Interesting event some 15 years ago as my son entered HS ball---they had two SS coming, in my son and another tall lanky kid but they were to lose their senior CF---since my son ran better than the other SS my son was moved to CF---no big thing as it would make the team stronger---they also had an endowment which sent the top JV player, moving up to the varsity , to a college camp in the summer between seasons---my guy was selected and when he arrived at the camp the instructions were that he did nothing but work on his outfield play and hit--at the age of 14 he was taking BP against Wayne Gomes, he was working the camp, who went on to pitch for the Phillies but at this point in his career in college he was only throwing heat of 94/96 MPH--imagine a 14year old facing this--all my son said was WOW !!!!
The point though is that they made the switch for the betterment of the team---he wasnt bumped from his position and in the end it was a benefit to my son as there are three outfield positions and only one SS slot---in college he played all three OF positions as well as DH every now and then---thus his SS slot turned into three OF positions and more chances to play
Watching my sons first year as a true freshmen on a junior college team in California Big * conference, where almost ALL players redshirt a year before they are on team and even then sophmores play until they lose their positions, they have been there 3 years.My son was told byt the coach that he wanted to hit him third, but he would have to play some OF, he is a MI and can play third.
First game he was DH, then he started in LF and hit third, then he started going back and forth every other game LF, 2nd base, SS is a three year guy and he is very good.
For the last 6-7 games he is at 2nd, both sophmores that play 2nd are not in the line up.My son is till hitting third.
When the coach told him he had to play some OF, my son asked him if he should start przcticing there, coach said no stay in the IF.Bottom line get in the lineup any way you can. My sons college roster has 38 players all fighting for play time. Every one was their HS MVP, or all area.
Many colleges recruit SS and then move them.Becuase they are usually some of the best athletes.
Hitting keeps you in,unless you are a spectacular ss who hits .200-.250 cant live without you.otherwise hitters stay in the line up, anyway the coach can get them in.
My son didnt care that he was in LF, he is enjoying his time at 2nd now, but he wants to Mash, and hes getting his chance to do that by being versatile and willing to go wherever he is needed to help the team.
First game he was DH, then he started in LF and hit third, then he started going back and forth every other game LF, 2nd base, SS is a three year guy and he is very good.
For the last 6-7 games he is at 2nd, both sophmores that play 2nd are not in the line up.My son is till hitting third.
When the coach told him he had to play some OF, my son asked him if he should start przcticing there, coach said no stay in the IF.Bottom line get in the lineup any way you can. My sons college roster has 38 players all fighting for play time. Every one was their HS MVP, or all area.
Many colleges recruit SS and then move them.Becuase they are usually some of the best athletes.
Hitting keeps you in,unless you are a spectacular ss who hits .200-.250 cant live without you.otherwise hitters stay in the line up, anyway the coach can get them in.
My son didnt care that he was in LF, he is enjoying his time at 2nd now, but he wants to Mash, and hes getting his chance to do that by being versatile and willing to go wherever he is needed to help the team.
One thought, I am sure that you realize that each position has different skills and that usually is why the coach places players in specific positions. Has nothing to do with being "unfair", or that the player is better than another, but just that the player (in your case your son) may be better for the OF.
If you feel that you need to give your son some encouragement, that might be helpful.
If you feel that you need to give your son some encouragement, that might be helpful.
quote:there are three outfield positions and only one SS slot
Exactly. My son benefitted from that because he played all three outfield positons and since he had a good stick, he played. He had his preference but it didn't matter as long as he played. If players just looked at it this way, it wouldn't be an issue. This game is hard enough with a clear head so to add unnccessary frustration to the game makes it that much harder to play.
Forgot to put this in my first post. I had a kid several years ago who was fast and I mean fast with a decent glove. He came in as a freshman and made the JV team. The way I do cuts is I let them pick whatever position they want and look at them for three days. Once I see them we pick a team based on what we need and if a kid can be moved to fill a need. Anyway this kid tried out as a secondbaseman and he was decent. Nothing outstanding but you could tell he had something about and he got down the line quickly. We had a kid who was going to be a stud at second and short so this kid's time was going to be limited.
I moved him to left field because when he was going to be a sophomore our varsity team was going to need some OF. He went and never said a word. I got a nice letter in the mail talking about how I was destroying his future, his love for the game, how I had no clue as to what I was doing and I think you get the idea. This kid became a three year starter for us in LF, is getting his education paid for by being an OF in college and still calls me to let me know how everything is going on with him.
I may be wrong but I cannot remember moving a kid to another position and it not working out. Probably due more to luck than skill or knowledge but I'll take it.
I moved him to left field because when he was going to be a sophomore our varsity team was going to need some OF. He went and never said a word. I got a nice letter in the mail talking about how I was destroying his future, his love for the game, how I had no clue as to what I was doing and I think you get the idea. This kid became a three year starter for us in LF, is getting his education paid for by being an OF in college and still calls me to let me know how everything is going on with him.
I may be wrong but I cannot remember moving a kid to another position and it not working out. Probably due more to luck than skill or knowledge but I'll take it.