State Games

All of those factors play a part in the decision process, but I don't want to detract from the many, many coaches involved in the State Games that sacrifice their personal time and really have their hearts set on helping the players. I've got the utmost respect for Joe Hubbard @ NWC and Danny Hignight @ Providence. I can only speak about those two guys since they were involved with the State Games when my son had a chance to play. They worked tirelessly in helping all of the members on the team and spent much time away from their families to do that.:229031_ha

But there is no one correct way to select a team. There will always be some controversy. My problem was with Pirate's description the coach gave of the young man's talent. It almost sounded vindictive. I don't know who the coach was and I don't want to know or have it posted in here...but from the people that I know that are familiar with Alex's talents...the summation was not accurate.

 

Pirate...unfortunately you hit the nail on the head. The State Games tryouts are really not necessary. This is because the majority of the team has already been determined by names and politics. I admire your guts for being so open about the situation but now you will most likely face another one. Your son will probably be "blackballed" with no chance in **** of making the State's next year(EAST/WEST). I hope your son has a SUPER year next year. Try to help him to not hold a grudge. It is hard to explain to kids sometimes how "adults" can be so blatently unfair, but I know you will try for your sons sake.

 

State Games.

Just wanted to say, thanks for the honest replys because they really help me calm down and understand. As a parent of two ball players and probably the biggest fan of this great game of baseball, i just want these kids to enjoy playing while they can. I always tell my sons that baseball is a game and it could be taken away from them at any time, so have fun, always hustle and never disrespect the game. Why can't 4 coaches who are not coaching the team that year pick the teams for each region. I believe that would at least stop some of the politics or negativity behind the games. Again, thanks

 

The coach at our school put in his resume' to be on the State games staff. He's coached at our school for 9 years with something like 160 wins and 5 conference championships under his belt and you what the reply was? They sent him a letter saying he didn't have enough experience.
Hmmmm...

 

The "West" tryout for the seniors this year only had 1 actual tryout at Appalachian State Univ. The other date was rained out. No make up date was given. It gave me the feeling that the team was basically picked before tryouts occurred.

 

you hit the nail on the head

The tryout I attended produced the same results, no one paying attention. My son is 6'3", has a cannon for an arm, runs like a deer, and is one of the best base runners around. His plays outstanding defense, and hit a lowly .440 this season playing in a conference that had 2) D1 signees on the mound, in addition to 3 others @ the D2 level, and several who are commonly mentioned as the "next generation" of big time arms. Stetson University and U Maryland-Eastern Shore thus far have made their interest well known to him. There are others.
My thing is this: he has played against the head coach of his regions team 3 times in the last two years (out of conference, includes two scrimmages) and had very good games against them. They don't have an outfielder who could play at our school, yet when these rosters come out, they'll be loaded with players from those coaches teams. Something has to be done about this situation. It does not do what it is supposed to do, and the politics are sickening.
I didn't question, I never do. He wasn't disappointed, nor am I. It would have taken away from Legion ball. The process is tainted and needs reforming though.
I find soltace in the fact several of the state games players will be grinding it out @ McDonalds (hopefully some political activity can get them slightly above minimum wage) in the spring of 2008, while my son is getting an education and playing college baseball.

 

i agree baseball and high school athletics are getting way to political

 

My question is this.

Is it wrong for a coach in the state games, who will put in about 6 hours in each try-out, numerous hours on the phone (often long distance) and doing the paper work, 5 days coaching and being chaperon to 20 teenagers all for the grand sum of zero dollars, to take one of his players if the kid is a decent player?

I know there are coaches who may complain about their kid not making a team. Well, they are welcome to get involved in the process.

 

i am going to have to defend my fellow coaches on this topic. i have been involved in the state the past 5 years (glad for a break this year) it is a very time demanding process for the coaches (but well worth it). there are usually 3 tryouts with about 50+ kids at each one sometimes more. you have about a total of 60-75 good players to evaluate. it is very tough to get the team down to 20 players. one reason a coach may keep his own player is he KNOWS what that player can do. with the other players he must guess and project what they can do. i really did not feel any politics involved in the process. did we probably keep a few we shouldn't and cut some we should of kept? i bet we did.... but i bet it wasn't because of politics, but because of really not being able to see how that kid can play in 3 tryouts with 50+ other players. unfortunately every year kids get left off the rosters that should make it. this is just the nature of the game.

 

When and where are State Game rosters announced?