High School Goals and Objectives for 'Motivating' America's Students

Dear GaryB,

Good luck to your son.

On a near term basis, my advice that
I have to offer to you if your son
does get cut from the varsity squad
is to first have your son seek
immediate feedback from the head baseball coach. Questions for your son to ask are:
a) Coach's criteria for selection
(I have my own and most coaches do.)
b) What areas does he need to improve.
c) What areas of strength does he see.
d) Can I be a team manager? & if so
can I help the other coaches by
warming up all the pitchers in
the bullpen when my team manager's
duties are done.

Mid Term Basis:
Having spent a good time over this week
comforting one of my younger children's friends in the neighborhood who attempted suicide, I would seek out
the best available Medical Doctor in Psychiatrics in your area that specializes in teenagers. You have not indicated what state you live in (Fla ? Md ?), but the Head of Psychiatrics
at most Hospitals can recommend a few
and probably himself. And from your message, this does NOT appear to be the same environment, however my advice is to be smart enough to yield to 'caution with the wind'.
Teenagers, these as in days past, fail to understand that there is no waking up tommorrow following a fatalist bout of severe and temporary depression.

Long Term:
Baseball is for everyone. Period.
Players and non-players. Admin
and non-admin. That's what makes
this game great. If you son is
a Jr in HS, and if HIS goals of
walking on at a small college continue,
suggest he continuing playing baseball in the summer, & fall, while 'working' on his conditioning and catching skills over winter. I am most certain if your son takes such approach, your son will return for his Sr Year of HS with the confidence he needs now to become a Varsity Starter, and seek new goals
and personal challenges.

Longest Term:
Dad, he's sounds like a great (and smart) student-athlete. There are a few National Type programs providing recognition of Student-Athlete Awards for high GPA while participating in Interscholastic Athletics as a means for HS and Industry to "Work Together to Motivate America's Students". One
in Maryland that comes to mind is "Minds in Motion" as a part of Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA). Might
be the time for you to see how to start one in your area, and help one boy (or girl) going through similar challenges.