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High School Team issues...What do I do?

D dolphindan1100+ posts
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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ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
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.
RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007
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
T twotex1,000+ posts
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.
D dolphindan1100+ posts
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
Three BaggerThree Bagger1,000+ posts
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!
T twotex1,000+ posts
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.
fenwaysouthfenwaysouth10,000+ posts
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
T tradosaurus100+ posts
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.
EG Eric G100+ posts
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.
C CBMDad100+ posts
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.
I ironhorse5,000+ posts
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.
Y YesReally100+ posts
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
shortnquickshortnquick500+ posts
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.
bballdad2016bballdad20161,000+ posts
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.
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