Hello Sports Fans [I know it been a while, and I will refrain from any comments on the AROD deal],
As the topic suggests I have had a change of heart regarding the annual, "Who should make the team?" debate. In the past I have always advocated that the best player regardless of year should make it, and in close cases the nod should go to the underclassman because he has more growth potential. A pretty typical position for the father of a sophomore.
Our 5A HS in AZ had it Varsity and JV cuts on Friday and the Varsity kept 12 Juniors [not unusual since the Junior class is largely comprised of the team that came in second at last summer's Tuscon Junior Olympics], and only 6 Seniors [no Soph's or Frosh were even invited to tryout for Varsity].
Among the cuts were two Seniors who not only were on Varsity last year but who got a significant amount of playing time with one of them starting in several games at 1B. I had the opportunity to watch these two kids, as one of them played on our winter team two seasons ago, and we saw both play about 10 games last summer when C6jr. [who I'm happy to report is firmly ensconced on the JV's] was called up for a "cup of coffee" with the Varsity Summer Team.
These two kids that got cut have got real talent. When I told the knowledgable Dad of a local 4A player [whose team went 25 and 7 last year] they got cut, he said, "they would both DEFINITELY start on our team".
Don't get me wrong because I don't blame the baseball coach at all. After the initial "ya gotta' be kidding" reaction, a dispassionate analysis of the roster reflects that the coach stuck with his principles/policies in terms of no juniors on JV's, total number of players on the roster, and going with the underclassman in close cases.
So while there is no argument that life is not always fair it seems a rather bitter pill to swallow to see these two relatively talented kids, who went the distance in terms of commitment and effort, have their dreams dashed on the rocky shoals of reality with no alternative [by AIA rules] to play elsewhere their Senior year.
Believe me when I say these are kids who would start on 95% of all teams across the country, are sadly just the victims of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. On a positive note I'll bet bet that one if not both, will end up playing college ball somewhere. Just seems a lousy ending [with 3 months to go] to a high school career/Senior year.
In summary, while my earlier position still seems logical, it becomes less palatable once those who get cut are talented, and you KNOW them personally.
Gee, I guess it really has been a while as I see my trademark departing wave is no longer a graemlin option.
Later
C6
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