Skip to main content

12 replies

Son's Good Fortune leaving me torn...

quillgirlquillgirl100+ posts
I should be happy for my boy, and I am, but I'm torn by the situation. He is a freshman on a varsity team that isn't strong. (At another school, he'd likely play Freshman ball and some JV. He plays travel ball/summer league for a strong team.) The school team has a senior catcher who made region conference last year as a Jr. He has struggled a little bit this year at the plate and behind it. My son did, too, as he adjusted to the guys he was facing. Now at the end of the season he has found his grove again and is really excelling.

Two games ago the coach announced that they had a new lead defensive catcher. I assumed he meant for next year, and my son was so happy to be given praise. But then the last two games he has put my son in over the senior player--and he has done an excellent job. We're proud of him.

My problem: I think my boy has 3 more years to catch, while this player has a few more games left in his career. I think he should be given priority over my son, but I don't want to rain on my guy's parade. It's been bittersweet to go to these last games. I really feel for #2 and think he's getting short changed in his last year. Am I wrong?
Last edited {1}
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

R rhbaseball100+ posts
Well I can give you the point of the view of a kid a big school. I am currently a sophomore at a school in New York that is in the biggest division.

I don't want to sound conceited, but I should be on varsity and should be starting. They kept only juniors and seniors on the team and left off about 4 sophomores that can really play. Only one senior is playing college ball (at a small junior college) and the junior class doesn't show much promise. So it makes it even more frustrating that the team shows no talent.

It’s very frustrating staying on the JV, having to "wait my turn" and I'm sure a few of my teammates who should be playing up feel the same way. Your son is very fortunate to be playing on varsity as a freshman and be given a chance to play.

My coach feels he needs to play juniors and seniors because its their last years of high school, it looks like your coach just puts the best 9 out every game and your son is one of them.
Last edited by rhbaseball
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
You are not wrong in feeling badly, that's how most parents would feel. The coach has a responsibility to play the best 9, though there would be some that would stick with the senior. Regardless, it was the coaches decsion, not your sons and he has to abide by it.

This same scenerio could play out in a few years, with your son being in the seniors position. Enjoy it while you can!

JMO.
Midlo DadMidlo Dad10,000+ posts
If the older boy let himself get beat out, that is nothing you should feel guilty about. Obviously you don't gloat, but neither you nor your son have done anything wrong and what's more, you aren't responsible for the decision, right or wrong.

Maybe the coach was sending the older boy a message that he was cruising too much. Maybe he has the bat, but needs to consider a new position to get back in the lineup. And maybe the whole team is cruising too much and the coach wanted to let them know they should not take what they have for granted. Hence the announcement in front of the whole team -- a motivator to the younger guys and a wake-up call to the older guys.

The key thing you and your son need to understand is that this isn't about him so much. Because the shoe could be on the other foot come next year or later on. The moral of the story is you can't rest on your laurels, because someone else wants that playing time you're getting. No matter how well you played last year, that was last year. You still have to work hard, hustle and try to improve. And no matter how good you are, there is still somewhere you need to improve.
B Bee>1,000+ posts
QG, I agree that ya ought to just trust the coach on this one.

while some may suggest it could involve complex issues & may not really be about your son -
I might suggest that if your son's been working hard it may well be ALL about your son Wink


anyway - for now, you may feel better to be "torn & puzzled" on the outside -
while doing "handsprings, high fives & backflips" on the inside

Last edited by Bee>
shortstopmomshortstopmom1,000+ posts
May the best man win....IMHO, that's the name of the game. I've always felt it was about doing what was best for the t-e-a-m. The coin could flip at any time,...it's all part of the game.

I do understand your feelings though, QG. You are an honest mom, who knows that senior has a mom too. Wink
You are capable of putting yourself in someone elses shoes and I think thats admireable and an important characteristic which helps to keep a keen perspective on different situations.

As others have said, this is a coaches decision, bottom line. Everyone watching and even those playing have to accept that. Adapt, overcome, and achieve,..and watch your boy hustle like no other.
I'm sure he will feel the pressure and will want to do his best, which is all anyone can ask of him.

Slap that boy on the rump, watch him hustle, watch him grow, and enjoy!
quillgirlquillgirl100+ posts
Thanks for everyone's comments. I did sort of share my thoughts with my son and he looked at me like I might have lost my mind completely. No empathy from him... Roll Eyes

Sorry about your predicament, rh. Your time to shine is finally coming next year, but I know it must be frustrating to see a team struggle when you could help out.

Bee, the boy has been working hard (if you want to give anyone our thanks) and he's been gunning for this guy all year. I'll remind him about the Junior who had hoped to slide in next year. He'll be the one on my son's tail now, so no slacking. Points well taken, Midlo.
Last edited by quillgirl
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
quote:
My problem: I think my boy has 3 more years to catch, while this player has a few more games left in his career. I think he should be given priority over my son, but I don't want to rain on my guy's parade. It's been bittersweet to go to these last games. I really feel for #2 and think he's getting short changed in his last year. Am I wrong?


Very refreshing attitude imho

I agree with the other comments here that it is up to the coach. It is still a nice thing to show this type of consideration and empathy for the other kid. Sports is generally dog-eat-dog and only the strongest competitors survive.

Not suggesting he does this, but it would show leadership on your son's behalf if he were to make that offer to the coach. It would show he was more concerned about the welfare of the team than himself Smile
Last edited by ClevelandDad
jaxnbulldogjaxnbulldog100+ posts
Your son won his spot fair and square. It is OK to feel for the kid that was replaced, but you need to remember that a coach's job is to put the best nine on the field and to try to win every game, regardless of how the season is going.

And you also need to see this from the perspective of other players and parents. Imagine feeling/knowing that the coach is not putting the best out there trying to win. Most fans would be after his head and players would quickly lose respect for him.
F FormerObserver1,000+ posts
quote:
This same scenerio could play out in a few years, with your son being in the seniors position. Enjoy it while you can!


quote:
The coin could flip at any time,...it's all part of the game.


Those were exactly my thoughts as I read that first post.

TPM and shortstopmom said it very well.........

What goes around comes around.

The GOOD and the BAD.
Last edited by FormerObserver

Add Reply

Post
.

Membership Required

We're sorry. You must be signed in to continue. Sign In or Register
×
Are you sure you want to remove from your Block List?
×
Loading...
×
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .
×
Advanced Search
Advanced Search
Link copied to your clipboard.
×