Do You Want More Playing Time? Here's My Advice

[@aldosarmiento2063]

Subtle difference in approach when bringing this up to the coach: instead of asking “why aren’t you playing me more?” you can ask “what can I do to earn more playing time?” In the first approach, you’re asking the coach to verbalize and psychologically validate the decisions being made that are working against you, perhaps helping solidify them in the process. In the second, you’re asking for advice on how to succeed from the very person who is making the lineup decisions. It’s even possible the coach will feel somewhat “in your corner” since he’d be providing advice, and people like to be right, generally.

[@citonelson]

To the game time kids - Navy Seal quote 'Under pressure, you don't rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your training. That's why we train so hard

[@peterzirogiannis8376]

Awesome advice. My son is a sophomore and not originally selected to practice with the Varsity team. He approached the coach and asked him what he needed to work on. He eventually got an invite to hit with the team and practice with team. On game 1 he was the starting right fielder.

[@nateyb3580]

Completely agree with 80% of this advice (they're definitely ppl that can perform seamlessly at practices but fail come gameday, no heart I suppose) but as a "COACH" you would see this and adjust. You can't just assume all coaches are in their position because they are qualified to be that: "teacher, mentor, leader, whatever label ya wanna use". Sadly, it seems (can't speak for college coaches) most high school coaches are in their coaching position cause 1. They're preparing for their child coming up thru the program, 2. They teach within the school district and administration wants to stay "in-house", 3. They get easily persuaded with side cash cause the job doesn't pay enough, or I imagine that there are many others ppl have experienced. Matty A. I love this advice to these young players and u r spot on if "All Coaches" looked, evaluated, and performed in your manner, it's a shame but it is not how it is. It is becoming an epidemic, cause ppl are being put in these positions to mold young athletes and these "coaches" have no right being in that position, which is leading our nations youth into mental health issues. And, that's when it becomes REAL. Run on, Run off, if u hit a dinger RUN (it's not a gift), and jump the line. Keep up the great work Matt.

[@coachmossoftball8375]

Matt, great advice! I am a coach as well, and I know exactly where you are coming from... but I will say this; there are 'gamers' kids that find a way to step up their game when it matters most and there are the 'dogs'; those kids that have all the talent but just melt under the pressure when the lights are on and everyone is watching. 50% of the game is between the ears and sometimes it's hard to tell what you really got until the pressure is on to perform on the main stage. Like you said; the HS seasons are way to short and sometimes kids get shuffled out without a chance to really show what they have. I tell the kids to treat every practice rep like it's the biggest play of the game... some do and some don't... the one's that do will earn their spots on game day.

[@cazedits4027]

Thanks I am not playing SS and I feel like I should vid been improving so much at the plate tho Except the coach’s son is in SS

[@Someonesburner404]

Yep. Hey coach I feel like I'm a better shortstop than Bobby. Coach: yeah well, bobby is my son so . . .

[@philipramsden4975]

My daughter plays 16U travel ball and is on a team that primarily plays showcases. It took her a few months to adjust to playing all the time to being moved around since it's now more about players being able to show their skills to any college coaches watching the games. Yeah our coach still plays to win, but I think she does a good job giving the girls opportunities and playing time

[@dann7528]

We have 12 on the travel team and everyone takes turns in the dugout the kids dont seem to mind at all only 9 spots

[@coachdustind]

Well said!

[@mannymrtz4940]

Golden Advice!

[@Mike-kq7nh]

We talking bout practice! Not a game. Practice. Haha as a Philly guy that never gets old.

[@scottybbadd]

Matt, I'd agree with everything that you just said. In this this his ti

[@robertB2427]

I'm 47 years old (recently retired from being a cop for 23 years) and started playing in a very competitive men's hard ball league in Central TX after not playing at all for the past 12 years. Everyone on my team is nearly half my age, but I am still the starting SS or 2B, whichever one I want to play that day. Why? Because I still go hard at everything I do and because baseball IQ matters! Stop playing video games kids and put in work, because no matter how hard you think you're working, someone else is putting in the work that you aren't. And hustle at everything you do!

[@10crzy]

Great advice!!!

[@TREEHUGGAH1]

how is the new building? i hope we get a tour soon. i know you and busy winning. Much Respect

[@RPeacock1128]

A little twist on this topic -- Coming out of high school you are recruited as a middle infielder for a top nationally ranked college and within 3 weeks of arriving at college and starting fall workouts coaches come to you and want you to convert to a full time pitcher. Any advise on how to handle this?

[@moleash6465]

Asian fan here, have you ever considered playing in Asia during the grinding periods of 3A?

[@randallcarver6950]

Question. Have you seen players that are the greatest ever in practice. In a Game some of these kids make errors when in a stressful situation. I have had many players that I call cage hero’s. These guys are so good because they are relaxed. However when the game is on the line these guys suck and can not make the most general play. I also see players rip the ball at practice but have a hard time hitting in a game. I think there are 3 types. Ones who are practice players. Ones who are game players. And ones who are consistent no matter the game or practice

[@AntonelliBaseball]

For sure I see a little bit of all three that you mention

[@pete7504]

Excellent advice Matt. I believe that the player needs to talk to the head coach about playing time and not the parents. I feel that the coach will have more respect for that player than allowing the parents to speak for them.

[@onguardmedia6107]

I am dealing with this as a parent. I my son is playing 13u travel ball and he basically not playing at all. The team have 16 players in the roster. I am moving him in a spring to another small travel team.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

That is definitely a lot of players on one team.

[@stuckinchaselandia6427]

You play ..to win.. the game!

[@kevinfielding5826]

How can i get more involved with your program!!! I coach high school and have 2 kids 12/9 that play on 3 teams each!!!!

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Where are you from? Email me [e-mail]

[@SanctuaryGardenLiving]

This is great advice overall, but there are just some jerk coaches that discriminate on a multitude of factors. Also when you're a younger player you need to understand the Daddy Ball philosophy. That said thank you to all the great coaches and umpires out there allowing and helping young men grow up on the diamond.

[@obscuredivine3227]

Coaches should know better. Big problem is daddy ball. What families can control is the amount of self practice time. Most coaches never had success at a high level. So how would they know what's legit? Baseball isn't rocket science. Keep practicing and performing. You'll get noticed. Coaches are subjective-not objective. Baseball shouldn't be like this. I like your content. 👍

[@whatap21]

less go

[@jeffhunt8916]

I can agree with some of those things but when there's a problem when it's very political in coaches are playing. What I call daddy ball when the only kids that get to play are dads or friends with the coaches. Practice is one thing and when you have a kid that's practicing and doing great in practice and a game. How can you not justify putting him in a game when daddy ball is being played?

[@shabba3450]

Player: play me and I'll show you Coach: show me and I'll play you.

[@MindGameArcade]

we talkin' about practice?

[@mages_fart]

winning cures everything whats ur win loss? if its bad ur players will resent you

[@josephstuby8373]

I'm too old to play now....lol..im 43

[@meowmeow-wc8ru]

old geezer

[@robertB2427]

Age is just a number! You're already defeated with that mindset! I have better range than dudes half my age and I'm older than you! My chances of pulling a hammy is just a bit greater while doing it!

[@JimKimTheIdeaHunters]

You can play senior baseball. There are 40+ leagues and higher.

[@laserprop]

Mr. Antonelli - Of course I realize that your advice is good. But the kid who successfully applies it is just going to squeeze some other kid out of playing time. I think that the adults running these programs have the same responsibility to their players that educators have to their students. Math and physics teachers don't have tryouts, or cuts, or substitutes; they teach everybody, and especially, they enthusiastically teach those who show interest. You know that a teacher loves nothing more than a student who makes the effort, regardless of the kid's proclivity. Those running the sports can address the issue of playing time by expanding the number of teams to match the participants. Create enough teams so that each only has a few extra players. Then liberalize substitution rules to allow maximum participation. This is just what the (DC metro area) Fairfax County Youth Football League does. The number of teams is correlated to the number of players, and the teams are small. I mean, supposedly, aren't we're doing this for the kids, and not for our own egos or advancement? So let's bloody do it for the kids!! Of course, there are parents who will complain that their children aren't getting ball handling positions. Regarding these people, with a clear conscience I can tell them to cry me a river. I can point out that little Johnny is out there running and playing and sweating and suffering and getting knocked down and back up, and that's all that matters. I can further point out that I myself never played anywhere but the interior line, and that if I could take it (to tell the truth, I loved it so much - it was football, and that was enough), then so can little Johnny.

[@Tim_Alfaro]

Glad to see FCYF changing… when I was playing (CYA) it was still very booster led….

[@thomasindler1576]

Most coaches don't like any resistance, there ego and self-righteousness dictates there lack of intelligence.