Overlooked

The team he is on has many good players, many committed already but none of the position players are as nearly as good as my son. I keep telling the travel coach this but it doesn't seem to be working.

Is this a troll post for laughs?

Simply put you need to seek out and find another travel coach that sees your son's talents. That can be a huge challenge, but that is my best advice.

Have you thought about bringing him to be evaluated by a third party (former MLB player, teaching professional or scout) to confirm or deny your biased suspicions?  You need information and data points.   Subjective Dad-isms are not going to be productive and help your son in the short or long term.   That is where I'd start before switching teams.   You need a real evaluation with someone who has no dog in the hunt.  Good luck.

JMO.

It doesn't matter whether he's as good as you say he is or not. If his travel coach is not giving him any playing time, you're throwing money away. Move on.

Interesting. we were just the opposite. Took him to a travel team a few years ago. First day we just showed up for tryouts and after about an hour the coach said " What are you doing here?

You belong on our A team. I will call the coach."

And so we moved the next day. I guess he was "evaluated".

I do think coaches will play the best players (except of course on Dad teams where their son is the SS).

@RJM posted:

The team he is on has many good players, many committed already but none of the position players are as nearly as good as my son. I keep telling the travel coach this but it doesn't seem to be working.

Biography

Just an Dad who is honest about my son's ability.  It's pretty substantial.

Is this a troll post for laughs?

He's consistent at least....

I would move to Dominican Republic so that he can get drafted next year in the International Draft and we can all see him in MLB next year.

@PitchingFan posted:

I would move to Dominican Republic so that he can get drafted next year in the International Draft and we can all see him in MLB next year.

Is this possible?  It's not a bad idea but how would I even go about doing this?

You pack up all your stuff and your son and move to Dominican Republic.  Apply for legal residence and then put your son in school so that he qualifies.  Once ya'll are legal residents of DR or other International Countries then you are approved to be a part of the International Draft.

Check Kayak. AA flies to the DR from Miami.

One -way: 124$.

Way cheaper than travel ball, plus it really is travel ball.

Seriously, though, ya gotta get a third-party, unbiased opinion on your kid’s talents.

Then you have to be willing to listen to what they say and be willing to respond accordingly.

The solution is very simple. Have him sign up for the next session of Tim the Enchanters school for flamethrowers.

Cost is only $2,500  and after one week he will become a true flamethrower and I guarantee he will NEVER be overlooked again.

@TimtheEnchanter posted:

The solution is very simple. Have him sign up for the next session of Tim the Enchanters school for flamethrowers.

Cost is only $2,500  and after one week he will become a true flamethrower and I guarantee he will NEVER be overlooked again.

Recent graduate:

@TimtheEnchanter posted:

The solution is very simple. Have him sign up for the next session of Tim the Enchanters school for flamethrowers.

Cost is only $2,500  and after one week he will become a true flamethrower and I guarantee he will NEVER be overlooked again.

“Bones of full fifty men lie strewn about its lair. So, brave knights, if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth.”

But seriously he's an OF not a Pitcher, just in case you actually can enchant a flamethrower RHP.  I don't know if you are serious but I like this idea better than moving to the DR.  We are not fluent in Spanish and sounds like too big a risk.   We probably can find a better travel coach in Florida somewhere maybe.

Wouldn’t a stud 2023 have had many travel teams all over him to play for them leading into the summer of 2021? If the current choice isn’t working wouldn’t there be many options available for change? It would look good for their program when he commits to a P5 this summer.

@IAmThatGuy posted:

“Bones of full fifty men lie strewn about its lair. So, brave knights, if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth.”

But seriously he's an OF not a Pitcher, just in case you actually can enchant a flamethrower RHP.  I don't know if you are serious but I like this idea better than moving to the DR.  We are not fluent in Spanish and sounds like too big a risk.   We probably can find a better travel coach in Florida somewhere maybe.

You live in Florida and don't know any Spanish? Lots of scouts here, they will give you their unbiased opinion.

No travel coach will take a player with a dad with your attitude.  I can understand why your son isn't playing.

That's an honest opinion.

If you have been lurking, you would know that talking to a coach is a no, no.

And yes, you are THAT Guy.

@TPM posted:

And yes, you are that Guy.

First, absolutely, and thank you for the perfect setup!  Second - I have a great attitude.  Do you think I might be the problem?  I don't think so but now you have me thinking along those lines.   Maybe I will back off for a bit and ask my wife to address the issue with the coaches.  Thank you TPM.

@PitchingFan posted:

You pack up all your stuff and your son and move to Dominican Republic.  Apply for legal residence and then put your son in school so that he qualifies.  Once ya'll are legal residents of DR or other International Countries then you are approved to be a part of the International Draft.

The DR plan only works if he is 16.

I’m lost….  

That guy, your wife shouldn’t address the coaches, either.

Don’t  mean to be repetitive but I will anyway: get an unbiased opinion of the kid’s ability.

And since he’s an outfielder, here’s an unbiased opinion: if you’re looking for a Power 5 spot and he isn’t a power bat, then he better be able to hit for a high average AND fly, as in 6.6 for the 60.

@IAmThatGuy posted:

He's not tall, or fast to be honest but he just stands out when he plays.

If he’s not fast, he’s not really a college prospect at all unless he can really hit.

And:  if he’s not fast, he’s not a D1 prospect unless he can consistently hit 92 mph+ pitches 400 feet.

Period.  End of story.

@3and2Fastball posted:

If he’s not fast, he’s not really a college prospect at all unless he can really hit.

And:  if he’s not fast, he’s not a D1 prospect unless he can consistently hit 92 mph+ pitches 400 feet.

Period.  End of story.

Look man a kid on the team who is a Power 5 commit, is lightning fast.  Prob in that 6.6 range that smokeinside was talking about.  My son is not that kind of fast but he's quick, has that great first step.  When at bat not sure how important speed is as he usually ends up on 2nd, so he doesn't need to steal 2nd.  He always scores on a single from 2nd, well not always. Earlier this summer there was a kind of hard hit ball to LF and my son had that great jump off second, read it perfectly.  The coach throws up the stop sign, my son hesitates and continues through and is thrown out.   Obviously awful. I told him after the game that it was the coach's fault clearly but recommended in the future if he throws up the stop sign he probably should stop.   Son says he will most likely stop unless he's certain he can make it which sounded reasonable.  But back to the point my son is D1 but probably not power 5.  Can hit in the 90's if you are talking about degrees.

Hey, that’s cool that he can hit.  So, since he’s not fast he’ll be a college first baseman or maybe third baseman or DH.  Or Catcher.

The outfielders and middle infielders at my son’s relatively medium level (Baseball wise) D3 all run 6.8’s or much much better.  Those players can flat out fly, and they are D3 players.

Currently laying 2 to 1 odds that “IamThatGuy” is actually RJM.  RJM got bored and decided to mess with us.  Love ya RJM!

@IAmThatGuy posted:

. I told him after the game that it was the coach's fault clearly…

You are the problem.  

College recruiters seeing kids run through stop signs will cross a player off their list.  Literally.  Because, guess what?  There are 50 other players who are just as good, but taller and faster, who won’t do that.

So, I disagree that a parent can't talk to a travel coach.  In fact, most would agree that that's the only kind of coach a parent CAN talk to.  For college recruiting, you need to be talking to him.

But, you absolutely can't be "telling" the coach things.  You should entirely be ASKING him things.  ASK him what kind of colleges your son should be targeting.  Don't argue with him, if you don't like what he says, go find someone else to ask (and if he says that your son is short and slow and not D1, he may know what he's talking about).  ASK him what the team's plan is for getting your son in front of the right coaches.  ASK him what your son needs to do to become better.

@3and2Fastball posted:

Currently laying 2 to 1 odds that “IamThatGuy” is actually RJM.  RJM got bored and decided to mess with us.  Love ya RJM!

Nope......

RJM nailed it the 2nd post.

This is funny as hell. Please don’t stop.

another parent is dead on about when a parent can/should talk to a coach.

@smokeminside posted:

another parent is dead on about when a parent can/should talk to a coach.

Agree.  Never, ever tell a coach how to run his team.

@3and2Fastball posted:

Currently laying 2 to 1 odds that “IamThatGuy” is actually RJM.  RJM got bored and decided to mess with us.  Love ya RJM!

Sorry, not the case. But for those who have been around for a while this thread belongs in the Bilal Hall of Fame.

Ahh, Bilal. We hardly knew ya!

Where have you gone,             Joe Bilal-io?
Our Website turns its lonely eyes to you,
Woo, woo, woo
What's that you say, Mrs. Altumusim?
Jolting Joe has left and gone away
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey

@2022NYC posted:

The DR plan only works if he is 16.

Yeah, I was going to say he needs a revised birth certificate.   Can't you get one in the DR or do you get it revised when you leave elem school?  (Pelotero documentary reference)

Imthatguy,

I just posted in the "Not going to panic" thread about Cedric Mullins.  Keewartson played against him in college (both mid-major D1s, both drafted).  Go and read that thread from the beginning.  It is about a dad who's son wasn't getting college looks.....and now he played this week in the MLB All Star game in Denver.

Mom, I believe.

@IAmThatGuy posted:

First, absolutely, and thank you for the perfect setup!  Second - I have a great attitude.  Do you think I might be the problem?  I don't think so but now you have me thinking along those lines.   Maybe I will back off for a bit and ask my wife to address the issue with the coaches.  Thank you TPM.

this is the perfect solution, have the wife talk to the coach after you stirred up the hornets nest! What could go wrong?

@Senna posted:

RJM nailed it the 2nd post.

This is funny as hell. Please don’t stop.

I completely agree. Is it April 1st ?

First thank you all for the great advice.  I think there are a few immediate take aways for us;

1) My wife and I shouldn't talk to the coach about our son.  You all have made that clear.  Would it be wrong for us to speak with the coaches about the other outfielders shortcomings?

2) Tonight we are going to tell our son that he must follow the coaches signs.  I see how ignoring them might be leading to time on the bench.  Serious question though - if he is at bat and knows he can jack the pitcher and the coaches are calling for a sacrifice, its ok to swing in that spot right?

3) We will be getting a 3rd party evaluation of his skills.  That was great advice.  We really need to see what level of D1 he can play at.

4) Dominican - our family loves out of the box thinking and pitchingfan delivered here but its just too risky.  We were up most of last night mapping this out but it won't work. Thank you however.

I will be off line all day and will read the reply replies later.  If I am caught on line at work I will lose my job. It might be worth the risk though when my son gets his full ride. Oh, on 3rd party evaluation you all think its ok if it's my dad? He's been watching baseball his whole life and probably is impartial.

This thread reminds me of the cover page article that appeared in Sports Illustrated on April 1, 1985 about Sidd Finch, a RHP for the NY Mets who could reportedly throw 168 mph. There were other absurdities included in the article as well but at that time SI had so much credibility that some people actually believed it. If you have never read the article, Google it.

@adbono posted:

This thread reminds me of the cover page article that appeared in Sports Illustrated on April 1, 1985 about Sidd Finch, a RHP for the NY Mets who could reportedly throw 168 mph. There were other absurdities included in the article as well but at that time SI had so much credibility that some people actually believed it. If you have never read the article, Google it.

ESPN 30 for 30 shorts did a great piece on this

https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/12547809