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 Follow up post to 2015 Post I made about coaches

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T O P I C    R E V I E W
toprank Posted - 09/28/2017 : 12:53:05

Original subject was Could this be the trend in 5 to 10 years for HS Baseball.

Someone asked about the trend of baseball moving away from HS and more towards full time travel baseball.

It has only been 4 years but I don't think we have seen that and probably wont. Some people made good points about playing for you HS team, finding your nitch [sic] in school, Pride of school leads to playing harder, etc etc and I agree with all of that.

My Post on the original topic started with

My son had a strange experience with his high school baseball team this season. He played a winter sport competed in the state tournament for that sport, so was about 2 weeks late getting out to baseball and the Varsity coach never evaluated him, just stuck him on JV. Long story short, he decided not to play and will probably not play for this coach ever.

I decided to leave the post because I was getting too worked up about the situation because I knew people on a board who knew nothing about the details, my son, his demeanor work ethic, or the coach I was going to get blasted and just become mad but I knew in time things would happen as they should.

My son was sophomore at the time. Played Varsity basketball as a freshman and sophomore so I would say pretty athletic. A good coach would have known what he had but were not dealing with a very good person or coach.

Well he turned down the offer to play JV, and "he" decided to do the home school team route. Loved it,loved the coaches and players. Learned a good bit that season. The competition was at times better than Varsity and at times about like JV. They played more games than the HS and practiced about the same, but the cost was less. That summer he decided to transfer schools and it was not 100% about the coach but I am sure that had something to do with it. In life if you don't like your job or situation whatever it is you either put up with it or decide to make a change and move on. He decided to transfer schools as a Junior and we followed all the protocol to make it happen and it was not easy but well worth it. He transferred and was accepted by Administration, the faculty, coaches and students. He had to miss a season of basketball but was fine with it. He was able to play baseball on the Varsity 2 years and started both seasons. Graduated with honors and is currently playing college baseball now. We didn't complain to the school at all about the coach other than saying this guy was going to have issues in the future The next season I heard was a nightmare many issues with this coach, so he was relieved of his coaching position and the rumor is he can not find a coaching job in anywhere. I believe the travel baseball community is very tight and when word got out he was looking to go here or there parents talked and parents told Administrators in other Counties and Districts they would not stand for this guy coaching their sons and they listened.
so over the last 6 years there were at least 10 good high school players that either quit, transferred, played home school ball, didn't go out for the team or stopped playing because completely because of this guy. So despite popular discussion board belief not all coaches are good coaches or good people.




25   L A T E S T    R E P L I E S    (Newest First)
nastycurve Posted - 11/23/2017 : 15:53:40
oh ok, yeah I can see a county making rules specific to the teams playing under that governing body but its not a GHSA rule.
Hurricane Posted - 11/08/2017 : 13:42:28
The exact phrase for this particular county is Students who quit a team will not be allowed to start “working out” with the next sport until the
regular season of the team he/she quit is completed.
CaCO3Girl Posted - 11/08/2017 : 07:57:10
I think there may be something like that in my kids HS. The basketball players do NOT come over to baseball until the season is over. There is no leaving early. We had a senior last year that had a very nice scholarship to a HUGE school to play baseball and he did not set foot on the baseball field until basketball was over I've seen the same as I mentioned above with the football kids going to basketball. They don't leave football until the team dissolves.

As for the basketball kids that play baseball...if I recall everyone except the scholarshipped senior went to JV, and every one of them was called up to V at the end of JV.

Hurricane Posted - 11/07/2017 : 15:59:55
"Ive never seen this rule you speak of, but would be grateful if you could point it out if you have the time."

This is a district decision for a particular county if you like I can email you the rule from their website. Also rules get broken every year, some have no sunday meetings or practices and we all know football does game films all across GA. The other one that used to get me was you could not make workouts out of season mandatory and we all know this happens as well as requiring you to fundraise when that is not a rule either but some are held liable if they do not fundraise.
nastycurve Posted - 11/03/2017 : 13:20:21
quote:
Originally posted by CaCO3Girl

quote:
Originally posted by Hurricane

quote:
Originally posted by nastycurve

I wouldn't change schools because a coach put my son on JV.

My son is in his second year of college playing and in high school he was a 4 year Varsity player. In 9th grade he played both varsity and JV and 10th-12th was strictly Varsity. Funny thing is, when he was in 10th grade we were getting a LOT of games rained out, he requested to go to and play some JV to keep the rust off. Had a blast playing a game at SS and pitcher. As a sophomore, he was one of the better players in the county, but didnt have the ego of "ive got to play varsity or else", he just wanted to play.

Its funny, kids and parents want coaches to conform to their schedule, but don't give the coaches the same consideration when it comes to planning their team. The OP mentioned that his son wanted to get stronger, so he was wrestling. Did he know ahead of time that wrestling bleeds into baseball? Which is more important wrestling or baseball? Has he ever heard of the weight room?
A personal trainer? Does his son want to be bryce harper, Clayton Kershaw or John Cena when he grows up? The player made a decision that was not in line with what the coach wanted to do with his team. He is the guy that makes the teams and the lineup. Maybe instead of telling your baseball coach "wait til I get finished wrestling", you tell your wrestling coach "Coach, its been fun but I gotta go"- or let him know up front you are out when baseball season starts. Obviously playing HS baseball on this team wasnt all that important, or else he wouldve been there. It cant be important when you deem it important and find time in your busy schedule to be there.

Glad everything worked out and he made it to JUCO, hope he has a great future. Just remember adversity never runs out, but eligibility does. Hope he doesnt see too many road blocks out there, you can only go sideways for so long!

:-)


Not sure how much you know about GHSA rules but you can not start playing a winter sport until the fall sport is over or spring sport until the winter sport is over for that school. If your team makes the playoffs in football, you can not go to tryouts for basketball until football is officially over. Most good coaches hold a week long practice for any players going from football to basketball and I have seen some kids on varsity get moved down after football was over and kids come out and take their spots, not just say well my team is already set so you are stuck on JV without a tryout or look. Years ago coaches wanted multiple sport athletes but the trend for most HS's is we want you to play on sport and only my sport.


Not my experience.

The basketball coaches have a huge tryout and they say at the end "You 20+ guys made it through the first cuts, when football is over we will hold another tryout and some of you will likely be cut then"....in other words they work around football.

The baseball coach holds a huge tryout for a week. At the end of that week he posts a list of who made it. It seems a bit skimpy until about 2 weeks later when 4 basketball kids appear on the final roster. See the coach approached them in the fall prior to basketball starting, and they had some workouts, no more than 4 on 1, but the coach already pre-tried them out. In other words, basketball is not an issue with football.

Football workouts start in May, kind of an unfortunate time for a travel baseball player. Football coach was very understanding of my son missing several practices and workouts due to travel baseball. His actual words were "I realize it's not my season right now, all I ask is you communicate when he won't be here and come August he is mine 100%."....yup....not a problem.

So, that has been my first hand experience with HS athletics. Maybe it's an anomaly, but it shouldn't be.



Exactly. Its all about communication. Most parents/players only want one way communication. You cant dictate to a coach what you or your son is going to do and not be willing to be dictated back lol.

And Hurricane, you can quit a sport any time you want, there is no rule mandating that you must stay with a team until they finish playing. What if a kid got cut for some reason, now he cant go tryout until the other teams season is over? Most players DO wait until their season is over and MOST coaches understand. My point was you cant be mad at the coach because you wanted to go do a little wrasslin to get stronger and now he views you as a JV player. Doesnt make him smart or right, but it is his team. How about since you chose to go be mr. top-turnbuckle you come out on JV and SHOW the coach you belong on varsity. Too many people want everything given to them. They want it to be one way, but its the other way.

Ive never seen this rule you speak of, but would be grateful if you could point it out if you have the time.

https://www.ghsa.net/constitution
CaCO3Girl Posted - 11/03/2017 : 07:54:55
quote:
Originally posted by Hurricane

quote:
Originally posted by nastycurve

I wouldn't change schools because a coach put my son on JV.

My son is in his second year of college playing and in high school he was a 4 year Varsity player. In 9th grade he played both varsity and JV and 10th-12th was strictly Varsity. Funny thing is, when he was in 10th grade we were getting a LOT of games rained out, he requested to go to and play some JV to keep the rust off. Had a blast playing a game at SS and pitcher. As a sophomore, he was one of the better players in the county, but didnt have the ego of "ive got to play varsity or else", he just wanted to play.

Its funny, kids and parents want coaches to conform to their schedule, but don't give the coaches the same consideration when it comes to planning their team. The OP mentioned that his son wanted to get stronger, so he was wrestling. Did he know ahead of time that wrestling bleeds into baseball? Which is more important wrestling or baseball? Has he ever heard of the weight room?
A personal trainer? Does his son want to be bryce harper, Clayton Kershaw or John Cena when he grows up? The player made a decision that was not in line with what the coach wanted to do with his team. He is the guy that makes the teams and the lineup. Maybe instead of telling your baseball coach "wait til I get finished wrestling", you tell your wrestling coach "Coach, its been fun but I gotta go"- or let him know up front you are out when baseball season starts. Obviously playing HS baseball on this team wasnt all that important, or else he wouldve been there. It cant be important when you deem it important and find time in your busy schedule to be there.

Glad everything worked out and he made it to JUCO, hope he has a great future. Just remember adversity never runs out, but eligibility does. Hope he doesnt see too many road blocks out there, you can only go sideways for so long!

:-)


Not sure how much you know about GHSA rules but you can not start playing a winter sport until the fall sport is over or spring sport until the winter sport is over for that school. If your team makes the playoffs in football, you can not go to tryouts for basketball until football is officially over. Most good coaches hold a week long practice for any players going from football to basketball and I have seen some kids on varsity get moved down after football was over and kids come out and take their spots, not just say well my team is already set so you are stuck on JV without a tryout or look. Years ago coaches wanted multiple sport athletes but the trend for most HS's is we want you to play on sport and only my sport.


Not my experience.

The basketball coaches have a huge tryout and they say at the end "You 20+ guys made it through the first cuts, when football is over we will hold another tryout and some of you will likely be cut then"....in other words they work around football.

The baseball coach holds a huge tryout for a week. At the end of that week he posts a list of who made it. It seems a bit skimpy until about 2 weeks later when 4 basketball kids appear on the final roster. See the coach approached them in the fall prior to basketball starting, and they had some workouts, no more than 4 on 1, but the coach already pre-tried them out. In other words, basketball is not an issue with football.

Football workouts start in May, kind of an unfortunate time for a travel baseball player. Football coach was very understanding of my son missing several practices and workouts due to travel baseball. His actual words were "I realize it's not my season right now, all I ask is you communicate when he won't be here and come August he is mine 100%."....yup....not a problem.

So, that has been my first hand experience with HS athletics. Maybe it's an anomaly, but it shouldn't be.
Hurricane Posted - 11/02/2017 : 16:34:43
quote:
Originally posted by nastycurve

I wouldn't change schools because a coach put my son on JV.

My son is in his second year of college playing and in high school he was a 4 year Varsity player. In 9th grade he played both varsity and JV and 10th-12th was strictly Varsity. Funny thing is, when he was in 10th grade we were getting a LOT of games rained out, he requested to go to and play some JV to keep the rust off. Had a blast playing a game at SS and pitcher. As a sophomore, he was one of the better players in the county, but didnt have the ego of "ive got to play varsity or else", he just wanted to play.

Its funny, kids and parents want coaches to conform to their schedule, but don't give the coaches the same consideration when it comes to planning their team. The OP mentioned that his son wanted to get stronger, so he was wrestling. Did he know ahead of time that wrestling bleeds into baseball? Which is more important wrestling or baseball? Has he ever heard of the weight room?
A personal trainer? Does his son want to be bryce harper, Clayton Kershaw or John Cena when he grows up? The player made a decision that was not in line with what the coach wanted to do with his team. He is the guy that makes the teams and the lineup. Maybe instead of telling your baseball coach "wait til I get finished wrestling", you tell your wrestling coach "Coach, its been fun but I gotta go"- or let him know up front you are out when baseball season starts. Obviously playing HS baseball on this team wasnt all that important, or else he wouldve been there. It cant be important when you deem it important and find time in your busy schedule to be there.

Glad everything worked out and he made it to JUCO, hope he has a great future. Just remember adversity never runs out, but eligibility does. Hope he doesnt see too many road blocks out there, you can only go sideways for so long!

:-)


Not sure how much you know about GHSA rules but you can not start playing a winter sport until the fall sport is over or spring sport until the winter sport is over for that school. If your team makes the playoffs in football, you can not go to tryouts for basketball until football is officially over. Most good coaches hold a week long practice for any players going from football to basketball and I have seen some kids on varsity get moved down after football was over and kids come out and take their spots, not just say well my team is already set so you are stuck on JV without a tryout or look. Years ago coaches wanted multiple sport athletes but the trend for most HS's is we want you to play on sport and only my sport.
nastycurve Posted - 10/27/2017 : 17:45:45
I wouldn't change schools because a coach put my son on JV.

My son is in his second year of college playing and in high school he was a 4 year Varsity player. In 9th grade he played both varsity and JV and 10th-12th was strictly Varsity. Funny thing is, when he was in 10th grade we were getting a LOT of games rained out, he requested to go to and play some JV to keep the rust off. Had a blast playing a game at SS and pitcher. As a sophomore, he was one of the better players in the county, but didnt have the ego of "ive got to play varsity or else", he just wanted to play.

Its funny, kids and parents want coaches to conform to their schedule, but don't give the coaches the same consideration when it comes to planning their team. The OP mentioned that his son wanted to get stronger, so he was wrestling. Did he know ahead of time that wrestling bleeds into baseball? Which is more important wrestling or baseball? Has he ever heard of the weight room?
A personal trainer? Does his son want to be bryce harper, Clayton Kershaw or John Cena when he grows up? The player made a decision that was not in line with what the coach wanted to do with his team. He is the guy that makes the teams and the lineup. Maybe instead of telling your baseball coach "wait til I get finished wrestling", you tell your wrestling coach "Coach, its been fun but I gotta go"- or let him know up front you are out when baseball season starts. Obviously playing HS baseball on this team wasnt all that important, or else he wouldve been there. It cant be important when you deem it important and find time in your busy schedule to be there.

Glad everything worked out and he made it to JUCO, hope he has a great future. Just remember adversity never runs out, but eligibility does. Hope he doesnt see too many road blocks out there, you can only go sideways for so long!

:-)
CaCO3Girl Posted - 10/25/2017 : 11:07:26
quote:
Originally posted by bama21

My response was to the general subject, not to you in particular.

Personally, I would not hesitate to switch schools. Playing sports is a window that will only stay open for a short time. Do what you have to and have no regrets. You don't want to look back one day and say..... what if?


bama21 Posted - 10/25/2017 : 06:42:46
My response was to the general subject, not to you in particular.

Personally, I would not hesitate to switch schools. Playing sports is a window that will only stay open for a short time. Do what you have to and have no regrets. You don't want to look back one day and say..... what if?
CaCO3Girl Posted - 10/24/2017 : 15:05:24
quote:
Originally posted by bama21

This topic gets addressed in some form each year.

The simple answer is: You do what's best for you and yours and let them do what's best for them and theirs.


You are right Bama, I was addressing a hypothetical NF1974 gave me.
bama21 Posted - 10/24/2017 : 13:59:29
This topic gets addressed in some form each year.

The simple answer is: You do what's best for you and yours and let them do what's best for them and theirs.
Hurricane Posted - 10/24/2017 : 13:49:01
As always great answer and I respect that!
CaCO3Girl Posted - 10/24/2017 : 13:17:11
quote:
Originally posted by Hurricane

quote:
Originally posted by CaCO3Girl

quote:
Originally posted by NF1974

CaCO3girl,

Let me ask you a hypothetical. I think that your son is a current sophomore. If you had a reasonable belief that your son was not going to make the Varsity team because of any # of reasons, and there was an equally or even better academic highschool closer, maybe with a Magnet program, closer to your home and with a better chance to make the baseball team, would you even consider letting your son transfer?

I see this as a grey area. My initial thought is that I would not let my kid change schools because of baseball but maybe it is not just baseball. It could me the whole picture. I also think that each kid and situation is unique.

I am bringing this up not to change the discussion but to let parents know a couple of things from a Dad who has been there and lived it and made it through. My son did not make his Highschool team his Junior and Senior years and is now playing in his 4th year at a D3 program and he loves it. His Highschool team was very competitive and although he was good, he did not stand out enough at tryouts to make the team. It was a big blow and we had a lot of emotions to deal with but he persevered, continued to play Travel Ball, take lessons and get better. We never even talked about or considered changing schools but looking back, I think I would have at least considered it.

Secondly, I was not very involved in the Program, boosters, getting to know the coachs' etc. I mistakenly believed that my sons' talent would be enough. It simply wasn't. The head coach at this Program is not a jerk but he was also swayed by politics and some other factors but I think this is normal. If I had to do it over again, I would have been more involved...





He is a current sophomore, and no I wouldn't transfer him. While baseball is very important to him, and there is zero doubt in his mind that he will be playing it for a long time, I won't let it define him. He is my son first and a baseball player second.

I didn't do Atkins, I don't Feng Shui my house, and I'm not buying into this new fad of "my life sucks, I'll just switch schools". I live on a certain road in a certain town and it is zoned for a specific school. THAT is my kids school. If he doesn't make the team then he doesn't. Why is that the end of the world to some people? He will still be on a top summer team and the recruiters will know what's up with his HS coach, it's not a large circle.

The only acceptable reason I have heard for switching schools is that the kids current school didn't offer the IB program, so entering into 9th grade the boy went to a different school. THAT kid is special, most aren't. I'd rather teach my kid to roll with the punches and make lemonade, rather than "There is always a way out of it,I can just sue people, or bully people, or finagle others to get my way", which is becoming a pretty big problem in the world.


I didn't do Atkins, I don't Feng Shui my house, and I'm not buying into this new fad of "my life sucks, I'll just switch schools".
Would you quit jobs if your boss was an A$$? Would you let your son transfer colleges if he does continue to play and decides he would get better chances of playing if he were to transfer? Or would it still be
"He is my son first and a baseball player second." At what point do you let your son make decisions for himself? Just asking and I agree your post was very well thought out and a good answer to the previous post.



Of course I'd quit my job if my boss was being an A$$, and if the coach is being an A$$ my kid is welcome to quit, but that doesn't mean changing schools. You know it's kind of funny, the older he gets the less I want baseball to define him. He needed that THING when he was younger, that THING that he was better at than most, that THING that drove him to be better some more, but he's going to be in college in 2 years and there has to be more than baseball.

We are all trying to raise decent human beings. We as parents can't let their self worth be determined by any one thing. Not by his girlfriend, not by only A's are allowed, and not by baseball. The term well rounded individual should be embraced by us all. YES, he's awesome at baseball, but what if he shattered his knee tomorrow? What if he does it his second year in college? He has to BE more than baseball or we aren't doing our jobs as parents.

So, to bring this back around, if he doesn't make the HS team it's not the end of the world. If he quits his HS team, it's not the end of the world. If he doesn't get playing time in college I would HOPE he would realize that that is also not the end of the world, and that his degree would get him in the door to coach baseball at a high school and he could continue to have baseball in his life.

As for at what time does he make decisions for himself...well I would like to hope we are there right now with most things that involve sports. I don't pick his glove, bat, pants, hats, or team (although I have veto power, LOL!) It's not my sport it's his. Things outside of sports such as transferring schools or limiting the amount of time he can contribute to a sport I feel those are health and education matters which I do have the final say on, for now.
Hurricane Posted - 10/24/2017 : 12:06:55
quote:
Originally posted by CaCO3Girl

quote:
Originally posted by NF1974

CaCO3girl,

Let me ask you a hypothetical. I think that your son is a current sophomore. If you had a reasonable belief that your son was not going to make the Varsity team because of any # of reasons, and there was an equally or even better academic highschool closer, maybe with a Magnet program, closer to your home and with a better chance to make the baseball team, would you even consider letting your son transfer?

I see this as a grey area. My initial thought is that I would not let my kid change schools because of baseball but maybe it is not just baseball. It could me the whole picture. I also think that each kid and situation is unique.

I am bringing this up not to change the discussion but to let parents know a couple of things from a Dad who has been there and lived it and made it through. My son did not make his Highschool team his Junior and Senior years and is now playing in his 4th year at a D3 program and he loves it. His Highschool team was very competitive and although he was good, he did not stand out enough at tryouts to make the team. It was a big blow and we had a lot of emotions to deal with but he persevered, continued to play Travel Ball, take lessons and get better. We never even talked about or considered changing schools but looking back, I think I would have at least considered it.

Secondly, I was not very involved in the Program, boosters, getting to know the coachs' etc. I mistakenly believed that my sons' talent would be enough. It simply wasn't. The head coach at this Program is not a jerk but he was also swayed by politics and some other factors but I think this is normal. If I had to do it over again, I would have been more involved...





He is a current sophomore, and no I wouldn't transfer him. While baseball is very important to him, and there is zero doubt in his mind that he will be playing it for a long time, I won't let it define him. He is my son first and a baseball player second.

I didn't do Atkins, I don't Feng Shui my house, and I'm not buying into this new fad of "my life sucks, I'll just switch schools". I live on a certain road in a certain town and it is zoned for a specific school. THAT is my kids school. If he doesn't make the team then he doesn't. Why is that the end of the world to some people? He will still be on a top summer team and the recruiters will know what's up with his HS coach, it's not a large circle.

The only acceptable reason I have heard for switching schools is that the kids current school didn't offer the IB program, so entering into 9th grade the boy went to a different school. THAT kid is special, most aren't. I'd rather teach my kid to roll with the punches and make lemonade, rather than "There is always a way out of it,I can just sue people, or bully people, or finagle others to get my way", which is becoming a pretty big problem in the world.


I didn't do Atkins, I don't Feng Shui my house, and I'm not buying into this new fad of "my life sucks, I'll just switch schools".
Would you quit jobs if your boss was an A$$? Would you let your son transfer colleges if he does continue to play and decides he would get better chances of playing if he were to transfer? Or would it still be
"He is my son first and a baseball player second." At what point do you let your son make decisions for himself? Just asking and I agree your post was very well thought out and a good answer to the previous post.
NF1974 Posted - 10/23/2017 : 13:41:51
Good answer
CaCO3Girl Posted - 10/23/2017 : 09:16:36
quote:
Originally posted by NF1974

CaCO3girl,

Let me ask you a hypothetical. I think that your son is a current sophomore. If you had a reasonable belief that your son was not going to make the Varsity team because of any # of reasons, and there was an equally or even better academic highschool closer, maybe with a Magnet program, closer to your home and with a better chance to make the baseball team, would you even consider letting your son transfer?

I see this as a grey area. My initial thought is that I would not let my kid change schools because of baseball but maybe it is not just baseball. It could me the whole picture. I also think that each kid and situation is unique.

I am bringing this up not to change the discussion but to let parents know a couple of things from a Dad who has been there and lived it and made it through. My son did not make his Highschool team his Junior and Senior years and is now playing in his 4th year at a D3 program and he loves it. His Highschool team was very competitive and although he was good, he did not stand out enough at tryouts to make the team. It was a big blow and we had a lot of emotions to deal with but he persevered, continued to play Travel Ball, take lessons and get better. We never even talked about or considered changing schools but looking back, I think I would have at least considered it.

Secondly, I was not very involved in the Program, boosters, getting to know the coachs' etc. I mistakenly believed that my sons' talent would be enough. It simply wasn't. The head coach at this Program is not a jerk but he was also swayed by politics and some other factors but I think this is normal. If I had to do it over again, I would have been more involved...





He is a current sophomore, and no I wouldn't transfer him. While baseball is very important to him, and there is zero doubt in his mind that he will be playing it for a long time, I won't let it define him. He is my son first and a baseball player second.

I didn't do Atkins, I don't Feng Shui my house, and I'm not buying into this new fad of "my life sucks, I'll just switch schools". I live on a certain road in a certain town and it is zoned for a specific school. THAT is my kids school. If he doesn't make the team then he doesn't. Why is that the end of the world to some people? He will still be on a top summer team and the recruiters will know what's up with his HS coach, it's not a large circle.

The only acceptable reason I have heard for switching schools is that the kids current school didn't offer the IB program, so entering into 9th grade the boy went to a different school. THAT kid is special, most aren't. I'd rather teach my kid to roll with the punches and make lemonade, rather than "There is always a way out of it,I can just sue people, or bully people, or finagle others to get my way", which is becoming a pretty big problem in the world.
NF1974 Posted - 10/19/2017 : 17:08:39
CaCO3girl,

Let me ask you a hypothetical. I think that your son is a current sophomore. If you had a reasonable belief that your son was not going to make the Varsity team because of any # of reasons, and there was an equally or even better academic highschool closer, maybe with a Magnet program, closer to your home and with a better chance to make the baseball team, would you even consider letting your son transfer?

I see this as a grey area. My initial thought is that I would not let my kid change schools because of baseball but maybe it is not just baseball. It could me the whole picture. I also think that each kid and situation is unique.

I am bringing this up not to change the discussion but to let parents know a couple of things from a Dad who has been there and lived it and made it through. My son did not make his Highschool team his Junior and Senior years and is now playing in his 4th year at a D3 program and he loves it. His Highschool team was very competitive and although he was good, he did not stand out enough at tryouts to make the team. It was a big blow and we had a lot of emotions to deal with but he persevered, continued to play Travel Ball, take lessons and get better. We never even talked about or considered changing schools but looking back, I think I would have at least considered it.

Secondly, I was not very involved in the Program, boosters, getting to know the coachs' etc. I mistakenly believed that my sons' talent would be enough. It simply wasn't. The head coach at this Program is not a jerk but he was also swayed by politics and some other factors but I think this is normal. If I had to do it over again, I would have been more involved...

Coach Manheimer Posted - 10/17/2017 : 16:32:15
Great points
afedele17 Posted - 10/17/2017 : 12:27:55
Love this discussion and good points made all around.
prestont Posted - 10/10/2017 : 13:23:22
Good points by many of the folks posting.

We have seen LOTS thru HS that many folks have mentioned. When my son was a freshman, two Senior 3-year letterman were cut and one went on to play at UGA. We've seen our share of coaching changes too, and attribute that to booster ball in the area we've lived in. Also have unfortunately been in a similar situation that hshuler highlighted where coach told my son that a school wanted to meet with him after they had already left the area.

More times than not, my son and I talk about the life lessons associated with HS ball, and reinforce that there is no substitute doing your absolute best, working hard, manufacturing your own luck thru preparation, and control the things you can control. Keep your eyes on the prize, wherever that may take ya.

Toprank hit the nail on the head.... Karma is a funny thing and always seems to catch up to those out there.
hshuler Posted - 10/09/2017 : 16:07:34
Okay, I'm coming out of retirement for this one.

I think we can all agree that there are many delusional parents out there - we all probably know a few - but there are also bitter, controlling, vindictive and unqualified coaches. If you don't think so then you're sadly mistaken and are probably lucky to have a good one.

You don't get to pick your high school coach but I have more than a few very level-headed friends who are in terrible situations. Yes, some coaches hold grudges or want to teach kids a lesson for various reasons. As a parent, your job is to do what's best for your kid. That's your responsibility and it really doesn't matter what someone else thinks. Clearly, Toprank did what he thought was best for his son and I'm glad that it worked out for them.

One thing to remember is that every kid doesn't have a year of development to throw away. I've heard of coaches in various sports doing some really questionable things. An example would be not telling parents/kids that ACME University wants him to come up for a visit this weekend. Luckily, the college coach knew the family and that wasn't like them and realized the kind of coach that he was dealing with. Here's the $64K question: If you aren't there to help the kids, what's the motive?
CaCO3Girl Posted - 10/09/2017 : 09:33:14
Renegade and Roaming....I still don't get it. Yes, my son has aspirations of D1, and even MLB if he can get there, but this is high school. Baseball is 5 months out of the year, as long as the coach isn't doing anything to phsycially hurt the kids why change the entire school? Better yet, if the guy is such a tool then people in the business know he is a tool and you just don't play HS baseball, the recruiters would understand, heck the poster said he knew kids cut their senior year and they played D1.

Changing houses and or schools for baseball seems WAY over the top. I get that the guy was a tool, I'm not saying the post was exaggerated, but leaving all the people the kid has gone to school with for what 10 years because of baseball? Baseball is important to my son, VERY important, but I wouldn't help him or let him switch schools because of it.
Renegade44 Posted - 10/06/2017 : 19:25:56
There just isn't much to do but leave by any means necessary a bad high school coach situation. Whether it be daddy coach ball, booster ball, or vendettas vs two sport athlete ball. Just leave. Its not worth the fight. Your clock is ticking each day you stay, and 1 season is already gone in a blink. Exit fast. ASAP as soon as you identify a bad situation. You'll never get the time spent fighting bs back.

Case in point. Daddy should never ever be allowed to coach his midget son in highest classification high school. But it is allowed sadly with no limits.

What has it cost over 2 seasons? 4 team fights. 3 parents on reprimand. 4 players suspended. Coach it has cost nothing.

Transferred out:
3 D1 Committed players.
1 Potential Pro draftee.
5 players who became All Conference at new school the first season AFTER transferring.

You can't beat the good old boy network until you change teams and play them.


RoamingCF Posted - 10/06/2017 : 12:26:29
@toprank, I get it. There are absolutely petty coaches out there (on travel & HS side). It's not a "take your toys & go home" in every instance - the challenge is to evaluate intent & make the best long-term decision - both can be learning situations. Let me give a non-baseball example.

My son has more than one teacher that he complains about..."they don't teach the subject well". In 33% of the instances, he's probably right. But in 95% of the instances, I am going to tell him to put in extra work & learn it on his own (or I will offer to help). It's life - you are not going to like the approach of everyone.

BUT, there are those 5% instances where something should be done. If the teacher is so poor/discouraging to the learning process (and usually the schools will do nothing), I need to evaluate if I want to take a stronger action (for the long-term benefit of my son). The negatives of remaining in the class outweigh the learning's from "sticking it out".

Make sense?

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