From Rec to Cal Ripken-need advice

Yes, they are the hardest working now, but my contention is, they outght to be looking back to see if anyone is catching up.

I don't see not developing new positions during a season as being a drawback! I'm a firm believer that at most, a player should only play 2 positions regularly. My reasons go back to my belief that the shift away from defense is one of the big problems with the game today.

I've heard that if a player is really good, he can play any position, and that's true as long as you're talking about normal plays in normal situations. But I still contend that each position has subtle requirements that make it unique, and those requirements are the one that playing the position infrequently will not allow the player to learn correctly.

In order to be a truly great fielder at a position, there are things that must come instinctively or by rote. Bouncing all over the place to different positions causes nothing but problems! I get so angry watching coaches who put a "stud" in a position he doesn't belong just to keep his bat in the lineup I want to puke!

The best example comes when the stud who pitches and plays a position is relieved. Generally the player taking his fielding position is either another stud moved out of his normal position or a non-starter getting a start. The non-starter is usually a player who only plays that one position, and although isn't quite good enough to make the starting lineup, does know the position pretty well because that's all he plays in practices.

But now the stud has to be relieved on the mound and what does the brilliant coach do? He pulls the non-starter and shoves the stud back into that position. What kind of a dumb move it that? Now you have a kid who is tired, probably pissed off because he got pulled off the mound in the game while taking out a player who was totally into his position.

Being tired, the chances are pretty good he won't be up to his usual play and now he has to make his mind make a total transition from the fielding responsibilities on the mound to the new ones. And of course his arm is dead meat which means a great chance for injury if he isn't careful. Of course the player removed feels real good about the move too because he only gets to play once a week.

What make it so stupid to me is that nearly every youth league or tournament allows re-entry. So let the pitcher go to the dugout and take a rest. If its becomes critical to where his bat is really needed, he can always re-enter later. At least that way he'll have gotten some rest and a chance to gather his thoughts. It also gives the non-starter another inning or two in the game, improving both his skills and his spirits. Naw, if coaches want to give a kid a chance to play another position, games aren't the place to do it until the player is totally comfortable with it. that's exactly what fall and winter ball is for.

I wouldn't count too heavily on the current crop of players to fare much differently than any other group. When the boys find out girls can be as much fun to play with as teammates, that driver's license suddenly shows up in the pocket or any of a million other things, they all become suddenly the same.

The players I was telling you about from my son's early team were lucky in the sense that very few of them went into a program that was top notch and demanded the very highest level of play. But one like you describe will definitely weed out the "real" players in a hurry.

I agree that about the time they move to the big field is when they start playing for themselves more than dad. But, unless its a very small school with few players going out for the team, a lot more will be weeded out in the 1st couple of years because they can't deal with not starting.

It seems to me that the ones that tough it out fall into one of three categories. In the 1st group are the self starters who have come to understand that hard work and grades are needed to go to the next level. The 2nd group has the players who want to play because they still like the game and realize they probably won't move on. They will work, but it won't be their life's work.

In the last group are the hangers on. They like the game, but are really only playing because its something to do and gives them a certain social status in school that only athletes enjoy. They have no thoughts about playing in college, and don't really get too upset about not getting into many games. In reality, probably something around half of graduating players will continue to play after HS. The grind is too tough for any who don't have real talent or just like to work.

That's the thinning out process though. First of all, there are a lot more players than teams for them to play on, so it becomes a real fight for all but the very best, especially in the D1 schools.