Returning Starters

Question???? A player had a good year last year, but this year he is really struggling. How many chances should he get to perform like last year? When is it unfair to the reserve player, who was told he was competing for the position? Does the reserve player get the same opportunities the starter had? A question I think alot of players struggle with.

 

Case by Case!

Alot of variables to consider attitude personality work ethic on the field and in the classroom... Intiative team "oriented etc... ALWAYS a tough decision by a coach! The returning starter if he has contributed greatly in the past gets the benefit of the doubt in my book as long as HE is NOT hurting the team if u know what I mean! Sorry for the short respeonse just thoughts off the top of my head! IMHO Perhaps more to follow!?

 

I believe that you have to put the best 9 players on the field every game. Conference time is critical to a team racing for a playoff birth. If the struggling pitcher is hurting the teams chances of getting to the playoffs then you have to make a change to someone who isn't.

 

I have to agree with bigleagueumpire. If your pitcher isn't getting it done, or your lead off hitter isn't getting on base or your infielder is making numerous errors; I believe you give the returning starter the preseason workouts and early nonconference games to get it turned around. If you have a player, that in the opinion of the coach is performing better, it would be unfair to the team and the player to keep the returning starter in a situation where he is struggling. You should do what needs to be done to have the best conference season so you give the other player a shot. It may be that the returning starter has been put in a situation where he is putting too much pressure on himself and a change may be beneficial. If he had been a relief pitcher and was now number 1, or had been batting 6th and was now leadoff it just might be that the player may welcome some relief as some players respond well to the spotlight and some do not.

 

This is something players struggle with, the thing Coaches and parents have to help with is the explanation of why it's occuring to the player.I'm sorry son he's just better than you are, you must work harder. This is a statement Parents seem to have a problem saying in some cases.

Some kids come up playing on pure talent with not much work, some kids come up playing on their parents contributions and inschool politics, and some kids really struggle and work hard to become a better player.
The workers really only want an opportunity to show what they can do,once they get a chance to show off their improvements it's really up to the Coach to make the call about his playing time.
Woe to the Coach who doesn't recognize talent on his own team and Coaches summer ball, that kid will seek out a team that Coach regularly competes with and whip him soundly that summer just to make his point.

Odds are if you see a Freshman on the mound in December while the football team is practicing in the outfeild, you're gonna have a new #1 Varsity pitcher next season, "big surprise"? Shouldn't be. The same goes for other positions as well, upperclassmen aren't assured a spot just because they're older, any player will tell you . You have to improve your game every year to be assured a spot.

Watch out for that Freshman who is on the feild every day!!

 

I do not agree.
The best TEAM is the best team of nine.
There are 4 categories of players; winners,competitors,athletes & donkeys. Winners are always prepared to help the team.
Competitors compete for themselves.
Athletes have the natural talent,you just don't know when they will perform. Donkeys get in trouble.

Winners may not be the "best" players but their preparation enables them to compete with more confidence in game situations. They also help the other type players become winners. An athlete who becomes a winner as well is a blue chipper. Smart coaches will find a way to get winners on the field. It sends a message. The perfect example of a winner is David Eckstein who went from college walkon to world champion MLB SS.

 

007 I agree that a team should consist of the best nine players, and I'd never disagree with that point.


Your description of a winner is that Freshman I described in my post just before yours.

You're right his preperation does give him confidence for the intense game situations.

The only thing I'm trying to say is , if a freshman works his can off to improve in the offseason and takes a senior's spot who is under the impression that just because he's a senior who started last year he'll start, he nor his kin should be surprised.

Baseball is a game where you must improve each season to remain viable as a starting team member.

We should hold him up to the team as an example of what might be if all on the team would commit to their game as the freshman does.

Agree?

 

No. When one of your best nine players is a me player,has poor grades, is kicked off the team or starts a fight on the field, that's not your best team of 9.

 

Then they would not be on the team then would they, so your best 9 would be from what you have left over.....

 

Could happen at any time in the season. Meanwhile, the next guy is on the bench is losing game experience. If it happens at the end of the season, you could have a lost season for a winner who maybe is not one of your 9 best players.