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seminole tony
147 Posts |
 Posted - 07/29/2011 : 09:03:24
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Thoughts on your child being moved from his primary position in high school due to a shortage of position players.
Is it fair to the child being moved only because he's "Too Good".
The school has a shortage of infielders, primarily shortstops. The child is stellar at another position that he's played his whole life(catcher). Is easily going to give this years senior catcher a run and led the high school last year in throw outs and pick offs(as an eighth grader)on the JV team. The child only wants to play catcher and pitch occasionally. Now being "told" you have no choice. Your son has the best hands, feet work and quickness, Soooooo... your now going to be our future shortstop for the high school.
I've talked to several sources(opposing high school coach and minor league pitching coach) who have told me he's too good a catcher to switch. That most high schools all have "good" shortstops and his best shot at a college looking at him would be at catcher because there is few really good catchers available.
I know it's really early to be getting worried, but my son already voiced his opinion that he wants to switch schools so that he can stay at this position.
We have the option to move around(transfer to another high school) the school district in our county.
I know this probably comes up every year in high school but what are some thoughts?? I know the coach runs the program. It was just hard to hear him say in one breath that yes he's the best catcher but we have two other children behind him that will probably develop and work. This could ruin his college chances.
But as the coach said " he's looking out for his program, not for individuals". |
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in_the_know
985 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2011 : 09:20:19
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Welcome to HS ball. The desires and wants of the individual become completely superseded by the team and coach's needs. As a disclaimer to anything I'm about to type, you need to think first and foremost about what's best for your son and family in the long run. No HS coach is going to do that, so it's incumbent on you to do so.
If switching schools is what you feel is best for your son, then do it, HOWEVER, understand that you might find yourself in the same boat again, regardless of where you play. Some other catcher might come up on your HS that knocks your son out of his starting role. Or some injury might occur to another position player and the team's best option might be to move the 2 catcher to the 1 slot and move your son to another position if he's most flexible.
Also, understand that any future teams (HS/college, otherwise) might see your son in a position different than you and move him to meet their needs. I have a very close friend that was a rising SS in the MLB system and had made it to the AAA level. That team drafted a blue chip SS and moved my buddy to 2b, a position he had never played in his entire career. He couldn't make the transition and is now coaching HS ball. His stance is to ensure every player has a primary and good secondary position so that this doesn't happen to someone else. You might want to explain to your son that he becomes more valuable the more positions he can play.
Just my .02, and as I disclaimed, you know your situation best, so you need to make the decision that best suits your son. Good Luck and welcome to the wonderful world of HS ball. They all set it as their goal and then begin to understand the comment "be careful of what you ask for" when they get there. |
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rippit
667 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2011 : 10:00:39
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How refreshing!! A dad unhappy that the coach WANTS his kid to play SS...that almost never happens.
I guess all the other SS who grew up in your area were daddy ball coach's kids???
I don't know the answer - tough spot to be in. Good luck!
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smoke
91 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2011 : 11:20:08
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transfer to whitewater we'll take him, seriously, another way to look at it on the positive side is that it should give him an opportunity to develop more as a pitcher and i already know he's a good pitcher, also IMO playing other positions will make him more valuable as a player over the next few years, he will still be able to catch during the summer months & maybe even fall if he doesnt play football. hey,i liked the warpaint he had on in pc........we missed u there. |
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ItsjustLLBBall
119 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2011 : 12:28:02
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| Change schools now...What is the deal with coaches down here?? They need to realize that they are not bigger than the game. I am dealing with a similar coaching situation right now. My son plays baseball and football, he was the starting QB on the 7th grade team, threw for close to 2000 yards and 30 td's, but because he missed football this spring and summer due to baseball, he has fallen to 2nd on the depth chart...and yes, I said middle school...how absurd is that???? They are telling him that he needs to make a decision??? Are they serious???? |
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itsaboutbb
164 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2011 : 21:15:14
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quote:
Originally posted by seminole tony
Thoughts on your child being moved from his primary position in high school due to a shortage of position players.
Is it fair to the child being moved only because he's "Too Good".
The school has a shortage of infielders, primarily shortstops. The child is stellar at another position that he's played his whole life(catcher). Is easily going to give this years senior catcher a run and led the high school last year in throw outs and pick offs(as an eighth grader)on the JV team. The child only wants to play catcher and pitch occasionally. Now being "told" you have no choice. Your son has the best hands, feet work and quickness, Soooooo... your now going to be our future shortstop for the high school.
I've talked to several sources(opposing high school coach and minor league pitching coach) who have told me he's too good a catcher to switch. That most high schools all have "good" shortstops and his best shot at a college looking at him would be at catcher because there is few really good catchers available.
I know it's really early to be getting worried, but my son already voiced his opinion that he wants to switch schools so that he can stay at this position.
We have the option to move around(transfer to another high school) the school district in our county.
I know this probably comes up every year in high school but what are some thoughts?? I know the coach runs the program. It was just hard to hear him say in one breath that yes he's the best catcher but we have two other children behind him that will probably develop and work. This could ruin his college chances.
But as the coach said " he's looking out for his program, not for individuals".
So is he going to be a freshman? If so, let the senior have his last year as a catcher. Your son has three more years to be that catcher. Because after he graduates who is going to catch? Keep him doing drills as a catcher and catch in the summer and fall. If as a sophomore he doesn't catch, signora. |
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seminole tony
147 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2011 : 22:16:23
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| Got some more good advice. Play the shortstop position this year at high school then go back to catching on the showcase team in the fall and summer. We all know that's where the college scouts will be anyway. That way when they show up(hopefully)they may be pleasantly surprised to see him in a new spot doing well. All wishful thinking. |
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rippit
667 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2011 : 05:35:36
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| Tony: just make sure you check the GHSA rules when transferring high schools. You don't want him to have to sit for a year. |
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oldmanmj
191 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2011 : 12:14:19
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The only way you can transfer schools with not loss of season:
1-Physcially move into the school boundaries.
2-Educational hardship, that school offers something that your does not for eductational focus.
3-Public to private school transfer.
Tell you middle school football coach that if you are going to the district AD and filing a complaint. My one son started Varsity in HS for 3 years football and baseball. He never made a summer workout because of Elite baseball. His senior year, no changes in schedule, a captain on Defense his Jr year, the football coach says he not committed to the team and tells him he can't play. Do you hear law suit! Put the coach in his place, it is public school and it is voluntary and free!!!!!!! If your son is any good, he will back playing quickly. |
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rippit
667 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2011 : 19:27:19
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| Double check the public to private rules. Pretty sure you still have to move and claim that the district you are moving into is bad and therefore you are switching tour som to private school. Seriously. BTDT. |
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seminole tony
147 Posts |
Posted - 07/31/2011 : 10:19:47
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My wife works for the school system which gives us the option to send our children to the school of our choice. We have to provide the transportation though. We have already talked it over(wife,son,myself) and decided to play this season and play fall and summer ball on the travel ball team. No summer or fall on the schools high school team. I have to play my son where I know he's the best. Not where the coach needs him. No disrespect to the coach in any way, I see the spot he's in but there should have been a little middle ground. My son will be the best short stop in the area...NO DOUBT IN MY MIND! Just wish there could have been some discussion over the move first.
And who knows, the switch may make him a better catcher and in the process save his arm a little for pitching and catching. |
Edited by - seminole tony on 07/31/2011 13:49:38 |
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zwndad
170 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2011 : 16:56:50
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My 2 cents ... if you are at the high school that is right for your kid, stay there and play there. I wouldn't make sports a primary reason to change schools.
I totally agree with the other advice you said you received: play where the high school coach wants you during high school season (the shortest season of all), and play catcher on your summer/fall travel team. High School baseball is about the team/program's needs. Travel/Showcase baseball at the high school is about the individual player.
You can fit nicely into both. |
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ecbstix
115 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2011 : 08:14:57
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quote:
Originally posted by ItsjustLLBBall
Change schools now...What is the deal with coaches down here?? They need to realize that they are not bigger than the game. I am dealing with a similar coaching situation right now. My son plays baseball and football, he was the starting QB on the 7th grade team, threw for close to 2000 yards and 30 td's, but because he missed football this spring and summer due to baseball, he has fallen to 2nd on the depth chart...and yes, I said middle school...how absurd is that???? They are telling him that he needs to make a decision??? Are they serious????
It doesn't just happen in Baseball and Football... My son played on his school's 7th grade Basketball team last season. He had limited playing time and came off the bench, which in the right situation I'm fine with. But the situation here was the starting 5 were the 4 coaches kids and the best athlete on the team! What ARE these coaches down here thinking? They need to realize that the Game is bigger than just their kid and stop using their position to promote their kid...OR GIVE UP COACHING! |
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oldmanmj
191 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2011 : 10:55:09
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| Seminole Tony, you may want to check that first. My wife works for a school district also. The only change you can make is this, my understanding because we looked into doing the same: To not loose a year of eligibility, your son can attend the high school that she works at. If she does not work at that school, he can attend the high school that the school she works at feeds into, but he will still lose a year. If you school district has a school of choice policy it is for academic reason only. I got this from both our school district AD, the county school board and the state GHSSA athletic department. Be careful. It is the same in California, Colorado, AZ, NV and UT. |
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elitegamers
117 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2011 : 11:02:03
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| Good to see educated baseball people actually agreed with my take on the situation. :) |
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Charlie Hustle
29 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2011 : 10:01:38
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| Hey Tony, know you personally and would hate to see your son, who I think the world of as a fine young man, and one heck of a talent , and you as a man of integrity , leave this program, when my son is preparing to join it. We need all the right people around , to continue moving this program forward for these young men involved in it. I know you will do what you think is best for your son , and I understand any decision you make ! Looking forward to spending time with you this spring at the old ballyard ! Take care , know you will ! |
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3sondad
220 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2011 : 11:33:56
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quote:
It doesn't just happen in Baseball and Football... My son played on his school's 7th grade Basketball team last season. He had limited playing time and came off the bench, which in the right situation I'm fine with. But the situation here was the starting 5 were the 4 coaches kids and the best athlete on the team! What ARE these coaches down here thinking? They need to realize that the Game is bigger than just their kid and stop using their position to promote their kid...OR GIVE UP COACHING!
4 dad Coaches in Basketball??? No red flag there.
IMHO The worst site in baseball to me is 5 dad "coaches" standing outside the dugout along the baselines yelling at the players after every play. Luckily most umpires put a stop to that, but we have been in a few tournaments where the umpire did not mind. |
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Dr. Old School
314 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2011 : 14:43:17
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Moving from Public to Private, Private to Private, or Public to Public requires some level of proof that it is not about going for a sport (smaller classroom sizes, different curriculum, etc).
Moving from Private to Public is easier by arguing that you can't financially afford to pay the private school fees anymore.
Many times players have to play other positions in HS. It is part of having 4 age groups in the same program. Sometimes it is because you have an upperclassman ahead of you. Sometimes it is because you are versatile enough to play multiple positions, but another player is not. The combined results may be better with you playing another position than with you playing your "BEST" position. |
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11UFAN
149 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2011 : 21:48:38
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quote:
Originally posted by ItsjustLLBBall
Change schools now...What is the deal with coaches down here?? They need to realize that they are not bigger than the game.
The players need to realize they are not bigger than the game either. It is a "TEAM" and many, many, many players are asked to play where they are needed, not necessarily where they want to play or even what postion they are the best at.
The SS is a very important every day position and it is incumbent on the coaches to put the "best" player in the position so he can put the best "TEAM" on the field.
How would your son feel if they gave in and played him at catcher and the guy they put in at shortstop made a ton of errors and cost the "TEAM" win after win?
My understanding is that the vast majority of scouts don't place much emphasis on high school ball anyway, it is all about the showcases.
If you guys cant stomach the change run to another school but dont be surprised if it doesn't happen there too.
Plus, chicks dig SS's and the long ball. If he plays the position and can rake he won't be wanting for a date to homecoming..
JMO... |
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2011 : 23:24:54
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First of all, the issue with transfers has nothing to do with public to private. It has to do with GHSA vs GISA. If you transfer between them, you have no sit out to worry about. Transfer within GHSA, Then you have hurdles to jump through, even if it's from public to private.
Secondly, you should play where the team needs you in HS. Baseball is a team sport and you do what's best for the team. Others are right in that your son can catch during the summer. Many, many players do not wind up playing their favorite position the further up the baseball ladder they go. Look at Bryce Harper. Played HS, college and summer as a catcher and was drafted as an outfielder. Buster Posey grew up a SS and was moved to a catcher in college. You never know and your son is WAY too young to be deciding what he will play for the rest of his baseball career now. HS coaches are responsible for putting together the best team with the personnel they have. There is nothing wrong with that. If he didn't do that, then there would be something wrong. Don't worry about it at this point. Play where the team needs you. It's the right thing to do. |
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HITANDRUN
436 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2011 : 13:32:29
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| How good is the baseball program at the school? How good is the head coach of the baseball program at the school? Those answers are more important than what the coach wants. If he is a highly respected baseball coach then I would trust in what he says and let my son play SS for the school then back to Catcher in travel. If it's some yahoo coach or program leave. I had a friend played SS all his life was asked to move to Center Field his senior year. Fell in love with CF and never wanted a thing to do with SS again. Got a partial to go to a D-1 school. Would have gotten nothing at SS I don't think. |
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