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metsFan
63 Posts |
 Posted - 01/17/2015 : 11:35:48
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I had a conversation with another parent regarding parent attendance at the HS tryout. I'm in the camp that believes it should be a drop off and pick up. He seems to feel that watching from the bleachers is ok. Obviously we both agree that there should be no communication during (get your glove down, your elbow up, etc) the process.
For those that have gone through the HS tryouts, what is your opinion on this? |
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2015 : 13:16:08
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| I went to a couple tryout days, but watched from a FAR distance, up in the parking lot. Generally, stay clear, but if you go, be as unobtrusive as possible. And do not be giving instructions to your son for sure. |
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DecaturDad
619 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2015 : 16:17:42
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During last year's try outs, when my son was a freshman, I watched a little bit from the parking lot or behind the outfield fence. Never from the bleachers. Also, if you are close enough for the coach to figure out who's dad (or mom) you are, you are too close.
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GeorgiaBaseball
21 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2015 : 19:26:17
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| Stay away, far, far away. It's time to let go and allow little Johnny to grow up. You will look silly, maybe even a little creepy lurking from the parking lot. Some teams have a scrimmage to wrap up their try out week. Sometime parents are invited. Sometimes they are not. |
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Ross
60 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2015 : 23:23:24
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Georgia Baseball - well said. I would say it is a little past the time little Johnny needs to grow up.
My kid is a sixth grader trying out for middle school. I have no plans to be at tryouts. I have assisted him in his preparation tryouts are all him. If this is what he wants to do he needs to be able to own it. High School, NO WAY. Middle aged man lurking in a HS parking lot, I believe you can get arrested for that. |
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nastycurve
244 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2015 : 23:40:27
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| You guys are way off base. You should get there early, walk through the dugout giving instructions to the kids to try hard and show how bad they really want it (be sure to correct anything the kids do wrong as the tryout continues). Also talk to to the coach, tell him "I've got this" and begin hitting fungo as a warmup for the boys. Once you give him the fungo, get your clip board out and rate the players as they go through drills. From there, get the data together and forward to the coach and staff via email. Video is a plus. Let them know who the best players are, and also who should start and at what positions. |
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LittleDawg
91 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2015 : 10:02:07
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@Nastycurve - That is AWESOME Had me laughing.
On a Serious note - our HS Coach invites the parents and in his words "I can't keep you away anyway" but he also adds, "if you come, stay back, don't instruct and just watch" The boys, especially freshman are nervous enough. When it's over - to just let the know how proud you are of them. |
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DecaturDad
619 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2015 : 11:39:56
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quote:
Originally posted by nastycurve
You guys are way off base. You should get there early, walk through the dugout giving instructions to the kids to try hard and show how bad they really want it (be sure to correct anything the kids do wrong as the tryout continues). Also talk to to the coach, tell him "I've got this" and begin hitting fungo as a warmup for the boys. Once you give him the fungo, get your clip board out and rate the players as they go through drills. From there, get the data together and forward to the coach and staff via email. Video is a plus. Let them know who the best players are, and also who should start and at what positions.
So that was you I saw at try outs? I knew I should have been more involved  |
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ECBraves2015
31 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2015 : 12:35:54
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Very good Nasty !!
If you feel compelled to go .... just stay away from other parents ... you won't believe what they say !! |
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SSBuckeye
575 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2015 : 19:28:05
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| There's absolutely nothing wrong with going. But just stay far back. I plan to go out tomorrow, because I have the day off and can think of nothing better to do with a nice day off! |
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jmac83
46 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2015 : 21:14:56
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| If it matters to you, your son most likely does NOT want you on the premises during tryouts. |
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Ross
60 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2015 : 09:05:45
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quote:
Originally posted by SSBuckeye
There's absolutely nothing wrong with going. But just stay far back. I plan to go out tomorrow, because I have the day off and can think of nothing better to do with a nice day off!
If there is nothing wrong with going, then why would you need to stay far back? |
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SSBuckeye
575 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2015 : 09:43:21
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| Our HS coach has invited parents and feeder players but asked that they not interfere with the workout, so best to stay back. Nice to know that you know my son better than I do, LOL! |
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billbclk
164 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2015 : 12:48:26
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There is nothing wrong with going to watch.
If you want to watch then “just watch”. If you think you won’t be able to remain silent or show negative body language then stay as far back as possible. Besides, you are going to miss almost every practice and a handful of games over the next four years, so get your baseball fix. Relax and enjoy yourself. Stressing over whether to watch a tryout is trivial compared to watching him play with NO input. If the coach is smart, “most are”, he will start putting parent faces together with new players (you are his revenue stream and future work force).
In the end your child will make it or he won’t. It’s not the end of the world and most notably NOT the end of baseball. As far as your child not wanting you to be there, he needs to relax as well. I told my son that we are baseball fans and not only have we watched you play but you friends as well.
People like to say “let them go . . . it’s time for them to grow up”; good luck with that. You are not likely to go from being actively involved, watching every game and most practices for the last 5 – 7 years to turning them loose cold turkey.
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nastycurve
244 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2015 : 12:56:51
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Decatur Dad, it was I... Trying to let these high school guys know about my extreme expertise in making their life easier. Not sure why they kept laughing as I worked, mustve been an inside joke. I did recommend earlier that they could go coach JV and you and I could handle Varsity, maybe that was it :-)
In all seriousness(somewhat), I dont think its a big deal for parents to attend tryouts, as long as they dont interfere(cheer or instruct), just let the boys play. At this point in their lives, they have a pretty good idea about what they are doing out there, and this is their time to go to work and earn something. If you attend, bring yourself a drink and a snack and just enjoy the work.
I'm headed to clean the concession stand before tryouts!! |
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Critical Mass
277 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2015 : 14:07:35
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Agreed, don't forget the caprisun juiceboxes, string cheese and gogurts for post practice.
Seriously, don't do it. You have zero control and it will only add pressure to you son's practice, plus he doesn't need you there to reference/question practice relevant events, post mortem that occurred and ask why you did this or that?
quote:
Originally posted by nastycurve
You guys are way off base. You should get there early, walk through the dugout giving instructions to the kids to try hard and show how bad they really want it (be sure to correct anything the kids do wrong as the tryout continues). Also talk to to the coach, tell him "I've got this" and begin hitting fungo as a warmup for the boys. Once you give him the fungo, get your clip board out and rate the players as they go through drills. From there, get the data together and forward to the coach and staff via email. Video is a plus. Let them know who the best players are, and also who should start and at what positions.
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Edited by - Critical Mass on 01/19/2015 15:43:14 |
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2015 : 16:20:12
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Everybody is going to think something different, but there is a difference between being a helicopter parent that sticks their nose where it doesn't belong and being a parent that likes to watch baseball. I saw parents at tryouts trying to get a leg into the program and get involved with the team, and I saw more than one parent - from freshmen to seniors - stop by to watch some tryouts from a distance. I, personally, don't see anything wrong with a parent stopping by to watch from a distance.
I don't know about you all, but by the time the spring season comes around, I am going thru major baseball withdrawals. And any little bit of baseball to watch is much needed. For me, it was not a matter of wanting to oversee the process or deluge my son with feedback. I just wanted to watch a little baseball. And I did ask my son ahead of time if he minded if I stopped by and watched from afar. He didn't care. Take it for what you want. But that's my opinion. |
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2015 : 17:11:44
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| To add to my last post, my son is playing in college and won't start playing games till February 1st. I've been thinking a lot about going by the old HS parking lot to see what's up for tryouts there. Just because I really want to watch some baseball. I don't know anyone there including the coach (he's new). I just need a baseball fix!! :) |
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SSBuckeye
575 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2015 : 18:20:22
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| I went to the freshman tryout today and my son isn't even a freshman. Just needed a baseball fix on a beautiful day! I was not alone and no parent spoke to their kid. Nothing wrong with that unless the HS coach has made it known that he doesn't want you there. |
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rippit
667 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2015 : 19:12:23
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Bballman I'm with you. It was beautiful outside and a holiday as well. A few folks always show up but nobody interferes. I guess all our parents know the drill and don't act like rednecks. If it makes your kid nervous, what's he gonna do come game time? What's he gonna do when it's the quarters, semis or lord willing the finals next May and the atmosphere is juiced?!
Our kids for one are going to be under a microscope all spring. We are their biggest supporters and we want them to know that from day one. I'm like you. Just needed a baseball fix!! |
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Critical Mass
277 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2015 : 08:20:37
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quote:
Originally posted by rippit
I guess all our parents know the drill and don't act like rednecks.
I detect some hate for the country folk.
quote:
Originally posted by rippit
If it makes your kid nervous, what's he gonna do come game time?
I don't think it matters if you or any other parent are there for that matter. It's what the "parent" wants to do and not what the kid wants, especially in H.S. where preparing kids for life after living with Mom & Dad is most important.
just my .02 |
Edited by - Critical Mass on 01/20/2015 09:33:40 |
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LittleDawg
91 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2015 : 08:32:02
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I attended the early tryout but stayed back. There may have been 35 freshman and sophomore boys but only 2-3 parents. I noticed a mom watching tucked back behind the concession stand and asked "Do you think we're far enough away" and she said "Oh yes, my son made it clear, 'you can come but stay back'" I laughed and told her that mine said the same. I than asked which kid was hers and she pointed to the Tennis Courts about 50 feet away and said "The tall one serving" LOL Apparently Tennis tryouts were yesterday too.
Nice to know that we (the baseball community) are not the only crazies out there |
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nastycurve
244 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2015 : 13:18:32
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| Tell the tennis mom to email me, I have the proper etiquette for Tennis tryouts also... Starts with my John McEnroe handbook... |
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CaCO3Girl
1989 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2015 : 15:35:16
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I kind of wish every parent would show up to HS tryouts, in fact I think it should be mandatory!
1. You, as the parent, get to see what you will be dealing with in the stands! (Okay I know it's about the KIDS, but I think we would have passed on a few travel teams had I known what was waiting in the stands!)
2. The coach gets to see which parents will be a problem, and it could affect their kid's chance to get on the team! That or send around a contract stating coach has the power to ask ANY parent not to attend official baseball activities!
3. The coach can see which parent spooks the heck out of their kid, no point in having the perfect SS tryout and then when Daddy comes to the game the kid is fumbling over his own cleats for fear of getting yelled at by dad in front of everyone! (Again, that parents stay away contract is sounding good!)
MAKE IT MANDATORY, MAKE IT MANDATORY!!! |
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Critical Mass
277 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2015 : 16:39:27
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I like the enthusiasm CaCO3Girl but most, if not ALL H.S. HCs could care less about the parents except from the standpoint of their participation in fundraising, & program including the booster club etc. Only a small percentage do the heavy lifting anyway so the majority are only there for their kids. This smacks a bit of rec ball all stars to me where parents think they are more important than they are in the game.
quote:
Originally posted by CaCO3Girl
I kind of wish every parent would show up to HS tryouts, in fact I think it should be mandatory!
1. You, as the parent, get to see what you will be dealing with in the stands! (Okay I know it's about the KIDS, but I think we would have passed on a few travel teams had I known what was waiting in the stands!)
2. The coach gets to see which parents will be a problem, and it could affect their kid's chance to get on the team! That or send around a contract stating coach has the power to ask ANY parent not to attend official baseball activities!
3. The coach can see which parent spooks the heck out of their kid, no point in having the perfect SS tryout and then when Daddy comes to the game the kid is fumbling over his own cleats for fear of getting yelled at by dad in front of everyone! (Again, that parents stay away contract is sounding good!)
MAKE IT MANDATORY, MAKE IT MANDATORY!!!
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in_the_know
985 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2015 : 20:41:56
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Exactly. The atmosphere between travel and HS are completely different. If a coach sees a kid constantly being coached from the stands, the kid will be on the bench. It's a my way or the highway and it's clearly understood. The parents who are disgruntled with the HS coach tend to be the quietest. Complete 180 from what you've seen in travel ball.
That said, I don't disagree that parents, particularly freshmen parents, should come see how their kids compare to the upper classmen. Unbelievable size difference. The difference in hitting power is significant. Not that there aren't a few kids that stack up, but the overall size and strength difference is immediately obvious. My son told me that day one of tryouts had all the returning varsity as a group. When they hit, the underclassmen pitched to them and vice versa. The returning varsity squad was denting the OF walls while the underclassmen were getting K'd or hitting weak grounders at best. Afterward the coach told the underclassmen that this was varsity ball. That was the pitching level they'd have to face and if they were pitchers, those were the batters they'd have to get out. It was a big aha moment for the boys and probably a bigger aha moment for any freshman parents watching.
quote:
Originally posted by Critical Mass
I like the enthusiasm CaCO3Girl but most, if not ALL H.S. HCs could care less about the parents except from the standpoint of their participation in fundraising, & program including the booster club etc. Only a small percentage do the heavy lifting anyway so the majority are only there for their kids. This smacks a bit of rec ball all stars to me where parents think they are more important than they are in the game.
quote:
Originally posted by CaCO3Girl
I kind of wish every parent would show up to HS tryouts, in fact I think it should be mandatory!
1. You, as the parent, get to see what you will be dealing with in the stands! (Okay I know it's about the KIDS, but I think we would have passed on a few travel teams had I known what was waiting in the stands!)
2. The coach gets to see which parents will be a problem, and it could affect their kid's chance to get on the team! That or send around a contract stating coach has the power to ask ANY parent not to attend official baseball activities!
3. The coach can see which parent spooks the heck out of their kid, no point in having the perfect SS tryout and then when Daddy comes to the game the kid is fumbling over his own cleats for fear of getting yelled at by dad in front of everyone! (Again, that parents stay away contract is sounding good!)
MAKE IT MANDATORY, MAKE IT MANDATORY!!!
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Parents attend HS tryouts?
