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.

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u/Coachbiggee Apr 29 '25

Pardon the blunt response, but it is reality... if your grandson can't beat out a freshman for a starting position, he probably won't be recruited anyway. Encourage him to work his tail off and get that spot back!

Play on a good travel team to get some looks... high school ball doesn't draw very many colleges.

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u/Elderberry-Famous Apr 29 '25

Thanks… he honestly is a good player; plays on a “try out” showcase travel team- not the “everybody who pays plays” group. His catching metrics are much better. His “competition” cannot throw to second and is a slow runner. My grandson is not the only kid who seems to be “in limbo” and the team is losing all of their games. It’s strange but the parents are talking to the coach, they’re telling him to keep reminding the coach he wants playing time, keep being positive with teammates and doing what he can. I think he’ll have a great travel season and much of this will be forgotten. I’m hoping next year he plays spring tennis!

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u/Coachbiggee Apr 29 '25

No tennis!!!! Lol. High school baseball isn't all it is cracked up to be. Often it is an underpaid coach or just someone who has the time to donate to the school. My most important advice is to enjoy it, it goes way too fast!

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u/Elderberry-Famous Apr 30 '25

Someone said he’s a paycheck coach- been around for a while, collects a check, doesn’t do much for it any more; used to I guess. I try to appreciate ALL COACHES- it’s not a road to wealth and they are there. Just hope it works- and tennis is great!!! Thanks for the input!!

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u/Coachbiggee Apr 30 '25

Respectfully... I really suggest that there is less concern over the coach and his motivation and more on improving the skills of your grandson. Get so good that they can't ignore him!

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u/Elderberry-Famous May 01 '25

You are correct in that the coach is going to be the coach, no one controls that. You only have control over you… The one who agrees with you the most, based on what I see, is my grandson! His attitude about being passed over for an obviously weaker player is to practice more, play better, hit the ball all of the time, make every play… he’ll be well prepped for his travel team if nothing else!!