I had been wondering if it was just human nature or something else?
You have probably hit the nail on the head about the reason fitting under an umbrella of parental expectations.
What I have also observed is that the players themselves dont seem to be complaining, so that continues to restore my faith as to what is happening in the baseball worlds/communities across America.
Many recent parental complaints are of this nature:
- At tryouts, my son did not make the level that " I think " he should have.
- My player does not get enough playing time.
- Other players on the team aren't very good.
- Why is the coach playing player X over player Z?
- " I " contacted the coach and now he's giving my son an attitude.
- My son has been black listed.
......and the list goes on.
I watched a kid recently week, who hasn't got a hit in the last three years, go up to bat 4th in the line up. ( my inner head/voice said, " huh ? " )
This kid hit one,.... ( and it was a beauty I must say! ) over the CF fence with runners on base! Cha ching!!
( Me and my stupid-stupid, " Huh? " head! ) More proof, I know NOTHING. Why did I second guess the coach's decison??
There are lots of things we parents don't always understand or agree with, especially when it comes to certain decisions that the coach(s) makes. But the truth be told, bottom line, it is hands down, the Coach's team.
He makes the decisions. We as observers have to learn to live with them.
The players seem to already understand this.
I also watched a parent yell from centerfield to his son sitting on the bench. " Tell your coaches to get some brains and put you in. You're the best *&%@$! player/pitcher on the team!! ".
Player continued to sit.
7th inning,...same player gets off the bench & takes right field. His dad is standing at the fence livid. The player calmly looks over to his dad and says, " Dad, I came to the game late. You cant be late. I'm in the game now. That's what counts. "
I know that father didn't enjoy that game.
He stood steaming with his ears on fire about his son not playing.
Doubt he took much note of his son's team mate who hit one over the fence for the first time in his life that night, or the sophomore who's quick thinking turned a double play and ended a crucial inning for us.
The value of these kinds of awesome moments unfortunately gets lost on the parent who is so consumed with the idea that his/her own child is being " wronged ".
I hope this father asked his son after the game, " Why were you late to your game ? " and then talked to him about the importance of being on time, etc. I also hope he noticed that the team still won inspite of his son sitting the bench.
( Remember that kid who hit one over the fence? Well he was actually filling in for this father's son's usual batting spot. )
Hopefully that event alone triggered the idea to both father and son, that no one player is more important over another.
I truely hope he didnt spend the rest of the evening telling his son how stupid his coaches were for not playing him for most of the game,...... but I have a feeling that's probably what happened.
I also have a feeling the coach probably got a livid phone call/email from this parent.
I'd also be willing to bet the coach wasnt going to meet this parent with a giant happy grin on his face either,...but, that just my best hunch.
Parents,...please enjoy these four years of ball. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Consider it your challenge to find a way to overcome adversity. Take the high road, teach your sons that good things dont always come easy and that this too is just a tiny blip on the map of their life.
How these players and how we as parents handle these situations will help mold our children into what they will be in the future.
Its sooo important.
Enjoy the game,...if your son isn't playing,.....watch, observe, and cheer on the team, just like he is.
Don't miss out on special team moments.
Enjoy the team, not just your own player,....but the team as a whole.
There is a whole lot of satifaction that comes from watching the new, green-still-wet-behind-the-ears-catcher make an amazing throw down to 2nd, or the pitcher who finds his zone after a few harsh innings, or the left fielder who slides through the wet grass on his belly with his glove up and the ball sitting pretty inside of it.
Your son is watching. He's learning. He's overcoming. Join him.
We as parents can learn alot from our kids.