Parents - Some of us understand.

Younggundad posted

quote:

It was given to a Senior who only got to pitch 1 inning and had 1 AB. But looking back over the season as a parent this same kid did everything he was asked and had a spirit that soared. He never sat around on the bench during a game and sulked. He loved to keep the ump loaded with game balls, chasing foul balls down the ravine, running the pitcher a jacket out on base, etc.

We did have a lot of seniors last season that were for the most part "grandfathered" in by our new coach so as not to come in and make waves. One of the very first things he did was explain to many of these seniors and some juniors was what a role player was, and the importance of it. How that role player doesn't sit and sulk, but encourages the starter in front of him and pushes him every day, how his attitude was vital for the success of the team, etc. The coach reminded these role players of their role all season long and it was so enjoyable being around for the games to watch a TEAM.

This is the situation that got all this started. Honestly I think this coach did a great job of coaching here. He came in and established the purpose of a role player. He sent a message to the underclassmen that even if you don't play you still need to keep a good attitude.

Secondly there are a lot of kids who can make that play I described in practice but because they don't play much they get into this situation very nervous and mess up. It's not so much the guy is weak but isn't good enough to earn the playing time and is rewarded but is scared to death.

There are some schools that don't cut anyone so they can field a team.

Coach 2709 you have a PM

Boy this thread sure turned quickly. Look my oldest son his sr year played I think it was 3 innings and got I think 11 abs. Something like that. He understood that his role was to come off the bench in a critical situation and give us a quality ab. He also understood that defensively he was a liability to the team. He has great memories of his hs career. There is so much more to it than getting innings or abs. I know that might be hard for some to understand. Some kids understand what their role is. Some kids want to win and want the best options on the field even if they are not one of them.

We give kids opportunities every chance we get. If we get up we get them in. If we are playing a weak team we give some other guys starts. We talk to every upperclassman before the season ever begins. If we see them as a role player and we dont feel they are going to get much playing time we tell them "If you can not accept this role dont play." "That does not mean you can not expand your role by getting better or proving us wrong." "But if this ends up being your role you have to be willing to accept that and be a team player." "Can you do that?"

I know its hard for some to believe that some kids just want to be a part of the team and the program. I know its hard to believe for some that some kids are actually more concerned for the team than themselves. But there actually are kids like this.

My last on this subject. Never have been nor will be a coach. But, if a kid is happy just sitting on the bench I would'nt want him playing for me. Because no kid worth his salt is satisfied with that role. And there is no way anyone can justify giving a senior with a great attitude, one at bat and one inning in the field in an entire season.

No where in my post did I indicate that the kid was satisfied with this role. What I said was they accept their role whatever it is. And they know they have the opportunity to expand that role. Just like a starter has the opportunity to have his role changed if he does not produce.

If you have team where the only people willing to accept their role are the guys starting good luck to your team. No kid is worth his salt as a player if he is not willing to accept his role and not willing to work to expand that role.

Coach May,
You have a pm.

Coach May, I really like what you said in your thread. Very thought provoking.

Remember me? I'm the mom with the son that is a "Student Manager" on the Freshman team. We were apprehensive, but our son accepted the position of "Student Manager" with the desire to develop and improve his skills. Playing time was not promised to him and really we did not expect for him to play, however, because his team is so good, he has had at least 1 AB every game thus far total of 5 AB and he has played defense at least once every game as well. As a matter of fact, he got his first hit and RBI in the last game he played. The entire team cheered for him. They were (or at least appeared to be) very happy for him. The next day at school his team mates made a big deal in some of his classes about his hit/RBI.

What's interesting is that he has learned a valuable lesson. I say this because his experience on the baseball team thus far has been a more positive experience than his experience on the basketball team and playing time was never an issue when he was on the basketball team (He played a lot during basketball). It's just that the basketball team was a bunch of individual players who did not play as a team and in comparison, the baseball team is just that a TEAM and the coaching is great. They really do care about the players and will reward them as long as they show hard work and dedication.

Something else that I have observed is when parents spend a lot of money for travel teams for their kids (some since the age of 6) they expect that their kids will be starters, play all of the time etc. I hear some parents already talking about transferring their kids to another school where their kid can get more playing time. We just don't have that stress because up until now, our son did not play travel ball (he will this summer). We can just sit back and enjoy the game whether our son plays or not. We know that he is getting great training and is developing so it's a win/win for us.

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Originally posted by Stage Dad 9:
My last on this subject. Never have been nor will be a coach.

Thank God for that. LOL

Calsportsmom,

Reading this thread earlier today, I was reminded of your posts 4 months ago. (Wow, time flies!)

I'll bet your kid is loving it, as I imagine that you are as well. Heck, I'm excited to hear about him. Thanks for the update.

quote:

Originally posted by Stage Dad 9:
Coach 2709, if the kid is that weak why would you have even given him a uniform? So he could have warm and fuzzy memories of chasing down foul balls? Do you give every kid that tries out for your team a spot? Like I said earlier, as a kid I would rather have been cut than humping my butt off waiting for my big chance that never came. But, that's just me.

high school sports are about representing your school/community. sports teams usually practice or play a game 5 or 6 day's a week. for maybe 1 or 2 hours a day? so a player who may only play a limited game role ,is involved in the majority of the whole baseball team. representing his school/community. that chance should be something to be proud of.
that may not be what you consider high school sports to be.or important enough to work your tail off for a chance to represent . but thankfully not all players think that way. there is a much bigger picture here than your seeing, i hope you see it some day.

we graduate about 300 kids a year from our high school,but only one valadictorian. is it your belief the rest should quit? why work that hard if you can't be number one? what if your 300? still have to dress for the game of life, right? many ,many lessons in baseball. you just don't realize it sometimes.

I’ve been reading this thread and I think there is something missing.

Stage Dad may not have approached this the most diplomatic way, but doesn’t he at least have a point?

One Inning in the field, One at bat? During the entire year? For a senior in high school with a great attitude, apparently working his butt off.

Guess it’s possible that every game (except one) was a close one. Doesn’t high school have re-entry rules so that it makes it easier to play more players?

I think it’s a great story about this kid winning an award for his outstanding team attitude, but it does seem like most coaches would have found him a little more than one AB and one inning on the field during an entire season. Of course, we don’t know the circumstances involved, but in most cases, I’m guessing the coaches posting here would try to get a kid like that a little more action whenever possible.

Anyway, it is great that the kids coach did recognize him.

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08 dad we as coaches don't owe any players any playing time. That is something that is earned and each coach has their own way of determining it. How did the senior who got 3 innings do in those three innings? I don't know - maybe he did poorly

I would have to disagree with this comment. Especially if I were the coach of that senior with with one ab, one inning played.

I as a youth coach and select coach felt I "owed" playing time to my players who never missed practice, never had an attitude, busted their butt day in and day out. They might not have been in the lineup everyday, but I made sure that I found the situation where I could reward these players who gave so much but received very little. Like another poster said, "that's just me".

They did not have to be meaningful ab's, or meaningful innings, but nonetheless, they were able to be rewarded with "meaningful" playing time.

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Originally posted by thats-a-balk!:

quote:

08 dad we as coaches don't owe any players any playing time. That is something that is earned and each coach has their own way of determining it. How did the senior who got 3 innings do in those three innings? I don't know - maybe he did poorly

I would have to disagree with this comment. Especially if I were the coach of that senior with with one ab, one inning played.

I as a youth coach and select coach felt I "owed" playing time to my players who never missed practice, never had an attitude, busted their butt day in and day out. They might not have been in the lineup everyday, but I made sure that I found the situation where I could reward these players who gave so much but received very little. Like another poster said, "that's just me".

They did not have to meaningful ab's, or meaningful innings, but nonetheless, they were able to be rewarded with playing time.

Perhaps I didn't state my situation very clearly so let me try again. While I don't feel that a coach owes a kid playing time for simply being there, I do feel that a coach owes it to his players to take advantage of situations that allow him to work some of his lesser players into the game.

The situation that I described was a team ahead by 15 runs in the 7th inning. Similar situations happened all year but this is one very real situation. The starter has throw 90+ pitches and is done. So who do you bring in to pitch the 7th? What choice does the coach have?

He chose to bring back the D1 bound senior on his 3rd day after a start to pitch. My belief is that in this situation he made the wrong decision. There must be at least one pitcher on the staff - other than the one who is heading to a D1 college to pitch - who could be given this opportunity to pitch one inning.

Why does the D1 senior need one more inning in a meaningless game? Simply to get his between starts bullpen in? Or, to put it in a different light, why risk your team ace in a situation like that?

This coach, over and over again all season long, pitched his three main seniors and gave few if any innings to the 4 underclassman or to the 2 other seniors on the staff. Note that the results were very good - team won more than 80% of their games - with multiple ten run plus victories.

Perhaps the other pitchers were not "worthy" - but how likely is it that 5 pitchers on the staff were all not worthy?

08

Perhaps the coach has a reason for doing what he did?

ever think of that ?

quote:

This coach, over and over again all season long, pitched his three main seniors and gave few if any innings to the 4 underclassman or to the 2 other seniors on the staff. Note that the results were very good - team won more than 80% of their games - with multiple ten run plus victories.

Perhaps the other pitchers were not "worthy" - but how likely is it that 5 pitchers on the staff were all not worthy?

some coaches are not willing to take a chance even with a 15 run lead, on losing. some want to give the kid a complete game.

Is the dropoff past the third pitcher significant? It sounds like it is and perhaps the other pitchers have been getting shelled. Hard to say....

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Originally posted by TRhit:
Perhaps the coach has a reason for doing what he did?

ever think of that ?

No I am such a complete and total moron that it never occurred to me that he might have a reason.

Perhaps you should---and remember you called yourself "a complete and total moron" not me

With Coach May's permission I copied his post to a youth sports board where people were complaining about coaches. The post was greated with more cynicsm and negativity than positive responses. I was surprised.

I guess it's what happens when looking through the eyes of parents of marginal players who view every bad break as a screwing versus parents of better athletes who understand the player gets what he works for.

As I mentioned earlier, my freshman son was sent to JV while less talented (in my eyes) seniors were kept on varsity. I'm not bitter. Neither is my son. We both see a glass that's more than half full. He put himself high on the radar screen for the next three years. He didn't get screwed. He's worked hard for the reward that will come the next three years.

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When I make out a line up card I understand.

. I have been fortunate to have Coach May-like coaches for my son all his life. Too many coaches are all about themselves and do not care about anything but making themselves look good. It must be a very short term "high". The coach that develops young men to become successful adults is the true winner here. Bless him! The player that works his butt off and gets little to none playing time because of lack of ability but is part of something bigger than himself is also a winner. My son was a "token" player for his AAU team for years as a youngster. He was a part of something good and loved the comraderie, the atmosphere, the attitudes, the fun etc. He refused to give up the time and effort he put in when I pressured him to quit because "I" wasn't happy bout his playing time. As I write this, I am listening to him pitch his 4th start of the season at a mid-major D1. Thanks out to all the coaches that encourasged him and his passion from day one. Coach May, I am sure that you have secured a reservation in the hearts of many, many young men/ball-players and you should sleep very well at night!!!!!

After reading alot of these posts, I realize how fortunate I am! Win, lose or draw (no decision today)there is NOTHING that can compare to watching my son pitch!!! Not just his ability, but his demeanor...his pride and confidence. There are a handful of coaches out there that can legitimately claim a piece of his success and they are still as supportive now as they were way back when. I think it's very cool! And YES, I am very glad he didn't listen to me. Tiring of pulling splinters from his behind has been a driving force for him, despite me!

Great post coach. The fact that there are at least 20 games left and the team is in desperate need for pitchers. My son is gonna step up and offer to help pitch. He pitched from 8 to 14. 16 now. 2 year hiatius. Pitch, outfield, still catch when the coach puts him in. We talked about how the Big college programs in our area and the JC's carry a 40 man roster. 15 to 17 pitchers. 25 position players. Some of these guys won't see any playing time till next year, or if someone gets hurt. I told him things will work out in the long run. They do need his bat in the lineup. Its a long season.
Let it play out.

Great intitial post, Coach May.

And thanks, TR, for the kind words about my son..

After reading posts on HSBB and This Board Rocks it seems that some of the comments made are both positive and negative. I have watched coaches play the same ones to win at all costs, simply to get to the playoffs. It also seems that we only hear of the games being won (stats given), no one is posting their stats when they lose. This can also give a negative spin on things. Players look up to coaches, they give it all, try hard and may not be the best as the well known kids but are given a chance simply because they are not as good. As stated isn't a great coach one that can take raw talent and turn into a gem simply because you as a coach have the knowledge to know what you are working with? It's easy to coach kids who tried out made the team and simply have the talent make the coaches look knowledgeable.

As a parent, I always tell my kids, "Don't be afraid of the competition, enjoy it!" If you are among the top 9 kids in the team, you still don't have a lot of playing time, then work harder to be the #1 player in the team. Forget such nonsenses as "Politics", there are no "politics" at HS level if you are the best of the breeds. Only losers will whine for playing time, work hard and be the best, simple and easy!

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Forget such nonsenses as "Politics", there are no "politics" at HS level

Developing players is a two way street. First you have to have kids that want to be developed. They have to have the drive and determination to put the work in that it takes to develop. Then they have to understand that three months of playing hs baseball is not going to be enough to develop them. What are they doing when its not the hs season? The players that excell at the hs level are not the ones developed during the hs season. They are the ones that spend the other 8 or 9 months developing themselves. If your looking for a hs coach to develop you in three or four months out of the year you are in trouble.

The kids that come into the hs season prepared to play because they have spent all the off seasons leading up to hs developing themselves will be the ones that excell. Coaches get too much credit for developing players and too much credit for not developing players. Yes a solid hs program with good coaching does help players. But if that is what the player is banking on to be the difference they are in trouble.

I never hear the players that work their butts off in the off season complaining about coaches. They are the ones that understand that it is in their hands not the coaches. It always seems to be the kids that have a hand out wanting someone to give them something or place blame on someone else for not being developed.

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I never hear the players that work their butts off in the off season complaining about coaches. They are the ones that understand that it is in their hands not the coaches.

Same thing goes for the Parent's.
It's in your Players hands not the parent's hand's.

It has to come from within them.
They have to want it as bad as you want it for them,
without you helping them except for your support.
If that makes since.
Its there drive and determination that will get them to the next level.
EH