First of all, this cannot work for everyone-your son needs to be a pretty good ballplayer, especially at a young age. Of course, you will need to coach him in Little League, so that he can pitch, play short and centerfield, you know, all the premier positions. First base and catcher works also, as they see the most action. As he progresses through his career, he will, of course, make the All-Star team and go to the Little League World Series. Now, here is where the legend begins…
The team does well, but your son doesn’t stand out, as most of the kids are evenly talented as 12 year-olds. You immediately sign him up to play on an out-of-town travel team. Make sure to bring a close friend along. Here’s what you do. After each week’s games, tout your child’s accomplishments. When he goes 1 for 4, with an infield single, tell the baseball people back home, he was 2 for 3 with a double and a triple. When he pitches and gives up 4 runs, make sure to tell them about the complete game shutout that he threw. Are you starting to get my drift? Tell them about that tournament down south. You know you really don’t even have to go, but tell friends in the neighborhood about the “longest shot ever hit by a 13 year-old, at least 450 feet.”
Okay, here is the short list of things to do-
1. Add 200 points to his BA.
2. Lower his ERA by at least 3.
3. Multiply doubles and home runs by 4.
4. Always have that friend to verify. (Of course, you will need to pay for all costs of having this friendship, including dinners out, vacations, and salon services for the wives.)
If you follow these simple rules, your son will be a legend and be sure to make his HS varsity team as a freshman, perhaps over more deserving players or seniors. You see, the HS coach has been hearing these stories too and already has his mind made up for the “rookie” even before tryouts begin. Now, if you live in the Northeast, this works especially well because many times tryouts are held indoors during the cold weather. Is he really a varsity player? Most likely, he’s JV. Don’t get me wrong, he is good-he developed faster than most, but did he really deserve to unseat that senior? Should he have moved up before those other 2 outstanding JV players? Well, there is no turning back for coach now. Once he chooses your son to be on the varsity, he must play him and give him every opportunity to prove that he made the right choice.
Any similar happenings in your neighborhood?
P.S. Parents, please don't try this as if can be quite expensive and may have been tried before. It only works once in each neighborhood.
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