Meeting with Coach

If you're son is able to compete at the HS level already, which I feel that he must be if the coach is asking him to play, then by all means have him do it. He will start his relationships with the older players and they can help him learn the ropes of being a varsity player. My son is the only sophomore on varsity this year and the older guys are helping him adjust to that. He still has to do the ****** stuff the youngest ones have to do though, which I like. Keeps him humble! Good luck and go for it. It will only help him in the long run IMHO.

As a HS head coach, I totally agree with Old Pitcher.

Thanks FD and OP! I greatly appreciate your input. I'm new to ALL of this so every bit of advice is deeply appreciated.

Should my son attend this meeting? It is during school hours and on his core class day so I don't want to pull him out of school. Your thoughts?

I would say no, but if you feel it would help your son understand what's going on, then yes. He could go and then if the coach has anything to tell you and not him, then your son could just scoot on back to class.

quote:

Should my son attend this meeting?

Who called the meeting -- you or the coach? If the coach called the meeting, I'd ask him whether he wanted your son there or not. If you did, then probably not...

The meeting was a mutual thing. We both need to discuss our plans and expectations.

If it's not too late, just ask the coach which he would prefer. Other than the obvious questions like -- how is your team looking next year -- I think I'd just do a lot of listening. If the coach is already asking for your son to consider playing on the summer team with varsity players, then you should just sit back and feel so proud!!! Enjoy the ride and check back in!

Thanks momandcpa!

Keep in mind that your son will be spending time with guys that are 17-18 years old. He will be learning more than just baseball.

I suppose it might sound like I'm sprinkling (not enough to cancel) on your parade, but I would be cautious about making a sole or full-time commitment to a HS team in the summer, unless that is your best alternative and a situation where your son can develop best. I have absolutely nothing against players being a part of their HS group in the summer -- but, in many cases, there are select teams that may offer varying opportunities.

Is my politcal-correctness sickening to anyone (besides me)?

Good point... PD. At our high school, some (few) actually play select AND for their high school. They usually tell the high school that their select team is the priority.

Still pretty darn cool, though, that 2010Dads son has already been noticed to some extent by the coach!

What are you trying to say PD? That most HS Summer teams stink? That they play horrible schedules against other teams that stink?

Keller's HS Team actually was pretty good last summer, it played 0 games and won all of them.

KD -- I would never make such statements!

Have a sun-shiny day!

I suppose it might sound like I'm sprinkling (not enough to cancel) on your parade, but I would be cautious about making a sole or full-time commitment to a HS team in the summer, unless that is your best alternative and a situation where your son can develop best.

PD,

Pretty good point, one that I didn't think about before my first post.

I know of one of the directional schools in Plano that really frown on their players playing on select teams in the summer. There are a lot of politics that play in it too. I know of a player that played on my sons team last year that just about was told to play for the HS summer team or don't expect to play when school ball rolls around. It was a tough situation for them. It puts the parents in the middle, and afraid to not do what the coaches say in fear of them playing the politics I mentioned before. You can ask a certain guy whom we both know about it. It's pretty sad if you ask me.

OP

He will play HS ball during the week and play select ball during the weekends. It works out great.

Thanks ALL for your input.

quote:

Originally posted by 2010DAD:
He will play HS ball during the week and play select ball during the weekends. It works out great.

Thanks ALL for your input.

I hope he's not a pitcher

quote:

Originally posted by 2010DAD:
He will play HS ball during the week and play select ball during the weekends. It works out great.

Thanks ALL for your input.

Good for him...

We were upfront with our HS coach on the whole HS vs select ball issue. He said he really didn't care which as long as he was playing somwhere... guess we're one of the lucky ones!

OP -- yes, I know the guy(s) who faces that decision -- it is a tough one indeed.

But wait! -- are you saying there are politics in HS baseball??? Say it ain't so!

2010dad -- I think it's great that your son will have a chance to be a part of that team at a young age.

Thanks PD! Not to sound cliche but he is a great kid. He works hard, maintains an A average. Already in the honor society. Just want to make sure we guide him in the right direction.

As a HS coach, you have to play more than on just your HS summer league team. I want all my players playing together and playing select.

Only way to get better is to play. 12-16 HS summer league game is not enough!

FD- you're absolutely correct. He does play on a very competitive select team that travels out of town regularly to face the best competition.

UPDATE: Meeting with coach went very well. I'm very excited for my son and the opportunities that lie ahead for him.

Thanks ALL!

I think it is important for them to play together as much as possible...i.e. summer league and fall league.

However, the select baseball is great because of the amounts of games they play and competition they face.

High School ball and select baseball are two totally different animals. Me, I am not threatened by it and embrace it. It will only help the kids that play it. In the 1+ years I have been here, we have gone from a few kids playing select, to the majority of my varsity kids and many of my JV kids. This was not happening before I got here from what I understand. I believe that is one of the many factors that have led to whatever success we have had so far since I have been here.

quote:

Originally posted by funneldrill:
High School ball and select baseball are two totally different animals. Me, I am not threatened by it and embrace it. It will only help the kids that play it.

Kudos to FD.

quote:

However, the select baseball is great because of the amounts of games they play and competition they face.

High School ball and select baseball are two totally different animals. Me, I am not threatened by it and embrace it. It will only help the kids that play it.

Funnedrill thanks for your support and embracing select baseball.

Old Pitcher,
What did you find out about our conversation
the other day. I have not heard back from you...You have my number...

quote:

Old Pitcher,
What did you find out about our conversation
the other day. I have not heard back from you...You have my number...

Hey Catch,

Check your email. I did reply to the one you sent.

got it. everything is great!
take care!

Sorry to get off the subject but in Texas are HS coaches permitted to have influence or control over summer teams?

And if so, to what extent?

Technically, the HS coach should have no involvement in the summmer team. In reality, many HS coaches will direct the summer dad coaches on who is on the roster, who to pitch, who to play, etc.

It is difficult to goven by the UIL and the rule is easily worked around. The HS coach can email, call etc. and direct what he wants done.

I am not sure, but I think they can even attend the games as long as they have nothing to do with the activities on the field.

Our coach is only indirectly involved. He gets college kids to coach the summer teams. He does attend games but does not coach the team itself. Of course, he makes recommendations to the summer coaches and reviews how each individual team/player is performing.