That argument holds no water when the 8th grader is allowed to try out. If thats a pet peeve then this discussion is over because you will never understand. No coach in their right mind will take a average freshman over a superb 8th grader.

 

At what point does it come down to the best play and not find a team for everyone.........High school sports seems like a place to start. If an 8th grader is better well..................that is what happens

I have a similar pet peeve. The policy of not allowing Juniors to play JV makes absolutely no sense. Especially, if you happen to have a large senior class. I believe a lot of schools in the area use this policy.

 

Does it really make sense for Juniors to sit the wood all year when they could be starting on JV? Instead JV is full of freshmen and the freshmen team is full of 8th graders! I say let Juniors who are not ready to play Varsity, play JV, let the freshmen play freshmen and let the 8th graders play summer ball.

 

After all, as a coach, if you have a junior who isn't good enough to warrant much playing time on varsity, wouldn't actually playing in JV games be better for his development than riding the pine all year?

Who does this?

I am not singling out anyone but I know it is the policy of at least a couple Boone & Kenton Co. coaches and I would suspect many others. I understand the philosophy, "if your not good enough to play Varsity by your junior year than (fill in the blank)" However, when you are coaching, especially at a large school, and have a lot of seniors, what is better for the program in the long run?

 

Who does this?

 

" Why cut an 8th grader if that player is better than the freshman? "

 

Because the Freshman goes to the school and the 8th grader doesn't .......

 

 

Probably a topic for it's own thread since this isn't only a HHS thing. Not meaning to pick on the Birds..........Has always been a pet peave of mine.

 

 

 

I agree with the comment that you should not cut a freshmen and keep kids that are in middle school.

 

But this does not mean that you have to cut an excellent 8th grader just to keep the lesser talented freshmen. Most programs move freshmen up levels to make room for the rest of the frosh and the 8th graders that deserve the spots. Even if you have 25 frosh that tryout, it is very possbile to keep 8th grade kids.

 

Frosh play up to JV and varsity in a lot of programs. Move up the number necessary to make room for the balance of the frosh class and the talented 8th graders to play frosh ball. The classes that get squeezed are the sophomore and junior classes. Marginal soph and junior players are cut to get the numbers for each team in line.

 

I have watched the numbers game play out for several years in a local girls soccer program. Each year 20+ frosh tryout and are kept. Each year they are able to keep 6-8 eighth graders that are good enough to contribute. It will work in a baseball program as well.

I agree Stinkey.....great name....

 

My point is not that middle schoolers shouldn't be allowed to play.........it is that you should not cut a Freshman (or current student at that school) to make room for a non Student to play.

 

FYI.......My 8th grader played V for a local school last year.......if they had a cutting policy, I would not have allowed him to play.......

 

 

 

I agree with the comment that you should not cut a freshmen and keep kids that are in middle school.

 

But this does not mean that you have to cut an excellent 8th grader just to keep the lesser talented freshmen. Most programs move freshmen up levels to make room for the rest of the frosh and the 8th graders that deserve the spots. Even if you have 25 frosh that tryout, it is very possbile to keep 8th grade kids.

 

Frosh play up to JV and varsity in a lot of programs. Move up the number necessary to make room for the balance of the frosh class and the talented 8th graders to play frosh ball. The classes that get squeezed are the sophomore and junior classes. Marginal soph and junior players are cut to get the numbers for each team in line.

 

I have watched the numbers game play out for several years in a local girls soccer program. Each year 20+ frosh tryout and are kept. Each year they are able to keep 6-8 eighth graders that are good enough to contribute. It will work in a baseball program as well.

 

 

Let's say that you get a Freshman that has 0 baseball talent, but decides to come out for the team. Can hardly even catch a baseball. Do you cut a marginal Soph to keep this kid who you know know will defenitely be cut the next year or the marginal kid who you know has a better chance of helping out your program in the future? Keeping the best baseball players regardless of age is the best for any program.

I have heard from several people that the plan for this year was to have only 8th and 9th graders play frosh baseball, 10th and 11th graders play JV and 10th, 11th and 12th graders play varsity. Just curious to know if this is accurate information as I know there are several current frosh that have played at the frosh level for 2 seasons already and are certainly more than capable of competing at the JV level this year.

I have heard from several people that the plan for this year was to have only 8th and 9th graders play frosh baseball, 10th and 11th graders play JV and 10th, 11th and 12th graders play varsity. Just curious to know if this is accurate information as I know there are several current frosh that have played at the frosh level for 2 seasons already and are certainly more than capable of competing at the JV level this year.

 

If this is true then Coach B is listening. It has taken him a few yrs to get the program back in "balance" if you will but in the long run it makes sense. :thumb:

 

Other then a couple of exceptions to the rule, I just have a real hard time with 19 yr old Johnny "Rocket Arm" Slider throwing a 89 mph fastball chin high at 14 yr old Timmy "My voice is just changing" Thompson.

 

A big part of the game of HS baseball is intimidation and posturing and "capable" 7th 8th and 9th just shouldnt be playing ball with some men until they are not only physically but mentally ready.

 

Again, a very few exceptions to the rule but not the norm and for the overall betterment of the program Coach B is headed into the right direction

I have heard from several people that the plan for this year was to have only 8th and 9th graders play frosh baseball, 10th and 11th graders play JV and 10th, 11th and 12th graders play varsity. Just curious to know if this is accurate information as I know there are several current frosh that have played at the frosh level for 2 seasons already and are certainly more than capable of competing at the JV level this year.

 

I'm sure that Coach B will do a great job with putting guys at the appropriate level. Even in the last four years, he hasnt put a guy at the Varsity level if he wasnt ready. He does go by the philosophy that the best 9 will play regardless of class. And best 9 means, able to handle what the opponents physically, athletically, and mentally. I think there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Only time will tell.

 

 

BTW, 7 more days!!!

I am not doubting Coach B or anyone in the baseball program. Just wondering if what I had heard was true and mainly because I was wondering if there were enough frosh trying out to actually field a true frosh team. I do believe that there are a few in the frosh class that at least deserve the opportunity to play on the JV this year. Could someone post a copy of the schedules for all three teams please? Would really like to be able to take in some games this year if I know where and when they are playing. Expecting big things out of the Birds this spring at all levels.

I am not doubting Coach B or anyone in the baseball program. Just wondering if what I had heard was true and mainly because I was wondering if there were enough frosh trying out to actually field a true frosh team. I do believe that there are a few in the frosh class that at least deserve the opportunity to play on the JV this year. Could someone post a copy of the schedules for all three teams please? Would really like to be able to take in some games this year if I know where and when they are playing. Expecting big things out of the Birds this spring at all levels.

 

I recall the number of frosh names on the list of kids scheduled to try out exceeding 25. Numbers should not be an issue going forward.

I am not doubting Coach B or anyone in the baseball program. Just wondering if what I had heard was true and mainly because I was wondering if there were enough frosh trying out to actually field a true frosh team. I do believe that there are a few in the frosh class that at least deserve the opportunity to play on the JV this year. Could someone post a copy of the schedules for all three teams please? Would really like to be able to take in some games this year if I know where and when they are playing. Expecting big things out of the Birds this spring at all levels.

 

Like I said, there will be frosh playing JV if the opportunity presents itself. Heck, I think there are 8th graders that might get a sniff of the JV....if they are ready. One way to look at it is, there are only 3 levels. Frosh, JV and Varsity. NO classes F,SO,J,SE. Let the chips fall by talent level.

Like I said, there will be frosh playing JV if the opportunity presents itself. Heck, I think there are 8th graders that might get a sniff of the JV....if they are ready. One way to look at it is, there are only 3 levels. Frosh, JV and Varsity. NO classes F,SO,J,SE. Let the chips fall by talent level.

 

 

OH!!! JOAT got some bad info again...LOL

Coach B has done a great job, now he has his Dad to help him, that is special Father and Son together. I was lucky to Coach Coach B and Coach with his Dad great people.