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pre-game

T 5tools22500+ posts
My son plays on a team full of all american, all district talent...he doesnt play other than pinch running and he is a,senior already committed to a college...lately he has been dropping 2-3 bombs per BP including one over 400 ft despite being the smallest player at 150 lbs...He's an 4.0 guy HTF on a swing and 3.6 on a bunt...never been caught stealing in a very long time.

All his club (summer) team friends are starters on the HS teams he plays against...which i can tell drives him nuts...

So to my question...during pregame warmup runs he intentionally beats out everyone, and during in/out he has been skipping the cutoff to unload 300 foot throws to the catcher...im getting the impression this is the only time he gets to release some pent up energy and show his buddies he "still has it".  The assistant coach is berating him for the long throws indicating hiting the cut is more intimidating (i dont really disagree with him... it looks more crisp) while the all american boys have the liberty to unleashed at will.

As a scout, what is your opinion on this?  Should he dial it back and just ride the pine quietly until he leaves for college...or should he show what he has any chance he can get if it doesn't hurt the team?

Honest, even if harsh answers, always appreciated.
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Nuke83Nuke835,000+ posts
Originally Posted by 5tools22:
My son plays on a team full of all american, all district talent...he doesnt play other than pinch running and he is a,senior already committed to a college...lately he has been dropping 2-3 bombs per BP including one over 400 ft despite being the smallest player at 150 lbs...He's an 4.0 guy HTF on a swing and 3.6 on a bunt...never been caught stealing in a very long time.

All his club (summer) team friends are starters on the HS teams he plays against...which i can tell drives him nuts...

So to my question...during pregame warmup runs he intentionally beats out everyone, and during in/out he has been skipping the cutoff to unload 300 foot throws to the catcher...im getting the impression this is the only time he gets to release some pent up energy and show his buddies he "still has it".  The assistant coach is berating him for the long throws indicating hiting the cut is more intimidating (i dont really disagree with him... it looks more crisp) while the all american boys have the liberty to unleashed at will.

As a scout, what is your opinion on this?  Should he dial it back and just ride the pine quietly until he leaves for college...or should he show what he has any chance he can get if it doesn't hurt the team?

Honest, even if harsh answers, always appreciated.

As far as intentionally overthrowing the cutoff man just to show out, that's simply bush and indicates undisciplined play and/or a lack of fundamental knowledge (to the person watching).  The purpose of hitting the cutoff man isn't simply to "look crisp", it's to hold runners. His throws should be through the cutoff man's head and, if called to be cut, will be, otherwise, the throw will be allowed through to the intended base.  Basically, the possibility of the ball being cut is what prevents trailing runners from advancing.  If he's airing it out, he's not only risking a poor throw to the intended base, he's allowing trailing runners to take a free bag.  I get that it's during in and outs, but if that's the only time he's being seen, that's what he's showing someone watching.

 

As for the running, I think he should always try and beat everyone out, in practice, warm-ups and games.  Never quit hustling

Last edited by Nuke83
T 5tools22500+ posts
He only goes home in game if there is legit play and usually he gets the out at home...he understands the purpose of hitting the cut to avoid advancing runners, especially since he is the type of runner that always takes the extra bag and understands that aspect of the game.  I think he just wants to showcase his tool (arm not brain)...Only reason he is playing for them is is took him 4 years to make the HS team and doesn't want to quit in playoffs.  He has plenty of good options for summer once HS is done.

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