Mixed Feelings ....

If everything works out, then in just over three years your son will be a senior with 2-3 years of experience as a varsity starter and you won't even remember a year (or part of a year) on JV. He will likely get more consistent innings on JV while still getting an opportunity to work with the varsity coaches, throw innings in scrimmages, and maybe get some innings in some varsity games. He will take that experience and go into this summer and tear it up and come back next spring ready to solidify himself as part of the varsity roster.

I said all of that to say this- it's not the end of the world. Work hard, go out there and deal every opportunity you get, and he'll be ok. I would also suggest that you don't discuss (among yourselves or with the coach) any thoughts of a lesser player being on varsity. Good luck

Also maybe he will get some ABs on JV? You never know what may happen

One last thought (sorry for so many responses)...be careful what you say on here. I just skimmed through your old posts (there were only 8 so it didn't take long) and if I was familiar with teams in tidewater I could probably figure out who your son is and where he plays. I'm not overly familiar with baseball down your way, but someone else may be. Just a thought.

Point blank great decision on keeping him down. If a freshman is not going to play "everyday" on varsity then better to keep him down where he will.

Vacards -- Emanski has laid out a lot of good possible reasons why this may have happened. Another reason why another player may have made the team over your son include perhaps it's a junior that, if he's cut, he's likely gone forever, but if he makes the team, maybe he comes back next year as a more active participant. A junior does not have the flexibility to be placed onto JV.

Or maybe it's a kid that, even though he's not overly talented, worked his butt off in the preseason and the coach recognizes that and wants to reward it.

There are several factors a coach has to decide upon when determining who makes the team.

I've had two sons go through the borderline JV/Varsity thing that you've just went through. Both of my boys are pitchers, both can also be position players, and both can hit very well. It is ALWAYS going to be different for pitchers in high school. It is even more so in college. Enjoy the opportunity to shine and learn.

From my perspective, I'd rather have them playing than sitting the bench or getting the coach his glasses. Just another way of looking at it.

Thanks for the replies. Will do.

Who is better qualified to evaluate talent and decide where they belong? I vote for the Head Coach and his staff.

As a Freshman, he is much better off getting reps, game action and bonding with his other future varsity teammates rather than watching upper classman play while he rakes the field and picks up bases after every game.

Sometimes you have to put ego aside and trust the Head Coach to do what is best for the player but more importantly his program.

His time will come. Most likely sooner than later.

I think it would be highly unusual for a freshmanto have a fastball that would consistently compete at the varsity level- that being said as a varsity pitcher he would have to rely on a breaking pitch.
at 14 or 15 years old he may be better to not make the breaking pitch a big part of his pitching.
Use the time to develop the fastball and throw a legitimate change up...long run he will be better off.
I would also suggest to think about how you spin this with your son...dont let him feel like it was unfair and a "lesser player" was chosen over him.
Challenge him to get better, as any freshman can, and make sure the next time he gets the opportunity he leaves no doubt that he is ready to help the team.
In fact...the best spin is to look him in the eye and say "u just were not ready"...go work harder and of the things that are in your control what can you do better
SOunds to me like he has an excellent opportunity to play a big roll...IF he works hard

Midlo Son was left down on JV as a freshman. Lots of people scratched their heads, but he made the most of it. Ended up starting 3 years on varsity, lots of honors, college scholarship, the works.

Some think you can get better by being with the varsity even if you don't play. I don't buy it. To get better you have to play.

Tell your son to go out there and prove he can be a team leader. Not just a player, a leader.

My son made the varsity squad as a freshman and it was probably the worst year he has ever had. He was not used to sitting the bench but was too young to realize how tough it really is for a young freshman to compete against seniors who are 3 years older. And at that age 3 years REALLY matters. At the end of the day I believe that it would have been much better for him to have gone to JV and played and developed since it took him a month of summer ball for him to get back on track.

But most importantly, if your son is good enough then him going to JV as a freshman will have no impact on his chances at playing at the next level (college). If he is that good then he will be seen in the next few years, so I would simply relax and enjoy watching him play JV and wait for the varsity call-up.