Politics in High School Baseball

It's definitely real. I experienced it while in high school, and I hear about it from various people now. I admire the way you handle your players, coachevans, but not all coaches or high schools are as democratic. I do, however, believe that the best programs are successful because they do take winning seriously, so they play the best players. The mediocre schools are probably more prone to the politicing.

 

happens all the time most everywhere. how many times has your coach started sr's because they've worked hard not ebcause they're the best player?

 

If "DAD" could PLAY, he would still be playing!!! PERIOD!!:sponge:

 

I was reading back through this post and I saw a statement that makes me ask this question:

Is there really that much politics in HS sports or is it more in the parents minds because their son / daughter was not good enough to make the team or break into the starting line up?

 

It does exist

Yes, it does exist at the high school level. I do also agree that alot of it is brought on by SOME parents but not all. I experienced it, and I not one time opened my mouth to anyone about it. I showed up and supported the team every game even though mine wasnt participating. I encouraged him daily to keep a positive mental attitude and be ready in case the time came. But he had no communication from the coach at all. He just wanted to know what he needed to work on daily to better his game, and know he was atleast working on the reason he wasn't getting the PT. Unfortunately that communication would would never come his way. Thats the thing I have the problem with, and I'm not meaning for the coach to give a reason why it was happening. It's alot easier for a kid to hit the practice field daily with a good feeling if he knows what he needs to accomplish and work towards. I would have no problem with it at all if the team was performing at a average level, but they were below .500 and no real changes were ever made or tried. Now let me say that by no means am I saying that it's like that everywhere cause thats not the case. I have a huge respect for all coaches and appreciate the time and effort that goes into it cause I know for a fact it's not for the pay. It's for the love of the game.

 

If you have a situation like Roadking where the Coach does not communicate with the players...how do you handle or address the "politics"?

 

Politics

Communication is the key, frankly in my time I have never had a coach that would not tell a player what he needed to work on to contribute to the team. Quiet honestly, they have always been upfront and told all players if asked one on one where they stood on the team. Roadking, I can understand your aggravation if the coach did not communicate.
I have in the past heard a coach tell a parent and athlete the reason he was not getting playing time was because he was trying to compare himself against his team mates instead of working on what he could do to become a better player and team mate. Then the coach gave this player some specific goals for improving. Eight games later this kid was starting.
In my opinion this kid was the best athlete the coach had. Now with that said, he was a more all around team player from that point. The coach felt this kid needed to grow and gave him a life lesson. Sure, it was hard to swallow from a pride standpoint, but this kid's character came through it.
I can't understand why a coach would play favoritism, the kids on the team know who is the better players at those particular positions. I will also go as far to say that at least 90% of coaches on the high school level do what they feel is right for their team. It is the 10% that hurt the
integrity of coaching. Shame on them.
In the situation Roadking has described, I believe I would after the season ask the coach for a meeting. From that point lay it out. I believe the coach will communicate if the subject is approached tactfully.

 

Politics in Baseball? You bet, it's part of life. Life is not fair and even though we as parents get upset, it is a fact I kids must learn to deal with. As I said in a previous post, it's a hard lesson to explain to children how unfair adults can be. We try to explain it away, but sometimes we have to be honest with our kids and simply say...there is no explanation son, except that the best choice isn't always the one made.

I know for a fact that coaches play favorites, even at the expense of the team sometimes. I have heard of a coach telling a parent they would not ruin a "x" year friendship with another parent by not playing their kid. If the team got to pick the starters together I believe they would put the best on the field. Just ask your kid who's the best at certain positions, they will know!

 

best players

Personally I've never seen a coach yet that didn't put his best players on the field. Usually he wants to win as much as anybody. I have seen them bench a good player because of discipline problems, tardies, absents, and ect and he should...just my thoughts

Carolina Man

 

i see it every year.often it's a coach playing loyal sr's when there are better options among underclassmen