High school tryouts

[TG Coach]

I know there are a few posters with kids close to my son's age (high school freshman). In case anyone wants to know ....

It was good news and bad news. The bad news is JR didn't make varsity. None of the freshman made varsity. The only sophomore who made varsity will catch. Sophs who were called up last year didn't make it.

The good news is JR was told he'll probably be called up midseason to play 2B, and/or 3B and pitch. He was told from this point to next season varsity SS is his to lose.

I figure the coach knows he's in for a losing season. He's rebuilding from a losing tradition. Rather than cut a bunch of upper classmen and deal with their parents screaming to the AD**, he's going to let the freshmen and sophomores get some JV seasoning, then bring them up when the upper classmen fall on their faces.

JR's happy. He's high on the radar screen, has a shot at being called up and has pole position on varsity shortstop for next year. This is as good as I expected it to be.

** Last year when the lineup was six juniors, a soph and two seniors and the pitching staff was two junior starters and a senior, the parents excuse was the team was young. I don't call juniors young. The parents are pumped for a big senior season with all the experience. Being a senior doesn't make a bad player good. There's a lack of reality among the parents. But they never took their kids out of the county and challenged them. They just kept telling them how good they were in their little world, not that they ever won anything in their little world.

[Steven Tyler]

I know there are a few posters with kids close to my son's age (high school freshman). In case anyone wants to know ....

It was good news and bad news. The bad news is JR didn't make varsity. None of the freshman made varsity. The only sophomore who made varsity will catch. Sophs who were called up last year didn't make it.

The good news is JR was told he'll probably be called up midseason to play 2B, and/or 3B and pitch. He was told from this point to next season varsity SS is his to lose.

I figure the coach knows he's in for a losing season. He's rebuilding from a losing tradition. Rather than cut a bunch of upper classmen and deal with their parents screaming to the AD**, he's going to let the freshmen and sophomores get some JV seasoning, then bring them up when the upper classmen fall on their faces.

JR's happy. He's high on the radar screen, has a shot at being called up and has pole position on varsity shortstop for next year. This is as good as I expected it to be.

** Last year when the lineup was six juniors, a soph and two seniors and the pitching staff was two junior starters and a senior, the parents excuse was the team was young. I don't call juniors young. The parents are pumped for a big senior season with all the experience. Being a senior doesn't make a bad player good. There's a lack of reality among the parents. But they never took their kids out of the county and challenged them. They just kept telling them how good they were in their little world, not that they ever won anything in their little world.

Wow! All I can say is.....Wow!

[jima]

I know there are a few posters with kids close to my son's age (high school freshman). In case anyone wants to know ....

It was good news and bad news. The bad news is JR didn't make varsity. None of the freshman made varsity. The only sophomore who made varsity will catch. Sophs who were called up last year didn't make it.

The good news is JR was told he'll probably be called up midseason to play 2B, and/or 3B and pitch. He was told from this point to next season varsity SS is his to lose.

I figure the coach knows he's in for a losing season. He's rebuilding from a losing tradition. Rather than cut a bunch of upper classmen and deal with their parents screaming to the AD**, he's going to let the freshmen and sophomores get some JV seasoning, then bring them up when the upper classmen fall on their faces.

JR's happy. He's high on the radar screen, has a shot at being called up and has pole position on varsity shortstop for next year. This is as good as I expected it to be.

** Last year when the lineup was six juniors, a soph and two seniors and the pitching staff was two junior starters and a senior, the parents excuse was the team was young. I don't call juniors young. The parents are pumped for a big senior season with all the experience. Being a senior doesn't make a bad player good. There's a lack of reality among the parents. But they never took their kids out of the county and challenged them. They just kept telling them how good they were in their little world, not that they ever won anything in their little world.

TG, sounds like your son is in a good position. Congratulations to him. We've got a similar situation here. Our school is public and the highest classification w/ approximately 1500 students. The head coach certainly seems to favor keeping upper classman on varsity even when sophs are better players. I think he figures that unless you are a phenom, everyone will get two yrs at the varsity level. I think you are correct in that I believe this quiets the parents of the upper classmen. Its fine this year when my kid is freshman but I know I will be annoyed when the 13 juniors on the varsity this year all make the team as seniors and the remaining spots go to the 4 sophs on JV who will be juniors...when I was in school (the stoneage) the best 15 upperclassman made the team no matter whether they were sophs, juniors or seniors. I'm curious how others feel about this....Jake, Drill, TG?

[TG Coach]

JR did have a good tryout. He went 3-4 with a double and pitched a shutout inning with two K's. He struck out two starters and doubled off a starter. If he was touching 85 on the mound instead of 80 and hitting balls over fences instead of line drives I might be upset he's not on varsity. I don't have an issue with a senior falling on his face before a freshman gets his chance.

Making varsity doesn't mean he's ready to compete against superior opposing varsity talent. He could get overwhelmed. Physically he doesn't look like a varsity player. He's still fourteen, still has a lot of growing and hasn't filled out at all. If the program was strong like our basketball program a freshman wouldn't have a shot in hell of making varsity anyway.

If a freshman starts the season on varsity and plays horribly because he's really not ready, where does his confidence go? It could go either way. If he starts well on JV, gets called up and doesn't do that well, he's had a partial good season on JV and the coach can tell him he's seen the competition and what it will take to succeed the following year.

[TL_Dad]

TG glad to hear the good news about your son. My son is also a 14 yo frosh his tryouts start on Monday. I am hoping for the best. The coach has already said no freshmen will be moved up to varsity. That is fine with me I just want him on the field not the bench.

[Jake Patterson]

TG, sounds like your son is in a good position. Congratulations to him. We've got a similar situation here. Our school is public and the highest classification w/ approximately 1500 students. The head coach certainly seems to favor keeping upper classman on varsity even when sophs are better players. I think he figures that unless you are a phenom, everyone will get two yrs at the varsity level. I think you are correct in that I believe this quiets the parents of the upper classmen. Its fine this year when my kid is freshman but I know I will be annoyed when the 13 juniors on the varsity this year all make the team as seniors and the remaining spots go to the 4 sophs on JV who will be juniors...when I was in school (the stoneage) the best 15 upperclassman made the team no matter whether they were sophs, juniors or seniors. I'm curious how others feel about this....Jake, Drill, TG?

I always say the best 15 stay regardless of their history... That's what I say... Then I don't have the heart to cut the less-talented hard working player who has played for me for three years for the talented newbie. I always say I'm only keeping 14 and always keep 18. Some discretion is needed.

[dw8man]

TG,

It is nice to have the update. I really enjoy getting to hear and follow some of the kids on this site. What they are getting to experience is exciting and rewarding but sometimes can be difficult and heart wrenching at the same time. I know for us parents it doesn't seem to get any easier.

My son didn't make varsity after try outs but was asked to move up the day of the first game. He is playing for both JV and Varsity. He is 3-0 on JV and actually got to pitch an inning of relief for the varsity this past Saturday. He did well (1 SO, 1 hit, 1 Unearned run) but said he was very nervous. He is supposed to pitch again for the varsity this weekend, but it looks like the cold and rain might have something to say about that!

[bbjunkie]

TG - Sounds like your boy is doing fine.

As you may recall, my boy is also 14 and a freshman. Unfortunately, we have a small school and much of the potential talent plays lacrosse. Therein lies the problem.

We didn't have enough kids trying out to have 13 players on varsity and JV. One of the rules (I don't know if its a school rule or state) is that Jrs and Srs can't play JV. They're either varsity or out. Because of the number shortages there are a few kids on varsity who shouldn't be. The V coach actually appologized to me because my boy is still on JV. Nonetheless, he is getting a V jersey and will play in games when there isn't a conflicting JV game.

There are 2 freshmen and one sophomore on varsity, but the heart of the team are all juniors (6 or 7 of them). The 2 freshmen have been mooses since the age of 10. They are both about 5'10" and weigh about 180 and very good ball players. The soph is probably the best natural athlete in the area. My boy is still 5'5" and 100#, although the V coach admits that he may technically be among the best in town. (SIGH)

Oh well, he'll get a lot of PT on JV, including being the #1 pitcher. The V is ranked 3rd preseason after finishing 2nd in the region last year. Next year, when my boy will certainly be V, the team should dominate just about everyone they play.

Good luck to your son. I know he's worked hard for it.

[Twitch5]

He struck out two starters and doubled off a starter. If he was touching 85 on the mound instead of 80 and hitting balls over fences instead of line drives I might be upset he's not on varsity.

WOW!!!! From what I've seen, 70+ is well above average for freshmen and/or 14 year olds. 80 mph should be an automatic ticket to varsity ball.

Twitch5

[Baseball gLove]

WOW!!!! From what I've seen, 70+ is well above average for freshmen and/or 14 year olds. 80 mph should be an automatic ticket to varsity ball.

Twitch5

Not if varsity already has 2-3 kids throwing 90 mph and 3 more throwing 85-89 mph. My 15 year old throws 80-85 mph from the mound and 87 mph from shortstop and plays JV. He averages 1.8 K's per inning.

[dw8man]

Not if varsity already has 2-3 kids throwing 90 mph and 3 more throwing 85-89 mph. My 15 year old throws 80-85 mph from the mound and 87 mph from shortstop and plays JV. He averages 1.8 K's per inning.

Are those average speeds or max?

[CoachB25]

TG, all sounds normal. I never understood the concept of kids playing because of their year in school. I've always gone by "the best play." That concept is very simple AND it motivates everyone to keep working. Also, I say at the banquet each year that their "letter" is for that year's achievements. They will have to earn everything again the next year. We're a school of 1300 that plays a schedule comprised mostly of schools out of conference that are 2000 or more.

Wow, I didn't realize that we had so many posters on line that have sons that are 14 and freshmen. My daughter is 14 and a freshman as well. We were fortunate in that she did make varsity. Now, and as was pointed out, can she keep on varsity and play? Too bad we all live so far apart. My dd's into athletics and is 5'10" tall and ... Of course she's a pitcher and so, her bicep is bigger than most of the boys her age. LOL!

[Baseball gLove]

Are those average speeds or max?

Average. Two of the varsity pitchers max at 93-94. My 15 year old cruises throwing 2 seam fastballs at 80 mph. He has been gunned from SS at 87 mph.

[Drill]

My boy is still 5'5" and 100#, although the V coach admits that he may technically be among the best in town. (SIGH)

My son may be an inch taller youngest 13 year old on JV team. When coach called to talk to us about our son being on the team he said the same thing. Our son catches, but is behind a sophomore catcher and a 14 year old that is a good athlete that started school a year late. He will be 15 Oct. Good bunch of catchers. The good thing is that they all get along and sounds like from practice that they are getting catching time. Because of redistricting in the future all the catchers will be gone except for my son. Which will be good and bad, because of back up. At least my son will have time to grow and get more experience till that time comes. I am under no delusions where my son stands when looking at the older/more mature players, but he has talent.

For now I am happy he is having a good time and maintaining a 4.0 average in school. Now all we need is some warmer weather.




Been watching pro and college games and it seems you can't be big enough or strong enough. No wounder there is a drug problem in baseball at all levels.



drill

[dw8man]

Average. Two of the varsity pitchers max at 93-94. My 15 year old crusies throwing 2 seam fastballs at 80 mph. He has been gunned from SS at 87 mph.

Wow, that must be great to see. We have one sr pitcher that avgs 88 and maxes around 93. So far, not many can hit him. I guess if you see those speeds more often, it isn't as big a deal.

Are those two being scouted for pros?

We had a player from a county HS go in the first round supplimental last year. He was a lefty (unfair advantage) and threw in the low 90's max. His control was terrible but they must have felt he was a trainable. I think they liked his slider too.

Our pitcher has had a number of scouts at his games and rumor has it, he might be a late first day draft prospect. That would be cool! I would be happy if another HS coach was scouting my kid, let alone a pro or college scout.

BTW... I have no idea how fast my son throws. I know that he competes with the older pitchers on the team (except for the sr mentioned above). I guess one day we'll have to find out.