When did your son make/start varsity?

quote:

What I do think is that this is a national online forum encompassing rural, suburban and urban areas. Also factor in kids going to small private schools and a few phenom players. My guess is that the kids who made varsity as a freshman are a mix of rural kids, small school kids and a few studs.

I agree with that but since most HS players typically don't make varsity until junior year, why there aren't more numbers in the poll to reflect this. You might agree that my reason isn't so far fetched.

Not sure why the thread was started or the intent thereof, I saw it was a polling to see what % of players currently starting on the varsity and what year that started.

My son played in a small school program as a freshman and started all 4 years before attending Oklahoma years ago and there were less than 500 students attending school, if he had went to suburban school with higher enrollments, I don't think he would have started his freshman year and probably would have played soph or jv level as he did not play American Legion as a 14 year old.

Perhaps just answsering the poll would help for the thread? Just a suggestion.

quote:

Originally posted by Sportsdawgy:
Not sure why the thread was started or the intent thereof, I saw it was a polling to see what % of players currently starting on the varsity and what year that started.

My son played in a small school program as a freshman and started all 4 years before attending Oklahoma years ago and there were less than 500 students attending school, if he had went to suburban school with higher enrollments, I don't think he would have started his freshman year and probably would have played soph or jv level as he did not play American Legion as a 14 year old.

Perhaps just answsering the poll would help for the thread? Just a suggestion.

You can start your own threads if you don't like threads such as this one

The intent was no intent - just thought it might be an interesting offseason topic. With over 3,000 views thus far and over 100 participating in the poll - I think that goal was achieved. I certainly didn't start the thread to call attention to my son as he did not start until junior year.

quote:

Originally posted by zombywoof:

quote:

What I do think is that this is a national online forum encompassing rural, suburban and urban areas. Also factor in kids going to small private schools and a few phenom players. My guess is that the kids who made varsity as a freshman are a mix of rural kids, small school kids and a few studs.

I agree with that but since most HS players typically don't make varsity until junior year, why there aren't more numbers in the poll to reflect this. You might agree that my reason isn't so far fetched.

That's how it works around here. 5 large classification public HS's within a 15 min drive. Strongest program of the bunch has 26 Senior ball players this year. Several are D1 commits. Junior & Soph classes are stacked as well. Similiar numbers at 4 of the other 5 large HS. A freshman starting is a very very rare occurrence. To start as a Fresh at any of the local private HS's I'm acquainted with, would not be that hard for a really solid 14-15 y/o.

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
You can start your own threads if you don't like threads such as this one

The intent was no intent - just thought it might be an interesting offseason topic. With over 3,000 views thus far and over 100 participating in the poll - I think that goal was achieved. I certainly didn't start the thread to call attention to my son as he did not start until junior year.

No one said anything about starting their own thread or anything about your son did they? Sorry if you felt that way!

I think the biggest factor on this board Could be that most people on this board have kids that are better than average. Just look at those who have already responded to this. I would say most of them have kids who are already playing at the next level. I would say that this poll is representative of the people who frequent this board on a regular basis. Not necessarily of the population in general. Even within our ranks, the small school/big school and roster makeup within the school come into play. However, I really think that within the group that participates here, the kids are generally cream of the crop to start.

My son wasn't on varsity until Junior year.Was a started as a Junior.

quote:

I think the biggest factor on this board Could be that most people on this board have kids that are better than average. Just look at those who have already responded to this. I would say most of them have kids who are already playing at the next level. I would say that this poll is representative of the people who frequent this board on a regular basis. Not necessarily of the population in general.

Good point. It certainly could explain that.

My oldest son started as a sophomore on the varsity and youngest son started as a freshman on the varsity. However, our high school is a school with only some 400-420 students.

fanofgame,
Too bad. Guess he'll never play college ball or at least never play at the D1 level.

quote:

fanofgame,
Too bad. Guess he'll never play college ball or at least never play at the D1 level.

Heres to all of you to have the best careers for your sons.I am taking a hiatus from the site for a while.Dont feel I can add much more than I have and lately it seems like ground hog day.

I have made great friends and I am sure at some time will be back.Merry Christmas to all and to all a 4 year scolly at a top baseball school,with top academics, and sons will start as frosh, coaches will keep all promises, and it is wonderful experience. All HS players will be on varsity, that they will all get high ratings by perfect game, and scouts from MLB will be knocking your door down.

Back when my son was a freshman the dad of another talented player asked if I thought our boys could make varsity. I had been coaching his son for four years at that point. The varsity was weak when they were in 8th grade. I told the dad our boys are good enough to make varsity but it might not be in their best interest. My reasoning was while they were good enough to compete for positions on their varsity team, they would struggle in games against the competition.

They were the last two cut from varsity. I think the coach just wanted them working out with the varsity as long as possible. The varsity stunk again. The JV team had a very good year.

Soph year our boys made varsity (mine opening day. his soon after). They were ready, confident and had an impact on the team's first winning season in several years. Junior year they were major impact players for the first conference title in twenty years.

Had they been overwhelmed freshman year who knows how soph year would have gone. As it worked out they were on the first back to back winning teams in twenty years.

quote:

Originally posted by bballman:
I think the biggest factor on this board Could be that most people on this board have kids that are better than average. Just look at those who have already responded to this. I would say most of them have kids who are already playing at the next level. I would say that this poll is representative of the people who frequent this board on a regular basis. Not necessarily of the population in general. Even within our ranks, the small school/big school and roster makeup within the school come into play. However, I really think that within the group that participates here, the kids are generally cream of the crop to start.

I would agree with that. If you look through MaxPreps rosters, it is pretty obvious that the poll results here do not mirror the general population so it is likely that this site draws the more advanced kids/parents.

My kid played last year as a freshman in a Southern CA D1 where he was one of two kids that started on any team, so at least where we play it is very unusual. It also has a lot to do with how stacked a team is; i.e. circumstances probably have as much to do with it as skill level.

Our son was a varsity pitcher as a young freshman. He attended the highest classification high school in the state. Continued as a pitcher/catcher the following summer and fall. Took the starting catcher position from a senior when he was a sophomore. His coach used him as a catcher/pitcher the first part of his junior year with the backup catcher behind the plate when our son was on the mound. Did not pitch at all his senior year. YEAH!! Has never looked back and is now attending college as a catcher, his position of choice.

playfair,
Agreed. Andrew Lambo was probably the league's most effective pitcher that year. He was too good at the plate to ever be a pitcher in pro ball. Reports were that he threw mid 80s with a very good breaking ball. I think that more recently Buckel who threw high 80s to low 90s with big time pitchability and Berglund who threw mid to upper 80s and could touch the low 90s with excellent pitchability were the standouts.

I know my son had few problems with the harder throwers once he'd seen them enough but a good breaking ball was another story.

I get a little frustrated by this topic because people are bragging about this when we see a kid in our league pitch 11 innings as a senior, get drafted as a pitcher and do well in his first year in pro ball. No, the kid wasn't a starter on varsity as a senior. Yes, he would have been a star on almost any other team in the country including most of the teams in our league. He simply had the misfortune to be behind a couple eventual second round picks, a kid who was drafted in the middle rounds but paid well over slot and a couple eventual D1 starters. BTW, that team didn't win the league that year.

The variation in the competition is so great that it really means nothing. That doesn't mean that parents shouldn't be proud that their kids made varsity or that they are starting on varsity wherever they may be. It is something to be proud of but not something to be compared.

That's why I made the post with a wink on the end about fanofgame's son who is or was playing for USC. Would people rather have their son start on varsity as a freshman or end up playing for USC?

quote:

Originally posted by CADad:

The variation in the competition is so great that it really means nothing. That doesn't mean that parents shouldn't be proud that their kids made varsity or that they are starting on varsity wherever they may be. It is something to be proud of but not something to be compared.

I agree with the above, you just can't make comparisons and I hope that doesn't discourage folks from posting or answering the poll.

CADad it is a fact that the level of competition will dictate this. And in hs it varies greatly from area to area within a state and from state to state. It does not mean your son is destined for greatness if he starts on varsity as a freshman and it certainly does not mean your son is not a very good player if he doesnt play varsity until he is a Sr in hs. And parents have every right to be proud of their kids regardless of where they fall into all of this.

OK, time for me to chime in. Congrats to all parents and their players that had a chance to play ball in HS! My #1 made varsity as a sophmore and started as a sophmore. He started in LF where he played every game. He helped them to a 4A State Championship. He also played every game as a Jr as they won back to back State Championships. Sr year was #2 pitcher and went 5-1 with a 2.37 ERA and lost as a Sr pitching to the eventual State Champs last year.He was given a scholarship as an outfielder. #2 son is a freshman this year and has a chance to play varsity. I also have mixed feelings about him starting as a freshman. 1B or 3B or C. I would feel better if he would play JV instead. I believe it's alot of pressure for a freshman to play at that level mentally. First, handling the upperclassman.Second, the let down of striking out among piers and dealing with a slump at 14 or 15yrs old.Third, as Ryanrod23 and others mentioned, sitting the bench when they are allways being in the lineup every game. Sure the practices will be more intense and at a higher level. But getting the AB's and playing time in game time situations is where you develope the most.IMHO Good post and inlightening.

quote:

It does not mean your son is destined for greatness if he starts on varsity as a freshman and it certainly does not mean your son is not a very good player if he doesnt play varsity until he is a Sr in hs. And parents have every right to be proud of their kids regardless of where they fall into all of this.

Yep, what he said.....

This has been a good thread. Thx CD.