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Shouldn't a sophmore be at least the first off the bench and/or a top 3 pitcher? If he is not, then I would keep him on JV getting much more valuable experience helping him develop for next year.
the best team of 20 players should make varsity, whatever year.
the best team of 20 players should make varsity, whatever year.
This will depends on the team deepness. How many seniors and juniors are actually starters?
Every year will arive new players, and every starter is suppose to play till senior year, what mean that several sophos will seat for one more year, or will start at a different position till next year. The exception is if the sopho is a lot better than the junior or senior playing that position. If the sophomore can hit he will play somewhere.
"Peace is, the respect for the other people's rights".
Benito Juarez
Every year will arive new players, and every starter is suppose to play till senior year, what mean that several sophos will seat for one more year, or will start at a different position till next year. The exception is if the sopho is a lot better than the junior or senior playing that position. If the sophomore can hit he will play somewhere.
"Peace is, the respect for the other people's rights".
Benito Juarez
quote:
Where should he be, skill-wise, to make the varsity?
Simple if there are no special rules to making a team other than being one of the best in the allotted group. If the coach has a quota of 18 players, then he must be one of the 18 best who tryout. If there are politics and favoratism, then there is no standard.
Knowledge is Power! Thank you Mavens and HSBBWEB!
The best 9 should take the field. The remaining players selected should be the best remaing ones that fill the rest of the roster. Grade classification shouldn't matter.
I'm guessing you are looking at this from a 5A-6A school classification situation. In smaller classification schools, Sophmores and even Freshmen often make the starting line up, where they would be JV at larger classification schools. My youngest son is in that situation. He will most likely start as a freshman at a 1A school this spring, but wouldn't sniff the lineup at a 5A school. He would be JV and MIGHT make the 25 man roster for varsity.
I'm guessing you are looking at this from a 5A-6A school classification situation. In smaller classification schools, Sophmores and even Freshmen often make the starting line up, where they would be JV at larger classification schools. My youngest son is in that situation. He will most likely start as a freshman at a 1A school this spring, but wouldn't sniff the lineup at a 5A school. He would be JV and MIGHT make the 25 man roster for varsity.
Justbaseball, how do I send you a "PM"(I hope that's right) 
I think you have to consider the sophomore's development. If he will not get significant playing, it is probably better for him (and the program) to get substantial playing time on the JV. In the end, he will become a better player, and will help the team more as a junior and senior.
eagledad - I just sent you a PM (yep, you got it right).
You can access it by clicking on "My Space" above and then "Private Topics." Then you should be able to see it. Probably got it in your email too.
You can access it by clicking on "My Space" above and then "Private Topics." Then you should be able to see it. Probably got it in your email too.
Racab hits it on the head (again.) I didn't vote because all of the answers are right in some situations, and wrong in others.
D'oh!
D'oh!
If a soph is not a starter then he needs to have playing time.
"Everybody kind of perceives me as being angry. It's not anger, it's motivation." Roger Clemens
"Everybody kind of perceives me as being angry. It's not anger, it's motivation." Roger Clemens
I voted contributing player assuming that the sophomore can get playing time on JV. If not allowed to play on JV and not good enough to start on Varsity the sophomore should stick with just JV so he can get in his reps in the field and at the plate.
If the kid can play he makes the team.
I like the way my son's coach does it.
Its based almost PURELY on perceived ability.
If you are not a starter or top 5 Pitcher (or as soph not a top 3 SP), you will play JV unless you are a senior, and only a couple seniors will be carried as backups (you better have hustled and had a good attitude the 3 previous years), rest of seniors are dropped.
Often, he will only have 10 (1 sub) KIDS that can bat on Varsity team at any given time. The rest start on JV. And a couple Pitchers are used as emergency replacements.
However, he can pull kids up and down between levels depending on injuries etc... And if there is no JV game scheduled, then 3-4 of the top JV players will go with the Varsity team.
This way players get MAXIMUM playing time, and develoment time. So if that Soph can't start varsity, he'll get more playing time on JV. Thus my vote.
Its based almost PURELY on perceived ability.
If you are not a starter or top 5 Pitcher (or as soph not a top 3 SP), you will play JV unless you are a senior, and only a couple seniors will be carried as backups (you better have hustled and had a good attitude the 3 previous years), rest of seniors are dropped.
Often, he will only have 10 (1 sub) KIDS that can bat on Varsity team at any given time. The rest start on JV. And a couple Pitchers are used as emergency replacements.
However, he can pull kids up and down between levels depending on injuries etc... And if there is no JV game scheduled, then 3-4 of the top JV players will go with the Varsity team.
This way players get MAXIMUM playing time, and develoment time. So if that Soph can't start varsity, he'll get more playing time on JV. Thus my vote.
The best 18 or so should make the team regardless of class. The best 9 should start regardless of class. Seniority and nepotisim breed mediocrity! Just because an individual is a sophomore don't penalize him because he is better than a senior. On the other hand, do not bring a sophomore up and sit him on the bench, leave him on jv, to get experience.
Who should make the varsity?
Easy...The best players.
If you can play...you play.
Easy...The best players.
If you can play...you play.
At our large 5-A high school here in Houston, we have a varsity squad of about 16. If an underclassmen junior doesn't start on varisty, he plays "down" on the JV. If he is a sophomore or freshman, he either plays on the sophomore or JV squad. Very rarely (maybe one every 5 years) a talented freshman might start on varsityc here.
What our coach does is suit up a few of the role-playing JV players for the varsity game, which follows the JV game.
No underclassman should be sitting the bench on the varsity and not playing when the school has the luxury of having a junior varsity or sophomore squad.
What our coach does is suit up a few of the role-playing JV players for the varsity game, which follows the JV game.
No underclassman should be sitting the bench on the varsity and not playing when the school has the luxury of having a junior varsity or sophomore squad.
Just a story to share. When my son entered HS, they had all heard about him, I think they were considering varsity. I asked that he be placed on JV and he had a great year. He played every game, in different positions ,though he is a pitcher. He makes varsity end of freshman year. Sophomore year, he is considered pitcher only as seniors get to play positions. He is miserable on the bench, waiting for his rotation. He becomes the team "cheer leader".
Junior year he has accepted that he may have a future in baseball and respects his coaches decision to pitch only and occasionally play first or center field, very few at bats. He sits on the bench but still is the team "cheer- leader".
He plays this summer with a high profile team and never plays any position other than pitcher. He now has grown and matured and accepts not being able to be in every game. He is the summer team "cheerleader".
We go to official visits. Now, we know they want him for pitching, "what else do you like about our son," we ask. Answer always the same, "we are impressed with how he lifts the team and brings them together, he is like the team "cheerleader". Son gets great scholarship.
I guess those days of "cheerleading" paid off.
Junior year he has accepted that he may have a future in baseball and respects his coaches decision to pitch only and occasionally play first or center field, very few at bats. He sits on the bench but still is the team "cheer- leader".
He plays this summer with a high profile team and never plays any position other than pitcher. He now has grown and matured and accepts not being able to be in every game. He is the summer team "cheerleader".
We go to official visits. Now, we know they want him for pitching, "what else do you like about our son," we ask. Answer always the same, "we are impressed with how he lifts the team and brings them together, he is like the team "cheerleader". Son gets great scholarship.
I guess those days of "cheerleading" paid off.
baseonballs50,
Very nice post. Sometimes circumstances just work out for the best in life. You have an amazing ball player!
Knowledge is Power! Thank you Mavens and HSBBWEB!
Very nice post. Sometimes circumstances just work out for the best in life. You have an amazing ball player!
Knowledge is Power! Thank you Mavens and HSBBWEB!
It is not rocket science.Common sense would say the best players make the team. Maybe in the new era this has gone by the wayside?
Will
Many parents think so when their kid doesn't make the team.
There is nothing that can be found wrong with the system if their kid makes the team.
It is really that simple
TRhit
Many parents think so when their kid doesn't make the team.
There is nothing that can be found wrong with the system if their kid makes the team.
It is really that simple
TRhit
baseballs50...with more kids like your son the whole planet would be a better place.
Great story and thanks for letting us know how a "true player" accepts his role on a team.
Great story and thanks for letting us know how a "true player" accepts his role on a team.
TRHit: 
The fact is, the "superiority" of one player over another, while obvious to his parents, is frequently less clear to the guy who's on the field with the players.
D'oh!
The fact is, the "superiority" of one player over another, while obvious to his parents, is frequently less clear to the guy who's on the field with the players.
D'oh!
PDOG
Then he isnt a good coach--- a good coach will also talk with the returnees because they usually know the players very well
TRhit
Then he isnt a good coach--- a good coach will also talk with the returnees because they usually know the players very well
TRhit
Chicks and Texas,
Thanks, that story just came to mind when I saw this poll. They wanted him for varsity his first year, we are glad he decided to play JV as he needed time to mature, grow and HAVE FUN.
This is also a good example of those "intangibles" coaches and scouts look for in a player.
Thanks, that story just came to mind when I saw this poll. They wanted him for varsity his first year, we are glad he decided to play JV as he needed time to mature, grow and HAVE FUN.
This is also a good example of those "intangibles" coaches and scouts look for in a player.
Sorry, TRHit, I keep forgetting that sarcasm doesn't translate into "webspeak" very well. I was just agreeing with you.
D'oh!
D'oh!
PDOG
No problem
TRhit
No problem
TRhit
Justbb,
Glad to see you've reclaimed your spot. You're better at it anyway
I agree with those who say not unless he's a starter. Sitting on the bench as a sophmore doesn't help him at all.
_______________________
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." Rogers Hornsby, Hall of Famer
Glad to see you've reclaimed your spot. You're better at it anyway
I agree with those who say not unless he's a starter. Sitting on the bench as a sophmore doesn't help him at all.
_______________________
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." Rogers Hornsby, Hall of Famer
I have seen a couple of things happen with regards to this issue. The sophmore will start for the JV and then come off the bench for the varsity.
If one of the last players to make the team (player 15-18)is a soph, then he should be on jv playing every day. Why have a young player on the varsity and maybe playing 2 or 3 innings a week when he could be getting valuable playing time on jv.
deuter
Because the team needs players in the bench, that could come in at any time, keeping a similar quality level. Bench players are an important part of the team also.
"Peace is, the respect for the other people's rights".
Benito Juarez
Because the team needs players in the bench, that could come in at any time, keeping a similar quality level. Bench players are an important part of the team also.
"Peace is, the respect for the other people's rights".
Benito Juarez
Racab makes a good point (again!) Somebody's got to be on the bench. Chances are, the same guys are going to start most of the time, and the same guys are going to be on the bench most of the time. So maybe the question is, who should be on the bench, a soph or a senior?
D'oh!
D'oh!
My son got to pitch 7 innings as a junior, was voted by his teamates as "Most Inspirational" for 2003.
When asked, why by his mother, one of the league's best lead-off hitters said it was because he never let up!
He never let up and kept guys on the bench in the game. He ended up being the bullpen catcher, played a little third, and was the loudest one in the dugout (I'm the loudest one in the stands, so he comes by that trait naturally).
Can he pitch at this level? No question, YES! he ended up theyear with 7ip, 12 k's, 6 bb, and no earned runs!
But there was this senior, not better but as good, who'd payed his dues, for four years, and deserved to start!
I feel very strongly that if the players are close in skill + or -, the senior gets the nod!
This year, it's his turn to shine! If a sphomore takes his place, he better be a whole lot better!
When asked, why by his mother, one of the league's best lead-off hitters said it was because he never let up!
He never let up and kept guys on the bench in the game. He ended up being the bullpen catcher, played a little third, and was the loudest one in the dugout (I'm the loudest one in the stands, so he comes by that trait naturally).
Can he pitch at this level? No question, YES! he ended up theyear with 7ip, 12 k's, 6 bb, and no earned runs!
But there was this senior, not better but as good, who'd payed his dues, for four years, and deserved to start!
I feel very strongly that if the players are close in skill + or -, the senior gets the nod!
This year, it's his turn to shine! If a sphomore takes his place, he better be a whole lot better!
I am of a firm belief the best person should not always make the team there are a thousand things to consider. But most importantly if a sophomore is the 16th or 17th best player on the varsity and maybe the number 3 player at his position wouldn't it be better for him to stay on the JV and get playing time so he can continue to develope rather than languish on the bench.
Racab,
I understand you need quality players on the bench but you are talking about 6th or 7th player off the bench. Most games I have seen the coach only gets in 6 or 7 subs if the game is a blowout. I know it is different state to state as far as quality but at my old hs if the game is a competitive game maybe 1 or 2 substitutes are made. If I had a son or daughter who was a soph I would want him/her at whichever level he/she gets significant playing time.
I understand you need quality players on the bench but you are talking about 6th or 7th player off the bench. Most games I have seen the coach only gets in 6 or 7 subs if the game is a blowout. I know it is different state to state as far as quality but at my old hs if the game is a competitive game maybe 1 or 2 substitutes are made. If I had a son or daughter who was a soph I would want him/her at whichever level he/she gets significant playing time.
Bump...