The benefits of playing different positions. (Util)

We've been there! Son played 3B on his HS team Jr. year, catcher on legion that summer; and this year--played SS, C, 3B, P, (and even several innings at 1B) for HS (was all conference I.F), and 2B for legion this summer. Lo and behold, he was recruited to where he's going to college as an OF. As long as the moving around doesn't hurt your concentration at the plate, the versatility is a GREAT thing.

JT,

is he the 3B coach too? Sheesh, that is quite the list. Very impressive.

baseballbum - I couldn't agree more! I had a son that was fortunate as a youth and then on his summer/fall teams to be able to play a variety of positions. Even a lefty catcher! When a player is able to do this, it provides a different perspective that will only increase their knowlege and their skill level at all positions! I think it's a wonderful thing!

Like JT says, once in college, you may have to make a move! It's a great thing if you have a little familiarity with that new spot!

There are pros and con to the multi position player. We have all heard the old saying ---- “Jack of all trades, master of none”. Well, that also applies to baseball too in a sense. My son has been a multi-position player ---P/3B/1B/C/DH --- all through his career except when he went to pro ball and even then there was some talk of pitching him last season during a “pitching crunch” and he quickly declined. He actually played four different positions during one college game. What could be a coach’s dream could actually turn out to be a player’s nightmare if he has the ability to advance to the next level. I have seen this happen to my son in high school and in college. In high school he was in the pitching rotation and was the starting catcher all four years. When he was drafted out of high school as a catcher, the MLB actually had him projected as pitcher and had a video of him on MLB.com pitching. Playing different positions created some problems in HS and I had to go to his HS coach and limit his innings because C/P caused he to overuse him.

As JT says and I agree for the most part:

quote:

As long as the moving around doesn't hurt your concentration at the plate, the versatility is a GREAT thing.

In college I saw the coaches juggle his positions to satisfy the team’s needs and have a negative impact on his batting average and his ability to stay focused. A new coach came in his junior year and allowed him to select his position and he settled down at catching and his game saw a drastic improvement. My suggestion is for your son to clearly define a primary position and focus on that particular position and develop those skills to the maximum. Your son should tell his coaches his primary position preference and if he has an option to play or practice at his primary position he should do so. Of course your son should play where the coach puts him but the coach should be aware he’s “out of position”.
IMHO,
Fungo

quote:

Originally posted by Fungo:
There are pros and con to the multi position player. We have all heard the old saying ---- “Jack of all trades, master of none”. Well, that also applies to baseball too in a sense. My son has been a multi-position player ---P/3B/1B/C/DH --- all through his career except when he went to pro ball and even then there was some talk of pitching him last season during a “pitching crunch” and he quickly declined. He actually played four different positions during one college game. What could be a coach’s dream could actually turn out to be a player’s nightmare if he has the ability to advance to the next level. I have seen this happen to my son in high school and in college. In high school he was in the pitching rotation and was the starting catcher all four years. When he was drafted out of high school as a catcher, the MLB actually had him projected as pitcher and had a video of him on MLB.com pitching. Playing different positions created some problems in HS and I had to go to his HS coach and limit his innings because C/P caused he to overuse him.

As JT says and I agree for the most part:

quote:

As long as the moving around doesn't hurt your concentration at the plate, the versatility is a GREAT thing.

Of course your son should play where the coach puts him but the coach should be aware he’s “out of position”.
IMHO,
Fungo

I agree, he has done so and will continue to do so in practice.

I feel playing multiple positions is an advantage but that assumes that one actually can play/excell at those positions and not merely occupy a spot in the field. Up until 9th grade, my son pitched, played short, 2b, and 3b.

After freshman team tryouts they moved him to centerfield where he started every game. In 10th grade, he played 3b and established himself with his glove and his arm. In 11th, he wasn't going to beat out the senior 3b kid but he moved over to short and played there for 11th and 12th. Thus, versatility helped him to find a spot in the starting lineup rather than being stuck behind someone at one position.

In college, he has played short, 2b, and 3b. He took over midway through the season for a senior ss who was struggling and he performed very well at short. Then, the thrid baseman was injured so he moved over to third base and finished out the year there. IMHO, his versatility as an infielder allowed him to play more in both hs and college. Again, versatility sounds good in theory but the coaches expect players who play multiple positions to perform well at those positions and not merely fill in. They also don't like to hear excuses that you are not playing your natural position or that you have not had enough reps at one position versus another.

I think that every young player should be taught to play every position. It helps them to better understand the game. Ours played every position, up until HS, when not pitching he was playing every where they needed him, would have liked to continue in HS, but only until his senior year he became a utility player.

It also will not limit one to opportunities as they move up.

Once a player reaches the college level, I think it can work for you and against you, as Fungo has suggested. In the case of Cd's son, it worked well. For example, know of a college player that was a pitcher and DH, I think pitching suffered after awhile.

There are some players who can make the transition from catcher to pitcher, but I don't think it's healthy on the arm in the long run.

Also understand, the college recruiter tries to find the player who is multi talented, not just limited to one position (other than pitcher or catcher). It's rare, but if you start them early, it's a positive for later on.

Also, you get to see less of the vies of the foeld from the bench.

JMO

When Sean went on his official visit to Fresno, we asked if they wanted him as a pitcher or for his offense/defense. They simply said they thought he was very good at both, and that they'd like him to start out as a two-way guy ... then just see how he developed pitching versus offensively and let it take its own course ... if he continued to invest the extra time to train, if he could continue to stay at the top of his game at both, and if he continued to have a strong personal interest in doing both, they'd let him. But it was clear the expectation would be that he'd have to put in the extra effort to make it work, which means something else has to give. That probably means loosing some of the social life, but if you want something bad enough, you make that tradeoff. The Fresno coaches were enthusiastic to get a two-for-one player, but it's also clear the realities of what it takes to compete effectively at both ends of 60"6' at the D1 level will also play a role.

It has always been the case that being two-way ... and staying at the top of your game at both ... takes a ton more work, pressure, mental energy, etc., even at the high school level, and that won't change in college. If anything it will just get worse. I know first hand how many extra hours Sean spent in the bullpen and batting cage each week on top of the regular team practices. The question is where does there begin to be a point of diminishing returns for all that extra work on one side or the other, and that's unique to the player's abilities and makeup.

I also think it takes a certain mental approach to the game where a successful two-way guy can immediately focus on the game-critical situation at that moment and not carry over a bad AB onto the mound or vice versa. Some kids may have the physical skill to do both, but not the mental makeup ... e.g., I've seen some players where the coach absolutely wouldn't allow them to hit if they were pitching. Sean is lucky in that sense ... he just doesn't let things bother him much, on or off the field. And he's always had this ability to sharply focus on the immediate moment with big time competitive intensity, whether that be getting a base knock to drive in a run or getting a critical 3rd out K with runners in scoring position. He just doesn't waste much mental energy on things he doesn't want to focus on ... like cleaning his room .

Keep in mind the talent level of the hs team and whether he might be playing JV or varsity. Particularly as a freshman, he might be seen as the Coach's Dream Utility Man --- but that could also translate into a lot of bench time waiting for a starter to get injured. At the same time, other players are earning and learning a position.

A lot of our sons have gone through this, where the LL, travel, and even hs team coaches place the players who either own a position through their talent, or have limitations (i.e. Great Bat, but he's a slug with a glove....so he plays 1st to minimize the damage) get placed first, then a multi-position player gets put in the most important hole that needs filling. Chances are, that's not his best position.

Consider leading with his best position to establish himself, and showing then his range. That way, he's the pitcher who can help out as needed in the field rather than the polyfilla sitting on the shelf until needed.

thanks for the complement, baseballbum.

The moving around SO MUCH in HS hurt him this year--as all the positions required a different level of concentration and arm slot. He was most solid behind the plate, but ground balls and throws from SS/3B were an adventure--and it DID hurt his hitting the last part of the season.

I'm all in favor of versatility, but with one primary and a secondary (or two) position, for emergencies. The one MLB player that moves around quite well is Ty Wigginton, who starts at several spots for the Rays.

Incidently, Wiggy's college coach at UNCA (where I worked at the time), was the coach who recommended I NOT get pigeonholed into the "I am the coach and my son is the SS" mentality. Told me to teach him to play EVERYWHERE.

Well, I never really play anything but catcher (doesn't upset me, I LOVE catching), but I always try and keep my infield skills sharp- just in case. I definitely beleive of maximizing your positions- CANNOT hurt. I trying to get into outfield, but my team is full of outfiedlers. I also have no $$ for outfielders glove, but for now I barely play anything but catcher, so I'm fine.

I will add another two cents here! I do think in college that it becomes a very difficult thing to be a pitcher and a position player. I've witnessed this past year what it requires from a player.

Most programs require that player to follow both programs which means additional time. Just doing the conditioning and requirements of one is enough, but to double up is a very difficult process!

I've changed my mind a bit on this because in the past I thought it really is a good thing. Now, I see that it can really be a challenge that I think could wear many kids down too much and could also have an affect on grades. Just something I throw into the discussion.