HS Tryouts - Moms what did you do?

Welcome to HSBBW. What a great topic for a first post!


It brings back memories, I was a nervous wreck. (He wasn't).

But honestly the best thing to do is just show support, and let him know that his life outside of baseball is just as important as making the team. Sometimes we can get too wrapped up in all of these sports accomplishments.

When you have time to explore the other threads on this site I think you will find a wealth of information.

PS, Give love and food. Its all about the food. Give him his favorite dinner the night before. Make bacon and eggs all week during trouts for breakfast. Stock up his lunch bag during tryout weeks. Take him out to dinner after cuts --- win or lose!

On the 'green' pages of the HSBBW, read threads from the classics.

Teach him to be supportive of everyone trying out, and be kind (not gloating) when he makes the team, because some kids did not. And maybe talk about what happens if he doesn't make it. There are many great stories to share from these pages about sons who didn't make the team and that was their motivation to really step it up.

I hope we see more posts here from experienced moms.

Bacon at our house as well.

I tried to act normal and be positive. I wouldn't express doubt, even if I had it. I would encourage him to do his best, and focus on the things he can control. He can't control how the other kids play. He can be the first kid there, hustle the most, and play his game. Look the coaches in the eye when he talks to them. Act confident but not cocky.

If he doesn't make it you will be able to share many stories of players who had the same experience, but went on to play at the next level.

Good luck!

Good question and very helpful replies so far!

Mine graduated from HS in 2004 so it's been a while, but I agree with the other posters...

Make sure he has a good breakfast and healthy lunch every day of tryouts; possibly send a snack for him to eat an hour or two before tryouts - protein, whole grains or fruit.

Don't make a big deal of it (and try not to show him that you are nervous), but remind him to hustle, to listen well, and...
"you never know who's watching"
(hustle even when you don't think anyone is watching).

And here are a ton of helpful articles:
Making the HS Baseball Team

Good luck, and let us know how everything goes!
Julie

Well, add to the list of what moms can do...Today is the last day of tryouts for him and he forgot his cleats! To add to the difficulty, we live about 25 miles from school. I went to the local sport store and bought him new cleats then ran them up to his school. To his credit, he did not actually ask me to buy him shoes, there's just no way I could let him tryout the last day without cleats.

Now the waiting begins...

Thanks for all your great advice! It's finally come, today they will list the kids who get to stick around for a few more days of tryouts before the final cut.  I did feed him a good breakfast and sent him off in good spirits.  I am praying for him! 

I thought I would share a personal story on learning to "let go".  I couldn't resist. On the 3rd day of 2016's HS tryouts I snuck down to the field to take a look.  No easy view and I didn't want to be seen as a "hovering" parent so I parked in the park and hiked through the woods to "peek" between the trees above the field.  Ridiculous right?  I could see most of the kids but I couldn't pick out 2016. I got back in the car and took a couple of more turns through the park but I finally gave up - my eyesight is not what it used to be.  When my son came home I told him that I had been by the tryouts and asked him where he was stationed - Was he running?  Or was he outfield?  He seemed confused and said they didn't work on running or outfield drills.  Did you guess it?  Turns out I was at the wrong field!  The team on the field has the same colors as leftys!  We all got a good laugh.   Now the waiting!

 

Oh my gosh, you sound like me!

 

Good luck!

2016 made the JV team! We are very, very glad for him.  He has worked hard for it.  Now we will see where this takes him (and us!).  

Now that I have a high schooler playing bb, I guess that makes me a bonafide hsbbw mom!  No more peeking - lol.  There is so much great information in these threads. To be continued ... 

Congrats!  Enjoy the season it is so much fun.

Congrats! You are now a member of the sisterhood of crazy women known as baseball moms. 

 

Tomorrow is opening day, so I will be cooking bacon in the am!