Need a suggestion

What makes you think that your gpa has anything to do with being good at baseball? What other activities do you enjoy?

My GPA means I have a brain and can grasp any concept that can be learned. Everyone with a GPA over 4 at my school plays a sport and excells at it. It really pisses me off being the only smart kid who sucks at their sport. I only like baseball that why it's so hard to find a new sport.

Not meaning to sound unsympathetic, but haven't we been through this question before with you? Scarring? Why would the game cause scarring? And Coach May is right...while your GPA is very admirable, what does it have to do with being good at baseball?

Not making the baseball team does not mean you cannot still love the game and contribute to it. How about umpiring in a local youth league? Or helping a coach of a 7/8/9-year old team? These can also be rewarding and fun. You may even learn more about the details of the game with these activities.

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Originally posted by BaseballsMyGame:
...for a new sport. I've made the decision if I don't make the HS freshmen team, I will quit baseball. And right now it is quite obvious I won't make it. It's so impossible and unfair that I can't be good at this game even with my 4.5 GPA. So now that this scarring and unconscionable sport will soon be out of my life, I'll need a different activity or sport to keep me active. Any suggestions? Don't tell me to stay in baseball. I refuse to continue working my *** off just to fail yet again.

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It's difficult to give someone advice when your overall situation is not known.

Are you used to quitting? I don't think so. Seems you have every qulaity to be a good person a what ever you want to do. Why because the effort and discipline to be a 4.5 GPA student are the qualities that it takes to be good at baseball.

What you have to decide is; is BB "really" important to you enough that you would be willing to work extra hard to improve.

The HS team is not the only place you can play. Find a Pony League or Babe Ruth League program to continue your baseball efforts and sacrifice some of your social time for practice.

Those programs usually start after the HS season is over but they can offer to you the alternative to giving up completely.

Quitting is a bad habit that you do not want to get into.

PiC--that is EXACTLY what I have been doing. Spring ball, fall ball, winter ball, repeat. No success = not worth it anymore.

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Originally posted by BaseballsMyGame:
PiC--that is EXACTLY what I have been doing. Spring ball, fall ball, winter ball, repeat. No success = not worth it anymore.

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IMO you should talk to someone who knows you better and that you have a great deal of respect with before you make this decision final.

BB is a tough game designed to frustrate even the best athletes. You have the mental discipline for it. And it sounds like you have made alot of effort, don't waste it.

Give us an honest evaluation - why didn't you make the team. Be honest and I think folks here can help you.

If you really love the game, play. If not on the Freshmen team, then somewhere else. The one thing I would say is that you may well need to learn that the real key to baseball is diligence. Every player, at some level has asked basically the same question you are, "what if I can't play at this level?"
If everyone who encountered this challenge walked away, there would be no major leaguers.

If you work hard, learn the game properly, give it all you have, and yet never accomplish the level of success you hope for that does not mean that you have failed, it just means that you haven't met your goal. Walking away from the game, unless you have lost all passion for it, would be a poor choice...and a dangerous precedent to set for yourself.

BTW, just an observation, I have coached many academically brilliant players who thought intelligence was the key to the game...in many cases it can be the worst roadblock out there. If thinking becomes brainlock, you stop playing the game, and indulge in analysis. Try to get your brain out of the way, and let the game happen....and enjoy yourself...because baseball is the best game out there.

What are you basing "failure" on? "Success" on? Has the coach told you anything?
Need more specifics before anyone can give you advice.

First of all the GPA has "squat" to do with a player performing on the field in any sport.

Secondly with the attitude you show you are not a ballplayer. You are losing before you start.

Thirdly --it is quite possible that you do not have to talent to play the game at the HS level-- it does happen you know !!

Hate to sound cold but those are the facts--some make it and some don't---

Baseball...Your brain is getting in the way of your baseball ability.

Quitting is ok if you're not good at something and don't want to keep working to improve.

Sounds like your continuing efforts only result in more heartache for you.

Lots of other things to do in life. Spend the extra time doing things you enjoy...not that frustrate you.

If you love baseball so much and you are not good enough to play on the HS team then why not volunteer to be keep the scorebook. Then ask the coach if you can come to practices and run bases, shag balls, fill the coolers do anything you can to be around the game. Lou Holtz never played HS football much less college football. He loved the game and he didnt turn out too bad. Its not the games fault you cant play it. Dont hate the game because you can not make the team. Like I said if you really love something you will find a way to be a part of it. You never know where it can lead.

Good decision, after reading your posts for the last year or so, Baseball is certainly not for you. I'm not sure if any sport would be. Have you tried to play a musical instrument?

...try the flute, maybe, or the violin.

I think some are trying to use reverse psychology on you, but that isn't helpful in this situation.

You are a human being just like everyone here. As such you deserve to be respected and given the benefit of the doubt.

Sometimes we get into listening to our "feelings". In baseball that is not a prudent thing to do. Why, because the game is designed to frustrate you, when all it is asking you to do is master the skills necessary to play.

So now you must decide whether you want to master your skills without "feeling" about it or using excuses. That is the short of it. Use your "feelings" and walk away "feeling" you failed or go to work and drill, drill, drill until you have worn out your glove, gone through 10 bats, and can barely crawl in bed from exhaustion after having practiced for 4 hours straight. Until you've done that everyday for 2 years, then come back and tell me you can't do it.

Stop "feeling" bad, and go back to work. That's my advice to you.

geez, you guys can be brutal

bbsmygame, seriously, if it's baseball you love ya just gotta stick with it - -

Sega's new "Gameplay" for Xbox is awesome
you can then "cut players" - - feel the power??

by pic - - "go to work and drill, drill, drill until you have worn out your glove"
with all due respect, the time for that is not 2 days before hs tryouts begin

BaseballsMyGame

I scanned back to some of your earlier posts and saw where you are only 15 and have not started your growth spurt yet. Here are a couple of thoughts.

First: Pre-adolescent males who haven't started their growth spurt also have a tendency to get a bit pudgy, building up a fat reserve for that spurt when it starts.

Second: When it does start, your arms, legs, everything starts changing at once. I've seen excellent ball players who go through an interval of time where they can't throw a strike or walk without tripping. The feet are getting bigger and you just have to make constant adjustments, just to walk.

Third: If it hasn't started yet, don't expect to be as strong as someone who has had their spurt. You can't judge until this period of time is over in your life.

It sounds like your real weakness is a lack of patience.

Go read the "Late Bloomer" thread in this forum.

This thread (and board for that matter) is dividing into two schools:

1. The mothering, nurturing, empathetic, sensitive types.

2. The old school, throw em in the deep and nature will sort them out.

Is it a surprise to some that these two schools are frustrated with each other?

I'm more the number 2 type, BaseballsMyGame. There is a line in the book (and I highly recommend it to you) Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and the line is: "What is right and what is wrong, Phaedrus, do we need anyone to tell us these things"? I have a feeling you already know the right thing to do for you. Follow your instincts.

Secondly, if you decide that baseball isn't your thing, our high school is really known well for 3 things. Cross Country, Marching Band and Academic Decathalon. Many very good students participate in all three. Have you thought about running? It's very cerebral and good for you too. Good luck.

Halfmoon.....

I would put myself into both of those schools.

The first couple times Baseball posted similar “Pity Party” posts I was closer to camp #1. Now several similar themed posts and several months later, I’m beyond camp #2.

Months ago after viewing several posts, I wrote that he either is crying out for help and he needs to seek professional help or else he just enjoys jacking well-intentioned adults around. I hope it’s just the latter but if you are truly struggling mentally and starving for attention, you need to tell someone who can help you.

...maybe some of ya'll could start a band.

..get a second hand guitar, chances are you will go far.............

Former Observer,

If your only 15 years old and your saying your giving up on something you love,what about when your 18 or 19 years old and in college and you get a D on a grade you going to drop-out of college,where"s that going to take you.C'MON, i see your alot smarter then that. YOU NEVER NEVER GIVE UP. NEVER especially something you love, stick with it and have fun with it play-ball

Grateful....and you would flunk out of one of them for lack of commitment! Seriously, if you are 1 and 2 then you prescribe to situational leadership and change your tune depending on the problem. The glass half empty folks would say that you are a manipulator. The half fulls would say you are creative. I say get off my fence.

Halfmoon, I don't evere change my tune. I am an old school kind of coach and a counselor, therefore I fit into both categories!!

BaseballsMyGame, I know a young man, a friend of my son's who has tried out for the high school baseball team every year since he was a freshman and been cut every year. He comes out and tries his hardest because he truly loves the game. Then he is cut in the first round and he ends up keeping score and helping with the equipment. The amazing thing is that he is never bitter about being cut, disappointed yes but he just keeps working on his game trying to get better so he can make the team. He plays fall ball, throws with his friends who are on the team, works on his hitting on weekends. He is now a senior. We have a new coach this year and for the first time he made it past the first cut. Every player on the team is rooting for this kid to make it, not because he's a stud, but because they all recognize heart when they see it. Hopefully, our new coach will too.

Maturity is the ability to do a job

whether or not you are

supervised,

to carry money without spending it,

and to bear an injustice without wanting

to get even.



Ann Landers

RUDY! RUDY! RUDY!

Thank you all for the helpful advice. I'll add some things--
There are complete jerks at my school. I'm not going to help them at practices and do work for them. Secondly, I'm not going to spend another year working my *** off again just to fail again; I need to know if I will be good enough or not. Lastly, I'm starting to hate the game because of how unfair and impossible it is. After failing 3 years in a row, this "love" you all speak of seems to vanish.

Halfmoonslider......was taught....the best way to manage....either... micro or macro.... is to take a situational approach....and if you don't want us sitting on your fence...don't build it on public property.....gosh darn...you are just so cool.....

BB'smygame

I'm beginning to think you are putting us on ...

If you're going to qui you don't need to post it up here on the HSBBWEB.

Just walk in and tell your coach. I'm sure he already suspects that your attitude is not squared away.

you have some very caring people here that would be willing to help walk you through your doubts and point you in the right direction to get help, but it will not happen if you display a belligerent attitude.

You want to make the team and yet you call your potential team mates "complete jerks" and state you are not going to help them during practices, or do work for them.

I assure you the coach notices those little details. There is a thing called team chemistry, and coaches know what one bad attitude can do to it.

If you want to be a part of their team you need to starting thinking and acting like a team player.

You get respected at school if you're on a sports team. Otherwise you're a loser.

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Originally posted by BaseballsMyGame:
You get respected at school if you're on a sports team. Otherwise you're a loser.

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Leave your feelings out of it, about your coach, teammates, and school, etc...tell me where you are having trouble with your game.

What skills do you have?
What are your strengths?
what are you having trouble with?

See if you can narrow down what is really bothering you.

..hey Mr. Tamborine man, play a song for me.......

PiC--
skills-base running, glove
strengths-speed,range
what I'm having trouble with/what's bothering me-worst of all outfield arms(mechanics issues that don't seem to be improving), worst bat of all outfielders(groundballs or pop ups, can't drive ****)
I'm getting help for both issues but nothing seems to have changed.

BBsmygame

Have two questions for you.

1. How much overloading do you do a week?

2. How much hitting do you do off the "T" per week?

Two suggestions.

1. Buy 2 - 5 gallon buckets.
Fill one with 30 BB's and use the other as a target. Place the empty bucket at home plate.

After warming up your arm for 15 minutes start at approximately 100 feet for one bucket. Refill the bucket and throw from 200 fett until the bucket is empty of BB's. Then throw from 300 feet.

Throw all 30 BB's from each distance at least once and see how many times you can hit the inside of the bucket on one bounce everyday for the next two years.

2. Using the same bucket of balls get a "T" and place one ball on the "T" then hit the ball. But I want you to swing without dropping your hands, or without taking a step. Just lift your front foot about 2 inches off the ground, and simultaneously slightly turn your front shoulder toward the "T" as you bring your hands backward into the launch position.

As you bring your front foot down to the ground keep your eyes on the back half of the ball. Make sure you do not drop your hands, bring the bat down at the ball, come right through from the shoulder level and turn hard at the hips to being the bat through with as much power as you can. Don't worry if you can't hit the ball solidly at first, it is more important that you turn your hips without dropping your hands.

Hit at least 3 buckets of balls everyday for the next two years.

By your senior year if you follow the instruction to the letter you will have an OF arm and be able to hit line drives gap to gap.

Make sure you spend as much time at the batting cages as you can afford. Or if you have a friend have him throw BP in the batting cage at your HS as many times during the week as possible.

In short, the answer to your weaknesses is in the amount of practice time you have devoted to those skills.

Good god, thank you PiC. What's overloading? I don't do any T work since I don't own a T.

EDIT: I don't see what the throwing thing will do if my mechanics are messed up. It'll make everything worse if I can't get correct.