The psychology of the incumbent parents

It's human nature and it usually goes away.

really? my son is a junior. he started varsity his frosh and soph years.....we encouraged him to spend time with the newcomers this winter. hubby and i will also bring a grill to the centerfield and host a cookout for all the varsity and jv parents.......

maybe some are like that, but not all!! i would like to think we openly embrace and welcome all new members to the team..........

There's a big difference in folks whose kid started Varsity as a Freshman and Sophomore than the folks whose kid sat the bench last year as a Freshman or Sophomore. They had hopes of their kid playing this year and so did their kid. They don't want their kid to hurt and if Mickey Mantle comes to play on the team, guess what? He's going to play...somewhere.

My son and two others are the new travel kids on the block this year. Two are the first sophs to start opening day in six years. One is the first freshman to start going back as far as anyone can remember. I haven't experienced anything but positive remarks regarding the impact these players should have on the program. Even the dad of a player competing for the same position joked about his son having to find another position. The dad of another returning player beat out for a position said the new player outworked his son in the offseason and earned the position. If there's any ruffled feelings it's behind the scenes.

I'm friends with both sets of the other new parents. The way to fit in is don't make waves. As parents of up and coming players we didn't make any. Don't talk up your kid. Let his play do the talking. We didn't tell anyone how good our kids are. We didn't discuss the success of their travel teams. The only mention of travel was in response to "Where's he playing this summer?" When fielding comments regarding our sons potential to start we only smiled and responded, "We'll see. I'm not counting on anything. It's up to him to earn it."

I guess this all goes into the program's philosophy. At my son's HS...the players from 8th grade to seniors did some of the workouts together before breaking into JV and Varsity practices. They had their big "100 inning" fundraiser game with the teams evenly matched so their was intermingling by the players and the parents. The JV players and parents would support the varsity games (JV+V DH in our area)...and many of the parents and varsity players would show up early for the JV games. It was nice.

I used to ask those sorts of questions, but it was because I wanted to have an idea of whether we would be any good next year.

Maybe you're just taking the questions the wrong way. Just make friendly conversation and don't assume the motives are impure.

I agree Midlo dad. I usually want to know how the team will shape up if I ask about a new player. Hopeful we're getting great new talent to strengthen the team!

My incumbent son was in the bullpen yesterday working with a new catcher between innings, helping him with his blocking and receiving skills, running him through drills. He isn't afraid of being demoted from his starting position. He's more afraid of not having experienced backup.

The determining factor of who gets what roster spot will eventually be talent --- doesn't matter if your an incumbent or a peddle to school on a recumbent. Many parents are always looking to protect their child's position and some will go to any lengths to do so. (ref: The Wanda Holloway murder plot). I suggest you contol the things you can and ignore the things you can't -- or -- transfer seems to be gaining popularity as an option.
Fungo

In my book "transfer" is a cop out----will the young man "transfer" the rest of his life if he doesn't like situations?

Before my sons senior year a prominent private school wanted him to transfer in--my son interviewed was accepted and offered a full scholasrhip but turned it down---they wanted him to do a PG year as well--his answer was terse and to the point "I am trying to get out of HS not stay here for more years"

TR, I agree it's a cop out and sad to say it's becoming more common.
Fungo

I have heard many times that transferring is a copout and if you are not in the situation you just don't know.
To quote a well respected poster "If you are a kid that lives and breathes baseball and your school and coaches are not that way then it is hell. Well that's the way it was for my son.
My son transferred this year his junior year and he is paying his dues, he has to sit the first half of the varsity season because of state guidelines. It is killing him but he's much better off. Now he actually has to study to get a 4.0
He's been working out at school since July for this season, in January at a showcase, where he threw a consistent 85-86. He was asked to come and visit a d2 college and we are going to go visit.
So for those who say transferring is a cop out you just don't know each situation is different.

I think TR meant transferring was a cop out for a different reason. Not the reason you presented.