To Cut, Or Not To Cut.....?

quote:

Originally posted by Coach_May:

My point is just because a player will not be in your program the next season for whatever reason does not stop you from helping that player be the best player he can be. It does not stop you from working with him , coaching him , teaching him , mentoring him and making a positive impact on his life and his baseball career. If this young man is talented enough to help his team win this year then you owe it to him and his team mates to allow him to do just that. You rise above the feelings that are only natural in a situation like this. "Scr_w it if he is going to transfer I'm not going to waste my time on him."

The fact is you don't have to cut anyone that you believe deserves to be in your program if you keep him. You show your other players in your program that you are bigger than this situation and you care about every player even if they don't intend to be in your program the next season.

I have helped many players from opposing teams over the years. They don't play for me. I am not their coach. But they are a baseball player and I am a baseball coach. And that is all that really matters. You help them anyway you can and you rise above these petty politics. Coach this is just my opinion and regardless of what you decide to do I wish you well.

Good stuff Coach May, really good, compassionate and caring, that's what players look back on as they move up the ladder, that one special coach with that attitude sticks with them for life. Not whether he was the best coach or not, but what he did to help him to reach his goals along the way, even for one season.

Anyone thing that perhaps to that parent, it doesn't matter, it may not even matter to the player either, that's why it came out as early as it did, and I don't think the player should be penalized if the parent is determined to transfer their child to another program, regardless of the reasons. I think this is a very hard decision and yes, one has to do what they need to for that one year, or perhaps over look other circumstances and feel as Caoch May does, that is what seperates good coaches from really great ones, no matter what level you are talking about. Speaking to them aobut the situation is good if that helps to make the decision for you.
One good point is, especially in private school situations, how do you know from year to year who will be there next year or not? I don't think that should be a part of the reason not to select a player. JMO.

Just to let everyone know what happened:

Caught the parents after a practice and asked if I could speak with them. Sat down with them and explained my concerns...Dad said he not only understood, but that he was a former high school basketball coach and had a policy that he would not keep a player who he knew was leaving if it meant getting rid of another "keepable" player who would presumably stick around.

They offered to remove their son from consideration from the team and I asked them not to do that as I was still wrestling with the decision. They agreed but said they would understand if that was the reason he did not make the team.

As I've said all along, I would not want to cut a kid in favor of a kid who I KNEW would be back. We essentially had 5 Freshmen who we simply believed did not have the grades/attitude/intensity/ability/dedication to make the team or help us in the near future, or most likely in the years down the road. But we had two other kids who were close to taking the last spot (along with the "transfer" kid)...

Well, Bubble Player 1 turned up with 30 demerits for something he says he didn't do. He is appealing this allegation, but until that time he is unable to participate in any extracurricular activity. Pretty much made that choice for me.

The other player, quite unfortunately, was playing pick-up basketball and broke his ankle. He's in a cast and then a brace for about the next 6-8 weeks, ending his season. He's been invited to come out and be with the team to help out in whatever capacity he can.

In the end, as I'd hoped, it all worked out. We've kept a decent player who will be with us for this year and move on to our sister school next year. We will see if those other two players (and/or any of the other players who didn't make it) improve by next year and get another shot. Thanks again for everyone's input.

Good luck coach. I know your glad that this is behind you.

This has been a great thread. I am not a coach but it gives great insight as to some of the issues a coach faces that we (as parents and fans) may never have even contemplated.

Personally, I fell on the side of keeping the best players. Here is the reason that you may not have considered as a coach.

Best thing that ever happened to my son was getting cut his 8th grade year when trying out for the local High School JV team (no middle school teams in his district). Sounds odd but it is the truth. It sparked a determination in him that only the sting of not making his team could have done. He is a much better athlete physically and mentally today and honestly, I can't say for certain that had he made it his 8th grade year that he would have the same fire he has today. What are you teaching the kid on the bubble when you keep him and let a better player go, just because he is going to transfer the next year? Trust me, the kid on the bubble knows he is on the bubble.


Glad to see it all worked out in the end.