Philsosphy on Development Question

For a position player hitting is the key so IMO at JV level you play the best hitters and in a lot of cases that puts kids out of position.

 

In my son's case last year that meant he played SS when he wasn't pitching.  He runs a 7.8 60 and will NEVER play an inning of MIF again.  He was better than anything we had but not varsity level by any means. 

 

Son goes to a fairly good sized school and from what I have seen based on departing/incoming talent  and injuries it is often times very difficult to project a players role on varsity from one year to the next unless they are a returning starter, so I think to try to project that to an entire level below your varsity team for most high schools would be a big challange.

Playing out of position for the team is always the best option as it is about "team."  You also never know what position your son will be asked to play in later years and it is good to get the experience.  In college many teams recruit Catchers, Center fielders and Shortstops knowing they will convert them to other positions.  Flexibility is a good thing.  He can play normal position in the Summer. 

lefthookdad,

 

I know this might not make sense, but “development” means different things to different people because of perspective. You’re looking at what’s going from the perspective of the parent of one kid on the team, and I assure you that’s a different perspective than the coach. No matter what anyone tells you, there’s really only one way to get a real understanding of what’s going on, and that’s to talk to the coach.

 

Some may say you shouldn’t stick your nose into it, but I’m sure your coach has set up some way of communicating with parents, and that’s what you should do. Don’t argue or get upset, but just ask him what his and the team’s development philosophy is. If he does that, you’ll have to learn to live with it. If he refuses, the only real option is to talk to the VHC who is in charge of the entire program.

 

It may be that the guy is a jerk, but its much more likely he’s just not communicated the programs goals and philosophies very well. Give him the benefit of the doubt and the opportunity to clear up that communication breakdown. It’ll be better for both you and him.

You play where the coach tells you to play. You never know what the future brings. When my son was a freshman he started the season at short. He was the heir apparent to play short on varsity soph year. 

 

I show up to his JV game. My son is in center. Some parents tried to make an issue of it with me. I told them it wasn't a big deal. He had played some center in travel the previous two seasons. After the game the JV coach told me he was tired of watching balls split the gap. My son was now a center fielder.

 

My son started at short on varsity soph year. Before junior season the varsity coach told my son there was an infielder and an outfielder competing for one starting position. My son was told he would play the position the player didn't win. The shortstop coming up from JV was adequate defensively. My son spent the next two high school seasons in center. College coaches saw him as an athlete who could play anywhere on the field.

This is another one of those questions that has lots of variables.  Size and depth of the program, anticipated future needs of the V team, talent and development level of the players, balance of types of players (MIF, OF, Corner IF, C, P) all factor in.  Generally, JV is a growth, discovery and development stage so moving players around a bit is a good thing.  Finding and developing P's and C's is always a high priority.  Still, there is some balance struck toward winning.  But it should be driven by developing the skill level of all players to allow them to be competitive, regardless of who is in what position or who is on the field.

At the HS level, my son's batting coach has always said "if you can hit you don't sit." My son tries to live by that, and works on hitting as much as he does catching. He's also prepared to play other positions (besides pitcher; he does not pitch) should the need arise.

My son (soph) made varsity, never played anywhere but third since tee ball, he is being blocked from 3rd by senior coach told him he needs his bat and arm in right   no problem coach. Pitching coach comes on board 2 weeks ago, looks at my son throw from outfield, looks at him and asked for foot size (tight 13) measures his hand (10+) and declares him the relief pitcher  wtf?  Never know where you will end up playing, just get out there and play

All good posts so far.  I will clarify that this topic is not a coaching issue, they are pretty good about open communication but not really about program philosophy.  I know that the V HC and Asst V C have different philosophies.   It does not pertain to my youngest.  I simply put this out there for a topic of discussion.

 

The JV program is definitely in a position where the are short on body's and talent.  There are a couple of key players that will move on to V level.  There are several positions at the V level that are vulnerable now and will have a huge void next year if these key players aren't developed in those said positions. 

 

I agree that being flexible as a fielder only makes a player more valuable in the long run, but there are realistic expectations and limitations.  And in this case, the best hitters will more than likely be the starters.  But, IMO only, if you know you will be weak in one area next year, and you have potential talent at that position at the JV level, wouldn't it be better for the overall program to develop that talent in that position instead of having him play another just to maybe win at the lower level.  It may just be me, but I see the JV as just that, a development team.  They aren't playing for a district title or state championship.  They should be being groomed for the next level.

 

I think I understand the question more now. Basically, a kid maybe wants to play 3b on JV  because thats where he's likely to play on V next year... So would rather play 3b on JV even if he's the best SS option... Or a situation along those lines? I still think the best approach would be for that player to play where he's needed most on JV... regardless of where he MIGHT play down line on varsity. Playing one spot helps understand other spots all that much better... And positions are always fluid anyway due to injuries, new players coming into program, avg players becoming strong contributors, strong contributors becoming avg players, etc.

From a development point I ask my JV coaches to project 2 possible positions that the kid can play in and get them practice and game reps in those positions.  Half of my starting varsity players are not playing in positions that they played when they entered as Freshman.  I have one player that came in as a second baseman and he played Left field as a sophomore and SS as a junior and senior.  The way I see it if they do not play multiple positions you are handicapping yourself and there future development....See Chone Figgins!

2016 is entering 4th year of playing for V coach.Hes never played the same position two years in a row.2016 has always started and been one of those kids that get bulk of playing time.positions also have never matched up with summer team.

I did something for the benefit of the 13u to 16u travel team that turned out to be a benefit to my son. Since he was possibly the most athletic, for three years of travel ball he didn't have a position. He played the position the pitcher came from plus he pitched. It meant he played all nine positions (didn't catch after 14u). By soph year on varsity he was ready for anything. By then, for varsity he played short or center plus relief. By age sixteen he played center on travel.

Here's my 2 cents. In JV you put your best guys where they will get at bats... Defense is not top consideration, except pitchers/catchers.  Practice is where you are going to get dozens of plays every day... In a jJV doubleheader you will only get a few balls so a coach just has to play guys wherever he can to get the field covered.... There are zillions of reasons for different positioning so don't read anything into it.... Enjoy your season... My fields has 12 inches of snow on it right now.

What happens when your best 2b is also your been cf? And your second best 2b is more than adequate at 2b but struggles in CF? Those types of situations present themselves at the JV level, varsity level and even at the college level. A kids best position is the one that gets him in the line up.

What happens when your best 2b is also your been cf? And your second best 2b is more than adequate at 2b but struggles in CF? Those types of situations present themselves at the JV level, varsity level and even at the college level. A kids best position is the one that gets him in the line up.

For HS baseball, I agree completely. And I'd add that being one of the best hitters is a huge part of that equation.

The more positions you can play the greater value you have to any team. JV is a fine place to spend a season learning a new position or two. 

Also I think 14 or even 13 is a great number for JV assuming no PO's on JV.