouts are.

High school baseball is almost irrelevant for recruiting. 

Focus on what can be controlled. Things have a way of working out over time.

It's boohoo to the person who comes on an internet site complaining about politics, unfair, etc. 

No doubt there are bad coaches in HS. In summer ball, too. Just not as many as you think there are, bitter guy.

"It's boohoo to the person who comes on an internet site complaining about politics, unfair, etc"

Especially about a coach who has a winning program

If you don't want to play with the cards you are dealt, fold.

So why doesn't anybody get on here and talk about the politics that go on with travel ball?  All we hear and see is the bashing of high school coaches but I'm sure the vast majority of us will agree that there are good HS coaches, bad HS coaches and same for travel.  So why do we only bash the HS coaches on here?

The obvious answer is that in the summer / fall the players are free to pursue whatever team they want to play (or afford) but I believe it goes deepr than this.  People are brought up on the idea they can switch to whatever team they want when it's proven they are not good enough for a certain team.  They get the idea to solve their problems to just move on instead of learning to fight through adversity and just get better.  Then they get to high school and it's the first true test of "Am I good enough to play here" and when Johnny Super Star finds out he was a big fish in a very small pond he (or better yet his dad) can't handle it.  So instead of striving to get better and proving he belongs on the field it's easier to get on a computer like this and bash a guy who is getting paid very little to do a job to the best of his ability.

Obviously we need travel / fall ball because of recruiting purposes.  I realize that high school is not a great place to be seen and recruited but there are so many other lessons to learn about baseball and life in general that are being missed.  What's wrong with competing for a job?  Won't these same kids who move team to team have to compete when they become adults for a job? 

I'm not here to bash travel nor am I here to say that HS is the greatest thing since sliced bread for baseball.  I'm here to defend the concept that you learn to fight and improve instead of gripe, complain and become a "victim" because the world is a bad place.  Specifically talking about this poster he's complaining about his son not playing but the team is winning and successful.  So shouldn't that lead someone to think that there are good players already on the field and maybe his son isn't as good as they are.  The solution would be to work harder instead of complain to a bunch of people who cannot do a single solitary thing to help him.  The poster says people tell him his son is the best one in that area as justification for him to play more on a team that's already winning.  But why isn't the first thought here - what are your credentials for making that statement?  Is this someone who knows how to evaluate talent, college coach, pro scout, a good local coach at some level or is this just some guy who likes baseball and is being nice by paying a compliment? 

Come on people you got to be more productive with the odds you are facing.  Yes there are kids on the bench who probably should play more but what is complaining going to get you?  It won't get you in the lineup and if it does then you're still shortchanging yourself into false confidence that leads you to not getting better.  So at the end of the day you're still not getting better.  When you face being put on the bench because you're truly not good enough or because your dad isn't booster club president then get to work.  Get to work on fielding, throwing, hitting, knowing the game, running, strength, being a great team mate, being a competitor and a whole bunch of other things.  But instead we get people who get on here and bash a guy who's probably (but could be) not that bad.  Then we get people who don't agree with the poster but comment with things that trivialize HS baseball.  Come on people we are better than this.

This is a link that another AD in our county sent to all the ADs in our district.  It's a little off topic on the subject at hand but you can get some great life lessons and life direction in regards to this topic.  Just wanted to share this with everyone.

http://www.allprodad.com/top10...-your-children-quit/

Honestly, this is all I needed to read.  It's from the OP's profile:

Great post Coach!

I think the Op and OP's son may be realizing the difference between "The 9 best" and "The best 9"

coach2709, that is a great post.

My son will try out for HS baseball next spring.  He already has the mindset that he will work as hard as possible to try to unseat a senior varsity player at his position.  Is that going to happen?  I sincerely doubt it.  He knows that, but it won't stop him from working.  And when he lands on Freshman or JV, he'll continue to work, even harder.  No complaining from me or him, even if he is better.  His time will come.

I was told the same by a local College recruiter and plan to not fret,  but I just hate to see my son only used to get the team out of an troubled inning.

If the original poster needs some background melody for his tune I could round up parents of the benchwarmers of my son's former high school team. Many of the parents of benchwarmers thought the starting lineup was political despite two conference championships and a second with many of the starters moving on to college ball (through their summer teams).

DC, you still have not said what year your kid is?

In my opinion, this would have been a better question to ask from the beginning of your post.  You'll get some good thoughts and advice now.

Very nice post by Coach2709 (nice pic too). 

Unfortunately, it doesn't always work out.  There are a lot of "bad" coaches (HS and Travel) -- coaches who play favorites, politics, friends, etc.  When you end up with one of those, it becomes a nightmare if you are not a "chosen one."  We as parent need to be prepared to explain the unexplainable to our kids.  The problem is the "work hard" speech only goes so far if the results aren't there or you're stuck with the guy for several years.  Imaturity and frustration sets in (including the parents). 

I have been there and done that.  My kid play basketball for one of these.  Although he was easily one of the 5 best, he didn't start.  Two "chosen ones" started.  One kid who apparently had "all the moves" in practice and one who was a "friend."  They provided nothing of value durring the games and we got killed.  My kid eventually did work his way into the rotation but it was still frustrating.  He would come in after the first several minuites and play half to 3/4 of the game, while the "starter" sat and watched.  The sad part is that the "starter's" development was affected because since he was a "starter" he could not play in any "B" games.  IMO, that is just not good coaching.  Then at the suggestion of the "friendly dad" the coach went with a different lineup (I know because I am friends with the dad) -- smaller and quicker.  For the last few games, my kids minuites went down to zero -- until one kid didn't show up because of another sport and another fouled out.  Net result -- a lot of big losses.  At the end of season gathering, the "coach" actually stood up and claimed it was about "development."  I laughed, shook my head and left -- fortunately we had baseball practice to go to.  My kid's attitude and confidence had been destroyed.  My kid went on to a travel team which actually was about development.  He became much better and evetually by the end of the season was the "go to" player to take the game winning shot (which he missed, but had a great look).  His confidence restored. 

Long post, but there is a point here somewhere.  As parents, we need to have an honest assesment of our kids talent and work ethic.  We have to preach that the coach is "the boss" and is making the right decisions in his view for the benefit of the team.  Sometimes there just isn't a fit but their is always another season and another team if it truly is BS.  Good luck. 

Ok so your son is a Freshman on a JV team that got bumped up and is put in pressure situations and performs........still not seeing a problem here.  In fact I see a ton of positives and maybe even a fast track to varsity for next season.  Your son is put into pressure situations because the coach feels he is reliable to get the job done.  That is what you want as a player because you are getting noticed.  Who's to say this JV coach tells the Varsity coach that your kid is dependable and able to get the job done.  Now the Varsity coach moves him up.  Isn't that what your kid wants?  To play varsity?

But here's a question - let's say your son does get moved up to varsity, the team is doing great and he's still only a one inning pitcher?  Will you still be unhappy because he's not playing?  What if your kid is happy with what's going on - is it fair for you to suck that enjoyment from him just because you think he should be playing more?

I don't buy the "he should play more because you're paying X amount of dollars" attitude either.  First nobody is forcing you to pay that money, second everyone is paying the same amount of money so that levels out the playing field and third paying to play is the dumbest thing ever.  As an AD myself I will do everything in my power to not let it happen at my school.

In all honesty you need to relax and let your son be a teenager.  The next four years are going to fly by and you will be wondering what happened.  Let him progress on his own.  If he doesn't want you to say anything to the coach then that's the best advice you will get.  The next best piece of advice you will get is listen to your son and keep quiet, become supportive of him working hard and don't undermine the coach.  It won't end pretty.  Your negative attitude will rub off onto your son and he will become negative.

Not to mention that there aren't too many coaches, that have 3 levels of teams, that will be willing to throw a freshman out there as a starting pitcher.  He may evolve into that, but it will be the coaches decision.

I'm really starting to worry about how long I can hang with HSBW. I notice that many of the old-timers are just refusing to jump into these seemingly-endless whining threads.

Was it this way always?? God, I hope not. Tell me it's something in the water, please!

Wait a second guys.  Is it really good for development of "the program" or the athlete to move him up if he is not going to start and play full time?  Don't you get better by playing?  And only move him up to JV (like wins matter there)?  I would be opposed to my kid moving up unless he was going to start and play.  I could care less that is "on" varsity (or JV) as a freshman/sophomore if he doesn't play.  I want him to develop and be a starter on Varsity when he is a JR/SR. 

So I think the OP has a legitimate issue with that.  Problem is there is not much he can do about it other than wait for the next season.  He needs to give the kid the "work hard" and "be a good teammate" speech.  Now the "scouted by the pros" and politics stuff is way over the top. 

I'll bite. Maybe this is one for Coach May, Coach2709 or others, but here's my theory:

Coaches move boys up prior to playoffs for one of two reasons:

* They see how that player COULD help the older team but aren't sure. They don't necessarily see the player as a gamer -- especially pitchers. They just want to fill possible holes.

OR ...

They leave players who they KNOW can help the older team on the younger team until the time is right -- then they bring them up and play them virtually full-time.

Am I smokin' crack?? 

If you make a mistake and put your son on a travel team with a poor coach you can move Him the next season.  If your HS coach is poor your stuck.  Unfortunately our coach is not good but what can you do?  Our area is loaded with talent and the coach makes playoffs each year based on talent alone but does not go far as soon as game situations factor in.  I heard he does not want to go far just keep his job.  It's really sad when what should be a great memory is ruined by a guy in it for the wrong reason.  Before you bash me as a dad of a weak player my son is a starter, made AC last year, is forecasted as a draft pick but still is not having a great time due to a egomaniac coach who didn't play past the HS level.  My son focuses on his friends and  love of the game.  He says he now wants to be a coach to help make kids have a better experience than he has.  Just focus on the love of the game.

Nice post. Yes, you can be stuck in high school. Summer ball allows you to be a free agent.Long live free agency!

Sure way to get past any politics?  Be a great player with a good attitude and good grades.  Best way to steer your kid toward a bad attitude as a parent?  Do things like walk out of an end-of-season gathering laughing at and mocking the coach.  Or complain about a promotion to a higher level with less PT.

Look, there are countless reasons that a coach would move a player up a level and play him less and it still is a big plus for the kid.  You spend more time practicing during the week than playing in games.  If you practice with better players, you get better faster.  If you practice with the better/older players, you mesh with them and are more likely to be matched up with them as they move up the ladder.  Often, you get more coaches at the higher levels with more detailed and advanced practices.  When you do play, it is against better competition.  You may be filling a role that is a need for that team that is very important, albeit not full time play.  And on and on...   

If your son truly has aspirations to be scouted by pros, the last thing he wants to do is stay at a lower HS level so he can get more PT against weak competition.  This is an awesome opportunity for him to start learning to deal with things like being a one-way player or role player because that will almost definitely be the case as he moves up.

It's all in one's perspective and attitude.  Let your son learn by example, Dad.

PS - Jaggerz, it just wouldn't be the same without you joining each and every coach-bashing discussion, regardless of whether there is a valid argument or not.  I would think that, with your son's experience, you would know that voicing the bashing message helps no one.

I'm sorry guys but you just don't get it.  High school ball should be about being stuck with what you got because that can be one of the best things to happen to a player by being put in a bad situation that they have very little control over.  Travel ball should be free agency because it's important for a player to be on a team where they have more control.  To develop a complete player you NEED both of these because if it's always easy then what are they going to do when they FINALLY have to compete at the college or minor league level if they get there?

Golfman you pose a great question in should the HS program be about developing itself versus the development of the individual.  I really am glad you asked this because it's a great question and ties into what I put above.  A high school program has two things going against it that everyone on here always brings up rightfully so.  1.  A HS season is so short statistically that it renders any numbers you put up meaningless because of shortage of opportunities.  2.  It's virtually impossible to get seen by college and pro scouts due to the time of the season.  So based on those two things what's wrong with having the HS team use players in order for the program to develop?  The reason why this is good is because the player SHOULD have the summer and fall to develop as an individual.  They are going to be able to spend 70% more time developing as an individual than being part of the team as a piece.

Baseball (and real life) is pretty cut throat as is but at some point you need to learn to be part of a team and face / overcome adversity.  The HS season can be that component of developing a complete player.  Is it frustrating to be part of a bad program with a coach who doesn't know what's going on?  You dang skippy it is and when I see teams at the HS level I coach against my heart goes out to their players but in terms of progressing and developing they still have opportunities if they take them.

Yes there are HS coaches who run summer teams that demand they play for them.  So why not go against them in the summer / fall and play for whoever you want that is going to help you the most?  They don't own you and if they punish you by benching you then what's the big deal?  The HS season won't hurt you because the stats are meaningless and very few scouts will come watch.  Plus scouts aren't dumb - they make their living knowing baseball.  They will know and understand if your son plays for a terrible HS coach.  If they have tools and are seen in the summer / fall they will be fine but the things they can learn from overcoming the adversity faced in a HS season will make them stand out more for going onto the next level.

Someone said there's only so many times you can say "keep up the good work" and things like that before it loses it's meaning.  Well you're right so you now focus on doing the things that help you become a good a more complete player.  Use the time to help younger players grow and develop so you can learn some leadership skills.  Use the time to do something productive no matter what it is to help you grow and develop. The worst thing you can do is gripe and complain or foster that mentality in your son.  If it seems the son is getting tired of hearing that then tell him to suck it up and work through it because what is the alternative?  Give in and bash?  That will never be productive.

If you take the right mentality then you can accept the HS season and summer / fall seasons for what they are in the development of a player.  A HS team is there to help players develop as individuals but the main reason is to teach them how to overcome adversity.  A travel team is there to help develop a player individually and promote them.  But if you take this mentality and focus on the positives you will be amazed how much those two will start crossing over in how they will help in development.

Thanks MTH but it's a new day so who knows what will come out now.