The showcase team the kid played on the last couple of years. If a parent approached their child in the dugout for any reason, he didn't play, late, no play, forgot/misplaced something, no play, had a handful of equipment and parents caught helping him carry it, no play. Coach was like "when you get to college next year they are not going to put up with your BS, so better get use to it now".
If a water cooler is provided (as in college) it's a non-issue.
So, I live in GA and we play at LP a lot. It can be 120 degrees on the turf in July so hydration is extremely important. I've seen more than one kid overheat.
No coolers are allowed in the complex so you have to buy drinks which I believe are $2.75 for a Powerade and $2.50 for a water. Between BP and the game my son can go through three or four drinks. So, I should buy 3-4 before the game and they are warm versus just flipping him a cold one one when he gives a drink signal? Even though I don't see anything wrong with flipping him a drink, I shouldn't because it's viewed as coddling. I don't claim to have all the answers which is why I'm asking.
Having read your other posts, I really don't think you need to ask. But, since you did, I'll address it...
Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a thirsty kid getting a drink tossed to him. It's not the small act, it's setting the culture.
I'm talking specifically HS level. These kids are with the team and coaches five days a week for several months. I feel part of the structure of a HS program is to establish a culture where we are contributing to the process of these young men learning responsibilities, speaking and acting on their own behalf, working well in a structured environment, making good decisions, etc. We also want to create an environment where they have to learn all of these things largely without the immediate assistance of their parents. And, it should be an outlet - a place they can play and work hard and enjoy the results of their efforts, a place where they can come together as a family AWAY from their other family. Of course it is a place where they can learn the game at a deeper level, play the game and compete, but also, grow and thrive as young adults.
So, the culture has to be developed with rules and boundaries to allow these things to take place.
We have developed that culture with our program. Parents know they are 100% welcome to attend practice if they wish. They quickly realize that they are welcome to just enjoying watching, generally encourage or just check in to make sure their kids are in a safe, structured environment and are being treated properly and fairly. Any participation beyond that is interfering with our structure and will be addressed.
Several years ago, we were getting started with winter workouts, just getting on the field, so things were still not at full speed with structure. There was a dad of a highly touted incoming freshman. This dad is a great guy, VERY involved with his kids, very social and loved to be in the middle of things. He's the guy with the huge personality that everyone knows. We would come to find out later that he would continue be at most practices - has other boys coming through the system. This was just a year or two into our taking over a program that previously had no structure. So, first day on the field, this dad comes and plops himself down in the dugout. I asked to talk to him aside from the group right then. This was the first time he was ever told that this was not going to happen. He wasn't happy that day (or maybe that month) but message sent and from then on, everyone knew. This guy continued to be a great supporter of his kids and all the boys, really. Still very loud at games. After a few years, he started directing some of his vocals in a negative way toward other players when his kid was affected by their misplays. Another talk. Another butt-hurt month. Message sent. All good.
When the message (clearly spelled out at parent meetings) and actions are consistent, it doesn't take long to build the culture. Now, when a kid gets tossed a gatorade into our dugout, there is clearly a culture where there is no intent of the parent (or delivery mule) to linger or do anything other than get a kid a drink. In fact, every time, you can see there is effort to do so as discretely as possible. Yes, we preach and prefer to come prepared but something like not having a gatorade packed before school is not an offense we give much thought to. Shoes? Hat? Whole different story. Glove? Bat? (Literally and figuratively) Problem.
As someone else mentioned, part of that structure is firm boundaries from the time they show up for practice or game until the last chore is done and our closing chant is shouted. Then, all other family is welcome.
So, is it OK to give the kid a gatorade? Context.
PS - personally, I don't see how that culture can be remotely possible by allowing parents in the post-game or post-practice discussion, to say nothing of the fact that most HS players would rightfully flip if theirs decided to join in.
