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72 replies

Suggestions for Freshman to make Varsity

J johnj314100+ posts
I would like for any of you to offer your opinions and suggestions for my son to help him make his varsity team. Background- son will be 16 in April and was held back prior to kindergartern (as was his older sister) to be better prepared for school/life/etc...he has always been playing age appropriate baseball at the highest levels. USSSA AAA/Major on one of best tems in region and always a top pitcher and producer. Played mostly 16U last year in Pastime, Invitationals and 15U World Wood Bat. Also tried out for and made Midwest team for the 2008 14U US team NTIS and the 2009 USSSA All American games. Big kid, 6-2, 210lbs, pitcher, corner if/of. inning eating pitcher that throws low-mid 80's with good change and curve...powerhitter with good slugging % and RBI's...Also plays for school football and basketball teams too. School has aprox 1,300 kids. We live in St. Louis and all of the workouts so far have been indoors as will probably be the case for the first few couple of weeks of tryouts that start March 1st. Everyone looks good at the workouts taking soft toss in the ages and throwing BP sessions. The problem is the amount of kids that are returning from last year's varsity that includes FIFTEEN Seniors besides the juniors and a couple of good sophomores (one of which is was on our club team last summer). I always try to stay out of sight and not be a helicoter parent. I've encouraged my son to talk to the manager (who previously was our JV manager and is in his first year as Varsity manager) and express his desire to be given an opportunity to compete for a varsity spot but he is a little shy when it comes to people in authority. I've told him he needs to be his own advocate and speak up, but he won't. He seems resigned to the fact that he'll "make JV" and that seems acceptable to him (?). But from a talent stand point, right now, he is already one of the top pitchers and power hitters and I am confidenmt that, given the chance, his skills and production will be there. The problem is getting the chance. So please give me any suggestions opions on this matter and don't be afraid to hurt my feelings or those of my son's...thanks in advance
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rz1rz15,000+ posts
johnj-

Find a good place to sit, open up that folding chair, tear open a bag of seeds, make sure the sunglasses are clean, and enjoy the show.

In all seriousness the process is now in the eyes of the coaches and the hands of your son. Tell him to be "who he is", always give 110%, and take no prisoners. Things will work out, and in the end if he accepts the results, shows he's a team player, and if he has a smile on his face doing that, he will be a coaches dream. What more could a parent ask of a Freshman?
Last edited by rz1
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
quote:
I've encouraged my son to talk to the manager (who previously was our JV manager and is in his first year as Varsity manager) and express his desire to be given an opportunity to compete for a varsity spot but he is a little shy when it comes to people in authority.

john314 - welcome!

My take is different from many here at the hsbbweb. I believe in letting his deeds do all the talking for him. Let the chips fall where they may while you relax and enjoy whatever comes down the pike Smile

Here are the things I would encourage him to communicate to the coach via his actions:

Be the first to arrive and last to leave

Be the guy who has the dirtiest uniform if applicable

Be the guy who does whatever team dirtywork is necessary like carrying equipment, shagging balls for teammates, or otherwise

Be the best teammate

Be the best leader on the team by always looking out for his teammates first

Be the hardest worker

Show the most improvement

Out-attitude the other guys

Only worry about things in his control. Coaches decisions are out of his control.

I think you get the idea. This list can go on and on and on. That is how I recommend communicating with the coach.
justbaseballjustbaseball10,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by rz1:
Find a good place to sit, open up that folding chair, tear open a bag of seeds, make sure the sunglasses are clean, and enjoy the show.


Could not agree more. Enjoy!

Whether he makes the team or not...the ultimate outcome will almost surely be the same for him. Let him feel good about whatever happens. And let the coaches figure it out for themselves.
CADadCADad5,000+ posts
I was 16 as a freshman in college so I find it a bit hard to be sympathetic. He's going in with a big age advantage and he seems talented for his age. He's probably going to have a very productive HS "career" and it won't matter one bit if he makes varsity as a freshman or not. It doesn't sound like the case here, but I've seen kids go backwards due to being brought up to varsity too soon. The coach seems to know what he can or can't do. Let him lobby for a spot on varsity with what he does on the field or in the gym and not by telling the coach he wants to be on varsity. It sounds to me like your son has the right attitude.

Guess what, those 15 Seniors will be gone next year.
Last edited by CADad
D D110+ posts
I would echo what CD said and let my play do the talking. I think all coaches knows that every kid trying out for baseball at that school wants to be a varsity player. They are the ones that get the chicks, right? Or maybe thats the long ball guys?

I want to add one more to CD's list. Between innings, be the first guy to the dugout or to my position. ALWAYS RUNNING! Hustle doesn't have an off day in baseball.

The scenario you posted sounds like a tough task for this kid as a freshman. 15 returning seniors? And then throw in some juniors and a couple good sophs. I'm not saying it can't be done, but be realistic about the situation and if your son doesnt get placed on the varsity have him use it as motivation. How good is the HS he is going to? Were they conference champs last year or were they non-competitive? Having a first year varsity coach might bode well for him if the coach wants to weed out the non-producing seniors. Don't worry, you can't control it.

Before your son or you ever say ANYTHING to the coach other than "Hi, how ya doing?" You better take a step back take a deep breath and count to ten. Wait another minute and repeat the process as many times as necessary. You get my drift?
S sandlotmom100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by CADad:
I was 16 as a freshman in college so I find it a bit hard to be sympathetic. He's going in with a bit of an age advantage and he seems talented for his age. He's probably going to have a very productive HS "career" and it won't matter one bit if he makes varsity as a freshman or not. It doesn't sound like the case here, but I've seen kids go backwards due to being brought up to varsity too soon. The coach seems to know what he can or can't do. Let him lobby for a spot on varsity with what he does on the field or in the gym and not by telling the coach he wants to be on varsity. It sounds to me like your son has the right attitude.

Guess what, those 15 Seniors will be gone next year.


I agree. If he is this good with that physical maturity advantage, he should have no problem making varsity next year when the seniors leave. That's a mighty small school to have 15 seniors on the varsity baseball team. Also, let him know that not having the courage to talk to the head coach can equate to not having courage on the mound. I'd make sure there is no question in their mind about how badly he wants it.

Sit back and enjoy. He has tons of advantages on his side and if he keeps his nose clean and works hard he'll do more than fine.
Last edited by sandlotmom
2Bmom2Bmom1,000+ posts
johnj, I totally understand your excitement about your son. You are getting great advice here - it is right on target. I just have a couple of questions for you, just to kind of get you thinking. My son was called up to varsity as an 8th grader (small school). It was a great learning experience for him, but it was really, really hard on all of us for a lot of reasons, some of which had absolutely nothing to do with what happened on the field. I wish I could have some of that angst back.

First, are varsity/jv tryouts held on the same day? For our school, everyone tries out at the same time, and then players are divided into JV and Varsity based on the outcome. But it's a small school. If they are on different days, can he not go to both?

Second, why is it so important that your son make the varsity team as a freshman, regardless of whether or not he was held back? If you get too wrought up in this, you will lose time that you could spend just enjoying watching your son play.

Third, if there are 15 seniors and other good players returning, then will your son get much playing time?

If your head coach is any good at all, then what your son does on the field will mean a heck of a lot more than what your son says to the manager. And if the head coach doesn't think he's ready for varsity, and wants him to develop more on JV, it doesn't mean he's not an awesome player, it just means that, for whatever reason, it's not yet his time. If this happens, then set a good example for your son by accepting the coach's decision and cheering on the JV team.

Like dad43 says, these things are often fluid. If he is on JV, there is always a chance to move up to varsity during the season, or at the end of the season during playoffs.

Bottom line, try to relax and have fun. It's not always easy. Mine is a junior, and I'm just now learning to do that!

Good luck to you and to your son!
Last edited by 2Bmom
W warningtrack100+ posts
My son is a freshman with a good chance to make the varsity. I have made it a point to not get involved. I drop him off for workouts and pick him when he calls. We talk baseball at the dinner table and he keeps me up to date on things. As much as I want to be out there watching, talking baseball with the coaches, parents etc. the feedback I have read on this site has kept me away.

My son seems to be handling things well. I know he can play at that level now, his talent on the field is whats important. If he can play they will will put him on the varsity, if he can't he will play JV. It has made things much easier to be on the sidelines.

The only time I have talked to the coach was on a field day where the parents were asked to help clean up and fix the fields. The coach sought me out and asked a few questions about my son. Other than that I have my chair, sunflower seeds and shades ready. It is what it is.
BOFBOF10,000+ posts
I have a simple mind so like to keep things simple.

For the player:

It matters not where you start, but where you finish.

It matters not where you play, but are you contributing.

It matters not what team your on, but are you having fun.

For the parent:

No matter what you think of the coach support the program.

Contribute to the program to the best of your ability and make it a better place when you leave than when you started.

Sit down, shut up, cheer and enjoy - it goes way to fast.
Last edited by BOF
fillsfanfillsfan1,000+ posts
I basically agree with everything that has been said here.

Their are many reasons why your son may or may not make varsity. None of which you can control. If your son has the talent you say he does everything will work out. It may not be this year but sooner or later his talent will him get to the level it deserves. My son has first hand experience of what your concerned about and everything worked out for him.

It's time to step away and let his talent steer the ship. Those seeds taste a lot better without a sour taste in your mouth.
B baseballfam4100+ posts
My son has a similar situation.My son does everything ClevelandDad mentioned too,but we have a different outlook.We let the cards fall where they may for high school.For my son,this is the first time he will be playing with a lot of these kids and this an opportunity for him to go out and have fun,play hard and work hard to stay a leader on the field.Just because he won't be on varsity this year will not make or break him.(no freshman at our hs is allowed to make varsity,too many kids as it is!)That is not what will define him as a player.My son has always played up (18u)and this will be a time for him to shine.Think of it as a lot of play time vs. a lot of sitting time.I think most parents think their child is better than the rest of players, and they might be, but there are a lot of other factors to consider,maturity,mental strength,leadership,power...stuff that does get even better with age.
If your son,like mine plays alot of high calibur travel tournaments,plays up and or attends college camps and makes an impression,thats where,in my opinion they can or will really get noticed.(PS. we also sit away,keep away and button our lips at all times for high school,except for fundraisers)
Last edited by baseballfam4
TRhitTRhit10,000+ posts
Keep in mind also that the coach probably knows more about your son and the others trying out for the team than you give him credit for.

Also as a freshman the make up of the retuning team members will dictate what his chances are to make the team.

There is no shame not making varsity as a frosh---being on JV will probably give him more innings on the field which is critical at this point

There are no tips other than allowing the player to let his talent or lack thereof help the coach make a decision
EH Emanski's Heroes1,000+ posts
Tell your kid to bust his a$$, then whatever team he ends up on, bust his a$$ some more. It'll all work out in the end...if your son has the talent and there is a need on varsity for his abilities, he'll be there. I, for one, don't consider what grade a kid is in as far as deciding whether he makes JV or varsity. If he can help varsity, he should make varsity. If not, it's certainly not the end of the world. Tear up JV for a season or a half a season, get on the best travel team you can find, and make varsity next year with three years left in high school...I don't think making one team or the other as a freshman will have any influence on his ultimate performance or ability to progress to the next level.
20dad20dad1,000+ posts
all very good advice. from people who have been there.

our son's baseball journey's doesn't typically last all that long. relax and enjoy these day's. learn to control the things you can.....don't fret about those things you can't.

if he play's in college do you think it will or won't be because he played varsity as a freshman?
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
You have been given good advice, it's time for you to take a step back and let your son figure it out for himself. He doesn't have to speak up if he doesn't want to, I am sure that the coaches know that all kids want to make varsity, only they will determine when and if he will. Not speaking up has nothing to do with lacking courage when on the mound. When my son went off to college, nothing more he wanted to do than be a weekend starter, I am sure they knew it, but you know what, he wasn't ready for it, yet. Your son is probably very good, may be more mature physically than others, but that doesn't mean he will make varsity, there is still a lot of growing up to do.

Why do some feel the need for our kids to rush through the game?

I don't beleive that freshman should begin in Varsity (unless they have to). I beleive that there is a transition period that is important for most players, has nothing to do with their size or their physical abilty or what they did before they entered HS.

It's also often about paying your dues, and in baseball, there is one thing you need to learn is about paying your dues.

My son was more than capable of playing on varsity when he entered into HS, they placed him in JV and he loved every minute of it, he got to do it all, when they moved him up he was a pitcher only and he wished he could go back to JV.
Last edited by TPM
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