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And You Think HS Ball Is Tough.......

Frozen Ropes GMFrozen Ropes GM1,000+ posts
My son's t-ball coach forwarded this to me this morning from our league Commissioner as it was directed to all of the coaches in the league.

Thought it was amusing enough to share and no it was not directed at our team.........



Coaches:

Over the past week I have received many complaints from more than 15 teams. I want you all to know that I look at each one, consider what my response would be and when needed I look for help other than myself if I have a question to make sure that everyone gets a fair and correct response.

So with that said I, myself, have a few things I would like to say:

At no time is ok to yell at a player who is only 4 from the sidelines "to get his a** out there, that we are here to win a game and not to play" (what is this?). I heard this myself I could only imagine what else is being said when I am not around this was at a 4u game.

As a coach is your job to ensure the safety of all of the players on the field. Again, I heard personally, when a coach from a team asked another coach to "please move your player out of the baseline" it was responded by saying "just have him run him over". (what is this).

Parents yelling from the stands is never accepted. When a coaches from other team to team are discussing a call with the umpire, parents are NOT to get involved. It is up to you as a coach to make an appeal. Not the parents of a team. There will always be bad calls, umpires aren't perfect and neither are anyone of us, but sometimes it work against you and at other times it will work in your favor. You can appeal a call but DO NOT argue with the umpire or another coach over a call.

When players are out in the field it is YOUR job as a coach to make sure

that the players are out of the baseline be aware of what is going on in the field. At 4-5 & 6 I understand that they move but it works great if you draw them a circle and ask them to stay with in the circle until the ball is put into play. There is too many kids getting ran over and pushed down.

When a play is not being made to a specific base make sure your player is not standing on the base, but on the corner of the base to allow the base runner a chance to advance to the base. MOST of the time in 6u players are intimated to run to a base if a player is already on the base and in 4u they are just plain confused as to why there is already someone there.

DO NOT allow any parent to coach in the dugout with out a back ground check or jersey.

I am seeing a handfull of teams who are only using one player during the

game. I know atleast three teams that I can give you the name of the player because during the game all that can be heard is the coaches calling that one name over and over and over again. It is a team effort NOT just a single player. Encourage your players to get the ball to the base player who is PLAYING the base.

I am a parent myself and honestly if my son was on any on of these teams I would be pretty upset if my son kept getting ran past by a player who constantly had the ball and he never had a chance to play his position. They EACH deserve a chance to play even if that means you can't win a game because of it.

These are some of my complaints but mainly other coaches complaints. I have had my own this season but have kept a real tight lip because of my position on the board but I am telling you guys I am getting the same complaints concerning the same teams, from almost every game that is played.

Keep cussing out, trash talking out, arguing out of the ears of these little guys and win by playing the game and having fun because what is the point for these little guys if they aren't having fun.

I do appreciate all of you. It has taken me a 10 seasons to really figure out the entire coach thing and there is still a lot of things I need to know and understand as I grow as a coach so I know first hand just how hard it can be at times to manage a team of players, coaches and parents. I know it takes a lot of days at the ballfield just not playing but practicing. It

takes a lot of time and money away from your own family. It is super appreciated. I also have a handful of coaches who I have never heard a complaint about so I know it can be done.

Guys, let's stay positive and remember they are all just kids!
Last edited {1}
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tychcotychco1,000+ posts
I wish I could say I am surprised, but I am not. Younger parents are significantly worse than the older child parents.

T-Bird Son #1 started umpiring a few years ago (coach-pitch mainly) is now calling 9-10U games this year. He was calling behind the plate Saturday and he had to "bench" a coach because he simply would not let any calls go that he thought should go another way. Never mind that T-Bird Son applied every rule correctly...This guy was off the bench complaining every time.

I realize there are probably a shortage of coaches for most rec leagues, but there needs to be some real guidance to help these coaches understand how of little importance winning is in the development of the little guys...they just need to have fun and they will come back and play every year. If the talent is there, it will emerge over time as long as they are allowed to enjoy the game.

On a side note, T-Bird Son handled the coach professionally, which I was proud of...you suppose he will appreciate the HS umps he sees from here on out???
Panther DadPanther Dad5,000+ posts
quote:
At no time is ok to yell at a player who is only 4 from the sidelines "to get his a** out there, that we are here to win a game and not to play". (what is this?) I heard this myself I could only imagine what else is being said when I am not around this was at a 4u game.


Correction -- isn't it ok if you're yelling at your own son??? Big Grin

I agree with JAFO -- WOW! In hindsight, I publicly apologize to the 17 yr old that was umpiring the Eagles/Red Sox coaches' pitch championship game in 1990 when I was a wired parent -- he must be 34-35 now and may even read this site. Dude, I'm sorry. Smile Ok, to the BBI ump in the summer of 2004....against the Giants....I apologize. Those are the only incidents I can remember (and memory isn't the first thing to go).

Fun post, DBAT GM -- and revealing -- welcome back???
Last edited by Panther Dad
A ACowboyFan100+ posts
WOW, doesn't even begin to cover it.

I am a U6 T-Ball / Coach pitch coach and over the last two seasons I have been impressed by the fact that the parents and coaches all seem to get it...that this is about the boys and helping them learn how to love the game.

I have to admit to being way over the top in the past as a parent as well but I think we covered that in a long thread last fall.

I don't know how I would handle a coach or a parent that acted like the ones described in this e-mail. I guess all I could do is smile and encourage the poor boy who was at the receiving end of the bad actor.
Ringer1Ringer1100+ posts
We entered our youngest in 3-4 year old t-ball last year. Big mistake. I agree that they should just play in the backyard and make up their own rules. At least until they are five.

At our last game we had a mom making snotty remarks to the other team because they were using our equipment. She did this knowing that the other teams coach had abandoned them and took their equipment. I had to apologize for this idiot. I saw too many people taking it too seriously to have my son involved. We might try it again next year. Not that I think it will change.

Needless to say we are not playing tball this year. We put him in the 's' word and it is perfect. All they do is run around in a pack and try to kick a ball and the parents cheer when they score. Even if they do put it in wrong goal. Their four years old...who really cares if it goes in the wrong goal as long as they think they've done something good.
Last edited by Ringer1
skysthelimitskysthelimit100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Texan:
There is absolutely no need for organized ball at 4-5 YO. Send them out in the backyard, let them make up their own rules & play. The adults stay out of the game.


If there is no baseball till 6 or 7 years old then
you loose a lot of kids to s****r. S****r starts them
out at 3 years old. Yes it is easier for them cause all they have to do is run and kick a ball. After a kid plays that for 3 or 4 years it is hard to get them and parents to change sports and go to the "unknown"
Coaches and parents must learn that T-ball is there to help a kid to learn to LOVE the game, there is
plenty of time for all of that competition when they get to Coach Pitch.
JMHO Big Grin
Frozen Ropes GMFrozen Ropes GM1,000+ posts
I have to say that I thoroughly love t-ball and we, as parents, would be remiss to not encourage our children to learn to love this great game at an early age.

I started out this season being just another parent but after a desperate plea from our coach for assistance I am now the team's first base coach/scorekeeper. Most of you wouldn't even recognize me as I have assumed the role of the rah-rah, high-fiving, over-the-top cheerleader coach. It's a blast!

Our team is mostly five-year olds in a 6u league but we are holding our own and my son is having a ball. I think that most people try too hard to force a child to love baseball when all you have to do is put them around the game and let them fall in love with it. The games are fun and our team's most important part of the game is the ceremonial snack and drink after an hour and fifteen minutes of loosely controlled chaos.

As our kids get older and progress through the age groups it's easy to lose some perspective of why they started playing in the first place.....and I bet it wasn't to get a scholarship.

Long live t-ball!
Frozen Ropes GMFrozen Ropes GM1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
John,

Whatever. Roll Eyes

I know your one of those dad's yelling from behind the backstop with your radar gun in hand. Big Grin

Yep, that's right. It's coach pitch.

Your just trying to prove you throw faster than the other coaches.

Big Grin Big Grin
Gut - coach pitch is still two years away but I'm getting the old arm ready anyway just in case I get the call...........

I still got it, baby. Wink
Last edited by Frozen Ropes GM
skysthelimitskysthelimit100+ posts
It also wasn't that long ago there wasn't a million "select" baseball teams.
But now we have select in every sport, and if we want to keep our numbers growing then we have to have young teams.
I am part of our youth league in our city and I can
tell you that if a kid does not start playing baseball
until 9 or 10 then he is playing catch up for a long
time.
T Texan1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by skysthelimit:
It also wasn't that long ago there wasn't a million "select" baseball teams.
But now we have select in every sport, and if we want to keep our numbers growing then we have to have young teams.


I hear that said, but I just can't accept it as proven fact.


quote:
Originally posted by skysthelimit:
I am part of our youth league in our city and I can
tell you that if a kid does not start playing baseball until 9 or 10 then he is playing catch up for a long time.


I can positively state that this is incorrect. My son & several others who started at 9YO were behind for one season, but pulled even in the second season. And were making All-Stars at 10YO, as well as also playing select ball. If a kid has any talent for the game and is willing to practice, he won't lag for long at all. And he won't be carrying the bad habits that so many kids pick up in machine pitch or coach pitch.
Last edited by Texan
collikarcollikar1,000+ posts
I know that when Bird was able to be on a team, we got him there. Looking back on the whole experience, I can see it was we, as parents that were the one's pushing the issue. He loved the game and still does, but he would have loved it and excelled at it regardless of when we started him. And yes, it was and is the extra effort that he puts into it that helps him succeed.

With, son #2, we weren't nearly as zealous. Experience has helped us understand our role as parents. (Although, we still back slide occasionally; mainly T-Bird Dad even though he says baseball mom's are incorrigible. Big Grin)

DBAT - You're lucky because you've got experience and knowledge on your side going into it. You get to help the other parents using the wisdom you already possess. Continue to be the “cheerleader” at first, and enjoy the ride.
Frozen Ropes GMFrozen Ropes GM1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
quote:
but I'm getting the old arm ready


Don't forget lower body strength. Foul pole sprints are good for this. Big Grin

KG - I'm sure the image of me running sprints while looking like a bag o'donuts with legs has tickled your funny bone. You'd like the image of me in a big gold Pirates t-shirt even better. All the coaches in this league are required to wear a jersey w/#.....and we're forced to to tuck it in as well!

At least the team isn't red so I was spared the shouts of "Hey Koolaid!" from the kids...... Smile
Last edited by Frozen Ropes GM
DC Diablo con Huevos500+ posts
just goes to show that parents (at youth events) and money (in the real world) are the root to all evil... after all listen to all the "dads" on here with all the **** they talk about summer coaches and high school coaches... a lot of parents need to get a life...

unfort. there is a lot of people out there having kids that shouldn't be having kids - ask any teacher...
Ken GuthrieKen Guthrie1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Texan:
quote:
Originally posted by skysthelimit:
It also wasn't that long ago there wasn't a million "select" baseball teams.
But now we have select in every sport, and if we want to keep our numbers growing then we have to have young teams.


I hear that said, but I just can't accept it as proven fact.


quote:
Originally posted by skysthelimit:
I am part of our youth league in our city and I can
tell you that if a kid does not start playing baseball until 9 or 10 then he is playing catch up for a long time.


I can positively state that this is incorrect. My son & several others who started at 9YO were behind for one season, but pulled even in the second season. And were making All-Stars at 10YO, as well as also playing select ball. If a kid has any talent for the game and is willing to practice, he won't lag for long at all. And he won't be carrying the bad habits that so many kids pick up in machine pitch or coach pitch.


I continue to ask.........

On what basis and/or experience to you gain your opinions on what is factual?

Big Grin

I think there should be select ball for 3 year olds just to give another bootleg thread an opportunity on this site.

Razz
Ken GuthrieKen Guthrie1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Diablo con Huevos:
just goes to show that parents (at youth events) and money (in the real world) are the root to all evil... after all listen to all the "dads" on here with all the **** they talk about summer coaches and high school coaches... a lot of parents need to get a life...

unfort. there is a lot of people out there having kids that shouldn't be having kids - ask any teacher...


Eek Now we're talkin'. Finally a voice of reason.
Ken GuthrieKen Guthrie1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by DBAT GM:
quote:
Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
quote:
but I'm getting the old arm ready


Don't forget lower body strength. Foul pole sprints are good for this. Big Grin

KG - I'm sure the image of me running sprints while looking like a bag o'donuts with legs has tickled your funny bone. You'd like the image of me in a big gold Pirates t-shirt even better. All the coaches in this league are required to wear a jersey w/#.....and we're forced to to tuck it in as well!

At least the team isn't red so I was spared the shouts of "Hey Koolaid!" from the kids...... Smile


On second thought...forget the sprints. Big Grin

Pirates huh? Do you wear those old flat topped hats with the stripes and stars on em'? Visions of Kent Tuckulvie throwing from down under with that hat are coming back.

Here's to a championship T-ball season. However that is defined.
obradyobrady500+ posts
I wouldn't let my son play till he could catch well enough to satisfy me. I didn't want him to get hurt and never want to play again. He played Rec. ball at 7 and was ask to play competitive at 8. Fortunately he did have a dad, brag brag - pat pat, who knew baseball and taught him how to play at home. I feel that we do loose a lot of kids when the parents do not have interest in the sport.

I think the little ones look cute in their uniforms. But I just want to see them learn basics.

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