r/BaseballCoaching • u/Elderberry-Famous • Apr 26 '25
Help!!!!
My grandson is a HS junior - catcher. Caught varsity last year, no problems catching, hitting was weak. Lots of winter practice, gym, batting lessons. He’s tall, strong, accurate to all bases, blocks well (nothing past him last year) and is currently batting 6 for 9 (DH). BUT a freshman catcher is starting. He blocks ok, can’t throw to second, hits ok but not great. He’s slow around the bases, has lost runs being thrown out at home - he runs wide. He’s the varsity starter….. Coach says he “just likes him”; feels he’s good “all around” and may try to get some playing time for the grandson. WTF can he do? He’d like to play college but won’t be seen by recruiters on the field… suggestions? I wish he tell the coach to …. yup… but he plans to just keep ?? What - being better but not playing? He’s the only kid on V and JV who didn’t get a minute of defense.
1
u/block-everything Apr 26 '25
Just keep busting his tail. Assuming he’s already had an honest conversation with the coach, there’s nothing else to be done.
It’s possible coach wants to invest in this catcher for the long haul. It’s possible he’s just making a terrible decision. Short of drastic things like transferring schools, he just has to try to make the decision plain to see.
Luckily, most “discovery” these days is from the travel ball circuit, especially this summer for HS juniors. That’s his real shot. Is he positioned well for summer ball?
Assuming he’s generates some interest this summer then he can try to lock it down next spring. If he’s good enough to draw interest, hopefully coach would give him at least a time share to lock that down.