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We are new to the whole high school baseball thing. Our son is a freshman with talent,but small for his age. The problem is that another freshman (vying for the same position) is always running him into the ground, telling him he is unimportant on the team and will never make it and stuff. The better my son does, the worse the other kid acts. The other freshman is in the starting position, so I don't get why he feels the need to act like that. He has the spot. My son doesn't want to talk to the coach because he doesn't want to look like "a whiner". He won't comeback at the kid because he knows that teammates shouldn't act like that and 2 wrongs don't make a right. What advice do you give the kid? Continue to shrug it off? Talk to the coach? Does a high school coach even care about how teammates treat each other if he is winning with that kid? Just don't know what to tell him and any advice would be appreciated.
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I can tell you he will not get any sympathy in this group...they are a tough bunch. I would tell him that each time the kid says something negative to say to HIMSELF.. that's because you are threatened by me! Then let his play on the feild do his talking. I have never found a coach that cared how the kids talked to each other as long as they are winning. Men have a very different approach to these things and they just let kids work it our their way. I think it's actually a better way. Sooner or later it could come to fists. They will have a physical fight and then be best friends after! I do not get it by guys work like that!!!
My husband always tells our son to let his work habits and character be above board...

For as many years as I can remember my son had a competitive friend who often times turned on him as the level of competition grew.

This boy was also a pitcher and I guess this boy spent a little too much time comparing himself to my son - there was no need this player was and is very good...

My son ignored it for the most part...and kept his distance from this player...but I know at times he was quite disturbed by the verbal comments...

My son is pretty mild and not easily provoked so it helped...

but if this had been my oldest son, he probably would have decked the guy... Smile which would have created a new set of issues...
First of all it sounds like you have done a great job raising your son. He sounds like the kind of kid I love to coach. Second of all as a coach I will pick up on this sooner or later either by seeing it or hearing it or one of my Seniors will let me know whats going on. When I do get wind of it the problem will go away or the player will. There is absolutely no place for it on a team. It could be that this kid feels threatened by your son. If your son keeps working and keeps a great attitude he will be there in the end. I have had kids like this in my program before. But they dont last. The cream will rise to the top talent wise and attitude wise. Bad kids like this have a way of eliminating themselves from the equation.
Yeah, let me join the chorus: I seriously doubt that the coach is unaware of what's going on. Unless the coach is the type to spend his time yacking with parents, 100% of his attention is on the field, and he's seeing a lot more than you would think. It's likely that he's waiting to see if the problem solves itself (these things often do) and if not, will choose an appropriate time to do or say something about it. Sounds like your son is doing fine. Let it work itself out.
Your son is doing it all correctly. Baseball teams have a way of dealing with these types. Ive seen this first hand.....usually one your sons teammates will finally end it with a pointed comment.

Your job is to make sure your son gets the positive reinforcement he needs from you and his coach. I too, believe that your sons coach will either already know whats going on or soon will and by the efforts put out by your son will end it.
One of the most important pieces of advice I give my son is be a "Team Player". If you support your team they intern will support you. Also, keep working hard and what ever that kids does, your son does more. His efforts will get noticed and he'll be ready to step in when he gets his chance.

Also, if it's only freshman ball he has along way to go and he just has to keep working hard.

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