High School Roster Movement

I don't hear of many of the in-season promotions, but it does happen.

You have answered many of your own questions. Just keep in mind that the coach is not there for any one kid...he is there for all of them and the entire team and program.

Coaches certainly can make mistakes, but player movement such as you described can be for many of the reasons you listed...injuries or illness, varsity player failure at that level, etc. The coach makes the move to make the varsity team better. I wouldn't think he would bring a kid up and sit him, but he may sit more than he would at a lower level.

But just practicing with the varsity players can push a young player to be better and accelerate his development.

quote:

coach is not there for any one kid...he is there for all of them and the entire team and program.

Understand this most definately...didnt mean for it to sound otherwise.

Thanks for the insight. Just wasnt aware if it was a common occurence or sparsely done.

Coaches run their programs differently. I have a freshman P/3B. He will start the season up on varsity, mainly for pitching depth. He is behind a couple of guys at 3B. If by the end of the tournaments he's not starting at 3B or one of our top 5 pitchers, I will move him down to the JV team so he can play 3B and be one of the top 2 pitchers during district. This is just one situation.

quote:

Originally posted by monkeyboy:

quote:

coach is not there for any one kid...he is there for all of them and the entire team and program.

Understand this most definately...didnt mean for it to sound otherwise.

Thanks for the insight. Just wasnt aware if it was a common occurence or sparsely done.

I was not directing that comment at you, but more in a general sense. Just that he must focus on the team in the big picture and not just one player...much like funneldrill and his P/3B scenario.

One more thing, I've already discussed this with the parents and they seem to be on board. Even if I do move him down, he will continue to practice with the varsity.

quote:

Originally posted by funneldrill:
One more thing, I've already discussed this with the parents and they seem to be on board. Even if I do move him down, he will continue to practice with the varsity.

Not that the coach cares, , but this doesnt create any enmity, disdain or awkwardeness with the other players if he practices with one and plays with the other?

Good question. Funneldrill thank you for the reply. When I first read this I was sure we would hear from many about how wrong monkeyboy was to ask a question about a freshman. Many of us have similar questions that old timers could really help us with as we start high school ball for the first time. Funneldrill also kudo's for speaking to the parents early about your plans for the player, I am sure keeping them informed was much appreciated.

Is your son playing for a school w/ in a baseball rich tradition?

Some schools have immediate needs because of lack of depth @ various positions so it is much easier for an incoming player to move up quickly.

I'm sure if he shows strongs signs early on he will progress up the ladder.

quote:

When I first read this I was sure we would hear from many about how wrong monkeyboy was to ask a question about a freshman. Many of us have similar questions that old timers could really help us with as we start high school ball for the first time.

I understand the whole "pecking order" issue with Frosh-Varsity and the "earn your spurs" mentality and am respectful of that. Just interested in what philosphies are behind the decisions made I guess more than anything but obviously they differ depending on need, the player in question and likely other variables.

I will speak for myself. I make roster and line up decisions with one thing in mind...what/who will give us the best chance to win? At the same time, I do not want a frosh or soph on varsity sitting.

Bottom line, if we don't win, I get run out of town.

Question for you coach? How many innings @ the Varsity level requires a player to sit out should he/she transfer to another school the next year?

Transfers are a funny thing.

Anytime you leave one school and go to another, you have to get your previous school to sign off on the Previous Athletic Participation form (PAPF). This is done to confirm that you were not recruited to leave. Then, the PAPF form is given by the new school to their District Executive Committee. They must then approve the transfer and make sure it was not done for "athletic purposes." Even though your old school signs off on your PAPF, the new district may not approve it. If that happens, your are ineligible for VARSITY competition for 1 calendar year.

Some school districts, like Lewisville, make all intra-district transfers ineligible for 1 calendar year...I think this is a good rule.

There are sooooooooo many examples that have been rated and debated on this message board over the last couple of years.

Now, if you are are approved, then if you move before school starts...you are IMMEDIATELY eligible at your new school. If you move during the school year, you may play varsity sports after 15 school days from the date you first enrolled.


Hope this answers your question. If I missed anything I'm sure someone will correct me.

Thanks Coach, If I understand correctly, if you do not participate @ the Varsity level then the player does not need to worry about it?
Ex: Soph playing @ the JV level.

Thanks Coach, If I understand correctly, if you do not participate @ the Varsity level then the player does not need to worry about it?
Ex: Soph playing @ the JV level.

Some districts have policies that restrict any player, JV or Varsity from playing for 1 year following a move, either academically or athletically. Assume it can depend on the district as well.

There are a lot of variables that go into guys bouncing up and down. It depends on the way the coach runs the program, the talent and position of the player in question, injuries to those on high levels, playing ability of those on the higher levels, and finally how those players that are above are playing.

It's common for arms to be up early in the season during tournament play for obvious reasons. Usually these guys get moved down after the tournaments are over unless they WOW during their time up and take someone's spot.

As FD has confirmed, most coaches are very against bringing up a younger player to sit him, unless he is a utility guy or a back up catcher. Pitchers who are too far down the lines to get innings are better served getting starts on JV, but if a team happens to be short a catcher coaches just have to grin and bear it. 4th outfielders tend to stay down barring injury, but a lot of times guys who backup both the SS/2B end up sticking around because it's such a high skill position. You can find a lot of guys to stick in right field.

A lot of coaches like to keep freshman together, others like streamlining their freshman who they feel are in line to start soph year.


The main point is for the parents to understand that these decision are not made without good reason and a lot of thought by coaches.

Also, don't let FD spoil you with talk of coaches talking to parents about playing situations. If a coach approaches you, that is FINE, but never ask a coach why your son is where he is. If your son is too embarrassed to ask about his playing situation, there's probably some things about the situation you don't know, but that is something that is between him and the coach.

quote:

Originally posted by throw'n bb's:
Funneldrill also kudo's for speaking to the parents early about your plans for the player, I am sure keeping them informed was much appreciated.

I'm curious if parents at the HS level expect communication from the coach about their sons playing situation within the baseball program?

Personally, I expect the coach to communicate his evaluation of the player's talents to the player himself. If the player is not mature enough to receive that communication and then attempt to improve upon weaknesses or involve a parent to work on the issues then that kid has no one but himself to blame for any shortage of playing time or inability to play up et cetera. I perceive coaches not having time, nor inclination, to involve the soap opera that is baseball parents. I have heard coaches explain they will discuss anything but playing time but am not sure if thats commonplace.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Red:
You can find a lot of guys to stick in right field.

Very interesting remark. I suppose if your team has little talent or faces little talent, this could be true. But at the varsity level I hardly believe RF is a throw away position where you put your least talented. The days of sticking "that kid" in RF has long past by the time you're playing in a competitive district at the varsity level.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Red:
You can find a lot of guys to stick in right field.

I have two OF sons who might not completely agree with this statement...

quote:

Originally posted by tychco:

quote:

Originally posted by Big Red:
You can find a lot of guys to stick in right field.

I have two OF sons who might not completely agree with this statement...

I have a suspicion Big Red might re-word that slightly. The intent was likely not what came across. As the level of play rises obviouysly we all know that the #9 hitter is valuable as well as the RF. Definately not 9 year old ball any more!!! :-)

I wish I'd worded that a little better, so I'll give it another go now. Outfields are expected to hit better than infielders (except the first baseman) because the position requires a less specific skill set defensively. I am by no means saying that it is a joke to play in the outfield and kids are out there because they can't do anything else, but I am saying that there are more players on a roster who can play outfield than can play in the middle infield.

It is not uncommon for coaches to try and hide bats in a corner outfield spot because that is where they are least likely to get burned. We all saw Vlad try and play RF in the world series, and it was painful. I obviously overstated my point.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Red:
I wish I'd worded that a little better, so I'll give it another go now. Outfields are expected to hit better than infielders (except the first baseman) because the position requires a less specific skill set defensively. I am by no means saying that it is a joke to play in the outfield and kids are out there because they can't do anything else, but I am saying that there are more players on a roster who can play outfield than can play in the middle infield.

It is not uncommon for coaches to try and hide bats in a corner outfield spot because that is where they are least likely to get burned. We all saw Vlad try and play RF in the world series, and it was painful. I obviously overstated my point.

I got your gist...just wanted to bust your baseballs...

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
I'm curious if parents at the HS level expect communication from the coach about their sons playing situation within the baseball program?

No way, not ever. Son has to learn to talk to coach for himself at this age. If HS coach wants to talk to me, he'd better be asking for field-duty volunteers or looking for Stock-tips. Otherwise, he needs to talk to his player.

I'm curious if parents at the HS level expect communication from the coach about their sons playing situation within the baseball program?[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't say "expect it", but wouldn't have any hesitation about asking a coach for a couple minutes about a freshman on varsity.

quote:

I wouldn't say "expect it", but wouldn't have any hesitation about asking a coach for a couple minutes about a freshman on varsity

Ok....are you asking due to the amount of playing time he might get as a freshman or are you asking due to the fact that the freshman is possibly playing ahead of your (senior,junior,soph) son?

What type of player is normally apt to be brought up?....pitcher?...kid with speed?...a bat?...or does it depend on circumstances?

Do the players brought up normally stick...is it normally a whole year thing as opposed to mid-year "call up".

Do decisions made to play younger players up in HS usually pan out more times tnan not in the eyes of the coaches?

quote:

Originally posted by Out in LF:

quote:

I wouldn't say "expect it", but wouldn't have any hesitation about asking a coach for a couple minutes about a freshman on varsity

Ok....are you asking due to the amount of playing time he might get as a freshman or are you asking due to the fact that the freshman is possibly playing ahead of your (senior,junior,soph) son?

Playing time as a Freshman son. I wouldn't think any Coach would have a problem with a parent asking what the plan is. Just don't go in with a blown fuse.

Playing time as a Freshman son.>partial quote:

Well speaking on experience,(2013 son played varsity last season). He obviously must be talented enough to be on the varsity, take in mind that the coaching staff must feel that your son is capable to play with more mature (physical) boys or that he can fill a need on the team.

He may not start right away but will get his chances, they may even move him down and that's not a knock on your son, its done so that he can get the reps he/they may want or need to develop his skills.

They want him to succeed and will find the best place for him.

Best of luck to him and start of his HS career.

This thread is coming off as ambivalent about parents approaching coaches about playing time.

Please, DO NOT approach a coach about your son's playing time. In doing so you hurt your son's relationship with the coach, and you never get what you want. To me it's very clearly your son's job to ask about his own playing time, and I'm pretty sure most people here would agree with me.