Playing for another TB team?

[TexAg]

Has anybody's kid ever played for a different travel ball team that just needed a player for a weekend? How'd your kid react to playing with different teammates? Did they seem isolated or were they welcomed? Did they seem like the pressed harder trying to impress?

Here's the scenario:

TexAg Jr's team isn't playing in a local tournament this weekend, but another team somehow got our info and asked (left a voicemail) if he'd be able to play for them. I know that team's coach and my son's team's coach are "friendly" and don't think there'd be any issues with that (I wouldn't try to hide it and I'd tell my son's coach if we do play), but don't know how he'd react to playing with them.

[Bolts-Baseball]

My kid 'guest-played' a few times... most of the time he knew a few guys, sometimes he didn't know anyone... It was fine. Most teams enjoy having another good player on the team. It's something that every aspiring player should get used to doing at some point though... I don't think he'll need to impress anyone, they called you, not the other way around.

[songtitle]

Has anybody's kid ever played for a different travel ball team that just needed a player for a weekend?

Sure. No problems.

[tg643]

Has anybody's kid ever played for a different travel ball team that just needed a player for a weekend? How'd your kid react to playing with different teammates? Did they seem isolated or were they welcomed? Did they seem like the pressed harder trying to impress?

Here's the scenario:

TexAg Jr's team isn't playing in a local tournament this weekend, but another team somehow got our info and asked (left a voicemail) if he'd be able to play for them. I know that team's coach and my son's team's coach are "friendly" and don't think there'd be any issues with that (I wouldn't try to hide it and I'd tell my son's coach if we do play), but don't know how he'd react to playing with them.

My son played for a mediocre team that had trouble maintaining a roster in 14U just to play extra games. I told him to say he would play left and bat ninth. I didn't think it would be right for him to walk in lead off and play short. My son would be polite to fit in. Most of the players knew of him and respected his game. One weekend he met another extra that over the course of the weekend convinced him to play for us the following year. I found it more awkward to be the parent there. I wasn't part of the social circle.

[Encinitas]

Son is going pitch Sunday the first elimination game for a 14U Sunday game. Not a part of the team, and probably not joining the team, but it's a little bit of dead time and they asked for the help so why not? He is going to play for a 16U in the fall, but this is just something to stay sharp and help the team out. He did bat 11th the last time we did this, I didn't want him taking away someone's spot, but they really wanted an extra pitcher due to arms. Unfortunately the coach played him at 1B the next game for three solid inningas before the "regular" 1B's came over asking of little Johnny was feeling OK since he hadn't played yet. That was a bit uncomfortable. I will say since both kids have been playing HS ball and the older showcase ball, we tried this a couple of weeks back and I'd forgotten what it was like to have so much "parental" involvement. That is parents who are not coaches spending way too much time around the dugout.

For me much like TG I was not part of the parental click.

[raptor]

Has anybody's kid ever played for a different travel ball team that just needed a player for a weekend? How'd your kid react to playing with different teammates? Did they seem isolated or were they welcomed? Did they seem like the pressed harder trying to impress?

Here's the scenario:

TexAg Jr's team isn't playing in a local tournament this weekend, but another team somehow got our info and asked (left a voicemail) if he'd be able to play for them. I know that team's coach and my son's team's coach are "friendly" and don't think there'd be any issues with that (I wouldn't try to hide it and I'd tell my son's coach if we do play), but don't know how he'd react to playing with them.

My son has not..but we have had several guest play with us over the seasons..so just speaking from the other side..the ones who fit in the best had calm parents who got along with the group and who just acted like one of the guys. They also tended to perform better. If he knows guys on the team already it will be especially easy so I wouldn't worry in the least!

[raptor]

I told him to say he would play left and bat ninth. I didn't think it would be right for him to walk in lead off and play short. My son would be polite to fit in. [/QUOTE]

That's the key to a successful guest play..Imo. Good players and parents know teams will not disrupt a lineup any more than necessary so they know the deal. We frequently pick up kids in the fall because of football conflicts. How these things are handled often shape future relationships.

[tradosaurus]

I told him to say he would play left and bat ninth. I didn't think it would be right for him to walk in lead off and play short. My son would be polite to fit in.

That's the key to a successful guest play..Imo. Good players and parents know teams will not disrupt a lineup any more than necessary so they know the deal. We frequently pick up kids in the fall because of football conflicts. How these things are handled often shape future relationships.

Reminds me of Luke 14:7-10.

My son was picked up to play a few games with a 17U high school summer league team. He was the 10th player for a double header and batted last but played both games every inning.

[soceric]

Has anybody's kid ever played for a different travel ball team that just needed a player for a weekend? How'd your kid react to playing with different teammates? Did they seem isolated or were they welcomed? Did they seem like the pressed harder trying to impress?

Here's the scenario:

TexAg Jr's team isn't playing in a local tournament this weekend, but another team somehow got our info and asked (left a voicemail) if he'd be able to play for them. I know that team's coach and my son's team's coach are "friendly" and don't think there'd be any issues with that (I wouldn't try to hide it and I'd tell my son's coach if we do play), but don't know how he'd react to playing with them.

Been there and done that. Most important thing is the coaching. I wouldn't fill in if it weren't a coach I wouldn't want my son playing for regularly. Some teams need to fill in, because of absences, and some want better players for a tournament to be more competitive. Done both of these. I think this is a very good learning experience for a young player if handled right and your son has your support. I have basically introduced my son to the coach, then I sit down, and don't say a word. I've taught him to be humble but honest. Where can you play? "anywhere you need me to play coach." Where do you normally play? "Up the middle coach." Wherever the coach plays him or bats him is fine by me, and I tell my son to not worry about taking anyones spot. If the coach plays him at short and bats him 3rd, he's the one in charge. You will need a thicker skin in the stands. Tell your son to find a throw partner early also if he doesn't know anyone.

[lancers]

Playing on different teams is part of TB life if you want to give your kid more playing time and reps. A lot of times the kid might be more excited to play with new players. You never know:gt

[AdamInNY]

My kids and their teams have done this. My younger son is very outgoing and can do this, my older son is more introverted and really isn't comfortable doing it.

I think it depends on the kid and situation. I see it a lot when it comes to weekend tournaments to make sure there is enough pitching.

Adam

[soceric]

Has anybody's kid ever played for a different travel ball team that just needed a player for a weekend? How'd your kid react to playing with different teammates? Did they seem isolated or were they welcomed? Did they seem like the pressed harder trying to impress?

Here's the scenario:

TexAg Jr's team isn't playing in a local tournament this weekend, but another team somehow got our info and asked (left a voicemail) if he'd be able to play for them. I know that team's coach and my son's team's coach are "friendly" and don't think there'd be any issues with that (I wouldn't try to hide it and I'd tell my son's coach if we do play), but don't know how he'd react to playing with them.

Been there and done that. Most important thing is the coaching. I wouldn't fill in if it weren't a coach I wouldn't want my son playing for regularly. Some teams need to fill in, because of absences, and some want better players for a tournament to be more competitive. Done both of these. I think this is a very good learning experience for a young player if handled right and your son has your support. I have basically introduced my son to the coach, then I sit down, and don't say a word. I've taught him to be humble but honest. Where can you play? "anywhere you need me to play coach." Where do you normally play? "Up the middle coach." Wherever the coach plays him or bats him is fine by me, and I tell my son to not worry about taking anyones spot. If the coach plays him at short and bats him 3rd, he's the one in charge. You will need a thicker skin in the stands. Tell your son to find a throw partner early also if he doesn't know anyone.

[TexAg]

All, thanks for the advice. After talking with both coaches and my son, we're going to do it. Coach got into a bit of jam with Saturday games and football, so we're happy to help him out. I've already told my son that he's probably going to be playing a different position than he's used to, but we have tonight and Friday to practice it, but he's excited to try something different.

My initial concern was that, though we've played this particular team numerous times over the past year, they are made up kids from a neighboring LL and didn't know how he'd be received. I was glad to know he wasn't being brought in as a "ringer" and is truly helping them out of a tight spot numbers wise.

[Mur5]

We had to pick up two kids this past weekend to fill our roster for a tournament. It was the first time we've had to do it so I wasent sure how my players would react, although our team knew of the two kids as we had played their team a few times before. It went great, my kids seemd to step up their game as not to look bad in front of the new guys. The kids all got along great. One of the mothers even filled in on score keeping duty!

[tg643]

When my son was 13U he was a guest player on a 16U community based travel team. I could see the WTF look on other players faces when this little squirt showed up. I dropped him off for BP and returned as the game was about to start. They had him at second. In the bottom of the first he went right to the bat rack. He was the leadoff hitter. I could hear the groaning from the other parents. Good thing he doubled, stoled third and scored on a grounder. What really gained him acceptance was taking a fastball in the ribs with the bases loaed in the bottom of the 7th to win the game. After 2-3 and a hbp he was accepted. Durng the second game the other parents started talking to me.