JV roster size

I guess IMO it depends on if there is a freshman team and the blend of ages both on that team as well as Varsit. In my son's HS team this year there is 15 on varsity and 12 are seniors. So even though we have a freshman team, I have heard there is 19 on JV, 1 is a freshman who I have heard thru coaches will be one of top 3 players there and the others soph and juniors waiting their turn to be on varsity. Of those 19 I would expect 12 of them to be on Varsity next year. The other 7 who knowws. I think in our HS case they are trying to figure out who will be there for next year so the philosophy will be to get top 15 -16 guys relatively equal PT. I think like your team, the others are boys that did all the fall winter stuff as well.    

I asked 2016 yesterday how a neighbor (that hasn't played baseball since travel ball for me when he was 10U) was doing. Our HS has V & JV only. I think V has a roster of 15-16, which meant JV was going to be rostered at 24 or so. 

 

He told me that the JV coach set up a practice squad...they don't dress for games unless asked. It is basically this boy and 6 frosh. I guess that is one way to deal with the numbers, though I am not 100% sure it is best or will work. I have seen some of these freshman at optional workouts in winter, and to be honest, they are probably not ready to play HS baseball. 

 

It's a long season, so I'm sure some of these boys will get an opportunity. If any of them truly feel that they wish to play HS baseball, they will need to work their A's off. 

So based on the OP, whatever the perceived skill level of incoming JV players... based somewhat on "local LL" performance... is how the players should be slotted in perpetuity at this HS program?  And players below a certain level on JV are probably better off simply hanging it up?  I suggest you make a spreadsheet showing each of the 20 players and whatever your current rating scale is for each.  Then take a look at it mid season each year for the next three years.  Some if not most of these players are only beginning to get into and through puberty. I'd be willing to bet that at least a few of the players that you currently have labled as "very good" and "woeful" will surprise you as to where they actually rank on varsity eventually.  And why shouldn't players be rewarded for hard work in the Fall baseball season?  Sounds like guys are trying to get better.

If they r still young they have a chance to practice, get better and with dev on a good Summer team a Freshman may be able to play by Jr. Yr.

What else would these lower skilled players be doing? There are usually no teams for their age to play on until after HS season is over. Let them practice and see what happens.

Not  sure if this is the case here but I've seen schools carry larger numbers because they want more kids fundraising to bring in money for program. As long as kids/parents understand that playing time is based on skill level it might work. There will always be those few who complain about every little thing.

The thing that really strikes me here is "we play and bat the best 9 because the point is to win". 

 

I strongly disagree.  JV is the place to develop talent for V.  Yes, you try to win the game but under the context of playing all or most of your players and moving them around to learn different positions (within reason of projectable skill set).  You need to throw all your potential pitchers during the course of a week to allow them to develop.  It absolutely blows me away when I hear about a JV kid throwing a complete game when there are six or seven other pitchers on the bench - WHY?  Some of those young kids who are currently maybe #13-14 on the overall depth chart will develop more than those ahead of them and be key contributors a few years down the road when they grow into their bodies.  Particularly if they have more passion for the game, a better attitude and work ethic and will make the effort to play more baseball.  Some of the "best 9" will stop playing, get hurt, stop growing, have grade issues, etc.  I'm not saying completely equal playing time. Yes, continue to feed larger PT to your best players to keep them advancing but don't be afraid to pull them for the purpose of developing those behind them.

 

Regarding numbers, I think you need to be willing to carry more than you would for V because there are more unknown variables as to how much these younger kids can develop and who will still be playing the sport in a few years.  That said, I think when it gets up around 18 or so, it becomes hard to keep everyone engaged.  And I do think those who clearly show no athletic abilities or potential should be cut.  We are somewhat of a smaller school and I realize many bigger schools will carry bigger rosters.

20 seems pretty standard for varsity, JV and freshmen from what I have seen through the years. For the younger levels, especially, practice is more important than the games and is where much of the development comes.

Since there isn't a freshman team it makes sense to carry a large JV roster. Kids change a lot physically freshman and sophomore year. There might be some late bloomers on the roster. Getting to practice with the team may help them improve.

 

If anyone isn't getting enough playing time they should practice harder on their own. They should also get on a summer team where they get adequate rops.

Thanks for the input. Most of the so-called (by me) "woeful" kids I have seen play for years, they were woeful and still are woeful. They cannot hit, throw, or play a single position well. My point was wouldn't it be better if they did not make the team in the first place? Anyone above that should make the team and have a chance to develop. If a kid that does not make the team busts his butt to get better they can always try out again the following year. But they probably won't.

 

As far as playing time goes, that is the coach's call.

Nope. Just providing my perspective. The JV coaches had nothing to do with the players on the small diamond to the best of my knowledge. I disagree with you about the woeful kids with very little talent or athleticism, and I don't think it makes sense to keep them hanging on and there is always opportunities to play rec ball in our locale if they want to keep playing.

 

But yes, there will be movement up and down by those kids that stay on the roster and some of it will be unexpected.

Woeful, below average, etc... these are subjective calls obviously.  But until the hormones kick in, you really can't tell.  And this goes for the "good" and "above avg" guys too.  More than a few kids peak as players at 12, 13, or 14 and downhill from there.  My point is that what you saw in LL over the years... good and bad... and even what you're seeing now as freshmen won't necessarily translate into what you're likely to see on varsity in a couple of years.

 

Also agree strongly with previous comment about JV being a developmental schedule.  Wins and losses should be secondary to live game reps and exposure of different guys to different positions... to me that's part of maximizing internal competition for the benefit of the varsity.  JMO

AH. To be clear. I've seen a lot of the same thing (woefulness) at JV scrimmages and games = not just carrying over LL impressions/memories. But again, my comment really only applies to carrying the clearly bottom 3-4 kids = JV baseball isnt rec ball and everyone is not entitled to a spot on the roster.

As for playing time. Tough call: how can you do well and improve in meaningful at-bats and in the field if you don't get these opportunities? To put it another way: if the coaches (their call) feel that winning is important and they play the best 9 most of the time, wouldn't that lend itself to a smaller roster?

IMO as stated above the purpose of JV is to develop players that will play on Varsity in the future.  Having 20 players stinks for getting everyone quality playing time.  Too bad there is no freshman/C team. Our AD requires a C or Freshman team in most sports.  The C team doesn't have to be freshman but typically is.  Good way for those kids to get better.

I saw a two inning, sometimes one at bat freshman and three inning soph player develop into a junior and senior all conference player. He then played JuCo ball. Sometimes coaches see things that parents who have built a prejudice over the years can't see. The kid practiced hard and played fifty games over the course of the summer. Then he played another twenty in fall ball. 

Yes it probably would although the majority of the teaching and reps will occur at practice.  I would just hope that the V coach is made aware of this "best 9" philosophy at JV and knows to make adjustments for the betterment of the program. 

I kind of do see your point, but still, gosh, what's the freaking hurry!  Your Senior Varsity starting Shortstop is most likely only a couple months away from the end of his baseball journey too, so why not cut him while you're at it?  And that super-stud LHP will probably wash out after a couple years of A ball so why not cut him too and save him the heartache?

 

More kids playing baseball is a good thing in so many ways that really don't need to be listed here, I hope. 

 

But here's one.  I know a freshman at my kid's school.  Good kid. Nice family.  He's number 3 in his position on JV and not getting much PT, but he told me the other day he's having loads of fun.  Well, I happen to know that a couple months ago he was caught trying to shoplift some adult beverages from grocery store. Ok, so he's not the sharpest tool in the shed, and he made a horrible choice that day, but I've known this kid for years, and he's got a good heart, and so do  his parents.  Now if you are his parents would you rather he play the game he's loved his whole life, even if he's mostly on the pine?  Or would you rather he be bored at home wondering what do do with himself?

   
       

You asked a question and received your answer. I have to agree with the others. Some sure fire studs as freshmen and sophomore, for one reason or another, either quit or got only a little varsity time, by the time it was over. Several kids who every one thought dod not have a chance ended up as regular starters on Varsity by their senior year.
This is the coaches decision. He must have his reasons.

Thanks for the input. A bit more poignant than I thought it would be. But hey: I asked. IMHO, keeping 3-4 kids who display very (very) little baseball talent and athleticism such that a JV roster tops 20 does not make sense to me. Is it possible these hard-working kids will blossom and become elite baseball players. Sure, but highly improbable. Of the 20 kids on the team, I expect 5-6 will play summer/fall travel ball, and another 5-6 some other organized sport.

 

As for playing time and getting the best 9-10 the most game time. I see the pros and cons of such an approach, but it is the coach's call and the V HC most certainly knows how the JV program is being run.

 

Thanks again for all the input HSBW members!

I'm running into the problem that freshman parents don't understand that this isn't little league anymore, even though that they have been told that playing time is based on work ethic and talent. They even signed the same set of rules that the players did.

 

In my opinion the sole reason for a JV team is to prepare those players to play on a varsity level and for those players to play in positions that project to help the varsity level in the coming years.

 

As for carrying a larger roster, sometimes you need bodies to run drills effectively in practice. If you are running situational drills with base runners if you carry only 15, that gives you a starting 9 and 6 base runners, assuming no one is hurt. With those numbers you can't have 2 kids battling for the same position rotating in and out of that position quickly. Also depending on your school size, some of the JV kids might dress for varsity games as well... days where the varsity plays and the JV does not will cause a drop in your numbers available for practice.

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