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Background...My son is a freshman...6'1...lefty...last year as an 8th grader he played JV...played 1st, LF and pitched and hit 3rd in lineup...He was #2 in innings pitched and did very well, he also had the 3rd highest batting average on team...He played 15u USSSA this fall and this spring has been asked to play on a 16u showcase team...

Well he went out for Varsity this year at his local AA public school...He wanted to tryout for first. well the first day the coach tells players to go to positions and as soon as my son goes to 1st the varsity coach sends him to RF...I thought OK no biggie he was great in the OF last year, thats where he has been all last week...he was asked to play in the varsity scrimmage, after only 1 day in a week of bullpen, other pitchers had 2 or 3. He pitched 1 inning..SO, SO, hit, walk, error on 2nd run scores,SO...He only got 1 inning in the field after that, LF...Well today they had cuts and he is told JV only...no real issue playing JV except 4 kids that played last year on JV were brought to Varsity and will play JV also...2 never pitched and 3 had the worst batting averages on the team. 2 kids are coaches sons. One is the AD's son who only made it to 2 days of workouts and not even to scrimmage...1 kid is in 8th grade and tried to go to another public school and was rejected but they are in love with this kid. He was bad last year on JV...I honestly think the dad made an ultimatum or the coaches are kissing his butt to keep this kid there, but I am just guessing...he is a lefty like my son, cant hit, but is a decent pitcher..Also watching the practices and the scrimmage the guys at 1st base cant even field a ground ball...Again coaches son and the 8th grader...he wont even get a shot at infield on JV with those kids playing both and since they are same grade or younger will never get a shot...like I said I have no issue with OF but shouldnt he get a shot to tryout for 1st?

What do I do? My son has been asked to play for 3 private schools and again will play on a 16U showcase team he has been begged to play for...My concern is he is never gonna get a shot at first and wanna know why he wasnt even allowed to tryout for 1st at his current school? It looks like he has been passed over altogether...not sure why...Do I ask the coach? Do I Have my son ask the coach? not sure? He came home very upset. I got several phone calls wondering why he wasnt on Varsity and several kids asked him the same thing...not trying to brag but its really small town BS and its very frustrating...

I have tried to explain to him that his opportunities will come from the PG tourney's and other showcase tourneys he will play this summer...also that where he goes to school will not really be the issue...He thinks he wont get looked at in a private school...I asked him How many signed from his current school the last 5 years...We could only name 2...

any advice?
Last edited {1}
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quote:
Originally posted by Proud Dad 24:
Simmer down, he's just a freshman and he's made the JV team. It's a marathon not a sprint. If he is as good as you say, his talent will win out over politics.

He has a long career ahead. Have him outwork and outhustle everyone else and struve to be the best. Eventually, he'll rise above the bull****.

Excellent advice.

Lose the drama queen stuff. The price of rice in China will not be affected most assuredly. Look, the only thing your son can control is his attitude and effort. I know you won't believe me, but setbacks are a good thing. They supply motivation. Tell him to take his frustrations out on the baseball. Go out and dive for a ball. Use the motivation to be the biggest hustle-guy on the field. If the opposite happened, where they brought the local paper in to do a story on how "gifted" the freshman prodigy was, you sure would feel a heck of a lot better but I assure you the motivation to prove something would not be there as the only motivation would be how many times to pat yourself on the back. Snubbing and politics are part of every level of baseball. You can use it to your advantage or you can pout and mope.
There's no such thing as a 16U showcase team. Showcase teams are 17/18U. If you expect your son to get college exposure playing 16U you're wasting your money. If you expect him to enjoy playing other quality 16U travel teams and develop into a potential 17/18U, that's what you will get.

Parents often don't see the baseball world the way coaches do. Settle down. Don't bring your son down mentally and emotionally. Tell him to ask the coach what he can improve and how to do it to make varsity in the future. On JV your son should approach every practice and game like it's the seventh game of the World Series. Someone will notice if he's as good as you claim.

Here's some advice: The worst thing you can do is say anything in public you've posted here. DO NOT pass judgement on other players. DO NOT pull for them to fail so your son can get called up. Encourage your son to earn his way while you stay quiet other than pulling for every player in the baseball program.

If yoru son thinks there are things happening that aren't fair, welcome to the real world. If the worst thing that happens to him is not making varsity freshman year he will have lived a charmed life. But don't make it worse by convincing him it's not fair. Convince him to practice and play hard.
Last edited by RJM
Last year my son started the season playing JV, while a player who didn't seem as good started on varsity. I sat my son down and asked him if he was going to let this happen. I then said that he had to work so hard and play with such intensity that he would win that starting job.

It was painful. My son was starting on JV, but was rostered with the varsity and riding the pine behind this other player. Finally, the other player had a bad game, and the coach put my son in for the last couple of innings of a game. My son had fire in his eyes and did very well.

Well, you can guess how it ended. My son won the starting job about 2/3rds of the way through the season. Once he became the starter, the other player never saw another varsity inning in the season. Like my son, he was rostered on varsity, but rode the pine. My son started every post-season game.

When I spoke to my son about it, I told him that he left too much room for someone else to get his position. He should have been so far ahead of the other kid that it was obvious who should start.

These things have a way of working out. Sometimes what seems like a bad thing ends up being a valuable lesson.
quote:
Originally posted by RJM:
There's no such thing as a 16U showcase team. Showcase teams are 17/18U. If you expect your son to get college exposure playing 16U you're wasting your money. If you expect him to enjoy playing other quality 16U travel teams and develop into a potential 17/18U, that's what you will get.

Parents often don't see the baseball world the way coaches do. Settle down. Don't bring your son down mentally and emotionally. Tell him to ask the coach what he can improve and how to do it to make varsity in the future. On JV your son should approach every practice and game like it's the seventh game of the World Series. Someone will notice if he's as good as you claim.

Here's some advice: The worst thing you can do is say anything in public you've posted here. DO NOT pass judgement on other players. DO NOT pull for them to fail so your son can get called up. Encourage your son to earn his way while you stay quiet other than pulling for every player in the baseball program.

If yoru son thinks there are things happening that aren't fair, welcome to the real world. If the worst thing that happens to him is not making varsity freshman year he will have lived a charmed life. But don't make it worse by convincing him it's not fair. Convince him to practice and play hard.


actually it is a showcase team...I can post the schedule if you would like...they will be playing up 17/18u in PG tourneys in Florida and several universities in the 3 state area...plus some big tourney in Jupiter Florida...anyway...

I appreciate all the advice...I don't say much to anyone except my closest friend who lives in another district...I have encouraged my son to work hard and to not worry about all the issues, to let me worry with that part of it...

I do wanna know if you feel it would be in his best interest to switch schools...I still maintain its daddy ball and he will never get a shot where he is at...He proved himself last year on JV over the ones that made Varsity...I am not trying to be a drama queen or pamper him but he has opportunities out there and I want to know if I should pursue them...

Here is how I know its daddy ball...His school coach was also the assistant coach on his travel team and his son and my son play the same position..1st, OF and P...well my son out performed his son on the travel team and the coach was unhappy and threatened to leave team etc etc...his son made varsity...so I think its some backlash from that
Transfering won't hurt his chances that much because he's only in a 2AA school now and I know from experience that most 2AA size school players get recruited out of select ball and showcases as both my sons were. If the private schools are within budget, why not switch if he's agreeable. I know there's people here who will say they don't advocate quitting the team or running from adversity, but I think each case merits its own solution. If both you and he are very unhapy and it poisons the atmosphere, it would be better to switch schools at this time. Do whatever you feel is best for his education and his baseball and don't worry about what others think. Good luck!
I wouldn't change high schools over baseball. To me it sends the message that he can't overcome obstacles, and that baseball is THE most important thing in the world.

What happens if he changes school then it doesn't work out there? Do you move him again?

The value in high school baseball is that it teaches important lessons that you don't get when you are picking your team and coaches. It does not replicate the travel ball experience. It is different.

You've had advice for him to work hard and hang in there. Eventually someone will post who will say that you should move him to another school. They will tell you that they moved their son and it worked out. This is a value-based decision, not a baseball decision.

As an employer I like to ask "what obstacles have you overcome to achieve your goals?" My son already has an answer to that question.

JMHO.
dolphindad1,

1. Please a little perspective. He's a freshmen. My two oldest sons made JV while in 8th grade too. They got moved around by the coach, and put in awkward situations that made them both much better players in the long run. Whatever you do, don't say anything to anyone.....it can and will be used against you later. I've seen this scenario many times over.

2. Twotex had a great story a few posts above. That is how you handle business IMHO!

3. You can transfer to a private school but do it for the right reasons.

4. Life sometimes throws curveballs, he has to learn to hit curveballs. BTW....I've seen Daddyball in college too, and I've heard Daddyball is alive and well in the MLB draft.


Best of luck!
Last edited by fenwaysouth
quote:
Originally posted by dolphindan1:
Background...My son is a freshman...6'1...lefty...last year as an 8th grader he played JV...played 1st, LF and pitched and hit 3rd in lineup...He was #2 in innings pitched and did very well, he also had the 3rd highest batting average on team...He played 15u USSSA this fall and this spring has been asked to play on a 16u showcase team...

Well he went out for Varsity this year at his local AA public school...He wanted to tryout for first. well the first day the coach tells players to go to positions and as soon as my son goes to 1st the varsity coach sends him to RF...I thought OK no biggie he was great in the OF last year, thats where he has been all last week...he was asked to play in the varsity scrimmage, after only 1 day in a week of bullpen, other pitchers had 2 or 3. He pitched 1 inning..SO, SO, hit, walk, error on 2nd run scores,SO...He only got 1 inning in the field after that, LF...Well today they had cuts and he is told JV only...no real issue playing JV except 4 kids that played last year on JV were brought to Varsity and will play JV also...2 never pitched and 3 had the worst batting averages on the team. 2 kids are coaches sons. One is the AD's son who only made it to 2 days of workouts and not even to scrimmage...1 kid is in 8th grade and tried to go to another public school and was rejected but they are in love with this kid. He was bad last year on JV...I honestly think the dad made an ultimatum or the coaches are kissing his butt to keep this kid there, but I am just guessing...he is a lefty like my son, cant hit, but is a decent pitcher..Also watching the practices and the scrimmage the guys at 1st base cant even field a ground ball...Again coaches son and the 8th grader...he wont even get a shot at infield on JV with those kids playing both and since they are same grade or younger will never get a shot...like I said I have no issue with OF but shouldnt he get a shot to tryout for 1st?

What do I do? My son has been asked to play for 3 private schools and again will play on a 16U showcase team he has been begged to play for...My concern is he is never gonna get a shot at first and wanna know why he wasnt even allowed to tryout for 1st at his current school? It looks like he has been passed over altogether...not sure why...Do I ask the coach? Do I Have my son ask the coach? not sure? He came home very upset. I got several phone calls wondering why he wasnt on Varsity and several kids asked him the same thing...not trying to brag but its really small town BS and its very frustrating...

I have tried to explain to him that his opportunities will come from the PG tourney's and other showcase tourneys he will play this summer...also that where he goes to school will not really be the issue...He thinks he wont get looked at in a private school...I asked him How many signed from his current school the last 5 years...We could only name 2...

any advice?


I think you have a legitimate gripe. If two of the coach's and AD's son is on the team I would bet they wouldn't be benched. Your son will be playing on a ****** team because it will be apparent that it doesn't matter how hard you try.

My two older sons went through this in high school and I promise you that when my 13 yr old is ready for 9th grade I will have shopped around and talked to various schools to see how well they are coached.

I can handle my son being benched if the talent pool is deep. My son had to work his way to a starting position on a really good travel team last year.

I would start looking around at various schools. Don't let your son get stuck on a ****** baseball team as he may just give up baseball all together.
Good luck.
Roll with the punches. What is it teaching him if you just uproot to another school just because of this? I think it teaches him a poor way to handle it IMO. Parent him, teach him, guide him. I too have a Freshman this year and is riding the fence of possibly being asked to dress varsity. Frankly, not so sure I would be OK with it after seeing the very limited playing time the coach has given another Freshman in the past. I would just as soon have him play JV to get reps. He also plays on a highly competetive travel team and I would hate to see him go thru school ball with so few reps then go in to summer ball behind the 8-ball.
A tough decision. My 1st question, is the school you are thinking of transfering to a better Academic school. If not IMO I would not do it. My My Son is now a Sophmore at a Div 1 School. After 8th grade we made a decision to move from a School district that was Div 3. The Highschool was not strong Academically (I'm being kind) I have 4 kids & could not afford Private School so we moved. the risk was the new School had over 800 kids in the Freshman class. The competition for a spot on the team was going to be much more competitive. My Son played Freshman Ball last year because at his School thats what they do. Freshman play Freshman ball. He had a great year & will most likely play Varsity this Spring.

Bottom line is he may be better off at a private School. Just make sure you take in all the factors before you make the move. I would sit back and let this season play out. If he plays like you say he does he will get his chance.
quote:
Originally posted by tradosaurus:
I'm teaching my kid that if you find a team that pays more money (gets more playing time/position) then jump ASAP.

Your loyalty lies with the "paycheck." Life is unfair and favortism/politics are part of most jobs/occupations.

Might as well prepare him for the real world.

Nice lesson. You're kid will be a pleasure to coach, I'm sure.

And I bet you'll be the first one want to meet with the coach when a soph. takes your son's spot when he's a senior. "He's earned it!" you'll say.

Again, coaches aren't the one's screwing up today's kids.
quote:
There's no such thing as a 16U showcase team. Showcase teams are 17/18U. If you expect your son to get college exposure playing 16U you're wasting your money. If you expect him to enjoy playing other quality 16U travel teams and develop into a potential 17/18U, that's what you will get.



Actually, there is quite a bit of exposure to be had on a top quality 16u showcase team at national events. There are many scouts at the 16u week in east cobb and other high profile events. Many contacts with players are made (through travel coaches) after/as a result of these events.
Last edited by YesReally
quote:
like I said I have no issue with OF but shouldnt he get a shot to tryout for 1st?


dolphindan1

Couple of things to consider. One if your son belongs on varsity then he will absolutely prove that as he begins to play JV. A true varsity player will dominate that division. So just have him play, support the idea that its not that big of a deal. The worst thing IMO is to let frustrations filter into your sons mind and thoughts about playing this year. The sooner you let it go, the sooner he will let it go...and then the sooner he could get back to just playing baseball. If he is good enough it will work itself out.

The second thing to understand is that HS and travel or showcase ball are 2 different animals for a coach. A HS has what they have for players. Travel you put together the team, choose players from a wider area to fit needs. In HS the coach has what he has. While your son might be the best first baseman, the team might need talented players in the OF. Coach might be short out there and wants your son to develop into a great outfielder. Either for this year or next. Best place maybe to learn how to play that position might be on JV until he could play it at a varsity level. Which might be sooner rather than later. If your son could play outfield, 1B and pitch he will be that much more valuable to him at the varsity level then just 1B and pitch.

Your attitude towards this will dictate his. Take a positive attitude, make it a challenge, look at it from a perspective that your son will be better for it as a player and a person if he just plays and produces. It will then all take care of itself.
dolphindan1 - It many just be that your son is NEEDED in the OF and the varsity coach (that's who really runs the program) has other things in mind for your son in the future. Maybe the depth chart does not allow your son to be at 1st base this year. Maybe the varsity coach knows that your 6'1" lefty son will develop into a great CF and one more year at JV will be just what he needs. Just remember: Hit the ball and they will find a spot for you.
My advice is to get him to understand that this is a precursor for life. Buckle down, work harder and take your talent level to a point that it cannot be ignored. Use these challenges as logs on the fire to make him work harder. If you are the best it will always become evident. And most important of all, just let him have fun right now, it will become work soon enough.
I don't get what the issue is. Your kid plays where the coach tells him and he plays hard every play and be ready for practice. My kid didn't even get to sniff varsity until his junior year and he was a good ballplayer but he kept his mouth shut, played hard and prepared well in practice, paid his dues and got his innings on the freshman & JV teams and eventually got his shot to win a starting spot, but not before again having to prove himself yet again on the varsity level. He didn't get to play his best position when he first won the varsity spot but he just wanted on the field and quickly ended up in his best position on the field anyway. If he had any questions or concerns, he went to the coach. He was told by his coach to see him if he had any questions or issues so that was his responsibility to deal with it.

As a parent, it's your job to stay away from it and let the kid deal with it. Not once in my four years did I ever approach my sons coaches and discuss playing time or issues on the field. He did it from the 9th grade on. That's how you should handle it.

As for running away from the program to chase whatever it is he's chasing, or whatever it is you're chasing, it'll teach him nothing about learning to deal with the real world. This is the time to start thinking and doing for himself.
Last edited by zombywoof
dolphindan1,

I understand your concerns and I don't disagree with your dislike for the situation.

You'll get good advice here about staying the course, toughing out adverse situations, finding a good summer program, work hard on personal fundamentals, etc.

I'll add this and I say this with all due respect...go back and read your post and I hope you'll see how bad you sound.

Trust me, I say this with experience. My first post was a doozy as well.

I think it might be a little much to have a HS freshman changing schools to play spring baseball.

JMO. Best of luck.
dolphindan1,

If I have learned anything from this board, it's to keep your son thinking positive, keep him working hard and it will pay off.

If the daddy ball is that bad move your son to another school.

Please listen to the folks on this board, and stop with all the showcase stuff , playing here playing there, 16u travel ball, do you really know who you are talking to on this board?

There is more help available to you and your son with your high school/ college journey than you can ever imagine, calm down....I'm sure your son is talented, most everyone on here has a talented son.

Play through it or move, but don't ruin this for your son with all the negative comments. He is just getting started ....stop whining.
quote:
My son has been asked to play for 3 private schools


If I'm readint this correctly then it sounds like recruiting. While I don't know what state you live in I'm willing to bet there are rules against one school recruiting a player from another team. Is this truly the situation you want to get yourself in? Do you want your son to play for a coach who will totally ignore a rule? What if he does go to one of these schools and they recruit another player to replace him? It's not worth it just so you can have your ego stroked.

Like someone said - calm down and reread your post. It may shock you.
A couple of somewhat random observations:

-We are all confronted, at one point or another, by coaches, teachers, professors, and bosses who are not fair and open-minded. Okay, let’s call them for what they are… you know, morons. Dealing with them and nonetheless thriving is a life skill worth learning early on. I agree with many posters here that it is a little early to panic. All things being equal I would tell my son to buck up, kill 'em with kindness, and turn your haters into motivators (to quote Ellen DeGeneres). If, at the end of freshman year your son (not you) is disappointed and miserable, then you and your son can come up with plan “B.”

-I strongly second the recommendation that you must keep all of this very, very close to your vest. If you don't, the main collateral damage will be to your son.

--It's probably worth doing an inventory of how your presence, attitude, and behavior throughout this process might be one of the contributory factors in terms of why your son is, in your opinion, getting shafted. Maybe you've been an angel and haven't been overly involved with his baseball but, then again, maybe you've insinuated yourself into his baseball life a little too much. Please don't take offense at this line of thought—I only bring it up because I've seen (and feel free to chime in here, fellow HSBBW posters) sooo many parents of decent ballplayers who are a real turn--off (who are obnoxious know-it-alls, constantly displaying an undeserved sense of entitlement, always poking their nose into the coaches’ business and decisions, and generally screwing it up for their kid).

--Only switch schools if the (1) academics; (2) baseball; and (3) social scene are superior. All three areas--not just baseball. Don’t switch schools because your kid didn’t make the varsity as a freshman.
Last edited by slotty
quote:
Originally posted by ironhorse:
quote:
Originally posted by tradosaurus:
I'm teaching my kid that if you find a team that pays more money (gets more playing time/position) then jump ASAP.

Your loyalty lies with the "paycheck." Life is unfair and favortism/politics are part of most jobs/occupations.

Might as well prepare him for the real world.

Nice lesson. You're kid will be a pleasure to coach, I'm sure.

And I bet you'll be the first one want to meet with the coach when a soph. takes your son's spot when he's a senior. "He's earned it!" you'll say.

Again, coaches aren't the one's screwing up today's kids.


You haven't been where I live evidently. Politics and favoritism are the norm.
I'm just trying to play the game and politic. Smile

Oh and it works in real life too.
Last edited by tradosaurus
Well all I can tell you is every player I know has had issues with their high school situation. Whether it was playing time, coaches, or whatever you can think of. My best advice as a player who played JV from 9th-11th grade while dressing for Varsity as a junior, is the position you are playing doesn't matter too much. In high school I played every single position except CF, I may have caught a total of 10 games throughout my ENTIRE high school career. I was recruited as a catcher. Another thing as being a JV player who "thinks" and parents "think" he can play Varsity, hit the cover off of the ball on JV and eventually they will notice. My junior year it was a sophomore and I on JV and dressing for varsity. We hit 3 and 4 on JV and it didn't take long before our varsity coach really started paying some attention to the JV games. The next year the coach had us hitting 2 and 5 on Varsity and we did the same thing up there. The best thing about having the JV time is you have the need to prove what you are worth. I don't think there are going to be many times in your son's life where he is given the top job. Being able to earn it is what is going to matter.

Good luck to your son! I'm sure he will be playing at a high level on Varsity before you know it.
quote:
Originally posted by tradosaurus:
I'm teaching my kid that if you find a team that pays more money (gets more playing time/position) then jump ASAP.

Your loyalty lies with the "paycheck." Life is unfair and favortism/politics are part of most jobs/occupations.

Might as well prepare him for the real world.
Everything in life gets easier to do with more practice .... including complaining and quitting. Preparation for life incudes learning how to deal with tough situations and overcoming obstacles.
Last edited by RJM
quote:
Originally posted by tradosaurus:
I'm teaching my kid that if you find a team that pays more money (gets more playing time/position) then jump ASAP.

Your loyalty lies with the "paycheck." Life is unfair and favortism/politics are part of most jobs/occupations.

Might as well prepare him for the real world.


Wow, I thought this was a joke the first time I read it.
Lots of great advice except maybe for one wacko. Wow.

Regarding your position of your son being slighted...

Please know that JV success, position in the line-up, BA, innings pitched, 15U stats, etc. have very little bearing on what the V coaches may see or be looking for. They also sometimes have little indication as to how much success he may have at higher levels. Some of the players with the best JV stats in our program have struggled considerably when brought up to the V level, even given every opportunity to perform. I'm not suggesting that your son will not have the success you think he will. Just don't expect those things to matter to V coaches.

Every level is starting over. Every level presents new challenges and obstacles. Have your son focus on being the best player he can be. Teach him to overcome those obstacles. The goal should be to “leave no doubt”. Create clear separation from his competitors.

Even if your scenario was true where two coaches and an AD have kids in the program, and you were truly being cheated with these kids having the leg up, that still leaves 6 spots to be earned. That is where the focus should be. Just another obstacle. Just another opportunity. Then, the next is to make sure you are being the best teammate to ALL of the other players on the team, including the aforementioned three.

My son started V as a freshman. He has turned out to be a very good V player but if anything is lacking, it is the fact that he hasn’t been pushed down often enough to make him even hungrier, more motivated and more mentally prepared to handle setbacks. Part of me wishes he had been sent down that year for those reasons.
Also, his soph year, he brought up the idea of transferring to a neighboring school so that he could play with a bigger, better program. He is very competitive and he also was concerned about exposure. There were way too many other good things about his current school and I wanted to instill that he should be the one to affect change in bad situations instead of running away until he found something better. The following year, we swept that bigger, better team. He was very instrumental... and very glad he didn’t change schools.
Besides, there are way more important reasons to consider when pondering a change of school. Does he have life long friends at his current school? Is it safe and academically sound? Is he well adjusted there?

Please also know that your words, actions, attitude and body language will carry over to your son. Whether you are saying anything to him or not, I’m quite sure he is picking up on where you currently stand on this. Think through what the correct “bigger picture” lessons you want your son coming away with.
Last edited by cabbagedad
quote:
Originally posted by bacdorslider:
"My first post was a doozy as well".

My first 10 posts were from a crazy man............

We reeled you back in... Big Grin



dolphindan1: Welcome! I went through the same thing with my son as a freshman. I couldn't understand why he wasn't already on varsity. Fortunately, I bit my tongue, and kept my mouth shut, and by the end of the year he was called up and playing varsity. Many coaches don't want any freshman on varsity. I just didn't realize it at the time.

Sit tight and encourage him to do everything he can to make them have to move him to varsity.
Last edited by birdman14

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