Road blocks

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"The guy that stays.... is the guy that plays...."

--- Coach Leon Buzboom, 1969 --

Coach also used to tell us that "you're always a twisted ankle away from fame and fortune".


cadDAD

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"Hobbs..... Roy..... get your bat.... you're up..."



cadDAD

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Nitric...you didn't say how many on the freshman team or what position your son plays. If the JV and Varsity coaches are "hanging around" watching the games then what they will notice is that your son is working hard and hustling during warmups and is a good teammate. That is not insignificant. One example of something he could do, if he's a catcher, he should be ready to catch bullpens at a moment's notice. Does he run bases well and do your HS teams use "courtesy runners" for pitchers and catchers? If so, he could volunteer to do that. How many positions does he play? Is there one where there is a shortage? I guess the main thing to tell him is to be ready and be a good teammate. The coaches WILL notice that.

Nitric = you have a private message

quote:

I can tell riding pine is beginning to wear on him

If you can tell it, so can others (specifically the coaches.) Make sure your son understands that someone is always watching, and you never know what small items (good or bad) will affect future decisions.

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If you can tell it, so can others (specifically the coaches.) Make sure your son understands that someone is always watching, and you never know what small items (good or bad) will affect future decisions.

That's a great point. We had a chat before school this morning about how it's easy to have a good attitude when things are going well, but the true test of character is when things go bad. Stay positive, be a good teammate and bust your tail in practice.

Nitric-
This IS a tough situation...but sometimes players have to "pay their dues". Not every kid is going to play - that's just the way it is. I know that this is hard, but as a coach myself I can tell you that it is nearly impossible to get kids the playing time you'd LIKE to give them.
Tell your son to keep fighting. Nothing a coach appreciates more than a kid that has every reason to mope that doesn't...it shows toughness, character, humility and commitment. That may not add up to much right now, but that type of selfless ness will make a difference down the road.

The best life lessons are the ones that are learned through hard work and commitment. Tell your guy to stick with baseball, to keep his attitude positive and to keep working on improving his game.

The cream will rise as long as it doesn't sour first and a positive attitude and hard work from all concerned will help that along.

Only a few make a mark in Freshman ball and coaches realize that many kids bloom late. Don't compare him with others, work to have others compare themselves to him.

It's the little things that really make a difference. He's not the best fielder....break it down, is his head not staying down, is it the ball xfer, the throws? Find a starting point and work hard from that point. Those things can be worked on the side after practice.

It's still very early.

Nitric,
In reading your summary, there a two things I take from it.
First, very little can be projected by how you perform and play as a freshman in high school. There are so many young men who develop later that freshman year isn't important. I just read a local article on a young man who signed NLI to Long Beach State. Describes how he got cut from the freshman team at his high school and how hard he worked and improved from that point until now.
With that said, you describe your son as a "below" average fielder. That needs to change because, as the game gets better, those problems will become even more apparent. IMO, with hard work on quality fundamentals, fielding can be improved much quicker than other parts of the game.
I do not want to sound critical, but I will say that by the time our son reached the age of 15/16, he required much better coaching of the skills of the game than I could provide as his father. IMO, a change in the instructor not only provides better quality instruction, it might also be better received.

I posted this same reply on the Ladies Forum to someone with a similar problem.

Last year my son, as a freshman, made the varsity team; he got some playing time but not much. My son was the one pumping everyone up in the dugout, chasing foul balls, getting the catchers gear ready, first to the field, last to leave. This kid has soooooo much drive and love for the game. He was rarely on the bench before high school so I really did not know how he would react. He took it like a champ. He really learned a lot from riding that bench, probably more than if he would have started. This year as a sophomore, he is the starting 2nd baseman and the #2 pitcher. And yes, he still rides the bench sometimes. Tell your son to never ever give up, especially being a freshman and also, quitting must never, ever be an option.

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by coach Knight: This IS a tough situation...but sometimes players have to "pay their dues". Not every kid is going to play - that's just the way it is. I know that this is hard, but as a coach myself I can tell you that it is nearly impossible to get kids the playing time you'd LIKE to give them.

it's more than a tough situation & I'm finding that I disagree with your statement -
unless I'm misunderstanding something, Nitric's complaint isn't MORE PT, it's NO PT, but maybe I missed something

in a 3 level system, the lower 2 (fresh & JV) are development oriented -
in a well run program I can think of NO good reason to keep guys on developmental squads and not play them at all -

Regarding option 1: "quitting". I put that on the table because this is all up to him. I wanted to see what his reaction would be. Was getting better and continuing in baseball his goal, or was it my goal? Would he consider it? If so, maybe we should rethink what we were doing. Fortunately, his response was "no" in an instant, so we have option 2.

Infielddad: Regarding coaching, I know exactly what you mean. These days I don't do much teaching, it's more reminding him to do things he was taught by someone else.

No offense, but working hard isn't good enough. You say his fielding is below average, well here missing ground balls isn't acceptable. Get that worked out and he'll have a chance at JV.

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Originally posted by jhick40:
No offense, but working hard isn't good enough. You say his fielding is below average, well here missing ground balls isn't acceptable. Get that worked out and he'll have a chance at JV.

I know. I always figured if he could hit, coaches would get him in the lineup, and that was what got him on the team. However, it's clear that the coach expects some serious improvement in the fielding before he's going to let him loose on the field. To be honest, we put very little effort into fielding until recently and spent most of our time working on hitting.

I have to admit, I was pretty aggrevated last night when I posted after watching another game where my son is riding pine. But after a day to think about it and cool off, I see what we need to do.

Back when my son was first starting out in little league (seems like yesterday), he wanted to working on his fielding of grounders at first base.

We bought a bucket of baseballs, added a couple to make it exactly 50, and then every day I hit him two buckets of grounders. He would keep track of how many out of 100 he missed... The day he missed zero was a real ego booster for him (and made me proud too

We probably did this for 4 years before he became a full time pitcher...

I didn't have to hit them hard, it didn't require a lot of space, we just worked on form and reps....

08

the drills & reps are all good stuff ... But, the q still remains

in a developmental arena where winning is not the primary goal - why keep guys ya won't ever play?


1) bad coaching

2) bad coaching in need of a grounds crew

Bee:

Won't argue with you there - I believe that JV and Frosh teams are for development - and while playing time does not have to be equal - coaches should be looking for ways to keep everyone playing at least some.

No one cares how many games a freshman team wins...

Having said that, I was simply trying to give the poster something concrete to do - something they can control.

08

I'd agree with you 08Dad ...

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always figured if he could hit, coaches would get him in the lineup ... To be honest, we put very little effort into fielding until recently

and that statement might explain alot as well

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Posted by infielddad: I do not want to sound critical, but I will say that by the time our son reached the age of 15/16, he required much better coaching of the skills of the game than I could provide as his father. IMO, a change in the instructor not only provides better quality instruction, it might also be better received.

That late? I think you hung in longer than most high achievers dads, except maybe Cal Ripkin Sr. I was tuned out by 12, quickly engaging the services of professionals. It was $$ very well spent. I suggest professional instruction. I wouldn't try to teach my own kid how to play the piano, or baseball. Dads and sons can have fun drilling and practicing together. Mechanical adjusting is best left to pro's. jmo

Keep one thing in mind":


High School baseball does not have an "ALL KIDS MUST PLAY RULE !!!!

And the season still has a long way to go

If he does not make the frosh team what what HS team does he play on--better to be on the frosh and bide his time than to be cut and not make the team at all

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Originally posted by Bee>:
I'd agree with you 08Dad ...

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always figured if he could hit, coaches would get him in the lineup ... To be honest, we put very little effort into fielding until recently

and that statement might explain alot as well

Up until now, we've been playing in leagues at are primarily hitting and pitching. Last year at 3B, my son had to make a handfull of throws to first for the whole season, but had 4-5 AB per game. Given that hitting is going to have more of an impact than fielding, statistics say put your effort into hitting, which is what we did.

Looking at professional baseball, those that hit play, and those that are great fielders, but weak with the bat, end up utility players, journey men, or out of baseball.

Therefore, hitting was #1, and everything else secondary. Now fielding has become an issue, and with a cooler head, I see what has to be done. We'll get the fielding/throwing fixed and he'll wait for his chance.

What is good to see is that he is back to having fun on the baseball diamond. I think it was a bit of a shock for him not to be playing, but now he has a better understanding of how things work when you have to compete for playing time.

always figured if he could hit, coaches would get him in the lineup ... To be honest, we put very little effort into fielding until recently

where do you hide him? Believe me with the game on the line the ball will find him and he has to make the play

I don't know you or your son personally. But, I have to say that mabye the fact that you had to tell your son to work hard answers why he doesn't get the playing time he desires. If he wanted to play so badly, why didn't he think of working harder than the kid in front of him? Like I said all I know of your situation is what you mentioned in "Road Blocks".
To answer your question, I beleive that all he can do is work his @$$ off in practice, to not only get better, but to also gain respect from his peers and his coaches. Even if the hard work doesn't get your son playing time, it could get him positive attention and recommendations.

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by NA: Last year at 3B, my son had to make a handfull of throws to first for the whole season, but had 4-5 AB per game.

the situation you describe souds like recreational baseball at best, and you're overdue to make the switch to a competitive summer league ...
if any of our summer teams faced an opponent w/a bad fielding 3B - he'd have had to make at least that handful of throws EVERY INNING to 1B.

quote:

by NA: Looking at professional baseball, those that hit play, and those that are great fielders, but weak with the bat, end up utility players, journey men, or out of baseball

jmo, but comparing pros to jr high players can yield misleading conclusions

quote:

Originally posted by Bee>:

quote:

by NA: Last year at 3B, my son had to make a handfull of throws to first for the whole season, but had 4-5 AB per game.

the situation you describe souds like recreational baseball at best, and you're overdue to make the switch to a competitive summer league ...
if any of our summer teams faced an opponent w/a bad fielding 3B - he'd have had to make at least that handful of throws EVERY INNING to 1B.

Everyone on his freshman team came out of the same environment. I still see kids go whole games without touching the ball in the field, so things have not changed all that much except the team is basically all the "good" kids from the rec. league, some of whom have played travel ball.

If one wants to discuss whether it's more important to hit well or field well, I'm going to say the statistics support hitting. This is the whole "Moneyball" mentality, that on-base percentage is the most important statistic for building a baseball team. I don't entirely agree, but I think there's some truth to that.

I agree it's time to find a better summer league. I've been working on that since last fall.

And finally, this riding the bench is looking like a blessing in disguise. It's gotten my son (and me) to take his weaknesses seriously and focus on solving those. This is probably something that would not have happened if he was seeing playing time every game.

no arguement that hitting is primo at the major league level .. but mashing rec-ball pitching is not in the same galaxy
I've seen guys who put up astounding numbers vs average hs pitching never sniff at success beyond that

from 12U to 18U we played alot of ball in the Detroit area & found plenty of very good competition, so it is there

good luck

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The good news...It's still very early.
More good news...The earlier the road block, the easier it is to overcome.
Additional good news...Great opportunity to learn an invalauble skill.

First of all...Always completely control what you can...attitude, effort, preparation, work ethic...and be a great teamate and team player...

I'll get to weakness below...but IMO in this case don't ignore his strengths...push his strength to levels that cannot be ignored...At the high school level...good hitters become VERY good hitters, hitters who cannot be benched...with the right dedication...and though I'm sure many will argue... I have heard it over and over right into DI that you hit the snot out of the ball and they will have to find you a place to play.

Attitude + Passion + Talent + Work ethic + Time Spent = playing time and dreams

Beyond that...

Communicate with the coach...don't whine about PT ask what and were you need to improve and work harder...coaches generally LOVE to coach and teach..coaches love kids who have a passion to improve and work...while it may not seem so there is a great deal of time left to grow...simple technique and endless repetitions are the keys...few players have the discipline for this type of work, particularly in a "get it all right now" world...be that player.

Put in the work...fix all the weak areas that need work...Leave no reason for any future coach to say no...the only way to stay out of the politics/opinions is to be off the bubble...get off it...leave no doubt.

Looking for other avenues?...

Look into agility and speed work, coaches love speed...agility makes player better fielders - it can be improved...read books about the games, include those about players overcoming problems...

Depending upon the player start looking into strength training...while it is not always the case the bigger stronger players catch coaches eyes...The stregnth game begins big time at the varsity level and is essential beyond...

As a father, always figured that I was most important as the resident sports psychologist...open the lines of communication...explore new and more efficient ways of dealing with situations with him...

Remember in the end this is about life skills...teach those mental,(problem solving) and emotional skills that will help him overcome this situation in life...these things have a way of repeating themselves...he will see it again and again in the future...teach him to solve it once and you will have given him a lifetime tool...

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MORE Additional good news - you have found a valuable resource at hsbbweb

The last uniform on my son's varsity team this season went to a sophomore, a kid with marginal talent but a heart as big a house, who hustled his butt off in tryouts and practiced as if not making the team would be the end of the world. Was it a waste of a roster spot? Not if you ask the coaches and MOST of the players. The kid who got cut was on the team last season and took the whole tryout/practice process for granted, and it showed. I guess I'm just saying "ditto" with all of the above. If your son is intent on making JV's next season, he can WILL it to happen!