Pat Disabato

Southtown Star Sportswriter/columnist
(www.southtownstar.com)
(www.coachescornershow.com)

It was nearly impossible to peruse a high school varsity roster this spring and not find at least one sophomore on it.

It¹s a trend that continues to gain speed and shows no signs of slowing down in Illinois.

I know it¹s difficult, even agonizing, for some families to reject the opportunity to have their sophomore child play on the varsity. Let¹s be honest: Parents enjoy the prestige that comes along with such a promotion (rubbing elbows with varsity parents and proudly informing family and friends of their child¹s advancement to the big-time) just as much as their kid eats up the benefits of hanging with the older and more popular varsity players.

The chance to play with and against kids who, in most cases, are physically bigger, stronger and more experienced is an honor every family should value. However, it¹s a promotion the family needs to discuss thoroughly with the head coach. And question No. 1 should be about how much playing time their son is going to receive.

If he is riding the bench more than digging into the batter¹s box or toeing the rubber, I¹d suggest Mom, Dad and Junior strongly reconsider the offer. Because a season of occasional playing time on the varsity is a wasted year of development. And in my estimation, too many sophomores did just that this spring. No way is receiving 20 at-bats or pitching 10 innings during the varsity season more beneficial than playing every day or pitching every fifth day on the sophomore level.

I¹ve heard of varsity coaches informing families about the benefits of their son practicing with the varsity, even though playing time will come sparingly during the season. Sure, instruction at the varsity level is valuable, just not quite as beneficial as playing every day. To these trained eyes, given a choice of picking splinters out of your rear-end or the repetition of playing in game situations is an easy one.

³We always tell the parents when we¹re going to bring their kid up,² Richards High School coach Brian Wujcik said. ³I don¹t believe in bringing a kid up and sitting him. Some coaches don¹t have a back-up catcher, so they will bring up a sophomore, and he¹s catching in the bullpen most of the time. I just don¹t see that benefitting the kid. We¹re going to play a kid at the level they¹re going to get the most playing time.² That¹s the same strategy families should use when selecting a college. The allure of playing at a Division I program is difficult to deny (despite the fact that many quality non-Division I programs possess the talent to not only challenge most D-1 state schools but defeat them.)

With all things being equal academically, if the choice comes down to sitting the pines or playing at a D-II, the decision should be as easy as selecting a beauty queen when the final two participants are Megan Fox and Oprah. That is, if families can check their egos at the front door and value playing time.

³When it comes time for college, we ask the kids, ŒDo you want to play,¹ ² said Wujcik, a Big Ten batting champion during his career at Iowa. ³Do you want to sit the bench for three years at a D-I, or do you want to go somewhere you¹re wanted and play? I know what I¹d do.²

Understand, most high school programs have their players¹ best interests at heart and support Wujcik¹s theory. But there are a few guilty parties who have sophomores sitting on the bench.

³Parents are probably a little worried that if the kid doesn¹t accept the promotion to the varsity, it will be held against him,² Wujcik said. ³That¹s a question they need to ask the coach.² Before an entire season of development is wasted.