Players Stats Question

How does conference selection committees know for sure that players stats are accurate when selecting All-Conference/All-State teams? How do they know whether or not a coach is lying about his players stats just to get them recognition? Any thoughts on this from high school coaches?

 

Good question...

I don't know that a high scool coach would purposely lie about stats to get his player recognition...But, I do know that some stats can be subjective. I have seen coaches assign an error to SS for not catching a horrible throw instead of to the 2B who made the horrible throw.
It can be easy to overlook something from a player you think very highly of and be critical of one that you don't.

 

This is from a respected coach in the Charlotte area. This was written several years ago and to be honest, I don't know if the rules have been changed, but it is revealing nontheless:

All conference selection

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"The question about "backyard poltics" in voting for all-conference is a good one. Several years ago when we were in the SW4A conference, I made a proposal to vote out in the open, no secret ballot, and we did it for a year so you could see who was getting "shafted". I believed this worked, although the problem comes in and some coaches hold grudges and some good players pay the price for it.

What some fail to realize is this is a big deal to the players and it is unfair to leave off deserving players. In the MECA8 this year Coach Tyson made a proposal that to me makes the most sense; Every coach nominated their players, regardless of postion, and we picked who we thought were the best 18. We were also able to vote for are own players, so you were't obligated to pick a representative from each team. This, to me, was the best way to get a true all-conference team. Also, there is no doubt egos get in the way and "deals are made to protect 'your' players."

 

A "true" all-conference team isn't listing the best 18 players....that just gives you a logjam of pitchers and shortstops.

A true team is a TEAM: Name the best first baseman, second baseman, etc., judged against the others at that position....apples to apples, as my granny used to say.

 

All Shortstops and Pitchers?

You mean high school shortstops like Buster Posey right?

Maybe there's something to learn from FSU?

 

Not just the home run hitters anymore

THANK YOU...somebody finally knows what an all-conference TEAM really is.

 

Good point, Cliff. But is it an All Conference team or All Conference players?

I understand the notion about pitchers and shortstops, but in HS many play multiple positions. My concern is with, let's say equally deserving 3rd basemen: So one should be left off over a 2nd baseman with not nearly the success over the season?

 

Yes, when you're naming a team, there are going to be hard choices to make.....there should be.

When we pick all-Observer teams, for instance, there might be 7 OFs with great numbers....gotta pick 3, maybe slide another in as a DH.

It would do a disservice to other players to name a team, and not have every position accounted for.

For instance, on a football team, we hafta name a tight end, who may have 35 catches.....other WRs may have caught 70 passes, and been edged out at that position.

Call me a purist, but I like to see a real "team" when someone names the team.....

 

All Conference "team" vs "performers"

In my humble opinion, there is a difference. The selection process really does depend on what/who the conferences wish to recognize. Although I whole-heartedly agree with the "team" comment, I would submit that most people view the selection process as the latter - all conference PERFORMERS.

 

No argument from me if the process is to name a team vs the "best" players, regardless of position.

BTW, I really appreciate you taking part in the discussions. It's nice to have your viewpoint.