Specialization

SG,

I don't necessarily buy into the notion that to maximize your potential as a pitcher, you have to abandon the notion of being a position player, at least not until college.  Given the fact that a starter gets a 4-5 day rest between starts, I don't see those days taking up 100% of their time working on the craft of pitching.  You normally get your pitcher conditioning, and side pen done away from team practices / games anyway.

I think what determines whether to accept the role of being a PO is mainly a function of whether SG jr. is competitive as a position player with the non PO players.  Team dynamics,... as you mention this team appears to have been assembled with specialized roles, therefore it almost becomes a function of "everyone paid to be on this team, and therefore the roles are strictly outlined, and playing time is a premium".  If "Grunt" is sufficient in the field, and has an equal or better stick, then I would not give up playing time, again - unless this team was not built to offer much, if any playing time for pitchers.

I actually see the opposite sometimes, whereby kids decide they want to specialize in being a pitcher, and no longer take reps in the field, don't take BP, and just wander around.  They can only work so much on pitching / conditioning, and I see some of them become lazy.

Since my son was a Freshman or sophomore we were pretty sure if he played beyond HS he would be a pitcher only. In fact several of the teams he was on brought him on as a PO. All we asked was that they give him an opportunity in practice or scrimmage to play the OF and hit. We would let the coaches then decide his role. 

Each team ended up putting him at the top of the order bat and center or right field. He did not become a true PO until college. He knew in his heart it would eventually happen but he put it off as long as possible. 

When he arrived on campus at his college and started fall practices he was given the opportunity again, until they saw him pitch. After that, he was truly a PO.

I agree with Back Foot Slider. No reason until college to become a PO. If he has a passion to play, and can out hit and out filed the other players, the coach will find a spot in the line up. 

Yes, it is really tough on us parents when our kids start to get funneled, particularly when we see that there is still potential for them at the next level as both P and position player.  And, for PO's, there now is the fact that our sons will not be in the game playing for many of the team's games/innings.  That is a first for many of us and brings about an entirely new dynamic when it comes to being a dad fan of both son and team.  Tough adjustment.  But one we are fortunate to have to deal with if it means they keep playing as they move up.

I think what should ease your pain in that regard is that your son has a specific passion and the talent and tools to match.  And, perhaps, he will continue to hit in HS?

Cabbage had a related experience but opposite.  He was an effective P in HS his frosh, soph and junior years and strong bat his soph thru senior years.  His senior year, there were other pitchers developing and it was determined that the team would be stronger if he was anchored in CF and didn't pitch.  Similarly, it was tough not seeing him contribute in that way for me when I knew he could.  Then, first year in college, he hurt his non-throwing wrist and with reconstructive surgery, was told he may never be able to hit again.  So, he planned on coming back as a P only, selecting a new school with that direction in mind.  But, ultimately, when he discovered he was able to hit post-rehab, he realized that's where his true passion was and came back as a position player.  His passion is what has driven him to do all the work to overcome the obstacles to this point.

BFS - I probably didn't do a great job of laying the scenario out, and/or I'm operating under some bad assumptions about what is the norm for travel teams.  The issue isn't whether son has time/energy to do both... That's easy.  And he's getting limited PT aside from pitching.  So far through 8 games, in addition to 1 start on the mound, he's gotten 3 starts in corner OF batting 8th twice and 7th once.  There are about 5 primary pitchers rotating mostly at the four corners and in the same 7-9 holes in the lineup.  This is pretty equitable PT in most cases based on skill level.

Lefthook was always told his destiny lay in pitching...although he was a 4 yr V OF guys.  At the beginning of last summer he was contacted by a summer team and asked to come on as a PO.  After many conversations he decided to take the team up on their offer...my only concern was that he would lose his swing over the summer...which he did, but had to work really hard over the fall to get his swing back.  It did pay off for him as he solidified his status as a PO for several schools during last summers events.  He actually really enjoyed the PO transition for summer and had a blast.  His summer team had a very dedicated PO staff with some very big arms.  The PO guys were pretty tight nit and became good friends.  As he has already wrapped up his HS career last month, he has hung up his batting gloves, unless he needs them to hit Fungo next season...lol

Can we get some numbers here. Velocity,types of P he has,  IP in HS and how that went. Also RHP or L?

I would leave it up to him, if he has the passion and drive to do both then let him do it. Mine did both in travel, but was more a pitcher. There is a lot more than just travel ball, what about his HS team? Trust me if he can hit he will be in the line up on a HS team. 

Mine was two way through HS (and now in college) In HS he started out as a Soph on Varsity hitting down in the 7-9 hole and by the end of the season he was in the 4 hole. The next two years he hit in the number 3 hole, and also pitched. He worked very hard and had a great time at it, for him he would never have wanted to do anything else, he always wanted to be on the field. There were some other pitchers who hit, but never worked their way up the lineup and eventually became pitchers only and are now pitching in college. There were some other two way players that drifted into position players. 

My advice is for him to figure out what he wants to do and do it. On his travel team he might only get a few innings, but in HS who knows? Too early to specialize IMO. 

I'd rather not break down his pitching particulars here. Good competitive RHP on a PG ranked team from Dallas. Threw about 30 V innings last year as freshman with limited ABs, about the same IP this past season with more steady ABs but still not a regular position starter. Should start in the field and bat top half lineup next year. Has pitched effectively both frosh and soph seasons used as starter in district games and also in tight relief plus post season both years. No post season ABs either year.

Hopefully I didn't give an impression in OP that he was some pitching phenom... That wasn't my intention and isn't the case. Just another kid looking to get better. He's had some encouragement about his potential to pitch in college, but nothing more than that at this point. The reason for my post is that what I'm seeing since HS is that he has begun to make teams and see PT disproportionally more as a P than as a position guy... So it sort of forces more of a pitcher only or "primary pitcher" type role, unless he passes up the opportunities with stronger teams to continue as a more balanced two-way guy on a somewhat lower level team. It's something that he and I discussed a lot heading into this summer. Just wanted to get other experiences and advice on this dynamic.

Agree, he should get a chance to start in the field final two years of HS and working toward that. Agree completely that it's too early to specialize... Just don't know what to do about it exactly specific to travel ball.

Late night meanderings for what they're worth, from another dad of a 2016 in Dallas who respects you SG, even though we've disagreed in the past:

- I always hoped my son would not be a pitcher because I know all boys love to hit -- and dads love to see them driving liners in the gap or bombs.

- Looking a Baseball America 2014 mock draft, pitchers rule.

- To be a real pitcher, one must love it. Sounds like your son does.

Being in DFW, I'll assume your son is with DBAT, Tigers, Patriots, or one of the other organizations that do a good job of moving players to the next level. If that's true, I guess you have a decision to make: Is his potential really as a pitcher? If so, accept it and help him get that velo up.

If not, install a batting cage in your yard and see where it leads.

Good luck.