Why do coaches inflate numbers?

Mom, kids keep the books usually, they dont want to see thier "friend" go ofer.

Tar, I love the idea (HHBA)

Mom...Who better to ask than the scorekeeper (s) at Lockport?

They do have some talented players, but they are not filled with a lineup full of true .400 hitters! Simple as that!

I would guess that every hs team in every sport is guilty of padding stats. Unfortunatly, some do it as a rule.

What does it matter? They're just stats, and usually the kids are the only ones paying attention. You can have a team batting average over .500 and if they don't win the state championship, who's going to care?

tegid,

To a degree, it matters. Some coaches are doing it for the purposes of making their case as to why a particular player should be all conference, all area, etc. I know of some kids that are being hyped by their coaches with inflated numbers and were definetly not deserving of being a first team all area selection last year but because they had "astounding" numbers, they got it. That bumps a kid from the list that may have been more deserving but has a coach that doesn't juggle the numbers. Granted, scouts see through inflated numbers in short order but who gets more scouts to come out to see them play; the first team all area player or the kid who didn't make the all area team?

I agree with hsdad...it does matter.

the good ones don't need it and when scouts/evaluators see talent they are seeing tools, attitude, body, demeanor and athleticism. coaches are evaluated in a sense by scouts as well, they will be expected to receive an accurate report on the player.... guys that hit .400+ or 10 hr etc. are showing it on the field. lets just take joe dunigan, i've seen doubters of his high ranking and scout interest on this board.but every respected baseball evauator i know can tell that this kid has all the potential in the world and all of that stuff above. stats are secondary, maybe in large part to the subject of this thread.

HSdad - You are right on! I know players that got noticed and were first team all conference, area or state on inflated numbers.

If they were all that good they would have went to big name D1 programs, not DIII or JUCO....

College coaches and scouts know...

Hsdad - Why did you destroy me so? Haha, nah just kidding. I actually do see that now. Very interesting...

I keep score during the high school, summer and fall ball seasons. I do it for myself, for the enjoyment of the game. Period! BUT, I must say that when I hear parents on the high school team say, "my son went 3-4 or 2-3, or what ever", I go back to my book and see what game I missed. I am a very critical score keeper.

The players on the bench keep "the book" for our sophomore team, and I have to say that it is not done with any conviction. Our batter, a fast runner, hits a slow infield grounder to the ss, he can, and does on occasion, produce a hit. Nope, according to our scorekeeper, E6! On the other hand, if our infielder makes a "slight bobble" (go ahead and define slight bobble), or scorekeeper will give the other team a hit, beacuse of the stature of that player on our team, or just because they are friends. How does this affect the pitchers stats, which I guess really doesn't matter now?

Hitting is crucial, you hit, you play, and sometimes you play for other reasons, and that's another topic for another time.

If a coach wants to inflate numbers, it's to only help him justify his existence!

Boomer, you have a PM.

Inflate numbers? Can't understand why any coach would want to do that. If a college comes to watch the kids, that coach loses credibility right away if it is apparent that the kid can't play. As far as team stats, the coach leaves himself open to turmoil if he gives Johnny a hit and then doesn't give Jimmy a hit for the same type of ball.

I can think of a way that a team inflates stats in a different way not mentioned. Competition. I know one school in our area loaded with Class A schools that are even lower division Class A. In fact they play one Class A school that doesn't play 18 games and hasn't won a game since I have known that the school has a team at all.

I know of a coach in another town...his ace pitcher is also related to him...and this boy does not have a college home yet...

From his stats in the paper you would think he was absolutely the best of the best (now, he is good don't get me wrong)....

But news of this has trickled down the highway ... you don't hear about any other players on the team...

Last time I checked it takes more than just one player to win...or lose a game.

Makes me wonder if this coach is helping his ace some press time in the paper...

who knows...


BoomerIL...I, too am a stat person and very critical....our score keeper for our team puts a question mark down on her book and asks me later...about key plays...

she's learning, but....way too kind...

CoachB25.....

Some coaches do inflate numbers, and some coaches just don't care about a player trying to play in college. There are kids who probably fall short with their grades, and maybe inflating the stats will work in getting him into a quality D1 or D3 program. I don't understand the motives involved.

Boomer, I don't deny it. I just don't understand it. I do know sometimes it can be that a kid keeps the book. I am lucky, I have a volunteer coach that keeps all of the stats. We have a deal. I don't question, remark, etc. on anything about the stats and he keeps them. He is a baseball fanatic and also loves numbers. Believe me, when it comes to all of the times spent on stats, and getting all of this work for free, I'm not saying a word.

Texas2004....

I learned a long time ago that stats were a joke! My son who is one of the fastest players on the team hit a ground ball to short, the grass is still somewhat tall, the ss did not aggressively attack the ball, made the play, but my son bet the throw. Scorekeeper (who is a teammate) scored it an error. This has happened twice so far in 6 games. Now, I know he is my son, BUT I am more critical with his stats than anybody elses. My son wants it that way also. So, over time the coach sees all of the HOE's, 4-3, 6-3, 5-3, and he assumes that things are not going well. (They use these stats for the next years tryouts!!!)

I'm not complaining, I just want to know if my son has a chance to play in college if he gets bench time for not hitting well, satistically of coarse, in high school.

Boomer...I do know that my son's stats that are on the press release with his future college came from his stats this past summer...

The one's from the school were not consistently kept for me to even ask for them...

And I knew our summer coach was objective and kept a very good record of true scenarios...

I know what you mean about beating out the play...sounds like how ours used to be scored ...

Pam...TAR....

I really don't think the Lyons coach puts much credence in the stats. I believe he looks for good, solid contact, and the ability to "drive" the ball. Put it into play.

Practice demeanor, attitude, hustle, skills, and hitting are whats probably the deciding factors in who the coach plays in any given game. Obviously you have be pretty good defensively as well, but I still think that hitting is key, and then throw some speed into the mix as well.

Knowing that Andy has had quality instruction outside of school from the training facility he goes to, Strikes, he feels fairly confident that when summer baseball starts, and travel baseball starts, and he attends a showcase or two, he'll be able to hold-his-own with anyone. He might not be the biggest player you'll see, but I'll guarantee you that his work ethic, attitude, and skills will help get him to the next level.

No, I'm really not worried about numbers, and neither is Andy, he just knows that hitting the ball hard and putting it into play is what is most important right now.

Our coach at Lemont is very strict on stats. He does not believe in inflated stats. I try not to worry about my numbers, because I would much rather line out then get a bloop single. Coaches only hurt their players by giving them cheap hits and a BIG head.

Boomer...Ya know it sounds like Andy will be just fine..

but, I do know that BK does on occasion ask about stats...it's hard not to want to include them in figuring out the scope of things...but when they're wrong or inflated or inconsistent...

just makes ya wonder...

Went to the Lockport website at someone's suggestion...Team batting average at .451.

If they continue at that rate, their TEAM batting average will be higher than most individual players averages that make the All State team...except, of course, all of the Public league sprinters that are playing baseball in the CPD parks.