Is it wrong......

Braves,

IMO - No way. It does a disservice to all of the players that busted their hump to make the team based on athletic merit. What your father - or any relative - does for the school or the team should have nothing to do with whether you earn the honor of wearing the team's uniform.

Buying membership should be limited to country clubs IMO.

Hope all is well with you and yours T.
Regards

 

Probably the toughest duty of a coach is making the cuts necessary, particularly if effort was not a negative factor. Coaches will be second guessed to death on the last roster spots anyway - as there is sometimes very little difference between some of those players we keep and the ones we cut. Therefore I personally think it is very important that you keep only the players who you feel earned it with their talent and effort.

Parents and players might be able to question your judgement (was player A really better than player B), but as a coach your integrity and fairness should never be up for discusssion.

 

If its down to cut day and a coach has 2 or 3 kids who are on the bubble, and appear at the time to be "equally" advantageous to his program, etc. (i e One may have a better arm, another speed but cant hit, another who can mash but cannot outrun a 3 year old) and the parents of one of the kids is a supporter and contributor to the program, most coaches would rightly (I think) take the kid they know who has contributing parents. But to knowingly keep a no chance kid with Daddy warbucks and let a kid go with greater talent/upside who's parents didnt contribute is wrong. Happens all of the time, but is wrong.

 

Let's say that you have two kids with similiar talent. One (as you say) has the father that contributes alot to the program, while the other comes from a one parent family or a family where the Dad travels and cannot put forth the time and or money. Kid number 2 has better potential.

No brainer is the way I see it. You stick with kid # 2 (better for the ball club) and tell Dad #1 exactly what you thoughts and feelings are. No matter what he contributes. He probably won't like what you say, but you would be better off without someone like him that (probably) has bought his way on team's before.

It just isn't fair to the kid that is not so fortunate to have his family around him 24/7.

 

I have been a varsity coach for 5 years now. Actually, I have a full time job, outside of the school, and then I help the Head Coach with what ever needs to be done. It is my belief that only those that are deserving and worthy should be allowed to play on the Varsity. I also remember the HONOR of earning a Varsity Letter. If the player is not going to receive a letter, but is just there for status then, maybe, but I am still against it. The varsity is for your cream of the crop players, not for the best parents.

 

High school baseball would be much better. If we kept all you deep pocket parents stay in the stands(pay for play) instead of the dugout. Your messing up my game!!!!

 

is it wrong

i have seen more than 1 high school baseball coach (who swore that he would not be 'political') let a boy, who is not as good as another, play because this boy's dad paid for stuff or his mom headed the booster club. i have even seen a dad 'pay-off' the lights at a field so his son could play the position the mom wanted him to and the coach left the better player on the bench--- no matter what high school coaches say to make themselves look good or feel better about themselves, they all are slaves to the richest parents and will not be fair to all of the other players. maybe it's because public schools are poor (great job with tax money) or the coach tries to look good to the principal/faculty/staff. but anyway, it is not fair to the boys who work hard and don't have the same resources as the rich kids or the boys who have parents with ethics.

 

I left out something!!!

I am not a parent!!! I am a private citizen (Deputy Sheriff), who loves baseball. I am completely against pay for play on a High School Varsity Team. If the "kid" can't contribute in the field/at the plate, he takes away from the whole team. If "you" let one in this year, "you" will have a dozen next and so on.

 

Ya know, I think most of the high school coaches here at TBR would take offense at that. I do. I work hard and had a kid transfer this season because his dad felt I wasnt playing him as much as he deserved, this dad ran the concession stand and kept my book till late in the season, when he told me he would no longer suppport the team because his son wasnt getting to play enough. I had 8 seniors on a pretty good team this year, the underclassmen that played for me deserved to play, and there are people on this board that can attest to that.

PLease do not group all coaches together if you have sour grapes toward a particular one.

I hope this doesnt offend you, but I had to get it off mny chest.