Heres the situation: High school varsity team. Possible players living in Mexico and going to school and playing in US. Living in so. cal. parents are required to show proof of residency, it is a growing problem in the area, the district claims they have looked into the situation and found "all paperwork in order" parent of the son who lost the starting position to this player wants to say something but is not sure if they should. Son wants to acquire position on playing ability, but the coach seems to be playing favorites (family friends with said player). What whould you do?

If the player in question is legally at the school there's no argument. The player that lost his job simply needs to step it up and outplay, outhustle, and work harder than that kid to have a chance. Coaches will play their best players because they want a winning record and a chance to go to the high school playoffs at the end of the year. Now your opinion of which kid is the best may differ from the coach's but unfortunately his opinion as the coach is the one that will win out.

Another option is for the kid in question to work out at more than one position and make himself valuable to his team and the coach as a multiple position player. My own son did exactly that. He was a catcher during high school, but worked at the outfield also. He's now in D-1 college playing outfield not catching, just a thought.

Good Luck

Frank Coit
Head Coach
San Diego Prospects Baseball Club

What it you believe player(s) in question are faking the residency? Should anything be said?

A. What if you're wrong? (Before speaking up, it'd be best to make sure your kid can transfer to a new school next year, just in case.)

B. How did this become a "baseball" question?

C. MYOB

I firmly believe that that's an issue for the school administrators not parents. If one kid is outplaying another he deserves to be on the field plain & simple. As they go higher in baseball every player will discover that it is survival of the fittest, period, sometimes it's a hard adjustment or realization for some.

Son wants to acquire the position based on ability , then performance should be the only issue. It's very dangerous to point the favoritism finger, and also very difficult to prove.

Good Luck!

Frank Coit
Head Coach
San Diego Prospects Baseball Club

I'm guessing your speaking about public schools / districts here. Private schools can and do enroll individuals from south of the border without US residency without any problem.

If it's a public school -- it's a district issue, not baseball. If it's a private school -- it's not an issue.

P-Dog

Its a baseball team I am talking about - and there are 2 possibly 3 players on a public school team. Another coach has picked up 2 from Mexico to play on travel team in the past. But the matter has been dropped. Its a shame you have to worry about being ridiculed when you see something that is not right.

LoveBball,

I'm sure ridiculing was not anyone's intention here, if we came off like that I'm sure I can speak for the group and apologize. It's just that some things are better left to the proper authorities, such as eligibility. On the field performance should be our (parents) major focus for our kids I think. It's very easy to get caught up in the other stuff, but really there's not much we can do about it, or maybe not much we should even try to do about it in my opinion.

I'm sorry, I was speaking about the coaches possibly taking it out on the player who's parents spoke up. He is afraid he will be benched and he is a very good player. It just doesn't seem fair. But they are biting their tongue for now. The people on these boards have been very nice and informative. Please accept my apologies.