I am a freshman this year. Is it going to be impossible to play on varsity this coming season. i am about 5-10 maybe 5-11. contact hitter maybe one or two homers a year. i play shortstop. i have a good glove, good range, throw between 75-80 from short.

Depends on at least nine other players going out for the team. 4 years ago, my son's current HS team started a true freshman and now he is in his 1st year at Tulane. He is the exception rather than the norm but yet it is possible. Good luck!

It won't be impossible for you to play varsity this year. My sons team had a freshman middle infielder last season who played little the first 5 or 6 games. He asked to play on the JV team and ended up playing on both teams for the rest of the year, but the bulk of his innings were on JV.

Good Luck!

My sons team last year had a freshman at short and 2nd. They beat out five seniors and a bunch of juniors. Look who you are competing against and be better than they are. Be the hardest worker.

Son

Go play your game --- make it happen !!!!

Nothing is impossible

My thoughts on playing Varsity as a freshman: Don't count on it. (I'm a freshman also)

My son is a freshman this year and the coaches have been hinting since last year (he practiced with the JV and Varsity on his own time in 8th grade)that he might make varsity this year. However, he would be backing up an all conference catcher and I think it might be better for him to play JV and be THE catcher to gain more experience before moving to varsity. Of course he wants to play varsity but I am just not sure he would get enough play time and really be ready for the pressure of varsity play.

Doubtful in most good programs...but certainly not impossible. Would have to be unbelievable, but good luck.

Both of my sons played on varsity as freshmen. Their playing time was minimal but they got a lot of their playing time in at JV games. The advantage was they were able to practice with the varsity and intersquad with the more advanced players.

aws3232

Be patient. Does your school have a freshman team. It is not where you start it is where you finish. Not to put anybody down but as Coach 25 said most good programs do not have freshman on the varsity. In some programs freshman play because of numbers. It is a developmental thing. Same with JV. Coaches have to be careful. Overmatching kids does nothing to help. If the talent is there time and a little patience will take care of things.

Can you beat out the current SS?
Do everything you can to be better than him, & show the coach... As TR said... Go for it!!

Play your heart out... "The tougher the challenge, the greater the victory!"
Fungo

depends on the size of your school, if the coach has 100 jrs and srs to pull from, your chances are slim unless they all have 2 left feet and don't know which hand their glove goes on.

Alot depends on how competetive you are. My son started as a freshman on varsity. He was called in by the coach right after school started that yr. and was told he had a good chance of starting in the spring, but it was all up to him. He likes a good challenge! He did beat out the srs. for the spot but we also have a small school. Now he's a freshman in college and has played with the starters in their scrimmages and practice games. The coach just gave each player an individual eval. and he has been challenged again. Coach says he probably will start but again it's up to him and the work he puts in over the winter. I know him well enough to know he'll probably start this spring. If he doesn't, it'll be because he didn't listen to the coach's advice. Show the coach you've been doing the work and you may very well be surprised!

just play your game, if your good enough the coach will put you on varsity. plain and simple.

I would say that it depends on the talent level in your program. What are the teams needs and do you fit the bill in one of those areas. Dont worry about where you play JV Varsity or posistion. Go out work your a** off and use the season as a chance to get better as a player. If you continue to work hard and have a great attitude everything will fall into place for you in due time. Good luck.

If you give it all you have, and your best this season is JV, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that at all. If you make Varsity and play little, try and be prepared mentally and physically when called on - that is all you can do. Don't put unnecessary pressure on yourself that you have to make Varsity. Just give it everything you have, then the rest is out of your hands. Perhaps if you have personal doubts, then maybe it would be better to start on JV until you see where you stand. Living up here in Ohio, we usually don't even see a ball field until the third or fourth game has been cancelled. Everything is done in the gym. Not the best situation for sure!!

Pabbmom

Glad to see your son doing well. College is a whole different game. "Probably" can mean a lot of things. I am sure he understands that. Situations can change. Somebody leaves somebody transfers in etc etc etc. I know from personal experience that you can not get comfortable as you go to the next level. I am sure he will meet the challenge.

If you set your goals high and work harder than everyone else during the offseason good things will happen. You will get encouragement here, but the rest is up to you.

I was on varsity as a freshman - The biggest adjustment you will need to make will be in " hitting" The pitchers tend to throw alot more off speed pitches. Don't be overwhelmed when you are trying out " Just play your game" and you will be fine .

Good Luck !!!