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Earlier this year, I was faced with a dilemma concerning my son, an 8th grader still in middle school. The high school baseball coach asked him to bypass the middle school team and try out for the high school varsity baseball team. Before jumping to any conclusions concerning his talent, I must dislcose that the high school program is mediocre at best. They don't generally have enough players to field a JV team let alone a freshman team. The school is primarliy known for its academic achievements and excels at what I call “country club” or “preppy” sports (e.g., tennis, swimming, lacrosse, etc.) rather than “traditional” team sports (e.g., basketball, football and baseball).
With that said, my son played competitively in various travel baseball leagues throughout South Florida (lefty pitcher and first baseman). He’s perfomed well against many of the teams that have gone on to win prestigious travel tournaments held across the United States.
My son pleaded to let him tryout. I agreed despite having some reservations about his age. The high school coach – a former minor league catcher – called me within just a few days to let me know he made the team. He indicated my son would receive significant playing time but there was one condition -- he had to quit his travel team.
My son did not want to leave his travel team and friends since they are in the midst of a three-peat league championship. He asked me to let him play on both teams since most travel games are played on weekends and high school games on weekdays. He also agreed to pitch solely for the high school team to avoid overuse of his arm. I refused and told him it was too dangerous on many levels. He reluctantly agred to give the high school his full and undivided attention.
The travel team coach – who happens to be an assistant coach on another local high school team (a baseball factory that produces numerous collegiate and professional players annually) - was upset and warned me that he was still too young to pitch at the high school level. He said there was a significant risk of hurting his arm due to overuse. I shared these concerns with the high school coach and he told me not to worry that he would not utilize my son extensively as a pitcher.
The season started slowly with my son initially playing every other game. He was used as a relief pitcher and received few at bats. After 7 games, however, he made his first start in right field. The next two games he started at first base. During this time, the head coach continued to use him as a relief pitcher on an every other game basis i.e., he pitched once per week. Last week, however, he made his first start as a pitcher and the team won its first game of the year. Last night, he made his second consecutive start as a pitcher against an opponent with a couple of MLB draft prospects. He pitched extremely well giving up just 1 earned run in 5 innings nearly leading his team to a victory.
So far so good, right? Okay, here’s my concern.
I promised the Travel Ball coach we would return upon the end of the high school season. The high school coach, however, wants my son to participate in a summer conditioning program. Frankly, my son wants to play with this travel team since - as he puts it - the travel team would kick the high school team’s #$%& if they played each other. He really likes his new high school teammates ("they are cool, dad and drive cars") but misses playing with higher quality players and the thrill of winning games and competing in tournaments.
I’m concerned about not participating in the summer conditioning program as it may alienate the head coach who is trying really hard to build a baseball program. It may also send the wrong message to the returning high school players. They might view my son as some sort of prima donna. They now view him as “one of the guys” even though he is just a kid. I also don’t want him to do both as I generally require him to stay completely away from baseball for at least 30 days every summer. Doing both is too taxing on the arm and he needs a mental break from the game.
What should I do?
With that said, my son played competitively in various travel baseball leagues throughout South Florida (lefty pitcher and first baseman). He’s perfomed well against many of the teams that have gone on to win prestigious travel tournaments held across the United States.
My son pleaded to let him tryout. I agreed despite having some reservations about his age. The high school coach – a former minor league catcher – called me within just a few days to let me know he made the team. He indicated my son would receive significant playing time but there was one condition -- he had to quit his travel team.
My son did not want to leave his travel team and friends since they are in the midst of a three-peat league championship. He asked me to let him play on both teams since most travel games are played on weekends and high school games on weekdays. He also agreed to pitch solely for the high school team to avoid overuse of his arm. I refused and told him it was too dangerous on many levels. He reluctantly agred to give the high school his full and undivided attention.
The travel team coach – who happens to be an assistant coach on another local high school team (a baseball factory that produces numerous collegiate and professional players annually) - was upset and warned me that he was still too young to pitch at the high school level. He said there was a significant risk of hurting his arm due to overuse. I shared these concerns with the high school coach and he told me not to worry that he would not utilize my son extensively as a pitcher.
The season started slowly with my son initially playing every other game. He was used as a relief pitcher and received few at bats. After 7 games, however, he made his first start in right field. The next two games he started at first base. During this time, the head coach continued to use him as a relief pitcher on an every other game basis i.e., he pitched once per week. Last week, however, he made his first start as a pitcher and the team won its first game of the year. Last night, he made his second consecutive start as a pitcher against an opponent with a couple of MLB draft prospects. He pitched extremely well giving up just 1 earned run in 5 innings nearly leading his team to a victory.
So far so good, right? Okay, here’s my concern.
I promised the Travel Ball coach we would return upon the end of the high school season. The high school coach, however, wants my son to participate in a summer conditioning program. Frankly, my son wants to play with this travel team since - as he puts it - the travel team would kick the high school team’s #$%& if they played each other. He really likes his new high school teammates ("they are cool, dad and drive cars") but misses playing with higher quality players and the thrill of winning games and competing in tournaments.
I’m concerned about not participating in the summer conditioning program as it may alienate the head coach who is trying really hard to build a baseball program. It may also send the wrong message to the returning high school players. They might view my son as some sort of prima donna. They now view him as “one of the guys” even though he is just a kid. I also don’t want him to do both as I generally require him to stay completely away from baseball for at least 30 days every summer. Doing both is too taxing on the arm and he needs a mental break from the game.
What should I do?
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