Need direction after major disappointment

Catcher Mom - I feel your pain. These things are tough to swallow.

However unfair it may seem, these things do happen. Without knowing anything about your son or the other catcher...it would seem that the "other" catcher must have quite a reputation...very possibly well-deserved. While not seeming fair to your son (very understandable), it may in fact have been the right decision from a talent point-of-view.

And try not to be angry with the "other" catcher either. He may have had a very good reason for not being there...for example he could have been ill or at the USA Baseball tryouts or something like that.

But most importantly I think...its ok for your son to know you're "on his side" in this situation. But don't dwell on it or let him dwell on it. Use it to inspire him to reach higher...let him dream about being the "stud of the universe" and let him try to achieve it. Staying angry will not help him over the summer.

There are many setbacks in any "career," most certainly even more in a baseball career. Some are small (bad day at the plate) and some are of the tougher variety like this one. Move on to the next tryout or event or team function more determined than ever.

Good luck! We'll all be rootin' for him!

Please read the “Area Code Team Tryouts” thread in the Texas Forum. Right now it can be found on page 4 or use the hyperlink below. It has 12 pages of debate and perspective on this subject.

Texas Forum: Area Code Team Tryouts

http://hsbaseballweb.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7106002781/m/8651079361[/URL]

Thanks for the information. The other catcher was only in a tourny.

Please don't get me wrong. As we personally know the other catcher and he is a great kid.

But I guess I just feel ****** about when is it going to be our turn. Seems like we are always 1 step behind in the process. Seems like to get anywhere it is not just want you know it is who you know also. Sorry venting again. I will try to get out of this forum and go to the ladies section.

It's just ****** that he has put in alot of work, time and effort and we get alot of people telling us that he is great and do this and that. So it just makes me wonder if they are blowing smoke up our a.. or they mean it.

We are going at this blind and we don't know where to be or who to know.

Once again sorry for being so long winded.

I will try to be positive and I guess I need to calm down. My son doesn't even know he has not made it yet.

I need to focus and like you said try to inspire him.

You can do it. You'll be fine.

One other thought from reading your posts. Often, we parents equate hard work, effort and being a "good kid" with getting where/what we want for them. True, this is a great quality and breaks ties and even helps us move ahead...but it is no guarantee.

I'm sure you know that...but as a parent, it is sometimes hard to remember.

Again, good luck moving forward.

Catcher Mom,

If you have time to read the Texas thread on this topic you'll see there are many views on this hot topic. To me, I am only a mother so please consider that when reading this, the boys who made it seemed to be the ones who swung for the fences and threw balistically with no concern where the ball ended up. When my son was young, his father told him that defense wins ball games and being a contact hitter is as good as the swinging for the fences hitter. At 17 he's learned that isn't the case. But that's ok because he has a lot to offer a coach and most power hitters don't have what he has. I understand your pain and frustration but if you can just get past the anger, some smart coach will see all that your son has to offer. Good luck to you both because this is an extremely stressful time for your entire family!

I believe this is a common experience but like most other organizations the area code scouts make their share of mistakes on who they select and everyone knows it. Therefore you shouldn't dwell on this for very long as making the team is not a litmus test for future success. If you son's a good catcher he'll have plenty of other opportunities to show scouts what he has.

Catcher Mom,
You may not want to hear this right now but there is a disturbing trend in your comments. I hope it is just because you are upset and disappointed right now. Getting to the next level in baseball is not political, players are not selected simply by hard work and determination, and it will never be your turn if that is what you are waiting for. Getting to the next level is about talent and skill and being the best available player that fills the need on a team.

The good news is that “best available player” is somewhat subjective and there are other teams.

let me add this for perspective if I may

When I my son came out of HS a young man who had no right be named so , was named Player of the Year in our Tri County Area--trust me it hurt because he wasn't even on the same page as a number of other players including my son--you know what my son told me ?--it was very simple "Dad, he can have the award but he isnt going to college. I am and that is what counts."

Sometimes our kids have a better handle on the situation than we parents do--we just need to talk to them--I do not think they take it has hard as we do

If I might add a little different perspective on your son's high school season.Your son played at least twice against a first round pick in this years draft.The brass attending those games was visable and extensive.I am sure the scouting directors and cross checkers there were looking at all the contestants in those games. They will have reports written on all who show professional abilities.Your son may have solidified a follow on tryout without even knowing he did.He basically had a try out in front of the heaviest hitters (pardon the pun) in professional baseball.

make no mistake area code games are one of the elite for a young player to make.that said i know a player in my area that tried out for the area code games as a pitcher,pitched to the three batters,struck two out ground ball out.didn't make it.BUT recieved about twenty letters from schools interested.and that is the biggest thing in my opinion.what is it you are expecting from the tryout?just being invited from our area is a big deal.that same player was drafted two years later.it's the end result that is important,haed to see that now but you will.keep working hard it will pay off.

Keep in mind, there are lots of good players --even a lot who get to the Major Leagues -- who never get a chance to go to the Area Codes. I am sure there are some political considerations in play, but not many. Every player there is very good, and many, many players not there are better than a lot who are. Stay positive.

Please take this from a parent who has felt a lot of baseball pain these last two years:

Keep telling yourself it's not the journey, but the destination. Keep telling yourself that when things are good and when things are bad. It does help you keep focus.

Catcher mom....Relax...take a couple of breaths.

Baseball is a game. It is not life...as I'm learning at age 45+.

How many organizations make million dollar mistakes? Plenty. And you're worried about a tryout.

Gees.

Keep this in mind, your son has been invited more than once to these tryouts. There are many players who would love to be given even just one shot at the Area Codes.

Yes, it's hard because we are all conditioned to believe that if our son doesn't make the "next step" or isn't on a certain list then others are "passing him by." The reality is that there is always going to be someone who is better, and the other reality is that none of us know how this is going to end. All you can do is try to enjoy the fact that your son is playing a game that he loves, and help him get to play it as long as he can. If he's having fun playing, then it doesn't matter if he wasn't selected on the Area Code team.

Hi catcher mom,...I'm passing you a box of kleenex and some baseballs to go throw at a tree outside somewhere and throw them stinkin' heck-a-HARD!( out of son's view of course )

I'm gonna say something very different than everyone else so far,..I say get as mad as you want! Heck,..I'm mad for ya. Us mom's wear our boys hearts on OUR sleeves and we see/feel all that they go through to get where they are today. When they hurt, we hurt. If anyone says baseball isnt political,... I say they are being dishonest. If two kids are of equal potential and capablity,..it has to come to a deciding factor somewhere, which usually results if someone knows of, has worked with, or played with "so & so". THATS when it gets political.
Some people go by strictly stats,..others dont,..its all part of the big baseball political game. Just depends on the team and the coaches.

Sooo, instead of condeming you for being mad,... which I'd be willing to bet translates into being hurt for your son,...I say,..blow your nose,..throw those balls hard at that stinkin' stupid tree,..and then hug your son.

Life is full of suprises,..and ya just never know what lies ahead,..I bet there are some good journies a comin',..enjoy them with your son!!
Hats off to ya!
A felow baseball mom!

Catcher Mom,

As your son (and you) travel down the baseball road - I sincerely hope that is the worst disappointment you will ever have to face.

Two years ago - my son basically had his baseball career smashed to pieces - and for all the wrong reasons. He ran into alot of bad people - liars and cheats - with bad intentions - and he was almost finished.

I was very angry about what was done to him. But my reaction mattered little. The only reaction that counted was his reaction.

If your son takes the disappointments and uses them as fuel and works harder and doesnt quit on himself - he will most likely get to his next goal.

It really doesnt matter what you think - or what you feel - the only thing that matters is what the player feels and does when faced with disappointments.
IMO.

The area codes are kind of a joke- the college coaches in so cal let a few scouts do their scouting for them- almost every kid that goes is very good- but the tryout process is ridiculous- it is almost impossible to make if a scout hasnt recommended you- so dads and coaches that are well connected get tryouts where some deserving players cant even get a sniff- but wait you can attend an area code camp with 125 kids and in 4 hours -maybe you can be the 3 that can go to tryout from there- but please throw 90 or hit at least 2 bombs in your 10 swings of bp. Whatever you do if you dont make the regular tryout with scout recommendation , dont donate another 100 dollars to studentsports.com -the organization that is making a fortune off this.

I feel guilty in saying this, but son got invites without having to try out, for two teams.
We felt it was a lot of political BS and not interested, and he wasn't either. They know who they want and who they don't want to play. He was too busy trying to get his summer Connie Mack team to the World Series (which they missed by one game).
Bottom line, he didn't go, he got a great scholly and plenty of scouts at HS games pre draft time. Missing an area code game meant nothing.
Bottom line, your son doesn't need all of this stuff. We sometimes think our kids do, but they don't.
You asked for direction, now is the time to start looking for showcases and wood bat tournaments. Contact PG for any events near you. Get him on a good scout team for the fall. And don't worry, if your son is talented, he will be noticed and good things will happen. I wouldn't even consider this a setback, just how life is in the game of baseball.

And I agree, don't take your anger on the player who was chosen, it's not hs fault.

Catchermom
My son was pretty much in the same boat as Tiger Paw Mom, mine was placed on a team without a tryout also, but in ca he was able to be seen pretty easy. The thing is he chose not to attend but continue with his connie mack team to the world series (which they won). My son still had a great selection of schools and went on to play at the school of his choice.Last year he transferred out and has commited to another d-1 school, in addition he was drafted this year by the White Sox so he could be there also. The message I am trying to give is, it is a great thing to attend, but not the end of the world if yours is not there. There are other quality events your player can attend and he will get great exposure. Tell him to get to the events around your parts and be ready when school starts. He just needs to be working hard and playing for himself (and his team),if he is playing to impress the scouts it is additional pressure he add's on himself. If he is good he will get noticed, tell him not to stress over the things he cannot control and concentrate on the things he can.
Good Luck