How does High School Baseball work at TJ?

[Anonymous]

Can anyone please tell how baseball teams work at TJ? We have a child who is interested and played in the past. Loves baseball and is an average player.

Specifically my questions

1) I hear Varsity and Junior Varsity teams. What if you do not qualify for either? Is there a way to participate in the sport without making these teams?

2) How tough is it to break into these teams? How many players get selected?

3) Would you recommend getting a trainer to help get some practice so that he would have a chance to get into the teams? Or is it too late to be even trying? Not that he would give up but it would help setup appropriate expectations.

I am a complete newbie and have no experience playing the sport and feel so helpless in guiding my son. I would really appreciate any suggestions and help.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

If not at TJ, can anyone please share information on how this would work at other schools?

[Anonymous]

I have no clue what you are asking

[Anonymous]

High schools in this area usually field junior varsity (generally 9th and 10th) and varsity teams (generally 11th and 12th). Each team will have roughly 18-24 kids on the roster. No one is guaranteed a roster spot and a roster spot does not guarantee playing time; there is no minimum for each player. Some places might have a club, intramural team, or practice squad (practice with the school team but do not play), but that is very school-specific.

Level of competitiveness for a team spot is very school specific. Part-time, one-time, or enthusiastic-but-not-skilled players will not make the Madison or Liberty teams. But Falls Church HS might be happy to have them.

If your kid wants to try out this spring (which really happens in February), they should participate in any/all winter training and conditioning opportunities the coaches set, plus do some regular running and strength work on their own. Some work with a training facility on batting and throwing would probably be a good idea as well. If he’s looking ahead to spring 2024, he should make sure to find a summer and fall ball team.

If he doesn’t make the high school team but wants to play, there are plenty of recreational and “travel” teams available. Some travel teams are highly skilled and competitive; others will take anyone whose check clears the bank. Remind him he has options, and those options will evolve based on how much work he puts in and how much time he wants to spend.

[Anonymous]

Also know the teams at TJ are VERY competitive. These kids have played travel and club for a long time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone please tell how baseball teams work at TJ? We have a child who is interested and played in the past. Loves baseball and is an average player.

Specifically my questions

1) I hear Varsity and Junior Varsity teams. What if you do not qualify for either? Is there a way to participate in the sport without making these teams?

- If your kid is an average player, he will make the TJ JV team. Has he been going to green days? He should reach out to the coaches now to attend and be added to the list.

2) How tough is it to break into these teams? How many players get selected?

- If your son has never ever played, it might be tough. But sounds like he has.

3) Would you recommend getting a trainer to help get some practice so that he would have a chance to get into the teams? Or is it too late to be even trying? Not that he would give up but it would help setup appropriate expectations.

- Like I said, Fall practices are going on now. Contact the coaches.

I am a complete newbie and have no experience playing the sport and feel so helpless in guiding my son. I would really appreciate any suggestions and help.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

If your kid is an average player, he will make the TJ JV team. Has he been going to green days? He should reach out to the coaches now to attend and be added to the list.

[Anonymous]

I think private lessons are a good investment. It really doesn’t take much and they can give you guidance for proper form and preventing injury. We saw a big improvement after 2 sessions. They’re about $90.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also know the teams at TJ are VERY competitive. These kids have played travel and club for a long time.

Is this true for all sports, or just baseball? I have a student at another school that will be competing against TJ in a (non baseball) sport later this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also know the teams at TJ are VERY competitive. These kids have played travel and club for a long time.

Is this true for all sports, or just baseball? I have a student at another school that will be competing against TJ in a (non baseball) sport later this year.

NP - it depends on the sport and the year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also know the teams at TJ are VERY competitive. These kids have played travel and club for a long time.

Is this true for all sports, or just baseball? I have a student at another school that will be competing against TJ in a (non baseball) sport later this year.

I cannot speak for baseball - but their swim team is ridiculously good. We swam against them and naively thought they would not be that good. The destroyed all the teams. When you looked up their swimmers they were all NCAP.

Just a high level of competitiveness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:High schools in this area usually field junior varsity (generally 9th and 10th) and varsity teams (generally 11th and 12th). Each team will have roughly 18-24 kids on the roster. No one is guaranteed a roster spot and a roster spot does not guarantee playing time; there is no minimum for each player. Some places might have a club, intramural team, or practice squad (practice with the school team but do not play), but that is very school-specific.

Level of competitiveness for a team spot is very school specific. Part-time, one-time, or enthusiastic-but-not-skilled players will not make the Madison or Liberty teams. But Falls Church HS might be happy to have them.

If your kid wants to try out this spring (which really happens in February), they should participate in any/all winter training and conditioning opportunities the coaches set, plus do some regular running and strength work on their own. Some work with a training facility on batting and throwing would probably be a good idea as well. If he’s looking ahead to spring 2024, he should make sure to find a summer and fall ball team.

If he doesn’t make the high school team but wants to play, there are plenty of recreational and “travel” teams available. Some travel teams are highly skilled and competitive; others will take anyone whose check clears the bank. Remind him he has options, and those options will evolve based on how much work he puts in and how much time he wants to spend.

This is very very helpful. Thank you so much!

[Anonymous]

Like other HS baseball programs, but with better math.

[Anonymous]

The TJ team uses advanced analytics to select rosters and determine lineups and rotations.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all the replies.

I have no idea how any of the sports teams work at high school level. My child only played little league for a couple of years and that is the extent of our sports experience.

I did not know for example, that they select 24 or so plays to participate unlike in little league where they form as many teams as there are kids to fill them out.