Monday's Tryouts

We have some wrestlers and even they get some off-season work in. Our field is open weekends and we have covered batting cages.

 

I know that Ardrey Kell has 5-6 players on the basketball team that they are counting on...and the BB team is in the playoffs. They may miss 6-8 games

I went to Providence HS's tryouts and all I can say is that Coach Hignight had a smile on his face..........all day. They are young and LOADED!!! If they have the pitching to go with their position players....Watch Out!!!!!!!!

 

Kids do make the team that were not there previous years.....my son's Senior year we had a player that had tried out his Freshman, Sophmore, and Junior years each time getting cut.

He kept working and didn't give up and not only made the team his Senior year but earned a starting position on the team.

So, all though teams seem to be pre-determined I do feel most coaches will recognize a player if they will help the team.

 

Common at South Caldwell.

 

So what is a kid to do to distinguish himself?

I offered up my original post to generate some discussion on the material I presented. It went, has went, very well in my opinion. Thanks Coach27 for your, yet again, on tract remarks. Would like to meet you some time.


So I now get that these tryouts are valid, in most circles, to look at those kids that, for one reason or the other, have not participated in the pre-season workouts.

To quote myself:

"How can a kid distinguish himself by trying out? If the teams are already decided then what is the kid to do?"

HUSTLE! As someone said in a book a read, "You never know when someone is watching you." (Uhm that little guy that played 2nd base for Atlanta I think)


IMO that is the key at all levels.

 

Our coaches have a good idea what the players are capable of before tryouts. During the non-mandatory workouts most returning players are there with the freshmen and some upperclassman. I know our coaches watch some middle school games during the year and know the players that are in-coming freshmen. From the tryouts I saw, no surprises for Varsity. However there was the 1 kid that will probably make JV that nobody knew about. Quite a surprise

 

HS Baseball

I coached my son from the time he was able to walk (literally) until he made his HS team. Having coached him through t-ball, rec ball, AAU, USSSA, etc., I made the decision that once he made the HS team, my involvement would be limited to "away from the field" work on fundamentals. In order to maintain a healthy father-son relationship, I hired a hitting instructor and a pitching instructor ( sad to pay money for things I get paid to teach) - the arrangement worked. As a coach, I vowed NOT to be the parents about whom I often complained to my wife. Parents need to know when to "LET GO". As a parent, part of knowing when to "let go" is the comfort level you with the coach and coaching ability of the coach to whom you entrust your son (In my case, my ONLY son - although I do have a daughter). I have never been a HS coach - I went to the collegiate ranks instead - so I have never filled those "shoes". However, I have witnessed LOTS of HS coaches in action - and there are some very good ones - and unfortunately - some that are not so good. The good ones run excellent practices, manage the game and roster well, develop their players, and have the respect of the players. Therefore, 2 days is plenty of time for a good coach to assess a player's skills.

To the parents, my advice is contained in the speech I always gave my Travel Team parents and players - "Players play, fans cheer, and coaches coach. Decide today in which category you belong and become the BEST you can be in it. Since I am the coach and already have my assistant coaches, there are only 2 categories left. Choose well!" Fortunately, I have had few problems with parents. I can assure you that should your son be fortunate to play college baseball, mom and dad are relegated to "bleacher creatures" - they look so good there!

 

So what is a kid to do to distinguish himself?

I would suggest "the player" have a sit down meeting with the coach. The PLAYER should ask what his strengths and weaknesses are and in which areas he needs to improve. Ask the coach for specifics - WE LOVE TO TALK BASEBALL. An underclassman enhances his chances for next year - especially when he can show the coach dedication to getting better. Ask the coach to recommend someone with whom the player can work to improve his skills. Oftentimes the reason a player is cut has little to do with ability but a lot to do with numbers. A freshman or sophomore has a limited chance to make a Varsity team loaded with returning players who are Juniors and Seniors.

I would never SAY a team is picked in advance - but ...... I think those obstacles can be overcome.