Returning Starters

007 what are you thinking?

This freshman I'm refering to, is busting his hump in the offseason to improve, he's a team player, he's a leader, he's a winner! If he works harder to prepare than the seniors on the team even though they may have been starters and good producers "LAST YEAR", in my opinion he gets the start if he's more talented.........do you agree with that point?

If he was a me player he'd be locked in his room, dreaming about the possibility of starting, not on the field fixing what is going to get him into the starting lineup. If he was a me player he wouldn't be so realistic and self observant as to look at his own game and "know" he must improve for a shot at the starting lineup.

 

Watcher-The thread started with a genral question. That is what I am responding to. You are talking about one player. I can't comment on your situation without hearing the senior's side of things. I certainly didn't mean to infer that your guy was not a winner.
I will say that with travel ball, more and more freshman can compete on varsity, but it can also create chemistry problems that go beyond the two competing players.

 

In the first general question it refers to "A" player who started last year but is struggling this year. Also it refers to "A" reserve player trying to take his spot.

I simply am taking this situation to it's next level by naming the starting player as a senior, and the reserve player as a harder working, more talented, freshman.

The senior's side of the story is told by every opponent he walks.
The freshman's side of the story is told by every opponent he strikes out.

It's all very obvious, yet you still have a soft spot in your heart for a less effective memeber of the team.

The High School baseball season isn't the time for practice and improvement, unless it's a non conference game. Practice and improving your game is done in Oct.,Nov.,Dec.,and Jan.

Oh, and as for the chemistry problems you elude to, I don't know any players who wouldn't want MORE talent on their team "starting every game", of course unless it was their spot the more talented freshman took.

 

Guys, I wasn't refering to a certain player or team. I just wanted some opinions on how long a coach should leave a starter in the line up when he is not producing at the plate or in the field. Is it a good idea to sit him for a game or two? Or should the coach let him tuff it out on the field?

 

In important games.......not very long.

In non confrence games :bananalam let it ride..... .......

 

Watcher- Yes I do like the Eckstein-like underdog who impacts the entire team.
A winner may be less talented, not less effective. Big difference.

Just so you know, this concept is not my own soft worldview. It's straight out of the Coaches Bible written be John Scolinos, a highly respected college coach.

 

007-
Baseball is a production based sport. Strike out kings are admired, home run hitters are loved.

In high school sports we don't have to say , well I've already payed him 4 million so hes going to play, even if hes less effective, he'll come around.

In high school sports all we have to look at is production on the field, is he getting to the flyballs, or dropping the ball, is he getting opponents out on the mound, or is he hitting?

What you did last year "should have no effect on your playing time this year" no matter what sophmore, junior, or senior, especially if there are more talented players on the team than you.

Less talented players do have an effect on the games that are played I'll agree with your statement.

The team needs cheerleadrs on the Bench as well as players on the field.

Hard work lead to super talent, confidence, effectiveness, cohesiveness,great attitudes and a great all around team. If some work harder on their game than others no matter the class they're in they should see more field action than those who choose to go home and not improve.

 

Tell that to Pete Rose. You are confusing your terms. Talent, production and effectiveness are not the same thing. Talent is a gift. Lesser talented players who work hard on acquired skills can be more productive and effective than the guy with more talent.

 

Talent, production, and effectiveness do go hand in hand, they are all linked to hard work and practice.

I haven't said anything about "natural" talent in this whole conversation.

I've only spoken of aquired talent through hard work and practice, and the need of those "hard workin young talented guys to get the start over lesser talented players, no matter their class status in school".

Thanks for the back and forth.....

 

Thank you!

A more experienced player may be beter for the tweam not producing as he "did" yet the one with less experience and is "waiting" his turn will just have to do that! It will come if he is doing all the "right" things? I assumed it was a genearal question as well! Yes, I wholeheartedly agree in putting the best nine on the feild but is it for the short long term the moment or the distance! Again, it is always a diifcult situation that is everpresent on the diamond and the bench YET what is the player again doing about it! Is it positivver and productive for the TEAM or counterwise? I always have "tried" to put my best nine on the field as I would think any good coach would but this is an abstract area! Fresmen can compete with seniors nowadays physically but mentally or emotionally hmmmmm? Every kid player is different again case by case JMHO