I have a family member who attends Bennett High School. He has been playing baseball since he was 4 years old, because he loves it. Now in high school he is a member of the team but rarely plays, because his family are not personal friends with the coach. He has attended every practice and every game, he paid his money to be on the team, his family travels to every game no matter where the team plays.
He is not the only young man who is sitting the bench. Shouldn’t every member of the team get a chance to play? How can the coach possibly know what each person needs to work on if he doesn’t see them perform? If the coach is supposed to be teaching them, what are they learning?
If the team has too many players, why did they make the team and have to pay money to sit the bench? What are these kids learning when the score is 15 to 3 in the 4th inning and they still don’t get to play. I can see the frustration on their faces and as a family member it really hurts to see someone you love become so disinterested in something they have loved to do for most of their life….
Teachers like these are the reason so many young people give up on dreams.
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42 comments:
That is socialist reasoning. If your child is good enough to play with the big boys then the coach will put him in. You want a free pass for your kid who obviously isn't good enough to be on the team. Be thankful they let him warm a bench.
Because, Bill Cropper calls the shots. You should have figured that out by now. You have to be a Bill Cropper favorite. just ask him
I would say congratulations to your family member for making the team of the defending state champions. A team that hasn't lost a game in over a year. Lots of very good players tried out for the team, but didn't make it.
It's quite an accomplishment. Your family member should be very proud.
If he's not satisfied with his playing time, he can always give his roster spot to someone else, and then go play lots of travel baseball. It's his choice.
There are a ton of kids who would love the opportunity to be part of this high school experience.
If Bennett is fortunate again to win a state championship, your family member will be telling his kids some day how their dad played on a State Championship team.
Again, congratulations to your family member.
It is a known fact at Bennett that if you don't travel ball then you won't make the team but if they don't have enough players they will pick others but not let them play. The kids at the school will tell you and even the coaches/adults of the team will tell you.
The time for the "everybody plays" crap is over. This isn't little league. I'm sorry that you (and/or this child) has been conditioned this way. It's not how the real world works, and I'm of the opinion that this lesson is learned earlier rather than later.
Once you hit high school ball, it's about the competition inherent in sports. A lot of people thrive on competition, and there's nothing wrong with embracing it so long as you also know how to lose gracefully and congratulate the other side for a well played game. Do you think Olympians would try so hard if everybody got a gold medal just for showing up?
The coach's job is to teach the kids how to apply themselves to be the best overall person that they can. Baseball is the metaphor for these lessons in this case. Hopefully, they'll win more than they lose and bring some prestige to the school and the students that go there.
I highly doubt that the child doesn't play "because his family are not personal friends with the coach." Chances are, he doesn't play much because he's not yet capable of improving the team in the game.
There can be a lot of reasons for this current situation. Maybe he just needs more practice to bring his game up. Maybe he needs to grow and strengthen to catch up to his peers. Maybe his attitude stinks, and he needs to stop whining or misbehaving. Maybe he's good, but there's a great player and team leader in front of him. Maybe his grades aren't what they should be. I don't know why he's not playing, but there are plenty of reasons other than your excuse why he's riding the pine right now.
The kid got on the team. That means the coach must have liked something about him, and see potential that can be developed. How does it make sense that he doesn't get to play because the coach doesn't like his family? Wouldn't the coach show his dislike of the family by not namking this kid to the team?
You should be proud of your family member for taking the initiative to try out for a competitive team. You should be proud of him for making the team. You should be proud of your family for supporting him at game time. It sounds like you guys have a lot of positive things going on for you. Don't ruin it by being negative about an issue that probably doesn't even exist.
If you want to help him get playing time, help him become a better player. Help him to keep a positive attitude. Teach him the value of hard work so that he hustles during practice. Do drills with him to help his fielding, batting, base running, etc. Teach him to be a leader so that he picks up the players around him and his presence makes the entire team better. Make sure he gets game time in a summer league, on a team that will help him improve and display his skills (Are the Legion teams still around?). Send him to a summer camp where he can become a smarter player.
And above all, if the kid is unhappy at his lack of playing time, have him ask the coach what he needs to do to get in the game. That shows he's got some fire in there and that he shows initiative. From there, he needs to follow up on the coach's advice while displaying a good attitude the whole time. Before long, I'm sure he'll get rewarded by stepping on the field.
I have been a little league coach for 6 years now and I can tell you that everyone's little darling is by far the best on the team... at least that's what they say.
bennetts winning games by 20 runs and the coach isnt getting all the players in what a joke... its funny S U lax has at least 50 players on their team and everyone is getting some playing time unless their hurt bennett coach must have some ego problem shame shame
They must not be that bad of players if they made the team in the first place. How will the coach ever know if they have improved and are good players if they never put them in to play?
Amen brother!!
Being on the team does not guarantee playing time. Skill, work ethic, and attitude gets you there. Use your time wisely and watch the more experienced players, learn from them.
Some of you people are not only cold, you're stupid. You have no clue what the word TEAM means.
I played professional pool for many years. I believe I have a God given gift when it comes to the game. NOT every one has that gift and frankly, those that do end up as PROFESSIONALS.
That doesn't mean every one else shouldn't play or enjoy the game!!!!!
In this case, this isn't professional ball. IF there's a GIFTED ball player, then send them off to a special team in another league. Subjecting the rest to the "bench" is just ridiculous.
America has lost its way.
Maybe my high school experience will help to motivate this young guy. Keep in mind, this was a very competitive, 4A program. We had several state titles, and our county had a lot of them. It was a very competitive county.
Freshman year: I didn't make the team. I was bummed, but I kept doing sprints, running for distance, and going to the batting cages to get better. I also worked into a more competitive summer league.
Sophomore year: I made JV, and rode the bench. Played a few innings. I asked the JV coach if I could keep score because I was getting so bored.
Junior year: I made varsity, and rode the bench. I did help warm up pitches, be a base coach on occassion, and keep score. Played 2 games due to players getting sick on game day.
Senior year: Started after the second game, made all county. I passed two catchers ahead of me on the depth chart and never looked back.
After I was notified of my recognition, I asked my coach if he regretted not choosing me freshman year or playing me much until Senior year, and this was his reply:
"In your Freshman year, you didn't rank very high. You were slow, you had an average arm, and you had average hitting skills. The only reason I kept you around so long was because I liked how much you hustled. I wanted the other prospects to fear that you would move ahead of them even though you weren't as good as they were."
"In your Sophomore year, we had a lot of good catchers trying out. You had improved all around, and since you were in my class that year, I knew that you would help the team with your GPA. That year I had some really stupid kids."
"In your Junior year, you probably could have started for half the teams in the county, but you still needed work. I kept you busy to keep you hungry, and you showed your teammates how to work hard. Whenever I had to pull a kid aside because they were slacking, I told them to pay attention to your work ethic. If they didn't straighten up, somebody like you would take their place. Everybody saw your hustle and desire, and that's a tough lesson to teach people."
"By your Senior year, you had become the smartest player on the team. You worked with our pitchers in the bullpen They were comfortable with you behind the plate. You had become stronger. You still aren't very fast, but you were great taking leads off the base and reading the pitcher's delivery which makes up for your speed. You were a better hitter. The other seniors looked up to you because they knew how hard you worked at practice the past two years. The younger kids had a good role model to look up to. You made a big impact on this team and you'll leave a legacy when you graduate."
"Do I regret how I used you on this team? Not at all. You weren't good enough when you got here. And if you didn't work so hard in practice or on your summer teams, you wouldn't have become as good as you are now. If I had to guess God's reason for putting me in your life, I would guess that you needed to learn the value of hard work. You learned it, and so did your teammates."
We're not all gifted athletes. Sometimes it's how hard you work that makes the difference.
Just a side note, the coach isn't a teacher.
Anonymous said...
Just a side note, the coach isn't a teacher.
Everyone on earth is a teacher. Those related to schools are even more so. At a recent game, Bennett's coach, with one inning to go with a 9 point lead was not happy until he got a shortened game via the 10 point "slaughter rule". By not playing benchers late in such a game and giving them game experience, he is depriving them of education, sportsmanship, and experience they duly paid for. What a Dick.
Wow you whiners who want an easy pass are incredible.
I don't believe a kid should play if they can't compete and win the playing time. Having said that, if Bill Cropper is anywhere near this...it IS all about HIM. And there is an "I" in him. He's been that way over 25 years. And, his son will always get the most PT because Bill does play favoritism. Hard to believe he's this way and a minister of a church. Of course, he's that way about church too.
Does everyone get to play on the Orioles TEAM?
I didn't think so!
This person never said their family member should start or play major innings. When you are beating teams by ridiculous amounts let the kids get some experience. I agree with a previous poster, the team is being run by a self serving pastor, not the HC. HS baseball is full of politics and egotistical coaches, as are most Little Leagues. If a kid isn't good enough to play when your team is up 20, do not pick him for the team. Hate to burst the bubbles of the Bennett coaches and parents, but there are no pro prospects on the roster.
Mike Shockley is a joke of a coach! He is going to win a state championship with players who went to the little league world series. They were the best in the mid-atlantic region. But if they loose it will be because that guy is no coach. Any bum on the street could coach that team. Let the other kids play when your beating teams by 15-20 runs. Unless he can't coach if the game is close. He does whatever Bill Cropper and Jamie Evans tells him to do with those kids. Joke!!!
Anonymous Anonymous said...
I don't believe a kid should play if they can't compete and win the playing time. Having said that, if Bill Cropper is anywhere near this...it IS all about HIM. And there is an "I" in him. He's been that way over 25 years. And, his son will always get the most PT because Bill does play favoritism. Hard to believe he's this way and a minister of a church. Of course, he's that way about church too.
April 30, 2012 7:55 PM
Is he the same clown that has something to do with Man Up travel baseball?
Major League is a bit different than high school. I do not think any of those players on high school teams are getting paid to be there. Oh yea, I guess there is a chance for a scholarship but that is not a guarantee. I think the state of high school, and all youth sports has list its focus. What is Bennett's coach's motive in racking up the score? That is dirty, common ball playing. What is he proving by beating everybody by slaughter? What happened to professionalism. How often do professional teams run up the score? Karma will eventually come into play. He will end up losing his star player to a season ending injury in one of those games he runs up the score. It's not only Bennett, it's also Parkside and even the county rec leagues.
High School Teams are competitive teams - all players practice, not all get to play in the games. It is not recreation league or little league - it is a competitive league. When the team is up by a large margin however, a talented (good) coach will rotate in all players who work hard and attend all practices.
Same Bill Cropper who is the minister at the church in Hebron? Nice role model...not!
Is this Bill Cropper involved with Man Up travel ball?
I remember when Cropper was coaching at the Salvation Army coming to the game in flip flops. His lazy butt would sit down and yell and scream at the kids. Some role model he is. A fake preacher in a fly by night church.
Actually everyone in the Orioles roster does play. Bench players on average 1/4 games, starting pitchers 30-35 a season, relievers anywhere from 20-80 a season.
It's a team for a reason. There is no reason to keep your star players in late innings with a several run lead when you have younger guys who are obviously still capable enough to be on your varsity team, just not starting.
The difference? Winning by 7 runs instead of 12. How is it decided? Well it depends who's got more brown material on their nose.
The political aspect of it is that it is a team sport. Everyone has a chance, in theory. It is not unreasonable for a bench player on varsity, who has already proven themselves by making the team, to expect play time in late game situations that are landslide victories.
I respect everybody's opinion on this matter and as an avid sports enthusiast figured I would offer mine:
High school ball is usually the first level of ball in a kid's life where the "everybody gets to play" rule goes out the window. It offer the first glimpse into the way the real world works: everybody doesn't always get to play in the real world. TAke college entry for an example. We all don't get into college, let alone the college we want to go to. That is life and you have to work even harder to succeed when you are rejected or held down.
Baseball is a sport where it is as easy as lacrosse or basketball to put players back in the game after they have come out. While it is unlikely that Bennett would blow a big lead in the last inning or two, it is surely a possibility. Look at the NBA playoff game on SUnday night between Memphis and the LA Clippers. LA came back from an approx 25 point deficit in the 4th quarter and won on the road! Anything can happen.
Personally I have been on both sides, and I know how upsetting it is to sit on the bench when your team is ahead by ALOT of runs. It is frustrating, but that is life.
While I understand that everybody wants all players to get a chance, the coach has to protect against the .001% chance that something could go wrong and the team could lose. High school athletes are told the first day that playing time is no guarantee. The object is to win the game, and you have to do all you can (within the rules, doing so in a morally acceptable way) to ensure that happens.
And as long as Bennett is winning games, its hard to argue their formula. Phil Jackson never won an NBA title without Jordan or KObe on a team. So while the coach may have an advantage due to the players, he still has to be doing something right due to Bennett's success.
Thanks and good luck to the kids of Bennett baseball and I hope they all succeed life. (And most of them will succeed in something other than baseball).
Shockley is there for one reason only. His son will be headed to Bennett soon. That way he can help his baby boy start over players that are better. Its sick to see how parents will weasel their way into coaching positions just so their kid gets to play. Ive seen his son play. He is good, but Mike sees to it that he plays more than kids that are better. He's been doing it for years. Look up Nepotism in the dictionary and you'll see his photo beside it. As for Cropper? EGO TRIP!
Why is everyone attacking a perfectly capable coach? Has he done something wrong? Unethical? Illegal? Criminal? The answer is no, all he has done is coach kids fro the better part of his life. Anyone that cares to know the truth know he is more than qualified to coach a High School baseball team. Success should be used as a benchmark in all cases, life and sports. Most of those critical of this man and this team could not possibly understand the amount of commitment and effort the players and coaches on this team put forth. These kids practice their skills around the calendar, daily, weekly and monthly. They are good players that got good through hard work. GO BENNETT!!
I know the situation over at Bennett all too well. Forget the playing time as I personally believe that you play to win the game - No lead is ever a big enough lead because it only takes one bad inning to let the opposing team back in the game. And if you slaughter the other team early then your players come off the field - arms are preserved and rested, players are less likely to risk injury and the score expresses dominance and intimidates other opponents. When it comes to playing time, you play the best players you have. This isn't little league, these boys aren't guaranteed their 6 defensive outs and an at-bat any more.
What many people don't know about is Cropper and the other JMB coaches (Jamie Evans and Mike Shockley) is that they are directly affiliated with a travel ball organization called "Man Up Ministry Baseball." JMB players not affiliated with their outside organization have been known to be slighted on the JMB ball field. I know of several JMB JV and Varsity players that have seen a lack of playing time and even been cut simply because they play for a different travel ball organization. I KNOW those players have earned the right to be on the field and I KNOW those players are better than the players that Cropper, Evans and Shockley play over them.
This all started this past winter when Cropper, Evans and Shockley tried to require all JMB baseball players to attend a fitness program at Olympia Gym that was instructed by Man Up Baseball. The cost was $60 per month for 5 months. For one, high school coaches are not allowed to train student athletes prior to March 1st. Two, what happens if the player is training with another organization or can't afford $300 to train with Man Up Baseball? Do they get cut automatically? That is what was insinuated. Three, a youth membership to Olympia Gym is $30 per month. Who gets the extra $30 that is being charged? Does Man Up get it? Does JMB baseball get it? Either way, it is WRONG! Bill Cropper has been robbing the Church for years to fund his son's baseball ambitions, he's clearly willing to do whatever it takes.
As for the winning history of JMB Baseball. They won State last year under a completely different coaching staff. This year they will probably win State again under Man Up Baseball's coaching staff and that's what Man Up wants. They want to take credit for the talent that is there, not the talent that they produced. That team is nothing but pure talent - they were pure talent back when those boys went to the Little League World Series, they were pure talent last year winning State and they are pure talent this year. Their coaching staff isn't the reason that they are winning, but I'm sure that Man Up Ministries will express their opinion differently at the end of the season.
10:36....The coaching staff isn't completely different, Shockley coached Bennett last year.
If you're good enough to play, you will. If you're not, you'll be a benchwarmer. Kids gotta learn someday, and apparently, this parent never told their child about the "real world". I was a benchwarmer my first little league season, worked on my game, next year I was started the whole season at the hot corner. I wasn't happy being a benchwarmer, and it drove me to improve. That mentality is on par with giving the losing team a trophy.
Okay- lets give Mike a little bit of a break. Compared to the idiot coaching at WIHI Mike looks like Joe Torre! Whew! Now thats bad stuff right there. lol God help those kids.......
I'm gonna leave Jamie and Bill out of this. People around the team know the history with them and this team. Mike is certainly qualified to coach this team. He's one of the most talented players ever to play around here. He's also an excellent coach. He has a responsibility to defend an undefeated state championship. If they were to slip up and lose because he put players on the field that shouldn't be there, that would be completely on him. I wish them all the best, and quit whining.
1:10, you can't leave Bill and Jamie out, Mike is there puppet! There hands are so far up his but its crazy. They are at practice, games etc. telling him what to do. You say he is one of the most talented players to play around here, did he tell you that? He sure does tell alot of people how good he was. Is he even in the ESBL Hall of Fame? He stole alot of bases at Salisbury State, but that does not make you talented in the whole picture of things. Bottem line is that what sence does it make to play your best players when your up 15 runs. what if his top player gets hurt when he is up 15, the guy who replaces him is going to have no game experence and people are going to down him because he is not going to be ready.
Why is it everybody hates a winner? Keep up the grat work Coach Shockley.
GO BENNETT!
Just so everyone knows, the kids that were leaders on the team and led them to their state champiomship last year were not the ones that went to the little league world series. Their leaders were kids that worked hard and were not closely affialiated with cropper. Those boys were zach sterling, bayside pitcher of the yr and 1 time team mvp, hunter greenwood, 2 time all bayside first team and 1 time team mvp, and brandon hayward, bayside player of the year, 3 time first team all bayside and 1 time team mvp. So those who think all croppers players play are mistaken. These boys knew cropper but were not his favorites or anything of the sort, so the argument that last year was the same way is baseless.
To those on here that are attacking a coach and players for being good and working hard to be that way I say STFU. This team, it's coach and it's players are something this community should be proud of. The nay sayers here were likely losers in high school athletics and likely losers in life. Simply jealous of anothers success. Pathetic really.
These comments are ridiculous and make me sick! These kids are playing baseball for their "REAL COACH" "JAY FENEGLIETTO", and for a reason far more important then getting playing time in a game. Jay has been their coach for many years and has built a tremendous program at JMB. These kids love him and want this season for "HIM" not all of you! This season is about a lot more then playing time... their "COACH" is fighting for his life and they are winning in honor of him! It discusts me that you are all so selfish and set such a horrible example for your own children and the other youth of this county with your immature and disprespectful comments. Shame on all of you! GOOD LUCK JMB BASEBALL, DO WHAT IT TAKES FOR "JAY"!
Anonymous said...
. He stole alot of bases at Salisbury State, but that does not make you talented in the whole picture of things.
May 1, 2012 3:05 PM
HaHaaHaHaHa...LMAO...HaHaHa....ROTFLMAO.....LOL....Hahaha!!
That speaks volumes. If Mike Shockley had an talent he would have been playing somewhere other than Salisbury State. He and everyone associated with Man Up and Bill Cropper are a JOKE!!
We are not looking for a free ride. We want a chance to prove we belong on the TEAM. We practice hard, we get good grades. We respect our team and our coaches. Our parents have taught us that life is not fair, but if we don't keep pushing for a chance to try how will anyone EVER know we have what it takes.
Once the players that are in the spotlight today have moved on who is responsible for the team if the newer players have not been trained, taught, coached, perfected to carry on? Where is Bennett Baseball Pride and Ambition to carry on?
I am sorry you see it as whinning, I was under the impression that stating your opinion was allowed on this site. I still believe in America you have the right to speak up for yourself. I am sorry if I hurt your feelings.
The Bennett boys are some of the most talented group of players...and have been since they have been little. Let this boys play, and hopefully, the hypocritical, self-centeredness, and politics that has been created by the years of ongoing rumbling through school & community take backseat. I thought that high school sports meant...finally, no parent influences and envolvement..except from the bleechers, cheering on your child and the rest of the team. My thought is...in time, God will bless or punish those that deserve it. So, hopefully, everyone will re-evaluate there own actions, and admit whether they are truly honorable or not. Remember, we need to teach our youth honesty and make sure as an adult we are setting a good example. Eventually, these boys will be out in the real world, so they need to make sure they are taught by example how to be a good, upstanding citizen!!!
I have read a lot of Bull Snot in my days and if this an't a bunch of crying I don't know what is. As one of the elite in the USMC we had a couple of sayings and stuck by them (things that made this country, as a team). One is "No man left behind" and the second "We are as good as the Slowest Man in our TEAM". It seems like Jo is the only one who got it right because if we had to put everyone on the bench (to keep it warm - ha) this I think this country would be worst (I know, isn't that hard to believe) then it is now. For everyone who is for the only the elite playing, I say up yours and you need to say thanks to every GI because they did not sit no bench - no matter.
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