To many stars on one team

There is very simple way to handle this:

As far as our team, and we are a so-called "select travel" team we tell the kids there are no stars on our roster---they are all equal and all have a role---practically every one is the 3 or 4 hitter in their HS lineup but with us one will be batting ninth or even 10th---they need to swallow the ego and play as a team---many of our pitchers are big hitters on their HS team but they just pitch with us

The other key is not to load the roster with position players---we use our pitchers as the back up position players---the only position usually with multiple players is catcher where we usually carry three



We took I believe 27 players to Jupiter last fall but 15 were pitchers---you do the math

The tone needs to be set at the outset but even then sometimes parents only hear what they want to hear

quote:

Originally posted by obrady:
I thought I'd throw this out there for discussion:

On the Travel/Select teams that you have knowledge of, how many true high school stars are on the team? I'm asking because I see a team struggling with that issue. Kids are quitting, or maybe the parents, because their star isn't playing as much as the other kid or starting every game etc. Also, how big should these teams be, 15 to 20 players or more, and how many should be the "stars" and how many role players?

All players come in as role players, the ones that get the job done become the stars (if you want to
look at it that way).
My sons summer ball team carried 28 players, 15-16 pitchers.
Why are kids quitting? Hasn't summer ball just begun?

I gotta go with everyone working as a role player.
Once the " star " title is pasted upon someone's forehead, in my opiion, that's where the trouble begins.
Who's a star and by what standards?
We all know there is no such thing as " perfect ".

As with life, there is always something to work and improve on.
While good plays, good pitching, and good batting deserve a thumbs up recognition,...not sure I would feel comfortable calling anyone a " star ".

Stud muffin, solid player, big contributor, yes,......but probably not
" star ".
There's no " me " in t-e-a-m.

As TPMom said,...it depends on how you look at it.

Perhaps it's nothing more than symantics.
Perhaps it's more of a philosophical way I look at things.

I meant that most of these kids are/were the main guys on their high school teams. As we all know, a typical high school team may only have 3 to 4 real ball players with a future, if it's lucky. Many of these kids, and probably worst, the parents, are used to their kid being "the guy". Needless to say they can't understand why another kid is playing more than theirs.

Two tournaments in and yes 6 have quit, 1 tired of competitive ball (that's OK), 1 didn't like the change in practice location (too far to drive), the rest; it's a combination of playing time and they don't like the way the coach handles the team. How much Mom & Dad are influencing the members to quit, unknown.

quote:

Many of these kids, and probably worst, the parents, are used to their kid being "the guy".

If you never allow yourself to call your kid " the guy " or allow him to think he's " the guy ", then this would perhaps be a non-issue.

Confident yet humble,....probably a much better combination.

If these so called " super-star " HS kids are quitting,...and others are continuing to play,...won't take long to figure out who holds the highest stats,
both baseball wise and character wise.

Didn't some people think that was the Yankees' problem? Looks like its coming together for them now.

My kid is in this situation now (16u) and has been
since he was 12. It is his desire and mine to play
on the best team thats playing the best competition.
When you play on a team like that it is the better kids from around that state and yes, "the stars from their hs ball team" I tell my son to go in there and fight for a job. Coach owes you nothing.
If Coach drops you in the 8 hole and you don't like it then you better get to work. As the season wears on the guys that deserve to play usually do.
It surprises me that at the hs age kids/parents
would quit rather than prove.

Morale of the story: IF YOU WANT TO RUN WITH THE BIG DOGS YOU BETTER BRING YOUR GAME

With my son's travel team it is pretty much understood coming in that the team is primarily put together to get kids exposure at national level events. This means that everyone on the team has the chops to be considered as a college level player so each player will get their chance to perform. Bottom line is when you get your chance, make it happen.

As far as I know we have yet to have a kid quite because of playing time. When all the kids know their teammates bring a lot to the table as well, they don't seem to mind when that player gets a shot to shine.

Actually I witnessed the opposite of what you are talking about last summer. We had two or three kids lock up their scholarship before the East Cobb tourney. At that tournament those players told the coach they were fine having the other players in their position to get some extra work so they could have a better chance of impressing a school.

Bottom line, the coach is upfront with what the objective of this team is and everyone knows how it will work before hand. If you don't like it you find another team.

quote:

As far as I know we have yet to have a kid quite because of playing time. When all the kids know their teammates bring a lot to the table as well, they don't seem to mind when that player gets a shot to shine.

Absolutly true!

It would be interesting to hear the players point of view and reason(s) for quitting.

quote:

Kids are quitting, or maybe the parents, because their star isn't playing as much

"their star"????? a word to parents sooner or later you are going to have to sit back and let the chips fall where the may. Their star may just be an average player as they move up the ladder.

I think we are making assumptions here.
Not every HS baseball player wishes to play in college.
I know lots of kids that played summer travel ball and didn't play beyond HS, I know some who didn't play and did, or got drafted out of HS.
Summer travel ball is a huge commitment and can be a huge expense. Quitting doesn't always mean they are unhappy with playing time.

JMO.

My son played up last year with a group of 07's on one of the best Showcase teams in the nation "The Dirtbags". Every single 07 player signed with a D-1 program most were ACC SEC. We carried 20 guys and then picked up a few more pitchers when we went to East Cobb and Jupiter. I watched guys going to Clemson and UNC etc sit the bench and pull for their team mates. A guy just drafted in the 5th round for his bat hit in the 6 7 and 8 hole. I never heard one player or parent complain the entire summer or fall. They wanted to win. They respected their team mates and their ability. They wanted everyone to get a chance to be seen by the college coaches. My son hit in the 7 8 9 hole most of the year. Sometimes he did not play. When we went to East Cobb he played alot early and then when it got to crunch time the 07 catcher got most of the innings. My son went to the pen and caught the pitchers getting them ready to go in. He cheered for his team and was ready for a pinch hit role if needed. This years team is alot like last years team. Loaded with outstanding players. Last weekend our #9 hitter led the state this year in HR's. Every kid on our team is a 3-4 guy on their HS team. Every pitcher is the guy on their HS team. Its about learning that at the next level and thats what a showcase team is - you except your role and you help the team win anyway you can. And you are all equally important to the teams sucess. My son is a catcher the other catcher is very good as well. They split the time equally behind the plate and they both hit each game. If you are on a team with this kind of stuff going on you are not on a quality team with quality people and quality coaching. Any kid that complains should be asked to leave. Any parent that complains should be asked to take their kid and leave. Better learn now because if you do move on the next level and you have this attitude you will be leaving there as well.

TRHit's team carried 12 position players and 15 pitchers to the big, week long tournaments. (I assume thats 3 catchers, 3 MIF's, 3 OF, 3 Corner IF's?)

CoachMay (and others) - what is your breakdown of position players for these showcase teams?

tantrough


good assumption---pretty much on the money

TR,
So how many pitchers would you expect to need for 4 nine inning games in 5 days? Our school will be doing that starting this weekend.

We look at it being a miniumum of three pitchers per game barring any unforeseen circumstances

If we get by with less all the better but we figure the worst scenario


We never want to abuse the kids arms---some get less time than they would like on the mound but we prefer that they be rested and go home a bit upset that they didnt pitch enough but they can still comb their hair

So at least 9, possibly 12? I think I'd go with 9 if all my pitchers were healthy and able to compete at that level assuming some kids who were primarily position players could eat an inning or two if one of the 1st day's pitchers wasn't ready to comeback on day 5.

Our school has 2 kids throwing high 80s who seem to be fit and a couple kids throwing mid to high 80s who have had arm issues. They're currently carrying a couple 15yo rising junior high 70s types who don't usually do well against solid varsity competition but could be effective against a weaker team and one 15yo rising sophmore low 80s kid who is fairly effective but hasn't had much use lately so his command is not there yet. They are also trying to use a low to mid 70s rising senior only because he's already on varsity and he doesn't have a position to play. There's a couple other position players who could throw an inning or two in the right situation as well as a couple 15yo high 70s, low 80s rising juniors down on JV. One has good movement on the fastball and locates reasonably well and has a good curve and the other has a good curve but has to work off the curve because his fastball is flat and not all that well located as he tends to be a max effort type. These two were the most effective of the rising juniors during the JV season. They're both recovering from injuries and are limited to 50 pitches or so.

My guess is the high 80s guys will throw quite a few innings unless one of them heads off to a showcase instead.

Do all the players pay the same amount to join the team - if you have 15 pitchers they could go a week or more and never see the field - just curious.