need advice on keeping player positive

Be prepared always!!!So when he does go in he leaves no question in the coaches mind that he belongs in there.Thats all you can do.Work hard,be prepared,be ready because he will get his chance.Dont worry about anything else.TMHO

bds - you and I have had this discussion before. Keep it positive; don't let your disappointment show through, it can feed his. Tell him to be prepared for any situation were he gets a chance and make so the coach has to pitch him.

If I remember right, your boys go to a very competitive HS that regularly places kids on the D1 level. That by itself is unusually. He will get his chance, sometimes it just takes time and opportunity...

Remind him he'll be a Sr. too eventually and will get to benefit from this coach's quirk...

Bird sent you a PM

If these players are starters than shouldn't they be on a schedule?

You should not speak negatively of the seniors, they have nothing to do with what the coach decides.

Stay out of it. Use this time wisely to be prepared!

One thing our coach tells us is, you can't control when you will be given an opportunity, but you can control how prepared you are for the opportunity.

quote:

Originally posted by junior5:
One thing our coach tells us is, you can't control when you will be given an opportunity, but you can control how prepared you are for the opportunity.

Good point....

If the coach's philosophy is to give seniors the nudge, then there should be no problem since a junior becomes a senior next year.

quote:

I cannot state all the history here on the board, but lets say that the sr's in question have not really earned the playing time other than just being sr's.

Based on what? Do parents typically attend every workout, practice and are in the locker room every minute the team is together? By throwing the rest of the team under the bus for one's own son's argument, it usually strips any credibility away from the argument and makes it all about one player while there are 15-20 others on the roster.

Just put all that other nonsense aside and explain to him to be ready when his number gets called because if he's unprepared and falls on his face,then it might be that much harder to get the call again.

Visit a childrens Cancer ward

bacdorslider, if you think its bad now wait till college.

quote:

Originally posted by Pop Up Hitter dad:
bacdorslider, if you think its bad now wait till college.

Wait till you go pro!

Things change and you can't control it.
Be prepared

How do you help your son? Tell him to grow up and be preapred for when his opportunity comes. If he pouts rather than prepare he may blow his opportunity.

A friend of mine pouted through almot two years of Legion ball stuck behind some extremely talented pitchers. When an injury occurred providing an opportunity, the coach called him aside to inform him he was giving a first year player the start over him. The reason the coach gave was he didn't feel my friend was mentally ready after watching him act like he's been screwed over for two years.

When my friend came to me whining (we were roommates at states and regions) I told him the coach was right. I told him he had been whining to me almost daily during the season for two years.

My friend learned his lesson. He went into his senior year of Legion prepared. He dominated, made a reputation for himself and walked on at a D1.

Thanks for the responses.... that's why when I drift off , you guys pull me back on the road.

quote:

Originally posted by Pop Up Hitter dad:
bacdorslider, if you think its bad now wait till college.

good one.

bacdorslider,

Much good advice from the HSBBWers. I can understand your situation, but it could be worse...much worse.

Sorry I'm a johnny come lately to your conversation, but let me share with you my own son's situation and maybe it will give you another perspective...

My son is a senior this year. He played on the Freshman team, JV as a sophomore and this is his second year on Varsity. He is a RHP on a team with lots of pitchers. No star pitchers, but guys who can keep it around the strike zone. In my opinion, he's just as good as anyone on the team, but my opinion does not count toward playing time. In fact, my opinion is meaningless.

Last year he did not pitch even once. He didn't even warm up to come into a game. That includes a spring break 4 game tournament where the coach brought in 2 sophomore pitchers from JV who did get several innings apiece. There were blowout games where we were losing badly or were dominating and he still did not get a chance to play and that includes base running. 32 varsity games he sat on the bench. The assistant coach even began teasing him by calling him the 'Starting Bucket Boy.' Tough year, but he's a trooper and amazingly did not become the least bit discouraged. Disappointed, yes, discouraged, no. I can't say the same about my own point of view. As difficult as it was I did keep my big mouth shut about his coach even though I had my own opinion.

This year he was hopeful that as a senior things would change. 9 season games and a 6 game tournament later he has not pitched while 2 juniors have had plenty of pitching opportunities. Yes, he's is a bit discouraged. Who wouldn't be? He's began to wonder out loud why the coach didn't just cut him. With my urging and much discussion he took it up with the coach and he said he would get him in, but that was 8 games ago and still no pitching opportunity.

As his father, I have to say this has been a real challenge. We have had lots of discussions and always come to the same conclusions:

1. Life is not fair.
2. Don't give up because he comes from a long line of strong Americans (11th generation) and quitting is not an option.
3. Continually work on becoming a better pitcher.
4. If the call comes be mentally prepared to pitch.
5. Stay focused on the positive.
6. Be a great teammate.
7. Fine gold only becomes gold by going through the fire and realize you WILL become a better man by the experience.

Regardless, whether or not he plays as senior it is my job to encourage him and be there to listen and encourage him. Is it difficult? Oh yes, but who said being a parent is easy? So for now, it's steady as it goes and with a month left on the HS baseball season maybe, just maybe he will get a chance to pitch.

Good luck bacdorslider.

Coach Waltrip -- as the dad of a ballplayer about to enter HS, this was for me one of the most powerful, poignant and meaningful posts I've read on this site. If I'm able to achieve half the maturity and parenting skills you've exhibited, I'll fish and sleep peacefully in my old age.

What you articulated here reminds me of the Proverbs ... something I'm trying to use as a teaching tool for my son.

Well said ... and done. Thank you.

The only proper response to any plans the coach has to use him or not use him is, "whatever's best for the program coach". Tell him to be a great teammate and find a way to contribute to the team. You and he have great power in this situation, you get to choose how you are going to handle it. Tell your son to bust his A## everyday this season and during the off season to prepare himself to contribute. Learn and help others "think the game", as if he were pitching it himself. Be the #1 pitcher in practice, be the #1 teammate when he is on the bench. No team has enough great pitchers or great people, be both.

What Coach Waltrip describes is a story that can be told by thousands of dads of sons who play HS baseball all around the country. My son went thru freshman ball but spent sophomore and half his junior year on JV. Now he was an everyday player on JV but he felt he did everything he needed to do to start on varsity or at least make the varsity on opening day junior year and eventually work his way into the starting lineup or make a contribution. Instead, he continued to get his innings on JV and continued to clobber JV pitching and knock in a ton of runs. The next highest JV hitter had 15 less rbi's on the team (Not my opinion but from stats the coaches used as part of the players evaluation and exit interview)and was throwing out baserunners on what appeared to be singles to RF only to turn those hits into 9-3 putouts. Many hits in the JV games to RF were potential outs at 1B and the firstbaseman was always ready for a strong throw from right in the event a slow runner or lollygagging runner was trotting down to 1B. It just made me shake my head on why he wasn't playing on the varsity as the team lacked offense (not my opinion but rather what was reported in the paper and the results in the varsity games)

I know this frustrated him but he just hung in there because he felt at least he was playing JV as opposed to rotting on a varsity bench but it bothered him a little that he had to get his innings on JV his junior year with an eventual callup to varsity but was limited to some ABs and PR duty.

To his credit, he never complained and if he had any issues, it would've been dealt with between him and the coach.

His senior year, it looked like in tryout/scrimmage season he wasn't going to get much of an opportunity but when he finally got his shot, he made the most of his opportunities, played smart baseball, made plays at his position hit the ball hard against some of the best pitchers in the conference and state and most importantly, hustled on every play.

By mid way thru the season, he went from platoon player at best to an everyday starter batting 3rd in the order and being a major contributor in an improbable playoff run they had late in the year.

So yea. Good things can happen if they can overcome the obstacles, hang in there and not give in to it. While I don't blame any kid for feeling like just walking away from it because it looks like no matter what, they'll never get a shot but it's possible that when they walk away, they may have missed their opportunity one day to make their case when their number comes up.

As parents, all you can do is advise them but in the end, if they want it, they're gonna have to gut it out regardless of the circumstances.

We all want to see our kids play but with only 9 positions and 16-18 kids on varsity, it leaves quite a few players with limited playing time.

quote:

1. Life is not fair.
2. Don't give up because he comes from a long line of strong Americans (11th generation) and quitting is not an option.
3. Continually work on becoming a better pitcher.
4. If the call comes be mentally prepared to pitch.
5. Stay focused on the positive.
6. Be a great teammate.
7. Fine gold only becomes gold by going through the fire and realize you WILL become a better man by the experience.

Coach Waltrip
That is some great advice and guidance to many who are struggling with the same issues.

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...throwing out baserunners on what appeared to be singles to RF only to turn those hits into 9-3 putouts."

I love it! My favorite defensive play. And you're so right...the first baseman must be always looking for it. This play ranks right up there with my favorite offensive play...a triple. A beautiful triple! A race to the base!



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"Coach Waltrip
That is some great advice and guidance to many who are struggling with the same issues."

That's why we call him Sky Chief.

It's good to read your post Coach. I know that futurecoachjosh is getting the absolute best advice possible. When any of our four was confronted with something similar I would always tell them to never let a coach chase them from the game they love. And they never let it happen.

Get in touch Coach...I know of some linguine that would love to be airlifted from the platter to your mouth! Thanks.



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Thanks for the kind words Jp24...as I've heard it said on this board many times, 'It's not how many times you get knocked down, it's how many times you get back up'. Life is like that and even the best ball players can attest to this fact.

GW,

I think of you and play baseball all the time. Unfortunately, I haven't been to the windy city for some time. Been spending lots of time in the training center the last 6 months or so.

Nothing would be better than having a good Italian meal with my good friends from Chicago. When I get up your way I will let you know ahead of time so maybe we grab ourselves a good meal and chit chat about those on this board...LOL!!!

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That would be excellent...let us know!



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quote:

Originally posted by gotwood4sale:
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...throwing out baserunners on what appeared to be singles to RF only to turn those hits into 9-3 putouts."

I love it! My favorite defensive play. And you're so right...the first baseman must be always looking for it. This play ranks right up there with my favorite offensive play...a triple. A beautiful triple! A race to the base!



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I love that play. My son pulled that play off quite a number of times in rec and travelball in his youth days but I never really expected to see it happen on the high school level. The firstbaseman on the HS team played with my son in Legion and Babe Ruth ball so he knew if my son saw a possible opportunity to take a shot at the 9-3 putout, he was ready. I remember one game, the HS HC on the opposing team went ballistic when his player got what looked like a nice shot to RF only to get gunned out at 1B because he let up going down the base. He got on him for not hustling and man, did he get an earful.. He almost did to a player in a varsity game in the conference tournament but the firstbaseman wasn't ready for it. He was getting ready to uncorked but wisely backed off and just got the ball back in the infield. I could imagine what would've happened if he would've pulled it off in that spot. It's an instinct play and will work as long as the outfielder and firstbaseman are on the same page. Otherwise, it's not worth attempting it.

Parents and players that are struggling with issues related to playing the game should read this tremendous article. I guarantee you will regain perspective.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/...226,0,2164984.column

Thank you, that is a perspective regainer for sure.

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( Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times )

Cory Hahn gets a hug from his father Dale after a day of classes at Arizona State University. Says Dale: "We were never much for hugging. But now I get to hug my son all the time."


How about the smiles on their faces? That says it all in my book. Father and son have discovered, through this continuing ordeal, that their loving bond has been strengthened, not weakened. A great father. A great son. A supportive mother and brother. Just a wonderful family at its core. Inspiring.

And kudos to writer Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times for a superb story. And thank you like2rake for posting this.

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Wonderful story of dedication and love. Makes complaining about playing time appear very petty.

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Concerns about playing time are real and often times valid, but the Hahn's story is just as you put it Coach...wonderful.

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I couldn't agree more with you GW...

quote:

Originally posted by TPM:
If these players are starters than shouldn't they be on a schedule?
…

Now that’s a great question!

How many folks out there have seen a HS team with a scheduled rotation like what they’d see in the ML? I’ve seen it close to that at times, such as when we play our league schedule, we play 3 games a week against each team. But before that, especially in the early part of the season, the schedules are really goofy. Sometimes we play 2 games in a week, and sometimes 3. Sometimes we play a good team on Mon and a weak one on Thu, and sometime the opposite.

Those things and others wreak havoc with a rotation, especially for coaches with staffs that aren’t very deep, or ones that have a beast on them.

Just to see for sure if my perception is very accurate, I ran a list of all the V games I’ve scored since 2002. Only the pitchers who started the game are listed. The “Game of Week” is the 1st, 2nd, etc. game that week.

http://www.infosports.com/scor...r/images/pitdays.pdf

Thinking back to high school the starting pitchers on my son's team knew Friday or Monday what the rotation would be for that week. They had three games per week. The rotation was 1,2,3 unless five days rest allowed the coach to rearrange the rotation for match up reasons. If there was a fourth game (non conference or rain makeup) the starting pitcher may not know until a couple of days in advance based on usage during the week.

The only deviation from the plan was a short period where starting pitchers weren't getting the job done. The bullpen and JV pitchers got some starts.

Go run (dont walk)and buy the book "the mental game of baseball" I would suggest you both read it, you will not be disappointed, and he can take it to college!

I guess I will update the post, 2013 started tonight against a team from Cinci Ohio. Threw 5 innings gave up 3 hits 2 runs, we won 13-4 struck out 8

So I guess he bounced back from last weeks disappointment.