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For me the bottom line is PLAYIN TIME for frosh and sophs--regardless of the radar gun readings
Our coach has the unwritten rule that if there is a senior at the spot the senior will start and play every inning. It doesn't matter if there is a Junior, Sophomore or Freshman behind them that can do better.
That is not a sin-- as long as you know it going in--many coaches do this--my won son played for a coach like that--so be it
It varies from coach to coach and for each coach from year to year. Way too many variables to make a blanket decision.
BTW, where are you seeing 65/70 at the JV level? I gunned a couple JV games a while back. The slowest pitcher in the first game of a non-league doubleheader was throwing 72-76. He doesn't normally get any innings. The pitcher who followed him threw 80-81, the next pitcher threw 80-82 his first inning and then 78-79 his second inning. The other team's starter threw 81-84, their second pitcher was in the mid 70s and their third pitcher was 77-79.
In the second game they gave some kids who hadn't pitched all year a chance to throw and the velocities did drop down to the 70 mph level on occasion.
Most of the teams we've seen throw low to mid 70s at the JV level with each team having a pitcher throwing in the high 70s.
The last JV team we played had both the pitchers they used in the low to mid 80s but they aren't a typical JV team.
BTW, where are you seeing 65/70 at the JV level? I gunned a couple JV games a while back. The slowest pitcher in the first game of a non-league doubleheader was throwing 72-76. He doesn't normally get any innings. The pitcher who followed him threw 80-81, the next pitcher threw 80-82 his first inning and then 78-79 his second inning. The other team's starter threw 81-84, their second pitcher was in the mid 70s and their third pitcher was 77-79.
In the second game they gave some kids who hadn't pitched all year a chance to throw and the velocities did drop down to the 70 mph level on occasion.
Most of the teams we've seen throw low to mid 70s at the JV level with each team having a pitcher throwing in the high 70s.
The last JV team we played had both the pitchers they used in the low to mid 80s but they aren't a typical JV team.
We've been lucky.
Our coaches are " May the best man for the position, win " types.
This mentality has encouraged everyone at all grade levels to hustle and give their best at all times. Its an open equal slate, leaving it up to the individual player to prove himself.
Keeps the upperclassman on their toes, knowing that a young whipper-snapper could be on their heels to try and beat them out of their spot at any moment. Makes the underclassman reach. Everyone must be " on " at all times. No one takes their position for granted, thats a for-sure.
First games of the season tonight, double header. Freeze warning issued and the wind is howling!
Field is soaked and mushy from days of down pours,....but
we are gonna LOVE IT!!!!
Let the season finally begin and may the best team win!!! Batter upppppp!!!
Our coaches are " May the best man for the position, win " types.
This mentality has encouraged everyone at all grade levels to hustle and give their best at all times. Its an open equal slate, leaving it up to the individual player to prove himself.
Keeps the upperclassman on their toes, knowing that a young whipper-snapper could be on their heels to try and beat them out of their spot at any moment. Makes the underclassman reach. Everyone must be " on " at all times. No one takes their position for granted, thats a for-sure.
First games of the season tonight, double header. Freeze warning issued and the wind is howling!
Field is soaked and mushy from days of down pours,....but
we are gonna LOVE IT!!!!
Let the season finally begin and may the best team win!!! Batter upppppp!!!
This year, our varsity team is solely made up of juniors and seniors. A few of the underclassmen probably could have been called up and played solid ball, but there were upperclassmen in their spot already and there was no need to jam up the varsity roster like that.
My coach's mentality is that if you're the best, you play, period. He doesn't care if you're 19 or 13, if you're his best option you're on the field. When I was in 7th grade, he started 2 freshmen on the varsity. Both have now graduated, one got a job and the other went to prep school and has now committed to the University of Rhode Island for next year. He had another 2 freshmen on varsity that same year, one is at the University of Michigan and the other at Northeastern. Last year, I led the team in innings as a sophomore. Next year, our starting catcher is likely to be a sophomore, as is our third baseman, who are both quality freshman players right now. It's simply that the most talented player plays.
My coach's mentality is that if you're the best, you play, period. He doesn't care if you're 19 or 13, if you're his best option you're on the field. When I was in 7th grade, he started 2 freshmen on the varsity. Both have now graduated, one got a job and the other went to prep school and has now committed to the University of Rhode Island for next year. He had another 2 freshmen on varsity that same year, one is at the University of Michigan and the other at Northeastern. Last year, I led the team in innings as a sophomore. Next year, our starting catcher is likely to be a sophomore, as is our third baseman, who are both quality freshman players right now. It's simply that the most talented player plays.
My son's Varsity coach started the baseball program at our school, so he played for a few years with underclassmen - freshman and sophmores.. Like most new programs he took his beating with the under classmen...
In his experience, he feels "most" fresh/soph's are not really ready for Varsity ball (at least in my area) and I agree.. BIG difference in JV and Varsity..
This year's team is ALL Juniors/Seniors with one sophmore.... The sophmore is getting a lot of defensive playing time and is 3rd in the pitching rotation... Strong armed fast kid... However, he's being DH'd against the tougher pitching in district games....
At our school if YOU CAN HIT Varisty pitching, you'll make varsity and get plenty of playing time regardless of grade level...
Our coach wants to win!
In his experience, he feels "most" fresh/soph's are not really ready for Varsity ball (at least in my area) and I agree.. BIG difference in JV and Varsity..
This year's team is ALL Juniors/Seniors with one sophmore.... The sophmore is getting a lot of defensive playing time and is 3rd in the pitching rotation... Strong armed fast kid... However, he's being DH'd against the tougher pitching in district games....
At our school if YOU CAN HIT Varisty pitching, you'll make varsity and get plenty of playing time regardless of grade level...
Our coach wants to win!
Compete89 welcome to the HSBBW,
The Coach is not holding your player back.
The coach if giving your player a chance to play at a level were the coach feels will develop your player into a very good baseball player for the future.
Not just this year but future years.
Success breeds success.
Just keep playing thats what counts.
EH
The Coach is not holding your player back.
The coach if giving your player a chance to play at a level were the coach feels will develop your player into a very good baseball player for the future.
Not just this year but future years.
Success breeds success.
Just keep playing thats what counts.
EH
This year's varsity team at my son's high school are currently all juniors and seniors. The coach will not hesitate to play freshman and sophomores on varsity if they can help the team. He might also move kids up during the course of the season.
Typically, the freshman and JV teams are feeder programs for varsity. That is great since kids can play and develop. I believe the coaches look for players who they think have potential to develop into contributers on varsity.
My son is a junior this year and he played on the freshman and JV teams his first two years. For him, it was excellent and helped him get better. Toward the end of last season, he moved up to varsity from JV.
Typically, the freshman and JV teams are feeder programs for varsity. That is great since kids can play and develop. I believe the coaches look for players who they think have potential to develop into contributers on varsity.
My son is a junior this year and he played on the freshman and JV teams his first two years. For him, it was excellent and helped him get better. Toward the end of last season, he moved up to varsity from JV.
Our varsity coach said at the parent meeting: "Best player plays, period." He has started 6 freshmen in his 9 years at our HS.
If you want to put yourself into a position to succeed and play at a high level you have to play the best. So far this season in 8 games I have started a freshman on the mound, third base and centerfield and an 8th grader on the mound. In all situations they have done well.
Overall I would say that most freshman and sophomores (and even 8th graders in my case) are NOT ready for varsity. It's better to let them progress on a normal path to varsity play. But if you have that special kid(s) then you need to play them.
My Junior shortstop played so well as a freshman he put a senior on the bench. I truly believe if that did not happen we would not have won the district tournament that year.
Overall I would say that most freshman and sophomores (and even 8th graders in my case) are NOT ready for varsity. It's better to let them progress on a normal path to varsity play. But if you have that special kid(s) then you need to play them.
My Junior shortstop played so well as a freshman he put a senior on the bench. I truly believe if that did not happen we would not have won the district tournament that year.
I am always amazed at this seniors should play mentality. As a coach if you are losing with seniors what does that accomplish. does there come a time when you say enough is enough.
If the soph is a better player then the senior then the soph plays, if they are equall the senior plays...
DEEMAX
Makes sense to me. I often wondered how when people bring up the thing about seniors should play before underclassmen would react in their line of work if thier company was failing. Upon looking at it people with SENIORITY were not getting the job done and profits or sales were plummeting. Now you have employees with less experience. Just let it go?
Makes sense to me. I often wondered how when people bring up the thing about seniors should play before underclassmen would react in their line of work if thier company was failing. Upon looking at it people with SENIORITY were not getting the job done and profits or sales were plummeting. Now you have employees with less experience. Just let it go?
The best option plays period regardless of what class they are in. Your job as a coach is to put the players on the field that give your team the best opportunity to win the game. When you start playing guys because of what class they are in or sitting guys because what class they are in you are not doing your job as a coach.
I had posted awhile ago about my son. He is a freshman that made the varsity team. I was at every scrimmage they had about 6. My son got about 2 at bats per game he went 3-11, all solid hits one double ripped to right center gap. He clearly beat out 2 outfielders but,Coach told him he was going to get his at bats, but not start over the senoirs. That is unless the seniors do not get it done. So for now he is back up DH, he starts when the senior of's pitch.
First league game of the season bottom 10 he hits a walk off single to win the game against bitter rival.
Like I told my wife, be patient, just because he is not playing every inning, it is ok. Senior OF's have struck out a combined 10 or more times in two games, it is just a matter of time.
First league game of the season bottom 10 he hits a walk off single to win the game against bitter rival.
Like I told my wife, be patient, just because he is not playing every inning, it is ok. Senior OF's have struck out a combined 10 or more times in two games, it is just a matter of time.