What position for all-star?

[sd72667]

My son plays U-10 baseball for 2 different leagues. He usually plays SS and pitches for both his league teams. I needed him to catch some this year for both teams and he loves it. He blocks the plate well and has a great arm. He understands the position after watching Yadier Molina for 5 years. Usually the catching position is filled by a widebody, slow kid, even in the Majors. There are some exceptions. But he is tall, thin, and has very good speed. In all-stars, he usually plays CF-LF. I want him to learn all the positions. The problem is that one of the other coach's son plays catcher, and is so so. Do I buy him catching equipment and ask for him some playing time behind the plate?

[Jake Patterson]

My son plays U-10 baseball for 2 different leagues. He usually plays SS and pitches for both his league teams. I needed him to catch some this year for both teams and he loves it. He blocks the plate well and has a great arm. He understands the position after watching Yadier Molina for 5 years. Usually the catching position is filled by a widebody, slow kid, even in the Majors. There are some exceptions. But he is tall, thin, and has very good speed. In all-stars, he usually plays CF-LF. I want him to learn all the positions. The problem is that one of the other coach's son plays catcher, and is so so. Do I buy him catching equipment and ask for him some playing time behind the plate?
This is the most important position on the field IMHO. I would offer that the largest area of youth baseball burn out come from those families who feel Jr. is the best SS/Pitcher. I would also suggest that those families who take the position of catching serious usually stay with the game longer... I suggest you contact CatchingCoach.

[dolphindan1]

Its very important at 9-10 year old baseball...11-12 a little less...but 9-10 year old pitching can be spotty and a good catcher takes up alot of the slack...its a commonly overlooked position because everyone wants to pitch and play short...

My son a lefty caught in 9, 10, 11 and is catching half the games at 12 year old...and made All-Stars as catcher every year...he played 1st in all stars every year except 1, when he caught...I was hoping as a lefty he would catch a little less now but I am a team person and not all about my son...I want whats best for him but not at the sacrifice of the team...IMHO it has made him a tougher and smarter player...

[AgentX]

The problem is that one of the other coach's son plays catcher, and is so so. Do I buy him catching equipment and ask for him some playing time behind the plate?

I wouldn't ask the All-Star coach for playing time for your kid, period. He needs to earn that on his own, and your input is likely to have the opposite effect.

All-Stars tends to be pretty demanding, and I don't know of too many teams that will play a single catcher full-time. Any good team should have at least a few kids who can play behind the plate. Sometimes, having the equipment is proof enough that you can do it.

Since your son pitches and plays SS, catches, and is used to doing outfield in AS, I'd say he already has a pretty good spread across positions. Best to make sure his coach knows that he can do all of these things and leave it to him to figure out where he wants the boy to play.

[g-mac]

I wouldn't ask the All-Star coach for playing time for your kid, period. He needs to earn that on his own, and your input is likely to have the opposite effect.

All-Stars tends to be pretty demanding, and I don't know of too many teams that will play a single catcher full-time. Any good team should have at least a few kids who can play behind the plate.
True and true. I would never approach a coach about his choice of positions. Nothing good can come from that.
I would say that an All-Star team would be wise to carry two or three solid catchers, especially in the heat of the summer.

[sd72667]

I wouldn't ask the All-Star coach for playing time for your kid, period. He needs to earn that on his own, and your input is likely to have the opposite effect.

All-Stars tends to be pretty demanding, and I don't know of too many teams that will play a single catcher full-time. Any good team should have at least a few kids who can play behind the plate. Sometimes, having the equipment is proof enough that you can do it.

Since your son pitches and plays SS, catches, and is used to doing outfield in AS, I'd say he already has a pretty good spread across positions. Best to make sure his coach knows that he can do all of these things and leave it to him to figure out where he wants the boy to play.

I agree. The problem is the coach's son played 3 games at catcher and struggled with base runners, not throwing any out. He allowed over 10 stolen bases. I also agree with Jake that it is the most important position on the field. Our two coach's substituted the catcher zero times the last 2 years. The bottom line is over the last 3 years our team has rarely won any games due to lack of practices and bad game decision making. I am going to buy catcher's equipment this week. Does anyone have an opinion on some internet sites for equipment? I looked at baseballsavings.com and a few others.

[Ursa Major]

I agree. The problem is the coach's son played 3 games at catcher and struggled with base runners, not throwing any out. He allowed over 10 stolen bases. I also agree with Jake that it is the most important position on the field. Our two coach's substituted the catcher zero times the last 2 years. The bottom line is over the last 3 years our team has rarely won any games due to lack of practices and bad game decision making. I am going to buy catcher's equipment this week. Does anyone have an opinion on some internet sites for equipment? I looked at baseballsavings.com and a few others.It sounds like you've got a ton of issues here, few of which revolve around your son's position as catcher, or not. Most seem to relate to your antagonism toward a mediocre, daddy-ball centered manager. (I would be annoyed as well at a manager who burned out his catchers.)

First, get him his own mask, and see if you can pick up some other equipment from a kid who's outgrown them. Any team he plays on should have a protector and shin guards. Unfortunately, a good mask is the most expensive piece of equipment. Also, I like having one's own mitt, which you'll want to have anyway to use to catch him when he practices pitching. No one knows how to protect gloves any more, and they get thrown in the dirt and stuffed into a team bag and look like pancakes in short order.

Second, yes. . . if he can catch, he'll be valuable to any team he plays on. He'll learn more of the game and more responsibility for the team, and he'll get playing time when the coach might otherwise put someone into his spot.

Third, it sounds as though the manager should be aware of your kid's familiarity with the catching position. Are you a coach for his team? If so, sure. . . you can say, "If we need catchers, my son has played ex-innings there this year -- let him catchin in the bullpen, a scrimmage, BP, whatever, and you can see if he can help you." You don't ask for playing time -- that's something the manager decides based on what he sees. (Better yet, a 10u All-star is old enough to directly ask the coach for the opportunity to show his stuff.) It's like any job interview -- you don't get a job because you want or deserve it, you get it because you can make the manager look good by putting someone in the job who can help him get the job done. I'm a sucker for the old, "What will it take for me to show you I can help the team at [X position]?"

[AgentX]

I agree. The problem is the coach's son played 3 games at catcher and struggled with base runners, not throwing any out. He allowed over 10 stolen bases. I also agree with Jake that it is the most important position on the field. Our two coach's substituted the catcher zero times the last 2 years. The bottom line is over the last 3 years our team has rarely won any games due to lack of practices and bad game decision making.
Then the most important thing you need to realize is that THIS IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE.

Daddyball is daddyball, and it is particularly ugly during All-Stars. But IME, people like this end up burning their bridges. People talk, and being unable to produce victories because of poor managing decisions in LL AS ends up being not much different than MLB. If the coach's kid sucks at catching and he insists on playing him there over better kids, then he's probably not going to get another shot at AS coach.

Rather than try to fight the system, get Jr. some catcher's gear and a big bag to drag with him to the field. Have HIM let the manager know that he catches, and then let whatever happens happen. Trying to force any issue in this situation will only make AS less fun for you both.

I'd take a look at ebay if you want catcher's gear. There should be some good deals there right now.

[Drill]

This is the most important position on the field IMHO. I would offer that the largest area of youth baseball burn out come from those families who feel Jr. is the best SS/Pitcher. I would also suggest that those families who take the position of catching serious usually stay with the game longer... I suggest you contact CatchingCoach.


I would say a good very catcher and pitcher at this level. Done to many score books at this level. If they let them steal in this league there are to many wild pitches, so you better have a accurate pitcher and a very good catcher.

If you are looking at infield you better have a good first basemen. I saw a regional to state game lost because of a poor coaching decision, putting a weak first baseman at that position.

Yes SS is important, don't get me wrong but more pitches are pitched and caught by the catcher and first basemen.



IMHO,

drill


PS get him some catchers gear and let the coach know that your son is available for catching if his son is needed somewhere else. Look long term, you are fighting coaches ball now, but you can plant a seed and just have your son remind him he is there to help out anyway possible. That's all you can do until next year and a full season of catching on another team. Get yours son working with pitchers in the bull pen. Pitchers alway's need to warm up and more than one catcher is a necessity.