HS Situtation

Excellent information Coach May.

Many thanks!!

Don't coaches usually have a good idea who's starting or competing for positions before tryouts. Just as a parent I'll bet I could list the varsity roster, the competition for positions and what two or three kids will be fighting for the last roster spot. Last year I could have done the JV roster. But now the freshmen are kids I haven't seen play. I have no idea which freshmen are good enough to make JV except by word of mouth.

What's interesting on my son's team is, due to versatility of a couple of kids who will start, there are infielders competing against outfielders for starting positions.

RJM,

I agree I think most have a good idea but I am sure there are always a few surprises.

I have no doubt a parent that has been involved in the connunity baseball scene could get it about 90% right.

I would think that varsity coaches already have a line up made up based on last years returners and JV. What they are looking for are the kids that busted their tails in the off season to improve. That is what tryouts and early workouts are for. Finding the kids that put in the work to compete for a spot. These are the surprises that make a team better.

I believe a kid is making a mistake if he leaves three to five days to make an impression (in what might be in bad weather or indoors) when he possibly has fall ball, winter workouts and/or summer camps to make an impression. I believe my son had his position won before he made varsity due to his offseason efforts. A senior blew off the entire offseason. He thought he would get the position by default and seniority. He was competing against a player who had made his impression and was ready to play from offseason work. He never got much of a chance and steamed all season.

I wish we had a good off season program. All we have is a fall and summer schedule of 2 games a week. No practices, workouts, long toss, etc.

The good players have to work out on their own and play high level travel to get better. The kids that play the HS off season program rarely start. It is becoming more and more about $$$. Can you afford to pay for the personal trainer and travel to get better? If not, you may get passed by kids with parents who have more money.

quote:

The good players have to work out on their own and play high level travel to get better. The kids that play the HS off season program rarely start.

At my son's high school there is the opportunity to shine for the varsity coach in the fall. It makes sense for players to do so rather than play elsewhere when they are competing for a position. This past fall my son didn't bother. He's already a starter. He played with his travel team. The high school also had strength, speed and agility training all fall and winter along with hitting. They don't throw until January.