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I need help [i suppose this goes here]

D Dh3310+ posts
I have a really tough situation at hand with my High School Baseball.
I'm currently 16, a Junior, and a baseball player and assistant coach.

The issue is with the unfairness of my High School. Keep in mind, my school is the largest in our state, but out baseball program isn't something to exactly praise. We are average, nothing special though. Anyway

As a freshman, I made the HS freshman Team, as a sophmore, I made the HS JV team [to my suprise] and started every game on both. But the problem is, with the Varsity team.

Politics play a huge part at my school, it was evident the moment I arrived. The head coaches child, as a freshman, took over a perfectly good juniors spot at 2nd base, just because he was "special"
2 kids in my graduating class, both made varsity last season, at the expense of 2 former seniors, both middle of the lineup guys the year before.
How do 2 seniors, that batted in the middle of your Varsity order as juniors, get the boot for 2 sophmores, who ended up batting sub .300 [both of them]

Well, unfair stuff.

Im not here to complain about the coaches I have, or anything like that, because in their defense, I do like them, and I have a great deal of respect for the Head coach. However, How can I bypass this huge disadvantage I'm pressed up against...

I told my Dad when I graduated middle school not to interfere with HS baseball, i wanted to make all the teams on my own merit, and I stand by that today.
As far as I can see, the team for next year is practically set, and there is no spot for me there, So I've mentioned [and rumor spread] about transferring to the Private school in town, which stirred up some talk between guidance councelor, coach, and whomeevr else.

Baseball is my life, as I assume is the case with most of you guys. Any ideas? I just want my almost fair shot, especially since I'm willing tobust my *** 10x harder than those other guys.
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ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
Dh33 - my advice is simple. The good news is the coach's son only plays one position. That means there are eight other spots for you to win a spot. I suggest pick one or two of those and beat one of those kids out. Out hit them, out pitch them, out hustle them, out run them, out speed them, out power them, out defense them, out attitude them etc. This may not be enough to get you a spot on opening day but if you persist and are truly out performing then you will get your reward.

Sooner or later, you will have to learn to beat other kids out. That is the nature of the beast and it is not pleasent to think about sometimes but that is just the way it is. Learning to overcome politics and perceived biases is also part of the game. Take a stand now and learn to overcome as the pressure to earn playing time is much increased in college. I am not fond of the idea of transferring to solve your problems.
Last edited by ClevelandDad
D Dh3310+ posts
The idea of transferring has been dismissed, but it was certainly contemplated for a while.

My thought process was this-
Stand out as a top pitcher at other school, get playing time, and improve.
or
Stay at current school, and run the risk of not playing.
It sounds sheepish, but in the end, you don't improve by not playing or practicing.

And it isn't even like I have been completely against what the coaches have said, or being open minded about positions and such.
Last year, during tryouts I was asked to change positions at the end of tryouts, They wanted to move me to the outfield, from First Base, I agreed to giving it a shot, and won the job by the time game 1 rolled around.
However, I've commited myself to being a pitcher now, and only a pitcher. Ive had a lot of people saying it isn't a good idea, but my hitting has never been anything close to Par, despite my numerous efforts to become a solid hitter.

thus, I put myself in a position to be a starter, or a reliever, and honestly, I prefer the later. However, that said, I've had minimal opportunity to pitch at my high school, despite my stand outish performances during tryouts, practices and such. And, the few times Ive had a chance to pitch, I was spectacular, but I got the job done, and showed the ability to change speeds, throw strikes, and pitch effectively.

I am willing, and am going to put forth soo much effort this off season, which, I am starting on Monday [starting early] and getting myself into that position you stated, a position where i can outrun, out throw, out smart, and so on my competition.

It is just a frustrating situation, and Im sure Im not the only one in the spot, but it sucks. lol

thanks!
Rob KremerRob Kremer1,000+ posts
I have to agree with CD. I feel for you, because I know how difficult it is when there are obvious politics involved.

But I would stay put, work harder than anyone else, and try to convince them to put their biases aside and give you a spot.

This won't be the last time that you are on a team where you beleive you should be playing in front of someone else. I think it is a very important learned skill: how to be a good teammate, work hard, maintain a good attitude, and become a better player even when you think the coaches are not using you as you should be used.

And I guarantee you this: doing it will build a heck of a lot of character.
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
quote:
My thought process was this-
Stand out as a top pitcher at other school, get playing time, and improve.
or
Stay at current school, and run the risk of not playing.
It sounds sheepish, but in the end, you don't improve by not playing or practicing.


I used to think this way as well. Now, I am not so convinced. I believe competition makes the best athletes and believe it is possible for an athlete sitting on the bench in a more competitive situation to be perhaps further along in their development than the athlete playing in the lesser program.

Look, by your writing I can tell you are a smart young man. I also believe baseball players need to play as you suggest. In this case however, the high school season is not forever and really does not cover that many games. I am sure you'll be on a team in the summer that will garner you much playing time. Thus, I believe the risk is worth it to try and win a spot on the more competitive team. Whether the coach ultimately picks you or not is out of your control and beside the point imho. All you can control is your attitude. If you put it in your mind that giving it everything you got is the most important part, then no matter what the coach decides you will already be a success and a winner.
IM interested mom10+ posts
"...my hitting has never been anything close to Par, despite my numerous efforts to become a solid hitter."

Sounds like you need to keep working on your batting, get some extra coaching on your own if you can. I'm no expert, but everything I've seen posted on this board suggests that the kids who can keep up with the improved pitching, who can continue to hit the ball consistently as the pitchers get faster and develop better pitches are the ones who will make the team.

Moreover, working on your weaknesses would offer the most room for improvement. If, as you say, your pitching is already stellar, how much better can you make it?

Tiger Woods doesn't go out to the practice range after a bad round to work on the shots he made, he works on the ones he missed.
Nitric_AcidNitric_Acid100+ posts
Dh33, you are in the same situation that many kids are in. Although coaches may play favorites, I've never run into a coach that didn't like to win. As long as you are about as good as everyone else, you have a tough road ahead. You will be at the mercy of the coach. If you can become a standout, an impact player, you minimize the coach's feelings in the equation. Become significantly better than your teammates and you will play.

If you want to focus on pitching, you need to find a professional pitching coach and work hard over the winter to pick up some velocity and control. A good instructor can really make a difference for a kid with dedication to the game. I also suggest you spend time working on your hitting. A high school coach can only carry about 16 kids, so those who can do more than one thing well are going to make the team over someone who is a one-tool player.

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