Unhappy with my current baseball situation, any advice?

Dwight, a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you.

As someone who is more than twice your age, please understand that what you described is similar to what you will see in many working environments after you leave school.

Other then advising you to hang tough, unfortunately I don't have any other advise for you.

I kind of figured that's what the work environment is like lol. Thank you very much, and I'll do my best!

Dwight (if that's your real name??...lol)  I guess I don't quite understand your post....or at least why it's posted here.  Don't get me wrong, I understand being competitive...I'm 45 years old and would challenge anyone here to a game of anything if you want to play.  I will win...or at least be real unhappy if I don't.  That being said, you're playing club baseball...which based on your post, I may not completely understand....but it's not varsity, you're not getting money toward school...and ultimately you're in college to get an education.  If it's not working out...why let it get you down...just let it go...and concentrate on what really matters....YOUR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE.  Trust me...all the stuff you're doing now seems important...but it will mean squat 5 years from now.  I went to college...worried about EVERYTHING but my education and ended up dropping out...not graduating and have regretted it ever since.  Fortunately I have found a decent job...but not what I could have if I'd have finished college...and just absolutely hate the amount of stupidity I showed during my college years.   Trust me....I'm sure baseball seems important (I have a HS junior who is going thru the recruiting process right now)....but it's not...not even a little bit.  If worrying about it is keeping you from dealing with your education...then dump it.  If it's not...just step back....realize that it could be worse...you're lucky to be playing at all....lol...and have fun with it while it lasts.   Sorry to sound like your dad....but unfortunately that's how old I am....lol

No sir, that is very good advice you gave. I am serious about my academics, and I know I'm young but this is just the competitive nature in me. I appreciate your advice, and I agree with you 100%. It is not interfering with my academics at all, so I don't wish to dump it, but at the same time, I understand how little significance this may be years from now. I guess I've just been spoiled with great coaching all my life that this is a new challenge for me. I just want to leave it all out on the field. But maybe you're right, perhaps I do take this more seriously than I should maybe? Probably so, cause I've seen other players advance from club baseball (such as my friend I mentioned who will be playing for an independent league team this upcoming spring). I guess you can also say I just miss playing for real coaches, and teammates that I'm close to!

Thank you for your input, and hope you had a Merry Christmas!

And it's certainly not too late to finish college Hope everything works out for you!

You have two choices: live with it or walk. The only way it changes is with a real coach. It seems he would have to coach free unless dues are raised significantly. It is a way for a coach to build his resume.

Dwight....wow, you sound like a kid who understands what's going on.  As a parent of a college freshman and a HS junior I can only hope my kids end up being friends with guys like you when they get to college (actually  my freshman is a girl...so not so much...but you get my point...lol).   If your goal is to get something further out of baseball, then by all means, keep doing what you're doing.  As I said, my knowledge of "club baseball" may not be enough to give you a true opinion of what you're going thru.  I guess I would look at as others have...if you don't have a true coach..then you'll have to do what you can and live with the rest.  Good Luck...and enjoy it whatever you decide.

One of the most difficult transitions for a competitive athlete is the one from serious/structured scholastic team ball to rec ball.  Typically, on any given team, the gap in skill level widens as well as the differences in purpose, intensity, commitment, etc.  College club ball is usually a step toward rec ball.  You are going to have to adjust your thought process and find a way to satisfy your competitive juices while at the same time learn to find enjoyment in the relative looseness and dysfunction that is so often prevalent with rec sports. For many, rec sports become an outlet to get away from the structure and commitment that you are still clinging to.  You'll need to come to understand that.

Welcome, and Happy Holidays!

Completely understand where you are coming from, but I do have a question, what exactly is it that you are looking for from playing "club ball"?  Are you looking to advance your level of play? Looking to just play on the field and play?  You've been given some good advice so far, but there are options.  Play for your current coaches, and live with it. Find a Mens League in your area...there are many that are full of ex college, and pro players and are very competitive. How about trying out for some indy leagues like your friend.

Whatever it is. I like your desire and it doesn't sound like your willing to give up easy!

Dwight,

I appreciate your passion, and I think your heart is in the right place.   The world is not a perfect place.  Unfortunatley, you are in the middle of a dysfunctional organization and it appears you don't have the power to change it.  It is very difficult to change the culture of an organization.

As I understand it, you really have four choices.  First, you can try to rally the other players that feel like you to get a direct voice, but that is risky.  Second, you can quit.  Third, you can grin and bear it for your last season.   Truthfully, this isn't going to really matter in 6 months when you graduate.  Foruth, you could continue with the team but work with the younger players (that feel like you) that will have the power to change this situation after these clowns are gone.  While this won't change anything in the short term you may have the satisfaction of knowing you changed things for the long term. 

Good luck.

Thank you to all. You have all given me valuable advice and I appreciate it very much. I think I'll just make the best of what I can. I also spoke with one of the pitching coaches I work with, and he gave me the same advice as well. I will be the best player that I can be under these circumstances. At the end of the day, I just want to be satisfied with myself that I gave it all I had that day, regardless of the situations or "coaching."

I appreciate everyone's thought out responses, and I take it to heart greatly. Thank you all. I understand that it's only "club baseball" but even my teammates agree that we are indeed playing for something, to be the champions in our league. So I am in the process of preparing for the season as I did during my high school times, and taking this very seriously! 

Hi Dwight,

I have some information from a different perspective. My daughter was a student at a large DI school, and was an executive in a student-run pep club. Student run organizations have specific rules and regulations they must follow, in order to receive support from the institution. Support could be classified as anything from financial considerations, to merely allowing the organization to exist on campus. I think the rules governing your club team would probably fall more under a student run organization rather than a varsity sport. 

My daughter's organization had to have elections to choose officers, keep track of all finances and turn in a budget and financial report at the end of each year. They had a faculty advisor that had to approve any plans. Maybe "electing" a new coach would be a solution. You didn't really mention how those particular individuals got to be in charge of the team.

The financial situation concerns me. If you have proof of what happened with the team's money, I feel that you should report that situation to whoever is in charge of the student organizations. It might take some research on your part, and be prepared to step up and become the new team leader if things lead that way. Good luck with your season. 

It sounds like you are in a tough spot that will not change with the current regime.  it also sounds like you have a really good understanding of the situation, I.e. You have specific examples of misappropriation, ridiculous standards for one player as opposed to another, etc.  I believe that you only have 2 choices: quit, or continue knowing that these improprieties are happening, but knowing that you can control only what you can control. Let go of the bullcrap and enjoy what you are there for.

Dwight,

I just read a few of your previous posts.  Sounds like you still have aspirations of playing one year of collegiate ball (not club) next year, which makes some of my initial post irrelevant, at least for the time being. 

That fact would likely also affect the advice from others.  With that in mind, you may be more inclined not to rock the team boat and just go out and pitch to get your work in, stay sharp and compete while looking for your summer and fall opportunities.

Dwight,

I'm not sure about the embezzlement accusation, the other issues I can give my $.02.  A league/team organized in that structure is going to execute in the manner you described.  Sure some teams will be more to the left and some will be more to the right but ultimately when you have kids as the GM/Coach, you're never going to have pure competition for roster spots.  If you want competition, I suggest you tryout for the school's varsity team or transfer to a school where you can make the varsity roster and pursue your academics.  I'm afraid most club teams mirror one another, to some degree, in the manner you describe.  That's not bad as it gives an outlet to play some baseball but I wouldn't have expectations that you see on the Varsity's squad.

Take care and good luck! 

This is just like working in the real world.   

If there are issues at your job and with your boss you don't like realize you can't change it and then find another job, if possible. 

That is why I like working for the gov't because have an a-hole for a supervisor won't really affect you.  

Club baseball is an extra curricular activity unrelated to NCAA recognized sports.

Not right the way they have done things, but seems like you are not going to change much.

If this (activity) is important to you than carry on, if not, then move on!

Dwight ... You made a comment I would like to correct. You stated club teams are a second team at college because there's enough talent to do so. I'm paraphrasing. I'm too lazy to cut and paste.

There is absolutely zero connection between a NCAA team and a club team. The club team is not a second team. The only imagined connection might be players who thought they were talented to walk on to the NCAA team couldn't and proceeded to play club ball. Infrequently a club player might try to walk on a second time and make it. In college I worked in the department that oversaw the university's intramural sports. Club sports fell under intramurals. It was classified as a school activity, not a sport. You can't expect club ball to operate like an NCAA sport. 

Good luck! I know you want to transition from your school to a NCAA level team for your last year of eligibility. Where will the recommendation come from? Are you on a quality summer team with a coach who has credibility with college coaches? Don't expect a kid coaching a club team to be a credible recommendation.

" I told you not to use our names. Can't you try to keep from a forgettin that?"

" Not even our code names?"

" Oh yeah, right...Y'all hear that? We're using code names!"

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