Varsity or JV if there is a choice

Depends. Will he be the STARTING CF on Varsity?  Or have some innings in varsity OF, versus main SS on JV. It's really about playing time (opportunity).  Being able to play multiple positions (if well) will help too if he wants to play beyond HS. Being a candidate for Varsity as a sophomore also says something about what the coach thinks of your son's ability. This year my 2015 played 100% Infield in HS (SS, some 3B), and about 90% CF (rest SS) during this past summer. As for college next year (position still not set), coaches indicated he'll initially take his reps in MI, but be in CF during batting practice with team. So my take is that it's good to be versatile. Also as many posters have said in past, if a player hits consistently, the coach will find a position for him.  Good luck!

Yes - he will be starting CF. Anybody playing up does not sit on the bench. He does have outfield experience too and is already versatile but since exposure is more on the travel teams and he plays SS there, I was not sure what the best route was. Given that playing time is equal, is there an advantage to choosing one over the other?

Do you think he'll actually have a choice?  Never heard of a coach asking the player if he wants to play one or the other. If he'll be starting on either, just play where the coach tells you to play.

Probably not - but curious about what is better.

Howdy: If he would be a starter on varsity as CF and SS on his travel team (with more exposure), I think it's a no-brainer (though I did in my previous post too)- varsity it is. Why play JV? Hopefully not because he can play with more classmates of his grade.  By SS as his "natural position" I assume you mean his better one. In addition, it is common for colleges to recruit a number of SS(usually most "athletic" players) and move them around once they arrive. 

Seems like a  no-brainer to me.  CF is one of the most important positions on the field. If he's good enough to start there on Varsity, that's where he belongs.  If he wants to play SS for the team, he'll get his chance next year or the year after, right?

 

In terms of pros and cons, on the pro side your son's more likely to face challenging pitching on Varsity.  If he's ready for the challenge, there is no con.  I can't imagine any pro to his playing JV if he is indeed ready for Varsity.  On the con side he could see pitching so crappy that it screws up his timing.

Only reason would be to get the SS experience and take it into his summer team instead of playing on the summer team as a SS without having played that all spring. But of course, the level of play would be higher on varsity vs. JV.

I was an assistant coach on a team where we took the freshman SS and made him a CF.  He didn't want to make the switch at the time.  He went on to help the team win a state title, became a college All American and then played in MLB as an OF.  He was kind of glad he made the switch.  LOL

Howdy,

HS ball is about a lot more than getting experience at the right position.  Play with your HS buddies and try to beat the rival town.  Maybe chase a league championship or state title.  Play for your community.  Help your buddies WIN ballgames.  Create HS sports memories that you will likely talk about thirty years from now.  Do some searches here about HS ball vs travel/club ball.  There is a ton more listed on the "pro" side of HS ball.  If your son is capable of starting for V, he absolutely should and he should relish every minute.  And BTW, no, he doesn't have a choice so don't dwell on it for another second.  If you're worried about missing reps at ss, give him some extra or have him ask one of the coaches for reps before or after regular practice.  Most HS teams have at least a coach or two who are suckers for hard working kids who want more.

Great advice. Thank you all!

Are you worried your son will get "stuck" in center for his high school career? My son played short in middle school, the JV team freshman year and varsity his soph year. He was all conference at short soph year. On his travel team from 13-15yos he played wherever the pitcher came from. Junior year his high school coach told him he would play short or center depending on who coming up won a position. He ended up in center the next two years. The travel coach of his showcase team, an associate scout decided he was best suited for center. He was recruited for college as an outfielder who could also play infield. In college he's had a lot of playing time based on playing seven positions. His teammates call him "Zo" after Ben Zobrist.

Play varsity so he can hit against varsity pitching.

^^^^^ This!!!!!

Hody;

when we travel Internationally I select 4 shortstops and then after the 1st game move one to 2b, one to 3B and one to CF. At SS the ball will "find you". If we have a "weak" SS the Aussies, Korean, Japan will hit the ball intentionally to the SS.

Have your son play the game to learn, learn and have fun. When summer arrive, you can hit him 1,000 fungo's a day, {never direct to the fielder] left, right. Range work.

 

Bob<www.goodwillseries.org>

I didn't know coaches gave a player a choice?  And what kid wouldn't want to play Varsity as a sophomore?  

IF your son is offered a roster spot on varsity, he may or may not have a choice about which team he plays on, depending on the high school's varsity head coach.  Some will talk it over and give the player a choice, others will just tell him where he'll be.

 

My opinion is that if given the choice of which team to play on, go for the one where he'll get regular playing time.  If he's going to start or at least get regular innings, then varsity is probably the better option as he'll definitely see better pitching.  Basing the decision on which position he'll play is a mistake, IMO.  And, the last thing I'd recommend your son do is mention anything about his summer/travel team to the high school coach.

As JCG mentioned, if the JV pitching is not that great, it may hurt his batting. My son had a chance to be a four year starter in varsity and when he was a sophomore the HC wanted to help the JV team by playing with them on saturdays and that lasted two games because it almost screwed up hit hitting rithm and timing due to crappy pitching. 

Like other poster suggested he can play CF now and face good pitching and get better and then jr year he can go back to SS. If the coach wants him is because he is a stud and feels that he is ready now, great opportunity.

No - more that he would go into his summer team without the SS experience and I know they are going to play some big tournaments next summer. Reading all the posts, I think varsity is the route to go and he can adjust to the SS position for travel ball in summer. 

In college my son played infield after not playing there for two years. In fact he's had to take infield and outfield all through college. If your son can play he will adapt to the situation.

just play where the coach tells you to play.

 

What is this? Is this some new strategy? Sorry for the sarcasm but you play where they tell you to play to help the TEAM.