trying not to do something stupid

Real simple solution.

It is your sons future that is at issue here.

I would call the coach and ask for a meeting with him for the purpose of discussing his failure to cooperate with the scouts. I would get the principal involved, too.

Have specific times and dates and calls and witnesses, etc. "I heard"...isn't good enough. "I spoke with Joe Scout on Saturday, February 21, 2004, at 3:30 p.m., and he said that he called you on Friday, February 20th, 2004, at 3:15 p.m., and that you told him that SON would be pitching on Monday, February 23, 2004, at 4:00 p.m." I was at the park on Monday, February 23, 2004, at 4:00 p.m.; the scouts were there. My son wasn't pitching.

It worked for my wife when she was having problems with her Master's Degree advisor...the guy kept on putting her off and putting her off and he was never where he was supposed to be. We had enough. Started keeping track of everything in minute detail. Guess what? He was relieved as her advisor almost upon request to the Dean of the School of Education and got her degree in a timely fashion.

Do it!

Go talk to the athletic director and tell them what is happening. If that does not work, go to the principal. Is this guy inexperienced in the process? Most coaches will have a rotation set on his answering machine to let scouts know when a prospect is going to pitch. Saves alot of headaches and keeps him accountable on what he said.

I am so glad my kid was an outfielder--- never had to worry--just had to tell the scouts where he was playing and what his uniform number was.

TRhit

Thanks for the support. Maybe after tonight I won't have to do anything. I told my son before he left for the game to use his anger to his advantage and show the coach that he deserved to be out there. Well I think he did just that. He pitched 2 2/3 innings to end the game. He struck out 7 and hit 94 on the radar gun. The only down side was that none of those scouts saw it except for the one that just decided to come anyways. I also forgot to mention that besides the scout problem, my son has yet to start a game. Even though he is the only kid with a scholarship to a top 25 D1 school. It is almost as if the coach is trying to make him mad. Hopefully, my sons performance will help the situation.

I would be at school in the principal's office tomorrow at 8 in the monring.

If he touched 94 in high school, the fact that some scouts weren't there to see it because of action on the part of the coach, is now starting to COST YOUR SON SOME MONEY.

That kind of conduct on the part of a coach is unconscionable!!!

I will probably take some heat one this one but I can't resist mentioning another perspective (just something out of the blue worth considering...

quote:

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They call and call when he is going to throw. We find out, tell them and then it never fails, the other kid throws first. Of course they stick around but it is getting aggravating.

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It sounds like your son is the real deal - he has already signed with a major D1 and has scouts coming to his high school games exclusively to see him. Not a bad deal - a lot of kids would LOVE to be in his shoes.

I would imagine the hs coach knows what he has in your son. Perhaps he also sees something is one or two of his other players as well. Maybe they are type of players who scouts won't come exclusively to see - but might like once the see them.

Perhaps his only goal is to use his star player to give a few other players some attention as well. In reality that is one heck of a complement that he is giving your son.

As long as the scouts are staying long enough to see your son I don't see any harm being done.

Now, if they are leaving in frustration before he pitches I would say it is a different story.

Beenthere and Callb

Thanks for your responses and concern. But after AP's post I think I will give it some time for now. It sure is nice to have this message board to post on. I value what you have to say.

AP Parent

To be honest, you are probably right. You are very insightful. When I started this post I was definitely upset. My son hasn't even been given a start yet and he is frustrated. We let our imaginations run away with us and started wondering if the scouts would think that maybe our son wasn't as good since his high school coach has never let him start and has always showcased someone else. Hopefully this is not true and they will judge by his performance, if they see it (ha). Don't get me wrong our coach is a good man and I find it hard to believe he would do it for any reason but what you are saying. It is just hard to keep it in perspective sometimes. It would be nice if what you say is true if he would just let my son know instead of letting him wonder why. As long as he thinks his coach believes in him and he can help others pursue their dreams I don't think he would have a problem. Communication would help alot! Thanks for setting me straight. I hope you are right.

No Way 90

Beenthere and Aparent both make excellent points. I also agree that this forum provides perspective.

My recommendation would be to have a friendly and non-confrontational discussion with the coach. But, as Aparent suggests, express your concern for the entire team as well. If the coach feels that you truly do care about the team's best interest and not only your son's, it may go a long way toward how he deals with the rest of the season.

Your frustration can not be a good thing for your son either. You said it best, "Communication would help a lot!" I agree.

R.

Bighit mentioned this once upon a time. Update your voicemail/ answer machine/website with his next outing. Inquiring scouts want to know.

I don't know about your part of Texas but ball just started down here in Houston a few weeks ago.

My brother just had his opening game last night. Unless you guys started in December (against UIL rules), your son has been participating in scrimmage games, and need not be worried.

Baseball in TX goes thru May, and for some into June. It's a long season, and he will get plenty of opportunities, unless he has allowed himself to be on coaches bad side, for reasons other than baseball.

I agree with AParent

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."...Joe Jackson

It is a lot easier if your kid plays another position. I had a pitcher who was drafted. the scouts called me and asked when he was pitching. Some came from far away. I always told them when and where. Any doubt about weather etc I left a number to call.

noway90...

I remember a game last year when scouts were at a game to see an opposing team's players..our coach knowing that our son was only a junior in high school...put him on the mound to let them get a look...even though it wasn't his night to pitch...

but I still would wonder what's factoring into a decision with your coach by not putting you son out there when scouts are wanting to see him...

good luck in resolving this...

We’ve been through similar experiences and know how frustrating it can be. Fortunately, none of it seemed to hurt our son in the long run. Sometimes it’s hard to sit back and let everything run its course, but I’m glad we did. I really believe the right scout will see your son on the right day, if it’s meant to be.

Continue to be helpful and informative with scouts when they call, but refrain from any negative comments about the coach or his program. Encourage your son to be patient, supportive of his teammates, and coachable. These “tools” are as valuable as any reading on a radar gun.

AParent.... Great perspective, and one I hadn't even considered. Something to definetly keep in consideration when talking to the coach.

quote:

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The scouts keep calling us and telling us coach isn't calling them back.

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Aparent, in light of the above statement,your perspective might be something of a reach here.

the way it should work is that there should be direct communication with the hs coach - returning calls is common courtesy, and in fact following up on inquiries on players in his program should be considered part of his job.

I would think a polite meeting with the coach would be in order - now -
you'll not only give yourself peace of mind, but be helping other players as well.
if it does not go well, do not be confrontational, but then make it clear that to resolve this issue you're going up the chain of command to the AD, Principal, Superintendent, and school board as needed



lefties? - - - they just aint right!

I would approach it to the coach that as a professional curteousy to scouts he should return the calls and keep his word on scheduled starts. Let him know that people are getting back to you wondering why he doesn't return calls.

Stay cool, the season is young and I might even want the scouts there when he hits his season peak rather than early in the year.

IMHO a parent should only meet with a coach when their son's health and safety are in danger...and only "go up the ladder" if the coach does not take action to insure their son's health and safety.

Meeting with a coach regarding other issues may have a negative impact in the long run.

Thanks again for all the responses.

GloveMan
Just wanted you to know that it is definitely not a problem between my son and coach. They have a good relationship with each other. I have a good relationship with him too. That aspect is not even an issue, however, it is one reason that the situation bothered me so much. You are right about the scrimmages, but last night was our first real game.

Now that I have calmed down...I know it is early and I know the scouts will see him anyways and more than anything he just wants his team to make it to the playoffs. It was just very frustrating . I like his coach very much and I should have given him the benefit of the doubt. But as a parent it is sometimes hard. At least I had this forum to vent and get over it.

rz1
You are right about wanting the scouts to see him later. I wondered why they would want to come so early.

Let the season begin!

Did they win?

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."...Joe Jackson